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Have we mentioned....

that we are getting married? It’s true. And now we have the paperwork to prove it! In 19 days (eek!), we will say our vows and sign our names on this piece of paper to make it official.















So for now, expect silence in this space. We are working hard to pull off a terrific weekend for those of you who are able to join us for the wedding. For those who will not be with us, I promise a proper recap of all wedding-related projects and the wedding weekend itself. (But not until post-honeymoon!)

La belle et la baugette

I try to bring my lunch from home on workdays, but there are days when I run out of time and ideas and I have to eat out. On those days, I find myself wishing that I was working downtown and could pop over to Finch's on Pender Street. Wouldn't it be niced to take an hour and have a civilized lunch of pears, blue brie, proscuitto and walnuts on a fresh baked baugette?

A big merci to the lovely Tracey who introduced me to these authentic baugette sandwiches.

Comfort food

After what felt like a long week at work, I came home on Friday night craving something warm, rich and boozy. A glass of red wine usually does the trick but this time I wanted something more comforting and substantial. I refueled with our new favourite quick and easy dinner and then set about acquiring what is was that my heart really desired.

In December, Orangette featured a whiskey soaked dark chocolate bundt cake. I didn't really think much about it since I didn't have a bundt pan and the only alcholic dessert I have a soft spot for is tiramisu. And then on Friday it popped into my head and wouldn't leave. I had to have it.

I subbed Knob Creek bourbon (don't you just love saying bourbon? I rarely drink bourbon but I love the word with its buttery, Southern sound.) for the whiskey and pulled out the bundt pan and cake stand that I received at the bridal shower. Soon our apartment was filled with heat and a boozy aroma, and Andrew and I slid into the weekend with two tall glasses of milk and slices of bundt cake.

And did you know that Molly from Orangette has a book out? Yes, she does. A book I was gifted thrice from three different people last week! I was planning to take the book with me on our honeymoon to France but I'm not sure I can wait that long to devour (read) it.

Details, details, details

Bridal shower

Janet and Haley threw me the most fabulous bridal shower of all time. I know, I know - it sounds like I'm exaggerating but really I'm not.

On Saturday morning Andrew whisked me away for brunch and wedding band shopping. When I arrived back at the house I was greeted by the biggest surprise of the weekend - my mom! Unbeknowst to me, Mom had flown out from Saskatchewan and picked up my grandmother in Victoria to come to the shower.















Now that the big reveal was over, it was time to get the party started. We played several games including the infamous "how well do you know your fiance" game where the bride-to-be has to put a piece of Hubba Bubba in her mouth each time she answers a question incorrectly.

What do you mean Andrew's celebrity crush is Meg Ryan? I could have sworn it was Tina Fey. My cheeks are getting full...















I am having trouble breathing at this point, and Haley and Janet are enjoying this game a little too much.















On to a new activitiy that doesn't involve gum - thank goodness - opening presents. As I opened gifts, Janet read out "recipes for life" that my friends and family from near and far had sent to go along with the gourmet theme of the shower. I loved hearing the wise women in my life share their thoughts and advice with me on what makes a successful marriage. And I received a truckload of gifts from cookware to foodie books to special culinary treats and much more. I was truly spoiled.




















Speaking of food, my very talented sister put on an amazing spread for us to nosh on. (Good news Vancouverites - she's available to cater your next event!)
















My favourite part was getting to hang out with my best gals and receiving notes, calls and even a video toast from those peeps who live too far away to attend. My cup runneth over - xoxox to you all.

Operation do not tell Alyssa

While I was at work during the day, my lovely matron of honour Janet and her sister Keltie, with the assistance of numerous bridal elves including Ryan, Haley and Brita, were cooking up a bunch of pre-bridal shower surprises for Friday.

I knew we had a morning appointment at the spa, but other than that I had no idea what the day would hold. Those of you who know me know that surprises are very hard for me. I used all my charm and persuasive talents to get Andrew to give me a clue but he repeatedly stonewalled my attempts. Hrmph. I tried to be patient and after an amazing cool stone massage and champagne lunch, I was whisked away an undisclosed location for an undisclosed activity, which turned out to be....

Screenprinting at Blim! I heart screenprinted anything and I've always wanted to try my hand at it. Do my friends know me or what? We spent the afternoon burning designs, listening to music, drinking mimosas and eating snacks and screenprinting pretty much anything we could get our hands on. So. much. fun.

Rolling with my homeys

No time for blogging this week as I am spending as much time as I can with my peeps, especially with a very special visitor from NYC. Be back next week with a full debrief of our exploits!

Classic: Polinsky & Butler














The next generation: Haley and Keltie.

On your mark, get set, go

Uh, wait a minute. Do I have to go? Really? Are you sure I have to get up?

This conversation is replayed a couple mornings each week as I try to convince Andrew that we should hit the snooze button instead of throwing on our trainers and hitting the street. But Andrew is a goody-two (running) shoes so up we get.

This week was the half-way point in our Sun Run training program. To mark the occasion, our running group did a 5 kilometer race. Long-legs Andrew beat me by four minutes coming in at 30 minutes while I crossed the finish line at 34 minutes. Guess a positive attitude and dedication to training really do pay off. Onwards to 10k!

My eyes are dim

I cannot see, I have not brought my specs with me...

Turning 30 wasn't a big deal but as I approach 31 I have been feeling anxious and more self-conscious of 'looking old'. I think it has something to do with being a 31 year-old bride in a wedding industry aimed at 23-year olds but I digress.

After several offhand comments about how much younger I look without my glasses, I began to wonder if I needed a less harsh pair of glasses. Usually I hem and haw about getting new frames but this time was different. Andrew and I were getting cereal at Costco and I stopped by the optical counter, tried on a couple of pairs of frames and made the purchase.

Without further adieu, my new, more demure glasses.



















And in case you can't remember what my previous specs looked like, here I am teaching Gavin the fine art of the self-portrait. I still like these frames and I'll continue to rotate them with my new pair.

Provence

One of my responsibilities in planning our wedding has been organizing our honeymoon (not sure how I got the good job). We are going to spend a couple of weeks in France - Paris and Provence. We have been looking for a place to stay in the Luberon region. There are so many wonderful places and today we made our choice and booked a small apartment just outside of a lovely little village called Roussillon. It even has a pool.

I can't wait.

Roussillon

The garden

The terrace

The apartment

Can't wait!

And if a bridal shower in itself isn't enough - and it is - the invite comes on honest-to-goodness letterpress stationery! I heart letterpress so much. This beauty comes from Lunalux, which was named the favorite store most people have never heard of.

Super Saturday

Sometimes it is the simple things that make your day and Saturday was full of them. It started with a hearty Spanish fritatta followed by a trip to the library to pick up American Wife. I came home to find a letterpress card made by Smudge Ink, a dry-fit hat that I have been coveting, cookies from Uprising Breads, a cheerful bouquet from Full Bloom Flowers (our wedding florist) and a wordle made from our very own love story.

Valentine's Day is nice, but it is even nicer to have love all year round. How lucky am I?

Onwards to the wedding

Our march towards the aisle continues (but will there be a runner for the aisle that we are marching down? One of the many riveting issues we find ourselves dealing with these days.)

What's that - you want to know how the planning is going? Oh no, I'd hate to bore you. Really? Okay, but only because you asked. Here's a summary courtesy of someecards.














Invitations have been mailed.













The RSVPs are rolling in.













Bachelor party is in the works.













Travel plans are being made.

Wet red envelopes

Gung hai fat choy - happy year of the ox everyone!























The 2009 Chinese New Year parade was definitely the wettest, coldest one I have been to so far. But neither sleet nor rain could keep me from delivering the little red envelopes! And I'm not going to lie, the promise of hot tea and dim sum helped keep a cheerful new year smile on my face as we paraded through the rain.

BFFs (or B-to-the-F-to-the-F)

I was an only child for the first four and a half years of my life but I had a big brother of sorts in my cousin Brady who is six months older than me. While Brady and I lived seven hours apart, we often spent parts of the summer together at Grandma and Grandpa's.

Brady is getting married this year too and when his fiancee sent out a request for photos from his childhood I dug out my photobox. I had so much fun looking at these old photos and remembering all the fun we had when we were growing up.

The standard bath shot.

















Two peas-in-a-pod






















Re-enacting our Russian heritage with a babushka and Grandpa's signature hat.

Turning the calendar

One of my favourite Christmas gifts this year was a 2009 calendar from ilee letterpress. While I lament the speed at which time passes (can January really be over already?), it is such a treat to start each month with a new print.

Cute as a button

We haven't seen The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, or any of the Oscar-nominated movies, but we have a new little boy in our life named Benjamin and he is cute as a button!



















Benjamin James is the second son for our friends Sharon and Craig. His big brother Gavin had already taken on the role of friend, protector and comforter.













Andrew and Benjamin.

Change is good

Thanks, and have fun running the country

Just in time to capitalize on another wave of Obamamania comes Thanks, and Have Fun Running the Country: Kids' Letter to President Obama courtesty of the kids from 826 Valencia. There are some gems in the heartfelt letters that these American children wrote to the President-Elect following his big win in November.

"I really hope you put America back together. No pressure though."
— Sheenie Shannon Yip, age 13, Seattle

"Could you help my family to get housecleaning jobs? I hope you will be a great president. If I were president, I would help all nations, even Hawaii. President Obama, I think you could help the world." — Chad Timsing, age 9, Los Angeles

If I were president, I would tell people to not talk too much. It wastes time. I’d also say to war: no more, no more, no more!
— Catherine Galvan, age 6, Chicago

The great backsplash debacle

In the fall, I convinced Andrew that we should install a backsplash in our kitchen. Sharon and Craig are always undertaking home improvement projects and they make it look so easy. So after much persuasion/coercion, we made a trip to Star Tile and picked out some tiles for the backsplash.

And then they sat and sat and sat in our closet. I won't bore you with the details of installation but let's just say there were lots of choice words, pep talks and frustrated sighs. Did we overcome? Well, the tile is up and we are still planning to get married, and I think that constitutes success in this situation.

Before

















After

















Up close and personal

We could be heroes

Once again I am jumping on the television bandwagon several seasons late. This time it is with Heroes, to which I must shamefacedly confess watching the twenty-three episodes of season one over the course of a week.

It made me think: what power would I want? Andrew was quite enthralled by Matt Parkman's ability to read people's thoughts and I was in awe of Charlie's power to remember everything she read. But it would probably be more helpful if I had the ability to finish home improvement projects or blog daily or even just operate my sewing machine.

Is this the face of a heroine? Only time will tell.

Rock on

Wedding planning has been ramping up over here. We are going to go with this guy for our ceremony music - he looks like he has good energy, no?

In other music news, I am really digging the new Matthew Barber disc.

Sleepover!

The Style section of the Globe and Mail says that cocooning is in for 2009 and I say bring it. Let's start by reviving the sleepover.

Gavin nighted over yesterday while his parents enjoyed a child-free evening. We had homemade pizza, watched Bee Movie and spent a lot of time answering Mr. Gavin's questions.

Gavin and Andrew read a couple of bedtime stories. Dinosaurs are all the rage right now in our favourite 2 1/2 year old's world.



















Hey lady, I got the newspaper, now where is my oatmeal?















Gavin and Alyssa do some contemporary sculpture. Our forte is snowmen and snakes.

A year in the life

When I think back on 2008, there isn't anything that sticks out as the defining moment of the year. And you know what? I think that's good. We've had a busy year with little drama and lots of happy times. Without further ado, here's our look back at the things that made our 2008.

You've got to hear this
This American Life, The Moth

Inspirations
Nienie Dialogues, Country Living magazine, Snippet & Ink

But what do the polling numbers show?
Frances Bula, Andrew Sullivan, Obamamania, Gregor

Indulgences
Pied-A-Terre, Bishops, Cafe Medina, Les Faux Bourgeois

Work it, sister!
Bootcamp, Wii Fit

On the road again
Calgary, Theodore, Toronto, Seattle

New bebes
Zada, Audrey, Jacob, Rowan and Elliott.

Our door is open
Janet, Paul & Janice, Haley, Mike & Sandeep, Ted, Matthew, Bev & Vic

Favourite headline
Vancouver's Polinsky population triples!

'Twas the night before Christmas

...and all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
Or the after-hours media pager.

On Christmas Eve, I got an early 'present' from work in the form of the after-hours media pager. Everyone on our team takes the pager three or four weeks a year and as a newbie I drew the short straw of minding the pager from December 24-31.

I can take almost anything and turn it into a more festive version of the itself so we re-christened it the 'holiday pager' and gave it a little bling for the season. The holiday pager had traditional tourtierre dinner on Christmas Eve, ventured out in the snow for turkey and sticky toffee pudding at the McLeod's, watched some World Junior Hockey and enjoyed a visit from Auntie Bev and Uncle Vic.