Perhaps the hands-down coolest thing we did at our wedding was hire a wedding painter. Yes, that’s right! A real, live wedding painter who created a complete picture during the course of the reception. I’m sure you’re curious how I found her. Well, my whole motto for the...
Today’s wedding vendor feature is the harpist that we had play during the cocktail hour. Her name is Laurie Leigh and I found her at a bridal fair. What I loved right from the start about her was that a.) she played the HARP (so cool) and b.) she played very non-traditional harp...
Being that I have event planning in my blood, it’s hard to wrap up an event without sharing some of the magnificent resources that I came across during the planning. I’m all about sharing and I was so darn pleased with how it went off. So what we’re going to do is each...
I know some of you never thought you’d see the day when I would be an early adapter for technological goods. Heck, I didn’t even own a cell phone until I was 21. WHOA. I’ve come a long way! I think my new interest in this area is largely due to the increased quality of...
I know this is what you’ve all been waiting for – our COMPLETE wedding gallery. Warning. There are approximately 900 shots in the gallery, so we’ve broken them down into smaller chunks for your viewing pleasure. For those of you wanting to see just the highlights, select...
Seriously, who’d have thought choosing a hat or two would be such a challenging thing? Now, you may ask, “Why get a hat anyway?” I’d be thinking the exact same thing if I weren’t porcelain-skinned and heading to the equator. I’ll probably have...
Many of you know this, but for the past 6 years I’ve had the honor of being Estelle’s “Big Sister” in the Big Brother, Big Sister program. We have grown incredibly close over the years, so much so that she was one of my personal attendants for the wedding last...
Here it is folks, the last video from the day. SIGH. It’s hard to comprehend that it’s over. I can see why brides go through a little post-event let-down period. Rest assured, I’ll be on to something new by the afternoon. Nick’s off learning to save me at CPR class...
Here’s the first round of speeches from Janet (Sarah’s Mom), Robert (Nick’s Dad) and Sarah Jansen (Sarah’s friend)… I’m working on the last upload for tomorrow (another speech and our first dance). Enjoy!
Yes! I’m married AGAIN! The 2nd time was equally magical. Over the next week or two, I’ll share some of the details of the event – from the vendors I used to my favorite pics. Today we’ll start with a highlight reel from the Ceremony. I’d write more, but...
As many of you know, we’re T minus 5 days and counting until Wedding number 2 in Minnesota. Sorry about the lack of blogging, there’s just so many darn programs left to fold…. I couldn’t resist this post though. It turns out that one of the newest celebrity trends...
As you know, I’ve been spending quite a bit of time on airplanes recently. In the April version of the Delta Skymag, they had a hilarious section about new slang words that have been created due to the infusion of technology in our lives. I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I...
Well, here’s your chance. Introducing KIVA, the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending site. I came across this in a magazine and just HAD to pass it along. For as little as $25, you can select an entrepreneur in an impoverished country that you want to fund. Loans are...
I’m not sure how it happened, but at some point during the trip to Mexico I picked up a copy of the book Twilight. Ladies and Gentlemen, it was all over from there. I had book 1 finished in two days, book 2 of the series done in 2 more and I’d managed to find the third one at...
with Penzey’s Spices! A couple years back I took a cooking class at the Kitchen Window and they went on and on about how the only place that you should ever buy spices is from Penzey’s. I had never heard of this crazy place, but all I could think of were Pirates every time the...
Loved this! Check it out…
Hello – Welcome to this overview of “Millers Take Mexico 2009”. We’re going to do only a brief bit of commentary and let the pictures speak for themselves. Photo 1: Our favorite place to spend the day (The Pool). This resort was perfect for the Millers because not...
Greetings all – sorry for the delayed absence! I am back to blogging! In my defense, I have been quite busy though! After a delightful week in Mexico with the fam, I spent the last few days driving cross-country from St. Paul to DC. I did 6 hours each day, covering 1200 miles total...
Well, I’m back after a week of adventures in DC. Nick and I had one of the most “normal” weeks together that we’ve had in a long time. We managed to have a few date nights at local restaurants, did some shopping and took a walk in the nearby cemetery. (Is that...
It’s no secret that finances are tough stuff for the majority of people right now. While I will agree that negative returns are no fun, the joy of financial management is in the day-to-day planning, goal-setting and tracking. This has been on my mind a lot as I focused on merging...
I know I’ve been posting a lot of video lately but this one is downright heart-warming! Clara Cannucciari is a 93 year old woman who has risen to wild popularity recently via her Depression Cooking with Clara Video Segments. Her Grandson grew up on them and wanted to capture the...
I couldn’t resist sharing this – it was just too darn cute! From bottom to top: Janet, Jenna, Emily, Beth, Sarah
I arrived in DC late Friday night and Nick treated me to a fun new cuisine I had never sampled before – Moroccan! Wow. What a feast! We ate at Taste of Morocco in DC, one of the best know venues in town for that type of cuisine. We each sampled a tasting menu for $25 a person...
That is the questions I’ve heard a lot recently from the 25+ crowd. There seems to be a cool societal evolution happening right now which is making it acceptable for “older” people to embrace technology and participate in social networking. I have to be honest, I fought...
On Sunday I was the recipient of my very first shower, hosted by my family and co-workers from LADC. My wonderful mother Janet dreamed up a tacky-tourist theme for the day – complete with Leis, Filipino Food, Music and the appropriate island-themed decorations! This was no typical...
A bit of inspiration for the end of the week!
This month I had the opportunity to do a night of service at Feed My Starving Children. I had been there in the past, but forgotten what fantastic work they do. This is yet another fabulous MN-based non-profit, founded by a businessman after he saw devasting hunger on a mission trip to...
Wow, am I overwhelmed right now. As you know, we’re T minus 2.5 months and counting until wedding 2. I was doing so well lately, mainly because I wasn’t thinking about it. Then I had to go and take part in my friend Leah’s wedding as her personal attendant where all of...
The beaming couple on flag day! You’d think we were holding a newborn; we look so proud! :)
Last night we had the opportunity to attend a reception hosted at the Bacon House by the Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired (DACOR). It was such a delightful evening, with each of the retired officers and their spouses sharing stories about the different posts that we’re...
Last night I threw my first 10+ person party in DC. It was an informal gathering- BYOB, appetizers to share, and BUNCO in the community room at our residence. Let me tell you though, I got SOOO much flack for doing a Bunco party! Sample comments included: “That’s only for old...
After the stress of going through flag day, Nick knew that I’d need to get away for the weekend. He surprised me with a trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina (Cape Hatteras, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills). It’s about a 5 hour drive from DC, so it was an ideal distance to...
We may just be the luckiest people in the word today- we managed to get assigned our number 1 pick: Manila. The city, not the envelope…. :) I’ll do some research to see if there’s any link there. This magnificent destination is located in Southeast Asia, right by...
Well, the BIG Day is nearing. I’m about to hop on a flight to DC to see Nick for the first time in 5 weeks. HOW EXCITING! Note to newlyweds: I do not recommend staying apart for 5 weeks right after getting married- it kills the fun! Notes about tomorrow, since I know a lot of you...
We’re getting closer! Only8 days left until much of this ambiguity surrounding my life is cleared up. Yes, that’s right – Flag Day will take place on Friday the 13th. Being the optimist that I am, I’ve decided that unlucky happening is something I’m going to...
What a night. WHOA. I don’t think you could pay me enough to get on a bucking animal. I had the opportunity to attend the rodeo on Saturday night with Estelle. We had a blast cheering on our favorite cowboys. I only wish I had brough my pink sequined cowboy hat (just kidding)! There...
Remember awhile back when I begged someone to join the St. Paul Curling Club so that I could come observe? Well, my sister answered the plea! Let me tell you, it was no easy task. Rumor has it that the wait to get in is something like 10 years. Well, she worked her magic and started...
I was reminded about the power of service trips today when I received an email from JS about her border trip. I’ve been hearing about this organization for quite some time now and thought the time was ripe to share it with you. Global Volunteers was started 1984 as a non-profit that...
Never under-estimate the bizarre occurrences that take place in the world of Sarah and Nick. Today’s story is a doozy! So I’m in MN freezing my butt off in negative temps waiting for my beloved husband to call me over lunch. I waited and waited. No call. Boy was I crabby. When...
Surprise, Surprise. Today (Tuesday) has something BIG and IMPORTANT in it too. What happened to those good old routine days I used to have where my largest decision was what I would make for dinner?? Long gone…. SO- Today’s big event is an interview with our Career Development...
Those of you who know me well know that I am anything BUT a gamer. It seems though, that I have developed a bit of an addiction. It’s called Fuzzle. In fact, Fuzzle has become such a favorite of mine that I’ve created a verb out of it, often saying to Nick, “I’m...
OH MY GOSH! I’ve been waiting for this day ever since we found out that we got in. For those of you not familiar with foreign service life, Bid List Day is the day we receive a list of the dozens of posts that are open for us to select from. We have 4 days to research all the posts...
Hi All! Remember when I told you about my background in Deli while working in SuperTarget? Well, one of the odd carry-overs has been an obsession with grocery stores. Being on the East Coast is so much fun because there’s a whole new array of them: Giant, Harris Teeter, Safeway to...
Welcome to our new D.C. home for the next 4-9 months. Nick will be keeping it nice and clean for us while I’m back in MN until early May. Let me take you on a quick tour… it won’t take too long! So there it is! We have a 1 BR apartment with a balcony overlooking the...
Ha! It seems quite fitting to post the Engagement Photos after the wedding photos, given the strange order that things are playing out in. We shot at the W Hotel – Foshay Tower in Minneapolis. We (I mean I) loved every minute! Nick would have told you that he couldn’t imagine...
Greetings Blog Readers! Sarah Novak here reporting from beautiful, 40 degree Washington, D.C. It’s been a crazy few days, but I’m happy to report that both Nick and I are faring well in our new life! Here’s an update from the past few days… We started off the New...
It’s official! We’re married… more pictures to come later!
In the life of Sarah, things are constantly changing lately… Case in point: The Wedding. Or should I say Weddings! Wedding 1 (as we’re affectionately calling it) will take place at this lovely Court House in Maryland shortly after the first of the year. Nick starts his...
Hi all- I was just reflecting on the fact that my life is beginning to feel somewhat like that fabulous old world adventure show that used to be on PBS called Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? The basic premise was that you (the viewer) were on a detective team that was trying to...