Home Owner's!

Paul and I recently bought our first home together; as most of our family and friends know. 

We've been very busy bee's this last 8 weeks. Truthfully, we've been crazy busy since I got back to Oz last September. But more on that in future blogs. I've really neglected this little baby. 

Lots of Saturdays at home opens. After home opens came a few bank visits. After bank visits came auctions. Following our auction came packing. Next step was the big move. Finally after the move came unpacking, and more unpacking, oh and more unpacking. Moving was a relatively smooth operation. We only had one major mishap. Our washing machine took a digger down a flight of stairs. But that's what happens when you move with me as the hired muscle.  

Oh yeah! I forgot to mention I just turned 28 too! 

I'm now staring 30 square in the eye. 

We're still very much settling in. I'm a bit indecisive when it comes to house stuff. Paul is very patient with me. We don't have any one room completely set up.  However, each room is clean and organized enough for now! 

We are approaching our second week in the new house. I thought I'd share a few photos with you fine people. There are many more photos to come. But I haven't uploaded them yet, and I'm just too lazy right now. 

Here's Mr. F cooking our first meal in the new house: Pesto Tuna Pasta. 

This has quickly become my favorite go to meal from him. Paul never disappoints when he whips this medley up! 

 Over this past week we made a trip to Masters (Aussie version of Lowe's). It was purely a 'let's see what they have' visit. Well, we walked out with three rose bushes, rose soil, potting soil, four planting pots, and laundry detergent. That evening we decided it was as good a time as any to plant our new roses. Paul carefully removed the ferns that the builders planted. He then transplanted them in our new pots. Then it was time to flex my green thumb. After he did all the hard work (digging holes), I planted the roses. We are now the proud adoptive parents of three rose bushes. Time will tell if they accept us as their new guardians. 

Out of nowhere Kitschy Honeybees has also been on a steady incline. I've recently had more orders than I could have ever expected! When it rains it pours. Funny how when we had nothing going on I was just crocheting to pass time. Now I can't find enough hours in the day. BUT I am absolutely LOVING every minute of it. I am contributing to our household, and doing what I love. It feels stupendous! Shout out to my fabulous customers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I promise I'll be less neglectful of the blog, Dad. 

Ps: To our wedding guests-Flights become available in only two months! For any of you wondering our wedding date is booked in for October 3, 2015 at Royal Lahaina Resort on Maui, Hawaii. We're having a sunset ceremony followed by a reception. We're toying with when to send out our invitations, as we won't be doing save the dates. Time flies when you're having fun! 

Pps: Paul and I have purchased flights back to Minnesota for Christmas. During that time I'll have my bridal shower on December 13, 2014. There are also whispers of a Bachelorette party to follow that evening. More to come on those subjects. 

Flight availabilty

Just thought I'd check in, and let everyone know that there are still no flights available for purchase. As we already guessed they won't be available until October, 2014 for October, 2015.

 

 

Invitations will go out sometime in December.

Until then I'll continue to update the blog periodically.

Ps: To our friends/family in Minnesota we're coming home for a white Christmas, yay!
PPS: My Sister Molly will be hosting a bridal shower for me during that visit. In the near future I'll be hunting some of you down for addresses.

 

xo, Meaghan and Paul

 

Location, location!

Okay, everyone we've locked down a venue for October 3, 2015 at The Royal Lahaina Resort on Kaanapali Beach. 

 

This far out is generally too far in advance to book hotels, or flights. But Paul and I will do our best to keep everyone informed of when flights/lodging become available. Most airlines typically open up for bookings 12 months in advance. Right now we are 17 months out. Our plan will be to block about 10 rooms. The beauty of this resort is it's location. It is very close to several other hotels/resorts. It is unfortunately about an hours drive from the airport. But once you're there a plethora of activities are available. The Royal Lahaina itself also offers several lodging options. They offer rooms//cottages//beach houses. The cottages might be nice for groups/families or those looking for a kitchen to cook in.

 

 

Wedding Bloggin'!

Hi all!

 

As most of you know Paul and I are engaged. You also likely know that we live in Australia. That has left us with a tricky decision on where to hold our wedding as I'm from Minnesota, and Paul is from Perth (practically 10,000 miles apart). With some careful consideration we decided ((to keep things fair)) was to have our families each come half way. We've chosen to get hitched on Maui in Hawaii October, 2015. Consider this our very informal 'save the date'.  At this stage we won't be sending out hard copy save the dates. Invitations will be sent out closer to the date. We are going through the contract process with the venue as we speak.

 

This little blog will serve as an information source for our friends and family.

Feel free to ask any questions through here or via email, msbollum@gmail.com

 

As more information becomes available I'll continue to update via this blog.

 

We're so excited to share our day with you!

 

xoxo,

Meaghan and Paul

 

Oh Ps: I've purchased a wedding cake topper!

 

 

 

 



Getting my crochet on!

My little Etsy shop, Kitschy Honeybees is growing daily.

Just about every day I've been crocheting something new. I feel so lucky to have found something that I truly enjoy. It hasn't brought me a ton of revenue just yet. But I didn't expect to become a millionaire over night! I've had a few custom orders from a very supportive friend, and a few orders through the shop itself. For now I'll enjoy the fact that anyone wants to buy stuff that I make!

 

 

Here's just a little taste of some of the items listed.

 

 

For a full list of items check out my shop:

KitschyHoneybees

Daylesford!

Over the weekend Paul and I took a nice little day trip to Daylesford. It's a small country town a little over an hour from where we live. The main street is lined with kitschy shops, and cafe's. Paul obviously knows what I'm into, so he suggested we should check it out.

Right he was! I loved all the antique and thrift shops! We picked up a glass shell planter for our cactus, and a Western Australia coffee mug for the bargain total price of $8.00! It also happened to be pride weekend, which made everything more fun and colorful. Most of the shops, and restaurants had rainbow flags flying. There were also other unique ways of displaying rainbows. I should have photographed, they were so cute. In one window display I saw a rainbow of several little teddy bears.

We were all cute, and held hands at lunch...so I took a photo...

The area is also known for it's natural springs/blowholes/lakes among other things. After lunch/shopping we took the ute for a little bush driving to explore some of nature's splendor. Unfortunately, it's dry season here. Over the course of the day we saw something like ten fire trucks responding to bush fires. The natural springs weren't well maintained, Paul was not pleased with this finding. The blow hole was bone dry. The lakes however, did remind me of home though. We'll definitely have to get back in the winter after a little rain.

This was the once running tourist center near the natural springs. But it's now falling apart. It's a bit of a shame that something so amazing like natural springs are being neglected in such a way. 

Most of the pipes have a fair bit of rust, and eroding.

This bird didn't seem to mind though.

Paul tasted the water. I was a little too chicken, so I just did some posing. 

He said it had a knowledgy taste.

Flat Hunter!

I previously touched on mine and Paul's Flat Hunter task.

 I thought I'd share some of the photos with the rest of you.
Here's a mini geography/history lesson about a land down under!

The Round House in Fremantle, Western Australia.

The Round House is the oldest standing building in Western Australia.

It was previously used as a working jail in the late 1800's.

This was one of the first places convicts would stop upon their entry.

More in Fremantle. The STS Leeuwin. This ship serves as a training ship for young sailors. It travels along the West Australian Coast. I like it, because it looks like something Captain Hook would man.

Just your run of the mill kangaroo statue in Perth city.

The Bell tower, or Swan Bells are located in Perth city.

This structure over looks the Swan River, and houses 18 bells. 12 of those bells were a gift from London as for Australia's bicentenary. 

Tropical oasis palm tree action.

Mr. F keeping Flat Hunter safely between the flags at Williamstown Beach.

This is our local beach. Over the past summer we've only been twice. This was when the temperature was 110 degrees Fahrenheit or more well into the evening.

That week was the busiest I've ever seen that beach it was busting with people. In the water all you could hear were people having conversations.

Surf lifesavers. 

One flag with flying rats.

I used to think seagulls were kind of cute. 

Till I moved to Australia, and realized they were made to ruin people's lives.

Down at the pier in Williamstown. 

We stopped in front of the seaplane for a photo op.

Now actually on the pier where lots of rich folk have their sailboats docked.

In the distance behind the sailboats to the right you can see Melbourne city.

You can take a ferry from here into the city. Paul and I have yet to participate in this. But he's promised we will...one day.

Mr. F looking like a total tourist. I just so happened to cut out his shoes in this photo. He's rocking the Jerry Seinfeld, running shoes + jeans.

Next the Timeball. 

Paul's only explanation was that it's original purpose was to alert incoming ships of the time. I only just found out that it also served as a lighthouse. 

It was a windy afternoon as you can see with the waving Hunter.

It's not easy looking this dorky.

We make dorky helmets look...dorky.

After our Flat Hunter adventures we sat on our patio and enjoyed mimosas.

Earlier in the day we had an auction on our first apartment together, and it sold!

It was actually bittersweet. But most certainly a positive thing. 

Yay! Now it's time for us to do some serious saving, and begin our search for our first little house.