Notre Dame Chapel

My step mother is a Notre Dame alum, and the school is less then a mile from the evergreen house so it seemed like a match made in heaven. It was a chapel without feeling stuffy and it was lovely. Best of all, the woman in charge, Bogda was amazing.

I thought we had it all figured out and then ... to be continued.

Belvedere

So we went to the Belvedere and got a tour. We both liked the idea and thought the venue could go well with a vintage speakeasy feel. Honestly I thought it was a tad much for me.

The room we both loved only fit 100 and the menu seemed sort of limited AND worst of all NO Jack. Although I think I might put it in the top 3, I do not really seeing it being a contender. However, we really liked the location, the history and the ease of having everything in one place and near hotels.

Again I took pictures on my phone because I forgot a camera. I am trying to learn how to edit my blog more. However with the feminist conference items eating up most of my time it has been a slow process. We are off to see Notre Dame and the Evergreen House again this weekend for a tasting.

PA Brewery Adventure

Some friends took us on a scenic tour over the hills and through the snow to yummy beer goodness. Thanks friends! I was a lucky girl and got a hold of some more chocolate beer. There is Kerplunk Chocolate Stout in my fridge right now. It is smooth and sits rather light for a chocolate beer, delicious.

Looking forward to more Spring House Brews in the future, just wish it was not so far away.

We then took a little trip into downtown Lancaster to the Lancaster Brewery and got ourselves a fine sampler. They offered 'chocolate covered strawberry beer', probably an ode to Valentines Day. http://www.lancasterbrewing.com/
Big fan of samplers.

She's a Betty

I am not one for it, but enjoyed this.

Another curious bit:

The Saudi religious police launched Thursday a nationwide crackdown on
stores selling items that are red or in any other way allude to the banned celebrations of Valentine's Day, a Saudi official said.
Members of the feared religious police were inspecting shops for red roses, heart-shaped products or gifts wrapped in red, and ordering storeowners to get rid of them, the official said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

SNOWmanji

(K.A.Parker)

Discovered Settlers of Catan (much more enjoyable then Risk), welcomed a new baby into the extended Wrenn Clan, found out multiple feet of snow does not create favorable sledding conditions, ate lovely grilled cheese, worked on some financials, did not eat out of a box, caught up on law school stuff, thought through wedding/house stuff and actually had a vacation where I was forced to chill out.

However it also gave me the time to get excited about new craft projects. I want to make this:
(designsponge)
So now I am on the hunt for the perfect old painting with equally cool old frame.

my head all full of stuffin'

I am still thinking of cotton, in particular this:
(Terrain)
In general, these:
(postcardsandpretties)
Still no real progress, I still imagine there is this magical no faults venue out there that I am going to stumble upon on the internet.

I could wile away the hours
Conferrin' with the flowers
Consultin' with the rain
And my head I'd be scratchin'
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'

Early Venue Hunt

Evergreen Carriage House - No dance floor with 150, would have to breakdown tables OR do something creative with the stalls. I would love to use the Baskt Theater for the ceremony but it only fits 80 people ... Phantom said we could always live stream it. :picard:

Scottish Mason Center - HUGE it would swallow us, but the side rooms were really cool and were a time warp back to the 50s. If we could afford to invite all of everyone and get a cool band then and only then would this work.

Rawlings conservatory- This would not be a seated reception UNLESS we got a tent which would be added cha-ching. It is a very fun space and if we didn't have seniors and babies to worry about probably would be higher up. We had orginally hoped they would have a space we could use for the ceremony and then conclude at the zoo.

Zoo Mansion Porch - Saving probably the best for last. Penguins at the cocktail. Giant Flemish Rabbit! So there isn't really a dance floor and it is in the shape of an L and sort of tight BUT Penguin!

(please disregard the orange & pink, it was set up for a batmitzvah)

I lean zoo, Bumble leans Evergreen.