And the Winner Is . . .

The Date is set

The Invites have been sent out

And the deposit has been paid

So where in the world did the Engineer and I decide to get married?

Let's recall the choices:

1.  France

2.  Greece

3.  Disneyworld

4.  Italy

5.  Key West, Florida

6.  Nantucket

7.  Scotland

8. A Barn

And the winner is???

Drum roll please

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr (that is my drumroll)

TUSCANY ITALY!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

We are going to dance with the clouds at our feet and look like we've had too much wine (most likely because we have)

We chose Podere Ciona which is in the Chianti region of Tuscany.

I found it on one of my favourite blogs:  100 Layer Cake

And then the Engineer and I spent five wonderful days there this past April.  We chose it for several reasons:

1.  It's really affordable.

2.  We love Franca and Franco - the owners of Podere Ciona.  Franca is a nonna to all she meets - she will make all visitors welcome and as if they are at home!

3.  We love love loved Tuscany.  Moreover, we loved Podere Ciona.  One night Franca asked why we never left.  We told her it was too pretty to ever leave.  

So there you go folks, the Engineer and I are getting married on June 28th, 2011 surrounded by our family, close friends, and the rolling Italian countryside.

For cocktails we'll be sipping on Proseco and spritz's, for dinner we will have family-style platters of homemade pasta, chicken marsala, risotto, salads, and, of course, tiramisu.

Then we will dance the night away under the midsummer night sky (okay, a week past midsummer.  I changed my date for my teacher pals) and watch the sun rise over Tuscany.

That's Amore!

Destination Bride Part Eight: A Barn

Okay, I realize A BARN, isn't exactly a wedding destination.  But it is where you find the barns that make this a great destination wedding idea.

#1.  Cripps Barn located in the Cotswold's of England.

When I was 19, I lived in Bath which sits on the edge of the Cotswold's.

I fell in love with the area.  Soft, rolling fields filled with dozy-eyed cows or lambs hopping amidst the daffodils.  Charming thatch-roofed cottages and cobblestone streets.  Amazing history from Stonehenge to Salisbury Cathedral.  It also happens to be the birthplace of cheddar cheese and cider.  Ummmm, YES.

And don't think I wouldn't have a Jane Austen themed wedding

2. Circa 1799 Barn in the Hudson Valley outside of NYC.

I just love this place for how quaint and simple it is.  I think any wedding here would be homemade and 100% love.  The Hudson Valley itself is beautiful - a wonderful escape from the chaos of New York.  So it's a perfect destination wedding if you want both city AND country.

3.  Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse in California

Not so much a barn, but more of a whole farm experience.  Figueroa is located near Los Olivos California (an hour from Santa Barbara) and is 150 Acres of uninterrupted beauty.  They don't provide any services themselves but they are super helpful and really nice.  And the freedom allows you to have any sort of wedding you want!

How gorgeous is this place??  I love the rustic glamour that these brides all use.  Imagine eating and drinking with nothing but the stars for your ceiling and wild grass as your dance floor.

#4 The Holly Farm in Carmel, California

Again, not exactly a barn, but definitely a farm.  I loved this place so much, we actually did have this booked (until we got the whopping $17 000 food quote!!!!)

It's as if I really were Alice in Wonderland getting married . . . .

Alas, none of these barns/farms are the site of my wedding.

But I think you'll approve of our choice.

I'd Like to Thank the Brits . . .

Being of complete British stock, I know a thing or two about our friendly cousins across the ocean. 

Here are some things they have given us that I truly appreciate:

1.  Tea

My grandfather taught me how to brew a perfect cup of tea when I was quite small.  Boil cold water (I don’t really know why), warm up teapot with hot water prior to putting tea bag/leaves into pot, pour water into pot. 

I mean it’s not rocket science is it?  And yet, how come some cups of tea taste better than others?  It’s part tea itself, part brewing time and part pot. I’m not kidding.  If you have a crap pot you will have crap tea.  Survey says? The traditional old Brown Betty is still the best pot for brewing tea. 

I’ve grown up drinking tea first thing in the morning.  My mum doesn’t really talk to me before she has her tea.  We drink tea when we come in from an outing, be it groceries or the Oscars.  We drink tea in the tub.  We drink tea when we are sick.  When we are sad.  When we are happy.  I would venture to guess I drink about four pots a day.  That’s over 10 cups of tea. 

In England, I noticed my tea consumption went up when visiting my relatives.  ‘Fancy a brew?’ is the code for a cup of tea.  But I guess that isn’t really a code, it's pretty straightforward.

I am also a firm believer in tea cozies (or as my little friend Sophia says, ‘tea hats’).  Like warming your pot before filling it with tea, a cozy keeps your pot warm so you can have countless cups of warm tea.  I use a pink and white one my grandmother knitted.  She died when I was fairly young so I like to think she’s there with me at every cup, having her own tasty brew.

Our flat in London is not equipped with a kettle.  The Engineer suggested I warm up water in a microwave.  I don’t even know how to tell him all the wrong that is that sentence. 

2.  Fascinators

Do you know what these are?  Probably not.  It hasn’t exactly caught on over here.  They’ve tried to come here, and some brave girls venture out with this atop their curls (read: me) but for most Canucks, we are not a headpiece-wearing nation.

Too bad.

Look at how cute they are. 

CUTE!

We had a stagette for my friend last year at the racetrack.  Her maid-of-honour created these little masterpieces for all to wear.  They were gorgeous and totally made our outfits!

At my wedding I fully intend to wear one in lieu of a veil, have my bridesmaids wear them and encourage my guests to get in the British frenzy.

3.  Food

Yes, you heard me right:  food.  And not just Jamie, Gordon or Nigella.  I mean British food.

I know the reputation but I feel strongly that British food offers some of the best comfort around.  I don’t know anything that tastes much better than my mum’s roast beef and hot Yorkshire pudding.  Or my auntie’s potato pie with mushy peas.  My cousin makes a killer chicken stew with dumplings.  Sausages?  With mashed potatoes and gravy?  Cornish pasties?  Chicken and leek pies?  Eton mess?  Clotted cream, jam and scones? Hula Hoops? 

Need I go on? 

Nothing warms a soul like British comfort.

4.  Nicknames

Not that these have been imported but I am trying to start a trend.  British people call each other cute pet names like chicken, pigeon, sausage, chook (which is a cute form of chicken), hen, dove, love, and pet.  Am I missing anything?

A man called me chicken and I swooned.  He was 80.

5. Pimm's.  See previous entry.

6.  Jane Austen, her books, the movies starring Colin Firth.

Nothing here to add except did you know there is a Jane Austen festival in Bath and you can rent Georgian dress and prance around Bath like Elizabeth Bennet??  AAAAAAAAAH!

7.  Men with accents

Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Prince William and Harry, Clive Owen, Jude Law, and the list goes on. 

8.  Chick Lit

Thank you thank you thank you Helen Fielding and our favorite girl with a diary, Bridget!  Since then, British writers have filled shelves with books that belong on Easter Sunday (due to their bright, pastel colours).  Mostly all the same, but the best beach reads ever!!

9.  Cadbury

Ummmm.  Yes.  Dairy Milk forever.  Swiss chocolate my ass, it’s all about English chocolate.  And speaking of ass . . . . mine is getting big.

10. Harry Potter

I am still waiting for my invite to Hogwarts.

And last, but not least, my favourite Sunday morning activity:  watching Corrie.  I don't care what you think, I love Coronation Street.

And I love England