October has been a super busy month for Jared and I, probably the busiest month all year, and there are still 10 days to go!
This weekend was a whirlwind, up and back to the Finger Lakes region of New York to celebrate the wedding of Rachel Goodman and Nick Lombardo. Rachel is one of my library-crew girlfriends, and the first one of our group to tie the knot. All of us girls have been looking forward to her wedding for MONTHS, as planning details were shared during get togethers over the past year. As we celebrated last night, we reflected on how long ago our days of shelving books and goofing off at the Patchogue-Medford Library seem, and how with her wedding, a new era of our friendship has begun.
It was a truly lovely wedding. The venue for Rach and Nick's nuptials was the beautiful Esperanza Mansion, in Keuka Park overlooking Keuka Lake. The view from the mansion grounds was breathtaking, and Mrs. Goodman, Rachel's mom, decorated the outdoor patio and reception hall so beautifully it looked like a magazine spread. The fall foliage colors we enjoyed during our drive up were displayed throughout the centerpieces, the dias and cake table decor, place cards, and more. The wedding party and honored family all looked fabulous. The cocktail hour hors devours hit the spot, our dinners (which included pumpkin bisque in a pumpkin bowl) were scrumptious and filling, the signature drink (warm apple cider with bourbon) warmed us up after the SuRpRiSe fireworks the Goodman's arranged, and the DJ played such great music that even Jared was up and dancing. The night was topped off with great wedding cake and everyone's favorite Italian cookies. Most importantly though, it was an evening that brought friends together to celebrate one of life's most important decisions and days. Photos of the happy occasion are below.
In other October festivity news, we celebrated the baptism of Archer Henry Vuono, Jared's nephew and our new godson, up in Charlestown. It was so nice to visit with Tara, Nick, Sebastien, and Archer (and the Verdi's at-large) over Columbus Day weekend, and we're very excited to be Archer's godparents. That Monday, back in Brooklyn, we celebrated my 27th birthday with dinner at Prospect Heights' James and a new pizza stone, which I'm super excited to use this winter. Jared left for Montreal that Thursday morning for the Cingleton Mac-developer conference. While he was out-of-town Brigid and I had gals night, with dinner at Jimmy's No. 43 in the East Village on Thursday (thank you Brig for the b-day treat), a relaxing Friday evening to myself, and then a mini birthday bash with Katie D. and Katie W. on Saturday, which included a food tour of Park Slope (three pasta dinners at Fornino - Park Slope, drinks at Beauty Bar, and gelato at Caramello). Jared was back on Sunday 10/14, full of new Mac-developer knowledge, and turned 28 on Friday 10/19. We enjoyed a yummy Indian dinner at Surya in the West Village then moseyed through the Rubin Museum of Art, which features art from the Himalayas. What can I say? I really like themed activities. And for the next few weeks Jared gets to enjoy some special Bourbon coffee, his birthday treat.
It has been a great few weeks, and we're so happy for our family and friends who have embarked on new journeys this fall!
