The Engagement

"So I can kiss you anytime I want" . . . 

"We're going camping the weekend of August 18th."  The Urban Farmer and I had the date picked for about a month.  With our crazy work schedule and busy lives we had not had the opportunity to get away and go camping since my birthday weekend and wanted to get one trip in before Labor Day.

We invited everyone and their mother to go camping with us, but the only two people that were able to were my sister and her friend Amanda.

As a kid, I only went camping on occasion with my family in Elementary school.  But after a failed camping trip my family put our camping gear in the attic and decided that "roughing it" will for now entail staying at a Holiday Inn over a Marriott.  

About 4 months into dating, the Urban Farmer and I went camping for the first time at his cousin's property in Radford, Virginia.  I loved it! the view, the water and the convenience of having a house near by!  From that point on, when ever we had a free weekend (which is VERY RARE) we would run off to Radford and go camping together.  

So, we had our weekend camping trip to Radford planned.  We packed up our stuff on Friday and left to go to Radford. 

Since we were meeting my sister and her friend there and we got there a bit early, the Urban Farmer and I went to a local bakery, "Crumb and Get It, and got some cookies and made happy hour at a local bar.

We went back to the campsite and got ready for bed

The next day was August 18.  It was a normal day to me.  Got up, made our Wal-Mart run and made a few stops in town.

When we made it back to town, we got our drinks ready, packed up the kayaks, and were ready to go to kayaking down the river.  

Once we got in our boats, the girls and I started floating while the Urban Farmer started fishing.  Partially down the river we all stopped down the river on an island.  We were being silly and hanging out together on the island.  

The Urban Farmer started to walk to the front of the island and called for me to walk with him.  I did and along the way I picked up a rock.  I kept telling the Urban Farmer about the rock and how we should collect rocks from all the rivers that we go to and keep them at home.  While we were standing there talking I go to put the rock in the Urban Farmer's life jacket.  The pocket of the life jacket that I went to put in the rock had my ring in it.  

At that point, the Urban Farmer got down on one knee and asked me "Will you marry me?"

The view from the spot he poped the question.

The Ring!  (It's whit gold. Photos make it look yellow)

Post asking... We aren't photogenic camping.

LOVE HIM!

Unfortunately, the Urban Farmer jokingly proposed to me before so at first, even though I saw the rock, I thought that he was joking.  Therefore my first response was, "Yes!  Are you serious?"  Supposedly, I said "Are you serious?" about ten times.  

The engagement was perfect and the weekend was perfect together camping by the river.

We ended the weekend at a winery celebrating our engagement with each other.

It was the most PERFECT engagement ever.  Below are some videos, post-engagement. 

(The Urban Farmer was being silly and shy in this one)

A little better.  But not much.

The Love Story

The Busy Girl and Urban Farmer . . . together FOREVER

I spent my childhood (and let's be honest here most of my time as an adult) watching Disney Princess movies.  The idea of a young lady being swept off her feet and riding into the sunset on the noble stead of their Prince Charming sounded like the ideal scenario for my "Happily Ever After".  I guess in reality I never thought it would be Prince Charming sweeping me off my feet at Lone Star and riding off into the sunset in his Ford Truck.  (Reality is ten times better!)

The Urban Farmer and I met on February 2nd at Lone Star Steak House.  I was a server there and the Urban Farmer was the bartender.  I remember the first time I laid eyes on the Urban Farmer.  He was standing at the bar with a smile on his face -- the same smile that makes me weak in the knees even today -- when we first caught eyes.  Trying to play it cool I did not make my way to the bar for a while.  The Urban Farmer introduced me to him by stating that he only works Wednesdays.

From then on I always looked forward to Wednesday nights were I had the opportunity to see the Urban Farmer, get to know him better and, well let's be honest here, flirt.  Overtime I got to know him better.  He told me about his accounting job, his house and his garden.  I told him about my job, Florida and moving to D.C.  As we got to know each other the Urban Farmer and I teased each other, talked and got to know each other better.  I was starting to like him more and more as I got to know him, but typical Urban Farmer he takes his time.

One night we were talking when the Urban Farmer received a text,  I jokingly asked him if it was his "Girlfriend."  The Urban Farmer responded that it was some "Teacher he was talking to."  My little heart was crushed to find out he was "talking" to someone else.  (Editors note: To date, the Urban Farmer swears he wasn't talking to any one else and told me that to get my attention -- Well hun, it worked).

After that, I felt like I didn't work with, or see the Urban Farmer ever.

Then one Sunday night the Urban Farmer and I were working together!  We began talking and he asked me "Why I didn't wait for him the other night?"  To this date, the Urban Farmer SWEARS he asked me to go get a drink the shift before.  I to date swear that he didn't.

Later that evening the Urban Farmer asked me to go get a drink with him after work, I said sure.

After work that night we went to get a drink at a local dive, "Reynolds".

The Urban Farmer and I talked for about two hours.  He told me all about his garden, his family and his ex-Girlfriend.  Great first date conversation!  I am a BIG talker, therefore no one can really talk more than me.   I remember thinking in my head that I was not going to go out with guy again.

The next time we went out was much better!  It was a fun atmosphere and we talked and talked for hours.

From then on the Urban Farmer and I started to see each other on a regular bases.  A Frisbee golf date her, drinks in Old Towne, him cooking me dinner at his house.  Slowly our relationship began to take form.

Over the past year and a half the Urban Farmer and I have made many memories together and over time have fallen in love.

Then on August 18, 2012 the Urban Farmer asked me to marry him . . .

Homemade Applesauce

About two weeks ago my older (I always like to remind her of that) sister came to visit me in Northern Virginia.  Since the Fall weather had began to kick in we thought that there would be nothing better than some good old apple picking!

Greg Apple Picking

Although the plethora of fresh apples seemed like a blessing at first . . . it has slowly become a burden.  After making everything from homemade Apple Butter to homemade Apple Wine . . . Greg and I would like nothing more than to have our fridge back!

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away . . .   I think we're good :)

I decided to use some of the apples by making homemade Applesauce.  (Yes, it's 10 million times better than the jar stuff).

Here's what you need:

• 5 Apples
• 1/4 cup of Sugar
• 3/4 tsp of Cinnamon
• 3/4 cup of Water

1)  Wash, Peel and Core the apples.  (Probably the longest part)
2)  Cut apples up and place them into a sauce pan.

3)  Add water, sugar and cinnamon to the saucepan.

4)  Turn the saucepan on to medium heat and place a cover on the saucepan.
5)  Let saucepan simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes.
6)  After 20 minutes remove the pan from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
7)  After cooled, place the applesauce in a food processor and blend till you reached the desired consistency.
8)  Enjoy your homemade applesauce!