Only you...

Remember this guy?

Smokey the Bear with his famous tagline, "only you can prevent forest fires"

Well, we all love smokey.

But I guess the kind, cuddly bear wasn't enough to convince people that in fact, only they could precent forest fires. So they brought in the more intimidating, Mr. T.

Mr. T...ehhhh, not so much.

He's frightening. 

I think we need a new forest fire prevention mascot. One who can merge the cute and cuddly aspect offered by Smoky with the intimidation factor brought by Mr. T.

And I vote my kitty, Herschel.

HAHA! Sorry, I just had to.

I think of that line every time I see this picture.

I simply could not resist.

Old man, Herschel. You are too cute.

Snippets From My Weekend

An old fashioned coke from the Mr. and some pretty flowers for the windowsill. 

 Some fence building. My husband and his friend Dave are awesome for giving up their weekend to knock this thing out! Love them both!

Huck found some corn on the cob. He thought it was rare treasure. And then he ate it.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend as well!

New Additions.

I have something exciting to share with you. Are you folks ready to freak out with me? 

Prepare yourselves for high pitched, head splitting screams...

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

Booya!
A KitchenAid mixer now resides on my countertop!!

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

see it? see it? see it?

do ya? do ya? do ya?

Okay, I'm being obnoxious.

Oh, hey buddy.

But, seriously!
I cannot wait to get cooking with this thing.
I've heard a KitchenAid makes you instantly domestic.
{Pretty sure that's why the hubs got it for me}

Moving on...

Steven and I now also own living room furniture.
Yep.

So now we can say to our company the simple phrase,
"Would you like to take a seat?"
And that, folks, makes today a very exciting day.

Hope you had a great weekend!
Any new, exciting addition to your life??

Life Lately.

In the midst of crazy wedding planning and preparations life still goes on. And when I do remember to push the stress aside and enjoy myself I realize that, indeed, my life is quite enjoyable! And even though Steven and I are on a tight budget {weddings tend to do that to people} we still manage to have the best times together. It's true what they say, you know. The best things in life are free.

Like our precious, Huckleberry. {Okay, maybe he wasn't free. But you get the idea.} I love to take pictures of him sleeping like this one.

(I don't know how that is even comfortable...)

And cooking together. Steven is an excellent cook :) I know, be jealous, ladies.

(Green onion for some chicken enchiladas. Yum!)

And my quickly growing strawberries in the garden.

(Can't wait till these little guys are plump and red!)

And watching my man do work! Last night he began building a desk for our office.

I think it's good to take time to put the wedding planning aside and enjoy moments like these in life.
After all, the wedding is only one day.

Oooh Goodies!

This weekend was beyond exciting! Obviously, because it was a long weekend, but mostly because Steven and I received presents in the mail! Really, is there anything better than getting packages delivered to your front door? I can't think of anything at the moment...

The first package was a HUGE box from Bed, Bath & Beyond. You know what that means...REGISTRY PRESENTS!!! Our first one! I was so excited I ripped the packaging open even though Steven wasn't at the house. {Seems like you should open registry presents together. Oops.} Inside was every stinkin' picture frame I registered for! I was hoping to get 3 or 4 picture frames, but nope, I got 12! :) 

The second package was a small, light weight one and I knew instantly it was my ring bearer pillow from Ashley at Rustic Living. I opened it up and was beyond thrilled with the beautiful rustic, chic pillow I saw! I knew out of the many templates she let me choose from, this one was exactly what I was hoping for!

She wrapped the pillow in delicate, white tissue paper and tied it together with twine. I couldn't help but smile when I read the sweet note she wrote me and then laugh aloud when I read the letter to Huckleberry from her Golden Retriever Whiskey! So adorable!

Just another detail to cross off my to do list for the wedding day! Time is speeding steadily ahead and these gifts in the mail are a sweet reminder that the countdown has begun!

Happy Wednesday!

On My Wedding and Such

Many of you have asked for a wedding update and a wedding update you shall receive! If you've followed my blog since my engagement this past December, you know that the whole wedding planning process has not been all rainbows and butterflies for me. It is hard planning a wedding without your mom and bridesmaids nearby. I honestly think that is the root of all my emotions/hyperventilation/anxiety/anger/unproductively revolving around the wedding planning. I need my mommy. And my girlfriends. Simple as that.   

AND, I'd like to add that you girls who genuinely enjoyed planning your wedding are probably borderline  nuts...just saying...

So yeah, wedding planning...I really don't know how the let's move up our wedding by four months conversation began. I'm pretty sure I was simply musing a loud to my mother on the phone one evening about how it would be nice, since Steven and I already purchased a home, to be married soon after I moved in. That way, I wouldn't have to live alone in our home for 6 months {because really, where's the fun in that!}. And she said something to the effect of WHY NOT? Why not just move the wedding up, why not get married in the summer when people have vacation time rather than the fall, why not get married on the east coast so everyone that I love can afford to attend, why not live in the home I purchased with my fiancé 4 months sooner, why not do something spontaneous for once.

Those two words, why not, threw my mind into a frenzy. Really, what is the point of all the stress, financial strain, and waiting when we simply could get married sooner? This summer. Be man and wife. Why not...

So, naturally, I panicked. I wanted so bad to just through all my planning away and start from scratch. I knew the perfect location on the east coast and quickly called my uncle. Hey uncle jay, you know how much I love you, and you love me, I'm your favorite niece remember. And really it would mean so much to me if you could, if there is anyway, I'd really love it if, but I understand if not, but would you please allow me, canIgetmarriedatyourlakehousethissummer?!?!?!

Of course, Uncle Jay said yes. I can get married at his house, which nestles right on Lake Ontario in upstate New York, this summer. July 7th. I will be Mrs. Danielle Turner.

And so now, a new wedding is under works, and I am much, much happier. The planning is no longer something I dread {don't get me wrong, as a perfectionist it is still unsavory at times, but no longer a nightmare}. And everything has fallen into place so perfectly I just know it is meant to be.

For example, one of my bridesmaids was not going to be able to make the trip out to Seattle due to financial reasons {coast to coast travel is not cheap, my friends}. Now, not only can she attend my wedding, but she is going to be my wedding photographer! Whether she is by my side or behind the camera's lens, I really don't care. I am just thrilled to have her there. And many more close family and friends who couldn't make it to Seattle are now able to attend! My heart is soaring with happiness at this! What is the point of a wedding if you aren't surrounded by those you love?? It is better to save some dough and simply elope. 

Also, concerning the deposits I had already paid for the venue and photographer in Seattle. Got them all back. Yep. Every stinkin' penny. How sweet are they! Under the signed contracts, no one was obligated to return any of my money, and yet, everyone did. So Steven and I are not out one penny. Instead I've gained a peace of mind and a happy, happy heart and he's gained a happy fiancé, which, let's face it, makes his life A MUCH better one.

More updates to come! Happy Monday!

Happiness is...

 and knowing that it is mine to hold forever.

 Proving to a close friend, that my evil cat is indeed still kicking {she has to be at least 15 years old}

And I'm pretty sure we've been saying she's 15 for the past 5 years.

 Playing board games with my love. Even though I usually lose.

{As long as I can remember, I have to be the dog when playing Monopoly.}

My precious pup and his cute, expressive faces.

What does HAPPINESS look like in your life?