2011 -- Finally!  The year I have been waiting for for quite some time is finally here.  This is going to be such an exciting and eventful year.  We are less than four months 'til our wedding and honeymoon and the countdown has begun.  Eric and I are working on finalizing invitation designs and content this week so that we can begin sending them in mid-March.  Check back soon for the "reveal".  Once the invitations have been mailed I will post which one we selected!  A few places that I have found offering unique, nice wedding stationery include:

Renaissance Writings

S Designs

Peacock Printing

First Kiss post Engagement...how sweet!

Today marks one year since Eric proposed. My how quickly a year does pass. We are in good shape and the wedding plans and countdown are in full swing. I thought today would be a great time to write about the proposal and one of the most magical days of my life.

December 28, 2009. North Carolina was experiencing some of the coldest weather on record. Skies were clear and azure blue but the wind and the temperatures were causing most people to retreat indoors for warmth. Eric and I had planned a short trip to Carolina Beach over the holiday break. I love, love, love the beach and spending a couple of days away from home, just the two of us, seemed like the perfect retreat. An astronomer at heart I find it next to impossible to miss the falling of the night sky and the rising of the sun when I am at the beach. So, as might have been predicted, I set my clock for 5:45AM and prepared (with layers and layers) to walk to the beach, sit in the sand and say goodbye moon, hello sun. On this particular morning Eric decided he would also go along and take some pictures. The skies were stunningly clear and the sunrise was going to be amazing. I laid out a blanket on the sand and sat down to watch the sun. Eric was up and about with camera and tripod in toe. Just about the time the sun was peaking up over the water he kneeled before me, asked for my hand, and asked me to marry him while

Sunrise the morning of our engagement

presenting me with a gorgeous diamond. It was such a magical moment. I felt as though time had stood still. I had waited 35 years for this day . I was totally shocked and unprepared (very unusual for me) but I was elated and he took my breath away. I, of course, said “yes” and the rest is history. We spent the morning walking along the beach and boardwalk and talking about our future. One year later I can honestly say – I love him even more than I did last year!

Frannie with our Christmas Tree

Today I am hosting Eric's family for Christmas lunch and gift exchange. Eric's mother, sisters and aunt and uncle will be staying the night with us along with their four legged family members. I have been working over the past few days to create the perfect holiday lunch. Some members of the family are vegetarian so I want to make sure everyone can enjoy an exceptional holiday meal. The menu I have decided on includes the following:

For Lunch:

• Beet and Walnut Salad with Cherry Vinaigrette
• Corn Pudding
• Fancy Green Beans (or Green Beans sauteed with cashews, onions and red pepper with an Asian honey glaze)
• Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
• Honey Baked Ham
• Sweet Cream Biscuits

For Dessert:

• Chocolate Cherry Trifle
• Cranberry Crumble

This is the first year Eric and I are hosting his family for the holidays. It's something he has wanted to do since we moved in to our home (this is our third Christmas in this house). I am postively thrilled that everyone's schedules were able to accommodate a drive to Raleigh and an overnight stay. Now, I just have to hope I can pull everything together and make both Eric and my grandmother's proud!

Wish me luck.

I spent this week traveling on business to Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Traveling this close to the holiday season had me stressed out but what a blessing the trip turned out to be.  I spent three days working with some of the nicest, most sincere individuals I have ever met.  I am not fluent in Spanish (I only know basic words) and I was worried about my ability to get around easily but everyone was so nice and helpful.  While visiting I had dinner and lunch with several different individuals and during these moments I took the time to ask them about the wedding traditions in Buenos Aires.  I learned that dancing is a big part of the celebration after the wedding.  Argentinian wedding celebrations last for many hours and usually end with a nice dinner.

Bridge of the Woman (meant to look like Tango dancer)

Another tradition I found to be just wonderful is that for New Year's everyone dresses in white.  The white is a symbol of peace and is practiced throughout the country.  In addition, ladies tend to wear pink undies for love.  How sweet.  It got me thinking how nice it would be if the US had a tradition where for one day we could stand unified for one really great cause.  What could be better than standing up for Peace?

My journey was long and my time in Argentina was short but so enriching.  I will never forget the trip and what I gained both professionally and personally.  Thanks to everyone for showing me such a great time and taking good care of me!

Today my mom, sister and I hosted a couples shower for my brother Rodney. He was married on October 24^th in the mountains of Tennessee. It was a small ceremony so we decided to get his family and friends together and throw him a wonderful shower. My sister created a candy bar of Rodney's most favorite treats including Maple Nut Goodies, M&Ms and more. I was responsible for making the wedding punch and it turned out perfectly. I had to mix a second bath about half way through. Each of us contributed to the elaborate buffet.

For their wedding Donna had selected fall colors and they were married on an overlook in the heart of the Appalachian mountains. The scenery this time of year was all the decoration they needed. To keep with the theme we decorated the room in fall colors adding pumpkins and gourds and grapevines. I also made some cranberry cider candles for the occasion. We had lots of food and even more laughs. I am so excited for my brother and I wish him the best in his new life with Donna. Welcome to the family Donna!

For our wedding celebration I am in pursuit of the best wedding punch ever.  I have been scouring the internet and talking with friends and family to try and find THE recipe for us.  We are trying to incorporate a French or Parisian feel to as much of our party as possible and the punch is no exception.  Last year I had some friends over and prepared a "Champagne Punch."  This is a definite possibility since we can easily make it with French Champagne.  It is really something special.  The recipe is as follows:

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2/3 cup superfine sugar
• 1 cup vodka
• 1/2 cup limoncello
• 2 teaspoons vermouth
• 1 (750 ml) bottle chilled dry Champagne or sparkling wine
• Ice
• Lemon twists, for garnish

Directions:

Combine the lemon juice, sugar, vodka, Limoncello, and vermouth in a large nonreactive bowl and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, 1 to 2 hours. Add the Champagne and stir to combine.

Source

Another of my favorite punches is terrific for a fall reception or party.  Called a "Tart and Bubbly" punch the star of this drink is cranberries:

Tart and Bubbly Punch:

Ingredients

• 2 (6 ounce) cans frozen pink lemonade concentrate
• 1 (6 ounce) can frozen pineapple juice concentrate
• 1 gallon cranberry juice
• 2 liters cranberry ginger ale
• 4 cups crushed ice

Directions:
In a large punch bowl, mix lemonade concentrate, pineapple juice concentrate and cranberry juice. Add ice and slowly pour in the ginger ale.

Over the next several weeks I will be trying out several other punch recipes.  I am looking for something sophisticated and delicious!  If you have any suggestions please post and I will give them a try.

The newest resident on Welland Court.  Eric and I have been discussing the idea of a new puppy off and on for a few years now.  We have one dog, Gracie, who is now 11 years old and the vet suggested that now would be a good time to introduce a new puppy while Gracie is still in very good health and full of energy.  Last night we drove to Cary, NC to meet our latest addition, Frannie, a Boston Terrier full of love, grunts and energy!  The folks at the pet store referred to her as "tripod" because she has three black legs and one white leg.  I looked at her and thought -- she is something special.  We named her Frances and will be calling her "Frannie".  That seemed like a great name since we will be traveling to France for our wedding and she is an early wedding gift to ourselves (the name also happens to fit her really well).  The poem below helps to describe how I felt when we met Frannie for the first time.

One Look at Her

Her eyes like diamonds they shine,
Her paws, her nails... like pearls devine,
That tail, that nose... and yes, that little whine.
One look at her, I must admit, she had to be mine.

That snort, that grunt, that pitchy little bark
And yes, you've guessed it, sometimes she'll even ...
She ain't worth millions, no priceless piece of art
One look at her, I must admit, she greedily stole my heart.

Welcome Frannie!

Raleigh has been experiencing drought conditions. So it was no coincidence of bad luck that around 6am this morning it started raining and storming. Thankfully the storm was quick to pass and shouldn't cause to many troubles getting the ladies up and out of here to NYC and then over to Paris for a crazy weekend of planning and site seeing.

Here is a quick picture at the airport of Renee and Chandra as they jet out of the car and off to Paris!