Bridal Fair

I have been so busy lately. Saturday was the Bridal Fair and it was awesome. It was very successful and I have been having a blast working on so many weddings. My booth was pretty cool too.

Fountains of Cheesiness

I did a wedding on Saturday that was a little bit different than I have done before so I thought I would share it with you. As you know, in addition to my regular decorating, I also do Chocolate Fountains. I had a client whose dream was to have a cheese fountain at his wedding. He didn't care about anything except the cheese. His fiance was a little skeptical, but after consulting me, she got really excited. I gave her some ideas of the food that could be served with the cheese and she signed a contract right then and there. I was a little nervous, having never put anything other than chocolate in my fountains, but I read online that it could be done (everything online is true, right?) so I went forward with the idea.

While the cheese obviously didn't run as quickly as chocolate does, it was still pretty cool to see. Men literally started drolling when they saw it. People were taking pictures and wishing they had one for their Super Bowl parties. All in all, it was a good experience. It should be interesting to see if this idea catches on.

2009 is Out of the Gate and Running at Full Speed!

I just realized that it has been forever since I have posted anything here so I've decided to tell you that I am exhausted. For some reason I just can't get my act together. Oh well.

Do you ever feel guilty about reading blogs of people you don't know? For example, maybe you click on your friend's blog, and they have a link to someone else's blog and even though you don't know them you read it anyway, cause you are bored? Sometimes I do that. And then I feel bad. However, I am totally addicted to somebody's blog and I don't even know them. It's like their life is the most interesting soap opera and I have to catch all the episodes. I think I must be so lame.

I have a wedding coming up this weekend. I'm not doing very much for it because they are having a carnival reception. Popcorn, cotton-candy, and those little games; my mom would have killed me if I had done that for my wedding. Really all I am doing is providing a nacho cheese fountain. Apparently this is the latest rage, but it sounds a little unappetizing to me, or maybe I don't like it because I know that by the end of the night I will be covered in the stuff. Just so you know, I also think chocolate is disgusting due to the excessive work I have done with my chocolate fountains. The very smell of melty chocolate makes me ill. I'm glad that so many other people like it though, I need the business.

The Bridal Fair is coming up in a few weeks. My booth will look beyond awesome! My colors are a bright pear green and robins egg/light teal. It is totally modern, chic, and adorable for spring! I am using white paper lanterns and creating a chandelier effect with them using colored LED lights. The show is on February 7th, you should all come and say hi :)

Other than all of that, my life is kept busy with job searches (if someone has a job for my husband, please let me know!), podcasts, convention planning, Elders Quorum activities (I am planning a Valentine's Dance!), and oh yeah, my full time job. I should really chill out a little more, but I know that's not going to happen anytime soon. ;)

Christmas 2008

I know it's a little late, but it has been understandably busy around here.

Christmas is the most incredible time of year. Alexander and I realized that this was our fourth Christmas together, which is an overwhelming thought. It was fun to reflect back on the past few years and the joy that we have shared together. In 2005 we spent Christmas in England with Alexander's family and at that time we decided to get married. In 2006 we were both staying with my family, as it was right before our wedding and we had been kicked out of our apartments. 2007 was our first Christmas together in our little home. It was quiet, peaceful, and a lot of fun.

This year, 2008, we spent another quiet Christmas together. Christmas Eve we sang carols and read stories at my Grandmother's house. It was such a special time and it was good for us to spend time with my Grandma, as she has been ill for quite some time now.

I woke up Christmas morning very sick. It made opening the presents a little less fun, but we still had a great time. I spent most of the day in bed but around 5:00 I was able to get up and go to my parent's house for Christmas dinner. So much fun!

Anyway, here our some of our Christmas memories.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas!

So much snow!! I work in the Riverwoods, near the mouth of the canyon. It's a great place to work, except in the winter. It seems that we just get dumped on every single day.

Right now it is only 11:00am. It started snowing at 9:00am. So far we have a half a foot of NEW snow. We actually went out and measured the snow on my car to make sure. To document this event, we decided to take pictures out of our windows.

We are actually kinda worried that we aren't going to be able to get home tonight. Oh well.

Merry Christmas!!!

While the Enemy Assaileth...

I have been having some rough times lately. We have been going through some trials that have really put us through the wringer. Doubt, fear, and anxiety have been plaguing my mind and I have often felt myself faltering with the emotional and physical weight I feel has been placed upon me. It seems that all the powers of darkness have assembled themselves at my door and are simply waiting for me to give up. Unfortunately, instead of rousing my courage and fighting, I have felt my faith failing me and leaving me in a pit of despair.

This morning I began speaking with a friend who is engaged to be married. She was filled with all the usual fears and anxieties that most people have when they are doing something new and risky. As I offered my famous anti-anxiety advise, I realized that perhaps I needed to hear this more than she did. The words that tumbled out of my mouth were exactly what I myself needed to hear. I was relating to her the time when I was also engaged, and the how hardships that I faced assured me that Satan was pulling from all sides to bring us down. I also explained how I reacted to these trials. Recalling these experiences, I was brought face to face with a time when my faith was much stronger. The words I spoke to her were not from the current Anna, but from a younger, more faithful Anna.

The words were a testimony I have always had but had recently forgotten.

"This is where your trust in God really counts though. The way I see it, God knows what the future will bring. I know that if we stick close to Him, He will make sure that we are okay, no matter what happens."

Hearing this, I felt that a prayer had been answered, that I wasn't left alone in the cold of the world, but that perhaps I had just turned my back to the warmth of Our Savior.

At this time when so many are engulfed in the fears and the uncertainties of the world around us, let us remember to keep the faith and know that miracles are still happening daily. Even the small miracle of remembering past assurances was enough to make this day easier to face.

She's Finally Married!!!

I had a crazy busy weekend! My little sister Jen got married on Saturday and it was my privilege to be the wedding decorator. I took Friday off of work and spent the entire day decorating the church. It was nuts, but in the end I think it looked alright. The reception was held at my church-house which is an older design with a very interesting foyer. Jen had her "line" in the foyer and then guests were invited into the cultural hall where the food was served and where tables were set up, so there was a lot of space to decorate.

I have posted a few pictures for those of you who weren't able to attend.

THE CULTURAL HALL:


THE BACKDROP IN THE FOYER:


THE FRONT ENTRANCE, OPPOSITE OF THE BACKDROP:


CUTE TANNER AT THE BOOK TABLE:


THE CAKE TABLE AND MUSICIANS CORNER:


CLOSEUP OF CAKE:


TABLES:


AND FINALLY, MY HANDSOME HUSBAND: