Maria Carmen's Carbonara

My mom does not like to cook, but she cooked for us all the time growing up. This was very confusing to me as a teenager. But why can't we just order Chinese? Pasta? Again?

Then I realized her hatred of cooking was less than her hatred of us eating fast food all the time. So basically, she gets an Awesome Mom Award for putting endless hours behind the stove doing a chore (!) she sort of despised all for the love of her girls. *Moment of silence for all mothers everywhere taking one for their teams*

Here is one of her delicious recipes that we all loved back in the days of Rainbow Brite and sticker books, and continue to make as adults now for our own families. 

Ingredients

12 ounces bacon

10 ounces frozen peas

1 pound spaghetti

4 eggs

1 cup parmesan

Freshly ground pepper

Cut bacon into 1/2 inch pieces. Cook until done. Set aside. Meanwhile microwave the peas with a few tablespoons of water for four minutes or so, then drain. Mix together the eggs, parmesan, and freshly ground pepper (to taste). Cook spaghetti in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the water and temper the egg mixture. (This will help you avoid getting scrambled eggs in your pasta.) Drain your spaghetti and add the egg mixture, followed by the bacon and peas. 

First Look Photos

Would you (or did you) do a first look at your wedding? None of my friends had done one, but I kept seeing the cutest photo spreads on wedding blogs of couples in that moment, and I couldn't resist. (Like all of the ones here on Green Wedding Shoes.) And I'm so glad we did. It ended up being one of the most intimate, joyful parts of our wedding day. I didn't realize how much it would mean to me to have a brief, private moment on such a public day. So here we go:

(Photos by Nathan Russell Photography)

Style Love: Kate Spade Saturday and Pared Eyeware

I've recently been turned on to Kate Spade Saturday, and I love, love, love the new line. Still Kate Spade, but more affordable. And I also stumbled on Australian sunnies' company Pared Eyewear the other day. Although I might have a heart attack if I spent that much money on pair of sunglasses, they are so beautiful (and handmade!) that I had to share.

This Saturday dress:

This pair of Pared sunnies:

(Images from Kate Spade Saturday and Pared)

School House Pub on Manor

School House Pub has finally arrived! Our entire neighborhood has been excited for this place to open up for over a year; I think partly because, since Red House closed, there hasn't been a place you could feel comfortable getting just a drink at. (Yes, I realize there are other places on Manor to get a drink. But usually most people there are studying or eating dinner. Or they don't have proper cocktails.)

It was ridiculously busy last night, but once everything calms down, we will be back again. And probably again. And again. (Hey, we only live a block away.) Some snaps of our first experience there:

Cocktail menu

Physics (a whiskey cocktail)

This and That

Printable Scrabble tile banner.

The Reconstructionists.

Twenty-two signs you're stuck between Gen X and Millennials.

Creamy cauliflower sauce, anyone?

The emotion kept secret: envy.

Kind of want to see this movie.

(Image via Pinterest)

Make-Ahead School-Year Dinners

This year, I'm helping my sister preplan dinner meals for the school week for her three gorgeous, rapidly growing sons. We are experimenting with two recipes today; I have made them in the past, and they keep extremely well in the fridge and actually taste more delicious with every passing day.

Irish beef stew from Epicurious
Turkey chili from Dinner: A Love Story

Next Sunday, since the school year will actually be starting the next day, we'll be going with some tried-and-true winners:

Spaghetti de Simpson (Chris's family spaghetti recipe, that has a simple take on a classic bolognese sauce, and that my nephews love, love, love.)
Shepherd's pie

(Image via Pinterest)

Shakespeare at Winedale

Three years ago when we first started dating, Chris and I drove out east to Winedale, a tiny Texas town, where the University of Texas English department hosts their summer Shakespeare program. This year, we went back for one of our monthversary dates. We saw The Comedy of Errors peering through the rafters from up in the balcony of a converted nineteenth-century barn.

Day trip success

(Side note: Our GPS was acting completely insane on the way out there, so if you decide to go, snag the directions from their website so you don't end up on the narrow, gravel, bumpety-bump road that leads you past many, many farms like we did.)

Day trip details

Where: Winedale, about an hour and a half outside of Austin

When: The summer schedule runs from July to August.

Why: Because you love Shakespeare? And cute little towns? And are awesome?

Also, food: Bring a picnic or stop at Royers Round Top Cafe for dinner and some delicious pie.

Homebrew IPA: Done and Done

Finally! After five weeks of waiting, we were able to share our first batch of homebrew IPA with our friends and family. And it was not awful! 

We ended up finding bottles with resealable tops at a local convenience store, and I used our leftover Pinhole Press bottle labels from a while back on them. The beer was not as hoppy as most traditional American IPAs I have had, but definitely worth the wait. You can buy a similar beer-making starter kit here. Maybe we'll do homemade wine next...