My Daughter's Wedding to Be.....

Babies.....

2009-11-24T15:39:00.006-05:00

.....I mean Baby's.....Breath!! As in flowers.....and you know I love me some flowers! I have always loved baby's breath, but there was a time when I saw it as cheap filler for a beautiful flower arrangement and didn't use it much anymore in the floral work I did.

But....I was just over at one of my favorite wedding blogs to stalk, Aylee Bits, and saw the most amazing compilation of photos of weddings where they used only baby's breath! It is amazing....see: Not only is it very inexpensive, but it is very easy to work with! It's also so light and airy and just makes a beautiful statement. Personally, I feel that if you're going to use baby's breath....use lots of it. Huge arrangements....roping....I love the flower girl's headpiece and I love the wreaths! Check out the gorgeous centerpieces in the picture below....bottom, center. Aren't they fabulous!I even like the bunches of baby's breath mixed in with other white flowers, like below:

I did a little more "blog stalking" and found the fabulous photo below at WeddingBee.com, which I abosolutely LOVE to follow. It's a blog with a group of brides past and brides to be....you get to follow their road to the altar....at the altar....and past the altar. They lean on each other for help, advice and ideas to make their wedding special. Anyway, check out this pic:You can actually see more of this beautiful, over the top wedding at David Monn's website here.

So, if you're on a tight budget, or just want to make a huge impact with flowers, think babies....I mean baby's....breath!

You're gonna love this!

2009-09-23T20:49:00.005-04:00

I don't post here often, but when I saw this I knew I had to post about it! What a creative and unique way to keep your wedding party and family informed about the events surrounding your wedding!Folded it is about the size of a business card, so it can be conveniently tucked into your wallet. I love checking out the Weddingbee website. All of the brides to be have such great ideas! And I love see the results of their efforts after they're married!

Somebody had to do it.......

2009-08-02T16:40:00.005-04:00

.......and what a great job they did! This is awesome!

Now this is what I'm talkin' bout!!!

2009-07-23T17:00:00.002-04:00

Now this is original! Memories for all who attend for years to come. I love it!

Dare to be different.....dare to be YOU!

2009-07-19T20:34:00.003-04:00

As you all know, I'm all about weddings and I just love to see what fabulous, creative and new ideas others come up with to make their weddings special. HOW I wish I had gotten married during a time when it was all about having a wedding that is an "event"....one that everyone talks about for years to come....and one that completely reflects the couples style and personality. I'm actually amazed at how many "grooms" are actually getting involved in the wedding planning process and putting their "mark" on the day!

I just love THIS wedding.....CLICK HERE.

I love her shoes....I love her gown.......I love her headpiece.....I love the guys ties....I love the table cards....I love the centerpieces.....I love, love, love the photo booth idea they came up with.....not a real fan of the cupcakes versus a wedding cake, so their cake and cupcake combo was a compromise (I'd still have to have a multi tiered cake)...I love their venue....I love, love, love, love their photographer....and I love them! What a great couple!

Enjoy!

OMG - and this to match!!!

2009-07-02T13:30:00.003-04:00

This blog is to die for! How creative!!! I'm dying to make some of these.....anyone want to send me some shoes or a bag??? Click HERE.....

And I just have to post these, too!!!!

2009-07-02T13:19:00.003-04:00

I don't know why I didn't see this project the first time around, but these are just fabulous! Gosh, I wish I could wear them!!!! Even if I could....where would I wear them??? Click HERE for the link!

I just HAD to post these.........

2009-07-01T22:40:00.002-04:00

I don't really consider myself a "shoe" person, although I do understand that the shoes can make or break the most fabulous outfit. I've seen this style of shoe....I think in magazines. I think they are very fashion forward, but of course not shoes I could wear....maybe years ago!

BUT....as you all may know, I'm a sucker for a great DIY project and I think this one is fabulous! So I'm sharing.....here's the link to this brilliant project...check it out!

Let there be light.....

2009-05-05T17:47:00.002-04:00

....and let it shine on you! I just love this idea I found while "blog stalking" at this blog. They even offer the "how to" for them! I don't know if I'd want pictures of myself on every one of my tables, but I think it's a great idea to have them on the guest book table, at the entrance, or the cake table.....or just in random places throughout your venue.

Aren't they great!

This is just the CUTEST idea!!!!

2009-04-23T17:19:00.004-04:00

I know.....I really do not have the time to be surfing wedding blogs and websites, but every now and then, I just can't resist taking a break to do just that. AND look what I found!! This is the greatest idea for the groom I've seen in a looong time. In fact, it is actually quite rare that you see great ideas of things to help include the groom into the wedding event. I adore this! You buy the socks of your choice, then go to this website (Tie That Binds) and download the label for $7.....unlimited prints! Don't you just love this? I found a different version (this is where I saw it first) at the Style Me Pretty blog....I love that blog! She shows you exactly how to put it all together....

I think it would be so cool to pick out really unique socks......for the wedding day!

Great Guestbook Idea!

2009-01-16T12:58:00.006-05:00

It's all in the details.....and this is one that I am just soooo excited about! I watched the newest Martha Stewart Weddings show, which featured one of her assistants, Liesel Menning. It was an eco-friendly wedding in Franklin, Tennessee and I just loved all of the elements! But the one thing I loved MOST was her guest book quilt! What a fabulous, fabulous idea.....and one I'm hoping I can convince Shelby to do for her wedding!!! (What do you think, Shelby???)

They made a large square in the center with the bride's and groom's initials and wedding date. Then they had smaller squares that guests could personalize with permanent markers. Later they were sewn into a quilt!!!

Isn't this the most fabulous idea??? I mean WHO pulls out their guest book to look at the written names of who was there.....we KNOW who was there! I love this more personal type of guest book...one where guests can leave their sentiments....and with the quilt you'll be reminded on every cold night just who was there and how much they love you!

One of Shelby's closest friends, Lindsey, got married last April and I made a Wishing Tree for her....I just loved the idea and it looked beautiful in the room. And now she has all of these beautiful sentiments from everyone who was there with her and Darren on their special day. That is definitely more special than a guest book with a bunch of signatures!

More Stands......

2008-11-22T09:18:00.004-05:00

Once I get something in my head, it's hard to get it out!!! Here are a few more ideas for cake stands:

I think this is quite unique!

This is similar to the cake Shelby has expressed interest in....except she wants it all white and she wants the hydrangeas to be very uniform (I can't find the one she made in photoshop!). In this case the flowers would become the cake stand....just raise up the cake and fill the area with flowers...how pretty!

This was at a wedding that was held at a winery! What a great idea!

I still love the birdbath idea....but I also think that if you took the top off of this one and put the cake in it and set it on the cake table, it would look great! You could have a riser in the middle to raise the cake and fill with water....it would look like it's floating in the water! How pretty and unique!

Now this idea is great for a nautical type wedding, a wedding on a cruise ship or a wedding held on the water! It's a ship's wheel! I love it!!!

Well, I'll keep thinking and let you know what I come up with next!!!

Dare to be Different - Make a Stand!

2008-11-21T18:23:00.005-05:00

Literally.........I was bored the other night and was surfing some wedding websites and saw the most unique cake stand! I didn't save a picture of it, so I've been searching ever since trying to find it......and I did!

I'm not crazy about the twigs sticking up everywhere, but I thought the tree trunk as a cake stand for wedding in the outdoors was very creative! Many brides do pay close attention to this detail......and some take it just a bit too far!

Most are pretty traditional in their choices.......... ....it's beautiful, but would probably only look right in a traditional setting. I find that alot of brides these days are anything but traditional. This generation's bride wants to put her own unique personality into her wedding......and I think the best way to do that is in the details! Some brides spend a fortune on cakes that feed 1000 for a guest list of 200 just to have the "WOW" factor when people walk in the room. I think you can do that just by being a little creative in choosing the base your cake sits on....look at some of these!

I love this!!! Right now I have a planter similar to this sitting on my front porch with a huge pumpkin on it.......I think it makes a statement. I think the cake is so much more beautiful on the planter than it would be just sitting on the table. And check this one out........

I think this is awesome! It would be gorgeous in an outdoor garden setting! And I think these would make great cake stands........

...this one has a vintage feel.......sitting on top of the cake table surrounded with votive candles, I think would be gorgeous. You could even add some floral touches!

This would look great at a wedding with an Oriental flair....

This one is perfect for a Texas wedding (not you, Shelby!!!)

This is soooo shabby chic!

Or you could take a tip from the show I saw the other night on CMT.....My Big Redneck Wedding......her cake stand was beer cans! Whatever your choice....whatever your personality....make it you! But don't forget the details.....no one else will either!

I'm Moving!!!!

2008-10-27T18:45:00.002-04:00

I know it sounds crazy, but I've found a new home. It just doesn't sit right with me to blog about stuff that isn't wedding related....this blog is about a wedding and I'm going to leave it to that...blogging about weddings (one of my most favorite subjects!).

Soooo.....visit me at my new home, Inside Out!!! Feel free to stop in anytime.....and make yourself at home!!! See you there!

Good Morning!!!!

2008-10-26T09:12:00.002-04:00

Sometimes it's hard to sleep after the sun comes up.....but sometimes we really want to sleep in a little. We have skylights in our bedroom, which makes it extra bright in the morning, so once in a while one of us (or both) will get up and retreat to the sofa for a few extra winks..........this is what I found in the living room this morning:

Isn't that cute!!!

They're baaaaaaaaaack!!!!!!

2008-10-18T19:47:00.002-04:00

Welcome Home, Shelby and Justin!!!

Shelby called a little while ago to let me know they are home.....tan.....and tired! We didn't talk long because they have to get unpacked, do laundry and then Justin has to pack again........yep, he has to do a rotation 3 hours away from San Antonio and will be gone for a month! Poor thing!!

I think I'll just sit here and wait to see Shelby's vacay post.....can't wait to see the pictures!!!

Whoaaaa....girlfriend, you need to syndicate!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-17T22:52:00.003-04:00

I was just checking out Courtney's blog to look (once again!) at the picture of her, Lindsey and Shelby and happened to check our her counter! Holy Moses, girl!!!!!!!! You could pay for your wedding if you would just syndicate your blog. Dang...............I thought I was getting alot of hits!!! Here's Courtney's counter as of 10:54 pm on Friday night!:

Geeeeez.................I feel so small now! I thought my blog was getting alot of hits! But then I'm sure I don't have anywhere near as many friends as her (they started dry rotting years ago!)!!! Girl, your blog is a hit!!! Syndicate, syndicate, syndicate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll manage your bog for only 10%!!!! :o)

Haven On Earth......

2008-10-17T18:40:00.025-04:00

It was close, but we made it to Graves Mountain! We were packing in the morning when we heard the "You've Got Mail" sound....yep...another foreclosure that Dennis needs to list! We didn't panic...just took care of everything and figured we'd get out of town by 2 or 3...plenty of time to make it for dinner! NOT.......an hour later another one came over and 20 minutes after that...yep, another! Three in one day!!! We rushed to get done what had to get done and got to Graves Mountain just after sunset.

Shugs was soooo excited to be going for a ride in the car and she loves it even more when her bed gets to go, too! She used to hate going for a ride in the car, but once she figured out that the alternative was to stay behind without us, she started going along and now she just loves it!

I could hardly wait to get there....it's been 6 or 7 years (can't really remember!) since I've been and each year I've known when it was Graves Mountain weekend...if you weren't there this year, it smells the same...it looks the same....it feels the same! There was a great group this year......20 of us on Friday night, 15 on Saturday night and 6 of us on Sunday night! Of course, we all really missed some of the OSLers that couldn't make it this year....as a last thought before heading out the door, I ran off copies of Shelby and Justin, Courtney and Austin, and Lindsey and Darren....figured it was better than nothing! Y'know...I think they had a great time!!! They got to sit by the fire, eat at the harvest table.

...sit on the porch....Shelby and Justin even helped make the Cabin Chicken Chili (recipe coming soon!)...yep, I think they had a great time!

On Saturday the guys had breakfast going before our feet hit the floor...it was delicious! Melinda started her Cabin Chicken Chili for our lunch, then headed out with Jess and Robin to a baby shower. Dennis and I went down the Apple Harvest Festival to check it out...great bluegrass music, crafts, food and I love watching them make apple butter. I thought I was taking a picture of the guys making it, but I guess I wasn't...check out the video! Sound like the festival????

Then we took a drive up to Skyline Drive.....it wasn't peak, but the colors were brilliant on one turn, then you'd make another and it was pure green.....it was a beautiful drive.

On the way back, we decided to mess with "Gypsy" (our GPS system) a little bit. We really just wanted to go through the mountains to get back instead of around them. So when she said go straight, we took a left....when she said take a left, we took a right....she recalculated so many times I think she was dizzy. THEN she decided to mess with us a little....she had us going down a "slightly paved" road, which turned into a rocky road, which turned into a dirt road that got narrower by the turn.....we were having such a great time! We really thought we were going to get back to Graves by going over the mountain.......not! We ended up at a gate...with a sign....and the sign said, "If you can read this, you're within range!". Needless to say, we did a quick u-turn and I could swear that I heard "Gypsy" chuckle.

We gave up and got back on the main road....we got back to the cabin in time for dinner and some relaxing on the porch! Later Adam started a fire in front of the cabin, the OSL and Partners hangout! The adults sat on the porch with the puppies and drank wine, although I do remember a s'more or two! Yummm!

Melinda and I were the last to bed....we ran out of lime juice for our gimlets, but found some cranberry juice and made our version of "Decks Out of the City"....get it? I was a hurtin' fool the next day, but that night chatting was worth every pain that shot through my eyes into my brain!

On Sunday Dennis, Leslie, Karen and I headed to "town" (the apple shed, grocer and a couple of yard sales)...we found some interesting things at the yard sale. Check out what was inside of this tin when Leslie opened up! It must've driven that poor lady crazy when she couldn't find those teeth! In hindsight, I probably should have bought them....they might come in handy someday!

When we got back to the cabin and told Melinda, she HAD to see it! So she, Dennis and I headed out to check it out......then we decided to take a little drive over the hill to a winery! It was a cute little place and they had a house and log cabin on the property for rent....the log cabin was different, but nothing like Graves or Baby Graves!!!

After we left the winery, we took a back road we'd been told about by Mark, Everett's brother (they're from up in that neck of the woods....). We were expecting dirt roads, but I guess progress has been made and it all now paved, but it was a beautiful drive!!!

Back at the cabin, all of the kids had left......there was only Melinda, Brad, Everett, Robin, Dennis and me left! The place looked kinda lonely......and it sounded kinda quiet.....the chairs were empty....and the bonfire was out!

Sooooo.....we heated up all of the leftovers and had a feast!

Then Dennis went off to try his hand at fishing and Everett decided to take the chill out of the cabin by starting a fire....only first he had to split wood! He was doing great until he got to this one piece....it looked like it was pretty hard, but that man refused to let that piece of wood get the better of him.....here's the picture story of how it went:

Now I would have given up long before that hatchet got embedded in that piece of wood, but it didn't deter Everett....he headed down to get his feet entrenched in the earth, then tried a piece of wood to hammer it through, but ended up using a huge rock to pound the thing. I didn't get a picture of that because we were all laughing so hard! But he DID IT! I'm impressed!

I sure am glad that we had plenty of leftovers to eat and weren't depending on Dennis' catch of the day..... he said it's hard to catch big fish in little bodies of water.....I guess that's why he loves the Chesapeake Bay so much! Oh well, back to the salt water fishing! Monday was a sad day.....seemed that we'd done everything we could to fill the weekend and now it was time to pack and go. Shugs did get a little "dog watching" in.....there was a Golden Retriever swimming in the pond area of the creek....Shugs just sat there and watched, but I'm quite confident she wasn't thinking of jumping in! After we left, Dennis and I headed back up to drive the rest of the Skyline Drive....we stopped at Loft Mountain for lunch, then headed home. I drove, while he napped....not long into the drive Melinda called shrieking that her niece had gotten engaged and they're hoping to get married next October during Graves Mountain Weekend!!! ARGHH!!!! Melin says that she told her brother that she'd drive to Graves on Friday, Philly on Saturday morning, and Graves on Saturday night..........it would take more than a wedding to keep that girl from that cabin.....she hasn't missed that weekend for 17 years....I'm sure next year won't be the first!

See you there!!! PS - Sorry for the long blog, but it was a long weekend! I have lots more great pics that I'll post later....my hands are tired and this "Add Image" button really ticks me off!!!

It Seems Like Yesterday.........

2008-10-14T19:56:00.000-04:00

...........that we were celebrating your first birthday! I could hardly believe that it had been a whole year! You had learned so much that first year....you even learned to walk at 10 months old! Just in case you don't remember (!), here's your first birthday party:

We kept it small....just you, me, your dad, Granny Galvin and Jim Case. We had just gotten in the night before from taking my first cruise....a Carnival cruise to Nassau! It was fun, but it was the first time I had left you and that part was so hard!

My what a pretty baby you were....and what a lovely young lady you've become! I love you and miss you and hope you're having the best birthday ever!

Love, Mom

XOXOXO

Happy, Happy Birthday, Shelby!!!!

2008-10-14T00:29:00.000-04:00

I just spoke to her....they're having a great time at sea! I sure do miss her...but I'm so happy she's having a great birthday!

I love you, Shelby!!!

Happy Birthday!!

Mom XOXOXO

Save My Skin!!!!! Please!!!

2008-10-09T09:55:00.000-04:00

I used to doodle on scraps of paper when I was on hold with tech support or a teleconference.....now I "surf" blogs! I've seen some gorgeous blogs and really think that mind is boring, so I started "surfing" skins (which I originally called "templates"....taboo!) I've found one I love, but I can't figure out how to make it work right!

I've read about issues with widgets and when I tried to download the one I love, I had a widget issue, even though I have no clue what a widget even is!

Here's the skin I'm in love with.....can someone help me figure out how to make it my own? It's sooooo me.......it looks just like my daytimer!

Don't you just love it!!!! It's called "Notepad Chaos"....how appropriate is that???

It's Twins!!!

2008-10-07T20:08:00.000-04:00

Well, it's that time of year.....and although it's been a while since I've sat on that porch, I'm sooo dreaming of the smell of Graves Mountain and hoping that this year I'll be able to go to the cabin...it's been toooo long! Business is crazy right now, so Dennis and I both have to get it when it's there....makes for last minute planning to go out of town, but I've got my fingers crossed!

I just went to their website....just had to see a picture of it again! I'm telling you Melinda's "babies" look so much alike they're almost twins. The only difference is their age:

Well, that and the porch railings........but they will be finished the next time we're up! Isn't that amazing.....that for all of these years she's waited to find it....and it found her! Melinda's Baby Graves!!!

Hellooooo.....is anybody there!?

2008-10-05T15:16:00.000-04:00

Wow......I put a counter on the blog on Thursday night and I already have over 125 hits! Now, I don't know who you are (well, I know who some of you are!), or how you got to my blog, but I'd love to hear from you! Heck, if no one looks at your blog and talks back to you, it's just a diary....been there, done that....it's more fun to share!

By accident a found a couple of great blogs....I hit that "Next Blog" button at the top of my blog yesterday when I was making a post on Aprons Required...I thought it would take me to my other blog, but I saw this blog called Homesick Texan. At first I thought that Shelby had changed the name of her blog......but it's not Shelby! This is a great website for recipes....and her photography is awesome. I'm inspired....and check out how many comments she gets to her posts! Unreal! I don't think I want to go that far!

Anyway, I'm happy to know that someone is visiting my blog....I love company! But it would be alot nicer if I knew you were there! Let me know who you are...and how I can check out your blog! Hey, if you can find a mate on the computer, you can find new friends, too! See ya around!

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens......

2008-10-04T17:14:00.001-04:00

A few years ago Shelby gave me Oprah's 20th Anniversary Collection for Christmas....I think we watched the entire set of DVDs on Christmas Day! Almost every time she came over, that's what we did.....watched Oprah! I especially love her "Favorite Things" show, but it inspired me to do the same thing for my friends. The first year I gave them baskets filled with some of my favorite things: A Wusthof Santoku knife, Aromatique Cinnamon Cider scented oil, samples of Clinque moisturizer (courtesy of Clinique), Lindor truffles, among other things. Last year I drove myself nuts trying to design a cookbook with my "favorite recipes" for my Christmas Favorite Things gift. I knew the kids would love it since they no longer lived at home. But designing a cookbook and figuring out how to print and bind it to look nice was getting quite difficult. I was watching the Today Show one morning and they were giving some great ideas for Christmas gifts......one of them was a cookbook! You just go to Tastebook.com and type in your recipes, add your pictures and they send a beautiful cookbook with the tabs for each section and the recipes.....they look gorgeous! You can add up to 100 recipes.....it was close to Christmas, so I only added 50 at the time, but you can go back in and complete the rest of them and they will send them to you to hand out to everyone. You even get to pick out your own cover! Here's what mine looks like:

I think this is such a great idea.........you could ask everyone in your family for their favorite recipes and put them all into one book! You don't have to buy the book to enjoy the recipes....you can "share" them with others.

I will be posting some of my favorite recipes from the book at my newest blog, Aprons Required. In fact, cooking on the stove right now is the next entry, Pasta e Fagioli!!!

Have a great day!

Courtney.....this is for you!

2008-10-03T18:45:00.000-04:00

I was at Harris Teeter the other day and bought a stem of white hydrangea....it's been in the sunroom, so I forgot I had it! When I walked past it a bit ago I thought of you. This is one stem of hydrangea.....it cost me $5. I have bought them at different times of the year and they aren't always this full, but I would think they would be in July!

Just an FYI for you.........

Hanging Out......

2008-10-03T17:18:00.000-04:00

I was out on the deck just relaxing and saying, "so long" to the work week and I realized that it won't be long before the deck will be sparse again. I have enjoyed the spring, summer and, so far, the fall watching my flowers bloom and fill the deck with color.

Over the years I've tried every kind of flowering plant known to mankind to put in my pots and hanging baskets. It was a winter pastime to look through magazines and come up with a new and exciting combo for the planters, but for the last three years I've stuck with a winner......angel wing begonias.

The first year I bought red because Dennis is just not fond of pink flowers, but the second year I just couldn't take my hands away from the flat of pink ones! That is one plant in the basket. If it were a larger basket, the plant would have gotten even bigger! Here's one in the pot on the deck.....yep, that's ONE plant, too!

Yep....they are tried and true and I'm confident that my search is over for the perfect plants for our deck. They love the sun (and we get quite a bit of it), unlike impatiens, which I also love. I don't have to "dead head" then like the petunias, which I also love. We tried all greenery one year, but that didn't quite get it for me!

These are just too easy to take care of and so beautiful to look at.........they fill up the deck! They require little care....just a little water and fertilizer now and then. And they don't get angry if you get busy and forget to water them......they are quite drought tolerant!

In previous years I've promised myself that I'm going to cut them back and put them in the garage and I'm making the same promise to myself this year. Then in the spring I won't have to by new ones! They can make it through the winter if they are kept in the garage!

So, it won't be long before the deck will be sparse again, so I'm heading to kitchen for a glass a wine and then to the deck to enjoy it while I can. Have a great weekend!

New Blog On The Block!!!

2008-10-01T09:17:00.000-04:00

I started it quite some time ago.....one post and then no more. My intentions were good, but I actually forgot about it until recently. The "girls" are cooking....and sharing their experiences and I thought I'd share mine. Maybe my recipes will bore you, but maybe they will inspire you. Actually, I never really use a recipe....I don't measure anything, unless I'm baking...gotta measure then! Anyway, I just figured that it would easier for you to find the recipes down the road if they are all in the same place. Go look.........!

Aprons Required....let's tie one on!

Weekend in the Mountains.....at the cabin!!!

2008-09-28T20:54:00.000-04:00

We've just gotten in from Melinda and Brad's log cabin...........we had a great weekend, even though it rained on the way up Friday...through the night....and all day Saturday! It didn't matter because we had plans......big plans!!! Brad brought up the new cabinets for the kitchen and the wood to start the rails on the front porch and the inside stairs. It was a little late when we got in on Friday, so we settled back and caught up on what's been going on. Saturday morning we took off for the restaurant at Mabry Mill (we all love that place!).....Dennis tried the sweet potato pancakes and they were awesome!

After we got back, the guys were ready to get started on the kitchen! We cleared everything out and they sent us to the store to run a couple of errands....Melin and I stopped at Lover's Leap to catch the view......There was no view to be seen, as you can see!!! When we got back, the guys were hard at work and had already put three of the eight cabinets together! Amazingly, they installed (and perfectly, I might add!) all of those cabinets and made temporary countertops just in time for Melin and I to make dinner!!!

As they finished a cabinet, Melinda and I loaded it and we had the place back together by dinner time, so we could relax afterwards. The kitchen looks fabulous and there is soooo much room to store things and lots of counterspace! Melinda says it's nicer than her home kitchen (although I'm sure it won't be for long.....Brad is a "Kitchen Monster"!!

After dinner we all settled down to watch "Sex In The City".....well, almost all of us! The next morning Melin and I made breakfast while the guys started on the railing for the stairs and were done in no time at all....they look great and going upstairs feels alot less scary! Next they took their hammers, saws, drills, nails, screw and level out to the porch to start on the railings around the porch. Since we decided to put a cap on the top (Dennis said he needed someplace to set his beer down), we didn't have enough wood to finish the top railing all the way around or put on the bottom railing....we just added it to the "next time" list! While they drilled and hammered, Melinda and I moved furniture around, hung stuff, cleaned stuff.......and swept. Let me correct that! MELINDA swept.....ALL WEEKEND! If the guys made one cut with the saw, she grabbed the broom....her "broom muscles" have to hurt after this weekend! The Grin Sweeper!

Everything looks great!!! I gave them an old cedar chest of drawers that's been in my garage for four years....it fits perfectly in their room. Once we filled that, it really opened things up. We also put in the headboard for her bed. Their room looks wonderful!

After we had nailed the last nail, moved the last piece of furniture into its place, we had lunch and relaxed a little on the porch before we had to pack and go.....I just hate to leave that place! Sadly, we packed out cars and headed home.....I'm sure Melinda was doing the same thing on her drive home that I was....dreaming of all of the things we'll do on the next trip, and the next trip and the next. I'm just happy that there is one thing she doesn't have to dream about anymore.....owning her own cabin. This is it....it's the one.....and I'm so looking for to making many wonderful memories there. Home Sweet Cabin!!!

Melinda and Brad....thanks for an incredible weekend....it's one we'll remember always! We love you both! XOXOXO

More Pics of the Cabin!!!

Not So Calm Anymore.....definitely not bright!

2008-09-25T08:21:00.001-04:00

We have battened down the hatches and put away everything on the deck....now my sunroom is full of begonias!

Hey, I'm not complaining.....I'm an inclement weather lover! The wind has been howling all night, but it's really starting to pick up a little more now. It's nothing major.....but I do expect to see some pine cones and pine straw all over the yard when it's over......sure wish the leaves were changing, then I could get them all up at one time. Oh well!

Our poor neighbor put in new bulkheading this past summer....then, just two weeks ago, he had a pathway mulched all along the bulkhead. Now it's floating down the creek!! Here are some pics of the backyard:

This is a view of the neighbor's "floating mulch" from our yard.....I don't think that salty water is going to be very good for the 10 new crepe myrtles he planted all along the creek!!!

This is a view of our dock this morning.....the floor is under water about 3 inches. The tide this morning is pretty high, but we think that it will be the worst of it. It's supposed to rain and "gust" all day, so I'll let you know how the evening tide goes! Have a great day!!!

All is calm..........all is bright.......

2008-09-14T17:29:00.001-04:00

As you all know by now, Shelby and Justin survived Hurricane Ike, which wasn't really such a feat considering that it didn't touch them at all! In fact, Shelby called yesterday morning and said, "Mom, there are 7 mph winds, it's 83 degrees and sunny....going to run errands and lay out today!". Can you believe it?? Only 200 miles from such destruction and she couldn't even feel the wind in her hair (no further comment required here!). So.....the only thing they had to survive was me!!! I have a reputation of being overly prepared for such events.....and this time was tough because I wouldn't be there to think of everything for her....and I knew Justin would be on call and she'd be by herself. So I constantly kept her updated on where it was and where it might go....reminded her to get batteries and water...in other words, I was being me again. Of course, I know she's had plenty of practice at weather events living with me and I knew that Justin would make sure she didn't forget anything. I know he loves her and will take care of her....I'm just finding it difficult to cross that line between being the Mom that looks after her to the Mom that watches someone else fill that space in her life. Fortunately, I love and adore the man she's chosen to occupy that space....but more than that, I trust that he will always love and take care of her. So, Shelby, be patient with me if I still act like the Mom I've always been.....I'm working on being the Mom I need to be now....here when you need me and silent when you don't. I will always love you....and, like you, I've fallen in love with him, too! Live life and love life.....Mom XOXOXO

Finally......

2008-09-09T09:29:00.000-04:00

OK......you guys are killing me! Stop growing up so dang fast...this is just too much for me! If you're getting older, then so am I and that just doesn't work for me! Sooooo.......Courtney and Austin are ENGAGED!!! Surprise!!! Not.....they have been the epitome of a happy couple for a long time (Really? Eight Years??? Stop it now!). I'm sooooo happy for you guys! Congrats, congrats, congrats! Is there a new wedding planning blog in the forecast??? If you need anything....I'm here!!! Love you guys!

Like Mother....like Daughter!!!!!!!

2008-07-27T14:08:00.000-04:00

I know it's been a long while since I've posted......no excuses! Maybe I have a few reasons, but they'd all add up to the same thing.......just like Shelby, I'm a blog slacker! I guess you all know by now that my girl has moved to San Antonio.....it has been a real adjustment for both of us and one that hasn't come without many gut wrenching tears! I just can't tell you how very much I miss her. The worst part is that maternal thing that is at the core of me.........if she needs me, I can't just jump in the car and take her a "hug" or some egg drop soup.....or just a nod that her sauce is perfect! Of course, I knew this day would come....and I had a few months to prepare for it, but I didn't. I kept pretending that it wasn't happening...and then it did. I have to admit that it did make it easier to know that in only three weeks I would be flying down to visit her.....sometimes the excitement took my breath away. I could barely concentrate on anything! We had a great time.....as soon as we landed I turned on my phone and within seconds it rang with that familiar number that makes me smile. She thought we'd landed about 15 minutes before and was a bit worried about where I was. We talked until I reached the escalator and looked down to see her beautiful smiling face! I could barely wait to feel her hug!!! We were both starved so I suggested Aldacos....I had been there four years earlier on a company trip and had taken a Mexican cooking class there. I wanted her to taste their food! Once we got there and started asking questions about their catering services, we found out that the Sunset Station (which runs Aldacos) has many venues they own within a six block area. We met the catering manager and took a tour. We fell in love with The Spire, which is a stone church built in 1884.....originally we thought it would make a great location for the reception, but then we went to visit the St. Paul Square Courtyard and fell in love!!! We then decided it would be better to have the ceremony at the Spire and the reception in the courtyard. When you step into the courtyard, you feel like you are in a tropical western town....hard to imagine, I'm sure, but trust me.....it's PERFECT!!! Below are the pics to prove it......

The Spire Inside The Spire

The Couryard (this is only once SMALL part of the courtyard - we think it would be a great area for cocktails and then later for dancing)

When you stand in the courtyard and look up, this is what you see....what I don't have pictures of YET is what you see standing IN the courtyard.....beautiful mesquite trees, tropical palms.....a gorgeous fountain. I love it.....

Soooooooo.....our first day together in San Antonio was a very productive one!!!! After we left Sunset Station, we headed to the Riverwalk.....it's become a tradition for me to have a cactus pear margarita at the Zuni Grill on the Riverwalk. My first trip there was with Dennis and we discovered this fabulous drink. Shelby sent me a phone pic of her having one on her first trip there with Justin! Wow..........what a great family tradition!!! I think we should have a traditional cocktail for every place we go!

I love Shelby's and Justin's apartment......what a great job they have done at setting up their new home....and it feels just like a home. When I put my bags in my room, I found Texas postcards on the bed.....Shelby's little way of welcoming me to Texas.

I just can't tell you what a great time I had there in my five days....it was the happiest I had been in weeks! It was also wonderful to be able to spend so much time around Justin and I fell more in love with him while I was there. He's such a good human being.....great heart.....sensible.....funny (ohmigosh....I love it when he sings!!!!!!!).....and he is so good for my girl! It was good to see that he loves her.....but it was also good to see that they are real with each other....there's no pretense.....they care a great deal about each other, themselves....and more so, their relationship. I'm a proud mom and a lucky one.

So, leaving was just the most awful thing I'd felt in such a long time. This time it was harder to leave her than it was for her to leave me. I don't know when I will be able to see her again. She's found a great job and so it will be tough to take time off. It's also hard to take off to visit here, when she and Justin want to spend as much free time as possible traveling....and I really want them to. They are in a great location in the US and there is so much down there to see...they need to spend every minute enjoying where they are. In the meantime, we'll call and much as possible.....email our ideas about everything, including the wedding, food and other stuff....and we'll miss each other (yep, the tears are flowing......).....we'll miss each other alot. But knowing how much she misses me is my reward for having loved her all of my life. If she didn't love me back, she wouldn't miss me, would she? So, I'll take that thought, dry my eyes and go have a margarita.....to my Texans, Shelby and Justin....I love you every day, all day......Mom XOXOXO

Wow....it's been a while!!!

2008-04-25T08:07:00.001-04:00

We had a great trip to Charleston.....a couple of mishaps, but everything turned out beautifully! To start with, we picked up the 1100 carnations, 200 rose, the peonies and hydrangea and started out 7 hour trip to Charleston. Melinda and Anna followed us and we made a couple of stops along the way to grab a bite to eat, go to the restroom and stretch our legs. When we arrived, we went immediately to the condo we rented.....great place...plenty of room for all of us and lots of space to work on the flowers. We immediately immersed all of the flowers in fresh water, unpacked and relaxed. The next morning we started working on the arrangements and the carnations were almost all buds AND they were the tiniest carnations I'd ever seen. Panicking, we started calling every florist in town and rounded up more carnations and then bought more roses, just in case. All of the flowers turned out beautiful, but poor Lindsey's bouquet suffered immensely after taking pictures all day in 80 degree weather. The peonies held up find, but the hydrangea went completely limp!!! I had actually ordered more of the hydrangea, but when I picked up the flowers there was a lady there who had forgotten to order her hydrangea and I shared mine with her!!! Argh! Since we were stuck in traffic (horrible in Charleston!), the girls walked to the reception area and grabbed Lindsey's "throw bouquet", which was made of white mini carnations, and redid her bouquet....it looked great, but still broke my heart that it wasn't what she had wanted. Lesson learned!!! She loved the reception area, the food was delicious (especially the shrimp & grits!). As soon as the photographer releases the photos, I will post them. We had a great time, although it took me a few days to come down from all of the excitement! Stay tuned for photos!!!

Time Out!!!!!!!!!

2008-03-29T22:29:00.001-04:00

I have to take a short break from "Shelby's wedding" to concentrate on "Lindsey's wedding". Lindsey is one of Shelby's BFFs and I just adore her. They went to high school together and have stayed close, even though Lindsey now lives in Atlanta. That's Lindsey....there to the left.....at her Charleston Chapeau bridal shower last month...what fun! She's holding the shrimp and grits she made....I'm using this photo and her recipe in my cookbook!

Lindsey is getting married on April 12th in Charleston, SC, one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. All of her friends, and most of the parents, are going! That is a true testament to how much this young lady is loved!

I never imagined, back when I was doing her makeup for ring dances and proms, that someday I would be doing her wedding flowers! Heck, it was hard to imagine any of them ever growing up and getting married! Especially so fast!

But they did...and she is....and I'm excited to be involved! I remember when she first asked me to help and my heart skipped a beat.......then when she told me her colors were Tiffany Blue and Deep Red, my mind started racing with ideas. There was little need for my ideas.....Lindsey is, unlike Shelby, quite decisive and knows exactly what she likes and doesn't like. That's a good thing for me......if I can reproduce in life what she explained to me in words, there will be no disappointment! I would hate to disappoint her!

So.........there's lots to do in less than two weeks. I've been working on the wishing tree...I'll add a pic when it's done. The flower order is placed.....I have several locations to visit to pick up different things....and then we leave on April 10th! I can't wait to see Charleston again! I'll take lots of great pictures to add to the blog!!

I'm sure I'll post again before I leave.....but if you don't see me around, I'm busy making a wedding!

By the way, this is a mock up of her centerpiece flowers.....the tables are long, 18 people on each side....18 centerpieces per table, with votives in square glass holders. It should be beautiful!

You're Cordially Invited......

2008-03-22T11:41:00.000-04:00

cor·dial /ˈkɔrdʒəl or, especially Brit., -diəl/ Pronunciation Key [kawr-juhl or, especially Brit., -dee-uhl] –adjective 1. courteous and gracious; friendly; warm: a cordial reception. 2. invigorating the heart; stimulating. 3. sincere; heartfelt: a cordial dislike. 4. Archaic. of or pertaining to the heart. –noun 5. a strong, sweetened, aromatic alcoholic liquor; liqueur. 6. a stimulating medicine. 7. anything that invigorates or exhilarates. Well, I think that pretty much defines how we feel about this invitation thing.....it should be gracious, friendly, warm, stimulating, heartfelt....and we should pick them out while enjoying an aromatic alcolholic liquor, while making sure we have plenty of BCs for afterwards...sounds exhilarating....and I'm invigorated at the thought! Anyway.....here's one I like....not the colors, but the fold: I like this one mainly because of the fold...it's different and I haven't seen it before. I also love how they took the initial and put them back to back.....it makes a heart! "S" would do the same thing, but I have a feeling that wouldn't be something Shelby would like..... Nah....I still think I like the one in the blog below best.....I love that size and fold. I think Shelby wants a belly band around it though.....we'll keep you posted!

I Can Make That......

2008-03-19T18:53:00.000-04:00

A new email from Shelby! This time it contains a picture of a beautiful invitation.....it really does look alot like the one I had pictured in my mind! Of course she said she hated the Eiffel Tower!!!!! My gosh, she IS my child.....and she didn't get switched at birth! Phew!!

I really do love this style of invitation. And, according to Shelby, we will be making them ourselves! Now Shelby's idea of making them is ordering the papers and taking them to Kinko's for cutting and putting them together. On the other hand, my idea is to cut each piece of paper, print the information in her favorite font and then carefully glue all of the parts and pieces and....TAH DAH!

I don't know why I'm like that, but I am......it isn't the issue of money, although we do tend to be frugal in our family, even if it isn't necessary! I've just always looked at things and asked myself if I could make it myself.....but you must understand that I just love the whole process! I wouldn't want to miss out on a single second of the whole production. When I have things done for me, I'm usually disappointed.....I don't think anyone can make it look just like I picture it in my head. I've ordered flowers from a florist and then rearranged them....I've had a function catered and wished I'd done it all myself! It's a family joke that "I can make that..." should be the epitaph on my headstone....when we go to the art festivals and shows I walk through the whole thing saying just that.....and you know what, I know that I can....and I'd have fun doing it! I can't explain why I'm that way, but I am.....and I love every second of it!!!

I am so green.....

2008-03-18T08:27:00.001-04:00

....and it has nothing to do with drinking too much green beer or being jealous. We had a wonderful St. Patricks Day dinner....Shelby and Justin came over (I just love when they visit!!!) and we filled our plates with corned beef, cabbage, roasted potatoes and warm biscuits. We broke out the green food coloring and toasted the Irish with green beer, and, yes, green wine....and even a green vodka & tonic!

But my curiosity was peaked when, before dinner, I was showing Shelby some of the "mock ups" I was making for her to look at.....I had a swatch of "green" and Justin picked it up and said, "is this the color green you're using?". Ooops......I didn't mean to surprise him....in fact, I'm sure I didn't have the color right. As Shelby walks to the pantry to grab a cracker to snack on, he says he likes the color of the cracker box.......it's kind of a Christmas green....which I like......but I hadn't thought of it before as a wedding color.

Anyway, it sent us all in yet another direction to consider, which I think is a good thing.....but I could see in Shelby's face that we'd better table the "color thing" for now. But she did announce that she is "almost" sure that her wedding colors will be black, green (lime? kiwi? jade?) and white. Decisions, decisions, decisions......but I'm not sure I'd place my bet on the Christmas green. I love you, Justin....and I love Christmas green....but only at Christmas (Of course, I love you ALL of the time!). But if you look at the colors above, the one to the far right is, to me, a Christmas green............but if you just go to the left a little it gets much better!

How should I répondez, s'il vous plaît????

2008-03-15T11:16:00.000-04:00

"Back in the day" RSVP cards were pretty simple.....what were we thinking? I just love how this new generation has "loosened" things up a bit. Emily Post must be freaking out in her grave!!! But I love it!

So, Shelby has sent to me a copy of a RSVP card she found on the internet.....I love it! I don't know that we need people to respond as to what they want to eat since she's considering Southwestern food stations, but I just love the comments section......don't you know that the "Great Bridge Group" will have all kinds of funny comments to make.......and she can save them to read years later for a chuckle.

I've surfed around on the net to try to get some ideas and here's what I've found:

__Yes, wild flamingos couldn't keep me away

__No, I heard about the wild flamingos

Here's another one:

____ Glady attend

____ Regretfully decline

____Regretfully attend

____ Enthusiastically decline

____ Will decline to respond, but ultimately attend

____ Will respond, but not attend

I think they're so cute! I also love the new idea for RSVPs by going to the couple's website and sending the RSVP......heck, why give the United States Postal Service more money than we have to! It's also alot easier for the bride to keep up with, don't you think?

Whatever she decides, I'm sure that in the end we'll still be calling everyone at the last minute to find out if they're coming or not.....isn't it funny how some people just don't respond at all? I don't know how to respond to that.......well, I do, but I won't.

Imagine that.........

2008-03-14T10:51:00.000-04:00

OK.....I get that this is going to be a long process. I know that there will be many color palates chosen...and unchosen! I just wish I could take away the stress that I know she feels.....my indecisive one...

So, Shelby, here is what I have to say....and take this to heart! I am having the time of my life! Everytime you call with a new color combo, I allow it to roll through my creative corners and I imagine a whole new wedding picture in my head! And I've come to the conclusion that this is a blessing! I have imaginary weddings in my head in every color of the rainbow......almost like you're having more than one wedding (not!). But I've pictured you standing at the altar in your beautiful dress, surrounded by the most incredible friends anyone could have, looking into the eyes of an amazing man......and sometimes the colors in the bridesmaids hands are pink...sometimes they're yellow....and, yes, I've gone the distance and come up with some blue options! I've pictured in my head a reception that is classic white, fun pink, airy blue.....yep, I'm having the time of my life!

Just know that I'm always here......I will always support you in whatever you decide....your decisions will be your own.....and, as I've tried to do your entire life, when you make that final decision of what you want, I will do everything in my power to make it happen just like you picture it.

Until then, don't fret about me! I'm living the best dream of all........I'm dreaming of your wedding....in every color of the rainbow.....and I'm enjoying every minute of it! So, bring on the next color combo....I'm ready for anything!

OK......I get that this is going to be a long process......

I love you.......Mom...XOXOXO

Colors dancing in my head.......

2008-03-12T09:52:00.001-04:00

So.....after Shelby mentions the "watermelon and kiwi" color scheme, I decide to go to Norfolk Wholesale Floral to see what our flower options are........very few flowers come in "watermelon"......and there are quite a few that come in "kiwi"....now imagine that!

Too bad Shelby doesn't like gerbera daisies, because there's one that is watermelon AND kiwi...we'll see where that goes!

Soooooo.....Norfolk Wholesale is on the hunt for "watermelon" flowers for the bride who was almost born in their store! They all seem to have a vested interest in her wedding.....I can't walk in without someone saying, "how's Shelby?"...."has she picked her colors yet?". And, get this....they already know that they have to ship her flowers to San Antonio!!!

To end, I haven't quite gotten the "watermelon/kiwi" wedding pictured in my head yet, but I just love the color combination! We'll see where this goes!

I feel a slight turn in our direction.....

2008-03-11T10:39:00.000-04:00

OK.....here's the newest idea.....I think I love it!!! I also think the black will look GREAT with this.....still classy, but fun!!!!! Ohmigosh...what flowers come in watermelon???????

More on Color/Style/Stuff

2008-03-11T08:57:00.000-04:00

I love these colors, but I think I would completely flip this look.......the black and white on the bottom and the accents in the green....don't know about a runner....maybe.....but this picture is toooo much gree.....but I love it.....but it's too much green.....yep, still love it!

I just love this!!! We could have them in different colors/prints for each drink....and have either a monogram or the names and date on them! These are soooooo fun!!!!

Somewhere IN the Rainbow.....

2008-03-11T08:39:00.000-04:00

I would never have thought that choosing the color palette for her wedding would be so difficult! I guess having heard "pink" soooo many times over the years, I assumed that would be the direction we would head. But now I'm watching her anguish over this decision.....ahhhhh, my indecisive one! But I get it....once you choose those colors, there's no turning back...or turning around....and they do have to be just right! She started off with pink and orange.....what great colors.....fun colors!!! But they don't really express Shelby and Justin....they're definitely Shelby! So once she realized that this was about both of them, she put the pink and orange in the closet (I'm sure we'll all see it again someday though) and headed into a new direction.....round, and round, and round she goes............now we're looking at black, white and green! Great, great color combination. Very grown up and classy....and different...and, after all, she is Irish!!!! Back in my day no one would've thought there would be green flowers! But there are LOTS of them! I still say she should add a touch of pink somewhere! Wouldn't the pink shoes look great, Shelby! I just can't wait to see what colors we consider next!

Let's talk about this a little more......

2008-03-07T17:44:00.000-05:00

OK....I understand about the budget thing.........but I did my wedding cake and, as you can see, there were issues. It's been bugging me all day because I really don't remember alot about that day....if you remember, the cake was done THE DAY OF MY WEDDING! Oh sure, I made the chocolate shells before the wedding day, but the cake was done THAT DAY!

I'm all about the "DIY" thing, but we need to pick and choose what we can do...and do well!

If you look closely to my cake, it's not perfect.......of course, we'll be using fondant for your cake, which is much easier to make look "perfect".....and you won't have those little balls (my God, what was I drinking?)......ok, we'll do it....I just had to get all of this out......we'll talk....love you!

One more thing......

2008-03-07T12:27:00.001-05:00

This is the picture I sent to her to try to figure out if I have her vision correct in my head.....I think (I think you'll be seeing that word alot in the coming days) that this is basically what she wants, except she wants the top of each tier to be slightly rounded and she wants the hydrangeas to be all white and she doesn't want the ribbon and she wants them to be separated a bit more and she wants the hydrangeas to be flush with the tier above them.

Now I know that seemed like a long list of things to change with this cake, but c'mon now......how long would that list have been with the ones in the pics she sent to me?

Yes, I'm blessed with the most incredible daughter in the world! I love laughing with her and I love living in the same world with her! She's has been a mother's dream....she will be the most beautiful bride....and she is going to make Justin the luckiest man in the world (and vice versa!!). I love you, Shelby.....Mom XOXOXO

Here we go......

2008-03-07T11:53:00.000-05:00

We've been emailing each other this morning....mostly about the wedding cake. I think I'm starting to understand how this "wedding planning for my daughter" process is going to go.

She has told me several times that she wants a white cake.....tiers rounded.....white hydrangeas between the tiers, but tight and inline to the tier above them. Sooooo.....these are the pictures she has sent to me this morning to help me better understand what she wants.......all of these cakes are what she has sent to me to depict "white, rounded edges, white hydrangeas between tiers".

I think I know what she's trying to show me....I think it's the way the top edges of each tier are slightly rounded....she doesn't like the sharp edges (you don't get them with fondant covered cakes anyway). As for the rest of the cake, well, I'm not sure......I just hope that we don't end up with a wedding cake that has polka dots, stripes, butterflies and feathers......then I will just have to wonder if they mixed my baby up with another in that newborn nursery!

Note to Shelby: I think I get it, hon......don't worry, everything will be absolutely gorgeous. It's us......it has to be! I love you.....all of you! (I'm smiling...")

I'm a blogger!!!!

2008-03-06T21:02:00.000-05:00

Now that doesn't sound very nice, if you ask me.....but having lived for more than 50 years (not much more though!), and having been at the starting line of modern technology AND raised 2 children that managed to swim through it all WITHOUT water wings, I will believe that "blogging" is a good thing, so I'm IN! ....but it still doesn't sound like something I should really be doing and, if I were much younger, I wouldn't tell my Mom and Dad that I do it! Soooooo......Shelby's getting married! Wow.....that's the first time I've "typed" it and I got all tingly! Of course, most of that is due to the fact that she has found just the type of man I could have hoped for...and more!!! And now that she has a blog, I thought I should have one, too......as to what I have to say....well, we'll see!I'll sign off for now, since I'm not sure where to go with this......and I will ponder what I will say next. But keep in mind that those who have the same blood coursing through their bodies as I, don't normally go for very long without saying something! See you soon!!!