A few from the wedding...

Summer in Pictures

Tropical Storm Lee can't stop these ladies: In Destin with my best friends for my bachelorette party.

Barry can't hold back his excitement...Going fishing with the boys for his bachelor party.

Ted, Barry and Patrick prepare to the hit the road for the bachelor trip.

Happy to be back at Enid Lake with our best friends.

Sarah, Raney-Mills, Jenny and me at Enid Lake.

A family portrait on a pretty summer night.

The World Is Our Oyster

Jenny Berryhill and I happy to be at our favorite Destin locale: the Boat House Oyster Bar.

Nine of my dearest lady friends weathered Tropical Storm Lee and spent four rainy, windy, sandy days in Destin to celebrate the end of my single life. Despite the weather, we had a wonderful time hanging out on the balcony, watching movies, drinking rum daiquiris and dancing (did I mention we ate? We at really well... and often!). The weekend was a wonderful reminder of how blessed Barry and I are to have such a support network of friends. With friends like ours, the world is truly our oyster.

Swan-McNamara Fiesta!

I'm marrying into a family that knows how to throw a party... or should I say, "fiesta!"?

Photo by Roy Adkins http://www.lightandglass.net/

It is hard to believe, but we are now within the 6-week mark of the Miller-White Wedding! Thank you all so much for your love and support during this happy time. We've gotten so many nice messages about the blog, the save-the date, and now the wedding invitation! (PS- Please let me know if you have not recieved your invite! A few very special people dissapeared from the list... thank you for bringing this to my attention!)

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we get closer to the wedding. Barry and I are meeting with Father Brian Kaskie next week to finalize plans for the ceremony. Father Brian is a long-time friend, teacher and pastor of Barry's, and I met him early on in our relationship. This is sure to be a very special meeting as we plan the readings and prayers. We welcome any suggestions on meaninful passages or music for the ceremony.

Again, thank you all for your love and kindness. It has been a true joy to see many of you during our engagement, and I look forward to seeing you again on October 1.

Sparkles

My friend Tobie took this wonderful picture just before Barry and I stepped out the door to our fabulous Fiesta-themed announcement party (more pictures and stories to come). For those of you who have yet to see the beautiful ring that Barry gave me, here is a little glimpse. It is simply breathtaking... and always seems to sparkle!

Mother Knows Best

My mother, Sandra, is amazing. For those of you who know my sweet mama, this is no news flash. For all you fine folks who have yet to meet her, you'll quickly understand that she is just about the coolest lady around. And what I mean by "cool," is two-fold. Mama always seems to keep her cool. Little stresses her (even dress shopping with me for five hours-- no day in the park)and she always has the right thing to say in any situation. She is easy-going, loving and accepting. I always tell people that my mother has "mothered" many more children than she ever birthed. This includes mine and my brothers' rowdy friends, as well as the sweet, but neglected, students she taught for 30 years in the Delta. Mama is also cool in the sense of simply being cool. She is hip and funny and fun-loving. She's seen Janis Joplin in concert and it is rumored that she used to carry a lady's pistol in her pocket during brief stint in New Orleans. She's a great judge of character and probably the best cook in Mississippi. (We might all argue this about our mothers, but I just might win!)

All of this is to simply say that I am so thankful to have my mother during this special time in my life. She's helped me through each and every decision, and has supported mine and Barry's relationship from the start. We haven't argued about any of the details and she defys all stereotypes: This really is my wedding and not my mother's! She may kill me for posting this sweaty picture from the 4th of July, but you'll all see her at her best on October 1!

July Happiness

It is officially July and officially less than three months until our big day! Barry and I have been having a lot of fun finalizing our wedding plans, and dreaming about our honeymoon (TBA... stay tuned!). Just last Friday we picked up our wedding invitations and we are absolutely in love with them. Our wonderful neighbor, Russ Markle, designed the invitations and our new friend Ed Inman printed them with his in-house turn-of-the-century letter press. It is a fascinating set up that produces the most wonderful results. If you've been by my house over the holiday weekend, you've most likely seen the invitation... a habit we must stop if we don't want you all to see the invite before it arrives in your mailbox! Among his many hobbies and talents, Ed also plays around with a cool, vintage camera. He actually took this picture of us at the Old House Depot July 4th Celebration. Thanks, Ed!

Twins

Mama, Daddy and Olivia in front of her lovely beach-side home

Barry and I traveled to Destin last weekend with my parents to celebrate the marriage our my cousin Josh to his lovely new bride Christine. We had a great time stopping at produce stands up and down Hwy 49 South, picking up Chilton County Peaches and pretty red tomatoes for our weekend at the beach. Mama's friend, Olivia Walker, welcomed us into her home (just one block from the beautiful beach!) where we ate so much good food we could barely fit into our swimming suites.

Josh and Christine got married on the beach, so the dress was a bit more casual than your typical church wedding. Lo and behold, wouldn't you know that Barry and Daddy arrived sporting the same exact attire: seersucker pants and a white button down shirt. They looked too cute, so I had to get a picture.

We Passed!

Part of getting married in the Catholic Church is attending a marriage preparation course. Barry and I spent the first weekend in June alongside 10 other couples taking part in the Jackson Catholic Charities "When Families Marry" retreat. We had a great experience, and truly learned a lot about marriage, family and faith. Needless to say, we are pretty proud of this little certificate.

Tuzzi & Cash

For those of you who have yet to meet my future mother-in-law, this is a picture of Frances (better known as Tuzzi), and her grand-dog, Cash. Tuzzi has the best sense of humor. Even her nickname comes from her light hearted nature: "Tuzzipots," I'm told, means "crazy in the head" in Italian... a nickname a family friend gave her at an early age! Barry gets his outgoing nature from Tuzzi, and his love for animals. Neither of them ever meet a stranger and have a good time everywhere they go. Y'all are going to love getting to know Tuzzi a bit better over the next few months, and especially during the wedding festivities!

Steak Night

Barry and I make a good team when it comes to household chores. I do most of the cooking and he does most of the cleaning. Last week, however, there was a nice change to our usual routine. I was in Washington DC Monday through Thursday for work, and when I got home from the airport Barry was grilling salmon and squash, and putting together a fresh tomato salad from ingredients he purchased at our local farmer's market. I thought that was great, but lo and behold, the very next night he cooked an amazing steak! He also grilled my favorite dish, stuffed portabellas, and made a lovely spinach salad with homemade dressing. Sorry if this post makes you hungry, but I just had to share this amazing meal!

Save the Date

If you are reading this post, it is most likely because your devoted mail man (or lady) recently delivered this gem of a postcard to your door. This is our informal way of saying we want you to be part of our happy day on October 1, 2011. So mark your calendar and keep your dance card open, as we are planning a beautiful ceremony and a heel-kicking good time.

Please visit this site often, as we will keep you updated on all the fun planning, parties and memories that unfold over the next four months (yikes!). On the left side of this page you'll find links to more information about our wedding party, hotel accommodations, ceremony and reception location, etc. And don't forget to sign the virtual guest book!

Many of you have already called or emailed with sweet sentiments about the design of this very unique save-the-date card. Well, just so you know, one of my lovely and talented bridesmaids is the master-mind behind the design. Sarah Markham is the go-to for all custom designed and hand-drawn invitations, stationary, logos, and illustrations. At Christmas I commissioned Sarah to draw a family portrait for my parents, and she came up with this wonderful rendition of our family (scroll down after you click the link). It was a no-brainer that Sarah would be the one to help us spread the word about our upcoming wedding celebration. See more of Sarah's work on her blog, SEMvites, and call her to design the invitations for your next birthday party or shower. It is a sure fire way to get people's attention, and you'll save on postage (only .24 to mail a postcard!).

Got bass?

Barry caught this largemouth bass for me on Saturday morning. Barry's friend, and groomsman, Phillip invited us out to their beautiful property near Clinton and we spent a few hours fishing and enjoying the countryside (I did more picture taking and flower picking than fishing, but who's counting?). Well, we are counting... because Barry caught four more fish just like this one. Not too shabby.

Love Is In the Air

Easter in New Orleans, 2009

This is one of those knock-out years for weddings. Barry and I have made a list, and including our own big day, we have 12 weddings on the calendar in 2011. That's right. Twelve. Ten plus two. Three times four. Twelve weddings! Love is in the air. Or could it be that I'm turning 30 and that age seems to be a popular one for tying the knot? Possibly both. But definitely the aforementioned. Love is in the air... you can feel it all around.

And we are really feeling the love this weekend. We'll be joining friends tonight at Two Sisters Kitchen to celebrate Ted and Ashley, dear friends who are getting married tomorrow (Saturday, May 7). Ted and Barry go way back, and Barry is reading a scripture in their wedding. I'm looking forward to the toasts, and to the wonderful food at Two Sisters!

I'll be gassing up the Subaru in the morning and heading north to witness the marriage of my good friends Rebecca and Mark. I'm making a pit-stop in Oxford to pick up my handsome date, Tobie Baker, before traveling a little further down the road, and across state lines, to the final destination: The Center for Southern Folklore in Memphis. Rebecca and Mark are two friends I've made through my years at the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at Ole Miss. I'm very interested (and a bit dreadful) to see the high waters surrounding Memphis, but I'm especially excited to see the groom in his long sought after wedding suite: an original Nudie.

I'm sad to leave my beau behind in Jackson and to miss Ted and Ashley's wedding celebration, but I'm looking forward to an afternoon in the big city with some old pals.

And PS-- We are officially within the 6 month mark of October 1. Less than five months to go!

Here come the... Bridesmaid Dresses

I love to go to the grocery store and walk up and down the isles. I can spend hours at a nursery looking at plants. I might lose an entire day in a good book store.

See, I do like to shop. But not for clothes. Not even when the clothes have to do with the most exciting, celebrated day of my life.

That's where good friends come in, and I'll tell you, I've got some of the best. Shannon, Jenny, my mother and myself spent two hours perusing bridesmaids dresses at a great little shop in Ridgeland called Bella Bridesmaid. Jenny and Mama were expert dress picker-outers, and Shannon was the most beautiful model that has ever graced that store (I'm certain).

We found a few potential dresses, but most importantly we had a really good time and learned what we don't like: pleats, belts, polka dots (!), and anything that has to be intricately laced.

Pasta Party

Barry and I celebrated our first engagement party on Saturday night with a small group of family and friends. My dear neighbor, Chan, and her good friend, George, hosted a "cooking party" at George's new home (a.k.a. rockin' bachelor pad) in the hills of Brandon.

Chan is a veteran chef. She was the first cooking school instructor at The Everyday Gourmet here in Jackson, and basically brought the idea of the "home chef" to Central Mississippi. After about two decades with The Everdyday Gourmet, Chan joined the Viking Range team and opened up their first Memphis-based cooking school in Peabody Place in downtown Memphis. She then headed up the Ridgeland, Miss., school for several years before retiring (where she now works from home as a private chef, seamstress, artist and interior decorator... her talents are endless!).

After a lesson in how to whip up home-made pasta (it really is that easy!), we feasted on Chan's signature pasta bolognese, a luscious salad with sun dried tomato dressing and hand-made croutons and a to die for Italian creme cake. (Did I mention George started the party with sticky, delicous barbeque ribs?) And to top it all off, Chan sent us all home with a recipe book for the dishes we had enjoyed at the party. The title of the little cookbook is Cooking with Margaret and Barry. How cool is that?

On the ride home from the celebration, Barry and I talked about how surreal it was to be the ones honored with an engagement party. We have attended so many wonderful gatherings in honor of other friends getting married, that I think it took us a minute to realize that everyone had gathered to celebrate us! We feel so loved and cherished, and especially blessed to share the fellowship of food with our close friends and family.

Enjoy this recipe from Cooking with Mary Margaret and Barry by Chan Patterson.

Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing – Chan Patterson
Makes 2 cups

1 large egg yolk
1 T grainy Dijon mustard
1 T anchovy paste
3 T balsamic vinegar
2 ½ T fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (finely chopped)
½ C canola oil
1 C olive oil
2 t dried thyme
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1 C freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk egg yolk, mustard and anchovy paste until smooth
2. Gradually whisk in vinegar and lemon juice. Stir in the garlic and tomatoes
3. Combine the vegetable oil and olive oil, whisk into the dressing a little at a time
Season with thyme, salt and pepper
Note: This is best when allowed to stand at room temperature for several hours.

Tables, chairs, cloths and cocktail napkins

My dear friend, bridesmaid, and organizer-extraordinaire, Jenny Berryhill, took me to a magical place yesterday called Top It Off. They specialize in exactly what the name describes, "topping it off." We spent two hours (which flew by!) pulling out tablecloths and mixing and matching textures. I had no idea that the color white came in so many shades. (I realize now that I am more of an ivory gal myself.)

That being said, Jenny was a God-send. We weighed the pros and cons of resin v. wood chairs, discussed the innovations of burlap and gawked over the neon green, pink and purpel lame table-toppers (that is super-shiny 1970s disco fabric for those of you not in the fabric loop).

No big decisions were made, but we are going for an under-stated, classy but a bit funky scheme (easier said than done, but trust me friends, it will be amazing!). Here is one idea for the cocktail tables.

6 months and counting down....

April Fool's Day started the 6-month countdown to our upcoming nuptials. We are not sure what that says about the months to come, but thus far, the planning process has gone smoothly. We are looking forward to an afternoon of good food, lively music, refreshing libations and all sorts of celebrations on October 1, 2011.