Now that we share a last name, I figured it was time that two become one in the blog world as well.  So catch yourself up on the musings of Katy Cullens and the tastings of Dan Towler, then join us here on Towler Life as we continue to regale you with our latest craft projects, travel adventures, culinary experiences, and everything else in between.

Babysit

babysit |ˈbābēˌsit|verb ( -sitting; past and past part. -sat) [ intrans. ]look after a child or children while the parents are out : I babysit for my neighbor sometimes
Dan and I took on a huge responsibility this weekend- taking care of two (out of five) of our sweet nieces on Saturday night while Rusty and Katie were out of town.  We readily agreed to it several weeks ago and are happy to report that everyone came out alive and well under our care.  
Like any good aunt (and uncle), we quickly got into the swing of things by taking a stroll up to the local market and getting a pink popsicle.  It was sticky, and drippy, and oh so yummy according to this little one.  

  

Margaret toughed it out in the stroller, a happy camper dozing on and off for her nap.

 

I couldn't help but snap some pictures of the girls while we were playing in the backyard and having a tea party.  They are absolutely precious and make for fantastic subjects!

We couldn't forget about our own baby, so Abbey came along for the ride.  And I have to admit, she was the most difficult one for sure.  But she added to the entertainment, teaching Ana Kathryn phrases like "bring it back, please" and "drop it!" when they played with the frisbee and the ball.  I think she had fun and definitely worked on her skills as far as coexisting with children but she was glad to return home yesterday to torture Mickey and rule her own roost.  

After all of the hard work I owe a special thanks to Columbus for giving me Monday off for an Abbey and mommy kind of day-  The only thing missing is Dan!

Autumn

autumn |ˈôtəm|nounthe third season of the year, when crops and fruits are gathered and leaves fall, in the northern hemisphere from September to November and in the southern hemisphere from March to May : the countryside is ablaze with color in autumn | [as adj. ] autumn leaves | figurative he was in the autumn of his life.
As a teacher, you'd think summer was my favorite time of year but with the exception of school being back in session, Fall has with a doubt always been what I consider the best time of year.  What could be better than waking up to a crisp, cool morning, snuggling the covers a little closer around your face before you embark upon your day?   With the official start to fall happening this weekend, we celebrated accordingly.
First up, a freshly baked batch of homemade Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.  They taste even better than they look!  Want the recipe?  Just check out the back of your next Publix Rolled Oats canister for the details.    

Next up, the Light the Night Walk.  Dan and I raised a combined total of $200 (hoping to raise more next year and get some friends to go in with us!) and joined thousands of others in Cumming, GA on Saturday night to celebrate and fight for the lives of those touched by Leukemia and Lymphoma.  Abbey accompanied us, no doubt overstimulated by all of the sights, smells, and sounds, but enjoyed herself none the less.  Balloons were carried by walkers- red for supporters, gold in memory of, and white for patients and survivors.

Last up, a new wreath for the front door.  We were long over due getting our spring colored wreath off the door with this cool weather blowing in, so I picked up a 4 dollar twig-wreath base at Michael's to make my own.  With a little inspiration from my favorite inspirational place, Country Living, I took a Magnolia Leaf Garland idea and spun it into an autumn wreath.  We plucked leaves off the magnolia trees at the top of our neighborhood and just tied them on with some floral wire that we also picked up at Michael's for just 2 bucks.  Love it!

    

Back to Reality

reality |rēˈalətē|noun ( pl. -ties)1 the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them : he refuses to face reality | Laura was losing touch with reality.• a thing that is actually experienced or seen, esp. when this is grim or problematic : the harsh realities of life in a farming community | the law ignores the reality of the situation.• a thing that exists in fact, having previously only existed in one's mind : the paperless office may yet become a reality.
After a much needed week of relaxing in paradise, us Honeymooners had to get back to reality.  Upon our arrival back home, Dan dove headfirst into his new job at Ferguson Fire & Fab and I was weeks away from embarking on my new job as an elementary school teacher and doing my best to soak up the last savory weeks of summer.

So we said Good Bye to Bermuda, I set about checking items off another one of my to-do lists, and somehow between then and now it became September.  Where does the time go?!

1. Officially became a Towler, and considered showing you a picture of my new drivers license but they added 10 pounds to my weight so I decided not! (Now to figure out how to change my name on the Blog)

2. Made throw pillows to go with our new bedding-  using dish towels, an idea I got from Country Living, I was able to recover 4 down pillows I already had around the house for super cheap.

3. 2 more movies off The List- West Side Story and Do the Right Thing.

4. Started our own little garden- jalapenos and banana peppers.

5. Became a Godmother to my newest sweet niece Margaret Harper Cullens.

6. Painted our den.

7. Finally sanded and sealed an old school desk we had been storing in the garage for way too long and found it a home by the fireplace as a side table and potential extra seating.

8. Fashioned an old anchor into a much needed towel rack for the guest room.

9.  Replaced our factory bathroom mirror with this antique mirrored door that has been patiently waiting for the perfect home. (Now to just paint this bathroom...)

10. Anxiously await the arrival of our first niece or nephew on the Towler side!!

11. And last but not least, I remain obsessed with our four legged Little Abbey Girl-  She's weighing in at just over 30 pounds and still loving life!

Planning

plan |plan|

noun1 a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something : the UN peaceplan.• [with adj. ] a scheme for the regular payment of contributions toward a pension, savings account, or insurance policy : a personal pension plan.2 (usu. plans) an intention or decision about what one is going to do : I have no plans to retire.3 a detailed diagram, drawing, or program, in particular• a fairly large-scale map of a town or district : a street plan.• a drawing or diagram made by projection on a horizontal plane, esp. one showing the layout of a building or one floor of a building.Compare with elevation (sense 3).• a diagram showing how something will be arranged : look at the seating plan.
We did it!  June 30th has now come and quickly gone, leaving us officially husband and wife.  Planning a wedding is so far one of the hardest things I have ever done.  Having pulled it off successfully I feel as though I can accomplish just about anything from here on out.  From deciding on details as big as the day and location to the minutiae of how many people to sit at a table, I learned what mattered most and what would not make or break our special day.  I tackled DIY projects like making my bridesmaids gifts and the flower petal cones for our exit.  I mastered the art of logistics and remarked for the first few days of the honeymoon how amazed I was that the plans we'd coordinated actually all fell into place.

Bridesmaid Jewelry

Wrapped and ready to gift

 Flower Petal Cones

  It was an absolutely amazing weekend and a wonderfully beautiful day; everything I dreamt it would be (minus the record breaking temperature of 108 degrees).  So after six months of planning, the wedding and celebration is gone in blink of an eye.  We relaxed and recouped in Bermuda (a fantastic trip!), returned home promising Abbey we wouldn't leave her again for a very long time, and have settled into our home as newlyweds enjoying all of the new and thoughtful gifts we've received over the last few months.  


As we await the pictures from our photographer, we reminisce (me, on an almost nightly basis) about our special occasion thanks to images captured by friends and family.

A preview of our professional pictures can be viewed by clicking here!