6 weeks to a wedding - 8

Wow, most of the major items have been ordered and either received or waiting to receive.  Everyone I have contacted have been WONDERFUL and so very helpful.  That has made finding all of the pieces of the puzzle much easier.

Announcements - Shannon has ordered and they should be on their way here.  Can't wait to be able to get them out for the 2 of them. 

I still need to find a photographer that is reasonably priced.  Serrin will be able to do a bunch of the pictures, but she is also in the wedding so..... we need at least a few hours of a photographer.    Flowers - I am still looking for a bulk flower dealer.  Since nicer purple flowers are hard to find Shannon has settled on Purple Calla Lilies.  Now I'm on the hunt.  Any suggestions anyone? 

Thanksgiving Day

The turkey is in the oven, made the cranberries, key lime pie and the croutons for the dressing yesterday.  Dressing mixed and ready to bake as are the parkerhouse rolls.  Family coming with additions to the meal, and loads for us all to be thankful for.  What a glorious day but I miss all my cooking buddies.

Six weeks to a wedding - 7

Toasting Flutes -  Thanks to Sowers Glass Engraving Shoppe in Port Orange, Florida.  They emailed me back quickly with a great big YES.  They can etch the Army Seal and the date as well as their names.  This was one of the hardest items to track down due to wanting the Army Seal etched.    They do ship all over and have some very unique items.  WOW another piece of the puzzle in place.

6 weeks to a wedding - 5 weeks to go

Planning a wedding in 6 weeks has its challenges.  But now, we have most of the major items checked off the list.  Still to go is a photographer, and a place to get bulk flowers.  After talking to a florist today we decided to put together our own flowers for the bouquet and then we can have fresh flowers on the cake too.  Shannon is wanting purple flowers - and it looks like callas may be just the right flower.  Really wanted purple lilies like the star gazer but alas they are not available.  Still looking for those perfect engraved toasting flutes too.  

6 weeks to a wedding - 6

CAKE - Thanks to Baked Occasions in Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte Fl.  WOW Cindy makes the most amazing cakes.  Tasted the french vanilla today.  And her fondant is sublime.  I always thought fondant was yuck to say the least - that is until today.  Homemade fondant using a sheeter to get it thin as possible, what an amazing difference.  It is light and fantastic just like the cake.  Her creations are from the beautiful and classic to the fun and inventive.  She's moving her shop from Port Charlotte to Punta Gorda @ Sugar Island Cupcakes in December.     She also makes the most scrumptious and huge cup cakes ever in loads of flavors.  You can see her at the Punta Gorda Saturday Farmers Market or the Sanibel Island Farmers Market on Sundays.  Be sure to stop by and taste her creations.  And in the meantime check out the cakes on her web site.  Baked Occasions Cakes. 

6 weeks to a wedding - 5

CAKE TOPPER - Thanks to The Jane Williams Collections for the fantastic cake topper.  We personalized the topper with Bride in White and medium brown hair with purple flowers and Groom in Army Greens with Sgt. rank.  This will be so very special on the cake. 

Now I'm looking for crystal champagne flutes that can be engraved with the Army Logo.  Found 1 company, but as of Monday they are in restructuring and not taking orders.

6 weeks to a wedding - 4

YIPEE, have a place for the wedding.  The Portifino just across the bridge into Port Charlotte.  They have a small beach for the wedding ceremony and a downstairs bar and seating area.  A great place for a wedding and BBQ.  Just have to finalize the menu. 

6 weeks to a wedding - 3

CHECK - Wedding Album - Ordered and received in 4 days time. Thanks so much Aspinal of London. 

We love getting this album, and have done one for each of the girls weddings.  We attach envelopes with the fold out, throughout the album, leaving room for pictures to be added on the pages.  At the reception there is a basket with cards and pens with instructions for everyone to write a congratulations, encouraging words, or wisdom for a long and happy marriage and be sure to sign their names.  This time we will send out the cards with return envelopes for all those that will not be able to attend.  Those cards go in the envelopes for the happy couple to read.  It's been a lovely way for the kids to know just how much they are cared for and loved and they can look back at them for years to come.  Additional colors are available and you can add 1 or 2 line engraving to your album. 

Wedding Album

6 weeks to a wedding - 2

WOW, its been a busy day already.

CHECK - Wedding Officiant Simple Seaside Weddings.  What a great find and Avis supports Brides Against Breast Cancer.

CHECK - Marriage License - Marriage License the kids just need to show up at the office 8 am DEC 28th.  If you are out of state you do not have a 3 day wait in Florida.  2 Pieces of ID needed.

Looking at guest list, invitations, cakes, places to have the wedding - beach, reception, bouquet, dress, food, toasting flutes, hotels, OH MY!!!    I think I will be dreaming wedding planning.

OK all >>>>  what else am I missing

6 weeks to a wedding

WOW, we have 6 weeks to get a wedding planned.  My daughter's getting married!!  She's in Iowa, and the wedding will be in Florida.......  Have to get the officiant nailed down, then on to the the place,  then the rest should fall into place.  I can't believe how hard it is to find someone to officiate, but do have a couple of notes out to people. Some are already booked for that time, so I'm believing that we can find someone for that date.

Keep your fingers crossed..

I love soup when it's cold

This fantastic recipe for Tortilla Soup from Cabot Creamery Cooperative was posted toady.  Oh so good any time, but especially when it's cold.  YUMMY!!!!

On This Veterans Day

My Dad

Looking for a fun and consumable christmas gift for yourself or someone else this year?

 WOW what a great groupon today.  For $10 you can get the groupon for $25 worth of Nutty Guys products.  And if you go through your eBay you can get 5% eBay bucks.  The groupon is only available for another 14 or so hours today.   Nutty Guys Groupon 11/11/10 .  You can buy 1 for you and 2 gifts for others. 

GROUPON Nutty Guys

I WANT THE WEINERMOBILE TO COME TO MY TOWN

Do you want the WEINERMOBILE to come to your town.  Sign up HERE to submit your town.  I can remember as a kid wanting to see the Weinermobile.  I even had one of the whistles.  Did you?

PUBLIX DEALS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

There are some good deals this week at PUBLIX and there are manufacturer coupons to go along with.

COFFEE-MATE 15 oz - 4 for $6.00  Click here to get  coupons (2 - .75 off 1  and 2 - $1 off 3)
                                 Buy 2 for $3 - use 2 - $.75 coupons  You pay only $1.50

Great Directions

‎Go to Google Maps
Go to "Get Diections"
Type Japan as the start location
Type China as the end location
Read step #43
Laugh and repost!

Anything that makes life easier

Several months ago we were out on the boat for a weekend and we met a couple who were spending the weekend on their small sail boat, 22 feet long. We spent a good amount of time talking with them about their adventures, and noticed a black round thing on their deck.  It was a Masonry Pressure Sprayer Tank.  They told us, because of the size of their boat they needed to have things as compact as possible.  They had a small galley but no pressure water and needed to come up with an idea to solve their problem.  The spray tank became their pressure water.  Since it is  black, when it is on the deck of the boat during the day, the sun warms it.  Now they had hot water, under pressure to wash their feet before coming into the boat, rinse dishes, hose off the deck, or anything else they needed.

What a great idea for not just boating.  Now when we drive to the beach, the sprayer can go along, we can rinse, and we are not tracking sand into the car.  Soccer game - now the kids can wash their hands.  Fishing - rinsing poles off, washing hands after cleaning fish.  For a $20 investmemnt you can have warm to hot pressure water.  What else can you think of where this would be useful to you???

I like the the simple things that make your life easier. 

The weekend out on the boat was just wonderful

Finally the weather is starting to cool and we don't need the air conditioner when we are out for the weekend.  We were able to fish and just enjoy the wonderful view.  Below is a beautiful sunrise at Pelican Bay. 

There was also a surprise for all of us in the anchorage,  another boater played bagpipes as the sun was setting.  Amazing Grace was fantastic.  We saw manatee and dolphin, Osprey and Pelicans.  How fun.

Send your unused coupons to military overseas

Check out the following link to help our military families overseas.  You can send your unused manufacturer coupons for both food and non-food items.  http://thekrazycouponlady.com/coupons-for-military/   This is a great program, and a very easy way to show our support.