You guys are awesome.

I'm pretty sure the decision is made. I'm going to meet with PointeDigital on Tuesday and *hopefully* sign a contract! I'm really happy with the deal they're giving me and I'm excited to move on to other details!

Such as... colors. What do you think of this color combo?

http://www.favorideas.com/ask-the-expert/is-orange-fuschia-too-loud-for-a-wedding/

I really do want pink, but I AM from Tennessee after all... :) Actually, I just think pink and orange look really nice together. And I like the idea of a green accent (but I like dark green instead of lime green... like the green of flower stems). The only thing is... I think fuschia lilies are GORGEOUS but I think the orange/pink rose bouquet is perfect. I guess I could just do the lily bouquet for my bridals? Also, my bridesmaids (yes, that decision got made too!!) are three dark haired, two blonde. What color do you put bridesmaids in when your colors are pink, orange, and green? And does it look stupid to have a radically different bouquet for your bridals?

You guys are awesome. Thanks for all your help and input!

Update... and yes, opinions needed!!!

I am the happiest I have ever been. I'm just happy. So incredibly happy.

Update on the photographers:

PointeDigital (pointedigital.com) has changed their deal. For $2000, they're giving us all day wedding photography, bridals, engagements, 2 discs of all digital negatives with edited images, one 16x20 printed and framed, a 30-page custom sign-in book, and a dvd slide show. That includes travel! They REALLY are giving us a killer deal now... this makes the decision way harder!

Effervescent Media (effervescentmediaworks.com) is giving us the same deal as before, but upgraded to a wedding album instead of a sign-in book (we would still be purchasing the sign-in book for $125). Also, note that she does give out all the images, but they are ALL edited. So to recap, that's $1615 for engagements, bridals, all day wedding photography in unlimited locations, DVD slide show, online gallery, 2 CDs of each session including edited images, wedding album, and a $400 print credit. (That price includes travel.)

Help! I am more torn than ever!

Decisions...

...are being made. They're fun but often difficult. But with each decision made, I feel happier and more settled. I'm ready for ALL the plans to be out of the way so I can just enjoy being engaged and focus on graduation and have a fun summer!! Some of the decisions that have been made:

- We're getting married. (That was probably the hardest one!!!)
- We're doing a pre-wedding party in Kingsport the weekend before the wedding.
- We're getting married August 20th, 2011, in the San Diego temple. Adam's grandpa is going to seal us.
- We're doing a beach reception following the ceremony.
- We're going on a honeymoon to Hawaii!

Decision to be made (input gladly welcomed!!!):

- bridesmaids and groomsmen? To have or not to have?
- colors?!
- luncheon? Yes or no?
- photographer final decision?

That's where I am right now. As I said, input gladly welcomed. And sincere thanks to each and every one of those who have given their input! I promise I have listened and absorbed your thoughts!

Back to cooking.

I've taken a semi-hiatus from cooking. I am making my comeback, and remembering why, exactly, I love cooking so much. For me, there's nothing better than cooking. I can't even explain it. Seeing the raw ingredients turn into something incredible. Seeing the whole be infinitely better than the parts. Feeding my friends, family, and loved ones delicious and healthy meals that are good for the body and soul. Doing my best to eat deliciously on a budget. Finding and using ingredients I've only read about in books. Tasting something for the first time and feeling a little bit of heaven. I have never understood when people don't feel the same way about food.

Anyway, here's a delicious and healthy meal. You really should make it. (And forgive the lack of pictures - I left my camera in TN over Christmas. I'll get it back soon, hopefully!) It is pretty price-conscious (you you can put as much or as little chicken as you want, and the vegetables are usually pretty dang cheap as long as you get the asparagus on sale). You can adjust all amounts as you please, and adding an extra celery stalk here and cup of stock there really adds up and can make a HUGE pot of soup really easily. (Leftovers are delicious.) Don't leave out the poultry seasoning - it makes a big difference here. Also, I leave out the wine and just add extra chicken stock, but to each his own. This is great for cold nights, and it comes together so quickly (especially if you have one person doing the peeling/chopping and one doing the stirring/seasoning). Enjoy!

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. butter, cut into pieces
2 russet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 medium onion, chopped
3 celery hearts, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 dried bay leaf
Salt and pepper
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 c. dry white wine
5 c. chicken stock
1½ lbs. chicken tenders, chopped
1 small bunch pencil asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 c. frozen peas, a couple of handfuls
2 to 3 Tbsp. fresh tarragon, 4 to 5 sprigs, chopped

Heat a large, deep skillet or a medium soup pot over medium high heat. Add olive oil and butter. When butter is melted, add potatoes, onions, celery and carrots. Add bay leaf; season veggies with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning, cook 5 to 6 minutes to soften them a bit. Add flour and cook 1 minute; whisk in wine and cook 1 minute. Add stock and bring to a boil. Slide in chicken and cook 5 minutes. Stir in asparagus and cook 3 minutes more. Turn off heat and add the peas and tarragon. Stir to combine. Let heat and serve!

Note: Serve with bread, if you're so inclined. Adam loved a marbled rye with it, but any good bread will do.

Just kidding. Opinions needed!!!!

Dear Blogging Community,

I need HELP. Picking a photog is so insanely hard! So, here's the breakdown. I'm looking primarily at two photographers. I'm going to give you their prices, what the prices include, and their websites. And I need you to help me decide which is the best for me!

Option #1:
Davey Orgill at PointeDigital.com
For $2,000, he's giving me their Package B + travel. The package includes 4 hours of wedding day coverage (up to 2 locations), engagements, bridals, full copyright release, and a mounted 16x20 to display at the reception.

Option #2:
Rebecca Mabey at effervescentmediaworks.com
For $1,615, she's giving me their Diamond Package + Travel. The package includes unlimited wedding day coverage (unlimited locations), engagements, bridals, DVD slideshow, 2 CDs of each session with edited images, custom sign-in book, copyright release, and a $400 print credit.

I know who's more bang for the buck (by far!!!) - I just don't know which photographer is better for the money. I think Davey is slightly better - but overall, I'm leaning toward Rebecca because she's very good and her deal is just killer!!! (I promised myself I wouldn't spend any more than $2k on a photographer.)

Thank you in advance for your help.

Sarah