2 days

I cannot put into words what I am feeling right now.  I have such a mixture of emotions.  I am sitting down at my table in my house right now, and in an hour I am leaving for my parents house to prepare for the wedding this weekend.  The next time that I sit down at this table I will be married.  I will be someone's wife.  I feel so completely happy, but at the same time anxious, excited and very very nervous.
This is a moment that I have dreamed about and imagined since I was a little girl.  And now it is happening.  Two days...

Wedding music download day!

The weekend before we become Mr. & Mrs. Welk!

Yesterday was highly productive!  Nick and I went back to my parents house and starting on wedding prep!  We got all of the hay bales in place and cut yards upon yards of burlap to lay over the bales.  All in all it was a huge success and we are feeling on top of our games and ready.

Nick and I hard at work laying out the burlap

Today we are downloading music for our wedding and getting it on the Ipod.  Come wedding day all we will have to do is press play.  We have chosen the classic Pachebel in Cannon D for our aisle walk song, and Feel So Close by Calvin Harris for our exit song.  Our first dance is going to be Sweet Pea by Amos Lee.  We are having a hard time deciding on a father - daughter dance however.  I would love some advice here. 

It's all coming together!

Right now Nick is hanging up a beautiful wine rack that a friend bought for us on our wedding registry.  It's so exciting coming home every day after work because we go to open the front door and there's just been stacks of presents waiting for us.  Our kitchen is looking awesome with all the eco-friendly gadgets we have been getting, I cannot wait to start cooking up a married life storm in here after we get back from our much needed and well deserved honeymoon. 

This is where we will be standing next weekend when we say "I DO!"

As for me, my rash is looking much better! Yay!  I went to the doctor on Friday and they told me that it looks like I had an allergic reaction to something, which is weird because I'm not allergic to anything (or so I thought).  So hopefully whatever it was that I ate or touched on Monday, I do not manage to get myself into again prior to the wedding. 

It's all coming together.  It look's like this wedding is going to happen, and dare I say it, it might even run smoothly :-)  As for the list of things that still need to happen.... it's long.  It's a good thing that Nick and I have taken Wednesday through Friday of next week off to get everything ready.  Here is a list of things still to do:

-Buy paint for the recycling barrels, and then paint them
-Buy posterboard to put on out on the road that say's our names on it with a big arrow
-Buy balloons to hang from my parents mailbox
-Paint "wedding" on a chunk of barn wood
-Buy cold food items that have to be transported home
-Pick up flower pens from my maid of honor
-Buy (4) black ties for the groomsmen
-Finalize our music selections
-Check on wedding night hotel reservation (I'm going to do that right now!  Thank goodness I just thought of it!)
-Confirm flight plans
-Finish packing our honeymoon bags with the final things
-Buy LED string lights
-Buy dessert plates
-Buy stuff to make flower poms to hang from trees
-Get ring cleaned
-Drop off dogs at kennel
-Pack the car as tight as possible

and that's all I can actually remember that needs to happen right now.  Wish us luck!  6 more days!

Feelin rash!

BBQ last weekend

Tonight Nick and I went out and bought more wedding reception stuff.  We loaded our cart down with as much tortillas, beans, plates, and napkins as Nick's manly muscles could manage.  It's hard to believe that we are only days away.  We both only have 3 work days left until we are officially on our "vacations".  It's funny because next Wednesday through Friday is not going to feel like much of a vacation.  We'll most likely be running around like chickens with our head cut off.  Airport, dog kennel, home, grocery store, ranch, hotel, and everywhere between.  We are doing our best to keep everything in perspective and remember that this is a happy time, not something to stress and freak out over.  Unfortunately as a result of all this wedding madness, my skin has decided to remind me that it will not easily be tamed.  I have had a MASSIVE red, bumpy, splotchy, and itchy rash on my neck, chest, arms, and most recently ears (as of this morning) since Monday evening.  I am praying that this is simply a stress rash and that it will pass by our wedding.  Please send out some positive vibes and prayers (seriously, this is a praying matter) my way, or at least to my chest.  I have been dreaming of this moment since I was a little girl, I cannot and will not let a rash ruin it. 

12 Days

7:00 AM

It is officially 12 days until my wedding.  I am running on coffee and adrenaline.  I cannot wait to finally SLEEP when all this wedding business is over.  As soon as my head hits the pillow at night I instantly start thinking about dessert plates and where I am going to purchase LED twinkle lights for cheap.  My posts will be short the next couple weeks, I will be back to full posts in September! 

Lastly, I am trying to drop an additional 2 pounds by the wedding.  I've already lost 12, but 2 (maybe even 3) more would just be perfect.  Wish me luck! 

I'm getting married in 2 WEEKS!

Engagement Party

Now is the time where calm, meditative breathing is very important.  I am getting married in two weeks!  Otherwise known as 14 days.  Not even 14 days, more like 13 days and 23 hours.  W O W.  The past year has just flown.  By this time two weeks from now, my fiance and I will be officially married!  We'll be done with pictures, back at the reception, going through the line at the burrito bar and just absolutely thrilled that we made it to the big day, and that it went off without a hitch.  Oh I am so ready for this moment, we both are.  Wedding planning is fun, but it is also a job in itself.  It really makes me understand how people with money can just dole out the cash and hand this task over to someone else.  Then again, where's the fun in that?! :)

Nick and I had big plans today to wake up lazily, mull around the house, cook something new and delicious, and just relax and enjoy our weekend.  Reality Check!  We're getting married in 2 weeks, now it's time to kick into high gear and pull all the "little things" together.  The devil really is in the details, and I'm just remembering that we haven't even bought dessert plates.  Regardless, the day is going to happen one way or another, and I am going to enjoy it to the fullest.  I will be posting pictures of the day after I get back from my honeymoon. 

My goal here for this blog posting is to give you 5 tips on how to make your wedding greener.  I'm not an expert, but this is my personal advice to you, whoever you are, and whoever finds this interesting.

1.  Go recycled/compostable - Can't afford the fine china and silverware?  If you can't go reusable, then at least you can provide the next best option.  There's plenty of plate and dinnerware options that are friendly to your wallet and also the environment.  Plus, I like the raw cardboard look, it works with a lot of outdoor weddings.  Don't be afraid to wave your eco-loving flag loud and proud.  And don't forget as part of this to put an emphasis on your trash area.  Designate and area for food scraps, and designate a separate area for what can be recycled. 

2.  Keep it organic and local.  From the food to the flowers, it's nice to support your local farmers or even grow your own bridal bouquet.  For my wedding, my dad is growing all the lettuce, and he's getting tomatoes from the local farmers market.  My mom is growing a special wedding flower garden for the wedding flowers. 

3.  Plantable invites!  Ever considered recycled paper invites embedded with organic wildflowers?  I purchased mine at foreverfiances.com.  I cannot tell you how many compliments I have gotten since mailing them in June.  The paper looks beautiful, you're guests get a gift, and it's sure to be a wedding invite that they will remember.

4. Reuse.  Grandmas old pearl earrings can be your something borrowed.  Plus, vintage is in.  Don't be afraid to get creative.  Check out theknot.com for some pictures of eco-wedding decor.  Chances are lot's of stuff you will already have laying around or you could borrow from a friend. 

5. Conflict free.  Nobody wants to wear a blood diamond on their finger.  If you can't find the perfect second hand ring and you are opting to buy something new, then you must do your research.  I love shopping Etsy.com for jewelry.  Support a small business owner who uses recycled gold and can tailor something perfect just for you or your special someone. 

Those are my 5 tips!  There's plenty more you can do to green up your event and really make a statement.  Please feel free to comment me with your ideas!

Javatopia Organic Coffee Review & How I Make My Coffee

Morning all!  

I have an hour before I have to head out the door to work this morning so I figured I could get a quick posting in.  I am drinking "Bird Friendly Javatopia Organic Coffee".  It is certified organic, shade grown, and friendly to migratory birds.

Please see pictures below on how I make my morning cup of Joe!

Step 1 - Boil water

Step 2 - Grind beans

On to the review!

Javatopia breakfast blend coffee is by far my favorite coffee! It's not bitter, has a tad bit of sweetness to it, and doesn't cost bucket loads.  How was that for short, sweet and to the point?!

How do I drink it?

I start off my using my handy and oh so awesome  reusable coffee filter and slow drip coffee cup topper.  I got the coffee filter at Whole Foods and it is awesome.  All you have to do is wash it with a little dish soap and let it dry after you use it.  The drip coffee cup topper I bought at World Market, their really isn't anything special about it other than I like the color.  My only complaint is that it doesn't have a peek hole at the bottom so you can see when your cup is getting full.

Lastly, I use Madhava Raw Agave Nectar for sweetness.  Just a small amount goes a long way.  AND Organic 1% on top, and my coffee is ready!  Yum!  Let me know what your favorite organic coffee is!

Step 3 - Add ground beans to reusable coffee filter

Step 4 - Add hot water

Interested in a bit more??

When I buy coffee, I always make sure it is shade grown and organic, however, this whole bird friendly thing completely threw me for a loop.  I couldn't figure out what wasn't bird friendly about regular coffee, and what made this coffee "bird friendly".  So I did what anyone would in my situation, I googled it.  Duh.  Now, I feel silly for not thinking that coffee could be bird friendly.  Bird friendly coffee is grown in a way that isn't disruptive to birds migratory paths or forests.  Birds use the forests for cover.  Shade grown coffee is grown beneath the shade of trees in forests without cutting them down.  This is not only helpful to the birds, but also all the other animals and indigenous communities that inhabit the forest lands.

Step 5 - top with your favorite sweetener and cream

Step 6 - Give it a stir

Step 7 - Enjoy (Thumbs up!)

*As a reminder, I will be doing a blog on learning to cook something new and delicious this weekend.  I would love some suggestions, please leave comments!  Happy Thursday everybody!

What's to come

Topics that will be covered in the coming months by Green Mamma Chronicles:

•  How to grow & take care of a clover lawn

•   How to make your wedding or event"green"

•  Organic cooking

• Organic gardening and how to build your own raised garden boxes

• Eco makeup

• Pregnancy planning

• Staying stylish and eco-friendly

• Making your own home cleaning products (reviews)

• Exercise

• Crafts

• The ultimate goal - going zero waste!

• Lastly, I'm open to requests on topics!  please feel free to comment on what you may like to see

Meet the Welks

Nick and I fishing the John Day river on Thanksgiving 2011

Noni (9 years) and Arlo (2 years)

I wish I had a terribly romantic story to tell you all about how I met my soon-to-be husband and how he swept me off my feet in some grand, chivalrous act, however our story is fairly ordinary. 

Nick and I met on a warm Fall night in October 2010... at a bar.  Not even a cutesie, hole in the wall, brick, old world charm, kind of bar.  Nope.  It was a bar where you could play pool for free, the drinks were cheap, and people came in NASCAR t-shirts and jersey shorts.  To make a long story short, Nick and I met, instantly hit it off, and moved in with each other 5 months later.  The rest is history. Luckily, all of our rambunctious 4-legged children got along swell.  Arlo loved Noni immediately.  Noni tolerated Arlo just fine.  And Nick's cat Squeak ruled the roost and made sure we all knew it. 

He knows he isn't allowed on the table

We have a loving, happy, and very furry family.  We wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, but now it's time to grow!  We're ready to get a bun in the oven.

Having never been much of a "blogger" before and this all being very new to Nick and I, we're open to pretty much any format.  If you have questions we would love to answer them as our blog grows.  We'll be posting pictures and videos a few times a week.


P.S. Nick and I want to cook something delicious this weekend, neither one of us are very cunlinarily (yes, I just made this word up) inclined, but it is a skill we would like to acquire.  If anyone happens to read this post before this Saturday, we would love some suggestions!  We'll even make a blog posting on what we end up cooking and how it turned out.

Welcome to my blog!

Greetings fellow green living enthusiasts!

This blog is going to be dedicated to my fiance Nick (soon to be husband, in 21 days!) and my living and learning experience through our daily lives the next year, TTC or "trying to conceive", the 9 months, and beyond!  We welcome your comments and suggestions on how we can improve our green efforts and how we can live the most environmentally conscious life possible.  

Shortly after our nuptials, we are going to embark down the path of conceiving our first child.  We will be discussing our feelings, diet, home life, work, spiritual/emotional well being,  and overall journey through trying to live the most sustainable life possible for us and our expanding family.  We realize that this blog will most likely bloom into much more than just our baby chronicles.  Nick and I will likely also be blogging about food, learning to cook, animals, environment, home-making, our daily lives, and whatever else sparks our interest. 

This is an exciting time and we are so excited to share it with whoever may find it interesting or insightful. 

Many thanks, peace, and love!
Hannah (Green Mamma in training)