One Year Ago Today.

One year ago today, I married my best friend.

One year ago today, I became whole for the first time.

This past year has been so full of happiness and love.

The day was so magical.

But the one desire I have this day..... The one thing I cannot shake... That is on my mind more than wedding vows, romance and promises...

What I want to find that time machine to go back for and re-experience about that special day for...

....IS THE CAKE. Okay, so I'm joking (sorta.)

Holy Moses. I want to eat cake. Not just any cake. Not any cake that I can buy or bake for myself, but that cake. It. Was. So. Good.

Grilled Cabot Cheese Sandwich with Asparagus, Caramelized Onions, and Pear

Cheese. Oh, how I love cheese. I love cheese to an unhealthy level and should perhaps seek help over my addiction. Yes, truly!

But I am not alone in my love for cheese. No, no, no!

So many people love cheese! Just look at how many songs are written about cheese:

"Yellow LedCheddar" by Pearl Jam

"Livin' La Vida Gouda" by Ricky Martin

"Let it Brie" by the Beatles

"Be My Baby Swiss" by The Ronnettes

"Johnny B. Gouda" by Chuck Berry

Hmm. So perhaps that isn't completely true. But I'm sure they all had cheese in mind when they wrote those songs.

Deep down I know that The Who realllllly meant to sing "Behind Blue Cheese Eyes".

Grilled Cabot Cheese Sandwich with Steamed Asparagus, Caramelized Onions, and Pear

Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients

2 slices hearty whole grain bread

1/2 oz to 1 oz sliced Extra Sharp Cabot Cheese

4 asparagus spears with 1 inch of the ends removed

1/3 cup caramelized onions *recipe below

1/4 pear, sliced thin

1 TBS butter

Directions:

1. In a large saute pan, heat oil over medium (I used Black Truffle oil, ohmygaw), add the asparagus, cooking until softened, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.

2. Heat your planned method of cooking the grilled cheese, (be it a panini press, saute pan, etc.), using about 1 TBS butter to coat and prevent sticking.

3. Assemble the sandwich and place upon the buttered cook surface and cook until cheese has melted and bread begins to nicely brown.

4. Hide yourself inside of a closet (think Harry Potter), shut the world out, and enjoy your moment with a delicious grilled cheese sandwich.

*Caramelized Onions

Yields: Beaucoup de Servings

Ingredients

3 TBS salted butter

3 TBS extra-virgin olive oil

2 large Vidalia onions, thinly sliced

1 TBS sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a large skillet (preferably cast iron), over medium heat, combine the butter and oil.

2. Add the onions and salt and pepper and cook until translucent about 4 or 5 minutes.

3. Add the sugar, stirring until well incorporated. Cook for an additional 20 minutes, or until the onions turn into a beautiful brown, stirring often.

Follow Cleanliness on Twitter

After much delay, I have finally succumbed and gotten my hiney on Twitter.

I know, I know, it was a long time a'comin, but I did it.

Dagnabbit, I did it!

Ya proud of me?

K, thanks :)

Why dontcha go on over and follow me?! :)

A Romantic Garden Themed Bridal Shower

A dear friend of mine, Sarah Kudlack of Events by Sarah Elizabeth held a photo shoot a few weekends ago for a Romantic Garden Themed Bridal Shower, as a part of an "April Wedding Vendor Challenge" being held by Brenda's Wedding Blog. Sarah envisioned this all perfectly. I was so excited to see how it was all going to come out, and it came out so well! It was the perfect blend of rustic and earthy and spunky and cutesy!

I was so honored to be asked to take part in this adventure! The challenge required the themed colors to consist of: mint green, bubble gum pink, and robin's egg blue! I baked mini wedding cakes, cupcake macaroons, as well as other 'naked cupcakes'. Ahhh! Avert your eyes! Just kidding, I am not being fresh, I promise! I decided for the best colorful effect, I should leave the cupcakes naked, aka. sans icing!

Sarah picked a great location for the shoot: Terrain. It is a truly magical place that one can easily become lost in while exploring; and what a joy it is during that time of being lost!

There were great vendors involved in this photo shoot, too! Go check out their great websites and great continual work!

Everything was captured so beautifully by Jim Heine Photography.

The gorgeous and rustic flowers were provided by Peicha Chang at Falls Flowers, LLC.

The adorable paper goods were provided by Brad Wason at 23rd & 5th.

ShopRite Submission- Almond Butter!

Heya guys.

...C'mon, cheer up, didn't you hear the news?!?!? IT'S FRIDAY. Shew, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it to Friday this week! But, alas!, it's Friday! If that's not a reason to smile, then I don't know what is!

A second reason to smile?! My next submission for ShopRite is up! It's super, super easy, inexpensive, and HEALTHY. Almond Butter, yum!

Yessssss. (that was my best Napoleon Dynamite impression, which is quite apparent through my writing, I know, I'm talented.)

Go on over and be a dear and check it out now!

A Self-Portrait

Life moves so quickly, doesn't it? Days quickly turn into weeks, turning over to months, and eventually years. A full life tends to move at a seemingly supersonic speed. In a blink of an eye, so much time passes that you are left grasping, wondering where time has gone.

My life has become so full that I am beginning to forget to stop and smell the roses. My new endeavor has proven to be so rewarding. I am doing what it is that I love to do. Granted, it has taken me 23 years to find my passion and go through many phases until now, but I consider myself lucky, as it takes many an entire lifetime to find their passion.

Life has become so full, as a result of my little business taking off, and also my holding onto my 9-to-5, as that is stable. Life has become so full that I have forgotten about myself and put myself onto the back burner. This is something that I have often had trouble with in my life- forgetting about me and those things that I love to do. Of the many things, two of which are cooking and blogging. It seems that in the process of life's mayhem, I have lost my voice and forgotten my true love! I thank God for my incredibly supportive husband, without whom I'd be so lost. He is my pillar and my strength.

Life moves so quickly! Never you fear, my dearest of friends, I am still here and am back.