Gratitude

My husband and I have had so very many opportunities to be grateful this year:

 

We bought a house,

 Moved in (with mountains of stuff!)

 Had an engagement party

 

And got married!

We couldn't have accomplished any of those things without the love and support from our families and friends.  Each milestone gave us cause to stop and count our blessings among those that we care about, and that care about us.  To reflect on a year full of such an outpouring of support for so many happy occasions brings tears to my eyes.  We are so blessed; this year, and every year.  This post is dedicated to all those without whom our lives would be so, so empty.  

Thank you for everything; you all know who you are.  We are so blessed to have you in our lives.  May the next year be filled with many blessings, happiness, and support from those you love. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Snapshots

Homemade cranberry jelly, standing ready for Thanksgiving!

 Finally, 7 months after we moved in; we're putting up curtains

(All our windows except one came with blinds, so it hasn't been a priority!)

First snow Friday morning...OK so it's only a dusting, but it counts!

 Two months (and 2 days) since we tied the knot.

Watching the UCONN/SU game, 

eating homemade cheesesteak, 

wearing the new hat I got him at the market today. 

Life is good!

Sunday

 A restful Sunday around here:

 

 Home-canned Beef Stock (Pressure canned for safety!)

 Use-up-stuff-from-the-fridge Italian Casserole

Clean linens and Flannel Sheets on the bed

doesn't look like nothing...

 Well.  I keep intending to blog here, but it seems so easy to procrastinate about it...and everything else computer-based, for that matter.  I attempted to write a few times, but it seemed like we hadn't been doing anything worth writing about, nor had I been taking photos.  Or so I thought.  When I  *Finally* uploaded my photos, I found that I had been taking pictures.  Not many, but enough.  So, here's a flip-book of the last few weeks  month. 

 We went to a wood-stacking/bonfire party

Shopped for a new hat (but didn't find one)

 Went to the SAMMY's gala (But they didn't win)

 Had a birthday party (and my husband baked me brownies! This has never happened before!)

 (Tomato pear chutney on cream cheese)

 Husband's band in my kitchen

 Friends (Also, we got a new couch!)

 Leftover mac-n-cheese with jalapenos, tomatoes, 

and all the bits of cheese from the fridge!

 I carved this little guy at work.  

Name's Spike.  He's a porcupine.  

Gotta love jack-o-lantern designs that require the use of a drill ;)

 Had a girl's outing to see Rocky Horror Picture Show

 Saw a great band.  That's the husband dressed as Larry the Cable Guy

 :) (He's dodging my spikes)

I was the Statue of Liberty.  Made the costume.  I'm pretty proud of it!

So.  I think that catches you up.  Maybe now I can do more regular blogs instead of sporadic, mammoth ones.  We'll see.

...Aaannd Breathe...

We did it! I'm now a Mrs., subject to all rights and titles contained therein!

The whole day went spectacularly, from start to finish.  The weather was beautiful, there were no disasters, and all the guests got along splendidly!

Many thanks to everyone who helped make the day possible, and a shout-out to my husband's cousin who helped out with some of the last minute details, very late at night.  

Our outdoor ceremony went wonderfully, with our friends and family gathered around as we took our vows.  I can't wait to see the photos from the photographer, she's posted only 4, and boy, are they a tease!

Our venue was wonderful, adjusting the schedule to allow for our late arrival, and putting up all my decorations, etc.  

The cake was so gorgeous, I didn't want to cut it, but we did!

Our week in Vermont was fantastic, with beautiful weather, service, and foliage/scenery!

A few photos:

(I'm not grimacing, we were looking right into the sun!)

Final Update before the big day!!!

I think I've got everything under control!!!  Only a few things left (Mostly delivering decorations and cleaning my house so it'll be nice when we get home) Saturday's the big day, and since I was laying awake in bed running through my mental to-do list, I thought I'd get up and do some computer-ing in the wee hours of the morning!

• Find wedding rings.  We want vintage/antique rings.  We know where we need to go, but it's open funny hours that interfere with work schedules.
• Pick out specific/purchase his clothes (Got his shirt, need pants still)(Getting pants today!)
• Pick out specific outfits for the groomsmen (we have an idea, we just need to say "this shirt" or "those pants") (Got them picked out, just need to give out the info!)
• Get our marriage license!! (This is planned for Monday morning!) (DONE!!!)
• Talk to our cake-maker about what we want and what size.  She's already agreed to make it, we just haven't given her specifics.  I hope to talk to her today.  (DONE!)
• Plan out the order of the day, and deal ahead of time with any logistical issues that come up. (For example, if it's raining, who's in charge of holding the umbrella over me while I walk from the parking lot to the pavilion?) (In progress.  Got the order coming along nicely, as well as logistics)
• Figure out my hair/makeup situation.(working on it!) (Had a run-through last night, it's beautiful!)
• Meet with photographer. (Thursday?) (Email conferenced!)
• Do up our favors (Maybe tonight?) Thanks Alison!
  
• Start writing thank-you notes for gifts already received (All caught up with what's already come!)
• Pack for honeymoon (got my list going, will do this next weekend after laundry day!) (Done, except for overnight essentials, that will be done in the morning)
• Call those who haven't RSVPed (ahem!) (Thank you everyone who is coming!)
• Write out place cards (Delegated to Mom, who has beautiful writing!)
• Make out seating chart (started, it's going to be harder than I thought...) (Just need MIL's approval!)
• Finish up our dinner playlist for the iPod (the band starts after dinner) (Playlist is done, just need to consolidate it into one music program, and charge up/sync the iPod)
• Confirm what balances are due where and get checks for them
• Gather all the wedding stuff in one place (Work in progress!)
• Call flower people
• Touch base again with officiant (meeting with him today!)
• Figure out table number holder for centerpiece. (I'm a flippin' genius!)
• Get to ceremony location with groom, best man, and bridesmaid to discuss decorations (Going today, in the rain)
• Figure out our transportation the day of (we're not doing limos...) (Think we got this one figured out!)
• Make mani/pedi appointment
• Get a haircut and appropriate waxing (Monday)
• Pick up Flowers for ceremony (Done!)
• Refill EZ Pass. 
• Write numbers on place cards
• Drop off all decorations
• Clean Kitchen and bathroom
• I most importantly need to remember to HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, I have:

• picked up a sweater for over my gown if it's cold

• a "something blue" from the unmentionables dept.
• an outfit for the rehearsal dinner
• been working on my tan (with the help of a small bottle, cause it just hasn't been sunny around here!)
• Gotten and given bridesmaid's gifts (Thank you guys, you are all awesome!!!!!)
• Canned 2 batches of tomatoes from my garden (one red and one green, so they won't go to waste!) Also made a batch of pickles with cukes from the garden...
• Done every stitch of laundry in the house

6 days!!!

We're getting down to the wire!!!  I'm off from work now through the 28th, so this week should be very productive.  We've made a lot of progress in the last week:

• Find wedding rings.  We want vintage/antique rings.  We know where we need to go, but it's open funny hours that interfere with work schedules.
• Pick out specific/purchase his clothes (Got his shirt, need pants still)(Getting pants today!)
• Pick out specific outfits for the groomsmen (we have an idea, we just need to say "this shirt" or "those pants") (Got them picked out, just need to give out the info!)
• Get our marriage license!! (This is planned for Monday morning!) (DONE!!!)
• Talk to our cake-maker about what we want and what size.  She's already agreed to make it, we just haven't given her specifics.  I hope to talk to her today.  (DONE!)
• Plan out the order of the day, and deal ahead of time with any logistical issues that come up. (For example, if it's raining, who's in charge of holding the umbrella over me while I walk from the parking lot to the pavilion?) (In progress.  Got the order coming along nicely, as well as logistics)
• Figure out my hair/makeup situation.(working on it!) (Had a run-through last night, it's beautiful!)
• Meet with photographer. (Thursday?) (Email conferenced!)
• Do up our favors (Maybe tonight?) Thanks Alison!
  
• Start writing thank-you notes for gifts already received (All caught up with what's already come!)
• Pack for honeymoon (got my list going, will do this next weekend after laundry day!)
• Call those who haven't RSVPed (ahem!) (Thank you everyone who is coming!)
• Write out place cards (Delegated to Mom, who has beautiful writing!)
• Make out seating chart (started, it's going to be harder than I thought...) (Just need MIL's approval!)
• Finish up our dinner playlist for the iPod (the band starts after dinner) (Playlist is done, just need to consolidate it into one music program, and charge up/sync the iPod)
• Confirm what balances are due where and get checks for them
• Gather all the wedding stuff in one place (Work in progress!)
• Call flower people
• Touch base again with officiant (meeting with him today!)
• Figure out table number holder for centerpiece. (I'm a flippin' genius!)
• Get to ceremony location with groom, best man, and bridesmaid to discuss decorations (Going today, in the rain)
• Figure out our transportation the day of (we're not doing limos...) (Think we got this one figured out!)
• Make mani/pedi appointment
• Get a haircut and appropriate waxing (Monday)
• Pick up Flowers for ceremony (Done!)
• Refill EZ Pass.

Also, I have:

• picked up a sweater for over my gown if it's cold

• a "something blue" from the unmentionables dept.
• an outfit for the rehearsal dinner
• been working on my tan (with the help of a small bottle, cause it just hasn't been sunny around here!)
• Gotten and given bridesmaid's gifts (Thank you guys, you are all awesome!!!!!)

Probably won't be updating around here for a bit, likely after the honeymoon!!!  (PS: Pray for good, warm-ish (73 degree) weather for upstate NY from about noon til about 5:30pm on Saturday, September 18.  So far, the weather forecast looks good, but you never know!!)

12 Days!

12 days to go!  Here's our list from my last post, edited to reflect what we've accomplished.  Also, at the end is the additions to the to-do list.  Again, I'm still canning like a fool, I have nearly 90 jars in the basement and a few more to fill before the wedding!

• Find wedding rings.  We want vintage/antique rings.  We know where we need to go, but it's open funny hours that interfere with work schedules.
• Pick out specific/purchase his clothes (Got his shirt, need pants still)
• Pick out specific outfits for the groomsmen (we have an idea, we just need to say "this shirt" or "those pants") (Got them picked out, just need to give out the info!)
• Get our marriage license!! (This is planned for Monday morning!) (DONE!!!)
• Talk to our cake-maker about what we want and what size.  She's already agreed to make it, we just haven't given her specifics.  I hope to talk to her today.  (DONE!)
• Plan out the order of the day, and deal ahead of time with any logistical issues that come up. (For example, if it's raining, who's in charge of holding the umbrella over me while I walk from the parking lot to the pavilion?) (In progress.  Got the order coming along nicely, as well as logistics)
• Figure out my hair/makeup situation.(working on it!)
• Meet with photographer. (Thursday?)
• Do up our favors (Maybe tonight?) Thanks Alison!
  
• Start writing thank-you notes for gifts already received
• Pack for honeymoon (got my list going, will do this next weekend after laundry day!)
• Call those who haven't RSVPed (ahem!)
• Write out place cards
• Make out seating chart (started, it's going to be harder than I thought...)
• Finish up our dinner playlist for the iPod (the band starts after dinner)
• Confirm what balances are due where and get checks for them
• Gather all the wedding stuff in one place
• Call flower people
• Touch base again with officiant
• Figure out table number holder for centerpiece.
• Get to ceremony location with groom, best man, and bridesmaid to discuss decorations
• Figure out our transportation the day of (we're not doing limos...) 

I don't think that's too bad a list, do you?

3 weeks!

Closing in on the 3 week mark!

Here's what we still need to do...

• Find wedding rings.  We want vintage/antique rings.  We know where we need to go, but it's open funny hours that interfere with work schedules. (we're going tomorrow night!)
• Pick out specific/purchase his clothes (Got his shirt, need pants still)
• Pick out specific outfits for the groomsmen (we have an idea, we just need to say "this shirt" or "those pants") (Got them picked out, just need to give out the info!)
• Get our marriage license!! (This is planned for Monday morning!) (DONE!!!)
• Talk to our cake-maker about what we want and what size.  She's already agreed to make it, we just haven't given her specifics.  I hope to talk to her today. (Nope... :-/ )
• Plan out the order of the day, and deal ahead of time with any logistical issues that come up. (For example, if it's raining, who's in charge of holding the umbrella over me while I walk from the parking lot to the pavilion?) (In progress.  Got the order coming along nicely, as well as logistics)
• Figure out my hair/makeup situation.
• Meet with photographer.
• Do up our favors (Maybe tonight?)
• Start writing thank-you notes for gifts already received

We're getting closer every hour, but is seems as though my list is growing, not shrinking!  We're chipping away at it though, and I'm confident that everything will fall into place.

In other news, I've done some more canning this week, and plan on doing another big batch of salsa this weekend (we eat a TON of salsa!)

One Month to go!

In just one short month, my wonderful fiance and I will be tying the knot!  I'm so excited to share this special day with him, and the rest of our lives together.  Things are coming together: table centers, my dress is being altered, his vest/tie ordered.  Still some things we need to do, though:

• Find wedding rings.  We want vintage/antique rings.  We know where we need to go, but it's open funny hours that interfere with work schedules.
• Pick out specific/purchase his clothes
• Pick out specific outfits for the groomsmen (we have an idea, we just need to say "this shirt" or "those pants")
• Get our marriage license!! (This is planned for Monday morning!)
• Talk to our cake-maker about what we want and what size.  She's already agreed to make it, we just haven't given her specifics.  I hope to talk to her today.
• Plan out the order of the day, and deal ahead of time with any logistical issues that come up. (For example, if it's raining, who's in charge of holding the umbrella over me while I walk from the parking lot to the pavilion?)
• Figure out my hair/makeup situation.
• Meet with photographer.

There's another list, but this seems to me to be the most pressing of items.  Everything else is just icing on the cake :)

I've also been canning like a fool.  From the last update, I canned:

8 pints salsa

4 pints tomato sauce

3 half-pints and 1 pint peach salsa

And I plan on canning something this evening to give as gifts (**Shhh....some of the recipients read this blog!!)

As life gets a bit more hectic, I hope to stop in here more frequently to share, and maybe sort out my thoughts and make lists, all in the guise of keeping in touch, but really, keep myself organized.  

29 days!

A Quick Update

Just wanted to toss out a quick update!  39 days until our wedding! My dress is being altered, invitations are out, hotel room and honeymoon booked.  We're just settling all the little things before we tie the knot!

I've been canning like a fool, even though our weekends are super busy, I try to get one thing put up each weekend.  I've also been experimenting with some vinegars and flavored liquors.  

List of things I have canned, pickled, frozen, dried:

Strawberry Jam (5 jars)

Blueberry Jam (5 jars)

Zucchini & Corn Salsa (2 jars)

Chicken Stock (4 quart jars) (Used my new pressure canner!)

Crushed Tomatoes (5 jars

Whole peeled Tomatoes (1 jar)

Dill Pickles (6 jars)

Strawberry vinegar (2 bottles)

Blackberry Vinegar (3 quart jars)

Raspberry vinegar (1 bottle)

Refrigerator pickles (I think I've made about 6 quarts, but we keep eating them!)

Zucchini/Yellow squash refrigerator pickles (3 1/2 quarts)

Cranberry Honey Mustard (1 quart)

Frozen Blueberries (5 quarts)

Frozen Strawberries (3 quarts)

Frozen chicken Stock (3 quarts)

Dried tomatoes (1 batch cherry tomatoes, 1 batch roma tomatoes)

Dried strawberries (Handful, but they got moldy ):   )

Strawberry Vodka (1 jar)
Cherry Amaretto (1 jar)

Blueberry Vodka (1 big jar)

Blackberry Rum (1 jar)

Raspberry Vodka (1 big jar)

In addition to all that, I morphed leftover black beans and rice into 15 vegetarian burgers for the freezer!

I'm coming along in my plans to be more self sufficient this winter, I keep buying jars and filling them!  I plan on at least 2 batches of salsa (Hopefully with tomatoes from our garden, there's plenty there, I just hope they ripen all together!) and maybe another batch of crushed tomatoes or tomato puree.  

As soon as this humidity dies down, I want to dry some herbs too.  

Also, in the fall (after our wedding!) I want to use the pressure canner to put up some convenience foods: Soups, chili, beans, etc. 

How are your winter canning/preserving coming along?

What June and July looked like...

June and July were craaaaazy but fun!  I think we had something planned every weekend, and we continue to have some sort of commitment each weekend up through our wedding and beyond!  Looks like it's going to be a whirlwind!  Good thing I found my camera charger, I will share some shots of the past two months (in no particular order!)

Pizza dip...yummy!

 

Crock pot baked beans!

A new shelf for my awkward kitchen corner

New kitchen cabinet handles

They used to look like this...not my taste, also they caught 

on a sweater or pants pocket when I was cooking!

Yummy chicken broccoli tomato pasta toss...

Strawberries, fresh from the field

Strawberry jam

Strawberry vinegar

Lots of music...

...Festivals...

...dancing...

...and friends!

Why I don't blog...

First, we were busy.

Then, I was on vacation, and getting mega things done around the house.

Now, it's too hot in the upstairs afternoon-sun-getting bedroom where our computer is.

Also, my camera battery's low, and I don't remember where I put the charger....

I will be back soon.

Why I watch television

I admit it, I'm a television addict.  And not a good television addict either: I watch junk on TLC, The Real Housewives of wherever, Top Chef, Project Runway, reruns, the food network, HGTV.  

It was only the other evening that it hit me:  the only time I relax without doing something is when I watch TV.  I find it very hard to sit outside without something in my hands, or leaping up every few minutes to do...whatever.  

When I was in high school, I rarely watched TV.  I was (and still am) a self-proclaimed bookworm, I always have a book or two (or three) going.  When I got to college, reading was no longer something to wind down with, after reading all evening for classes, the last thing I wanted to do was read some more, so I began to depend on television.  Also, for the first time in my life, at school we had cable.

Since college, I have led a full life, and when it comes to relaxing, I turn to television. I still read, but usually with the TV on.  

This leads me to the other night, when I had my revelation.  We were in the backyard, enjoying the solstice.  My fiance had out his guitar, but rather than sit and just listen, I had to water the plants, empty some waste into the compost, hula hoop, take photos of random stuff, and then sit down with my book.  But as soon as it got to dark to read, I went inside.  

Merely sitting does not hold my attention.  My mind has always been busy busy.  Not worry, exactly, but more always thinking of the next thing, or looking at stuff, or wondering what time it is, or whatever.  I putter around the house, picking up small things, making a snack, dusting, etc.  And that's why I watch TV.  Because sitting in the backyard without a book or something is, well, a bit tedious.  Because its the only thing that I do where I allow myself to relax fully and veg out.

This summer, I will learn to quiet my mind to sit in the backyard without a book and just be.  I will learn to absorb nature without having to interact with it.  I will learn to quiet my mind and relax, television-free. 

Interesting Yahoo Article.

I had a couple of posts planned for today, but then I saw this article on yahoo's homepage.  I thought it worth revisiting the idea the eating whole, healthful foods isn't necessarily more expensive than eating processed, nutritionally-void foods.  

The author doesn't eat organically, but none of those foods are overprocessed, and for a family on a tight budget, are way more healthy than other options.  

Rhythm...

"Change always comes bearing gifts."  

                    ~Price Pritchett

Since we've moved, I have developed a rhythm to my days off and evenings.  However, it doesn't seem to include taking photos or blogging.  

We moved in on April 19th.  Most of the house is unpacked, with the exception of office supplies in the guest room, and most of the dining room as we search for the perfect china cabinet.  We've been grilling most nights that its been warm.  

I've made bread.  My garden is in, I may expand it this weekend, but we'll see.  I have herbs in pots on the deck.  We've had a campfire.  We've met several of our neighbors.  We bought a bed for the guest room, and comfy chairs for the front porch.  Our compost pile is started.  We have plans to put in raspberry bushes and an asparagus bed.  We explored along the creek at the end of our block (it leads all the way to the grocery store! And mint grows along most of it!) Some pictures are hung, others just sit in boxes.  We've entertained many of our friends and family. We're extraordinarily happy in our house, and have received so many blessings recently.

With all this excitement, there just doesn't seem to be a spot for blogging and photos.  I'm trying.  Last week, I had Monday off, and took several photos around the house.  I don't like how they came out, so I'm not sharing them. 

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of buying and moving into a new house, we're also planning our upcoming wedding for September.  Our financially strapped state government proposed closing the state park where our ceremony was planned.  Then they closed it, and opened it again within a span of a week.  Our deposit was refunded, and I gave it back and reinstated our reservation.  

I have a wedding dress, and an appointment to have it altered (3 weeks to loose weight!)  My bridesmaids all have dresses they're comfortable with.  We have our invitations, RSVP cards, and thank you cards, along with matching address labels.  We've booked our honeymoon (Vermont!).  We're working on ordering our favors, and we've shopped for wedding bands, although haven't purchased anything yet.

I guess its no wonder I haven't posted...Hopefully, our lives will continue to refine their daily rhythm, and I can get back to posting on a somewhat regular basis.

Have a great day!

Home...

It's so wonderful to have a place that is actually our own.  The other night, we sat in our backyard, and it was absolute bliss: warm weather, wine, and a good book, all lit by lantern light:

This was after a wonderful engagement party with both of our families (I balked at the idea of a bridal shower...sooo not my cup of tea)

My family

M

Mike's family

E

Every good party has a conga line!

I just like this picture: My siblings, and myself, 

with Mike, and my sister's partner too!

Saying Goodbye

Two weeks ago, I said goodbye to a dear friend of mine.  She was a resident on the unit where I have worked for nearly 4 years now, and she had been there since I started.  She and I just "clicked," not instantaneously, but over a period of months, as we got to know each other, and as I found my comfort zone and hit my stride in a new job.

I can't quite explain our relationship, except to say that for a woman who didn't know anyone's name at the nursing home, she called me (and only me) Geraldine for 3 years.  Never any other name, only Geraldine.  Now that's a bond.  

As I have adjusted to our unit without her, I realize how much she taught me about love, patience, and being yourself; and how much I am going to miss her. 

I love you Eloise, and I miss you, but I'm glad you've gone home to God and to be with your Mother whom you loved so dearly.  Godspeed.