July 4th update

4th of july update

Another 4th of July has come and gone. We moved to Pepperell a few months ago and got a chance to catch two fireworks shows so far. As usual the family had the cameras all set up and I got some interesting shots playing with the focus.

We held  a little BBQ at our place and we unpacked just in time for everyone to show up. now we need to look at more adult furniture.

We also adopted some society Finches that needed a home there are 5 ladies and one guy looking for a name scheme.

Our koi pond also needs work the water is going down too fast and we are trying to find the leak.

other than that things are going well

Break out the Hamantaschen

Getting ready for Purim and using up all the jams acquired this winter. Simon's Favorite cookie



http://theshiksa.com/2012/03/01/buttery-hamantaschen/

Cookies holidays and house hunting

Cookies from this year's swap the theme was luck I did Ephemeral lucky lady bugs! Made from a light melt in your mouth shortbread recipe an entire bottle of red food coloring and the black is dark chocolate ( hence the award). All assembled before cooking came out very well nothing amazing but a good, delicate tea cookie.

Simon went for the weirdest cookie ( his usual goal) also tried for blatant rule breaker. Senbei a type of Japanese rice crackers. with a lemon infused honey. 

Christmas Took us to 5 states this time Starting in NH Bouncing back and forth to Mass for my mail family gathering for christmas eve. Then to CT for my paternal side Simon noticed we were close to his family gathering so, after dinner gifts and dessert we drove across the boarder to NY for more dinner gifts and dessert ^_^ This was a very unplanned thing surprising everyone. We got home at 3am with enough sleep before driving to RI for my mother's side and my grandfather's 90th birthday. 

New Years   Was easier had friends over to our place with some gaming our traditional fried food fest with the Milwaukee County Zoo rockhopper penguins live cam going in the background. 

House Hunt  We are also looking into buying a house in Pepprell Ma waiting on the seller's banks to agree on our offer it's a short-sale. Fingers crossed.    

REALE ART: Weddings Galore

REALE ART: Weddings Galore: I have been quiet on personal work for a while. This year My family had 5 weddings and I had to wait till they were all over to make this...

4th of july

Had a lovely 4th of July with a traditional visit to Newton for the fireworks. Simon grilled on the front yard and we also brought pulled pork. Waiting for nightfall played Epic spell wars of the battle wizards: duel at Mt. Skullzfyre with Mike. Then because our regular spot was under construction we sat closer to the fireworks so I decided to experiment. Simon counted the amount of times a car alarm went off eating candied apples. 

The photos are trckeling in

We just got the Photo Booth photos and we have a crazy bunch if anyone is interested in photos just let us know. Big thank you for Get Down Tonight Entertainment for maning the booth. 

The day

Well we got married 

It was a whirlwind of a day so much to list it will be too much for my style of short posts. Everyone tells us they had a great time some photos and video are slowly coming in. Thank you to everyone cards are being written. More to come soon.

Nearly there

We are finishing up on all the little things, some big things, and learning new things. We have been contacting all the wayward replies for a final count. Just remember everyone If you feel guilty and cant make I for one reason or another that is fine. This is a busy year for all families we have 5+ weddings between all the families that we know and that is daunting. Luckily Simon has connections We have access to robots that you can call into, see everything, dance with us, and not travel from home. A good internet connection is recommended for use but that is all you really need (wearing a shirt is a good idea pants optional ^_^) Contact RealeStrauss@gmail.com for more info!

Shower News

A big thank you to everyone who came up for the wedding shower on the 11th. Simon and I have already started using your gifts to make tasty foods decorate and have fun.

 

Extra thanks to Carol, Liz, Jan, Rebecca, Tom, and Cathy for putting it all together we had a great time.

 

 

 

Hotel deadline

We are getting word that the crown plaza is filling up quickly. There is a soccer tournament the weekend of the 24th our block of rooms are on hold until this Friday. Please book ASAP.

I like this analogy

The Wedding Shower Could not Fall on a Better Day

International TableTop Day was founded three years ago as a way for the world to celebrate tabletop gaming together. Every spring, fans host thousands of events all over the world  and every year, the event grows. TableTop Day 2014 was celebrated in 80 countries, over all 7 continents, and had over 3,000 events in total. 2015 is going to be even bigger!

Find an event near your or create one below and check out the gallery and download page for exclusive downloadable content.  Join in the conversation using #tabletopday on all the socials, we want to hear from you!  

Quotes for fun

Today the morning suit, like white tie, is an endangered ensemble, and tuxedos are often worn incorrectly at daytime weddings. Most of these marriages end in divorce.

GQ Magazine

We have a ring

Three Thanksgivings, cookies, and orchids.

After pre-Thankgiving in NY we had true thanksgiving with my family in Newton Simon carved the turkey. We then had thankskilling with a former coworker of mine a potluck followed by Cards against humanity till late. Then we both participated in a cookie swap with the same crew a few days later the theme was favourite tv show. Simon made a Red Dwarf curry shortbread glazed with cinnamon hots, chocolate chips, or sugar. Winning most unique cookie. I made a Pirats of Dark Water dark chocolate chocolate chip cookie with sea salt winning chewiest cookie. Finally we had Friendsgiving near Burlington with college friends playing you don't know jack. 

The last event this month was the NH Orchid Society holiday meeting. Another potlock with a orchid auction and we went a little crazy.

In other news Dad is recovering quickly back to work and driving. The house is decorated with lights outside with Tj and Mandi's help 

Update

We just saw the Simon's New York family up in the Hudson River valley area for Pre Thanksgiving. Had lots of fun and so much food. Hopefully by now everyone received the save the date cards if not let us know and we will forward it to you. I added more information on the hotel and reservations page.

As for other news We visited the International pickle festival in Rosendale NY to sate Simon's addiction Becca joined us and we caught up with Ziggy a family friend who runs Fox Point pickles from RI We also crossed off a registry item thanks to Carol Strauss and Warren Cutlery  shopped a few markets for more food I have no clue why.

Tom (daddy) is recovering from knee surgery and is ahead of schedule cooking dinners and waiting to for the ok to go back to work.

 

 

Surprise

The Card

“The first words that are read by seekers of enlightenment in the
secret, gong-banging, yeti-haunted valleys near the hub of the world, are when they look into The Life of Wen the Eternally Surprised.The first question they ask is: 'Why was he eternally surprised?'And they are told: 'Wen considered the nature of time and understood that the universe is, instant by instant, recreated anew. Therefore, he understood, there is in truth no past, only a memory of the past. Blink your eyes, and the world you see next did not exist when you closed them. Therefore, he said, the only appropriate state of the mind is surprise. The only appropriate state of the heart is joy. The sky you
see now, you have never seen before. The perfect moment is now. Be glad of it.


―
Terry Pratchett,

Thief of Time

Save the date