All Hail

Hypnotoad has erased my memory of buying any yarn at Stitches West, so clearly I needed this skein of "All Glory to the Hypnotoad" from White Birch Fiber Arts. 

After purchasing the yarn, I texted Connor, "The hypnotoad yarn was available. I bought it because hypnotoad commanded it." To which Connor replied, "But of course. All hail."

The Wedding

I know that I had said earlier that I had finished my shawl in time for the wedding. Here's the proof!

First I have to thank everyone who came and celebrated with us for making the wedding really fun. Just about every photo has someone laughing in it. We were lucky to have a wonderful photographer, Gabriel Harber, join us to capture all the laughter. (All photos in this post are by him.) Thanks again to Lorraine Helf, who put together all the flowers and table decorations. Thank-you Christopher (my brother) who played the guitar for the ceremony. Thanks, Mum, for keeping us all going and for bringing along Aragorn. And a big thanks to my Dad, who kept everyone functional and funded. (There were many, many other contributors. I appreciate everyone for helping.)

There were vague Lord of the Ring references throughout the wedding. It started as a joke after I used the Hobbit Door picture for our wedding invitations. But everyone ended up contributing. For example, our cake had a hobbit door on it. I had nothing to do with the cake.... 

Also, all the tables got named after places in the Lord of the Rings. (The parents were put at "Grey Havens." Haha. The wedding party was at "Rivendell" since that is where the Fellowship was forged. The cake could be found on "The Shire" table.)

I still kind of can't believe that such a lovely wedding was planned and executed in two months.

But I know it happened. We have a jumping photo to prove it!

On a slight aside, it was really hard finding green ties. I told Connor that the next time we get married, we'll do blue ties instead.

One Blade Of Grass

Since March 1st, this is the culmination of all the knitting I've done. I had hoped to wear this pair of socks by March 17th for Saint Patrick's Day. Today is March 18th and that is the first sock.

Turns out getting married and moving into a new place really cuts into one's knitting time. Ah well. I got the yarn from someone's destash on ravelry. It is Canon Hand Dyes on the Arthur BFL base in the colorway, "An Irishman is never drunk as long as he can hold onto one blade of grass and not fall off the face of the earth."

Honeymooning

I know you are all wondering, "Did she finish the shawl?" I'll put you out of your misery. I did. But I won't have pictures to share for a bit longer. Just know that it looked great.

So Connor had kept the honeymoon a secret. He asked my boss for a mystery number of days off and took me to a mystery location. He did well. We spent three days in Carmel and Big Sur. 

On one of our stops we walked down a path to the ocean. I leaned against the fence and took in the view. Then I looked down.

And saw that there was poison oak everywhere! I somehow managed to miss it all. Even the sprig that was right between my knees.

Connor had never been to Big Sur, so I volunteered to do the driving so he could enjoy the view. We stopped by classic Big Sur locations such as Bixby Bridge.

We popped by McWay falls as well. Some kids hopped off of the path to see if they could find a way down. (terribly illegal) I don't think any of them knew what poison oak looked like. They might now.

It was a lovely three days and it was pretty tough going back to reality (work, responsibilities, etc.) But Connor and I have been hard at work making the apartment comfortable and improving our cooking. Now if only I could fit a little more knitting into my life!

To My Husband

Dearest Connor, today we are getting married. I am sneaky and setting this to post right about when we say "I do", so you will probably see this when we get back. I was reflecting on how last February when my birthday rolled around, I thought to myself how I had no idea what the next year would hold. I was right. I didn't see this one coming.

I am simultaneously excited and terrified of what lies ahead, but I know you are the one for me.
Reasons I'm marrying you:
1. You asked.
2. You are not only willing, but enthusiastic about riding the Giant Dipper over and over and over.
3. We make a terrific team.


I consider this a bonus, but you are fantastically photogenic, which is quite convenient since I often need a knitwear model.

You are the luckiest man alive. (And not because you are marrying me.) I don't know anyone else who could go on a business trip only to get stuck in New York, then end up in a swanky hotel because everything else was booked up and be able to see all the sights because they are in walking distance. I'm hoping your luck rubs off on me. Although I think it already has. Who else goes to a different country only to be proposed to and brought back home?

Central Park Selfie

I'm looking forward to all the adventures we have ahead of us. Thank-you for brightening up my life.