A Bucket List Item We Didn't Even Know We Had

In June, John and I went on a mini-vacation to Windsor, Vermont where we stayed at the Snapdragon Inn. We had pretty minimal plans for the trip: go into town, sit on the porch at the Inn and read a million books, go out to dinner.

About two weeks before we left though, I saw online that The Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival would run the same weekend we were in town. "Hot air balloons sound fun" I thought, we should probably do that.

On Saturday we accidentally got stuck in a parade while we were in town (apparently it was Homecoming weekend), ate some ice cream and went to the General Store (I know!). Then we got to the Festival and bought tickets for both days because why the heck not. We found a spot on the lawn, got totally excited to see some balloons and two hours later were on our way back to the Inn because it was too windy for them to launch.

We woke up at 5:00 on Sunday morning to get to the site for the 6:30 AM launch, drove all the way there and you guessed it! Turned around to go home because it was still too windy. Later that day we went for a hike at the Quechee Gorge (I use the word "hike" super loosely here), got back in the car and debated for a full 30 minutes about whether or not we should drive back.

"Does it look too windy?" I asked. "I don't know, what do they measure in, knots?" John said. "What does a knot equal anyway?" I asked. In the end, we braved the Balloon Festival traffic, drove over the covered bridge and arrived again in what had become "our" parking spot. We waited for a full 90 minutes and when the launched the tiny black balloon to test the wind, we all looked up and held our breath. "READY FOR LAUNCH" someone yelled and all of a sudden there were pick up trucks speeding across the field and balloons were getting laid out.

John and I both thought that when the rolled the balloons out there would be a lot of rules about how close you could be to the action. But there were NO rules! Ordinarily no rules make me super nervous, but this was so neat!

Here I am with some balloons mid-inflation, look how excited I am!

We were both looking forward to seeing the balloons, but I'm not sure that either of us really realized how incredible the whole thing was going to be. As they inflated and started launching, we just kept staring at each other, beaming and saying over and over again "This is incredible!"

You should know that what's below isn't even a quarter of the balloon pictures I have. But I'm sure there's a super scientific pictures per blog post formula, so here you are...I didn't want to overwhelm you.

Conclusion: John and I love hot air balloons. Like a lot more than we anticipated liking them. I didn't even know that "see hot air balloons" was on my Bucket List until it was over. I kind of love that.

While we love hot air balloons, we are both of the opinion that we don't think we actually want to go in one. Because its literally a tiny basket with a giant flame, and I don't like to be near anything too hot. Stay tuned for further balloon chasing...think I can convince John to take me to New Mexico next Fall to see the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta? I think the answer should be yes because its a Fiesta and John loves Mexican Food!

Hey, Friends!

I'm back?

After a summer of trips, cats, tattoo getting (I know!), Happy Hours and an arthritis flare to end all arthritis flares (I have arthritis, didn't ya know? More on that later), I've returned.

Also since the end of September, I've watched a full three and a half seasons of The Good Wife on Hulu. Its been a very productive use of time and I want my eyebrows to look like Julianna Margulies' but they just won't grow that beautifully...harumph.

We've had three weddings this Fall, and we've got another two coming down the line between now and Christmas! And we're headed out to the West Coast for vacation in two weeks on a trip we've been planning so long, it feels like we're never actually going to go.

And now a new paragraph because I haven't written in months and transitions are hard for me....

I made that scarf in that picture below! Want one? I may have an option for you to get one...stay tuned!

I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things here (with maybe a little re-design?) soon. I've missed you guys (Dilly and Zula have, too!).

The Philadelphia Flower Show 2014

A few weeks ago was one of my FAVORITE events of the year! The Philadelphia Flower Show!  YEEP!

Once again, the snow thought it could mess with us but we once again prevailed, slipping and sliding our way to Philadelphia and then into the Convention Center. Take that winter!

The theme of this year's show was Articulture (like art + horticulture) which I wasn't thrilled with. But I think that's only because last year the theme was England and I just loved it so much. 2014 had a lot to live up to.

After seeing this contraption, I think I'm now afraid of things hanging from ceilings. Seriously how heavy must that be and I don't see nearly enough ropes/wires holding it up. Terrifying.

The Flower Show is much more enjoyable when you aren't planning a wedding, I must say. For the past two years, I've spent the entire show thinking "Pinks? Blues? Succulents? What is this flower I have never seen it before but do I want it to be a central focus in the table centerpieces". Seriously, it was the worst.

But this year I was like "Hey! Look at this giant ball of red flowers! Its so cool and I have no event that I want it to be at!" It was wonderful.

I loved everything about this landscape. Would a chest of drawers filled with plants be super weird to have in my living room? Or just a little weird?

This year, we even watched a full segment in the Designer's Studio. In our defense, we originally sat down to have a soft pretzel (I was starving after our harrowing journey in the snow) and then we got totally roped into this competition among these three floral designers. It was like Top Chef but with flowers and less sweating. I loved it!

Isn't this incredible? I especially liked this one because the person took the time to make nice number signs.

This bonsai tree is as old as I am! Isn't that crazy? CRAZIER is that next to this one, there was a 100 year old bonsai tree. Could you imagine having a relative die and then being responsible for the bonsai tree they raised for 70 years? That is an immense amount of pressure.

Future blog posts about the flower show will include me and my Mom in a photobooth and the return of miniature landscape design. I KNOW! I nearly burst into tears when I saw the miniatures this year I was so happy!

Sidesmas 2013

Sidesmas 2013 was a huge success if I do say so myself (which I will!).

We cooked all day that Saturday and I think it was my most successful use of the oven yet. I made stuffed mushrooms, brussel sprouts, mashed potato pie and cranberry sauce. John made delicious macaroni and cheese (which is always so labor intensive and involves like eight different cheeses) and set up our entire house with all our rented tables and chairs.

We thought that this year we were going to have smaller tables and a buffet situation with the food, but I really do love the whole big table thing, so we stuck with that for another year!

This year I even got hostess gifts! It was a pretty exciting moment. Abbie got us a the best peppermint candle in the history of peppermint candles and Becca and Shannon got us this beautiful picture that Shannon took on our wedding day. Needless to say I burst into tears.

Dave wore this really awesome sweatshirt and Jared put all of our leftovers together as per usual. He seriously has a gift for tupperware and Ziploc bags!

And after dinner per Sidesmas/giving tradition, Brian hosted the Newlywed Game which Becca and I royally lost. Becca and Stephanie won, but we're all pretty sure there was some major cheating happening. Sorry guys, I said it.

How good does Brian look all dressed up for his hosting duties? He really came through, considering he was majorly sick and had nearly no voice. What a guy!

Did I mention it was snowing that night? Like really seriously snowing. We thought for the whole day that people were going to start calling one by one to tell us they weren't coming. But everyone came. Every last person walked up to our front door, came inside and took of their shoes. I think this pile is a pretty good visual representation of my happy place.

Until next year, Sidesgiving!

Oh Hey, 2014!

Guys. Its 2014? How is that possible? Do you remember when it was 2000 and we all thought the world was going to end? And then it didn't and now it is14 years later? How crazy is that?

Let's talk about some things to do in 2014! 

1. As always, it is my foremost goal to wear pants as little as possible. I think we're on year seven of this resolution and its seriously the best! No pants, no problems!

2. Read as much as possible and make a reading corner in our bedroom. In 2013 I read 60 books, but I think I'd like to aim for higher in 2014. Not 100, because in 2012 we found out how truly difficult that is. I think my reading game will be seriously upped if I have a cozy yet upright position to read in. Maybe with a side table and a pretty lamp!

3. Be present, slow down and enjoy the little things. Put my phone away, take a walk, experience what and who is around me.

4. Enjoy our first full year as a married couple. We have a lot of things we hope to do this year, and we're so excited to get to do them as Mr. and Mrs.

Happy New Year from our family to your's! 

Can I Leave Our Christmas Tree Up Until Easter?

Our Christmas Tree is a BEAUTY this year my friends!

First, I would like to say to all you real tree enthusiasts that I am sorry! When we get a real tree, Dilly eats it, it sheds needles all over my home and then you have to throw it out in the street and it literally feels like you are murdering Christmas. And so, this year I got us a fake tree that we will have for years and years and years (I hope? How long do these lights last?).

I like to think that I can leave our tree up until Valentine's day because it kind of gives off a pink light and also I don't want to put it back in its box.

Dilly and Mim especially love to sit on our ottoman and stare up at the lights. I think I might want two trees next year, but is that excessive? Can I put one in my kitchen? I need advice now you guys, because I think Christmas trees are on sale NOW. Advice please and GO!

Two Year Blogoversary!

Today marks two years since I've been writing in this space!

Time is such a crazy thing, isn't it? In October I realized that the anniversary was approaching and it felt like December was never going to get here...and now, here it is!

Writing this blog is one of the greatest lights in my life and its made even brighter when I hear from you! I love seeing people I haven't seen in a while and having them say to me "I read your blog every day!". I love it even more when I get emails or comments from those of you who I have never met!

If you're new to this Ummm Now What, welcome! If you've been here a while, thank you from the bottom of my heart and the ends of my blog typing fingers!

To commemorate this exciting day (hehe), here's some of my favorite posts from this year!

That time John and I swung on giant swings on the Upper East Side
Mim's Adoption Day
When John proved he knows me better than anyone in the world
When Holly and Alyssa moved to a Brooklyn for a week
A post on being grateful 
When I remembered Pop
When I cut of all my hair

See you on the flip side! 
xx,
Kate 

"A Bowl Full Of Pea-ness"-A Recipe for Pea Soup

My Mom has been making pea soup for as long as I can remember. And for as long as I can remember, my sister has refused to eat it. Once when she was in high school, she exclaimed "I don't want to eat that...Its a bowl full of PEA-NESS". My Mom and I nearly died of laughter and I think my Dad nearly passed out. A bowl full of penis. HA!

Today I'm sharing my favorite soup reciepe (really, its my Mom's) in the hope that real winter is actually coming and we will soon need a reason for warm soup!

Here's what you'll need:
-2 carrots (I used 5 because they were little)
-4 stalks of celery (really only 2, but seriously I love celery)
-Bag of peas found next to the lentils in your grocery store
-1 can of tomato sauce
-1 whole yellow onion
-1 clove garlic
-Olive Oil
-Ham of some sort (ham steak, pork butt, bacon...pork)
-An immersion blender
-The cookbook your Mom lovingly put together for you for your Bridal Shower

Here's what you do:
-Chop celery, carrots, onions and clove or garlic. Coat the bottom of your pot with olive oil and throw your veggies in

-While your veggies are cooking, put your peas in a strainer and rinse them off. You should pay particular attention in case there are rocks in your bag of peas (which my Mom says sometimes happens!)

-Throw in your meat of choice into the pot on top of the vegetables

-Cook the vegetables until the onions are transparent. Once they are, put 8 cups of water or chicken/vegetable broth into the pot.
-Put peas in the pot and bring everything to a boil. Once its boiling, cover the pot, lower the heat and let simmer for 60 minutes.

-After 60 minutes, turn off the stove and take your meat out
-Use your brand new immersion blender and blend everything together
-Chop up meat, but back in the soup and stir
-ENJOY!

My iPhone Says "Kate You Take Too Many Pictures"

We took Mim to a fancy-schmancey cat neurologist near the Barclay's Center on Wednesday. We got some news that wasn't particularly encouraging, and now we're waiting on the results of the tests they ran. For now, she's her regular happy Mimsy self, and she's rocking a hot pink ace bandage around her front right leg (like mother like daughter). We would really, really appreciate any good thoughts you would be willing to send our kitty girl's way.

In an attempt not to smother you with my nervous cat mama feelings, here are some pictures from my iPhone recently!

John bought us the ancient Chinese game of Go from Amazon last week. This is the small board and we are loving it! We've got a tally going on our chalkboard (we're currently at two wins a piece) and I think we're finally starting to get the hang of it. He also bought us a 19 inch x 19 inch board...we will need to reserve an entire day just to play one game on that thing!

I love, love, love this beadboard counter and sign in our bagel place!

Jared brought us back that most beautiful Hamsa from his trip to Israel. We finally hung it this weekend and its now the first thing you see when you enter our house. We love it so much!

We had our first at home dinner last weekend since the wedding. We were able to use all of our new stuff, we were so excited. AND dinner was delicious AND John made most of it. I did the dishes...that was significantly less exciting.

There's a new tea place right near my office and it is fantastically wonderful. I highly recommend the hot Taro milk tea (NO bubbles because hot bubbles sound like too much to me). It is delicious and a perfect afternoon pick me up...especially if you're reading your book and accidentally get on the wrong train home. One day, I will pass for a real New Yorker. Last night was not that day.

I love this bag! I see the girl almost every day while we wait for the N train at Atlantic and she is a pretty big grouch...that makes me love the bag even more.

Happy weekend to you!!!

After You Get Married, I Recommend That You...

Cut all of your hair off.

Being engaged for 500 years meant no drastic hair moves. I grew out my bangs about a year after we got engaged (a process that took very much longer than I thought it would) and that was that. 

Until Saturday morning when and I high tailed it to Becca's neighborhood and we both got all of our hairs cut!

After more hours on Pinterest than I'd like to admit to you, I decided to not to go the route of Anne Hathway post Les Miserables. Instead I went a little longer, kind of Kelly Ripa-esque. 

Becca and I both decided that we need to be wearing substantially more make-up than we currently are, so this week I'm going to attempt to wear eyeliner and eye shadow to work every day. And I'm going to try to keep lip gloss and/or stick on my mouth for the entirety of one day. Do we think that's possible? I shall keep you posted! 

Wives of the world who have recently gotten married I say to you: CUT OFF ALL OF YOUR HAIR. It will be the most liberating thing you do (after deleting your Wedding Idea Pinterest board which I also highly recommend). 

Six Years Ago Today & My Bachelorette Party

Six years ago tonight, John and I went on our very first date to a Brazilian restaurant that he picked. He wore a tie and a new sweater and I wore these shoes that I loved that made me slip as we were walking to our table and this adorable grey pull over sweater that I have since lost and a borrowed necklace from Stephenie. I even got flowers. It was the lovliest.

Tonight, John is going to our friend Dave's house in Connecticut because tomorrow morning our home is being taken over by bridesmaids and friends for my Bachelorette Party. Did you know that Bachelorette is not a recognized word? Blogger and Microsoft Word keep asking me if I mean Bachelor!

I have been instructed that when I go to sleep tonight, I will not be allowed in the downstairs of my home again until 11:00AM at which point we will be leaving for some sort of activity to which I should be wearing leggings and a top (so says my sister). This it an email I got from Becca last weekend:

Then yesterday I got a gchat from Becca at work asking what Mim's morning routine is. I told her it didn't matter because I could just deal with it before they got there. She told me she is arriving at 8:00AM (so early!).

I told her I would write her a detailed email. Seriously, this is the email I sent to all of them.

Dear Friends,

Per Becca's request, I am sending this email RE: Mim's Morning Routine as apparently I am not allowed in the downstairs of my home from 8AM until 11AM when I will be "lead to my doom" (says Becca). 

MIM'S MORNING ROUTINE: 

• Mim eats one full heart measuring cup (yes my measuring cups are hearts) of dry food. The measuring cup is in the bag of food, which is located in the cabinet to the left of the sink (bottom). If I remember, I will leave it out the night before.
• Please add approximately 7-10 seconds worth of warm tap water to her bowl. Its going to look like a lot of water...don't worry, that's how she likes it. If she needs to be out of the living room, she can also eat on the rug by the back door, she just can't do slippery surfaces while eating! 
• THE LITTERBOX: 
• She'll start meowing when she has to go, but its usually safe to put her in like 30-45 minutes after she eats...she'll let you know if she needs to go sooner. The litterbox will be totally cleaned with new litter by John tomorrow morning. 
• You basically just lay her in the box, with her head toward the bookshelf. Hold her neck while you put her in, because sometimes her head bobs a lot and then she gets litter in her eye, which is the worst because then you have to flush it out in the sink. If that happens, just bring her upstairs to me and I'll deal with it in the bathroom. 
• And then you just leave her in. Sometimes it takes her a few minutes to get started. You kind of have to watch her while she pees and maybe fling some littler on it while she goes so that it does roll back into her butt fur (seriously, my life).
• If she needs to poop, she'll start digging her arms. Just watch to make sure no poop gets on her (sorry, I know). Again, if she makes a mess, just run her up to me and I will deal with her! 

I think that's it? If there are any problems, I can give you directions verbally (i.e. yelling) from upstairs while still not seeing anything you're all doing. 

The.End. 

Love,

The Bride

I am a crazy cat lady. Dilly won't even want to eat breakfast that morning because she will be in bed with me since John is away...allergies be damned, John (I will change the sheets before you get home)!

Wish me luck!

Tiny Jewlery and It is FRIDAY!

Guys. Let's talk about these tiny rings for a second, OK?

I love them. My sister says I am too old for them. Am I too old for them? A more important question: when I wear them do people think "That girl has chubby fingers and her rings are too small!"? I would be OK with them thinking "She sure is trying too hard," but chubby fingers is too insulting for me to handle. 

Our weekend is looking pretty busy and its starting tomorrow morning with a visit from a potential cat sitter! I realized a few weeks ago that we'll need someone to come look after Dilly and Mim during the wedding (i.e. putting Mim in the litterbox) and that literally all of our friends will be in Pennsylvania with us! We think we've found a cat sitter through Dilly and Mim's foster Mom and she's coming to meet them! I hope she doesn't take one look at our litterbox routine with Mim and think we are nutty! 

Other than that, I've got a Bridal Shower and a visit with my in-laws and a trip to New Jersey with Teress to see Baby Violet! 

Hope you're weekend is wonderful! xxo