BIG Decision for the BIG Day.

Usually every little girls dreams of her wedding day, you know, what she would wear, flowers, shoes, makeup, shoes...  This is all extremely foreign to me.  I have never really been that girl.  When D proposed, I had NO IDEA where we would get married.

At first I thought Indiana.  D's ENTIRE family lives in Indiana, so it would be very convenient for them.  My family is scattered throughout the Midwest, so no matter what, someone would have to travel.  I searched on the internet, and nothing really gave me that "feeling" everyone talks about.

Soooo, D and I went on a weekend fishing trip to Port Aransas.  Sunday morning, we went to a little cafe, had some breakfast, and as we were finishing up our coffees...I had a thought...why not Texas?  Texas is essentially where we really started our lives together.  I mentioned this to D, and he liked the it, but being the great guy he is, he said "whatever you want."

The fish we caught while on our little expedition.  Sand trout and sheephead...yummmm!

In April, I traveled to Austin solo (D was living in Edmonton, Alberta) to scope out some places, and D and I returned in May together to look at the top contenders.  However, I felt bad for making everyone travel (can you say people pleaser?!?) and spend a lot of money to get there (anyone who really knows me, knows about my money issues), so I was back at square 1.  Here are a few places I looked at.

Spicewood Vineyards in Spicewood, TX

Duchmann Family Winery in Driftwood, TX

Thurman's Mansion @ Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, TX

Mercury Hall in Austin, TX

View of Lake Travis from my hotel room @ Lakeway Resort and Spa during my solo stay.

I threw around the idea of Omaha and Colorado, and settled back on Indiana.  While D and I were there in June for one of his friend's weddings, I dragged him along to every known place to hold a reception in Indianapolis...poor guy.  And again, none really made me swoon like a few did in Austin.


At the end of the day I was frustrated and tired.  I am pretty sure D was rethinking his decision to ask me to marry him...but thank goodness I was in that state of mind because I finally made up my mind.

I actually made a decision for me.  I picked what I wanted, what my vision was (as of February), and I am so thrilled.  We chose Pecan Grove at Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, TX.

The ceremony outside by Onion Creek...completely shaded.
However, we will not be using that space...especially in July...our guests would DIE!

Used to be an open air pavillion, but now it is closed (and air-conditioned!).

You feel like you are outside!

Bridal quarters and bathrooms in a separate building.

 I love it.  It is so us.  Very casual and outdoorsy.  Best part...Salt Lick BBQ caters...Man vs Food anyone??  They're open pit is famous.

How delicious does that look?!? 

I am pretty sure some family and friends were thinking that this wedding was going to be a total disaster if I couldn't make decisions.  I should have followed everyone's (parent's, future in-law's, friend's, even my fiance's) advice from the beginning...

"Do whatever you want to do.  It is your day."

Future brides...listen to that advice!  No matter what, you're not going to please everyone, so you might as well please yourself!

- E

Also, check out our wedding website!

Our latest adventure: Gros Morne National Park

So D and I decided to take a tour of the island.  The landscape was pretty breathtaking.  We went on a few hikes, a boat tour, ate fresh seafood, and I drank Iceberg (a beer made from 25,000 year old iceberg water, brewed in St. John's by Quidi Vidi Brewery).  Enjoy the pics!

Western Brook Pond

Western Brook Pond from the boat.  These cliffs are 2,000 feet tall.

Do you see the profile of a man's face?

Pretty cool, huh...

A rock from the Tablelands.

Love this picture!

This was supposed to be a jumping picture...whoops!

A mini waterfall.

Is it hot?  Is it cold?  I don't remember...

Fishing!!!  We didn't hook anything here....

D and his mackerel.

So colorful.

There were monarchs everywhere in this little grove.  So cool!

I wanted to play with the butterflies.  You can't tell but they were swarming all around me.

The Lighthouse at Cowhead that was kind of ridiculous to get to.  I was expecting so much more.

See the thing that looks like a desert?  That is the Tablelands...it is where the Earth's mantle is actually exposed.

I spy a starfish.  Do you??

Sunset at Rocky Harbor

Saw this little thing eating some bushes on the side of the road.  Moose are now my favorite animal.
I want to hug one, and keep it as a my pet.

We were going to stay Friday till Tuesday, but Monday morning it was raining...nonstop.  We decided to check out of our cottage (which had some pretty comfortable beds) a day early, and drive clear across the island to civilization aka St. John's.  It was either drive 7 hours back to trailer and have nothing to do for 3 days, or drive 7 hours and have plenty to do.  We saw Bourne Legacy (really good), went on an Iceberg Adventure boat tour (no icebergs or whales, but we did see puffins), and ate at The Keg (I had one of the best steaks of my life).

All in all, it was a pretty good little get away to see the island.  We got to sleep in, eat some good food, and not have to worry about doing any dishes (I LOATE dirty dishes).

Till we meet again,
- E

What I've Been Reading...

50 Shades of Grey Trilogy

EL James

***

Since all of my friends were talking about these racy novels...I gave in.  I kept waiting for things to get better, to pick up, but I never really felt as satisfied...ha.  I guess I am not sure what all the hype is about.  I thought these books were poorly written.  EL James used a lot of the same lines, and the plot was pretty predictable.  Of course, I read all three because everyone raved about them.  The 2nd book was by far my favorite, but the sex scenes got a little monotonous, and by the middle of the 2nd book, I was ready to slap Anastasia's "inner goddess" in the face, and eventually skipped the scenes that were between the sheets altogether...   I would give the trilogy 3 out of 5 stars.

The Long Way Home

Karen McQuestion

****

With D's Amazon Prime Membership, I get a free book each month on my Kindle.  For July, I picked this novel, and I do not regret it!  This book is about the lives of 4 women (Marnie, Reta, Jazzy, and Lavern) that are brought together in unexpected ways, and go on a road trip from Wisconsin to Vegas to visit Marnie's "stepson."  The book is filled with grief, magic, and healing, which in my opinion makes it a great summer read.  Plus, it was free!

Easily Amused

Karen McQuestion

****

After reading The Long Way Home, I decided to try another Karen McQuestion novel.  This one is about a young magazine editor in her 30s named Lola.  Her great aunt (she hardly knew) just passed away, and left gave Lola her house.  Throughout this novel you will meet Lola's nosey neighbors, her best friend who just became a mother, her arrogant sister, the very hot neighbor, and finally a boy from the past.  I definitely recommend this novel!

A Scattered Life

Karen McQuestion

*****

This is by far my favorite McQuestion book.  Skyla has been all over the map growing up, but when she meets Thomas Plinka she finally settles down, and has a beautiful daughter.  A new family moves in next door, and she meets Roxanne, mother of 5 boys (and wants more!), and Skyla finds the best friend she has never had.  This novel is about finding oneself, family, and an unexpected death.  Told from the vantage point of Skyla, her mother in law, Audrey, and her best friend Roxanne.  It is definitely a book that will make you tear up towards the end.

Where We Belong

Emily Giffin

I have been waiting for this book to come out for months.  I read the "sneak peek" in the spring, and could NOT wait!  In true Emily Giffin style, it has a little bit of NYC and the midwest as the the settings.  Marian is a televsion producer, and she has a secret that she has kept from everyone except her mother.  She pushes the secret to the back of her mind, until that secret knocks on her door.  This is not my favorite Giffin book, but it kept me intrigued.  Also, I just read that she has a movie deal for this book....hopefully they don't ruin the story!

Not Another Bad Date

Rachel Gibson

I got the idea to read this from my Houston Tidbits emails.  This is a charming story about a good ol' Texas girl, Adele, who comes back from Idaho to help her sister out since she is on bed rest.  After 3 years of bad dates, she meets a former love from UT, who is now the high school football coach, and ex-NFL player.  She also meets his daughter, and the life size portrait of his late wife that made her life a living hell in high school AND college.  I finished this book is about 24 hours.  It was a quick read, and I loved giving the characters a Texas draw in my mind as they spoke.  

Rescue Me

Rachel Gibson

****

Sadie comes back to Texas for a cousin's (who she hardly knows) wedding.  When she arrives at the JH Ranch, she notices a big black truck that had broke down on the side of the road.  The Texan in her comes out, and she gives the gorgeous/ex Navy Seal/stranger, Vince, a ride.  Sadie asks Vince to be her guest at the wedding so she could avoid the series of questions that go along with being a single 30something after being away for several years.  He says no.  Bummer.  All she wants to do is get out of Lovett, Texas, as soon as the wedding is over, but no such luck.  Typical girly chick book...this one is about distant families, new loves, and finding your "anchor" in life.  

Next review:  Divergent by Veronica Roth

Let me know if you have any books you think are must reads, or that you want me to check out for you (the good Lord knows I have the time!)  

Also, let me know if you want to lend me any books you have on your Kindle, and I can definitely return the favor!

--E

Our Near Death Experience

D and I finally got to head back to the US mid July for a few weeks.  We had lots of things planned including two weddings (in Indiana and Dallas), a Reds game, doctor appointments, riding the jet ski, going to Hurricane Harbor, seeing 3 new movies, and lastly traveling to Denver for a training where I got to visit some of my best friends from high school and college.

We had a lot to look forward to...a lot of fun plans, a lot of good American food to eat, and "cheaper than Canada" beer to drink...

However, we almost did not make it to America (I am probably being ver over dramatic here).

I picked D up from work around midnight.  Our flight left St. John's around 7, but St. John's is about 3-4 hours away (really takes me back to my Nebraska days).  We were about halfway through our trip when I gasped and saw my life flash before my eyes.  D slammed on the breaks...then swerved to the right to avoid the creature.

Moose.

Those things are huge.  All I remember seeing was legs when I looked out the windshield.  Thank goodness Dan interpreted my gasp as meaning moose because he could not see a thing since there was an oncoming car.

There are around 700 moose related accidents in Newfoundland every year.  The government is actually spending around 5 million dollars to build "moose proof" fences, and giving out almost 13,000 more moose hunting licenses.

I also learned that moose are not native to Newfoundland.  They were actually brought here from New Brunswick about a century ago.  Now there are almost 120,000 moose in Newfoundland.  They do not jump out of nowhere like deer.  They are somewhat slow (unless aggravated), and where there is one...there is usually not another.

Moose like to move at night.  Mix complete darkness with fog, and mammals that can weigh up to 1,500 pounds...it usually ends up no good.  A car will just take the knees out from the animal, and in return the animal just falls over on top of your car.

I am glad we are ok, and that D has learned his lesson to drive a bit slower.

--E


Facts and images taken from:
Victims of Moose Crashes sue N.L. government
Moose Collisions:  Newfoundland Government to Spend $5M In Prevention
Newfies to sue Newfoundland because of moose problems
Loose Moose Wreaking Havoc On Newfoundland Roads

Home Sweet Home

Welcome to Burin!  Population 2470ish.  Once an old fishing community, but now, I am not really sure what the people do...  However, it is now home.

My mom said that every couple needs to live in a trailer at some point in their relationship.  Our time is now, and thank goodness it is only for 5-6 more weeks.

Home Sweet Home

Actually, it really isn't that bad.  There are 2 additions, one which holds a living room, and the other what my family would call a "mud room" (which has very low ceilings, so as a result, D does not enter).   The furnishings are pretty comfortable, and the view is amazing.

View from our porch.  Newfoundland is known for a lot of fog.

 We are about a 8 minute jog away from a 2.5 km trail, which I go to everyday...sometimes twice a day (wedding/honeymoon body here I come!)  There really is no "downtown."  All the homes and business just follow the coast...for miles...and miles...actually kilometers and kilometers.

Typical evening stroll

Views from the little park I go to...

To get groceries, we have to go to Marystown.  There are two options:  Sobey's and No Frills.  There is also a Wal-Mart.  Also, about a 35 minute walk away is the Burin Cinema.  They have one movie a week...showing at 8 pm on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday.

Living here is very relaxing, and it is definitely a great experience.  In about a week and a half we will be visiting the other side of "The Rock," which I am really excited about....

Till the next time...

--E