Thursday, January 1, 2009

A Personal Post: News Sandwich, Anyone?



You know how in the business world, management is supposed to deliver a "compliment sandwich" where they first say something nice, then something not-so-nice, then finish up with a compliment or kudo? Well, 2008 has been a "news sandwich" for our family, with the sad news alternating with the happy news.

Each time something major would happen, I've wanted to blog about it...and before I got to it, something else major would happen! So, finally, here it is, all in a nutshell (a copy and paste of our Holiday Letter to friends & family)...and for those of you wondering who Nicholas (Nicky) is, he's my sweetie, my muse & inspiration and the very reason I had the confidence and support to start this whole, crazy scarf designing business in the first place! Our letter to you all...

Happy Holidays from the Heart of Canyon Country!

So much has happened this year, we hardly know where to begin! Biggest news first: Nicholas proposed to Celeste at a formal dinner in Salt Lake City in front of about 60 new and old friends…her answer was a resounding, “YES!” We finished out the evening by being quite possibly the happiest couple in a crowd of 21,000 at the annual Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. A night to remember for a lifetime…we’ll keep you posted on an exact date, we’re looking at next Spring, 2009. Thank you all for your support and well wishes these past 3 years; we’re looking forward to many, many more.

As if a crowd-grabbing proposal weren’t enough, Celeste is basking in a bit of public glory with her booming scarf business: Vegetarian Times, a national magazine, pictured one of her designs on page 62 of the January 2009 issue (it's #2 on the Hot Picks list next to a blurb about the Vegan Etsy team that Celeste belongs to). If you get a chance, pick up a copy at your local newsstand! In fact, business with her online scarf boutique is so bustling, that when she was laid off in November, she was actually relieved because it gave her time to fill all those scarf orders! She hopes to continue concentrating fulltime on designing & selling her scarves.



We’ve been blessed to be able to visit with so much family this year, including both of our dads and stepmoms, Nicholas’ beautiful daughter Hannah who is growing up so fast & Celeste’s mom & her sweetie Mike. We’ve enjoyed keeping in touch with Nicholas’ mom who moved to the big city of Seattle late last year, and look forward to seeing her real soon….maybe at a certain someone’s upcoming wedding here in Utah. ;)

Especially important, we are glad to have had the joy and honor of visiting both Celeste & Nicholas’ grandmas shortly before they each passed away. Although we miss these two, spunky farm girls and their love of life and sense of fun, it does give us some comfort to know that they’re in a better place & that they each left behind large families to carry on their legacy of love & integrity.

We said goodbye to two amazing ladies who were the heart of their families in the span of a month’s time…followed by losing our beloved dog, Cosmo, unexpectedly last week. Cosmo was with Nicholas, every day, through thick & thin, for a decade and our home is not the same without him. Again, our hearts are breaking at losing someone so special, while at the same time we are glad he didn’t suffer and that the tumor that was growing unbeknownst to us didn’t slow him down or effect his quality of life until his last day—he even played in the snow with our other dog, Cinema, and ate with gusto the evening beforehand. Like Celeste says, “Cosmo had 15 years of good days, and one bad day…. Well, maybe the day he got neutered wasn’t so hot, but other than that…”



That’s our year in a nutshell—the happiness and the tears. Next year we will be reporting about the fun we all shared at our wedding!

Love,
Nicholas & Celeste

31 comments:

Rosalynn said...

Congratulations Celeste, on both the engagement and the magazine feature, how exciting!!!

Robyn said...

congratulations celeste! all the best in 2009

XOX, Robyn (weeballyarns)

Kindred Knits said...

Congrats to you and your sweetie!

Judy Elizabeth said...

Congratulations to you both! Happiness and joy!

Warm hugs and love, Judy elizabeth

cheeseatfourpence said...

Wow, that IS big news!! Congratulations and much happiness to you both.

Tracey (Cheese at Fourpence)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your engagement! You are a beautiful couple. Wish you a wonderful year.

Essie from etsyknitters

Jenn said...

Congratulations. You are a beautiful couple!

Brenda said...

Oh Cosmo, what a sweet sweet face! I'm so sorry for your losses, and so danged HAPPY and excited that you'll be getting married! Big huge hug!!! What a year you've had. Can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for you. xo

Ellen said...

Congratulations, Celeste! The Challengettes all miss you, but are thrilled that you are "scarfing" up the success with all your knitting!
Love, Elle

Asianexpressions said...

Congratutalions to a very happy, beautiful couple!
Uyen

Lo Christine said...

What a busy year! Congratulations!!

Ajoydesigns said...

Congrats Celeste, may you have a wonderful 2009 and many more to come. Happy wedding, happy business and happy life.
Angi

Crickets Creations: Handcrafted Fashion Accessory Scarves and Fringies Professional Photo Portrait Props said...

Thank you so much, everyone, for all your sweet comments (especially from my much-neglected One-A-Day Challengettes)!

I know for sure that I would not be where I am today without your kindness and support.

Lolo Sinclair said...

Congratulations my dear amiga Celeste!!! En hora buena... All the best for 2009..

Hugs and besos para los dos!!!

Lolo :-)

KilaRohner.com said...

Celeste, congrats on New Beginnings!!! I'm so happy for you!

For The Cross Jewelry Designs said...

Congrats Celeste! Everytime you speak of your sweety, I can feel the love shining through. I'm SO happy for you!

Luvs and Hugs, my friend!

Terri

Tammie Lee said...

Oh my goodness, what a year you have had. My heart goes to you with the sad things and my heart celebrates your engagement wishing you a life time of happiness together!

KJ said...

congrats Celeste...may you continue to have the happiness you deserve!

Lotus Out Loud ॐ said...

What an eventful year, Celeste! Congratulations on your engagement and business boom and recognition! Yay!

And my heart goes out to you for your losses. *hugs*

Best wishes for the new year!

purplecat said...

congrats- you will surely have a wonderful year!

Feltwerker said...

Thank You Celeste for shining a light for all to see!

Congratulations!!!
Denise
www.feltwerker.etsy.com
www.craftwerker.etsy.com

my7kids said...

Congrats, Celeste, and may God go with you into your marriage!

Nikki
my7kids at Etsy
HeartFeltFun at Etsy
mysevenkids.blogspot.com

Carapace said...

Great to know how things have been going, Celeste! I just know you'll have a great New Year, too-- and I hope that man knows how lucky he is!:D

Veganosaurus said...

Congratulations on the engagement Celeste!! Wish you and Nicky a wonderful new life together!! :)

- Susmitha :)

Jenny said...

Congratulations on your triumphs, and my heartfelt condolences on your losses. Wishing you prosperity and happiness in 2009! From Jenny at beeskneesknitting

Unknown said...

Celeste and Nicky Congratulations on your engagement! Congrats on the magazine feature and the busy business! Miss you lots Meagan

Julia K Walton - Fire Horse Textiles said...

Warmest congratulations on your engagement and business success. Happy New Year to you both :D

l'actrice said...

So happy to hear all that news from Celeste and Nicky. A happy couple soon to get married! You both look great together! You will miss Cosmo! He looks so sweet! Love ypu guys!

Brownbunnybyiris

Furmom Bev said...

Hi Celeste - All your friends in Portland, Oregon, have been wondering what you were up to. Surprised to hear you have left BF, but your new career sounds very creating and exciting. I LOVE your scarves! Gorgeous colors. Such a far cry from the Oregon Neutermobile days!

Congratulations on your engagement to Nicky - he sounds like the perfect guy for you. I was sorry to hear about the loss of both your grandmothers and Cosmo - but it sounds like they all had wonderful lives.

I will forward this blogsite on to your friend here in the Northwest!

Keep in touch!

~ Bev

Anonymous said...

You've had quite a year Celeste. Congrats on the feature and engagement.

So sorry you lost your grammies. I lost my grandmother last year in February. Her memory is strong with me.

My cat of 18 years died on Dec. 23. She will be fondly remembered.

good luck to you in 2009!!!!
xo

Unknown said...

Thanks so much, again...and Jessica, thank you for understanding. :)
Celeste (Crickets)