Thank you so much to my ladies for throwing me a beautiful shower, and thanks to my family for being there and making it special.  I loved every second, but I think the highlight for me was the veil-making contest!

All dressed up and ready to head out for a special New Years Eve dinner with our photographer, Seth.

If I can't show off my own dress yet, at least I can show off this pretty one!

Our flower girl, my friend Patty's daughter Sophia, will look adorable.  Here she is below, "helping" us cut tulle.

I love baby's breath.  Only by itself, of course.  I agree with anyone who thinks it's tacky as a filler flower.  Alone, it's gorgeous, ethereal, simple.  But also, cheap.  So when I called a florist to get quotes for baby's breath and daisies, I did not expect to hear it would be more than $500.  This has led me to scour the internet for videos teaching me how to make my own bouquets and boutonnieres...and here is my first attempt!

Thoughts?  I welcome any comments and criticisms...I want to get this right!

What do you think of this song?  I think Bob Dylan did it originally, but I first heard it/adored it way back when Hope Floats was my favorite movie (yes, I admit it).  I haven't really listened to much of Adele's music, but this version is beautiful.

Isn't this alternative to a ring pillow beautiful?

I'm not sure if we'll have a ring bearer, never mind the need for something fancy to carry our rings on.  But if we did this would be a strong contender.  The combination of natural elements and pretty textiles does it for me.  Doesn't get much more earthy-crunchy than this!

Sometimes I think my life revolves around my next meal.  I've always loved to eat, but ever since I started to love cooking a few years back food takes up an awfully large percentage of my thoughts.  I'm okay with that.

So of course, choosing a caterer for our wedding is a big deal.  We are determined to stick to our budget, but we are also determined to serve our guests a dinner that is of very best quality we can afford.  I have spent three and a half months now researching, emailing, and calling various caterers to figure out what we can do.  So far, I have only found one that I'm impressed with.  Creative Catering of Beverly has been so professional, prompt in returning emails and phone calls, and really willing to work with what we have.  I have received three different customized options from them (1 heavy apps, 1 brunch, 1 dinner) that details each little item.  They've even been happy to consider our vegetarian and children guests.  On top of it all, the descriptions of the food look absolutely amazing.  We have an appointment to meet with Gary this Saturday, and obviously I can't wait!

One problem:  I told Mike I'd be sure to schedule a couple of other caterer meetings, just for comparison, and since we have to drive so far for just the one.  I haven't found anyone else worthwhile yet!  Good thing it's a

a poem by Taylor Mali.

First of all, it's a big responsibility,
especially in a city like New York.
So think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security:
when you're walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash on love
ain't no one going to mess with you.
Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable.
Who knows what love could do in its own defense?

On cold winter nights, love is warm.
It lies between you and lives and breathes
and makes funny noises.
Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs.
It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.

Love doesn't like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time? No! No!
Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love.

Love makes messes.
Love leaves you little surprises here and there.
Love needs lots of cleaning up after.
Sometimes you just want to get love fixed.
Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper
and swat love on the nose,
not so much to cause pain,
just to let love know Don't you ever do that again!

Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk.
Because love loves exercise.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting.
It pulls you in several different directions at once,
or winds around and around you
until you're all wound up and can't move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.

Throw things away and love will bring them back,
again, and again, and again.
But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops.

...is wedding cake."  -James Thurber

We don't want a gigantic 5-tier fancy-pants wedding cake.  I have tasted some delicious wedding cake in my day, but it always seems like so much of it goes to waste.  At this point it's just a little bit hard for me to rationalize spending hundreds and hundreds on something that will either be eaten or thrown away. 

So.  We are thinking that we will have a small 2-tier cake.  (bottom layer to ceremoniously cut, top to stash away in our freezer.)  For our guests, we would like to have a delicious, summery, strawberry shortcake.  This will probably be a sheet cake that will be cut and plated behind the scenes.  We're imagining this will be a less expensive approach, but who knows what kind of surprise we'll be in for when we meet with a baker!  While we both enjoy strawberry shortcake, this is also kind of a nod to my wonderful Papa, my grandfather, who has always adored this dessert above all others.  I think he'll enjoy it.

As an alternative, this also looks amazing:

And the fish-theme-crazed woman in me is in love with this beauty: