Benne Brittle and Bridal Shower Party Games

Good Tuesday morning, and Happy Birthday, Austin!

The Gallery Pics are of Austin's family birthday party Sunday. The big 19!

Special Guest Hints - Here are three more hints for Monday's Special Guest. We've had one or two guesses. Any more?

3. She loves music.

4. She has one beagle. (And her beagle loves to look at Sparkle and Copper's pictures on the blog.)

5. Her goal in her high school yearbook was, "Try everything at least once!"

She sounds pretty adventurous, doesn't she? And I love that her beagle likes Sparkle and Copper. When this is all said and done, I may have to set up a Beagle Play Date.

The Story of Austin

I knew something wasn't quite right. Mike and I were living in Cullman. I had quit my job as a legal secretary in Birmingham, and I was taking a few months off before finding another job. However, I had a feeling I might be expecting. So, I did the normal thing and bought a pregnancy test, only to be disappointed when it came back negative. Still feeling weird, I went another week and tried another pregnancy test. Negative. Another week passed and I actually went to my doctor and had a blood test. Negative. Another week... another pregnancy test... negative. One more week... another blood test... nega... OOPS! I mean POSITIVE! Yes! We were thrilled. When I asked the doctor why everything had been so negative, he told me I had a latent pregnancy hormone. It just didn't show up. "Okay, okay. How far along am I?" I asked.

"Well, by my calculations, you are ten weeks," he told me.

You would have to know me five seconds to realize I didn't take that news well. I am really into experiencing "firsts." First date, first kiss (even if it's on someone's nose), first car, first apartment, first month's anniversary, FIRST TRIMESTER! "You mean I only have two more weeks in my first trimester? That's it?" I asked incredulous.

"Well, actually from what I'm looking at... more like eight or nine more days."

"But, I didn't get to whine about being tired, or about my pants getting tight. And I've missed ten weeks of eating for two. I can't make that up!" My doctor didn't understand my reasoning, so I just let it go.

Mike and I had a great time driving to our parents' homes and telling them, and then stopping to tell some friends along the way. It was a joyous occasion.

Then we made the decision to try to live on one salary (his), with the remainder of my pregnancy being our practice time for this big step. Not the wisest decision we've ever made because I had nothing to keep me occupied except food.

Living in a new town away from family and friends, not working outside of the home, and trying to catch up for the first trimester of not eating for two soon came back to haunt me.

Every day at 3:00 sharp, I would head to Sneaky Pete's. Sam would have a hot dog smothered in sauerkraut and Sneaky Pete's sauce and a Coke ready and waiting. Of course, before I went for my 3:00 o'clock snack, I had eaten breakfast, lunch and a plastic bag of powdered doughnuts... every day. Boy, did Austin love and want those powdered doughnuts. (NOTE: Prior to pregnancy, I was very thin -- I have pictures. A little too thin actually, so I was not very concerned with weight gain. It is not smart to NOT be concerned with weight gain!)

As I began going to the doctor during my second trimester, I was amazed how fast the baby was growing. Four pounds one visit, five or six the next. One time I even gained seven pounds. Wow. This was going to be a huge baby. Toward the end of my second trimester, my doctor sat down and had a talk with me. "You are going to have to slow down on your eating."

"I'm really not eating any differently than before I became pregnant. What do you think the problem could be if my eating habits are exactly the same?"

"It's caloric," came the slightly sarcastic reply.

"Oh. See? I knew it had to be something medical. Is that like a gland thing or something? Will it go away after I have the baby?" I was ready, willing and able to take a pill or whatever to solve this "caloric" thing.

"It means too many calories," the nurse whispered to me.

"Oh. Well, in that case. I'll just have to cut back a little," I replied, very offended. I waddled out the door and drove to Sneaky Pete's. Sam was expecting me since I always scheduled my doctor's appointments at 2:00 so I wouldn't be late for our 3:00 hot dog.

"I'm not going to be able to come in tomorrow, Sam. I'm having to cut back to four days a week because of some 'caloric' problems." Sam nodded knowingly. Was I the only person who had never heard that word before?

Mike and I had decided not to find out the sex of the baby. It absolutely didn't matter to us one way or another. So imagine Mikie's surprise on the day we went to the doctor for our first ultrasound (which could tell us the sex of the baby), and I had a complete come-apart in the car. "I have to know. I have to know today."

"What are you talking about? It was your idea to wait until the baby was born. The nursery is yellow with teddy bears. It doesn't matter if it's a boy or girl."

I then began to sob. "If I don't find out today, I will just DIE!! I have to know."

Mike was completely caught off guard, and quickly agreed to let us find out. We walked into the doctor's office, I had my ultrasound and when the doctor asked if we wanted to find out the sex, I didn't even hesitate. "YES. I have to know... right now!"

"Well, it's a boy," he told us.

A boy. Yes. I had always loved little boys. I was thrilled. Mike was still in shock over the "Exorcist" scene that had played out on the drive over where my head had spun completely around, but he was excited about having a son, too.

Now, all we had to do was name him, and wait one more little trimester until he arrived. Piece of cake. Speaking of cake, we had some that night to celebrate our little man.

Yep. I was right. This is definitely a two-parter. We might as well go straight to the recipe for the day...

Benne Brittle

I'm making this tomorrow. It just sounded good to me, and since I like peanut brittle, cashew brittle, almond brittle, etc., I'm pretty sure benne brittle is going to be on my list of brittles I enjoy.

You will need:

1 1/4 cups benne (sesame) seeds
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Cook benne seeds in a large heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring often, 8 minutes or until seeds begin to turn brown. Remove from skillet.

2. Cook sugar and 2 tablespoons water in skillet over low heat, stirring constantly, 10 minutes or until sugar is melted.

3. Quickly stir in benne seeds and vanilla.

4. Pour onto a well-buttered baking sheet.

5. Quickly spread to 1/8" thickness, using a metal spatula. Cool completely (20 minutes). Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

The only things about this recipe that intimidate me just a little are the phrases "stirring often," "stirring constantly," and "quickly" (which was used twice, by the way). I'm not going to be able to wander away from the stove for 18 minutes. This recipe requires a little commitment on my part, but I'm willing to try for you, the readers. Once again, I will remind you... I am a giver!

This recipe was taken from the March 2010 issue of Southern Living.

Bridal Shower Party Game

Sock Guess

You will need:

Tube Socks
Honeymoon Items (Sunscreen, Room Keys, Sunglasses, Flip Flops, etc.)
Paper
Pens
Pins

To play, purchase several pairs of tube socks. Gather the same number of items that the couple will need on their honeymoon -- sunscreen, room key, sunglasses, etc. (7 socks... 7 items). Gather objects that relate to where the honeymooners are going.

Let the guests know where the couple is going.

Place one item in each sock, tie it closed, and pin a number on it.

Guests have to feel each sock using their FEET ONLY and guess what is in the sock.

Write down each guess on a sheet of paper.

Whoever guesses the most items correctly wins a prize.

That sounds fun, doesn't it? I wouldn't mind doing this on a Friday night when we're a little bored!

You may have already heard of all these games, but some of them are a little new to me. It's been awhile since I've been on the Bridal Shower Circuit, but I'm hoping some of these games might be new to you, too.

I found this game on www.411partygames.com.

Have a fantastic Tuesday. Remember, it's National Austin Day, and you celebrate by eating greasy fried dill pickles at Top of the River. Maybe I'll see you there!

Tomorrow I'll have Wednesday Wisdom, more hints about our Special Guest, the last part of The Story of Austin, a Seasonal Tradition and so much more. You MUST come back... you just MUST!

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Bridal Shower Party Games

Good Monday morning!

The Showcase Pic for the week is of Austin and Melia at his family birthday party Sunday. I just thought it was a really good picture of the two of them, and although I have a ton of pics to share this week, this was one of my favorites.

The Gallery Pics are of the Mardi Gras dinner I had Saturday evening for some friends. (I have discovered I am a very good Chicken Gumbo "maker.") The recipe I posted last week was easy AND super delicious. Mikie and Austin loved it, and they already want more. Patience boys, patience!

Since this was once again a big picture weekend, I'm going to share the rest of Austin's birthday pics tomorrow.

Special Guest Hints - Next Monday, I will reveal A Simple Life's Special Guest for the month of March. I will give you a hint or two each day this week, and we'll see if our expert panel of "guessers" will once again come up with the correct answer. Joan, Cam and Robin are really good at this game, but I'm determined to stump them before it is over with.

1. She is the mother of three and wife of one.

2. She is not a native Alabamian. Before she landed here, she lived in two other very different states from Alabama (Code for NOT IN THE SOUTH). But she fits in perfectly with all of us Southerners!

TOPIC OF LAST WEEK - The Mikie and Belinda Story - Part Five

Mikie's dating commitments were finished. He was sitting beside me on a packed pew at Shades Mountain Baptist Church. He smelled really, really good. But I digress. He wanted to talk to me for just a few minutes after the service. Hmmm. What could he possibly want to talk about?

All of our friends scattered, and he walked me to my car. "Would you be interested in going out to eat and to a movie this Friday night?" he asked almost immediately.

"Are you sure you can afford it? You've spent a huge amount of money these past three weeks. I don't want to put a strain on your savings account!" I hate playing games, but I was still more than a little miffed.

"Friday's payday. And even if it wasn't, I am more than able to afford dinner and a movie with my best friend."

Okay. Now he wasn't just smelling good... he was talking good, too. I accepted.

Friday night finally came, and I wore my new blue and white striped jumpsuit with huge shoulder pads and new Connie flats. (Trust me. It was the 80s. I looked great.) Mike showed up a few minutes early and we went on our first date... dinner at Milo's and a movie. I didn't mind the fast food dinner. Milo's has always been one of Mikie's favorites, and as long as we were seeing a movie (one of my favorites), I knew he had covered all the bases.

As you can imagine, having been the best of friends for over three years, conversation never lagged, hand holding was very natural, and I can honestly say it was the first "first date" I had ever been on where I wasn't so nervous beforehand I was sick to my stomach. Easy breezy. That's how I would describe our first date.

After it was over and he was walking me to the door of the apartment, he asked me a couple of questions. "How many kids do you want?"

"Three. Two boys and a girl."

"Yeah. Me, too."

"Do I get to kiss you good night?" (Just for clarification... Mikie asked me!)

"Nope. Not on the first date."

"Well, technically... ," he started to whine.

"Nope. There's nothing technical about it. Third date, buddy."

Then I had a question for him.

"Did you kiss the girls you dated the last three weeks?"

"No. And I told them I wouldn't be calling them back for another date. I said it nicer, though."

All right. As they say in all the astronaut movies, "We were clear for take-off." And take-off we did. To finish this long, long story, I'll give you the rest of our courtship tale in the form of a timeline.

March, 1987 - First date.

March, 1987 - Third date (Mikie says, "I love you," and I agree.)

April, 1987 - I meet Mikie's family for Easter lunch. (Mikie has already met my family in the three years we had been friends.)

May, 1987 - We meet with Dr. Charles Carter for counseling. We know we want to get married, but we also know how "fast" this will seem for our families. He gives us very good advice. We sort of take it.

August, 1987 - After Mike has talked to my Dad and asked for my hand in marriage, we become engaged. (The engagement story will be told on Thursday of this week.)

January, 1988 - Mikie and I become husband and wife. I married my best friend. And he smelled really, really good!

Weekend Review

We had a crazy weekend, but fun. Friday night Mike and Josh went to the Bass Masters at the Civic Center. They had a ball. They met Bill Dance and some other famous fishermen. Josh even got a country singer to sign his hat. I know it wasn't Josh Turner, Dolly Parton or Randy Travis... but it was another equally famous guy.

Roxie and I went to Subway with friends, and later she went to the movies with another friend, so she was very happy.

Austin, Melia and Melia's little brother, Peyton, saw Percy Jackson and the Olympians (and LOVED it).

We were scattered, but everyone had a good time.

Austin left before sunrise Saturday for a Flag Football Tournament in Montevallo. It was for the BCM and schools from all over Alabama were represented. Jacksonville finished second late Saturday night. It would have been nice to bring home the trophy, but Austin had a great time... except for the last game. You know. The one they lost.

We had our Mardi Gras dinner Saturday night with some family friends. It was a lot of fun, and as I said earlier in the post, I discovered I make a mean Chicken Gumbo. I also discovered when I cook ahead, I forget to put the potato salad on the table. I knew something was missing, but I wasn't sure what it was. We found it Sunday morning. Very disappointing.

Sunday was Austin's 19th birthday celebration a couple of days early. We had 18 in attendance, and he enjoyed himself immensely. I don't care if you're 19 years-old or 99 years-old... receiving wrapped gifts and cards containing money is a good thing!

Austin had to leave last night because he had to be in a line around 6:30 this morning to obtain new housing. A call a few minutes ago verified he did indeed get the housing situation he wanted. Same roommate (very good), two bedroom apartment, sharing one bathroom and a living area... SWEET! Yet another answered prayer!

Although I haven't gotten to see The Boy very much the last two weekends, he's been having a great time (going on the Mission Trip and spending time with his new BCM friends), so I'm pretty content. Of course, I hope I see him a little more this coming weekend. We'll just have to see. He's a busy guy!

Bridal Shower Party Games - Since this is the LOVE month, I thought I'd share a few Party Games to use at showers. I'll probably post one a day for three or four days.

Life Thread

You will need a spool of thread.

To play, pass around a spool of thread, and tell each guest to break off a piece. (Don't tell them what it's for or how much to take.)

As soon as everyone has taken a piece of thread, go around the room and have each person talk about themselves as they wrap their piece of string around their finger.

They are not allowed to stop talking until the string is completely wrapped around their finger. Be careful that no one inadvertently cuts off her circulation! In the interest of saving your circulation, you can play the same game with toilet paper. For each square you take, you have to tell the group one fact about yourself.

Whoever takes the longest string/piece of toilet paper and can give the most facts about themselves is the winner.

I liked this game. I thought it would be fun to play at other parties with a group of people you are just getting to know.

I found this on www.411partygames.com. I'll have another one for you tomorrow.

Have a great Monday. February is almost over, but don't wish it away. There is still so much fun to be had this month! Tomorrow's recipe is divine! (I haven't used an "enchanting" term in quite a while, so I thought I'd throw one in there.) I'll have two more Special Guest Hints. You may now begin guessing. Tomorrow, I will also be posting Austin's "birth" day story again. (I posted it last year on his birthday. It's the exact same story... just told 19 years later.)

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda