Wooden Wedding Rings

Sandee Lembke asked:


I am not a “throw-a-can-of-peanuts-on-the-table” kind of gal! When I am planning a party, it is important to me that I choose thoughtful, satisfying recipes that:

Are simple to make

Have few ingredients

Hold up well over time

Are pleasing to look at and of course,

Taste great!

Over the years, I have tried out a lot of recipes on my friends and family and no doubt about it, the “Most Requested Hot Appetizers, Delicious Desserts and Summer Drinks” are those listed below (in no particular order).

Top 2 Hot Appetizers

Number One Most Requested Hot Appetizer–Warm Chipotle Cheddar Dip

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1-8 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained (3/4 cup)

1-4 oz. can chopped green chili peppers, drained

2 teaspoons finely chopped canned chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce (or to taste)

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped (3/4 cup)

1/4 cup sliced green onion

2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro

Vegetables, crackers or chips

I found this dip when I was on a low carb diet and was looking for a party appetizer that would work well with vegetables. Something with a robust flavor that would perk up the veggies. Well this one definitely fit the bill.

This appetizer has become a favorite among my friends. It’s served multiple times throughout the year at various parties that I either host or attend.

You can make it as smokey and spicy as you want by adjusting the amount of chipotle peppers (smoked jalepenos) but watch out. You can easily go from mildly spicy to blow-your-face-off hot by adding too much!

Steps to Make Cheddar Chipotle Dip

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Stir together cheeses, mayonnaise, corn, green chili peppers, chipotle chili peppers and garlic powder in a large mixing bowl. Spread mixture into a 1 quart, covered dish. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.

Top with tomato, green onion and cilantro. I like to make a pattern out of the toppings so I put the tomatoes all in the middle, make a ring around them with the green onion then sprinkle the cilantro over all.

Serve with vegetables, like red, green and yellow peppers. Tostido and Frito Scoops work well too.

Number Two Most Requested Hot Appetizer–Warm Green Chili Dip

8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

8 oz. shredded mild cheddar cheese

2 cups mayonnaise

1 small sweet onion, minced

1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilis, drained

1-1/2 oz. chopped pepperoni

1/2 cup sliced ripe olives

Tostidos or Fritos Scoops

In a shallow baking dish, combine the first five ingredients. Top mixture with the pepperoni and olives. Bake at 325 degrees about 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Serve with Scoops, crackers or assorted fresh vegetables.

Note: I do not recommend using reduced fat mayonnaise.

Speaking from personal experience, both of these hot appetizers are guaranteed to be a hit at any get together.

WARNING: Get ready to hand out the recipes!

Top 2 Delicious Desserts

Number One Most Requested Delicious Dessert–Raspberry White Chocolate Dream Bars

1 box white cake mix

1/3 cup evaporated milk

1-1/2 sticks melted butter

1 cup chopped nuts

1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam

12 oz. white chocolate chips

Combine cake mix, milk, butter and nuts. Makes a very gooey dough. Spray a 9 x 13 pan and spread half of the dough into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Melt the jam in the microwave (about a minute) and spread on top of hot crust. Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over jam. Crumble remaining dough on top and bake an additional 20-25 minutes.

Cool completely before cutting. For bigger parties, this recipe easily doubles and can be made in a 15 x 10 pan.

Once you get the hang of this technique, you can think of all sorts of combinations. How about using chocolate cake with mint chips? Or lemon cake with white chocolate?

Number Two Most Requested Delicious Dessert–Chocolate Amaretto Bundt Cake

1 pkg. chocolate devil’s food cake mix

1 small pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix

4 eggs

1 cup milk

1-1/2 oz. Amaretto liqueur

1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1 cup fresh raspberries (optional)

1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam (optional)

Whipped cream (optional)

Glaze

1 stick butter

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup Amaretto

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Combine first 6 ingredients and blend well. Stir in chips. Grease and flour a bundt pan. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean.

Melt glaze ingredients in a saucepan or microwave. Pour 2/3 of glaze over top of cake while cake is hot from oven and still in pan. Allow cake to remain in pan for 25 minutes. Remove cake from pan and drizzle with remaining glaze.

When I make this cake dessert, I fill the middle with fresh raspberries and present it on my grandmother’s crystal pedestal cake stand which is very dramatic.

Just before serving, I make a raspberry sauce by melting the jam in the microwave. Each lucky guest gets a plate with some of the sauce, a slice of cake, a few berries and some whipped cream. Yum!

Top 2 Summer Drinks

When most people host parties, they usually have the basic alcoholic beverages, like beer and wine, but rarely do you see a host offer a selection of really special summer drinks. I have perfected my list of offerings over the years and now I share my Top 2 with you.

Number One Most Requested Summer Cocktail–Limoncello Mint Lemonade

1/2 cup lemonade concentrate

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Ice cubes

1/4 cup Limoncello (lemon liqueur)

1/2 cup club soda

Lemon and Mint for garnish

In a small pitcher, “muddle” mint leaves together with lemonade concentrate and lemon juice. Muddle means to bruise the leaves so they release their flavor. I use the end of a wooden spoon.

Stir in ice cubes, Limoncello and club soda and pour into 4 glasses. Top them off with a lemon slice, a sprig of fresh mint and an umbrella.

Makes 4-10 oz. drinks.

Number Two Most Requested Summer Cocktail–Fruited Brandy Punch

This one has become a favorite at my home and a lot of the parties I attend, most likely because everyone loves it and you can make a huge amount and serve it in a punch bowl.

1/2 part brandy (I use Christian Brothers brand)

1 part lemon-lime soda

2 parts fruit juice (Cranberry-Peach blend is my favorite)

1/2 bag frozen fruit (Blueberries and strawberries look great)

1 fruited ice ring (see recipe below)

Slices of lemons, limes and oranges, if desired

Mix fruit juice and frozen fruit together in a nice punch bowl or container. Pour in lemon-lime soda, gently stir and then float an ice ring on top (see recipe below).

Rather than spike the punch, I serve the brandy on the side so my guests who prefer non-alcoholic punch can drink it too.

To make ice ring

Pour 1-2 cups of the juice mixture from above into a Bundt pan or another mold. Add some of the fruit and/or fresh citrus slices. Freeze overnight.

Just before serving, set the pan into some hot water to loosen the ice ring and then turn it into the punch bowl. It makes a really beautiful presentation, cools the punch and since it’s made with juice, it will not water down the punch. Perfect!

This recipe can easily be altered so you can serve it from a Drink Fountain which is really gaining popularity lately. Just leave out the fruit and the ice ring.

If you went to a summer party and somebody handed you any of these summer drinks, wouldn’t you think that the hosts went out of their way to make things special? That they really took time to get it right? Everybody loves a special summer drink on a warm sunny day.

So, now you have the recipes for my “Most Requested Hot Appetizers, Delicious Desserts and Summer Drinks” to WOW your guests with. I am certain that over time, several of these recipes will become your favorites just as they are mine. Enjoy!



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Alex A. Lluch asked:


Wedding Solutions’ Top Ideas to Go Green with Your Wedding

 

The eco-chic wedding has grown in popularity over the past few years. Couples are looking to protect the environment by choosing organic and recyclable options, as well as offsetting the impact guests’ travel will have on the earth.

Whereas weddings often mean “the more extravagant the better,” having a green wedding can make a statement to your guests about the importance of protecting the earth from wear and tear.

The easiest way to keep emissions and effects on the environment low is to have a small wedding – 20 guests instead of 200. Obviously, this isn’t always possible. The goal is to have a beautiful wedding that is as least wasteful as it can be.

Many facilities are now catering to eco-chic weddings. However, be aware that a green wedding can cost up to 20 percent more than a traditional wedding.  For instance, having an organic menu can raise costs by 10 percent. But if the environment is your main priority, there are plenty of great ways to plan a beautiful green wedding and keep the environmental impact low.

Here are Wedding Solution’s favorite tips for a green wedding:

 

Invitations: Use organic or soy ink on recycled paper  Choose paper not made from trees. Paper alternatives include bamboo, hemp, banana stalks, and even cotton.

c.       Save paper by skipping the multi-envelope invitations and using a postcard for your Save the Date

d.       Use online invitations or create a wedding website to give guests details of events such as the bachelor/bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinner, and bridal shower

 

Location: Have your wedding and reception in the same place to avoid wasting energy and natural resources on transportation Have the wedding outside, instead of in an energy-inefficient reception hall. If you have an outdoor wedding, you can utilize the natural beauty of the site to have fewer wasteful decorations You can also locate an LEED-certified space to have an indoor wedding. LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” and means the space is sustainable and conserves water, energy, and electricity using solar power, insulation panels, and other state-of-the-art technology. Visit the U.S. Green Building Council’s website to search a list of LEED-certified locations by city or state — www.usgbc.org

 

Flowers: Use potted plants — then have your guests take them home as favors and reuse them. Or have them donated to a local hospice or elderly care center. If you do want flowers, get organically grown flowers – meaning they are grown without pesticides or insecticides. Consider organic roses, which are a beautiful option and have an amazing – and real – fragrance. Non-organic roses are actually sprayed with perfume. Have your guests toss the organic rose petals as you walk down the aisle. (Be aware that organic flowers won’t last as long, however, so make sure your florist considers timing.) Get flowers from a local nursery to avoid using up natural resources during shipping.

 

On the table: Choose an organic menu, with seasonal or locally grown products (to avoid shipping costs). You will be hard-pressed to find an all-organic caterer, so simply instruct your caterer to shop at local farmer’s markets and choose fresh, season ingredients, such as heirloom tomatoes and fresh herbs in the summer. Be aware that with a seasonal menu, you should find a caterer you really trust, because it’s not likely you’ll be able to taste the menu ahead of time. Donate any extra food to a homeless shelter! Choose organic wine or beer selections. Make sure they are registered with the USDA National Organic Program Use recycled napkins and table linens Use natural products for placecards – one couple used a pressed tree leaf with each guest’s name on it as a placemarker. Or writing guests’ names on a smooth river with a paint pen is an eco-friendly option. Choose beeswax or soy-based candles over those made with petroleum, a non-earth friendly product. Best of all, beeswax candles smell amazing, like honey!

g.       For the serious eco-friendly couple, request biodegradable utensils and plates – made out of potatoes, cornstarch, or sugarcane. Then have them composted after the wedding.

 

Gown & tux: Purchase a secondhand or vintage gown. Have it altered to look more modern and to fit your body perfectly. Donate your gown after the ceremony

c.       The groom can wear a hemp tux

d.       Buy a dress – and have your bridesmaids buy dresses – that you will wear again or can have altered

 

Rings: Buy a conflict-free diamond. The Blood Diamond controversy is very hot right now – this means diamonds mined in war-torn African countries that help fund rebel armies, and finance arms purchases and other illegal activities in those countries. Be sure to ask for certified conflict-free diamonds. Opt for a vintage piece. Or you can have an old piece of jewelry melted down and made into a new ring.

c.       A lot of eco-friendly couples are opting for wooden rings. They’re custom-made and inexpensive (a few hundred dollars). Touch Wood rings are gaining popularity … www touchwood.com

 

Gifts: Create a registry where guests donate to a favorite charity instead of buying you gifts. Avoid something political that guests might take issue with … stick to organizations that benefit international aid, nature, animals, disease prevention, or relief efforts. Their contributions will be tax-deductible, and you won’t end up with a bunch of crystal glassware that you use once a year. Register for a home-delivery service that delivers organic food products Ask for national park passes

 

Honeymoon:

a.       Instead of a lavish honeymoon, go on a volunteer trip! Build houses for Habitat for Humanity or help hurricane victims.

b.       Take an eco-friendly or low-impact honeymoon. Stay in a green resort, go camping.

 

Travel and Carbon Credits: Carbon dioxide emissions from guest travel are the single biggest environmental impact from your wedding. The energy needed for lighting, catering, DJs, etc. always plays a role. Use an online “wedding carbon footprint” calculator to determine the amount of greenhouse gases and carbon emissions that will be generated by guests flying and driving into town. Then, the couple can purchase “carbon credits” – which puts money toward U.S. carbon-reducing energy projects ­– to help offset the environmental damage of the wedding. One site designed specifically for wedding planning is www.terrapass.com. You might also ask your guests to contribute to carbon credits, instead of buying a wedding gift.

By Alex A. Lluch

www.weddingsolutions.com

www.wspublishing.com



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Melanie Spark asked:


Whether you have just decided to get married and are shopping for cubic zirconia wedding rings or you’re already married and have chosen to replace your former rings with something new, there’s nothing quite like the flawless image of a sparkling simulated diamond accenting your hand. If you’re in the market for a new set of cz wedding rings, below are five fascinating facts to keep in mind:

Cz eternity rings symbolize eternal love. A wedding band represents an unbroken line, which is said to represent everlasting love. Whether you choose a textured or high-polished design or you prefer something with gemstones, the unbroken circle of your rings will reflect the commitment that you have to your spouse.

Cubic zirconium is harder than most other gemstones. Because it measures an 8.5 on the scale of hardness, it has earned the distinction as being harder than all other gems with the exception of a diamond, ruby or sapphire. What does this mean? When it comes to cubic zirconia wedding rings, the hardness of the stone will add to the durability and longevity of the ring.

Diamond simulants shine more brightly than most other gemstones. A cubic zirconia is designed to imitate a flawless diamond, which means its ability to shine is one of its most important characteristics. A genuine diamond has a high reflective index of 2.41, whereas a cz is close behind with a reading of 2.15. In comparison, these numbers indicate that these simulated rings will come close to the brilliance of their diamond competitors in terms of light reflection and shine. As an added bonus, these rings offer the look of flawless eye clean diamonds.

Faux diamond wedding rings are ideal for newlyweds. Because of their affordable price, cubic zirconia wedding these rings are a wonderful way for couples to begin their lives together without being in debt. While some may choose to spend a lot of money on their wedding rings and either use their savings to pay cash or go into debt by using a credit card, others are opting for cubic zirconia rings and using the money saved toward life’s essentials.

Cubic zirconium rings are ideal for travel. Whether you’re out of town on business or pleasure, you will likely want to take your wedding rings along for the trip. If you were to wear genuine diamond rings, how much would you be losing if those rings were lost or stolen? With cubic zirconia wedding rings, you would be sad over the loss but you could still replace them without depleting your savings. Whether you currently have a diamond ring set that you just aren’t comfortable traveling with or you want to start your married life with money in the bank, cubic zirconia simulated diamond rings may be the answer you’re looking for.



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flyable penguin asked:


I have two rings I plan on resizing. A diamond channel wedding band and a solitare diamond engagement ring. The rings would go up 1.5 sizes. Both are platinum. What kind of things should I talk with the jewler about or be weary of after resizing them?
Well, I handed my ring over to the jewelers and now I have to wait, which is killing me. It should be done by Thursday. I just pray that it comes out just like how it was before but a few sizes up.

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Nessa asked:


I was wondering why on the left hand and why on the ring finger for wedding rings. I heard the left hand had to do with being closer to the heart or because most people are right handed but what which one is true? What about the ring finger?

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??JonasJay?? asked:


I did this experiment in class. It was a simple experiment. My teacher had a wooden ramp leaning up against the wall. He had a wooden disk and a metal ring. By ring, I mean it had no inside, just like a ring. By disk, I mean it had an inside to it. Both the wooden disk and the metal ring had the same mass, same diameter, same size and same shape. They were released down the ramp at the same time and the wooden disk always made it down first. My question…Why does the disk always beat the ring? Explain and show a mathematical proof why.

I really have no idea as to why except that there must be a force acting on them?!? I have no clue where to start on the mathematical proof….can someone please help me asap? Thank you tons if you can help.

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rain_redhot asked:


Looking for information about a gable that was made from wood from Beauvoir.
On the hammer head it has a gold ring with the inscription that states that it is made from the wood of Beauvoir, home of Jefferson Davis, President of the Southern Confederacy.

On the handle it has another gold ring with the inscription that states that it was presented by Margarett Howell Jefferson Davis Hayes in loving memory of her brother William Howell Davis, son of the confederacy, to the Wm Howell Davis Children’s Auxilary of the B.F. Ward Chapter of the U.D.C. on June 3, 1909.

I am looking for any information I can find about it or where to go to find the info. I have lookied, but haven’t found the right place.

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tree_hugger5432 asked:


They are my favorite actors. Elijah Wood…well…plays in Lord of the Rings. Deep Impact and many others. Jeremy Sumpter plays in Peter Pan.

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deedee asked:


Do you know how to get rid of it?

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bearaquila asked:


I tried to get a coffee ring stain off of a wood table top. It removed some of the finish i think, though it doesn’t feel like a finish. It is very smooth all over, but you can see scuff marks from the eraser. Oil didn’t help. Any ideas?

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Silly??abbit asked:


OK here’s another thing I probably shouldn’t be worried about, but I just wondered if anyone has ideas…

I am getting married in 9 days. The best man is also serving as my stand-in “father of the bride.” We have just him and my matron of honor in our wedding party… no flower girl or ring bearer.

Does anyone have any creative ideas to help the best man carry (i.e. not lose in the depths of his pocket) our wedding rings? They are both plain white gold bands, and although it is easy to tell apart his and hers by the size… I always thinks it looks silly when the person is fumbling to find the right ring at the right time. Thank you for your suggestions Thanks. I am not stressing at all, honestly. I just wondered.

He is trustworthy, but he is an older gentleman. We have both known him for many, many years and consider him one of our very best friends.

I just wanted to make it easier on him and was hoping for something unique, but not cutesy. It’s not like I’m going to make him drag a ring pillow up the aisle
Thank you to those people that actually answered thoughtfully.

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lojix asked:


Sometimes I don’t know the etiquette for such things, like i’m curious about other’s but never ask.

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Tristin Merta asked:


i dont watch much tv but i remeber seeing this one movie a long long time ago, it was really artsy and bohemian…it was kinda like that movie “big fish” and i remember this one scene, the girl was in love with this guy and she wants to run away with him, but he’s like, “give me something so i know your coming back” and i think she gave him some really expencive valuable ring and ran off…the next thing you see he’s driving in the car with all these differnt shiny things women gave him the same way on his mirror…there was even a funny wooden comb if that rings any bells….

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