Did you — or will you — have a ranch wedding?

Yesterday5:07 p.m.

bride and groom, outdoorsJenna Bush’s marriage to Henry Hager earlier this month on a Texas ranch shows that ranch or rural weddings can be rustic — but still elegant. Check out WichiTalk on Monday for a few tips for rustic receptions, from WeddingChannel.com.

In college, I was the guest at an outdoor wedding in a rural area not far from Kansas City. The landscape (home of the brides’ parents), with large, shady trees, was gorgeous. But, unfortunately, the weather turned bitterly cold and rainy. The bridal party’s makeup smeared. The flower girl got muddy. But that outdoor reception was a celebration, indeed. Everyone kicked off their shoes and danced on the portable floor underneath a big, white tent. The rain somehow made the night more magical. Everyone was laughing.

Were you married on a ranch or are you planning a rural wedding ceremony?

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Relationships | Comments (0)

Do you share your name with a celebrity?

Thursday10:18 a.m.

woman with nametageDid you know that Wichita has a George Lucas and a Pam Anderson? For her WichiTalk column today, The Eagle’s Denise Neil chatted with a Wichita Bridget Jones (she doesn’t keep a diary, it turns out).

That got Denise wondering: What is it like to live with a name made famous by someone else? How often do you get comments? How often do you get the same comments? And how many times have you considered changing your name?

We’d love to hear from other local residents who share a name with a famous person. Click on comments or send Denise an e-mail at dneil@wichitaeagle.com.

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Trade a tip for reusing your “trash” and win

Wednesday12:17 p.m.

“Rubbish” book cover“Rubbish! Reuse Your Refuse” by Kate Shoup is a new book out this spring dedicated to helping you turn your “garbage” into cute crafts. For example, the book offers photos and gives instructions on how to turn pieces of aluminum cans, credit cards, poker chips and wine corks into jewelry. Other projects that caught our eye: An iPod cover made from an old record album cover and a colorful clutch purse made from the webbing of a lawn chair.

In this era of green and inexpensive living, we want to know how you turn your trash into treasures. Do you use drink bottles to create decorative vases? Broken dishes to make colorful mosaic stepping stones for your garden?

Click on “comments” to share a tip. At 5 p.m. Tuesday, we’ll randomly select one participant to win a free copy of “Rubbish” (John Wiley & Sons, $19.99).

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Fashion, Random thoughts | Comments (5)

Got milk … and a shortcut cookie recipe?

Tuesday6:08 p.m.

cookie.jpgCookie confession: A few years ago, I finally embraced the baking shortcut that is prepared cookie dough. A co-worker and his family were moving, and I wanted to bake a batch of cookies to send them off. (My husband’s family has a made-from-scratch sugar cookie recipe that is to die for.) Bit I ran out of time and instead grabbed a package of ready-to-bake cookies from the grocery store. I baked them in 12 minutes, stacked them on a plate and handed them over, a bit ashamed of myself. But when the co-worker called later for the recipe (”My son loved them!”), I admitted what I’d done and convinced myself that, at times, home-baked cookies can be just as good as homemade cookies.

Check out Wednesday’s WichiTalk cover story to find sweet and savory recipes that use prepared dough. And, if you have a recipe for dressing up prepared dough, please share it here. Who knows: I might need a quick batch the next time a friend has something to celebrate.

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Food and Drink | Comments (4)

What do you want for graduation?

Monday6:11 p.m.

graduate.jpgFriends and Newman had their graduations Saturday, Wichita State University’s graduation is this week, and high school ceremonies are underway, as well.

Money is a common gift request from grads, especially high school students headed to college. Need other ideas? Here are a few:

  • Jewelry
  • Frames (for graduation photos)
  • Laptop bag
  • Luggage
  • Novelty luggage tag

One creative gift I received when I graduated from high school was an oversized bath towel. In college, I used it in the shower and as a durable (and easy-to-wash) picnic blanket. Eleven years later, I’ve used it to towel off my two golden retrievers after their bath.

Do you have any gift ideas for the grad?

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Relationships, Shopping | Comments (3)

Tell us how you’re teaching your kids about money

May 9, 20085:27 p.m.

child with bankOne survey has found that some parents feel smarter talking to teens about sex rather than investing, according to the Chicago Tribune.

That’s a scary thought, considering the state of credit card debt among America’s teens and college students.

Do your children earn allowance? Are they in charge of budgeting their spending on clothing? Do you talk about ways to save money while you’re grocery shopping? Click on comments to trade tips on teaching kids about money.

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Relationships, Web stuff | Comments (0)

How many generations of your family are living?

May 7, 20085:10 p.m.

family photoCheck out a story in Thursday’s WichiTalk about one Wichita woman who is the matriarch of a five-generation family. (The 99-year-old woman welcomed a great-great-grandson three weeks ago.)

In 2001, four generations of my husband’s family celebrated our marriage with us, including his great-grandmother. What a wonderful experience it was for me, considering that none of my natural grandparents lived to see my wedding.

Does your family have multiple generations living?

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Relationships | Comments (7)

Share your most exciting Riverfest memory, win a T-shirt

May 7, 20082:53 p.m.

‘08 Riverfest buttonThe Wichita River Festival kicks of Friday with an opening concert featuring pop singer Colbie Caillat. Throughout the years, I’ve made some very cool Riverfest memories. Among them: holding hands and strolling downtown with my high school boyfriend (who later became my husband), running in the River Run with my dad and treating my younger sisters to carnival rides during a weekend break home from college. I’ve also witnessed others’ memorable moments, including a marriage proposal. (She said yes!)

What’s your most exciting Riverfest memory? Maybe it was dancing onstage at an open-air concert, tasting your first ear of roasted corn or sailing down the Arkansas in your very own bathtub.

Click on “comments” to share your most exciting Wichita River Festival memory. At 5 p.m. Tuesday, we’ll randomly select one participant to win a free Riverfest T-shirt.

UPDATE: Congrats to teresas, who we’ve randomly selected as the winner of a free Riverfest T-shirt. Thanks to all who participated!

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Random thoughts | Comments (22)

What women have been “moms” to you?

May 6, 20084:14 p.m.

women huggingMother’s Day is Sunday, and as you pause to celebrate your mother, don’t forget about other women who have played the “mom” role in your life.

My list of maternal influences in my life could go on and on. There’s one long-time family friend named Monica whom I actually call “Momica” because of the part she’s played in my life. My mother-in-law has known me since I was in high school and has witnessed many of my life’s best and worst moments. I have aunts who’ve offered caring words and girlfriends who have lovingly nagged and supported me.

Who has been a mom to you? An older sister? A neighbor? An extended relative?

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Relationships | Comments (3)

How do you build a better burger?

May 5, 20087:04 p.m.

hamburgerToday’s WichiTalk cover story featured recipes for award-winning hamburgers. Now we want to know your recipe for a delicious summer burger.

I love to grill buffalo burgers using ground buffalo meat (you can find it at most grocery stores now). Dice a few strips of uncooked bacon and include the bacon bits in your patties. When you grill your burgers, the bacon will help keep them nice and juicy and add savory flavor. Top with provolone cheese, mushrooms and avocado slices. Mmm. Pass the lemonade!

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Food and Drink | Comments (1)