Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you.

Richard B Sheridan

And, just because it is the cutest house in St. Louis (okay, I am biased), here are some more pictures from my last trip up there:

I have rose bushes! Two actually. Maybe I'll become one of those rose-growing people and have matching garden clogs and rose clippers (a la Annette Beaning in American Beauty).

Cute entrance to the house from the street. I love that we get our mail right on the front step instead of in a mailbox by the street.

More of the front entrance - so excited to call this our first home

Ice cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal.

Voltaire

This past weekend while in St. Louis, Nick and I had a few "let's go there" places on our to do list in between buying window shades and getting Dish Network installed.


One of them, I have heard of forever (I watch a lot of Food Network specials!) so I was excited to visit. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is a local icon of Route 66 eateries. The location we visited in South County has been there since 1941.


We went about 9 p.m. so I thought we'd be sitting alone in a nearly empty shop but much to my surprise there were police on the street directing traffic! There were so many cars parked all over and hundreds of people waiting in line and standing around enjoying their treats. It was a mob scene but delicious! Nick had his with chocolate syrup and I chose their special Hawaiian Delight (pineapple, banana, coconut and macadamia nuts).


Of course, I am technically still a tourist so I had to get my picture taken!



And I've added it to our "if you come visit us in St. Louis we'll take you here" list!

Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.

Ruth Ann Schabacker

Our first wedding gift arrived on Nick's front step in St. Louis last week.

Gleaming in all it's white and black Crate & Barrell glory I made Nick wait until I got there on my most recent trip to open it. I knew that it was from my dear friend Ashley and her fiance. She has a crazy busy work schedule over the next few months and called to tell me she bought it now and to expect its delivery.

The funny thing is that her gift was one of the only things that Nick insisted on adding to the registry. I am the coffee drinker (it makes him too jittery) so I registered for a fancy schmancy Cuisine Art coffee maker with all the bells and whistles.

But he insisted that a French press was the only way to drink coffee (granted, coffee that he doesn't drink!). When it arrived he then proceeded to make it known that HIS gift was the first to be sent! Of course, I added the huge coffee cups (ala Friends).

Yippee - it's official, now we have to get married or return all the stuff!

I kid, I kid.

Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if

God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.

Voltaire

Does anyone else get on a specific food kick once and a while? I get into these obsessions with a certain type of food that will last a few weeks before I find something new. It isn't that I eat a lot of whatever it is but rather it is just all I crave.

I've done navel oranges, Multi Grain Tostitos with black bean salsa, this awesome chicken salad from my local organic grocer, edamame, Morningstar Spicy Black Bean Burgers... I love food, especially when I find something that I just can't do without!

Now my new thing is Stacy's Pita Chips (thanks to Casey who actually has the Cinnamon Sugar ones in her bag!). The "Simply Naked" flavor are crisp with a sprinkling of sea salt. Drag them through roasted garlic humus and I'm a happy girl.

The last two nights I have had pita chips and humus for dinner. I can't resist!

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.
G.B. Stern

Sunday gratitude:

• Bella's never ending love for catnip.
• Sleeping with my head on Nick's shoulder again.
• Fresh heirloom tomatoes from the Kirkwood farmer's market.
• Direct airline flights with no connections in the bottomless pit of Atlanta's airport.
• Dewey's pizza.

It's finally Friday, I'm outta control
Forget the workin' blues, and let the good times roll.
George Jones

Courtesy of Friday Fill-Ins:

1. You know you're old when the bagger at the grocery store calls you ma'm.

2. My heart is divided between Florida and St. Louis.

3. A sour cream doughnut to dunk in my coffee is what I need RIGHT NOW!

4. I have felt the comforting warmth of love, I have known the depths of trust.

5. Gah, won't these people stop asking stupid questions.

6. Register to vote as soon as you can!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to flying to St. Louis to see my Nick, tomorrow my plans include waiting for the cable guy to come at the new house and Sunday, I want to walk to breakfast in our new neighborhood's downtown!

There's nothing to match curling up with a good book when there's a repair job to be done around the house.

Joe Ryan

Nick has now moved into our darling little house in St. Louis. Granted he has no furniture and the gas hasn't been turned on yet (which means no hot water!) but it is all going well. Poor guy has to take showers at the club before work. There isn't much fixing up to do exepect we need shades on all the french doors in the back and the windows in the kitchen. He says it is like living in a fish bowl!

But it has been great that he has handled everything with the house so far - I plan a wedding, he plans the house!

I'm headed up there tomorrow evening for my third long weekend trip and the best part is it will be my first time in our place! I can't wait to get in there and get some measurements to start shopping and "nesting" as Nick jokes.

Can't wait to see my Nick (and our house!) tomorrow!

A dog is a dog, a bird is a bird, and a cat is a person.

Mugsy Peabody

Anyone who has a cat, certainly can relate to how quirky (and well, downright weird) they can be at times.


My Bella is no exception of course.


The last thing I do in the morning before work is my hair. Now, she is not a fan of the hair dryer (sounds too much like a vacuum, I suppose) but she is so ever helpful when I use my curling iron.


Under my arm, wrapping her tail around the cord, laying lengthwise across the counter. Now I know why I find little singed areas on her fur.

At least she understands the importance of good grooming.

You get whatever accomplishment you are willing to declare.

Georgia O'Keeffe

I spent the weekend with my mom and checked two big wedding "to dos" off of the list:

Florist
Met with the florist, who was great. I had the look I wanted but don't have my heart set on any specific flower. He was able to really break down what was important and base it around what is in season in November. Just an overall great meeting!

I should be getting a proposal this week. Considering we are only using a florist for bouquets, boutennaires and corsages (no centerpieces, church decorations, etc.) I have to hope that it doesn't break the bank. I'd really like to work with them as a vendor.

Rehearsal Dinner
This has been the bane of my existance since all the wedding planning started. I am not an indecisive person... I know what I want, so when I see it, I go for it.

The problem was that we couldn't find a location that could hold a large group (nearly 80 people at this point because we are including all out of state guests as requested by Nick's parents) and wouldn't be more expensive per person than the wedding. Nick's mother has been so great with the planning and literally said, "Just pick whatever you want."

We looked everywhere and finally stumbled across the private room at Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse. Great food, great prices, great atmosphere and perfect! It compliments the wedding without having the situation of two receptions back to back. Yes!

Such a great feeling to cross those off of my list!

99 red balloons

Floating in the summer sky

Nena

People, people.

Big news.

We're in single digits now.

99 days until we get married.

Ninety-nine...

It is more fun to say it n i i i i i n e like in Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Ed Rooney: "So far this semester he has been absent nine times."

Ferris' mother: "Nine times?"

Ed Rooney: "Nine times."

N i i i i i n e t y - n i i i i n e.

Woot!