Cape Cod Ceremony - Loaded Morning Glory Muffins
May 2016
Cape Cod Ceremony
Will and I got married! Again. Officially! Outwardly. The ceremony in Cape Cod was nothing short of a dream. Although, I’m striving to learn how to not reach for perfection—it was near perfect. Our families together in the Cape. Emily conducted the ceremony, and she was phenomenal. I only glanced out once, trying to be present, only focusing on Will and Emily. But when I did, everyone was in tears.
Will and I got married on May 28, 2016. We now have an anniversary, he pointed out. Cape Cod was symbolic for a slew of reasons. First, I deem it my happy place. It holds such nostalgia for me. Glorified memories growing up, where I see everything in pastels.
Me and Emily during swimming lessons at Wiley Pond
Outside our summer home
It’s also a halfway point between New Hampshire and New Jersey for both of our parents. We were thinking about the Bahamas for a while, but ultimately, it wasn’t feasible. The Cape seemed doable. So we would get married at Winslow’s Tavern in Wellfleet. I had my dress. Will's sister would arrange flowers. His father and brother-in-law were constructing the chuppah. My mom orchestrated the logistics. We were underway.
Will and I drove from Montclair with Grandma Blanche. We left around 5:30 a.m., my mom always eager to beat the traffic. We stopped at the Somewhere In Time Café in Old Mystic, Connecticut, the halfway point.
Grandma and Will pleased after their breakfast at Somewhere in Time Cafe
Once we got to the Cape, I immediately wanted see the bay, so we took a walk down with Sally.
Campground Beach - the closest bay to our house
Will's family arrived, and he helped them drop off the Chuppah at Winslow's. He confirmed the chuppah was gorgeous.
The infamous, and impresisve, Chuppuh
We had drinks at the house and extensive appetizers with a cheese plate. We all walked down to the bay to watch the sunset.
My sisters...and Sally
The colors were breathtaking.
The gorgeous sunset
It was getting late, so my dad and I had picked up some margarita pizzas and salads from The Fairway. We also got three pounds of steamers, two quarts of New England Clam Chowder, and corn on the cob from Mac's Seafood, a fish market nearby. Will's favorite aunt and her husband came. As predicted, I was so happy to have them here.
I had brought a a few bottles of wine from Rappahannock Cellars. I taught everyone how to clean the steamers in salt water and douse them in melted butter, pulling off the black part of the tail. I opened another bottle of red, stood back, looked around the room. Everyone was together. Emily telling stories, everyone dunking steamers. I felt as if we already pulled it off.
The family house
On Saturday morning, we all congregated at the house for breakfast. My mom made loads of coffee, mimosas, and fresh fruit and yogurt with pastries. I went up to the top deck. The sun was out. It was 75 degrees and sunny. The birds literally chirping, the smell of pine was all encompassing.
We decided to talk a walk on the National Seashore Trail to get to Coast Guard Beach. To be honest, we’ve only biked it, so we didn’t know how long it really was. We divided up into sub groups, as you do with a big group. I was with my Dad and Will, which seemed suiting for the day we were going to get married.
We talked about my dad’s newspaper days when he was the Sunday sports editor of the Daily News. We chatted about when the union went on strike, he was technically part of management, which caused great turmoil. We talked about why he left the business. I remember going at 4 a.m. in my pajamas when I was young. My dad worked crazy hours. So my mom, Emily and I picked him up to go straight to the Cape.
We ultimately made it to the ocean. Coast Guard is noted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It was uncharacteristically sunny for the Cape. Will started talking to another couple with a dog. When the couple asked what we were up to today, and we told them we were getting married, they invited us down for a beer. We went. He pulled out four beers and we downed them. We toasted. He said to us, a life of happiness. Clinked cans again, and parted ways. We trudged back up the sand, a little loopy from the quick beer and hot sun.
I got ready back at the house. I wore my grandma’s opal earrings, her engagement ring, and a blue bobby pin (something old, borrowed, and blue). I was really excited. We had a champagne toast. And then we headed to Winslow’s. The courtyard looked stunning. The chuppah, the flowers, just everything. I slipped into my dress. I felt like I was about to get married. I couldn’t wait to see Will. This was it.
I waited with my dad in the restaurant. People dining said congratulations. I was the bride! My mom came and said she’s walk out with us too. She immediately followed saying both her parents walked her down the aisle. So, of course I said sure. I hooked arms with them, not really knowing what to say. We got the okay and walked out. Will's father was filming. I met Emily and Will under the beautiful chuppah. We began.
Emily killed it. She did such an awesome job. Better than awesome. I had high expectations, but she truly exceeded them. I remember her saying that when she comes to visit, Will makes up the futon and I’m whisking around the kitchen. But we can’t help but sneak a kiss in the hallway. It totally resonated with me, just because how accurate it was. Time for our vows. Emily started to reach for her wine, and I went to give her a hug, but she said, don’t worry, I’ll be back.
Our vows
When I looked around, our vows left everyone in tears. Including ourselves. Emily's witty humor had everyone hooked. “It’s almost unfair using these two as the standard because they are the gold standard. Leah and Will are the rom com relationship normal 20-somethings are trained to believe is unattainable. You even have that perfect cute meet cue—Leah being dragged out to the party she really didn’t want to go to, Will playing it cool the next day with his texts, your first date where Leah was under 21 and had to order a coca cola.” She also said, “And okay, are we going to find two people who appreciate the epic walk more than you two? I used to wonder, sometimes, about this routine of yours. Spending weekends wondering aimlessly unreachable for hours, no end in sight. Don’t you have a plan? I wondered. Don’t you get bored? Only now do I get it. It’s about savoring every moment of the journey…Together.”
I loved Emily when she was speaking. She nailed it to such an impressive degree. She concluded, “And now, with the power vested in this iPad, I bow pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
Will's vows
I was on cloud nine, so happy, so excited. There were passed appetizers—crostinis with duck or purple kumato tomato bruschetta and also EX shrimp with grilled cumin and a guajillo chili dipping sauce. The sun was setting, I had more wine, and we went inside. There was a lovely cross breeze, we had a private dining room. For dinner, there were three options: cod, with slow roast tomato and garlic confit, creamy Yukon potatoes, smoked lemon paprika, a linguine with fresh seafood: calamari, mussels, etc., and a vegetarian mushroom risotto. I was having the best time. When the server came over to ask if we were ready to order, everyone looked at each other. I said we’d need a few more minutes—wanting to extend the evening. Emily announced proudly, “Look! She made a decision!” Married life was doing me well. Everyone laughed.
I ordered the cod, and it was delicious. Sure, the wine helped, but it really did taste like it was caught that day. I was laughing, squeezing Emily’s hand. This was the best. For dessert, there was coffee and an assortment shared small bites. Key lime pie, a fruit crumble.
After dinner, we went up to the bar. I asked Grandma if she wanted to go home, it was getting late. She looked at me like I was nuts. “No! I want to go up for a drink!” She sat at the corner of the bar and ordered a prosecco. Will and I had bubbly as well. The night was going too fast. I wanted to box it up, grasp it as something tangible. But our rings, our marriage, our written vows, the ceremony on tape, it was tangible.
On Sunday morning, we went back to our house for Hole in One muffins and scrambled eggs. It was especially meaningful to me. When we went to the Cape growing up, we would get Hole in One, almost daily. It was a treat. Blueberry corn was always my favorite. But this time, I went for a morning glory. It was more satisfying than I remembered.
When I think back to our wedding ceremony, a flood of memories come back. I think of how blissfully happy I was that entire weekend. Of course it was the wedding, but it was also nostalgia for the Cape.
Flushed with happiness
The sea air, the bike rides, fresh seafood, ice cream cones. And Hole in One. For our wedding party, we didn’t want a wedding cake. We didn’t want anything formal. We lost that battle to my mother. But it would be carrot cake—our favorite. Ironically, the same as my parents wedding cake. Only two tier. What about three, my mom asks. Two will do, mom. Modest. These morning glory muffins are just that. A modest version of a morning muffin, that has similar characteristics of carrot cake. They’re a way to express my love, bursting with add-ins. Too many raisins, carrots, with an overflowing amount of pumpkin seeds and oats on top and honey. Will called them “wholesome” and “healthy” and “nurturing” and “the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.” We had them with cream cheese sometimes—to resembled the cream cheese frosting on carrot cake. They were mini everyday carrot cakes. I had them for breakfast, mid-day treat, and even warmed after dinner. It’s an ode to our love. Endless possibilities. These Loaded Morning Glory Muffins are just that.
Loaded Morning Glory Muffins
Serves: 12
Ingredients
1 cup white whole wheat flour
¼ cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking sod
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
¼ tsp. ground ginger
1 cup, plus ¼ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup raisins, soaked
3, very generous, tbsp. olive oil
1 large egg, room temperature
1/3 cup milk, 2 percent
1 tsp. vanilla
2 medium yellow carrots, shredded (about 1 heaping cup, packed)
2 medium orange carrots, shredded (about 1 heaping cup, packed)
1 medium ripe banana, mashed
½ cup pumpkin seeds
2 tbsp. honey
Salt
Method
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.
Grate carrots with a cheese
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, 1 cup oats, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and salt until there are no lumps
Heat raisins in very hot water for about 5 minutes. Then drain well and squeeze excess water with paper towel.
If still to ripe, stick in the oven for 5 - 10 minutes in the skin
In separate bowl, mix carrots, mashed banana, oil, egg, milk, vanilla and stir until well blended
Slowly incorporate dry ingredients
Add raisins
Fill each muffin cup with 1/4 cup batter.
Top with pumpkin seeds and oats
Lightly press seeds in
Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, about 25 -27 minutes. Serve muffins warm or at room temperature, with whipped cream cheese or butter
