believe it or not.

I just clicked the button on the top right of the blog that says "New Post." I almost forgot where it was located. Sorry.

Here's the root of the reason why I hadn't written: (trust me, you're going to think it's ridiculous.)

I promised you all an explanation of how we got engaged. The more I thought about it, the more I got nervous. It's weird. I feel like the way we got engaged was so personal. As excited as I was about everything that was happening, it freaked me out a bit to talk about the details in front of people. We've never been one of those publicly affectionate couples. (Trust me we're very much in love, no need to worry.) So, I kept putting off my follow up post. I remember telling someone "doesn't anyone else think it's awkward to tell people how your boyfriend said he loves you and wants to spend the rest of his life with you?" Other people don't get it. Sorry, I'm not usually quiet (much to my detriment) but this is one thing I feel weird about posting for the world to see.

Here's what you need to know:

1. We got engaged on November 25. At midnight.

2. It was the feast day of my patron Saint, Saint Catherine.

3. It was also the day before my favorite secular holiday, Thanksgiving. It provided the perfect ring showing opportunity.

4. It was the perfect proposal, and caught me completely off guard! (I had a hunch it was coming soon... but assumed he would do it on Thanksgiving.)

5. If you wish to know any further details, I'd love to share them with you. In person.

For St. Catherine's feast there was a liturgy the following morning. Our parish sang "Many Years" to us. So sweet, I can't think of a better group of people to share in the excitement!

Now for the OTHER details: (I don't know if I have male readers, but this is a fine time for you to tune out.)

1. We're getting married on Sunday May 2, 2010. (Yes, I am aware that this is less than 4 months away.)

2. The wedding colors: olive green and pale pink. Anyone who knows me knows I ADORE pink and green.

3. My mom and aunt are making my dress. How cool is that?

4. We're not having a wedding cake. Instead, we're having red velvet cupcakes (for me) and bourbon pecan pie (for Brandon.) We aren't really white cake people.

5. Yes, I am wearing my ring on my right hand. It's a very old Christian tradition. I'll have to write more about it someday. No, I won't move it to my left hand after the wedding.

6. Topics such as the above mentioned have consumed my thoughts ever since November 25.

The holidays were a busy busy blur. I don't have very many pictures because my camera is currently messing up on a pretty regular basis.

It was definitely fun to be engaged through the holidays!

Thanksgiving was fun. I can't believe how much I ate.

Then, Christmas: After being awake until 3 am after the Liturgy. I finally got a few hours rest. Just in time for the day FULL of family celebrations.

I got some really cool Christmas presents. My mom handmade so many really cool things. (I'll have to show you the luggage tags she made for me.) And my parents also gave me a Williams-Sonoma gift card. Can we say heaven? Brandon's parents gave me (a very long coveted) Le Cruset dutch oven! Is it weird that it made me cry when I opened it? Brandon gave me several gifts including a stocking from my friend (and goddaughter Lillian's mom) Beauvais' Etsy. I also ordered him one as soon as I found out. Now we have a sweet matching set of stockings. (My stocking has sequins, and Brandon's does not. He's not much for sparkly things.)

You can see her Etsy shop here, it's called BaeBae & LuLu short for Beauvais and her sister's name Llewellyn. They have so much fun stuff. I love a good appliqué, so their products are right up my alley!

Brandon gave me some really delicious coffee from the "All Merciful Savior" Monastery. It was delicious. He also gave me the "Glee" soundtrack. Don't hate. I love that show.

For my big present he gave me something that couldn't be wrapped. He gave me three photo clues to figure it out.

1. The Swedish Chef (from the Muppets.)

2. Kelly Rippa and

3. Prince Charles...

Needless to say I was baffled for a few seconds but then got it:

1. Chef (represented by the Swedish Chef)

2. Kelly (represented by Ms. Rippa)

3. English (represented by Prince Charles, get it, he's English)

Chef Kelly English is the executive chef at Restaurant Iris. Yep, we're big enough food geeks that I understood those clues... and subsequently squealed! (Chef English is kind of a big deal, swoon.) I can't wait to redeem my present.

The day after Christmas was fun. We went out to Grand Junction to St. Paul Skete to celebrate a Liturgy for the Synaxis of the Theotokos. A handful of friends were there and we sang Christmas carols together afterward. I love spending time with Mother Nektaria, and always enjoy going to visit the Skete.

The twelve days of Christmas were a blur of fun celebrations and feasting!

For New Year's we had some friends over. I made the cupcakes below: (note the apron, it was from the cupcake themed present from Brandon's sister, Ashley, a cupcake cookbook, the apron, a cupcake scented candle, and a cupcake pan with reusable silicone cups. It was such a cool gift!)

They were chocolate with hand molded (by me) gum paste champagne bottles on top. I was really unhappy with the cupcakes, I used an organic mix. It was dry and not too tasty. Gimme a break, I spent too long molding the decorations! I should have either 1. (ideally) made them myself, or, 2. just used the Betty Crocker mix. Oh well, they were cute.

Are we all caught up? Merry Christmas (Christ is Born! Glorify Him!) Happy New Year! And blessed feast of the Theophany of Jesus!

Shew, I'm glad I got all of this posted before Valentine's day. I'm a failure as a blogger. Sorry I dropped off the face of the earth.

Love you, and miss you! I probably won't wait this long again. I have lots of wedding details to talk to you about, if you like that sort of thing.

xoxoxo