Wine & Dine

This past Friday Joe and I had the day off for our friends Anna & Eric's wedding (which was just lovely by the way). Before we headed back home we stopped by our possible caterer on the way out! We asked questions and feel like they could very well be our caterer! We're going to set up a time to go and have lunch with them to taste the food. (Definitely a bonus when it comes to planning a wedding - food tasting!)

When we arrived back home we still had time before the wedding so we went to Hidden View Winery in town. One of my old babysitters, Mandi, was working (her parents now own the store) so she got us started tasting some of the wines they have. The have your typical whites and reds, but they have this other kind called Breezins which have more of a fruity flavor. Let me tell you, they taste like juice, not wine. Before we walked out of the store, we had started two wine kits and in a couple weeks we have to go back and rack our wine - whatever that means. Once it ages for a bit we will be bottling it all and Mandi is going to be making us some labels as well! Such a neat experience. And could easily become a new hobby with the 150 bottles we plan on making!

Anna and Eric's wedding was beautiful. Although the weather wasn't on its best behavior, they definitely knew how to celebrate! The reception was held in this amazing old building in Duluth and we danced until the last song played. I wish them nothing but the best in life. They are a great couple and I'm so happy for them! Congrats Anna & Eric!

10 MONTHS!

We have 10 months to go and there is so much to do! I'm feeling giddy today:) Maybe because the fact that today is my "Friday" too. My friend Anna is getting married tomorrow so I'm taking the day off and before Joe and I head home, we will be meeting our possible caterer in the morning! To add to all the wedding goodness, if we have time before the wedding (if not, before we head back home) we're going to talk with a winery about making our own wine for the wedding too! Lots of wedding stuff going on!

So great:)

To top off all the sweet things, Joe booked our Honeymoon plane tickets, car rental and one place we're staying for sure, if not more. And where are we going you ask????

British Columbia, CANADA!



Tofino, BC



Joe has found some amazing places to stay on the west coast of BC. First, we'll stay at a private cabin along Jordan River for a couple days, then drive up north a little more to Tofino, BC and spend a couple days there. Next, drive to Vancouver and see the city and head back to Seattle to fly home (in a nut shell). We didn't want to go someplace tropical since we're getting married in July, it's already hot at home, and we'd be possibly going somewhere during hurricane season. So we'll save that for the winter when we can't stand the cold, cold temps.

I am so excited for this trip! The first half we'll be secluded, on the ocean, and to add even more jaw dropping activies - whales will be in the area! I love whales:) It will be nice to get away and just relax! The honeymoon - probably one of the best parts of getting married! Besides starting one of the greatest adventures in life with your best friend:)

Happy 10 Months To Go!!!



Date Night

Now that Joe and I are both in school, finding the time to "get away" from reality gets a little tough. So we have set aside one night every other week as "Date Night" and tonight is the night! It's extra special today too since I haven't seen him really in the past week and a half due to his work schedule. How our date nights work: We usually take turns picking a new restaurant in the areas close to us and try out the menu. Yep. That's pretty much how date night goes. Ha! Nothing fancy but it gets us out of the house, no roommates, no deciding what to make for dinner, takes us to a new place we haven't been before, and it's just our time to enjoy each other. Plus, we can't really paint the town red when we have work the next morning:)

Anyway, I'm excited for tonight. Joe has been busy looking into places to stay for our honeymoon so I'm excited to see what he has found! Oh and some more exciting news - One month from today I'm going dress shopping!! I have two appointments scheduled and can't wait to see what's out there. I have thought about this day, the day that I would find a wedding dress, and can't believe how close it is to coming true!

The Sun is SHINING!

And Joe is officially done with working nights. Here I was Sunday night, alone and missing Joe, thinking he wouldn't be done until at least Thursday but they're finished early! Yippee!

I have another idea to share with you all and one of Joe's favorites!

Isn't this cute?!

We're thinking of making some signs to go along with our "outdoor rustic" theme. I would like one that say:

Sarah & Joe

7.23.10

or

Games

(for the game area)

or

Ceremony

Reception

(with the arrows pointing opposite ways)

I'm a big fan of details so these will be perfect!

A little behind in my posting...

Surprise! Surprise! I have not posted in a while. My apologies. I feel like I have all these wedding ideas brewing and I just want to start but in time. I'm waiting to start the crafty projects until we get the bridesmaid dresses so I can have that all important swatch. Still adding to my list of ideas though:)

Tonight's post is a little different compared to the usual idea post. You could say it's more of a 'heart to heart'. Joe is on his 7th straight day of working nights. And I have a total of 30 minutes with him for dinner every evening when I am ending my work day and he is starting his. It's definitely taken some time getting used to "living on my own", but thankfully he should be done with this schedule at the end of the week. Plus, I've been finding ways to keep busy.

When you live with someone day in and day out, it's easy to take for granted all the moments you do have. And you don't really realize this until your schedules change and your daily routine mixes up a bit. Only having a half an hour with my fiance has made me more thankful and appreciative of that small chunk of time we do have together. I am so excited for his stretch of nights to be over but will certainly cherish those every day moments with him a little more.

Oh the simple reminders to live life in the moments so you don't miss out on the sweetness of it:)

But don't you step on my blue suede shoes - Elvis

Where can I find a pair of these little gems to wear? Yep, I want blue shoes - preferably no heel so I can run around in excitement all day long:) It can be my "something blue".

you've got mail

Such a great movie but really has nothing to do with this post :) I found another project (and an easy project at that) that I would love to create. Behold, a mailbox.

Seriously! How cute is this for cards!!!!

Just had to share this with you ;)

One idea slowly coming to life!

Happy Friday! So remember way back when I posted pictures of candy/dessert tables? Well that idea is underway! My Mom and I have found these cute jars to fill with goodies!

And I really like the idea of having it become the "wedding favor" table too! Guests can enjoy the sweet goodness there or take some home with them! Let the jar collection begin!

making....

Bridesmaid dress appointments! Finally found a weekend all five ladies can come down & search for their dresses! So excited & surreal to actually have made an appointment!

Posting this tidbit of information because I am EXCITED! Once we have the color I can work on other fun things!!! Whoooo :)

Met with the florist!

On Saturday I was able to meet with Meggan, our florist. She's awesome and has lots of ideas for our flowers. I may have also picked our accent color. Are you ready??? Here is is!!!

YELLOW!!! So bright & happy:)

I think yellow will look so great with the navy blue. Plus Joe so cheerily reminded me that the color combination also happens to be Esko colors. Greeeattt... :) jk

To go along with the yellow, I still want my bouquet to be white with some green in there. Meggan wrote down a lot of different kinds of flowers to look into so nothing is definite yet. Here are a few of my favorites she had on hand!!

A lovely white Eskimo rose

White stock flower

White mum

Kermit poms

So many decisions to make for a flower bouquet and I haven't the slightest clue what looks good together. I have total trust in Meggan! And thankfully I don't have to make any decisions at the moment.

Well accomplished study break on a Friday afternoon...

Just searching around for some bridesmaids dresses. Trying to figure out a weekend before Christmas to get the ladies together has proved to be somewhat tought but we're trying. Here's what I'm hoping to find. Beatiful blue dresses!! (Note: these are just pictures of the navy color I want, not necessarily the dress style)

Just want something summery, cute, and the big "you can totally wear this again" type dress. The bottom two look a little more purple in color but I'm going to say they are blue:)

A poem for you

In ccase you were wondering what the bridesmaid cards said, here are the poem I used...

This is the poem I used for Sadie:

Through the in and out's

thick and thin

No matter what's happened

There've you been

you smile when i need it

and listen when i grieve,

you hug me when i cry-

and blow boogers on your sleeve

I treasure you sister

More than diamonds or gold,

and i promise i will

when we’re saggy and old

So please stand by my side

when i say "I DO"

for I wouldn't be me

without a maid of honor like you!

Will you be my maid of honor

This is the poem I used for Melanie & Andrea:

I sit and think about my wedding day

Friends and family join to play.

Hundreds of things to check off my list,

The smallest details won't be missed.

Memories of the times we've shared,

Always remind me of the people who care.

So at this very special time, the day I am a bride,

I’d like you to be a bridesmaid

standing by my side.

Soon I will marry the man of my dreams

My face shines bright and happily beams

But in order to make this day complete

We’d love for you to be in our bridal party.

Will you be my bridesmaid?

This is the poem I used for Jenna & Kate:

The time has come for Joe and I to join our lives as one,

We look forward to our wedding day filled with family, friends, and fun!

To make that day more special and create memories that will last,

There is one favor from you, my future sister-in-law, that I would like to ask:

Will you be my Bridesmaid?

My right hand for the wedding...

Everyone, I would like to introduce you to my personal attendant, Nikki!!!

Nikki & I!!

Where do I begin with this gal?! Nikki and I basically grew up together ever since the day she was born and we have tons of pictures to prove it. With the many games of "house", playing dress up, and twirling our batons out on her deck during the summer, there has never been a dull moment in our childhoood and I will cherish those memories forever. Nikki is a wonderful, amazing cousin and friend and I'm excited to continue sharing memories with her!

I think you get the picture, we have a lot of fun together!! :)