Kali's Wedding Weekend

The week and days before were absolutely beautiful! We could not have predicted more perfect weather...that is until the forecast said 40% chance rain for Saturday! 40%! That's pretty high when it's on your wedding day!

One month before, Mom and I had buried a bottle of bourbon face down at the ceremony site. This is an old wives' tale:

It bury a bottle of bourbon (we only had a teeny bottle of jack, but hey, it worked!)  face down at the ceremony site one month from your wedding, and then dig it up the morning of there will be no rain.  Mom, Dad, and I had a serious debate on what "face down" meant.  Did that mean lying on the label, or was it supposed to be standing on its head? Dad and I voted for label, and two against one, so we won.
Bury the Bourbon Tradition

We buried it, but completely forgot to dig it up the morning of the wedding! It is still there today....BUT we had no rain! Thank the good Lord, because we were a little nervous. We prayed for it to hold off until that night, and sure enough we woke to rain Sunday morning.  We couldn't have asked for anything more perfect.    Needless to say we will be burying the bottle again in in April!

K marks the spot...still! :)

Kali's Bachelorette Weekend

The weekend of September 14-16 we celebrated Kali's last days as a bachelorette! We had the lingerie shower at her new home on Friday night, then on Saturday we went to Nashville.  Everyone had a great time, and I couldn't be more proud of how it all turned out!

I left after class on Wednesday to go up and stay with her. I had yet to see her new home, and it had been a while since I had seen her.  I was so excited to just get to hang out.  I was completely shocked when I got there and saw that she was living in front of a hay pasture! If you know anything about my sister, you'd know that this is the last thing we would ever expect from her.  She has lived all over from Wyoming, to Birmingham, Atlanta, even Germany for time on and off.  She has flown and visited the entire world almost, but I guess she decided to settle into a more simpler life.  I couldn't be more jealous! I love it. I can see me out there with a pony, a few goats, and my chickens. It makes me happy to see her happy though.

I made us badges to wear out Saturday night with her face so everyone would know that we were together and who we were there for.

They were very simple to make, and I think they turned out super cute!

Other decorations from the shower

We all had such a great time!

THE Dress

I now have the perfect dress to walk down the aisle in!  Mom and I made a last minute decision to go to a local store in Lagrange, GA, An Affair to Remember one afternoon.  This place is so nice, and I was the only one there trying on, so I had all the attention which is never a bad thing, right? :)  After trying on a few, we narrowed it down to two: who I want to be and who I am.  Guess you'll have to wait to see which one we went with! I absolutely love it though.  My mom teared up when I put it on and my future sister-in-law teared up when she saw a picture of it...I'll take that as a great sign!

I keep going back and looking at the picture again and again.  It was so hard to make a decision, because 'what if' kept popping up.  What if I find one I like better? What if this isn't who I want to be that day? What if this style is so popular that everyone else has one like it?  But, I had to push those thoughts aside, and I knew it was the right dress. I just can't look at anymore dresses.

Someone else will be donning their white in just three short weeks.  It'll be here before we know it! We have so much to do in preparation, but I have no doubts that the "Johnston bulldogs" will pull through!

We have Kali's Bachelorette Party coming up next weekend. I have worked really hard on making it the perfect weekend for Kali.  I'm really excited; we are going to have a great time! I'll show pictures after the event takes place. I want to keep it a surprise!

Happy fall Friday! If only the temperature would drop about 15 degrees all would be perfect...

Showers and Tea

Last weekend Kali's bridesmaids hosted her and J.D. a couples shower.  Everything was decorated beautifully, thanks to Kathryn, and the food was delicious, thanks to all the bridesmaids!  She and J.D. got some really wonderful gifts! It made me so excited about future parties for Stephen and me!

I took a few pictures so Kali and J.D. would be able to put an announcement in the newspaper. Which one is your favorite?

They loved all their presents!

The next day we had Kali's Tea at the church.  Everything was beautiful, and all the ladies did such a wonderful job.  I had helped Kali out by making her hostess gifts. They were super cute! Post on those next time! It was so nice to see family and friends that I hadn't seen in a while.  It was a beautiful, exciting, and exhausting weekend, but it was all worth it! 

The Excitement

Today, I'm hiding out in Stephen's computer room with Pixie, because Stephen bought us a new refrigerator!  Oh, I'm so excited! This is the first purchase for "our home."  We have a long way to go, but this is a great start! :)

Today, I have class in Montgomery, but after class I get to have dinner with a great friend and one of my bridesmaids that I haven't seen in forever! I'm really looking forward to catching up with a great friend!

Yesterday was one of the best Sundays ever! Stephen took me to brunch at the fancy brunch place, then my dad joined us for a viewing of The Hunger Games! Of course it was complete with popcorn and coke; movies are always better with popcorn and coke!

This weekend I'm helping host a shower for Kali and JD, and then we have her church tea on Sunday. This is going to be a really busy week! Expect updates and pictures coming soon!

Making a List, Checking it Twice

I've become a bit overwhelmed in the last week or so.  I was trying to help plan Kali's Couple's Shower and her Bachelorette Party all while trying to plan my wedding and attend Stephen's World Series Tournament.  I didn't have a list, that was my first mistake.  From now on I'm making list after list.  I let it all get to me, and Stephen so sweetly reminded me that this is all supposed to be fun and exciting.  And he's right! I had forgotten that! So, from now on I'm going to be more organized and enjoy these experiences!

Stephen and I have now booked our photographer, our band =), talked to our florist and caterer, and booked the ceremony and reception site!

If only I could find a dress.  I know this is going to be a difficult task.  I went shopping in Atlanta last weekend with Kali and Casey, but we couldn't find THE dress.  Every dress that I picked out to try on was pretty.  They're all pretty.  So, how do you pick one?? We didn't have Mom, and I think that's what was wrong.  Next time she will definitely be there.  I need her opinion.  

Casey and Ryan were the most gracious hosts ever while they let me stay with them during the tournament.  Casey started our dress search out right with breakfast and mimosas! :) 

Wedding Bells

Wedding planning is coming right along! I am so grateful for wonderful parents who are so enthusiastically planning two weddings within one year!! Kali's wedding is right around the corner.  She moved about two weeks ago to her new home like 15 hours away...not really, but just about.  We miss her, but we know she's happy, and that is all that matters....right? I can't wait until I get to go visit her and see her new home!  This month we have two showers for Kali in one weekend, and I'm planning her Bachelorette party! Woo! Hoo!

Stephen's baseball team heads to the World Series tomorrow.  They won State a few weeks ago; I am so proud of them.  I wish them nothing but the best next week!

My wedding planning has really taken off.  I've already talked to the florist, the caterer, the photographer, and scheduled a band.  Weddings sure are expensive, but it's going to be so much fun! Again, extremely thankful for seriously the best parents in the world...I'm sorry they aren't yours.

Mr. and Mrs. Farr in Training glasses a friend made us!

Today, I went to visit a dear college friend of mine and her new baby boy.  It sure was good to catch up.  These next few weeks are going to be extremely busy, but as long as I have my list I think I will be able to handle it! That dear friend of mine so graciously let me borrow her Cricket for a few weeks, so I am going to be crafting up a storm making shower gifts, bachelorette party goodies, and wedding gifts! I promise to take pictures to post after the receivers have received them!

someone enjoying the lake =)

4th of July

I had the happiest of Independence Days!  Very thankful for a great country, the men and women who help protect our country, the men who fought to make our country, family, and a fiance'!

Stephen & I are getting married!

Tutorial To Come

Happy Friday! This week was the last week in one of my super time-consuming classes; yay! Now, I should have a little bit more time to blog and sew and cook and...you get the idea! I get to enjoy the last half of summer and help get the house ready for the wedding! I've had a question on how to make a dog bandanna.  I think I will make one this afternoon and get back with a how-to tutorial soon.  In the meantime, I want to show some of my latest creations!  Let me know what you think or if you want me to make something for you! =)

Baseball Bracelet

New kitchen towel for the season

Towel Applique

Father's Day Hankies

Tiger Tail Burp Cloth

All-Star season started last night. Stephen is coaching the 14 years old this year, and they won their first game last night 16-0! 

Hi!

We have wedding bells in our future! Kali's getting married! She graduated from nursing school, got engaged, and put an offer in on a house all within one week! Since she is going to move away and leave us all behind... we are having the wedding sooner rather than later. It's okay, we can pull it off! It's going to be in Mom and Dad's yard, and we are so excited!

Congratulations, Kali!

P.S. Look what I can do now! This elephant is not for me, it's for a friend who is an AL fan, but I have all sorts of appliques! I'll post more later!

Adding something pretty to look at until I can come back to post. I'm still here, promise!

Pixie 3 years old

Catch Up

#4 Letterbox
This is Stephen's "letterbox", and this spring I am going to do some fixin'.  I'm thinking we should paint the post.  Black? Then, add some monkey grass and pull up whatever that half dead plant is...or try to resuscitate it.  Then, add some numbers on the post.  Yeah, that'd all look good.

#5 Something You Wore
I went to my very first country music concert last night, Blake Shelton.  My sister won tickets off the local radio station for her boyfriend who couldn't get off work, so I went! We had a ball! These were what I wore.

#6 Makes You Smile

#7 Favorite
This picture just makes me laugh. It's my favorite one from our New Year's Eve weekend.  It's blurry, sorry.  We were trying to figure out my camera's auto taker thingy. We obviously weren't ready when it snapped.  :)

#8 Your Sky
Just went outside and took this.  Beautiful day.

Four Equal Parts

Today is something I adore.  The things I adore most in this world are my pets.  Though we don't all live together anymore, I still love them as if they are mine.  I am lucky to still have my Maggie.  She's the perfect porch kitty.  I love a good porch kitty.  I got her when I was in 5th or 6th grade (Mom help me out!)? She started inside the house when she was young, grew into an indoor/ outdoor feline, and now she has become a full blown porch kitty (except when it's cold and Daddy isn't looking).  She drools, she's moody, she loves a good brushing with the broom.  She's my may-may.

Next is my Beana-Weana. I got Beamer the summer before I started my Junior year in high school.  I begged and begged for her, and finally Mom gave in.  She was going to go off to school with me, and ride along side me in my BMW convertible.  Neither of those statements happened. I'm glad I left her at home; my mom wouldn't have been able to handle the empty nest, so Beamer became my sister.  Mom made her stay on the screened in porch during the days when she was a puppy...now, we don't go on vacation unless she can come.  She is as much a member of our family as my sister and I are. 

 

Then, of course you know my Pixie. Sweet, sweet Pixie.

 

Lastly, but not least, my newest addition, Martha. Sweet, camera shy Martha.

Er Every Few Days

So my little challenge is going to be every few days...but we'll get through them!


Day 2: Breakfast
I'm not a big breakfast person unless it's really early, and let's be honest, I don't get up really early much anymore.  A lot of times it gives me heartburn, then my whole day is ruined.  However, I do enjoy an occasional cup of coffee. 

 

Now, I want to share a few pictures I've taken over the last few days. 

Challenge!

One of my sorority sisters, who is a beautiful photographer, challenged me to a Photo A Day! Bear with me as I try to make it through this and become more familiar with my Canon.

 

Join me if you like! I'd love to see your interpretation. Let me know!

Day 1.

Camera Straps

I've sewn up a few extra of these camera straps, and I'd love to sell one to you! I can make them with different fabrics, too!

Only $12.00!! Let me know if you want one!

Film Debut

Well, it's taken many months for us to finally get my skillz on camera. Stephen gave me a big ole fancy schmancy camera for Christmas, which takes HD videos, too! It's amazing; I just need to learn to use it.  We were trying to use the video portion on the camera which is why we filmed me.

So, I have one of those "Things I Want To Do Before I'm 30" lists... I'm not going to show you the entire list, because that would be overwhelming.  I am going to show you as I cross them off.  This one was crossed off last summer; better late than never, right?  Stephen taught me to juggle!  It was so fun learning, and he was a great teacher. 

I'm not about to run off and join the circus or anything, but I am pleased.



On another note, I just checked out my classes for this semester.  I hope I have time to do more posts.  I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment with all the coursework, but this too shall pass!

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

We've been through quite a few holidays since we last spoke.  I hope everyone's holiday season was as amazing as mine. We had the best one yet! It was jam packed with festivities and parties; I loved every minute of it! Guess what! I finally got a fancy schmancy camera to work with! Sweet Stephen gave me that for Christmas, and I am loving learning all about it. It's a Canon Rebel, so if anyone has any pointers please send 'em this way!

Back in December I took a two night sewing lesson back and have fallen in love with it! We made a Christmas stocking, and then I made a second. Matching ones for Pixie and Martha. What do you think?

A Big Thanks to Jama!

Then, I made a camera strap.  My mom doesn't understand why I did this, although she thought it was very cute. I was very proud of this one.

Source

I have some of this material left over, and I think I'm going to create one more little pretty today.

These last few months have been hard.  They've put me out of my comfort zone.  Making the transition into a student and unemployed have been very difficult for me, but this is a new year, full of hope and promise!  It's going to be good.  It's going to be alright.  I'm going to be alright.  Good things are happening.  2012, I'm ready!

Happy 2012 to you all!