The things that make me swoon these days aren't quite the same things that made me swoon only years ago. Today? Today I'm swooning over the cutie in the kitchen who is painstakingly mooshing garbanzo beans with a fork so that he can make a double batch of mock tuna salad for a weekend in the woods with friends. Watching him search the spice shelf for some kelp powder practically put me over the edge.

In other news, the two of us took the day off to do some wedding planning together. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and seventy degrees, and we had an ass-slappin' good time. We chose the flowers...big, bright blooms in various fall hues...oranges, reds, and yellows. I'm not even sure I know what flowers they were. Perhaps some roses, lilies, and gerber daisies. The others are a mystery...

And then...glory of all glories...the first cake tasting. Holy. Mother. Of. God. I was so excited I practically tore Aud's arm off running into the building. We were in a sugar coma by the time we decided on our cake. Almond cake with raspberry preserve filling and a light buttercream frosting. It's the most delicious cake I've ever tasted, which is a good thing, I guess, since I've never spend $1,000 on a dessert before.

We kept our second cake tasting appointment a few hours later, but couldn't stomach a single taste and had to bring the six samples home with us. I let Aud pick out flavors at that place, so we've got some weird samples to try this weekend. Banana nut cake with peanut butter filling? Strawberry marble cake with caramel filling? Huh?

We stopped at Melt and I was pleased to see that they'll soon be carrying vegan cheese, which might be the best news ever...if it weren't for the fact that the patio is now open and they bought the place next door to expand the joint. Very nice. Then we wandered down the street to talk to our jewelry guy, Michael, about my wedding band.

All in all...a successful day. This stuff is much more enjoyable than venue choosing and dress shopping. It sounds like the not-tuna salad is done. I think I'd better go up to the kitchen and check it out...