Every Thing You Need To Know About "The One"

Top Photo: Stephen and Heather Holthaus - Married May 28, 2010 Decorah Fish Hatchery

Bottom Photo: Mike and Sandy Holthaus - Brugge Belgium 1995

Everything you need to know about “The One”.

My favorite brother in law proposed to his sweet girlfriend on St. Patrick’s Day in Ely. (It wasn’t a matter of green beer goggles as apparently there are not many Irish in the town of Ely and my brother in law is quite German.) He planned the moment with a bottle of champagne on the shoreline and the perfect view of the lake. So romantic! I have been friends and roommates with him for many, many years so I was very excited to see him so happy and comfortable with his decision to marry “the one”. He just knew. I, on the other hand, had an evaluation process when I chose Michael…..three little words….backpack through Europe. Seriously, if you are even considering marriage, plan a trip abroad and you will learn everything you need to know about a life-partner.

Case and point:

One: Does he pack light? I’m not just talking luggage. Is he a hoarder and collector of all your faults and mistakes? Does he save laundry list of every mis-step you have ever made to bring up a parties of mixed company or does he let it go and consider your quirky traits be part of your charm? Light packers are more fun on trips, especially the very long trip of marriage.

Two: Does he use a map? I feel if a man is willing to use the God given resources provided, for example, a map, to navigate his way through the streets of Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Salzburg (just to name a few) then he is the kind of guy who is willing to help guide his family through job changes, household moves, the education system , and the blessed healthcare bill. My friend, ignorance is not bliss, especially in a marriage.

Three: Is he willing to try new and foreign foods? This is a big one as I sometimes try new recipes that may lean to the unusual. Though I have toned it down a bit and removed the roasted garlic maker from the cupboard, I still do not make fried chicken as well as his mothers, nor am I able to make his grandmother’s famous graham cracker dessert. My husband is will to eat almost anything to stave off hunger and this my friend is a very lovable trait.

Four: Does he try to speak the language? Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in Europe speaks “some” English and even those who do it can be scattered and hard to understand….like me when I am frazzled and trying to make a point. Is he willing to take the time, and sometimes use a translation dictionary, to fully understand the situation before throwing up his hands in frustration? Trust me you want someone who is willing to understand the complicated dialog we women sometimes use to make our point. To some it all sounds like French.

And finally Five: Is he willing to share the load? Literally. When you find the perfect lead crystal bowls at a little shop in Prague does he offer to put a few in his backpack to help you avoid a hernia? (Knowing full well he will be carrying around an extra 20 pounds for the next three weeks and risking a through frisking at customs.) If so he, as a husband, will be willing to help unload the groceries, move furniture around the living room just because you need a change and sling hay bales to feed a horse he will never ride. He is truly the guy for me! Peace, Sandy Welcome to the family Heather Holthaus!

“Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 % of all your happiness or 90 % of your misery.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr.







These three macaroni and cheese recipes will get you through the first years of wedded bliss and beyond.

Mac and Cheese Bake

Ingredients
• 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked pasta shells
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (16 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
• 4 ounces soda crackers, crushed
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a large casserole dish.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Stir in shell pasta and cook 12 minutes, or until tender but still firm. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl.
Mix cream of mushroom soup, Cheddar cheese, with the pasta. Pour into the prepared casserole dish. Top with crushed crackers.
Cover dish, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove cover, and continue baking 15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and crackers are lightly browned.

Mac, Cheese and Peas

Ingredients
• 2 (10.75 ounce) cans Campbell's® Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup
• 1 and one half cups milk
• 2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
• 1 and one half cups frozen peas
• 3 cups elbow pasta, cooked and drained
• One fourths cup water
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 4 cups Corn Bread Stuffing
Directions
Stir the soup, milk, mustard, peas and pasta in a 3-quart shallow baking dish.
Stir the water and butter in a large bowl. Add the stuffing and mix lightly to coat. Sprinkle the stuffing over the pasta mixture.
Bake at 400 degrees F. for 30 minutes or until it's hot and bubbling.












Tuna Mac and Cheese

Ingredients
• 1 cup uncooked egg noodles
• 2 and one half cups sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
• One fourths cup milk
• One fourth cup butter
• One third cup cottage cheese
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 (12 ounce) can tuna, drained
Directions
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cheddar cheese, milk, butter, cottage cheese, and sour cream; stir until melted.
Pour cooked noodles into the cheese mixture and stir until well mixed. Stir in canned tuna; heat thoroughly.