a wedding planning weekend

this past weekend, dave/i/family made a whirlwind trip up to charlevoix to work out some more details of our destination wedding. we checked out four hotels and met with three caterers. one of the perks of being engaged is getting chefs to cook for you. we had an amazing chef, from charlevoix, prepare dave/mom/i a full dinner! she even cooked strictly vegetarian for mom and i. i have to rave about this meal (and I'll reveal her name after we actually choose someone!). we had a michigan salad with homemade dressing, fresh greens, walnuts, blue cheese, and soft apple slices. we also had homemade pasta with asparagus and thinly sliced zucchini and squash (which will still be in season in the fall when we have our wedding.) she has inspired me to go out and buy my first mandolin (i need to be able to slice veggies like that too!) who knew i'd get a cooking mandolin before an actual musical mandolin. *sigh* maybe someday...anyway, here's a pic of dave and i on the water! northern michigan is truly beautiful :)

Pesto!

Most recent attempt at making fresh pesto:
So, I've done this before using mom's food processor. However, a couple weeks ago, I was cooking dinner for Dave and his family. I decided to make pesto because the basil plant was starting to outgrow its little home on the patio. So, I plucked most of its leaves (it was sad looking when I was done.) I mixed together all the basil, walnuts, pine nuts, olive oil, and parmesan cheese goodness! I was using Dave's blender instead of a food processor (I mistakingly forgot mine at home...) I was having trouble getting it to mix about, so I grabbed a wooden spoon to quickly stir things around. Since I was rushing around trying to get everything else prepared, I apparently didn't let the blades completely stop. So....the spoon became part of the pesto. I got out as much as I could, and the pesto still turned out great! Everyone is still alive who ate it, so I guess a little fiber doesn't hurt anyone. :)
To serve it, I buttered slices of baguette bread. I placed them on a baking sheet in the oven for about 10 minutes (to get nice and toasty on the bottom.) Then, I smeared goat cheese, pesto, and diced tomatoes on top. I baked them for another 5-8 minutes. YUM! Goat cheese is amazing! And because I was the only vegetarian present, I asked Dave to make baked lemon chicken! It turned out so pretty:

listen: new instrumental track

so, i spent some time this summer working on instrumental music to submit to a movie soundtrack contest. even though my piece wasn't chosen, i had a really great time working on it. i've posted it under the music section: "i could change your mind." this was my first recording using pro tools! all by myself! yippee! it was really fun, and soooo much easier than my old means of recording...

seriously, where has summer gone? allison made my website in april, and i have yet to properly update it!! i have made a promise to myself to get it all taken care of this week. then, my mom, dad and dave (the only people probably reading) can have something new to look at instead of "currently working on the website..."

i'll be moving back to new york in about 3 1/2 weeks. it's hard to believe. this has been an eventful summer in michigan, but it's almost time to ditch the car and return to the subway.

good nite.