Lazy Night Peach Cobbler

I love summer fruit.  I love butter.  I sure as heck love fresh whipped cream with a little vanilla.

I'm also lazy, especially on weeknights, after work, after dinner, after dishes...you get the picture.  (OK, George usually helps with the dishes.  Still, I'm not up for complex recipes after 8pm.)

When you're feeling lazy, do you want to worry about exact measurements?  Me neither, even while baking.  So I came up with this peach cobbler recipe the other night to fulfill my sweet craving and desire to play domestic goddess but still not use too much energy.  I emailed myself the recipe as I went...clearly, even using capitalization was too much work!

For what it's worth, I've done this with blueberries too (adding some cake spice to the biscuit dough) and it worked beautifully; any pie- or cobbler-friendly fruit would do!

Lazy Night Peach Cobbler
serves 5-6...I used two ramekins and a small dish, a generous 3 ramekins' worth

preheat oven to 425F

slice and dice two peaches, barely boiled (just enough to skin)
squeeze half a lemon, mix with a sprinkling of sugar, a scant teaspoon of flour, and a good shake or two of warm spices
stir stir stir, mix in peaches
distribute into ramekins

melt fourish tablespoons of butter, mix with scant 1/3 cup milk and one egg
stir stir stir
in separate bowl, mix scant cup flour, fewer than twoish teaspoons of baking powder, heaping 1/4 cup of sugar
stir stir stir
plop on top of peaches
sprinkle with sparkling sugar if you have it

bake at 425 for tennish minutes, then lower heat to 375 and leave in for another five minutes or so, until golden, puffy and delicious.  you'll probably want to put a foil-lined tray on the lower rack to catch any juicy bubblings-over.

let cool for just long enough to whip some cream with a sprinkling of sugar and a splash of vanilla

Wow...time flies!

I can't believe that the last time I wrote, it was two weeks pre-wedding.  That's right, folks.

This post written by a Mrs.

The wedding was absolutely as beautiful and as much fun as we ever could have planned or wished...and recaps and tons of pics will follow.  Eventually.

For now...I'm planning a few new projects, actually, not the least of which is a new direction for this here blog.  What do I love most about married life, and what's most interesting to share?  I'll definitely let you all know when I figure that out.  Probably before I figure it out, even.

I can promise it will include this, though...

That's all for now, folks.  Thanks for listening.

kh

Two Weeks

Two weeks from today, at this very moment, I'll be putting on my wedding dress, fixing my makeup, fluffing my hair, taking deep breaths.

Give it a few hours and George and I will be married.

Right now, at this actual moment in time, I'm sitting on the couch with a face mask on (I LOVE "Love Lettuce" from Lush) and taking a break from trying to figure out our wedding programs.  One side of our apartment is absolutely brimming with boxes, wedding decorations, silly props, and wedding presents (which reminds me, I am horrifically behind on my thank you notes).

George rubbed my shoulders for 5 minutes this morning and it might well have been the highlight of the last month.

Here's a short list of the road bumps that have popped up as of late:

• the cake baker, who bailed on our contract one month ago, has still not returned our deposit and is ignoring our calls
• the J.Crew custom tie delivery for the groomsmen from J.Crew was delayed until June 5...you know, just a few days after the wedding...though after much lobbying with customer service that's been rectified
• our florist was too busy for either of our scheduled phone calls, so 25 emails and 10 days later, we just finalized our contract
• there was a huge miscommunication with the priest at George's church, so after hours of picking ceremony music, our choices were all vetoed and our poor organist has been put through the ringer
• one of our wedding party members neglected to book a hotel room for the weekend of the wedding, and I had to call and beg the hotel to extend our room block rate a month after its expiration to get him into the hotel
• the dye on my wedding day shoes came off all over my hands...while wearing my wedding dress, with the seamstress
• my last wedding planning weekend, which I freed up by postponing my bachelorette festivities until after the wedding to give me free time, was occupied (literally) by out-of-town guests and my to-do list didn't budge
• my photographer and I realized that neither of us had booked her hotel for the weekend, making for a pricey last-minute scramble

Don't get me wrong...I'm really not complaining.  But I want to document all of these hiccups, so that in a few weeks I can laugh at them and how significantly they impacted my stress level.  In a few years, when George and I are starting our family, I'll probably look at this list and pee my pants laughing at how silly it all is.

Last night, George and I embraced the silly and went shopping for the remaining reception decorations...I can't wait for our seventh-anniversary party.  I mean, wedding.

Thanks for listening,
kw

Showers and Spin Cycle

I have now had two lovely showers thrown for me.  One, here in Boston, was more for my family and friends and thrown by my bridesmaid pals; the other, in New Jersey, was more for celebrating with George's family and was thrown by his mom and sister (also a bridesmaid).  Both included games, some more awkward than others (hello, failing the "how well do you know the groom" quiz!) and generous presents and, my favorite, food.

The truth?  I am so truly deeply grateful for the people in my life who care about commemorating our marriage in this way.  Both showers involved me wearing odd things on my head, and at both, George also chose to wear these headpieces and for photos (and fun).  And both showers stressed me out beyond belief.

That's not quite right.  The showers did not stress me out; they were delightful and full of lovely people.  And, to my earlier point, both had kickin' food.  But I realized that I have a deep discomfort with people doing things for me for what feels like no reason.  It was awkward for me to sit and open lots of presents which I received because...I agreed to marry George.

Side note:  Don't get me wrong.  I think anyone who would agree to marry George deserves a lifetime of therapy and tons o' treats.  But that's in a whole different context.  (At least I've still got a sense of humor, right?)

One of our dearest family friends said to me a few weeks ago, "You just need to learn to sit back, take things, and say THANK YOU!"  It was good advice, and I've been working on it.  This whole experience taught me that while I feel I should earn and deserve everything I get, sometimes it's not really about me...it's about the person doing the giving.  That act of giving is what helps them to feel good, and they're doing it because they care about me.  So whether or not I feel I deserve the presents, or the parties...they're meaningful rituals.  Don't get me wrong; I don't think that anyone plans a shower feeling like Cinderella's mice the whole time.  I've been there; it's stressful!  But at the end of the day, what I learned for myself was how to say thank you and mean it, even if my first instinct is, "No, really, you shouldn't have!"

In other news, I am still not sleeping well.  Shocking!  George and I worked on a to do list review tonight and it just seems to grow every time...but we'll make it.  I have my appointment this weekend with Anahit, the extremely intimidating but extremely lauded seamstress, so there's that to look forward to.  Plus I can share an update on our baker and why we won't have a wedding cake (preview:  AVOID JUJU'S CAKE SHOP ON LONG ISLAND AT ALL COSTS!).  Then there's the mystery of the missing invitations...they came back return to sender, they vanished into thin air...they're all over the place.

Much news and much to be done...it's just a matter of making time to document it.

George and I have started waking up 30 minutes earlier each day, to give ourselves time to dent the to do list or just relax.  Hopefully we'll keep it up and slowly but surely finish everything in plenty of time!

kw

Spinning

It's been a while since I got a good night's sleep.  It happened, maybe, twice in the past month.  No good reason...it's not as if I'm working all hours like some of my friends (and yet they manage to put together amazing parties *cough*Jacqui*cough*) but my body just won't let me sleep through the night.  Or during the day, for that matter!

I don't think it's just the wedding; I feel like I'm spinning my wheels on a couple of fronts.  Someone wisely pointed out last week, at least you're stressing about real things, not about whether or not to get married.  Some people get cold feet around this time.  And that's true.  I have no doubts that this marriage is the right thing...as often as I do feel like throttling George lately.  Yes, I want to wring his neck with increasing frequency, but that's how relationships go sometimes.  We may be young, but we've been together long enough to have learned that lesson well!

In other news, the invitations are out, and we've already received a few responses.  Most people seem to understand our reply postcards so far!  Maybe as we get closer to the wedding, I'll start sleeping more soundly.  I can only hope...

This might actually be useful!

Finally, spring has sprung!  Yesterday was a beautiful, with temperatures that hit 70.  That's right, SEVENTY DEGREES!  Last weekend we were bundled up, fighting torrential rain and shivering, and now it's leave-that-jacket-at-home-and-FROLIC-outside weather.

Plus, George woke up early yesterday morning and...brace yourselves...finished the invitations for me.  I still have to do the calligraphy, don't get me wrong, but he decided to finish adhesing all the invitation covers!  He's the adhesion master.  Maybe I haven't mentioned that I somewhere along the way, I decided that "adhese" was far more fun to say than "adhere."

What about this is useful to you?  Not much.  But...after I woke up, found the invitations adhesed and we went for a drive to soak up the glorious sunshine, I did my first full at-home makeup trial.  Having given it a full day to see how everything wore, I'm ready to review.  And I think the results might actually be useful to you.

Disclaimer:  I am a big makeup fan, I wear it every day, I feel naked without it, and I'm not afraid to look like I have something on.  That said, I HATE the "made up" look.  I want my skin to glow, not look like I've layered anything on.  Eyes and lips are great areas to play with color, but on my face--I think of make up as the great eraser to let what should be my natural flawlessness shine through.  Blend away any ruddiness, cover any trouble spots, and move along to the fun stuff.

So without further ado, ladies, do yourselves a favor and add the following products to your must-have list:

Benefit Erase Paste concealer 
I use No. 1, fair.  This isn't a new addition to my makeup bag--I've been using it for a couple of years now.  It's super-creamy and provides great coverage.  I use it under my eyes and it actually makes me look awake, and stays on all day!  It's also great to cover blemishes or ruddiness--on what I call my "good skin days," I just dab a little of this on and skip foundation.  I'm a huge fan of brushes, but this is one product I apply with my fingers; it blends right in.  Unlike some foundations which are thinner, this is so creamy that it doesn't need to be layered on and it never looks flaky.

Make Up For Ever HD foundation
This one is new--after a few makeup trials (Bobbi Brown and my favorite standby, Sephora) it's beautiful.  For days when I want a little more coverage I still love my Bobbi Brown stick foundation, but this MUFE product is the first liquid foundation to earn a purchase in a long time.  It's definitely one to apply with a foundation brush, but it blends in seamlessly and provides a perfect amount of coverage without looking "made up."

Urban Decay Ink for Eyes cream eyeliner
Demolition, a dark brown, is perfect for me--and it comes with the best dual-ended  brush I've ever seen included with eye makeup.  The definition of a buildable liner--it goes on in a super-thin line, very easy to press right into the lash line, and the angled brush side makes it easy to flare it out a little if you want, or to very gradually thicken the line.  I'm used to liquid liner so I'm not afraid of the brush, but I think this would be easy even for eyeliner novices.  Plus, it really lasts all day...a huge accomplishment considering that my squinty-grin has a habit of bringing any lower-lash-liner right under my eyes in no time flat.

Urban Decay Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder
Update to come at days' end, but honestly, the best finishing powder I've ever put on my face.  It claims to have that optical-illusion soft-focus effect...and after applying it, it really does!  I only needed one touch-up during the day, which included a few drives in the sun and even sitting and walking outside in the sun for a couple of hours, and it stayed soft and velvety.  I never got "bad picture shiny," just a little bit dewy after all the sunshine, and a little powder touch-up brought me right back where I needed to be.  It also totally prevented the foundation from oxidizing at all, which is always a concern (especially in hot weather).

I tried a few other products too--MUFE HD primer in particular--that I'll hold off on endorsing until I have a little more time to see the results.

And, because people are always quick to tell what you should get, but never what you shouldn't, these did not make my final cut.  You can tell I'm always hunting for better primers!

Benefit Stay-Put Eye Primer
Does more than nothing, but not enough to buy it.  I tried Urban Decay's Eye Prime once and think I liked it more, but want to try it again.

Too-Faced Primed & Poreless Primer
It feels great going on, and I actually liked its creaminess.  It just really didn't do much for me over the course of the day.

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer and Shadow Base
Maybe for someone with a more olive complexion this would be great, but it was just too dark for me.  Didn't brighten my eyes, just took the bluish tint from under my eyes and replaced it with "darker than the rest of my skin" tint.  It also didn't have the greatest texture--call me spoiled after getting hooked on Benefit's Erase Paste and Playsticks, but I expect more creaminess from them.  This disappointed.

Benefit Lip Plump
I'm in love with the idea of a lip product that actually helps lipcolor last longer.  I love Lorac's lipcolor and it does last, but it's a bit sticky (hence its absence from my must-have list, though I still might end up using it for the wedding).  It's one of those liquid-with-a-glossy-topcoat deals.  What does that have to do with the Benefit Lip Plump?  Well, it does nothing.  On its own it made my lips look a little corpse-y, and didn't really help the lipcolor go on any smoother or last any longer.  Maybe I used it wrong...

Alright, ladies, there's the story.  I hope this guides you to even more satisfaction as you rack up those Sephora VIB points.  (Which reminds me, if you don't get your makeup from Sephora and have a Beauty Insider card, get with the program.  The samples alone, and ability to try so many products before committing, make it more than worthwhile.)

I'm wrapping up the envelopes today, hopefully, and George and I are driving down later today to Hartford to see the fabulous Candace and Josh Jeffrey of Candace Jeffery Photography.  Can't wait to meet their kiddles at last, and enjoy some quality downtime.  BONUS, the weather in Hartford is supposed to be about 17 degrees warmer than here...score!

Supply and Demand

An unemotional update today:

The invites are ALMOST done.

Almost?  Really?  After all this time?

Yes...because I have lost my calligraphy pen.

I found the nib I needed, and the ink cartridges, but the pen is nowhere to be found.  And I've looked everywhere!

I can't finish the invitations until I have adhesive and a pen...but everything else is done.  The corners are trimmed--George punched over 225 corners; my tally is close to 700 since I did the inserts.  The enclosures are stuffed--and really fun; I'm thrilled with my idea for the third one.  The reply postcards are printed, individually designed with each of our friends' and family members' names, and stamped.  And no, I did not use a mail merge...I did that by hand, kids.  Well, by fingertip, on the keyboard.  And the postcard stamps are little bears, which have nothing to do with anything, but I just didn't see the point of customizing stamps for postcards.  I mean, really, the people who care that much about my postage should just choose not to attend, because if they're that fussy, I don't want to be friends anymore.

Tomorrow there's a big to-do at work for the grand opening of our newest (gorgeous) facility.  I don't think I'll stay long...I'll run and pick up a new pen and more adhesive at lunch.  I don't care if it takes me until 3am tomorrow, I am FINISHING THOSE BITCHES.

That's right.  I said it.

Catching My Breath

I know...months without an update, and then near-daily writing.  I'm on a roll.

There's just so much going on lately that sometimes it's easier to process by writing it out here than subjecting my friends, yet again, to a rehash or a venting session...or sitting around stewing over the details on my own, which has been a really, ahem, healthy new trend.

As I write this, I'm taking a personal day from work.  Everything lately has just started to catch up with me, and rather than go through a workday unproductive and unfocused, I thought I'd stay home and attempt some mental health maintenance.

Of course, I'm also trying to finish the invitations...at last...now that there's ink to finish printing the inserts...

Even on a "day off" I'm multitasking.

So, I don't want to sound whiny or weak, but I have been really running myself ragged.  How can someone who works with great friends, and even gets to take personal days when she's feeling run down get so run down?  I don't know.  Maybe it's a matter of discipline and I'm lacking it...but I think, and truly I don't believe it's self-indulgent, that I just have a lot on my plate right now.  More than a lot of people have to deal with at the same time.

I've always said that everyone has their burdens to carry, and it's true.  The worst day for one person might look like an easy day for someone else...but it doesn't make the first person weak, or their troubles lighter.  Stress doesn't have a scorecard.  With that said, though,  I'm starting to wonder whether I should start to acknowledge that things are heavy right now.  It doesn't matter whether all of the turmoil is public or private or somewhere in between; if I'm going to encourage everyone around me to take care of themselves first, I should do the same.  Few of my troubles are so utterly devastating...but a few are...and the rest?  Well, it was like the rain this past week.  It just kept coming, relentless and without a break.

Little wonder that my general self-soothing tactics of tv on-demand and ice cream don't cut it lately.

Of course, I am profoundly grateful to my friends and my family, and of course to George for anchoring me through hell and high water.

I'm grateful that I live in circumstances that enable me to take this time, to figure out what I need for myself, to break through whatever mental barrier to rest that has me waking up hourly all night.

I'm grateful that my sense of humor is still intact, and that even when things are at their worst I can find something to laugh at (whether or not anyone else would find it appropriate).

I'm grateful that the people around me who have their own troubles know how to ask for help, and I'm privileged that sometimes when they do, I'm the one they turn to.

I'm grateful that I can look at a picture from space, with countless dots representing countless galaxies filled with solar systems and planets too many for my mind to comprehend, I think of an Almighty God who created it all and still loves me so deeply that He knows the number of hairs on my head.

When I was growing up, my mom would tell me "God doesn't give us anything that we can't handle."  As time went by and some troubles seemed insurmountable, she revised her advice.  "God doesn't give us anything that HE can't handle.  We just have to give our burdens over."

I'd like to start going to a church again, to join a community of folks who can help to anchor my faith in action and interaction.  In the meantime, I'm going to work on these invitations.  And I'm going to work on giving the rest--all those pieces I can't handle--over.

Why We're Getting Married

At 10:09pm, I wrote the following on George's Facebook wall:
"Aaaah, check out my random Facebook display of affection even though you're sitting three feet away!

Just kidding. I'm really just about to throw another bobby pin at your head. That's right...turn to your phone when the email alert goes off...BAM. FTW."

At 10:10pm, his phone buzzed...he took it...and, short of a bobby pin, I flicked my hairtie into his cheek.

At 10:11pm, he picked me up and starting running around the living room.

At 10:12pm, we had the following exchange after he sniffed my hair:
G:  Mmm, you smell like grape pez.
K:  What?  (laughter)
G:  I'm going to cherish this.  You never smell like grape pez.
K:  (falling onto the floor)  (laughter)
G:  That's right!  Laugh like a monkey!  Grape pez!

The wedding-planning devil

We've all heard it before...the devil's in the details.  I can think of no truer example than wedding planning!

A week ago, you may have heard me say something like the following:
Oh, the planning is great!  It was sticky there a while back, but now everything is done, it's just the fun little details we get to play with.  It's so much fun!  I love this part.

What should I have been saying?
Oh, sure, we got the big pieces taken care of, and now I'm at the eye of the storm.  In a minute, though, I'm going to become completely overwhelmed by my own desire to DIY a thousand extra details that I never really wanted, convince myself that they're essential, and start giving myself bridal panic attacks because there aren't enough weekends in the world to accomplish all these little projects.  Oh, and I'll start freaking out about the seating chart, too.  That part's a beast.

It's true, all the essential pieces are all set.  I just have to remember my early planning mantra, "it's about the marriage, not the wedding."  And the classic, "if he shows up, and I show up, and someone's there to do the ceremony, the rest is gravy."  Riiiiiight...foolish just-engaged me, how little you knew.

What's left to do, you ask?

• creating my brilliantly simple centerpieces
• figuring out sashes for the girls
• finding shoes for myself
• getting a suit for George
• hiring an organist for the ceremony
• the second piece of George's wedding present
• tying down the liquor list
• choosing the cake flavors (ok, that one's fun)
• seating chart!!!

Oh...and finishing the invitations to put them in the mail.  Tomorrow.  Three weeks later than my original deadline for myself, and even more frustrating since I know a few folks didn't get their rain-smeared save-the-dates.  (Mom, I'm thinking of you.)

Seems like I might have to stop writing for a minute and start stuffing envelopes...

Missing pieces

Recent events have me thinking more about all the pieces that will be missing from our wedding day.

I'm not talking about some jewel-encrusted something-or-other, or gloves for the servers, or uplighting, or any of those material things.  I'm thinking of people.  For various reasons, some of the most important people in my life won't be there to celebrate my day with me.

I've joked a lot through this process that ambassadors should be required to plan their own weddings as part of their training in diplomacy.  There is something to be said for going through a highly emotional process with your partner and standing together through all of it...and coming out on the other side, transformed together but still the same.  Thinking about it, weddings seem to be the only transformational life event that we tend to have control over.  Births, deaths...God controls those details, no matter what we try.  Weddings, though, are firmly in our court.

Choosing to have our wedding in New Jersey meant a likely sacrifice of most of my family's attendance.  I used to say that the only things that would be important in my wedding would be my mom, sisters and Grammy in attendance, and that I'd get married in a shack if that was what it took for them to be there.  Of course, my Grammy's health is such that she can't make the trip, but I know she'll be celebrating in spirit (and maybe in a nightclub, since she's such a wild woman).  We'll visit her this summer after the wedding, once we have pictures, and we can relive the whole day then.

Due to the complex logistics that travel entails, many other family members will be unable to attend as well...but again, that's what photos are for, right?  At least I know our images will capture all the details and all the emotion of the day.

I made that choice, though...George and I made it together.  With our loved ones scattered geographically, there was no easy solution, so we opted for what seemed to be the greatest good for the greatest number.  That meant a tiny reception venue (good for us in planning and keeping it intimate and manageable), having it in New Jersey (good for people in New Jersey and easier than Florida for our Boston friends) and a host of other compromises I made because that's what marriage is about.  It's hard, but we controlled those choices.  At this point, not making peace with that is just self-absorbed...wallowing.

What I find myself thinking about the most lately, though, is the empty seat that Andrew won't fill.  Andrew, my little brother in every sense that feels like it matters, whose laugh and giggle and wry sense of humor and ridiculously smart jokes would have me in stitches at any given moment, won't look at our pictures this summer.  He won't make fun of our mostly-vegetarian menu and tell me that I really should have included more cow.  He won't dance with my sisters...or stubbornly refuse to, either.  He won't politely oblige a big, emotional hug because he's old enough now not to run away when I open my arms anymore.

He will, however, be with us.  In a stronger way than anyone else who will be celebrating in spirit from far away, I truly believe Andrew WILL be celebrating with us.  I just really hope he lets me keep my shoes on.

It's been a while, huh...

So, it's been a while since my last post.  And by "a while," I mean since New Year's.  Wow.  Way to stay on top of the blogging there, K.

A lot has happened on the wedding front in 2010.  We tied down our menu after an EXTRAORDINARY tasting at Rosa's in Hamilton...so comfortable, rich, hearty and delicious.  Mmmm!  I figured out decorations and designed the invitations, and even wrangled the groomsmen into resolution on attire (they were tougher than the girls!).  I decided against harp in favor of organ for the ceremony, based on the song to which I'll walk down the aisle.  George and I have made progress on a few other fronts too...but they're surprises and you'll just have to wait.

The most exciting news is, I got The Dress.  No hints, but I'll tell you the story.  As you probably know, my lovely Aunt Carole was going to make my dress.  I had the pattern picked out, and tried on a muslin version while in Florida for Christmas.  It was made to the pattern and as such, didn't quite fit.  No big deal, that's why we have muslins, right?  Right...except that when another round of alterations is needed, and potentially another two rounds after that...the flights alone start to look daunting.  So I tried the retail route, and was getting frustrated when I came upon a beautiful gown.  In red.

I guess there's one hint for you:  my wedding dress is not red.

Some Googling later, I found the designer of That Red Dress, and discovered her wedding line.  Which is how I ended up on a Saturday afternoon at a Nicole Miller boutique in Philadelphia, with my sister Genevieve and George's mom Gena in tow, and cellphones and cameras in hand.

I went with The One in mind but decided to try on another twelve, just to get the full spectrum bridal experience.  Surprisingly, I was unemotional as I tried on dresses.  It was fun, and I made most of my decisions based on whether I wanted to keep the dress on longer after I caught my first glimpse in the mirror.  Eventually, we narrowed it down to two front-runners and The One I’d Come To See--which I held off on trying on until the end.  We sent camera-phone pictures of the frontrunners to my mom to get her response in real time, and eventually, there was only one left.  The sales staff had thoughtfully arranged for it to be available in my size, only slightly stretched out by the enormous plastic clothes pins they use

Wanting the experience to be as close as possible to really having my mom there, I made some unconventional choices when it came to trying on that last dress.  I covered all the mirrors, put it on, and had Genevieve take and send pictures to my mom.  When she got all the pictures while on the phone with me, I slowly walked up to the mirror.

I burst into into tears.  Then my mom burst into tears.  Then Gena burst into tears, the salesgirl burst into tears, and my darling sister burst out laughing at how silly we all were.  It was perfect…I can’t wait for May for it to make its public debut!

In eighty-three days, I'll become a married woman.  While some of the most important people in my life won't be there to celebrate, I know they'll be with us in spirit.  In the meantime, I know that the next 83 days and the 83 years after that will all be made better because of the man by my side, who has proven yet again these past few weeks that he is my rock.  Overall, not a bad pick to marry, huh?

Happy New Year

It seems that the first 149 days days of 2010 will have my mind on an all-wedding, all-the-time loop.  No matter what I'm focusing on in a given moment, there's an undercurrent of "maybe spider mums instead of ranunculus...what should we play during cocktails...chiffon or French tulle for the dress..." running through my mind.  I'm sure my friends have noticed that I'm like a broken wedding record!

The holidays were easier this year...usually there's so much juggling that it gets a bit overwhelming, but we seemed to find the right balance of running around like crazy and relaxing quietly at home.  The snowstorms here helped with that last part, since George's car can't handle slush so we were forced to stay in and clean out our bedroom closet!  (Today, of course, I can't find where George cleverly put away all of my invitation supplies, and since he's out on the slopes snowboarding I doubt I'll make any progress on that front.)

Happy New Year, friends.  Thanks for taking this journey with me, wherever we go, and here's to things sometimes being surprisingly easy.