Here Comes The Bride! Rehearsal Dinner Tablescape

It's 3:10 a.m. and I am wide awake..today was the culmination of several weeks worth of decorating work on a much anticipated rehearsal dinner. (I also judged a Beauty and Beau pageant soon after the decorating ended, thus, I am still revved up!) Full days and coffee late in the afternoon = disaster when it comes to sleeping.

Wedding rehearsals are a fun preview of the day to follow. Excitement is like electricity in the air. This sweet bride requested only three things...simplicity, white branches, and mercury glass. This was to be a laid back dinner with people free to eat and converse and really enjoy the event. I did my best to comply.

My "jumping off" point...beautiful gray ribbon with silver (and a teensy bit of gold) paisley designs. Typically, February weddings are filled with reds, hearts and such...this was not an option (as per bride's request)...so I hit paydirt when I spied this wired ribbon.

It's been the coldest winter we've had in decades here, so an "ice crystal" winter theme was mulled. I decided to take the plunge and go for it..only to have the most beautiful spring like day dawn on rehearsal dinner morning...I kept with the plan with a few modifications. (So what if it was 70 degrees? It could have just as easily been 20 degrees..it was three days ago!)

The centerpiece was to mimic snowflakes and ice crystals...white spider mums, gray eucalyptus, silver ting ting and soft green fern were just what the gorgeous mercury glass vase needed. I combined two ribbons for the bow.

Centerpiece at night.

Back of arrangement.

On either side of the arrangement were hurricanes protecting silver candle sticks and white candles. The combination ribbon bows cradled a small bird's nest. Inside the nest was a silver heart instead of an egg!

Hurricane lit for the occasion.

I made dove gray tags with meaningful thoughts or names printed in darker gray. Each tag was tied by a special helper friend in soft gray satin. The thought tags were placed on the centerpieces throughout the dining room.

Each edge was frosted with clear glitter.



Each of the eleven guest table centerpieces consisted of a tall glass cylindrical vase with mercury stones anchoring the white branches, bird's nest and silver hearts, silver ting, ribbon and tags. A small gold or silver bird perched nearby watching over the festivities. The foundation was built on a silver charger overlaid with a large crystal snowflake. I crocheted the birds' nests.


Clear votive holders (both small and chunky) and mercury glass votive holders and stones were placed up and down the length of the tables.





Because of a previous commitment, I didn't get to see all the candles lit with the darkened windows and dimmed lighting. A fellow blogger promised pictures. And here they are!!

It's interesting to hear many people talk about how "they" do this type decorating and planning as if they single handedly wiggle their nose and it all falls magically into place. I find that attitude extremely self serving. I could NEVER do any type event without help. I have wonderful friends who listen, commiserate, toss out ideas, reign me in, actually WORK and in general support me in bringing ideas into reality. Without their friendship and willingness to put the shoulder to the grindstone, events like this just wouldn't happen. I won't use their names (they are so weird about that!)...but I would publicly like to THANK them and let them know (and they know who they are) how much I appreciate and value their kindness and willingness to help me. YOU ARE THE BEST!

I also wish the new bride and groom the very best life has to offer. It's been a pleasure being a part of their joyful occasion. Now to sleep for me!

Linking to Between Naps on the Porch...Tablescape Thursday and Boogieboard Cottage's Masterpiece Monday! Come by Dittle Dattle's Amaze Me Monday and Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life, too. Use buttons on right to join us, please!

It's almost time for the groom to kiss the bride,

Generous Friends Contribute to Silent Auction & Mod Podge Crosses

I have very generous friends..they share their time, talent and kindness to so many. I have a great example of that to show you in today's post. I asked some very talented ones to donate something for a Silent Auction that is taking place at my grandchildren's school in two months. Without hesitation, they all said "Certainly!" Do you know how refreshing it is to ask for something and know that your wish will be granted and not just granted, but they go the extra mile!

I'd like to show you the first donation...a trio of handmade ceramic crosses by Wanda Pearson. Wanda is not only talented in ceramics, she writes ...prose, poems, music. She is a wonderful English teacher on top of all the other stuff! (She also sews and has a precious granddaughter as a model for her adorable little outfits!) Wanda is what I like to call a "Visionary"...she sees what others do not...she sees what CAN be...not necessarily what is...I LOVE Visionaries!

This is her first offering, The Pearl Cross. It's so simple and pretty and is accompanied by a beautifully printed card featuring Matthew 13:46.

The Dragonfly Cross is like one I purchased from her for a special Christmas gift for my son. Each of her crosses has a deeper meaning than just being a pretty decorative piece. Her explanations are lovely and heartfelt.

The last cross, The Angel Cross, is the largest of the three and a beautifully sculpted item.
I appreciate Wanda's willingness to share her time and talent with others for this worthy cause. If you are interested in seeing more of her work, her email is pearsonwk@gmail.com

Her offerings inspired mine. I have painted two mixed media crosses to submit for the auction.

This canvas is 12"x24" and has at its foundation antique sheet music and various tissue papers. The cross itself was made from a border I found, cut and put together in the cross shape.

These colors are pretty true to the real thing...it appears richer in "person". My second cross is a similar piece but I painted it in neutrals and used handmade paper around the edge to mimic a frame. I used lots of Mod Podge in both pieces. I really had no particular plan except to use dark colors on one and lighter colors on the other. I like the way they turned out.

As I worked on this one, I quickly loved it's neutral appearance. It will go with any type decor.


As other pieces are given, I will post them so you can see the great variety of talent. I wish to thank all the lovely ladies who have been so generous!

Blessings and love to each of you,

Oh, Happy Day! Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day Ya'll!
Because Valentine's Day is such a happy, fun holiday...I wanted to share a few pictures of things my sweet friends gifted me with today. Of course, I must begin with my lovely roses.

I received these from the hubby and all at once I was transported to my junior year in high school! I had an evening gown just this color and I do believe it was the prettiest gown I ever owned! My rose corsage matched perfectly...long white gloves...oh, I was quite taken with myself!!

My SWEET Secret Pal, at school, sent me brownies in the cutest ceramic scalloped pan. As you can see, a certain "fluffy" lady has already dived into them...warmed with a scoop of Blue Bell vanilla ice cream...oh, heavens~!

I WILL be rising earlier than usual in the morning....Cherry Caramel Chocolate Lovers Blend coffee...oh, mercy...I can't wait...maybe I'll have another brownie. Can't wait to use my heart and polka dot mug!

Cute wrapping papers, tags, and little chocolate turtles, truffles and hearts...oh, how will I ever get into my Sunday clothes again? (but for Today...who cares?!)

My friend, Miss Anonymous sent me "Gentle Eye Make Up Remover" pads (recommended by Alure) in this beautiful box...I know it killed her to give it up because she has a "thing" for pretty boxes. My co-worker brought tiny chocolate hearts wrapped in pink tinfoil and then wrapped in red netting...so pretty.

This tiny box contained 4 truffles...I ate three, Granddaughter got one...bad grandmother!

The Valentine I made for my mother when I was in Mrs. Wylie's second grade class... and in case you are wondering, that was 54 years ago! I'm glad my mother kept it for me!

Such a great bunch of people to work with..we've all eaten so many cupcakes and little pieces of candy that it will be a wonder if we can waddle into the building in the morning! But what fun to be remembered so fondly. Thank you everybody!!

My sentiments exactly!!

Tomorrow I'd like to share with you some items that are going to be put in a silent auction at my grandchildren's school...all handmade and not all mine! Can't wait to show you the talents of some of my friends! See you then!

Thank you for putting up with my nonsense,

Floppy Flower Rampage!

Well, I don't know if anyone noticed or not, but I've been "out of touch" for a few days! This past week brought several challenges and I had to navigate some rough waters...nothing horrible, just some temporary turbulence. And because I know you have your own "white waters", I'm not going to whine about mine! This is just a quick post to "get back into the mix".

This weekend was spent quietly. I painted two mixed media crosses for an upcoming silent auction (I'll post pictures later this week) and then I went on another floppy flower rampage! What is it about those flowers? I LOVE making them...BTW and FYI: the polyester satin at Hancock's was $6.99 and $9.99 per yard...HOBLOB had it for $2.99 a yard! What?! And I liked the way it melted better AND it came in an array of colors.


Granddaughter in pink ultra-suede with pink and ivory satin floppies. What a cutie!


These are some of the beautiful colors I found at HOBLOB. Pale gray, deep gold and a lighter gold. This less expensive satin was much softer and "drooped" more than the more expensive kind.

For some reason, the toile on the frames is not showing up gold...it is and looks so pretty with the floppy flowers. In front is a black note holder with a gray floppy and another crochet basket. Top right is a chicken wire basket...the new Country Living magazine is extolling the virtues of chicken wire this season.



For Valentine's Day, I found decorative fingernail files and tiny matching tissue boxes at Michael's for the grandchildren to give their teachers...also some of the cutest reproduction Valentine's at Tuesday Morning...25 for $3.99! I've loaded up my basket with cupcakes and small gifts for other teachers in celebration of Val's Day... and Granddaughter and I bought a heart punch and some funky bright papers in zebra prints to make Val's for her class. We're loaded with good wishes and little remembrances for the big day...hope yours is great!

Happy Valentine's Eve from me to you,

Please, Join Me For A Little Bit of Spring

Don't get me wrong, I like Winter as much as the next girl, HOWEVER, I must say, enough is enough. Do I sound ungrateful? I don't mean to...I usually am thrilled with Winter, but this year has been rather exasperating, no two ways about it.

Snow and ice is quite traumatic to Southerners. We love the first thrill of waking to the silent white clad landscape and there's nothing as much fun as a few minutes sliding on sheets of cardboard down a snowy hill...but then, noses get red, cheeks begin to sting and our shoes aren't quite prepared to cradle our frozen little "piggies". Ok, it's been fun, but now it's turning into brown slush and we are ready to "get back to normal"... 200 degrees in the shade.

This winter has been, well, let's say..nutty. Cold, ice, snow, freezing wind...quite the norm for many of you...but quite UN-Normal to those of us down here. If the news is correct (and I take much of it with a grain of salt...that's another story), then it's been an extremely difficult season for everybody. Well, in my ever so humble opinion, what we need is a big ole slug of

S P R I N G!

Come on into my backyard and let's wander around a little and "pretend" it's spring! A dose of sunshine will do you good! Just scroll down and think about the fact that S P R I N G can't be too far away...the groundhog promised!

Remember my little mockingbirds from last year? Oh, how I hope to have little birds again this year. (Even though these met with an untimely demise...I know my bluebirds will nest again. They always do and the redbirds will be everywhere.) What says spring better than little creatures with their mouths open...waiting for Mama and Daddy to pop in with a fat juicy worm.

Let's sit on the back porch and rock a little while, listening to the tabletop fountain gurgle and watching as the birds flock to the feeders. Nothing says spring or summer like a cool morning on the porch, drinking coffee and just appreciating what you've been given.

The sun slowly rises above the trees, casting its warmth all around.

My favorite slice of spring is just as the plants emerge...the leaves on the trees aren't babies; they are teenagers...a little darker than the light, light green of complete newness...but not the dark green of adulthood. When the sun shines through the branches, the leaves appear lacy.

My favorite lilies are the strong, clear yellows. They look like shooting stars against the dark green foliage. Deadhead the faded blooms and they will bloom for weeks.
Darker yellows are pretty, too. Their petals are more pointed.


I do love these salmon ones also, but the yellow appear earlier in the daylight hours and last later into the twilight.

My Black-eyed Susans don't appear until later in the summer, but they are a favorite addition to any garden. Some people call them "lowly". I call them perky.

New Lantana Sonrise and Sonset series are deliciously colored.

Wave purple Petunias...lots of bang for the buck!

Probably my all time favorite (and my mother's) flower, Queen Anne's Lace. She even spells her name like my mother spelled her name, with an "E".


My bunny family is always in evidence.

Neatly tended beds give me a great sense of satisfaction.


While rocking maybe you could dream a little about an upcoming vacation to the beach.

You know God always uses a rainbow as a lasting promise to us. Floods won't last forever and their waters will not ever completely overtake the earth again. Winter will end soon.


And with its end, hope and renewal will return once again.

Keep the faith, friends. Spring's around the corner.




Blessings and hope to each of you,