May I Present Mr. and Mrs. French

As you may know, my little sister was married on June 20th. I have some photos to share with you if you are interested.

My sister, the lovely bride. She just looks so beautiful and statuesque here, like she's out in the Italian countryside or something. Love this one.

The rear view. I had forgotten how blue the sky was that day. It was the heat that stuck with me. She really did have a lovely day other than it was do darn hot.

This one seems so wistful somehow. I love that.

This one is just cute. Slightly cheesy, but cute. He's the apple of her eye?

They sky here is amazing. The attendants would have you know their bouquets were being swarmed by insects. It really was such a lovely spot for a ceremony. Bugs and all.

Mr. and Mrs. French, newly married.

All photo credits belong here , with Amanda Galloway of Silver Linings Photography.

As you may recall, I was quite excited for Laural's wedding. Weddings take on a whole new dimension when you're planning your own. I was eager to see how she planned her ceremony. What she would include, and forgo. Her wedding was very informal, much like I hope mine will be. The ceremony was thankfully short in the hot, summer afternoon. That sun was seriously just beating down. The reception was immediately following the ceremony at a banquet hall on the grounds of the winery. It was also very informal, with dinner served buffet style. One of the things that have been plaguing me is reception traditions. What to include and what to leave out? I don't see my Dad getting up and dancing with me, and I'm not sure just how scripted and formal I want the reception. Laural didn't do any of the usuals at her reception, and it was lovely. A giant party with friends and family, both old and new, mixing and mingling. And you know what? No one stood up and shouted, "My God, there was no unity candle!!!" My cousin, in a white eyelet lace dress to boot!, seemed surprised when the cake was cut without ceremony. No scripted smooshing it in each other's faces for them. Ben and I have agreed we will not to that to each other. It's really pretty rude. My suspicions that none one from my family would be hitting the dance floor were spot on. There was no one dancing but the children, and they were great fun to watch.

Congratulations Laural and Michael! Now I just need to decide what to forgo and what to stick with for my own wedding.

Cave City

The view from the top of Guntown Mountain. Yes, every bit as red-neck tourist trappish as it sounds. They have a wild west town up on a mountain. Complete with shows. Eeeeee. The view was the coolest part.

The side of the Green river, taken on our canoe trip.

Proof that I rowed. You see me there, with an oar in hand, right? We were approaching the ferry and the end of our trip. Thank goodness for that. I was a wee bit sunburned and tired. I could post a pic of me giving Ben the look from hell, but I'll keep that one to myself.

I love trees. Especially the big giant tall ones. They just make me happy. This little stream led back to an entrance to Mammoth Cave.

Beautiful tree along the banks of the green river. Sorry, I'm a tree hugging hippie freak like that.

Creepy ass cave right off the river Ben made us row into. Me first, of course. He was all safe in the back whilst I was perched precariously up front as bait for all cave critters. I kid you not, I heard a splish as some creepy ass cave creature slithered into the water. I did not want to hang out in there long.

Leaving aforementioned creepy ass cave.

How cool is this. A ferry right across the river. To hell with bridges, I wish to be physically carried over the water, thanks. The operator looked pretty unexcited to be there, but I think it would be a cake job. Back and forth, all day long.

The historic entrance to Mammoth Cave. The fog was pretty awesome. In case you didn't know, the cave is 52 degrees (Fareheit) all year long. It was pretty darn chilly. The mist is the coolness hitting the humid air. It seriously felt like a/c was pouring out of the cave.

The wise man who decided to start a tb camp in the cave. Yeah, it didn't work. They died.

Yes, they put a bathroom in the middle of a cave. Yes, I smoked in there cause I couldn't take it anymore. I am bad and not good when nicotine deprived. Ben tells me that it was illegal. I like to live dangerously.

Yeah, I have a thing for old grave yards. I can't explain it. Death is just so ageless and universal, you know? The stone in the background was for a Deckard. I liked the stone in the foreground as it appeared to be hand engraved.

Wildflower!

My Love! In front of Sand Cave, where the esteemed Floyd Collins met his end. He was trying to find a new cave for tourists to hit. His was too far off the beaten path to get much traffic. The bought out the National guard and everything to try and save him.

Our crappy ass Best Western. Whee!

Sand Cave, slightly out of order.

Riding on a lift. We are goons. I must concede Ben does take a better self-portrait. This one was his attempt. We had a little contest.

There you have our trip to Cave City to see the great Mammoth Cave and canoe on the Green River. It was a fun little weekend excursion.

P.S. Saturday is my birthday. You may commence with the birthday greetings!

White-trash-tastic!!!

Happy, slightly early, Fourth of July, everybody. Excpet Cate, well, cause she's the oppressor. And Jess and Jenner as you had your darn holiday Wednesday. But all you American readers rock the eff out! Be careful with your fireworks and don't drink and drive. Myself, I will be mixing this delicious little concoction up I saw on TV. Fresh cherry & blueberry juice, mashed by you personally, fresh squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup and gin. Sooooooo delish. I already tried them out Tuesday.

Yee-haw!!! I am off to Kentucky for the holiday weekend. I guess we don't feel red-necky enough here in Indiana so we need to travel south to the undisputed capital of rednecks. Cave city, home of Mammoth Cave. Ben has a thing for caves. I went once, when I was a wee lass. I don't' remember much except giant stalactites. We are supposed to go canoing too. What is it with this man of mine getting me to do all these outdoorsy types of things?

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Love!

I absolutely love this stuff!!! Hello Flawless, indeed. I have been using bare minerals for a while now, but I decided it was time for an experiment. If you've been cursed with oily skin, you know the hunt for a good foundation can be exhaustive. Just remind yourself you'll be less wrinkled when you get old while you search for that perfect product. I tend to get cakey as the day goes on if I apply to much foundation to even me out. This stuff applies like a dream, whether you use a little or a lot. I like the sponge best; the brush is a bit too sheer for my taste. Yes, she comes with two applicators! Best of all it has SPF 15 in to protect your skin. I am very pleased with my first foray into Benefit land.

Now you never hear me proclaim the virtues of comfortable, practical footwear, but prepare to be amazed. Sanuk sandals are pure awesomeness. Ben got himself some slides on our trip to Gatlinburg, kudos to him for making the forced shopping work, and I got a pair of flip flops. I am always slipping his on to run outside for something or other, so I got myself a pair of slides too. Love them. It's like walking on air. Ben's were looking a bit worse for wear so I got him a fresh pair for father's day. He was most pleased. Those crazy So-Cal surfers sure know how to make a comfy sandal. Drop your retarded looking Crocs and pick up a pair of Sanuks!

Alive!

Yes, I am alive. Gloriously so. My life is good. Real good. I have had nothing to say, really. Nothing to bitch about. I have slowed down a bit on the wedding obsession. Even though we are now less than one year away! Woo hoo! I am so excited for this weekend. This weekend is little sister L's wedding. I can't wait to see all her plans finalized. She has been a great resource to bounce things off of since she's been involved in the same process. I only hope the gosh darned heat and humidity go away and the thunderstorms hold off since she's getting married outside.


I guess I'll be back when I have something interesting to say!

I Wish I Had A Mullet Like That . . .

I have no idea why I am so amused by the arrest of my fellow Hoosier, but I am. I am easily amused by many things. Possession of meth. Bet you couldn't tell from the mug shot, could ya? Oh Henry Lee. You could have been my David Lee. Just for the hell of it, one of his two hits . . .

I do actually quite enjoy the song. Yes. But I'm and 80's freak like that.

Wild Mushrooms

Ah, May apples. Once these puppies start popping up in the forest you know you're in for a treat. Oh yes. What grows right with these. I'll tell ya.

Morels. Mmmmm, morels. Have you ever had the pleasure of feasting on one of these? Oh how I love Morel mushrooms. They are so delicious breaded and fried. Hunting mushrooms was an time honored annual spring tradition for me. Oh yes. There was much hooting and hollering when we came across one of these delicious little morsels. I still go sometimes, but never have much luck. I think I just don't have the patience for it I once had. Dad knows all the good spots anyways, and you never infringe on another mushroom hunters territory. Shroom spots are well guarded secrets among some. He usually finds some every year. I have taken to relying on Bud's Bait and Tackle (mmm-hmm) to supply mine. He gets them from Michigan and sells them by the pound. Alas, Bud's is out of business. No more huge mushrooms without the effort of hunting them. But life is still good. In a typical Mom gesture, she will invite me over for lunch when Dad finds a mess. Yep. I do none of the work and I still get to partake in the yummy goodness. I often wonder if this pisses Dad off; Mom's sharing of his hard found mushrooms. Heh. I guess it doesn't matter; I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.