It's Christmas-time in the Country

We've been on the ball with getting our Christmas decorations up in record time this year. Thanksgiving weekend we has the tree up and shortly thereafter had it decorated and all the presents wrapped. Now, we have the entire month for relaxing with numerous cups of St Lucian cocoa tea!

Busy Sundays

Quiche with olive oil crust.

Puppy sweet potato chews.

And my sweet husband starting up some muscadine wine!

More Easy Halloween Decor

Courtesy of Craftingmom.com, I printed off this adorable banner and simply taped it onto some dark purple Bed, Bath, and Beyond ribbon I had left over from all the wedding presents.  It was a quick 30 minute project that helps get us in the Halloween spirit -- that and the bush shaker we put out front in our boxwoods! ;-)

Pumpkins, Pumpkins -- Everywhere!

Many DIY Divas have done the spray painted pumpkin on mason jars, but I didn't have any lying around.  I did have a stash of wine bottles from our wine making endeavors, PERFECT!

Wedding Photo Teaser

 We finally arrived at THE day at gorgeous St. Michael's in St. Florian for our pre-wedding formal photos.  Bride and Groom separate, of course!


















Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue.

 

He would only accept payment of candy ... darling boy!

Did we mention it rained? A LOT...

The rain took the edge off of the hot July summer evening.

 

 Then again everything gets hotter when the sun goes down ... or when the clothes come off -- either way.

Wedding Vendors

I know a few of you are getting married soon (YAY!) and a few of you are just curious about the vendors I used.  Whether it's etsy shops or local talent, I've listed all the wonderful people I've met during the past 7 months.

• Photographer - Connie Wise Photography - The Connie Wise Photography Group is an amazing team.    At first meeting, Connie & Darrell put you at ease immediately, like you've just run into an old friend.  They work with your personal style and also have fresh ideas that result in creative and stunning photography.
• DJ - Platinum Beat - Mike McCormick and his wife are a dynamic pair.  Together, they orchestrated our wedding reception so that all of the guests were included in the wedding reception festivities.  Mike truly was my Master of Ceremony.
• Food - Jan Crow - A lovely lady that brought back fond memories of my Mimi, as my Mimi had the pleasure of providing flowers for Jan's daughters wedding.  Small world, but more importantly -- delicious food!
• Flowers - Cynthia Hudson, CPA - The flowers were a gift from Juanita's Flowers (my mother and my dear Aunt Krystal).  I love you!
• Details
•  Photobooth Props - loriii - The lips, the glasses, the mustaches get them all here!
• Photobooth Fabric - spoonflower - Yes, this website lets you design your own fabric!
• Cake Topper - Wedding Collectibles
• Garter - Garter Lady
• Limousine - Classy Limo Service - They rolled out the red carpet for us... literally! :-)

 I hope I haven't forgotten anyone!

AUBURN: Double-Dose of Roundball Weekend Trip

My attempt at "artsy-fartsy" photography

 Courtesy of a donation to the American Heart Association at the Huntsville Heart Ball Auction, Patrick & I were able to get away for a short weekend trip to Auburn and catch a rather exhilarating basketball game against Arkansas followed by a tame baseball game against Redford.

Of course we had to get the obligatory Toomer's Tree shot ever since it was confirmed that the innocent 130 year old trees had been poisoned.

President's Day

I spent my President's Day off doing housework, grocery shopping -- all the things I should have gotten done this weekend.  Except this past weekend wasn't like any other weekend.  Patrick & I spent a few nights down in Cullman participating in Catholic Engaged Encounter.  If you're newly engaged, I highly recommend attending one of their weekends, even non-Catholic couples were in attendance.  It was an amazing experience.  The whole weekend was about making sure you knew who you were marrying and providing tools to survive being married.

Now, on to what I spent some of my Monday on:

I got some stencil sheets from wally-world and carved out my own stencil and began stenciling an accent wall in my guest bathroom.  I darkened the picture so you could see the stencil better, but the walls are in Behr Sterling and the stencil is just one shade darker (I can't remember the color right off the top of my head, maybe Dolphin).  The picture is the extent of my efforts today since no one clued in the university that today was an off day, so I still had class to attend.  I'll try and update this post with a complete picture.

Vintage Finds

I hope everyone out there is safe and snug or is quickly on their way home.  The roads are absolutely treacherous.  My traction control light in my car was blinking feverishly throughout the mere half mile I attempted (and then promptly turned around and went home).  But now I have a whole day to procrastinate from my graduate course work and write to you, lovely blog land. :-)

Both Patrick and I have numerous quilts and throws that were handmade by our grandmothers, all of which had been tucked away to be kept safe.  Now that Patrick and I are re-evaluating our situations with our upcoming marriage, we decided that a blanket chest would be needed to house all of our grandmother's keepsakes.  After a quick search on craigslist, I was in love.

 A solid cedar blanket chest with mahogany veneer on top!  The scroll work on the front is just enough detail to be timeless.

Here you can see the vibrancy of the cedar chest already occupied with some of Grandma Helen's blankets.  After July, there will be some new additions from my grandmothers.

Another bonus piece that the same lovely lady was selling -- a black Northwind chair.  If you look closely, you can see the face of the North Wind carved into the seat back.  With the curved seat bottom, my derriere was pretty comfy!

Never underestimate the pre-loved options for furniture, particularly solid wood items.  With just a bit of a scavenger hunt, you might surprise yourself with the treasures you'll find!  Happy Hunting! :)

Upcycle DIY: Valentine's Day Heart Wreath

I spent this weekend cleaning out the guest bedroom closet junk closet.  Oddly enough, the little project below helped me maintain my sanity.  And since tomorrow is February 1st, let the Valentine's Decorating commence!

First, locate all those Tar-jay bags you've been collecting to recycle or reuse.  While you're at it, cut out a nice sized square from an cardboard box you have lying around and make your heart "frame."  I made my frame about 1" thick.  Next, layer up about 4 strips cut from the plastic bag and double knot around your heart frame -- just eyeball length and width of the strips to get the look you want.  Keep stripping, layering, knotting all the way around the heart. 

Disclaimer:  If I knew up front how long this would take, I probably would have made that heart a lot smaller.

Foodie Post: 1892 East

1892 East Website & Menus

Once again, the east corner spot at 5-points is occupied.  Sazio's was ok and I don't remember what was there before then.

Now.  Now, is a definite turning point for that location.  1892 East has put up shop in the presumed doomed location.  Doomed through no fault of the venues, but the cramped location and almost non-existent parking lot has never attracted many folks.  What's different?  First off -- Sunday brunch.  1892 is the first gourmet venue to offer a brunch on Sunday mornings.  Saturday's have plenty of options, but Huntsville has never had anything to offer on Sunday mornings for in between morning church services.

The perks don't end there.  All entree's are served with the lightest pastries to tide you over until your complimentary mimosa makes its way to your table.  The coffee is the freshest.  How do I know?  All coffee  is served to your table in a french press.  And the coffee options rival the bar list.  Most of the other ingredients also come with the freshest guarantee as the restaurant utilizes local sources, such as HumbleHeart goat cheese, Higher Ground coffee and other local farm fresh ingredients.

When I went:  Sunday Brunch

 What I got: 1892 Eggs Benedict with a mimosa and medium roast coffee

NYC for NYE 2011

 NYC Skyline from the top of the Empire State Building.

Leading up to Christmas, I was getting that anxious feeling once again -- that feeling that I wanted to get Patrick the most perfect Christmas present.  A present that he wouldn't forget, one that he would cherish forever.  Nothing seemed to fit the bill.  So a week before Thanksgiving I took the non-refundable plunge and purchased two trips to NYC for New Years!

Was it worth?  Absolutely!  Patrick's face was priceless and we got to meander around the most amazing city a mere 3 days after they had a blizzard.  There just aren't words for the surreal sight of Central Park blanketed in two feet of snow.

Happy New Years' Eve!

We're Engaged!!!

What better way to start a blog?  Patrick and I got engaged on 23 December 2010.

Please visit  Our Wedding Website for all the deets! :)