Cousin R's Wedding!

Yes, again I am several months behind, however here is the promised post about my cousin R and her wedding to her now-husband C!  Everyone had quite a lovely day/afternoon/evening!!

Engagement Images/Pre-wedding day --

Photo showing the ring

Gift from Maid of Honor to Bride for her wedding dress
(obviously given prior to the wedding day!!)

From R and C's engagement shoot

Wedding Ceremony (Sunday October 13th 2013) --

R walking down the aisle with her dad
while she (unsuccessfully) tried to not cry

Maid of Honor, R and C, Best Man

Full wedding party (just as the sun starts to set!)

Lovingly teasing one another during personal vows

"You may now kiss the bride"

Official first walk as husband and wife!

Between Wedding Ceremony and Wedding Reception --

R and C with R's immediate family (Left to Right: R's brother,
R's mom and dad, R and C, R's older brother and his wife)

Love this of the newlyweds...

Wedding Reception --

Entering the reception (Guest book, an engagement photo,
old table top piano from engagement shoot with box for
cards on top, watercolor of two sloths - R and C's animal)

Creative photo of R and C first dance!
(Tables were labeled by a wine bottle with the cork
slit to hold a single record. This table was Atlantic.)

Bride and Groom (R and C with their backs to the camera)
with their parents (C's parents on left; R's parents on right)

Wedding Cake! (Toppers are two sloths - "their animal")

Candy table (all guests could make a bag - or two! - while waiting for
the cake to be cut; assortment of sweets, sours, hard, soft candies)

After eating candy --

Let them eat cake!

Always lovely to gather together family for a positive celebration!
Congratulations again R and C! We love you both!

"The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook"

"The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook"

Yes, am absolutely still on my "Downton Abbey" kick : )  It only runs in the UK Nov/Dec then premieres/shows here in the U.S.A. in Jan/Feb -- so I shall not be posting about this forever!  Simply enjoying the fourth set of episodes, and an aunt lent me the "Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook" -- I LOVE how the various time period appropriate recipes are divided into courses and into what would be appropriate to serve upstairs verses downstairs. Enjoy!

Cover of the book

 Now three pages for Part One (upstairs dining order and recipe options)

Lastly, two pages for Part II (downstairs/servants recipe options)

Life Is Not Always Perfect

"You need to see that life is not always perfect. We will not always get what we want. And though it hurts a lot, what should've happened, happened. Who should've left, left, and whatever's thrown you off course will always bring you to where it is you need to be." (Unknown author; image found online)

With a new year many people, myself included, often take a closer look at what has passed and at what is to come.  I know I tend to blame myself even when things are not my fault -- this quote reminds me that I am not responsible (at least not always!) for where I am in life.  Other people make decisions that can help me or hurt me -- I am the only one who can decide how others/their choices will change (or not change) my life.  This second quote/image was also found online and it is another good reminder:

"Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace." (again, unknown author)... Life should not be a constant string of stressful moments, nor is it to be perfect. The ups and downs of life help remind us that we are to have faith and let go... Am hopeful that this new year I can face both the ups and the downs with more grace than I have previously

Dishes and rain

"enjoy life"

It was a lovely surprise, getting rain last night, which continued throughout the night and for most of today! Did feel extra lazy (is that possible?) so I did not end up doing any laundry.  I did however finish two out of what was three loads of dirty dishes which is good :) Enjoying life curled up with a tie blanket, plenty of water, and no specific plan for the day. Very lucky... yet part of me still wants to get up and go back to washing the last of the dishes (not such a good idea because the edges of my hands are still "pruney" from hand washing a large portion of cookware/dishes/utensils -- three large glass dishes, some tupperware, and two wine glasses are all that is left so I shall "let" someone else do those last few items).  Suppose I did wash more than two-thirds of the dirty stuff and that is good enough for today.  Hope that everyone is doing/will do something today that helps to enjoy life