Wordless Wednesday {3}...

Ok so today is a Wordless Wednesday for me, I'll be spending my morning/afternoon with the kids at Kids Day Out, here are a few pics from this week and last...

Above you may see~ My parents very spoiled chihuahua with painted toenails, crazy clouds after a Kansas storm, a delish cucumber salad, my husband rocking out, and flowers from my sweet man "just because"

Linking up with Alysha at Supermom for Wordish Wednesday...

...and Chelsey at The Paper Mama

Spicy Pasta Salad Recipe

Last Saturday Dave and I cooked out over at my Dad's house, which I talked about a little in the last Steppin' Out post. We really wanted to make a side dish that was summery, just something light and refreshing. We decided to make our own pasta salad and it turned out delish so of course I wanted to share with you all :)

Ingredients:

-16oz pasta (we used Archer Farms whole wheat pasta)
-Italian dressing (we used Newman's Own Light Italian, about 3/4 the bottle)
-Sliced cucumber
-Diced tomato (we used cherry tomatoes cut in half)
-Orange and lemon pepper
-Ground cayenne red pepper
-Cholula chipotle sauce (optional)

...I didn't give you exact amounts for the vegetables and spices because it's totally up to you and your taste buds, we love things spicy so ours would have more hot sauce...just go with what tastes good.

Directions:
-Cook the pasta as instructed on the package
-Drain pasta and add spices, dressing, and hot sauce...toss pasta and taste as you go
-Add cucumbers and tomatoes and toss 
-Chill before serving... 
 

...simple and oh so tasty! Hope you all enjoy :)

Steppin' Out Saturday {4}...

This is actually a Steppin' Out Friday post again, since last night was more low-key. Friday Dave played at the Artichoke here in town. I love when he plays there because the food is amazing and the owners/people who work there are the best. Plus, the crowd that shows up is always a fun group that sings along and gets really into the music, which is always appreciated. 

I was extra excited because even though it hasn't really been that long, I'm used to Dave playing all the time...and since we took time off to go back to Tennessee to switch cars with my father-in-law and then more time off for my best friend's wedding, it seemed like it had been forever since Dave had played...

The show went well and I got to hang out with my friend Veronica who is in town for the summer, she is in med school in Europe, how cool is that?! Anyways, it's not your typical "steppin out" post because it wasn't technically a date night since Dave was playing for some of it. But what the heck...

Saturday night we cooked out at my Dad's house. Salmon, Steak, veggies, pasta salad, guacamole, and Summer Shandy...mmm mmm good!

Linking up with Mandy over at Harper's Happenings...

All we need...

"And even though we ain't got money,
I'm so in love with you, honey,
And everything will bring a chain of love.
And in the morning, when I rise,
You bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything is gonna be alright."
~Kenny Loggins 

I know you all have heard this song before, but I just had to post the lyrics to the chorus. Last night Dave was preparing for his show at the Artichoke and he started playing this song. Now, he sings/plays this song at home all the time and it's always been one of my favorites, but last night it really hit me. I teared up a little when he got to this part as I was listening from the bathroom where I was getting ready...

...I just feel so blessed. Every morning I thank God for this amazing man who loves and adores me. And yes, even though we don't have money, we have each other and that is what is important. Everything else is just icing on the cake. So while we don't have every thing we want, we have everything we NEED (and yes, some of the things we want too.) 

This month things have been tight, but we make it work. It's worth it to us to give up some things we may think we want now in order to put Dave on the right track for his music career. To me, he's too talented and the music is too special to not share it with the world. 

Today I stumbled upon this quote by Joseph Campbell, "You must give up the life you had planned in order to have the life that is waiting for you." Amazing. And exactly what I needed to hear. I know that this life has wonderful things in store for Dave and I that I can't even begin to imagine. And I can't wait to see what they are! Even if it means that we end up driving/living in one of these for awhile...

VIA

 ...hehe, no matter what I know we'll be just fine. Love you all and am so thankful for such good people that support my husband's music. You guys are the best. ~Mal

PS~ for those of you who haven't heard Dave's music here you go...

You can buy the album here: http://bit.ly/f5VOVt
...and to read his thoughts on music and life check out his blog here, I know you all will love it :)

My Best Friend's Wedding...

As you all know, Saturday was my best friend's wedding.We had a blast...it was a lot of fun and so special to be able to share that special day with someone I have been friends with for 20 years now. Friday we had a full day of manis/pedis followed by lunch and of course we had the rehearsal dinner, to see pics from that night go here...at lunch that day Jen gave us our bridesmaids gifts. She gave us these super cute Vera Bradley bags, she had picked out a different pattern for each of us...I'm in love...

Saturday I was up early to shower and get ready to be at the hotel where us girls got ready by 10. We were lucky enough to have makeup artists to help us look extra pretty, and of course my Mom did everyone's hair (minus the bride and one bridesmaid.)

Lin getting her makeup done

After we were all done up, we had lunch and mimosas before getting our dresses on. We had a little down time in the hotel room, which was nice, we were able to really take the day in and not feel rushed...

LOVED these dresses...will definitely find somewhere to wear it again

Some of the bridesmaids

The bride and I :)

After a few pictures and the bride seeing her Dad we hopped in the limo and headed to the church for the bride and groom to do their meet-and-greet. I knew I was going to be emotional at this wedding, especially since I teared up when she walked down the isle at the rehearsal, but I didn't expect to be so overwhelmed when we got to watch them as they saw each other for the first time. They had us all crying as we sat in the balcony watching them. It was just so sweet...

Couldn't help but get a shoe picture in the limo

Guys, I still tear up looking at these

The sweetest :)

The church was GORGEOUS

love

We then went back to a room in the church to wait for the guests to arrive. Again it was nice to relax for a few, grab a snack, and do a few touch ups...

After the ceremony, the bridal party loaded onto the trolley and headed to the reception, first we made a stop for pictures. I was so excited that they got a trolley, I've always seen pictures of bridal parties on them and it looks so fun. For those of you considering whether it's worth it to get one for your wedding or not...it is...

The reception was a great time, and I made it through my speech!!! I did have to pause in the middle to catch my breath (if I got crying too hard you wouldn't have been able to understand me.) People said I made them laugh and cry, so I think it was a job well done :P

It was a great night full of dancing and celebrating Jen and Nick's new marriage. Oh and there was a photo booth...SO much fun! I'll try and post those pics at some point. Love you all ~Mal

Wednesday Wishes {2}...

 Thought it was about time to do another Wednesday Wishes post so here goes...

ONE~ I would loooooooove to get a hippie headband for the summer...I have my eye on this one from Etsy...

VIA

TWO~ To work on cooking more often, I love to bake or make side dishes, but when it comes to cooking on the stove (as opposed to in the oven) Dave usually takes over. I'd love to make stuff like this...

Bethenny's Spinach Cannelloni

THREE~ Drink more smoothies, it's officially summer so I am craving fruit...

VIA

FOUR~ This bicycle! I have a cheap normal bike, but you can ask Dave I've had my eye out for one like this for awhile now...it'll still be a long time before I can get one and even when I do it won't be from this site since they are so expensive...but you get the idea...

VIA

Linking up with Brooke at Bright Wishes...

Touch up Tuesday {1}...

Today I'm linking up with the ladies at Paper Heart Camera for Touch up Tuesday...I'm working on the wedding pics from this weekend right now so I thought I'd post one of those. I just did a simple edit on this one because it was a little dark on the trolly and this pic turned out extra dark...

BEFORE~

AFTER~

Steppin' Out Saturday {3}...

Ok, so this was actually on Friday, because Saturday was the wedding and I'm going to do a special post for that this week. Plus it's late, but better late than never, right? Friday we had the rehearsal/dinner for Jen's wedding, after we rehearsed we headed to Ruth Chris' for dinner...it was amazing. Especially the cheesecake, I'm still drooling over it. After that we all went out on the plaza to get the wedding weekend started off right :) I also didn't get the typical pic of me alone showing off the outfit, but you guys get the idea...

On me~ dress: Dillards (B. Darlin)

On Dave~ shirt: H&M

With my high school loves :)

Tonights gonna be a good good night...

I know I've been talking about this all the time lately, BUT GUYS...my best friend is getting married today!!! I can't even contain my excitement. Jen and I have been best friends for almost 20 years now, we've been through so much together and I love her like a sister...some people even think we look like sisters :) Plus her soon-to-be husband (as in just a few hours from now!) has become one of my great friends as well.

So today I will be waking up to get my hair and makeup done, getting pics taken, getting Jen and Nick married, giving my MOH speech (eek!), and dancing with my sexy hubby...bring it on...

In honor of Jen's wedding day, I thought I'd share some of my fav pics of us...

Haha, we're both on the far left, Jen is the one standing

We're the two in front