Weddings, and Introducing Vegetarians to German Potato Salad

BFF got married 2 weeks ago. (Hooray!!!) I love her and I love her new husband - can't wait to have them round for dinner where we can introduce him to my German Potato Salad. (They're both veggie, but he's decided to start eating meat in preparation for their European honeymoon.)

It was an absolutely beautiful day, despite the threat of rain. I threw my camera at James when he arrived and charged him with picture taking, while I held onto my phone (strategically held in place under the strap of my dress - note to self: if ever buying a bridesmaid dress again, look for one with pockets!). There were 10 bridesmaids and 10 groomsmen, and close to 200 guests. It just goes to show how much everyone loves the happy couple!


There were picture frames hung by twine from the tree branches.



She chose succulents as her "flowers." This was her bouquet. She actually MADE the bridesmaids bouquets (I'll show you mine in a little bit...)




Her dad was there in spirit, although sorely missed by those who knew him




The guestbook was thumbprints of fireflies. Everyone was walking around with yellow thumbs.




The head table



The bride & groomsmen (I have absolutely no pictures of the groom facing forward!)




James and I wandered around the property and found a swing, which we swung upon. My dress was grey lace, and my shoes were mustard yellow ballet flats, which made me possibly the shortest bridesmaid.




Dance par-tay!! I'm not much of a dancer, but I had to join in for "Don't Stop Believin'", which is becoming a wedding must-have.




James and I taking some time out to explore the gardens.

What is it about weddings that make people cry? Is it that you're witnessing the next part of someone's life happening right in front of your eyes? Is it all the memories you've shared with that person up until then? (And I've shared about 17 years worth of memories with her!) I have no idea, but whatever it is, I was so thankful that no one was looking at the bridesmaids and everyone was watching the bride, because I totally cried. And I'm pretty sure it wasn't the pretty kind of crying. Which is why I wore waterproof mascara.

After the ceremony, James and I caught up with friends, some older, some newer. It was an absolutely wonderful day, and we partook of the "photobooth" to commemorate it:

We are distinguished, don't you know?

And, didn't I promise to show my bouquet?

I took it apart, planted it, and now it's the C&J Love Garden!

March Reading

I am up before 6am today. Poor James has a funky work scheduel this week and our landlord is installing a new heating unit in our home today, so I'll be spending part of this lovely 6am morning moving breakables away from the wall. But I'm not moving the bookcase. Forget it.

Speaking of bookcases, these have been on mine lately...



Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane



Cemetery Girl by David Bell



The Girl in the Glass by Susan Meissner - a Christmas gift from James



Ashenden by Elizabeth Wilhide - almost finished with this one

After Ashenden, I'll be starting a trillogy of Dowton Abbey-esque novels. What also looks good is Death Comes to Pemberley. Here's my trend of reading novels set in England, and also set during wartime England.

Tomorrow is WEDDING DAY for my BFF!! I'm so excited for her and her almost-husband - tomorrow is going to be fabulous, and I know I'll cry, but that's just the nature of weddings, isn't it? Congratulations, Carly and Joe!!

To comemmorate this, the day of your wedding, I give you...moustache girls!!

Four Years



photo by William Caspers, 2008

 Four years ago, it was another presidential election week. I was finishing up my first year at what was then a new job, where I've worked ever since. I had just moved into my first apartment. I also got to marry my best friend.

A lot of that day is a blur to me. Obviously, I was nervous. James and I spent the night before apart, and the first time I saw him was as I was walking down the aisle. I remember the feeling of breathing in and out when our music started and I was told it was time. I also remember that I forgot what I was supposed to be doing as soon as I got up to the alter. (Fortuntely, our pastor noticed my look of panic and subtly pointed to the podium, where our friend was reading.) Friends and family from all over the world were there, and I was just happy.

James and I have been together for 11 years, since our first year of college. We've been through a lot together, both good and not so good. We'll be going through a lot more together in our lives. I only hope that I can be as loving and supportive as he's been to me, and that I can always be strong enough to be the rock he may need me to be.

Weddings and Birthdays and Family Visits, Oh My!

Before I show rather than tell, I wanted to take a moment to show you...Cal!!

Cal!

A friend got married in April at a beautiful outdoor ceremony in the hills. They had 1,000 paper cranes for 1,000 years of happiness and prosperity.


Cranes





Family Photos



Umm, the cake had glitter. Just sayin'.



Beautiful, happy couple!

James' parents visited us, and we went aaallll over the southland.

Koi at Mission San Juan Capistrano



Prayers



Can I have one in my living room?



Los Angeles






Financial District Art



The Toga Tour at the Getty Villa. Awesome.



I sorta want to jump in and swim laps...



Santiago Oaks



The Old Dam

 James turned 30 while his parents were visiting! Being me, I had to do something rediculous, like get a donkey pinata and sparklers in the shape of the number 30 to put on his cake. And get up at 6am to bake & ice said cake.



Cal & his new friend

 

Cake Sparklers

BTW, if you are considering using cake sparklers, I found that the "0" in mine didn't light. At all.

Finally, what says Mother's Day like WWII aircraft?



Lyon Air Museum





B-17

It was really great to see the B-17 because my grandfather flew in one during WWII. He was a rear gunner. We even got to go inside a B-17 that was in front of the air museum. Plus, my best friend texted me while we were there with a picture of her newly bejewelled left hand, so it was a great day all around!!

PS. Sorry for the image-heavy post. Well, not really. Sorry if you didn't enjoy it, hopefully you did.