I found this great idea on a wedding blog– a book shower! If you click into the link and look for the last image in the post–the bottom left-hand corner book–that’s the best vegetarian cookbook ever!
Not sure how excited Joe would be about books since they’re heavy and he doesn’t really read print material…
…Thanksgiving?
I am thankful:
-for my kind, considerate, and loving fiance who came all the way into the city tonight to put in mouse traps (we have a critter in our kitchen, eek!), helped me make dinner, and even did the dishes!
-for down comforter, heat, and safe place to live
-for a job that is challenging, gives me the opportunity to deepen my technical expertise, and allows me to help people (and also pays the bills!)
-for supportive and loving family and friends who help me to focus on the important things in life
-for lessons learned and re-learned this past year
-for books that impart wisdom
-for CSA and farm fresh vegetables each week, which remind me of our dependence on the earth to nourish our bodies, and ultimately our dependence on God the Creator and Source of all life
-for our merciful God who gives us second chances over and over again
-for Him who has lovingly provided all these things and has directed us to give thanks in all circumstances
It’s mid-October already?
+ I found my wedding dress! It was $230. It’s also versatile enough for simple picnic wedding and semi-formal banquet celebration. Yay! Now I’m debating about whether to look for a veil.
- I have searched the internet high and low, and there is no such thing as picnic table rentals in DC.
+ Megan and I joined another CSA because the Bull Run season ends this week. We’re now subscribers to Sandy Spring so that we can have more CSA! This week we’re getting sweet corn, sweet potatoes, Chinese (Napa) cabbage, peppers, lettuce, radish, and apples!
- I have about 20 apples from Bull Run left, and they are going to go bad soon… which means I better make applesauce in the next few days…
+ I am leaving for Kauai, Hawaii next week for Michelle & Neil’s wedding!
- I have a lot of stuff to take care of at work before I leave.
+ Went to Dolcezza yesterday for gelato… hazelnut and lime!
+/- J gave notice at his job last week. I’m happy because he’s moving forward and has good opportunities ahead of him, sad because that means he’s leaving DC soon!
? It is 80 degrees in DC today!
Most people (well, women) seem to have an idea of what kind of wedding they want. Me, I never had plans to marry (well, before God decided it’d be funny to bring Joe into my life) –and thus never really had thoughts about what my wedding would be like.
Ever since we got engaged, people have been asking me all sorts of wedding questions, like where and when and how… and I’m like… huh? I just got engaged! I don’t know… all I know is I want it to honor God and to authentically represent Joe and me, but I don’t really know what that looks like.
So, # of pre-conceived wedding plans in Victoria’s head when Joe proposed = 0 (he sure got lucky, huh!)
I’m still having difficulty articulating exactly what kind of wedding I envision. But, it’s not like I don’t have opinions. I’m a conscientious person. I have a fairly serious attitude towards life. I’m deliberate with my actions, and every decision I make has to be value-driven and meaningful. (Thankfully, Joe is not quite so serious, so we balance each other out.)
After two months of reading wedding books and blogs, I think I’m finally starting to have some cohesive thoughts. Today, Merry sent me a link to A Practical Wedding, and that’s where I found this awesome $2000 wedding.
I love the spirit of the wedding– focused on community, simplicity, sincerity, and quality time with the people they love. I love that they wanted something outdoors, connected to creation. I love how they kept it intimate– to their closest friends and family.
That’s what I want. Something small, something laid-back, something celebratory in the everyday sense. Something with good music, good food, and good people. Something that is as eco-friendly and justice-conscious as possible. We don’t need a professional photographer, we don’t need fancy clothes (honestly, Joe in a tux?–not very authentic), we don’t need a tiered cake. We’re getting married– declaring our lifelong commitment to each other before God and our community– not putting on a show. Getting married is a big deal, but I don’t think our wedding needs to be a big deal. It’s just one day in the rest of our lives!
Check out this picnic wedding. Joe and I like picnics… 
Important note: I’m not criticizing traditional weddings or “go all out” weddings– I think those are awesome. People should celebrate the way they want, and I think any sort of wedding can be God-honoring– it’s just where your heart is.
I want a small wedding, our families want a big wedding, Joe seems to be OK either way, so that’s why we’re doing both!
The weather was beautiful yesterday. After church, Joe suggested that we walk to my apartment instead of taking the Metro. At first I was feeling lazy, but DC is such a walking city, that after the 2 miles, it didn’t seem like a big deal. But I think if I still lived on the Seattle Eastside, I’d be like, “What?! 2 miles, no way!”
My neighborhood’s Walk Score is 100 and ranked the 7th most walkable city in the US! The neighborhood we’re probably moving to in Vancouver ranks 75 out of 100 on Walk Score. Not as great as DC, but since the people are friendlier and the water doesn’t taste like dirt, that makes up for it. I do still like DC though.