Engagement Session Sneak Peek!

Yay photos!

I have so many incredibly talented friends- journalists, lawyers, doctors, mothers and fathers... I am so lucky to have these people in my life.  But one of my dearest and best friends is miss Jaime, a incredibly talented photographer.

Jaime came to know each other a few years ago in the DC wedding world and we instantly became best friends.  I think the first few days we knew each other we talked on the phone for four hours at a time.... and we still do that!

I am so honored that Jaime took time out of her busy schedule to take photos of Joe and I in Frederick and in DC yesterday.  We had so much fun!  These are just a few of the photos she sent us as a sneak peek... can't wait to see the rest!

Here is her blog: theblondephotographer.com

This one is so silly... but I loved my birdcage veil!

I've been staking out this set of stairs in downtown Frederick for weeks!

I think we just might love each other :)

This is my fave of the ones I've seen so far!

Everytime Joe and I drive past this place in Frederick, I always say, "bride goes here, and groom goes there!"  I was excited that *I* got to be photographed there!

Making Bread

Well Momma McKenna, you'll be happy to know that Joe is still constantly making bread in the breadmaker you got him for Christmas.  The latest creation: chocolate chip banana bread.  YUM.  It was really good.

The Date is Set!

The date has been set!  The wedding will be June 19th, 2010.  

Yes, 16 stinkin' months away!  I really didn't want a long engagement, but places book up so fast in DC, we really had no choice.  We went to a great place near our condo and fell in love with the Thorpewood.  We think you'll love it, too.  Plus it's a non-profit so all the money goes to a good cause, which we think is awesome!

Inauguration Day

Whether you voted for the dude elected or not, you have to be awed and amazed by the crowds today in DC!

I had decided awhile ago to not head down the the National Mall, but I kind of regret it now... all my friends who went said it was worth being in the 15 degree weather for 7 hours.  But I really did enjoy watching it on TV, and got to see a bit of everything.  (and sit on a nice couch with my hubby-to-be (!)  and the puppy, and eat popcorn.)  

The view from the Capitol down to the Washington Monument was stunning- a sea of literally millions of people!  I've been on the mall *a lot* and I seriously can't fathom that entire area being full of people.  Incredible!

This inauguration means a lot to everyone, for many different reasons.  For me, it's inspiring knowing the son of an immigrant can be president- that Barack can overcome so many things in his life, stick tight to his beliefs and ideals, and still be successful.

So Happy Inauguration!  :)

How it all Went Down

At dinner after the proposal

Well, to be honest, it was a complete blur, but now that it's been a few days, I think I am a bit clearer about the details!

On Friday, Joe and I cleaned the condo in preparation for our guests, Kate and Nic.  Lots of laundry, vacuuming, and dishes were done because our place was pretty much a disaster.  After we  finished, we went to the grocery store to get a few things and I suggested we pick up champagne to celebrate Kate and Nic's recent engagement.  Joe agreed, and we got a few bottles.

After showering and getting ready, I made some cookies, lit some candles, and turned on some music (actually, it was the CD that Deanna & Tom handed out at their wedding!) while Joe popped the champagne... Nic and Kate would be here any minute.

I continued to tidy some things up and took the cookies out of the oven.  Joe called for me to come in the bedroom.  I figured he needed help putting new sheets on the bed or he wanted me to help wrestle the dog into his cage.  When I walked in the room, Joe was on one knee, holding a little black box.

Needless to say, I was speechless!  

I don't remember what he said (and he said he doesn't either!) but apparently I said yes, a ring was put on my finger, and then we cried... but just a little :)

After pulling ourselves together, we both called our families and friends.  Not a minute later Kate and Nic walked in, and the celebration began!  

Kate look so relieved when she saw the ring- apparently there was a whole to-do planned out where we all went out to dinner, and then we would all go to Carroll Creek and I'd take some photos of everyone and then Joe would propose.  Well, with the weather being six degrees that night, Joe decided to forego the plans and propose in the condo.  It doesn't matter, though, because I loved it and I couldn't be happier :)

It's been overwhelming thinking about the next step (a WEDDING!) and where to start.  Luckily, since I work in the wedding industry, I have a pretty good idea of where we're going and what to expect :)

We've had so many people call and e-mail, and we're so thankful! :)

ENGAGED!

It happened!

We're engaged!

Celebrating with Kate and Nic this weekend!  :)

Weekend Guests

Kate and Nic are coming to spend inaguration weekend with us and we're excited! They *just* got engaged, so we have cookies and champagne waiting for them when they get here :)

[iPhone]

New Cards

OK, this post is about me again :)

I finally got my letterpress business cards today - yay! Love 'em!

Getting Organized

Joe is getting a bit stir-crazy being on leave from work.  So he went around the house and found all my frames and art that needed to get hung up, and just started doing it.  He was crazed!  

I'm glad, though, because now my office is finished.  So with everything hung up, I got on an organization kick and filed away all my '08 paperwork, got everything ready for my bookkeeper for taxes, organized all those little things that make for so much clutter, and threw out a ton of stuff.  I feel pumped about wedding season now. :)

Tomorrow Joe wants to rent a steam cleaner for the carpets... the joys of owning a puppy.  Kate and Nic are coming this weekend, so he wants it nice and clean, and honestly, so do I.  I'm excited to have a very clean condo!

My canvas wraps, my new sorted boxes, and everything hung up [iPhone photo]

Resting Comfortably

Joe and Frankie are resting comfortably post-op :)

[iPhone photo]

Yikes...

Well, Joe had a rough night last night.  We're not sure if it was his medicine or the anesthesia, but poor Joe was sick!

If that wasn't bad enough, this morning Joe was still sick... and I joined him.  Let's just say we used both bathrooms to their fullest extent today.  It was awful!

I took him to his doctor's appointment today and then we had to go to base to get a form signed so he doesn't have to go to work for a week... it took two hours.  Poor Joe just wanted to lay down.  He said the room was spinning.  I felt so bad for him.  Gotta love the Army.

But now we're home for the night and we're both feeling much better- let's just hope it stays this way!

Joe's Surgery

Joe's surgery went well.  The only thing that stinks is that he had to have a breathing tube- no fun!  I'm in the recovery area now (hooray wi-fi!) and I'll get to see him in about an hour.  I'm hoping he's not too cranky when I take him home!

We'll be headed back to the doctor tomorrow so that they can change his dressings and ::gasp:: show me how to do it.  Everyone tells me it's super gross, so I can't say I'm looking forward to it!

Joe should be almost 100% by next Tuesday, but will probably be off work for at least a week... working from home should be interesting!  I have a wedding to edit and a lot little things to do, so hopefully I can get it done between taking care of Joe.

Joe's Last Meal... aka Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Joe's having his surgery tomorrow and can't eat after midnight, so I made a nice meal (lemon chicken with rice) and on a whim tonight decided to make a recipe I've been eyeing since October... Caramel Apple Cupcakes... man oh man are they tasty!

[iPhone photo]

Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Ingredients:
(frosting to follow)

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
2 large eggs
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup applesauce
1 cup shredded or finely chopped, Granny Smith apples

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Prep a cupcake pan with liners.

2. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.

3. With a mixer, stir the eggs, butter, and applesauce. Mix until combined. Carefully add the dry ingredients.

4. Now chop the apples. Peel and slice the apple. Then using a grater, grate the apple into fine shreds, like cheese. You can also chop it finely which works just as well. Now stir the shredded apples into the batter mixture.

5. Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full to almost full, so that they have a nice rounded top like an apple. This batter will make 12 cupcakes.

6. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Test with a toothpick for done-ness. Cool on a wire rack. While they are cooling, make the frosting.

Caramel Frosting

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup whole milk
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1tsp cinnamon
1 TB maple syrup

1. In a saucepan on medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar. When they are melted and bubbly, add the milk. Carefully raise the heat and bring the mixture to a quick boil. Careful - you don’t want to burn it. Once it foams up and turns that lovely caramel color, take it off the heat immediately.

2. Remove pan from heat and stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla, cinnamon and syrup, mixing until frosting is smooth. Then, I simply frost the cupcakes by dipping them into the frosting. It’s more of a glaze - in the sense that it will firm up.

Ice Storm

Quite the sight outside today! Joe still had to go to work, of course, but lots of things were cancelled around here.

Published!

OK, so this isn't about me and Joe per-se, but I'm excited!

One of my favorite weddings is in the latest issues of Brides Magazine!

I did this one in August and I absolutely loved it!

[You can click on the photos to make them bigger]

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from New York!

Julie and Dave threw a rockin' party last night and we had a blast.