The Second Time Around

So just when we thought that today's wedding festivities were going to get rained out, the sun broke through just in the nick of time. All of the guests arrived and it was just as sunny and clear as it could be. The estate where the wedding was held is in Nellie Gail Ranch, best known in the area for their amazing Christmas Lights and decorations for the holiday season. The backyard garden area was a perfect backdrop for a spring wedding. I just had to snap a photo, even though I felt a bit tourist-like doing it! So, I called myself a mini miracle worker today, and here is why. As usual, I was a rushing MACHINE! In less than three hours time, I managed to get a gift for the couple, have it wrapped beautifully, find the perfect pair of brown sandals to match my dress, get a fabulous pedicure, get dressed, look like a human, and (stop the presses) write Tim's best man speech in the car on the way to the wedding. On the way, he showed me the little two liner that he had prepared and so I got to work! See, that's my handy work on the yellow paper (I had to get a pic).
Everyone said they loved the speech and thought it was "Very heartfelt." They just didn't know it was MY heart. Men are so lucky to have women, honest to goodness!
Here we are - Tim called me "Hamptons" tonight because he thought my outfit was very Hampton-like. I thought it was Jackie-O inspired. Tomato, Tomatoe. Just call me Fancy Nancy.

Here is a picture of Mike and Anne cutting their wedding cake. We wish them all the luck in the world as they begin their life together.

Happy Sunday evening, my friends.

Meaningful Beginnings

Leave it to Martha Stewart to incorporate two of my very favorite things into this gorgeous cake: smooth velvety fondant and my favorite pattern of all, damask. For this and many more artistic cakes, be sure to check out Martha's new book on wedding cakes. They are truly artful and elegant.

Why the wedding theme, you ask? Well, Tim's father is tying the knot on Sunday and it has me in the wedding mood. The truth is, I really do love weddings - all of the pomp and circumstance certainly appeals to the fancy nancy in me. As many of you know, my fairy tale wedding plans were cut short four years ago when my fiancee at the time called off the wedding just ten days prior to the big event. Back then, I didn't think I would ever want to get married again, but I am coming around to the idea. Four years older and wiser, my fairy tale has changed and so have all of the elements of what a "fairy tale" wedding would look like. I love the idea of a simple, sophisticated wedding and celebration.

As for Sunday, it should be a lovely evening. Tim will be the best man and I am trying to help him come up with the perfect speech. I am also trying to find a simple chocolate brown cardigan to wear over the cute cream/brown dress I found. I went on a hunt today and came home empty handed (well, not really, but I didn't find my cardigan.)

Hope you are all enjoying your Friday evening, friends.

Somebody's Going to be ONE!

My little buddy Nick is going to be celebrating the big O-N-E in a few days and wouldn't you know it that I have my cold back just in time to miss his birthday festivities tomorrow. I am going to have to have my sister photo shop me into the pics so that he doesn't ever know I wasn't there for his big day!
Not to worry, buddy - Auntie K has your gift all ready to go!

All decked out!

My nephew Nick, all decked out in his Easter duds. He was one week old last Easter Sunday - hard to believe it has been a year. All I remember about Easter dinner last year was wanting to finish quickly so I could hold him again.

Only 2 more days until the Easter Bunny comes!

Baby Ryan

This charming little Saint Patrick's Baby is our new nephew,

Ryan Michael Foster.

He is a carbon coby of his two older brothers Shane and Zack.

The most amazing thing about him is that he sleeps so soundly that not even

a two year old and an almost five year old can wake him up.

They say third babies are the most tolerant and it looks like

Ryan is proving that to be true.

Welcome to the World, Baby Ryan!

Six on Sunday

1. I want this toothbrush. Don't ask me why, but I love it. I think it is classy. I am Fancy Nancy and I want a tortoise shell toothbrush. If you want to be fancy, you can find a toothbrush of your own on http://www.smallflower.com/. The best part is, you can brush in style for under $6.00

2. Tim made a wonderful breakfast this morning, and we ate outside in our garden. Thank goodness the nice weather held out through the morning for us to enjoy!


3. We had MAJOR thunder and lightning here in Dove Canyon today. My poor little Rio was so scared that she hid under the bed for at least two hours. Tim and I thought we were under attack at first because the noise was so loud! And they say it never rains in California...

4. I am creating a fun herb garden in my backyard and would love any tips you have to share. I am open to even simple tips as I am a gardening rookie.


5. Easter is coming and I am excited. I have the cutest gift idea that I can't wait to share. I think you will love it. I am going to be taking my first stab at making the bunny cakes in the next few days too. I bought all of the stuff for a fabulously simple madagascar vanilla cake. I can hardly wait to bake!

6. In sad news, a friend of mine lost her husband yesterday. He wasn't even thirty years old! He took a nap on the couch and because he had sleep apnea, he stopped breathing. By the time his wife Julie found him and called the paramedics, all of the oxygen flow to his brain had stopped. He was in a coma for 2 days before they decided to take him off of life support. It is a major wake up call for me because Tim suffers from sleep apnea as well. Needless to say, he is going to the doctor immediately!


Julie, you are in my thoughts and prayers and so are your two little ones who lost their dad at such a young age.

Thinking Green...

"May love and laughter light your days,

and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,

wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.

May all life’s passing

seasons bring the best to you and yours!"

-Irish Blessing

Photo in lovely "Fitzgerald Park" in Cork.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from our home to yours.

All of God's Creatures

What would you do if you were in your backyard, watering your plants, and this guy showed up?
Well that happened to me today - the cat was a carbon copy of the cat here, only with a lion's cut. I wasn't able to snap a picture because he got spoofed and ran away. This is the second cat in two days to show up in my backyard. Growing up, my mom always had (and still HAS) a flock of outdoor creatures that she attends to - it varies anywhere from 2-10 different cats, a stray skunk, anywhere from one racoon (who is normally named Rosie or Rocky) to an entire racoon family, and sometimes even a peacock in the mix. My mom is a mother hen to all things in need of a home and it looks like I may be doing the same here in Dove Canyon. The word must have gotten out to the downtrodden cats in the neighborhood that I have an endless supply of fancy feast and a big heart.

Feeling Fancy...

This book is one of my favorite finds in the last few months. It was given to me by a dear friend who knows that I too (just like Nancy in the book) like to make everything a little fancy. One of my favorite pages is where Nancy makes a chart of "plain" versus fancy. For example, yellow is plain - GOLD is FANCY. Glasses are plain - SUNGLASSES are FANCY.
This book is for the tiara wearing princess in all of us.

My Story

1. Hi, my name is: Kristin
2. but you can call me: Kris or KP
3. Never in my life have I: been to Chicago, but I'm going in a few weeks!
4. The one person who can drive me nuts is: Oh lord, I have to just pick one?
5. When I’m nervous: I play with my hair or I stutter (usually not at the same time, though)
6. The last song I listened to was: La Vie en Rose (I seriously love that song)
7. My hair is: dark and I'm growing it out a little
8. When I was 4: I had a little bowl cut and not a care in the world
9. Last Christmas: was my nephew Nick's 1st Christmas & my first Christmas without my parents (dad broke his leg a few weeks before!)
10. I should be: exercising off the dinner I ate tonight!
11. When I look down I see: my blanket with my cat on it
12. The happiest recent moment was: holding Tim and my new Nephew Ryan - babies are so cuddly.
13. By this time next year: I hope I'll be married.
14. My current gripe is: that I work too much and need to make more time for smelling the roses.
15. I have a hard time understanding: people who don't push themselves to be the best they can be. Okay is not okay, you know?
16. If I won an award, the first person I would tell would be: My mom or Tim
17. I want to buy: a table for my nook
18. Where do you plan to visit: Chicago in April and hopefully tag along with Tim when he goes to Hawaii for work in the next few months.
19. If you spent the night at my house: you would probably find my cat making a visit to your room for some attention
20. The world could do without: people who abuse animals. And Miley Cyrus.
21. Most recent thing I’ve bought myself: my bunny cake pan - yay! And a pretty souffle dish from work.
22. Most recent thing someone else bought me: Tim bought me dinner tonight.
23. My middle name is: Marie, just like my mom
24. In the morning I: am grumpy about waking up. AND I always need a Diet Coke to wake up.
25. Last night I was: eating homemade cabbage chicken salad for dinner and hanging out at home in my pjs.
26. A better name for me would be: Total Perfectionist
27. Tomorrow I am: Working in the morning, then having Tim's mom over for wine.
28. Tonight I am: Relaxing - I did a ton of cleaning and laundry today. I am tuckered out.
29. My birthday is: July 3rd - the big 30 is right around the corner!!

Two weeks 'til Easter

The countdown to Easter has begun and I just have two words for you...

BUNNY PAN Seriously, how super cute is this. I can hardly wait to make a batch to decorate and the best part - the pan is non-stick, so the cakes themselves should come out perfectly.

Don't you just want to come over and help me decorate them?

I promise to post some pics so you can all see how they turn out.

Baby Watch...

Well, we have officially been put on baby watch tonight.

Nephew #6 - Baby Ryan is just about ready to join

the family and rumor has it,

Tim's sister Jamie may be heading to the hospital in the next few hours.

When my nephew was born, it was a huge family affair.

We were all in the room, which was a little crowded and chaotic, but I wouldn't have missed a minute of it. I loved being there for my sister and being with my family waiting to meet my nephew. I slept in my backseat for 3 hours, still more sleep than Athena got that night. I feel such a bond with Nick because I was in the room and watched him be born.

I guess it is different for men. Tim volunteered us to watch Jamie's other boys Zack and Shane so that her husband and mom can go to the hospital for the birth.

I guess I just love babies - I think I am more excited than Tim -I can hardly wait to meet him!

Speaking of babies, here is MY baby, my nephew Nick,

looking like he would rather be anywhere

BUT on the lap of the Easter Bunny.
This picture makes me smile, not because I like seeing him miserable, but

it is just such a boo-boo face he is making. A far cry from his normally

smily and flirty self. Can't wait to see you on Friday, buddy.

Hope you are all having a nice Sunday evening, friends.

Nesting...

Spring has sprung here at Dove Canyon Cottage and there are festive touches popping up all over the house. Sharing the house with a "Fitgerald" means a cultural obligation to do a bit of St.Patrick's Day decorating here and there as well. Not that I mind - any occasion to decorate is fine with this girl.

Speaking of making things pretty, you should see my yard (front and back). We hired a landscaper to get everything back to green and healthy, which meant that everything had to be re-seeded and re-tilled. Right now, are surrounded by dirt patches! My neighbors must be thinking we are a complete eyesore, but I know it will be so nice when it is all finished. For now though, I do feel like a Beverly Hillbilly.

We finished the dining room and added a little Easter decor to the table. I just love this basket with eggs.

Dinner parties coming soon!