Love and Pecan Tussies

Posted on February 15, 2016

Sooooo…. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Not only is it the cheesy Hallmark day of love but also my dad’s birthday (Happy Birthday Dad!). Two reasons to celebrate in my book! Plus, I get some yummy Wockenfuss chocolates and roses from my hubs… so double bonus! As I munch on pistachio marzipans and admire these beautiful roses, I’m baking one of my favorite grandma recipes.

Now something that gram’s did for everyone, regardless of the holiday, is she’d send cards. I’m pretty sure she had a closetful of cards for every and any occasion. Halloween, 4th of July, Valentine’s Day.. it didn’t matter. You got a corny card with a little heartfelt message inside signed with love from grandma.

Who knew greeting cards would be one of the things I missed the most? Those little notes from grams just letting you know she cared in her own little way haven’t arrived in my mailbox for 1/2 a year now. This doesn’t stop me from still checking my mailbox every holiday and smiling a little, thinking about and remembering her cards.

This Valentine’s Day annnd first official recipe post I’m making one of my favorite sweet treats gram’s used to make. Pecan Tussies (also known as nut tussies by many). Now I know most people say Tassies, but that’s not how gram’s rolled and I sure as shit am not going to change her recipe name. I even dug out one of gram’s old mini-muffin tins I had hiding in my cupboard. I love it’s old texture. I’m sure it has to be over 40 years old.

These tiny pecan pie bites still manage to bring a smile to my face whenever I make them for Christmas cookie plates or just because. So bake up a batch! This is a great one to do with kids or as a couple. Share them with your sweetie (or sweeties) and enjoy your Valentine’s Day!

Pecan Tussies:

Crust:

1 stick butter (1/2 cup) – Gram’s recipe calls for Oleo… but they definitely don’t make that anymore
3 ounces of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1 1/4 cups of flour

Mix all above ingredients together and put in mini muffin tins. Use about a tablespoon of dough for each muffin cup.

Filling:

Finely chop 1/2 cup of Pecans
Put about 1/2 tsp in the bottom on each muffin cup

Mix together the following ingredients by hand.

3/4 cup white sugar
1 T butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg

After throughly mixed, fill each muffin tin (about a tablespoon of filling).

This will make roughly 24 pecan tussies. Put in oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until tops start to brown. Remove from oven and cool until filling has set. Use a knife and carefully run around the tussies edge to remove from tin. Serve and enjoy!

-Alysha

Alysha Yoder Photography (b) www.alyshayoderphotoblog.com

www.alyshayoderphoto.com (e) alyshayoderphoto@yahoo.com (p) 610.762.7810

Category: recipe, www.alyshayoderphoto.com Tagged: alysha yoder photography, family, food, grandma, nut tussies, pecan, recipe, tussies, valentine, valentines day

6 Comments

Jen and Joe – 12.19.15

Posted on January 20, 2016

What a fun and long brewing romance Jen and Joe had! This couple, originally both Carlisle natives, had a thing for each other in high school. It fizzled out and both went their separate ways. Fast-forward 35 years and BAM! They reconnected, had a whirlwind romance and before you knew it, wedding bells were ringing!

While these two both call Atlanta home now, they came back to the Carlisle area to celebrate with everyone they grew up with and got to show off their hometown to their Atlanta friends in the process. And what a party it was! Nothing could have gone more smoothly and look more lovely (thanks to the awesome planning and design of Tracy over at La Carta Luna Planning and Design). Seriously, did you see these venues and all the decor? It was stunning!

Jen and Joe’s wedding began with the ladies all getting ready at the beautiful Fallen Tree Farm B&B. Lots of laughs, smiles and dress adjustments were shared. Everyone exchanged small talk while oohing and awwing over dresses, shoes and accessories. The bride’s mother even matched her shoe and hair piece, how fun is that?

Shortly after, we all headed over to The Carlisle Ribbon Mill. The ladies freshened up in the bridal room while finishing touches were placed throughout. All the small details were just stunning, from the Gingko leaf earrings the bride wore, to the flowers frozen in ice centerpieces, little flower and feather bundles for each guest with their place settings and a beautiful ribbon alter piece to pull all the colors of the wedding day together!

As the groom and his groomsman started to arrive, they shared handshakes and hugs with all the wedding guests. The ceremony began shortly after. The lovely bride walked down the aisle escorted by her uncle as the groom looked on, beaming with a sheepish grin. The ceremony was beautiful with some tears and hand holding being shared by the audience. Everyone applauded as Jen and Joe were kissed for the first time and were announced as husband and wife.

While guests sipped on drinks and enjoyed a lovely cocktail hour I got to go out with Jen and Joe to get some outdoor shots. Despite the cold, the bride and groom champed through and Jen even rocked a little bridal overcoat! Their brother and sister assisted me through the whole thing. Who says iPhone’s aren’t good for some front lighting lol! Upon returning, while waiting for their entrance, Jen and Joe indulged me in a little one on one photo session with all the cool backgrounds The Carlisle Ribbon Mill had to offer! One of my favorite photos from the whole night is them against the white wall, holding hands and looking at each other. It’s just adorable and puts a smile on my face 🙂

Following their entrance, speeches were given. What a wonderful job all the speakers did! From a brother, sister and uncle, all of them had the crowd in stitches over childhood stories and relationship advice for the new couple. A beautiful dinner was served by The Uncommon Caterer prior to dancing and what a dancing crowd this was! After the couple’s first dance everyone joined in and got their groove on! From slow dances to disco this was a party crowd! Shortly thereafter, the beautiful cake was cut and guests enjoyed this delectable treat from The Camp Hill Bakery.

What can I say? This was such a wonderful wedding. The couple, their friends and family were just all so lovely. Happiness, love and laughter enveloped Jen and Joe’s whole wedding day. I am so thankful to be a part of it! Here’s to a long lasting a beautiful marriage! Enjoy all the photos celebrating Jen and Joe’s big day!

Vendors:

– Wedding Planner – Tracy at La Carta Luna – Wedding Planning and Design –

– Venues – The Carlisle Ribbon Mill & Fallen Tree Farms Bed and Breakfast –

– DJ – SpiritSound Production Services, LLC –

– Caterer – The Uncommon Caterer –

– Bartending – Just Bartending –

– Cake – Camp Hill Bakery –

– Flowers – Sarah’s Floral Designs –

– Photography – Alysha Yoder Photography –

www.alyshayoderphoto.com (e) alyshayoderphoto@yahoo.com (p) 610.762.7810

2 Comments

James & Ashley – 10.31.15

Posted on January 4, 2016

Talk about a wedding for the offbeat books! Halloween wedding + gas masks + zombie cake and Beetlejuice ring hand.. it had it all! For a themed wedding this was definitely one of the more rad weddings I’ve done. James and Ashley LOVE Halloween and what a better way to share your big day then theming it around something you’re both passionate about??

Ashley rocked her little white dress, fringed in black lace with a orange accent while James looked sharp in his suit. The bridal parties wore a purple and black combo with highlights of orange throughout. This was one of those weddings that was just a blast to photograph. When James pulled out his gas mask groom’s gift I can honestly say this was, not only a first for me, but one of the most unique and awesome wedding gifts ever! Each mask came in a military type bag, personalized with the groomsman’s names on them. Talk about a crazy cool gift right??

There were so many priceless moments too. When I was positioning James for the couple’s first look… seeing how nervous he was until he saw his stunning bride in her dress and all his nerves melted away, to the look on the officiant and crowds faces when the groom’s brother pulled out the box containing the wedding rings… and a zombie hand lol! James recited some Beetlejuice references much to the amusement of all the guests. One of my favorite shots is the reaction of everyone to the zombie hand. The bride hand-painted the cake toppers (for their spiderweb Halloween cake) to look like a zombie couple with their dog and what an amazing job she did! The groom even rocked some pumpkin cufflinks for the occasion. Not to mention, the party ALL donning masks for some post-ceremony shots. This was only highlighted by the very “Shining-esque” Globe Inn Hotel, with old photographs, decor and dim lighting.

The warm fall colors played off not only the color themes but the warmth the couple and their close friends and family have for each other. Every time I turned around someone else was laughing and joking with the couple. So here’s to many more Halloween’s together you two! May your treats be better than you tricks 🙂 I couldn’t have asked for a more fun bride and groom to photograph! Enjoy!