Life is lovely.

I had a fabulous weekend!  Between all of the pet sitting, we managed to have a much needed relaxing weekend.  Friday night we went on a date and had a really nice time.  We laughed, reconnected and ate our favorite Mexican food.  Saturday we hung out at the pool all day by ourselves.  We spent most of the time sitting next to each other by the pool just talking and laughing.  Later that evening, we did our rounds with pet sitting and picked up Chinese take out from a place we had never tried before; it was delicious!  Sunday we woke up and my sweetie took me to get coffee and donuts at Krispy Kreme.  We spent the remainder of the day on the couch listening to thunder.  I think that was the most perfect weekend I've had in a long time! 

Jumbled Journaling

First things first!
Cake tasting and catering tasting went well last Friday.  We had a really great time and are looking forward to all the yummy food for the wedding. 
Canoeing last Saturday was the best time!  We had so much fun!

Which brings us to this weekend...
We have notta thing planned other than babysitting three dogs.  Not all of them will be at our house (PTL).  First up, we have Meredith and Adam's dog, Lonnie.  Second, Staci and Brian's dog, Charlie.  Last, and by far the largest, my dad's dog, Buddy.  My mom is going to visit my brother in Gainesville this weekend and we really wanted to go with her, but we forgot about our dog sitting obligations.  I hope, hope, hope we can go with her later this summer.  No real news here, just a quick update. 

Best. Sandwiches. Ever.

1 Sirloin Tip Roast
3 Beef Bullion Cubes
1 Beer
1 18.8 Can Select Harvest Onion Soup
1 Packet of Onion Soup Mix

Add all ingredients together in crock pot. 
Place on low heat for nine hours. 
Serve on hoagie rolls with swiss cheese.

Recipe courtesy of future sister in law!

Vendor List

I've been lucky enough to work with some really great vendors for our wedding and wanted to share their information with you, should you need any of their services for any events you may have. 

Jennifer at Go Pro Events has been so polite and helpful.  While our wedding is at the Matt Jones Gallery, she works with several other venues as well.  If you ever get the opportunity to work with her, you won't be dissapointed.  (Birmingham, AL)

Emily at Three Things Floral has an eye for design and a huge amount of patience.  Within the first few minutes she knew what I envisioned and hoped for.  She has a great, upbeat personality and an ability to rest my worries.  If you need flowers for any occasion, put your trust in Emily and her partner Amy.  Piece of mind is priceless!  (Birmingham, AL)

Philip at Gourmet Pantry has been assertive, professional, and very detail oriented.  He has thought of things that I haven't thought of myself.  Just talking to him makes me excited.  I love knowing that someone as organized (and funny!) as him will managing the food and bar staff.  For any catering, large or small give him a call.  Their menu is huge and I'm sure he'll do a wonderful job.  (Vestavia, AL)

Kurt at Wedding Cakes by Kurt has such an amazing talent.  Not only are his cakes beautiful, they taste delicious.  For something that will be one of the main focuses at a wedding, it must be beautiful and he knows that.  Not only does he design wedding cakes, he does cakes for special occasions as well.  (Pelham, AL)



My friend Kelley with "I Do, I Do Wedding Planning" said that she has tasted many cakes in her business around town but that Kurt's cakes are the best by far.  She also said that Kurt did her parent's wedding cake 30 years ago!


Kamin at Kw Photography is who you should depend on to capture your sweet moments and memories.  I think if you took just a minute to check out her work it would speak for itself.  (Birmingham, AL)

Feel The Beat Entertainment has been easy to work with and very, very knowledgable.  If you ever need a DJ for a reception, party or any event - they should be your first call.

Wedding Whirlwind

This year just won't slow down!
Wednesday night, we're going to meet with our DJ to talk about details for the wedding.  I just love talking about our wedding so I'm excited about the opportunity to do that as well as talk about our music selection that CJ and I picked out all by ourselves!
Thursday night is date night this week.  A well needed date night, indeed!
Friday we're going to meet our wedding cake baker to talk about design and do a tasting.  I get to taste cake and talk about the wedding.  I am beside myself just thinking about our cake tasting.  I've been thinking about it for a month.  I only get to do all of this once, so I am going to be sure to enjoy myself!  I believe both of our mom's are coming with us too - which will only make it more special.
After that, we're going to our caterer to taste the food for the wedding that we selected.  I'm excited to see if it tastes as good as it sounds.  We'll also get to make any changes or suggestions. 
Next we're going to take care of CJ's tux as well as the groomsmen's and ring bearer's.  I believe my mom is coming with us.  Although it's not quite shopping, it does involve picking out clothes, so she'll be right in her element.
Finally, we'll be going to visit two venues for our rehearsal dinner in hopes there is room for us to rehearse and eat.  Whew!  That's a lot!  I LOVE IT!
Saturday we are going canoeing with Staci and Brian and Meredith and Adam.  I'm so excited to go with them because they've never been to this place before.  Maybe I'll buy a water proof camera to take some pictures...   

Project.

As if school, wedding planning, and having three weeks to find somewhere else to live if we desire to move all aren't reasons enough to be bald by now, I have found a project that I must conquer very soon. 
Our coffee table.  I have never been this coffee table's biggest fan.  Guests at our house usually comment on how much they like it, thus diminishing any point I've ever tried to make to CJ that we should look for a new one.  While one of CJ's strong points is that he's so resourceful, it's not always beneficial.  For instance, we can't get rid of something unless it's been broke.  Twice.  And wouldn't you know, that coffee table has got to be the sturdiest piece of furniture that ever existed.  Nevertheless, I waved the white flag a while ago.  We sanded, stained and gave it a new look.  Three years later (yes, three years - I told you it was sturdy), I'm ready to give it a face lift.  I think after this latest project it might actually become one of my favorite pieces that we have.  My inspiration came from this really great store in Homewood, Nadeau.  I plan to strip, sand, paint, and distress our coffee table. 

Ahhh, it's the weekend in just a few hours!  My little fiance is taking me on a dinner date tonight.  We've been so busy lately that tonight will be our first time to go to dinner just the two of us in a month!  I'm looking forward to it!  Other than that, our weekend has no plans other than some pool time and relaxation...and possibly some sanding! 

Bridesmaid Dresses & Familiy Visit

Monday night was one of the most special nights I've had so far as a fiance.  I met my mom, two aunts (from Mississippi), Staci (Maid of Honor), Meredith (Bridesmaid), Jill (Bridesmaid), Callie (flower girl), and Rachel (CJ's little sister) to do a little bridesmaid dress shopping.  I wish Loren (other bridesmaid) could have been there, but she lives in Mississippi I know how hard it is to get off of work.  Rachel and I had dresses picked out before everyone else got there.  My first choice worked perfectly.  I originally picked it out online and my mom wasn't thrilled with it.  It wound up looking great on all the girls and my mom and aunts loved them too.  Callie looked so sweet in her dress and head piece.  I got to try on my wedding dress for all the girls. 

My pretty Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids...minus Loren!

I'm so grateful for such sweet family and friends.  I'm excited that CJ and I get to share our special day with all of them.  I'm enjoying every aspect of wedding planning, each event always being more special than I had intended.  Everything is such a sweet, sweet memory. 
I took off work Tuesday to spend the day with my aunts and mom.  We were able to visit the venue and with the help of my aunt visualize the whole process.  She has such an eye for things like that.  How lucky am I?  After that, we went to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen then went shopping.  Those ladies can shop!  The past two mornings I've rushed to get ready for work so that I could go by my mom's house to eat a piece of cake and have coffee with them.
My aunts are leaving today but I have thoroughly enjoyed them being here.  I really wish we lived closer to family.  I suppose it makes it more special when we see them, but it's also sad when we leave each other.  I had no idea how special Monday night would be or how much their trip here would mean to me.  I actually get choked up thinking about it!   

Hot, hot, hot!

It has been SO HOT this weekend!
Friday night we had dinner with Adam and Meredith at Iguana Grill.  Staci and Brian stopped by towards the end after their show at the Comedy Club which was a really nice treat!  There's nothing like spending the end of the week and the start of a weekend with best friends over good food and drinks.  Relaxing!
Saturday CJ's youngest sister Rachel came over to be poolside with us.  While it was really hot, the water felt awesome!  It was nice spending time with just Rachel, we don't get to do that often. 
Ahh, this brings us to today.  Well, we went grocery shopping and I put a roast in the crock pot all before 10 this morning.  I'm hoping that won't be my biggest accomplishment of the day! 
I'm super excited about this week.  My mom's two sisters are coming in from Mississippi to visit.  Tomorrow night they are coming with my friends and I to try on bridesmaid dresses.  I'm taking off work on Tuesday to spend with them and show them a few things we have planned for the wedding.  Hopefully I'll have a lot of pictures to post later this week!  xo!