Happy September!
It hurts so good, doesn’t it?
Just wanted to quickly let you know I added the banana in the Love Muffin recipe! Sorry for the delay. I meant to fix it yesterday and then I forgot in all the excitement.
Let me continue with yesterday’s anniversary recap from way back in August… ;)
The traditional gift for a 2nd year wedding anniversary is cotton.
Sadly, not jewelry. Or copious amounts of chocolate smothered in White Chocolate Peanut Butter.
Sooooo….I got Eric a couple new cotton shirts…
Amazingly, they fit AND he liked them. I usually get one or the other so I consider this a success. Eric has gone from an Extra-large to a large and now he is a medium. One of these days he is going to turn sideways and I won’t see him anymore!
For my cotton gifts, Eric gave me some fall-coloured tea towels:
They will go smashingly with all the pumpkin and cinnamon. ;)
And a gorgeous retro apron from Anthropologie.
A great gift for a cooking + baking obsessed gal like myself.
Then it was time for our anniversary book.
You might recall, I gave Eric this book for our 1st wedding anniversary (the ‘paper’ year).
Paper, now cotton. Well, at least we are making progress…?!
For the explanation and detail shots, see this post.
Each year, we put together 1 large page that documents the entire year in review.
and this year Eric made one.
I laughed so hard when I saw the Vitamix thing.
If you are not watching Lie To Me yet, you must from the very first episode. You will thank me later, I promise!
Eric did an awesome job! Next year it will be my turn again. :) I think it will be really fun to look back in 10, 15, 20 years and re-read everything and see how much things have changed. Or…we might just feel old and pour ourselves another glass of wine and laugh about how immature and naive we used to be.
Only time will tell!
After exchanging gifts, it was time to fill our bellies with delicious food.
Eric suggested that we cook together instead of going out. We rarely get a chance to cook together because Eric gets home from work so late, but last night it worked out just perfectly.
Cooking together is a great excuse to pour some wine and get all crazy.
This tea light set is one of my favourite purchases from Costco.
Chewy, nutty, thick brown rice. Mmm.
Homemade sauce with fresh herbs.
Oh this smells good, I say. Want to try some?
I can’t get over how fast cooking is when you have two people- and four hands- and 20 fingers! We prepared this meal from scratch start to finish in about 45 minutes (and that was mostly waiting for the sauce to cook while we put away dishes).
Another great thing about aprons? They double as a bib when you eat tomato sauce dishes. ;)
Homemade Chunky Tomato Sauce over Salt-Kissed & Buttery Brown Rice
Ingredients:
Homemade Pasta Sauce:
- 2 large cans of organic diced tomatoes (796 ml can x 2)
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup butter beans (or other bean), processed until chunky paste forms
- 2 patty pan squash, chopped
- 1 large sweet onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh herbs: Thyme, parsley, oregano, minced (about 1-2 tbsp of each)
- 1 tsp sea salt, to taste (more if necessary)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Sprinkle or three of Herbamare, to taste
Directions: In a large pot place all prepped ingredients. Stir well and cover. Cook over medium heat for 45 minutes.
Salt-Kissed & Buttery Brown Rice
- 2 cups brown rice
- 5 cups (approx I didn’t measure) water
- 1 vegetable brouillon cube
- 2 tbsp Earth Balance
Directions: In a medium sized pot add water and bring to a boil. Once boiled, add bouillon cube, remove from heat, and dissolve. Now add 2 cups of rice. Cook over medium heat for about 30 minutes until tender, being sure to watch it carefully. Add more water if it becomes dry. When it is cooked spoon the Earth Balance on top and stir well. It will taste DELICIOUS!
We fell in love with this dish. The brown rice was great too! Buttery, salty, and tons of flavour.
We split a love muffin for dessert. Lovin’ the love muffins.
It was a fun night, but sadly it was over too soon. That is always the way when celebrations fall on a weeknight. Luckily the long weekend approaches!
Oh My! You both make for the cutest couple! Just adorable. :) Great apron!
Gorgeous apron! You two look so happy :-)
You guys are adorable… I actually just got married a few days ago… and after reading your post I am thinking of paper based gifts for our 1 year… What anniversary is jewelry? Can’t wait for that one.
My favorite dish when I am home alone is brown rice with tomato sauce… I just add fresh grated parm. Delish!
Hi I came across your blog about a month ago through the bootycamp fitness bolg and I’ve loved reading it! I’m from Calgary and it’s nice to read about things that I can actually find in my city! I made your fudge brownies last night and they were awesome. I’ve dabbed with going meatless for the last few years and its been great to read so many vegan and meatless recipes! Thanks :)
Also, I LOVE the idea of your anniversary book! That will be such a treat over the years. Thanks again for the interesting facts and stories. I ordered some of your glo-bars the other week just in time for snacking at school! Hope you have a great day
Stacey
Thanks for the nice comment, I am glad you enjoy the blog! :)
The scrapbook is SUCH a cute idea :) I’m totally stealing it, except for the fact that our anniversary has come and gone!!
hey its never too late!
I LOVE the anniversary book idea! Thank you so much!
Happy Anneversary! ;)
I love when Brian cooks with me. I agree. It goes SO MUST faster! AND… it’s fun to have him in there with me.. helping, asking questions, making suggestions. Kinda like a chemistry project for him I think.
I love your anneversary book! SO CUTE!! I swear, you have the best ideas. :D I love that Eric did a page. Such a sweet husband you have my friend!
Oh, and I think I am in love with the apron Eric got you! So thoughtful. Was that your first one ? My sister got my my first apron (not sure how I did it before – oh wait, I spilled all over my clothes all the time ;P) last Christmas. – m
I think one of the first aprons I received was from my mom ‘Queen of tarts’ apron. It is still kicking, but I have worn it down. Luckily it is black and hides stains!
Happy Anniversary again Angela and Eric! You two are adorable. Glad you had a great day together!
What a special night! I loveee the anniversay book, that is such a sweet idea!
Don’t you just love Anthropologie?! I am very impressed by your anniversary book!
Hi! I hope no one else has asked this question. How did you get your rice to not be so goo like! I rinse mine before cooking and it is still so starchy.
I love the wine-pouring shots! It would make a perfect set of prints for a dining room.
I love your scrapbook. That is such a great idea!
I have that same apron from Anthro. I could not pass it up when I saw it in the store last month:)
I really love the scrap book, really so much, really that I might have to steal the idea!
awww, i love that scrapbook idea!!!!
and i love your apron! its super cute!
Love the apron! Cotton is a funny thing to have to give, but at least it means new clothes!
It looks like you had a fab evening. I must say, I really like the idea of the anniversary book. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s like a time capsule in a way. I love it.
The anniversary book might be the best idea that I’ve seen for scrapbooking ever. I love the idea of taking turns designing the page each year. My best friend is getting married in May. I will have to tell her about your idea. Congrats!
I love, love, love the anniversary book idea! Especially how you alternate. I will have to steal this idea from you when I get married! ;) Love the apron also! Happy anniversary!
Wow i really really love that idea for the anniversary book, we get married in November do you mind if i steal your idea! i love it so much!! such a fun and meaningful keepsake that will span the years of your lives!!! x