Happy Christmas Birthday New Year's Wedding!

The Cusumano house has had one crazy year -- and it's about to get crazier!

B and I will be home in early January for my sister's wedding (Congrats to Katy and Matt!). Such a special time! That week will also be our family's belated Christmas celebration, New Year's Day, my birthday, my other sister's birthday, Katy's bachelorette party, the rehearsal dinner, and *breath* the WEDDING!

I can't believe one of my "little" sisters is getting married! But what a wonderful celebration of their love; I think they are both well-prepared to enter thoughtfully and wisely into marriage, and my prayer is that they will grow together and closer in the Lord in the coming years!

And now, a few fun girly wedding things to share:

Our dresses (similar to this style from Target) - super cute and inexpensive!



My shoes (Got them in silver - great party shoes - and I found them on sale!)



The flowers - pink Gerber daisies and deep red roses:





But of course, the beautiful gown is a secret until the big day!

Thanksgiving dinner decorations

Here are a couple of pics from my Thanksgiving table setting - I was so excited about how it all turned out!

Thanksgiving Dinner ideas?

We are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year -- and really looking forward to having different friends and family together for a community meal! We'll probably end up having between 10-15 people in our little apartment. I'm working on the big bird, homemade rolls, and a caramel apple pie - and everyone is going to sign up to bring different dishes.

I have been looking around for some yummy recipe ideas -- and cute decorations. As much as I hate to admit it, Martha Stewart's Thanksgiving ideas are pretty great.

I want to use golds, creams, browns, and oranges for the decorations. Here's what I'm thinking so far for the table setting ---

I like the look of this simple centerpiece -- and I'd add a cream table cloth and brown satin table runner that I'm making from a piece of scrap fabric I found for $3 at Monroe Sale Works in Arlington.



I'd also like to paint some of the pumpkins and gourds in gold and cream to add some sparkle to the table.




Plus some Paper Source paper placemats



And Martha Stewart name tags



Any other good sites out there? Or creative ideas? Send them my way!

Smile! You're on Camera

So, while we were in New Mexico, Brian and I thought it would be fun to fool around with our "new" camera (I got a Nikon D90 for work) and practice our photography!

Here are a couple of my favorite photos from our photo shoot:

Wandering Around the South End Market

There are few things I like better on lazy Sunday afternoon than to wander around markets - produce markets, flea markets, antique markets, you name it, I usually like it.

Last Sunday, I wandered around the South End Open Market and had a great time!

There was an adorable French antique shop with cheerful linens and beautiful furniture, a warehouse with open art studios to wander through and watch the artists at work, and a fresh fruit and produce stand. Not to mention the rows of crafty, artisan-types selling fun little finds.

A few pics of my meanderings...

White Sands & Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

This part of our trip to New Mexico deserved its own post because the photos were just.that.amazing. Enough of me - take a look!

Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico












White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Where We've Been...and Where We're Going

Ok, a quick review of the summer in photos:

May - Edward and Kim Casey's wedding in Atlanta.



June - I started (and finished!) my public health certificate program at BU.



Yes, I take pictures of our first days at school still (See my post from last September for Brian's photo!)

End of June - Dragonboat Festival on the Charles River with my neighbors, the fabulous mother-and-daughter team, Maruja and Elena





Elena and Maruja





July - My sister, Christy, visited us in Boston for 4th of July weekend.





Fireworks on the Charles River



Exploring Boston's Little Italy, the North End

August - Marshall and Ellen Cool's wedding in New Mexico...





Brian did a great job as the "unofficial" photographer - I think we've found his hidden talent!



...and Ryan and Lisa Lakey's wedding in New Jersey!





Up next: Brian has started his 3rd semester of the pre-med program and is studying organic chemistry and biology this fall, I am doing a bit of back-and-forth to D.C. for work in the next few months, our friends, Melissa and Odoi, are going to get married October 11 (we can't wait!)...and we have tickets to the U2 concert next week! Life is sweet.