cookies and cocoa

One of the things that caused me a considerable amount of stress during our engagement was the planning of our wedding reception.  I stressed about the number of cookies we would need, how my crazy cake idea would turn out, whether or not James would die standing in the line.....

But 'twas all in vain, due the many wonderful wonderful people who stepped up to help me....and James, for being a good sport.  I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful reception.  It certainly exceeded my expectations.  Thank you, everyone!

and the cotton is high

Happy June 21, the first day of summer!  It seems to me that summer is already in happy full swing.  I've ticked off a couple of my i-really-want-to-do-these-this-summer items, like jumping on a trampoline, running in the sprinklers, having a fresh strawberry shake, canoeing, making a fondant cake, and sitting in the heat for a small town parade. (side note: is PG still considered a small town?)

Here is my cake made in honor of my beautiful sister Bonnie.  Special thanks to Susan for her easy fondant recipe and to Emma for her mad rose-making skills.

Next on my little mental summer list: go to the pool, make a smallish Americana quilted something or other, go on vacation with the boy and the family, and move into my classroom and make it a first grader's (or a teacher named Bethany's) dream come true.

Huzzah for summer!

*title from Gershwin and Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.  Listen here. You really should, it is beautiful.

may the fourth

geez, Louise. I love Star Wars.  Everything Star Wars.  I love Darth Vader and pod-racing and  Qui-Gon and Princess Leia hairstyles and Han and Obi-Wan and Mos Eisely and those ultra cheesy lines in number 3. And I love quotes like this:

Today, as you know, is Intergalactic Star Wars Day! What a legit holiday. It has its own Wikipedia page and everything. This calls for celebration, I should think.  Perhaps a marathon of Star Wars movies tonight?  Perhaps a light-sabre battle on the front lawn?  Perhaps playing a little Lego Star Wars on Gamecube?  Perhaps the heavy consumption of blue kool-aid in imitation of that drink Aunt Beru gives Uncle Owen and Luke?  Perhaps all of the above.  I mean, look at all of the fun we had last year...

Yeah, we are nerds. Super exciting nerds who love super exciting things like Star Wars.  And, in celebration of this great day, this lovely little announcement was made. Come September, you and I can have this:

Huzzah!  Happy Star Wars Day!  

Make sure you do something festive.  

Destroy the Death Star. Hug a wookiee. Have fun!