Meatocalypse 2011

My Baby is a wizard of meats.  You often heard me brag about his brisket, prattle about his pulled pork, and resound about his ribs.  Brett grew up in Texas and appreciates the beauty of pampered meats.  I grew up with Paul Ramquist and appreciate culinary works of art.  At least once a week, Brett spoils me with steaks rubbed with love and grilled to perfection.  Just another reason why I’m lucky to be marrying Brett Rafuse.

(Anne, our favorite Hostess)

For the last four years, Brett has competed in the annual Meatocalypse.  Brett’s Groomsman, Joe, and his girlfriend, Anne, host the event with unrestrained enthusiasm.  Their backyard becomes a circus of meats and side dishes.  They invite upwards of 60 meat-aholics to sample and select the finest of BBQ competitors.  Brett has always been a stringent competitor, setting the bar high. 

(Pleva, Cyn, Kyle, Brett & Me)

This year, Brett woke up at 2:00 am the night before the competition.  He stoked the coals (or whatever it is that you do to coals) until placing the brisket on the grill at 3:00 am.  Around 4:00 am, I awoke to an empty bed, a house filled with smoke, and the wafting of meat scents.  Of course, I instantly thought that our house was on fire, the firefighters had given up, and they were now grilling hotdogs on what had been our home-sweet-home.  I soon realized that it was not an emergency, but the makings of Meatocalpse.  I drifted back into dreams of saucy meat buffets.           

Brett spent the day relentlessly tending his brisket.  The digital thermometer would beep every so often and he would leap into action.  Meanwhile, I supplied a steady flow of refreshments for my hard working hubby-to-be.  I also painted my nails and addressed our wedding invitations.  Very important tasks for the competition. 

 (Even our indoor cat, Snow White, can't resist the luring smells of BBQ)

(Sneak preview of our wedding invitations!!)

Brett removed the meat from the grill a few hours before the competition to allow it ample rest and recuperation.  He massaged it, spoke sweet nothings to it, and wrapped it ever-so-gently.  We arrived to Joe and Anne’s Meatocalypse thirty minutes before the competition began.  I was responsible for the Sweet Tea and lemonade cocktails (“John Dalys” are my specialty), while Brett focused his attention to the task at hand: the presentation of the brisket.  With the care of a surgeon he cut the brisket into thins slices.  The pink ring indicated the smoky edge surrounding the tender center.  He finished the dish with his AMAZING sauce (it is seriously the best sauce ever) and set it upon the competitors’ table.   

The competitors ranged from chicken wings, to pork ribs, to beef tri-tip.  And of course, Brett’s famous brisket.  I was also thoroughly impressed by the side dishes that included chili, mac & cheese, stuffed & grilled avocados, devilled eggs, and picnic salads.  Delicious! 

After all of the guests had consumed and voted, we anxiously awaited the results of the competition… I hope you are sitting down… this part of the blog is painful… Brett didn’t win.  He was robbed!  The trophy went to Andrée’s divine pork ribs.  To be fair, she earned the win with pork that fell of the bone and a sauce that was sweet, yet zesty.  Her pork ribs were truly amazing.  Not as amazing as the brisket, but I’m only sorta biased.

A bitter sweet end to a fantastic day of meat and bonding with the Love of My Life.  Perhaps, we didn’t take home the trophy this year.  But, everyone is a winner when Brett’s brisket is on the menu.  I will take mine with an extra side of ooey gooey love.  Bon appétite!          

(Cynthia's adorable and yummy Cow & Piggy Cupcakes)

Today's Memories, Tomorrow's Vintage

The countdown to Mrs. Brett Rafuse continues!  Brett and I are getting married on my family property in Cle Elum, Washington.  In 1951, my Great-Grandfather John Crosetto purchased the 440-acre farm in the Teanaway Valley.  Grandpa John left his career as a grocer for retirement on the farm.  Over the years, the property has been used for cattle, timber, and hay farming.  Today, my parents, grandma, auntie, uncle, and cousins call the farm home.

Based on this family history, Brett and I decided that our wedding would be well-suited for a vintage theme.  I picture the colors of our wedding to be subtle ivories, faint pastels, and delicate floral.  I imagine textures in lace, pearls, knits, and quilting.  I hope for an atmosphere of family reunion, backyard barbeque, baking cookies with your Nana, sipping lemonade by the old rope swing.  Ya feel me?

What is my favorite detail of the vintage theme?  THE PLATES.  I remember the first time I visited Brett’s parents’ home, I was struck by the beautiful plates displayed on the walls.  Brett’s adorable mom served us coffee in brilliant cups with saucers.  Jan’s taste is delicate, feminine, and classic.  Not only am I in love with her son, I am also in love with her collection of dishes.  Brett and I wanted to honor his mom at our wedding.  Her plate collection was a clever way for us to show our appreciation.  Thus, in honor of Jan Rafuse, we decided to collect vintage plates for the wedding. 

(My future Mother-in-Law Jan & Sister-in-Law Sarah)

My best friend Lindsay’s mom generously volunteered to collect dinner and dessert plates for all of our wedding guests. 

(Lindsay modeling one of my favorites.)  (Tarah's photo session with the plates.)

Lora scoured the Seattle area for vintage plates in a variety of styles and designs.  Lora collected plates that Brett loves in blues and greens and plates that I love in pinks and purples.  Lora understood our vintage aesthetic and executed the vision perfectly.  Brett and I are overwhelmingly grateful for Lora’s hard work and dedication to our wedding. 

Thank you, Lora!   

             

So, when you sit down at our wedding, behold the beautiful vintage plate before you.  Think back at Grandpa Johnny riding on the tractor, Grandma Mary cooking supper, and your own mother’s collections of beautiful things.  We hope that you feel as though we are all family, creating our own memories that will someday be considered vintage. 

Tan-Man: the Graduate

Charles Tanner Reed is a high school graduate!  He is no longer my cuddly little cousin (with gigantic water ski feet), but an adult.  Thinking back on Tanner’s childhood makes me giggle.  He was wise like an owl or maybe he was sly like a fox.  Tan-Tan had endless energy and literally ran circles around his cousin Jecca.  Often when he would hijack my wheelchair to race around the house.  Out of the blue, Tanner would leap off the couch and bite.  Yes, definitely more like a fox than an owl.  I would scream, “TANNER BIT ME!”  And the adults would turn to Tanner with his adorable baby blue eyes, batting his swooping eye lashes.  They’d respond, “No, sweet Tanner would never do that.  It must have been Mikey.”  You see, Mikey was Tanner’s naughty alter-ego.  Mikey was a naughty boy, but Tanner was an angel.

Simultaneously, I grew more patient with my baby cousin and Tanner grew more clever.  His appeared to stretch like Silly Putty from a bubbly baby to a lanky adolescent.  Tan-Tan bites evolved into a full moon streaking by the window.  I no longer screamed to the adults for reinforcement, but bent over laughing at his antics.  Tanner was a hurricane of fun and my own personal entertainment.

The passing of time induced a calming effect upon Tanner.  Gone were the days of bites and moons.  We developed a friendship and commonalities.  We became buddies.  While I lived in Cle Elum, Tanner was my sanctuary.  Every Sunday, Tanner and I would dress in our Seahawks jerseys and watch hours of football together.  We’d chat about school, friends, family, girls, and our futures.  He remained hilarious, but emitted compassion.  He always offered a listening ear and insight into what really matters.  Even as a young teen, Tanner knew that family is the most important thing in this world.  Tanner loves his family unapologetically.  Tanner is unconditionally loving, loyal, sentimental, and caring to his core.

Last weekend, Tanner graduated from high school.  He succeeded in being one of 34 graduates from a class of originally 100+ freshmen.  Tanner learns quickly and effortlessly.  He earned good grades while developing life-long friendships.  He invested in his classmates with the same caring that he shines upon his family. 

It is clear that Tanner’s friends adore him for being generous, thoughtful, and hilarious.  As he did in high school, Tanner will succeed in this world by working hard and building relationships.  

Thank you, Tan-Man for being my cousin and friend.  You make me oh-so-proud.  Congratulations on your graduation.  Now, go show this world who is boss (but please don’t moon anyone)!

One Day (with Popcorn)

Foofy romance novels are not my style.  Nicolas Sparks makes me queasy and invokes barfing noises from me.  However, I occasionally skip through the romance novel tulips if the book has been turned into a movie.  I gobble up books-turned-movies because they unite my hobby (books) with Brett’s hobby (movies).  The union keeps us both entertained as we hold hands and eat popcorn at the theater.   

One Day by David Nicholls caught my attention at Target a couple weeks ago.  The cover displayed Anne Hathaway locked in a kiss with an unknown actor.  How could I pass it by?!  The book begins by introducing us to Emma and Dexter, two college kids from the University of Edinburgh, who awaken from a one-night stand.  We later learn that the one-night stand is really all all-nighter of deep conversation and friendship building.  There is instant chemistry between Emma and Dex, but disparate experience in love, political beliefs, and family dynamics prevent them from becoming a couple.  Basically, Dex is a party boy and Emma is in stuck in the friend zone. 

Each chapter begins the same: it is July 15 of an identified year and where in the world are Dex and Emma?  They maintain contact over the years with letters, brief platonic encounters, and an undeniable friendship.  Individually, they engage in polar opposite careers and lifestyles.  Emma is a hard working waitress in a Mexican restaurant.  Dex is a shock-jock TV host.  Emma rarely dates.  Dex bounces from model to model.  Nonetheless, Dex and Emma’s relationship satisfies what is lacking from both of their lives.  They are best friends. 

The author expertly depicts these characters, creating an emotional bond in the reader.  You empathize with Emma, detest Dex, but long for their inevitable romance.  Like Rachel and Ross, the timing is never quite right.  Emma becomes a teacher, a successful writer, and a mistress.  Dexter becomes a father, husband, painfully abandoned, and hopelessly unemployed.  Until… (SPOILER ALERT)… the stars align, insecurities subside, and Dex and Emma unite.  Their friendship and compatibility provides a resilient foundation for their long-over-due marriage.  Love at last!

Uh oh, Nicolas Sparks must have hijacked the plot because you are headed for a tear-jerker.  Now I remember why I pass up the foofy romance novels!  They always make me cry in the end.  I won’t ruin the ending, but buy extra Kleenex.

In summary, I would recommend One Day to my girlfriends interested in an unconventional love story.  Meanwhile, Brett and I are looking forward to holding hands while watching Anne Hathaway as Emma on the big screen.  Ok… more accurately, I am looking forward to Anne and Brett is looking forward to the popcorn.  But, we both cherish any hobbies that involve holding hands with each other.

Did you read One Day?  Do you have an recommendations for romance novels that I might enjoy?  Happy Reading!