Anniversary Part 1...

It's been a year since we hosted the wedding of Rachel and Evans here at FairWinds.
Rachel and I had so much fun planning the event. For 6 months we kept a notebook next to the grooming table, and jotted down ideas, plans, "to do" lists, and more. Our customers were excited about the event and contributed in amazing, creative, heart-warming ways. Family pitched in to paint and set up and cook and clean up afterwards. The entire collaborative effort was an unfolding gift that left us all feeling so grateful, uplifted and loved. All the time, creativity, work and planning culminated in the union of a couple that share a deep and amazing love. It's enough to make a mama's eyes leak a little.

Once the wedding was over and the happy couple packed off on a tropical honeymoon, I had time to reflect a bit. And I thought that as much fun as the wedding was, the actual event was a bit of a blur. I didn't get to talk to all the people I wanted to talk to, didn't get to meet all of the bridal couples friends, didn't get to chat with Evans lovely family as much as I would have liked. I thought, "Next year we should have an anniversary pot luck and invite ALL the guests back and do it again, but more causally."  But I realized people wouldn't want to travel this far for a pot luck and I tucked the idea away. Until a few weeks ago, when Evans brought it up. "Aren't we having a pot luck?"  So we did. They invited a bunch of their friends, and we invited a few of ours, and 20 or so people came by last night, in the damp and chill, and filled the house what chatter and laughter.

Evans brought the enormous bottle of special beer his dad gave them as a wedding gift. They set it in a huge tub of ice and figured out a way to dispense it. I don't like beer, but tried a sip, and it was rather good!

Chris smoked a turkey and I whipped up a pan of macaroni and cheese before working all day. Our last grooming client left at 3:45 and guests began to arrive at 4:00. It was a bit of a whirlwind.

We dressed the poor dogs up to celebrate.

Flirt was overjoyed to have company, and went from lap to lap, soaking up as much love as she could manage.  

The food selection grew as each guest arrived. No one went hungry. 

We ordered a sheet cake from the woman who made the wedding cake last year, because it was not only pretty but absolutely delicious. The sheet cake was every bit as yummy... and those leaves, aren't they lovely? 

I put the camera down and just enjoyed talking to friends, sampling the tasty fare, and sipping a cup of warm, mulled, wine. The day had been damp and dreary, but before sunset the clouds cleared and the world lit up. Inside the wood stove kept things toasty. 

Mostly I was warmed to see people come out to celebrate the first year of a good marriage. What shall we get up to for next year?