Fondue - New Hyde Tradition

Yesterday my groom and I celebrated 7 months of marriage. Jake had just finished a 15 hour weekend of his national chiropractic board exams, so we hadn't much time to celebrate or even think about celebrating with him testing and me occupied with spring cleaning. But last night was so wonderful. I had mentioned to Jake how fun it'd be to finally use our wedding fondue set that my little sister bought us. Fondue was and still is a huge tradition in the Hines household. About once a month we would come home and all 3 of our fondue sets would be setup on our kitchen island, with my mom hard at work preparing everything. I have some of the fondest memories of our fondue nights all sitting on the family room floor with the fondue on the coffee table, an old movie playing in the background. So last night began our new Hyde family tradition. I returned from work at 5:30pm to Jake hard at work at the stove, preparing this decadent feast. What a treat it was to feel so spoiled, and enjoy such tasty decadence! 

The whole evening I felt so incredibly spoiled by Jake's love, and so incredibly blessed to have marry such a man of God. I hate bragging to people about our anniversaries at times because I just often feel so incredibly blessed that I hate to make others feel less loved or jealous. But the truth is I am incredibly blessed, and I shouldn't be afraid to share that with the world! We are all so incredibly blessed just by being alive. We are all loved even more than we can fathom by the King of our hearts. It really does break my heart hearing people complain about their spouses and loved ones, watching what was such warm love and tenderness turn to stone. My hope for society today is to turn that heart back to love, Him that is. We must turn our eyes to the very cross in which brought us this salvation, this love, this life. 

Turn to your loved ones today and tell them just how much you love them, because honestly it just can't be said too much. Smile because we're living, and life is so so sweet. 

La Barbecue

A few months ago Jake & I spent a weekend in Austin. There we were on a hunt for the best BBQ around, and boy did we find it! After Jake did some research, we explored a new little hole in the wall called "La Barbecue." It turned out to be such a gem! Let me paint the picture.

We walked down East 6th Street until we heard the sounds of a live blue band. Ahead of us stood a trailer, and two big smoking trailers with rich, smokey fumes escaping. There were about 50 people seated throughout on picnic tables, enjoying the smokey flavors of BBQ and blues. Off to the side was a stand with kegs of beer with a sign reading "Free beer, tip as you please." Who isn't a fan of free beer? Along with that there was another sign reading "BYOB, BYOD, BYOL. That's beer, dog, and laptop, respectively. " We then proceeded to wait in the 20+ person line, hoping to order it in time before they sold out. We managed to order our fill just in time - enough for a family of 5! Our plates were filled with brisket, pulled pork, and housemade sausage. The flavors were so overwhelmingly delightful, I can't even begin to describe. You'll all just have to make your way down to Austin, Texas' "La Barbecue."

The Art of Gratitude

After Thanksgiving this past year, spent back home in Florida with my family and husband, I started focusing on everything in my life that I should be thankful for. I should literally be grateful for the ability to type this post right now, because I know that not everyone has this ability. But after the Thanksgiving feast I had a conversation with some family members about the art of gratitude and why it isn't more of a daily occurrence. Why don't I wake up every morning and immediately fall to my knees thanking Our Lord for every blessing bestowed? Why is it I wait till Thanksgiving, Advent, Lent, etc. to really recollect and allow myself to focus on gratitude? 

I understand I am part of the generation very commonly known as the "entitled generation," but why is it that we feel so entitled to anything that comes our way, rather than grateful for everything that falls in our path? Shouldn't we be focusing less on what it is we are so called "entitled to" and more so on what it is we have? I'm making a resolution to thank all those around me for their time, gifts, generosity, and love because heck, I sure don't deserve any of it! I'm setting aside time every day to keep a journal of what I'm thankful for, and thanking those involved. By the end of it, I'm hoping to fill this journal by next Thanksgiving & feel the art of gratitude by recognizing what a gift it really is. Join me in this! 

Let's Unplug

This Lent I've been struggling with my goals for self-discipline, and most of all unplugging myself from technology. I find myself growing more and more attached to my iphone and less and less attached to those around me. What is wrong with me? So mid way into the Lenten season I'm implementing a new policy in my house: unplug! That's right, hubbie, we're unplugging our cellphones and actually leaving them at the front door. The real problem is never him, however, it's always me wanting to instagram our tasty meal or fresh picked flowers - typical. So here's to a new challenge for me to grow in, and hopefully succeed at. 

If you're interested in an additional challenge this Lent, join me! I could use the support system, because this won't be easy! 

Our Wedding Invitations

Feeling pretty nostalgic of our wedding a mere 7 months ago, so I thought I'd share our exquisite invitations done by The Grove Street Press. My dear friend Kate began this business with her cousin and have done wonders. I had originally seen this style invitation, and ran with it. One thing led to another and voila, Kate had created this masterpiece. I still like to peek at my box of unaddressed extra invitations and just relish in the every detail. What craftsmanship these two specialize in!

Wedding Invitations by The Grove Street Press

Brides, the biggest thing with the design of your wedding invitations is to have fun with them! Be sure that they represent you in style, texture, tone, etc. I had an absolute blast designing these with Grove Street and would do it all over again! Be sure to check them out, ya'll. 

Cheers to the weekend!

This morning I awoke to a hot cup of Irish coffee, made lovingly by the one & only Jake Hyde. What a decadent treat! Enjoy this lazy Sunday afternoon, ya'll - you deserve to be lazy! 

Sirach

The book of Sirach has always held a special place in the hearts of both Jake & I. The teachings conveyed impart such applicable ethics and great wisdom that can be applied to all walks of life. While deciding on our wedding mass ceremony readings, we knew Sirach must be included. With such rich passages to choose, our final winner was Sirach 26. Jim, Jake's dad, provided us with a remarkable translation to include in our liturgy. As our sister-in-law, Clare, spoke the words of Sirach, both Jake & I couldn't be more filled with joy in uniting as one. 

A few weeks after our wedding, we received this beautiful framed print of our mass reading from our dear friend, Kate. What a constant reminder to us both daily of our love for each other, professed in the company of our friends, family and the Church on Saturday, August 24, 2014. 

Sirach 26 

The husband of a good wife is a blessed man; he will live twice as long because of her. 

A loyal wife is joy to her husband, and he can live out his years in peace.

A good wife is a precious blessing given to him who honors the Lord. 

Whether rich of poor, his heart is glad, and at all times his face is cheerful. 

A gracious wife is her husband's delight; her abilities make him a stronger man. 

A discreet wife is a gift from the Lord, and there is nothing as precious as a disciplined soul.

A modest wife has endless charm; it is a quality beyond measure. 

The beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home is like the sun rising in the Lord's sky. 

Her beautiful face and attractive figure are as lovely as the light from the sacred lampstand in the Holy Place.

And like its gold shaft set on its silver base are her beautiful feet with a steadfast heart.