A Golden Afternoon Tea


Remember this golden couple

On the Autumnal Equinox they'll say "I do." 

This past weekend I hosted a A Golden Afternoon Bridal Shower Tea for the stunning bride. She and flowers are forever linked in my memory and I wanted the shower to reflect this sentiment.

Alice in Wonderland's flowers served as primary inspiration for the decor. However, unlike Wonderland's snobbish variety,  mine are kind and give such compliments as "you look beautiful today" and "where did you ever find such a lovely dress?" These flowers also focused the vision. 



The invites quoted the Alice in Wonderland 1951 flower's ditty All in A Golden Afternoon: 

"You can learn a lot of things from the flowers
for especially in the month of June
There's a wealth of happiness and romance
All in a golden afternoon" 


Guests were welcome to accent their attire by crafting a tissue paper flower headband. 


In the Victorian Era flowers were ascribed a coded language so that even the boldest sentiments might be proclaimed through the simple gift of bouquet or bloom. Included in their invites guests found a card with a flower's name and meaning. They were asked to compose a note on the card expressing how they've seen the essence of the flower's meaning in the life of the bride. Or, a prayer to see that quality in the marriage of the couple. We read them aloud to the bride at the shower and I will put together a little book as a gift for the couple on their wedding day. 


A truly -golden- afternoon. 

Black & Blue


 Back to Spencer Farm for another round of berry picking. 

Our blueberries quickly found themselves in fluffy pancakes and decadent blueberry cheesecake ice cream. I'd venture to say that they were some of the best blueberries I've ever tasted. The perfect sweet-tart combination. 

If you live near Lafayette, Prelock Farm opened today! 

Fill up your summer pail. 

Symphony on the Prairie

Since I've been young one of our favorite family traditions has been celebrating the Fourth of July at Symphony on the Prairie.

I am convinced that there is no sweeter place for Independence Day. 

 A field bright with merrymakers ornamented in red, white, and blue... 
brawny patriotic compositions...
blankets set beneath the trees...
grass underfoot...
the setting sun...
lightning bugs...
A firework finale timed to Stars and Stripes Forever...


Buddy lunches add an extra dash of excitement to the festivities. 

Everyone puts their name into a hat and chooses another. A lunch and note is then fixed discreetly as to not give away the name of one's "buddy." We take the secret part very seriously! Last year my little cousin was growling at those who came too close to seeing the card she was drawing. 

I thank God for freedom in this Country. 

Even more, I thank God for freedom in Christ. 

A freedom more glorious than fireworks. 

Fowler Theater


We took a drive to the middle of nowhere. 

 The kind of small town USA where all cell phone connection is lost...where you stop at a gas station to ask for a restaurant recommendation and are told: there's only one....where cutie pie elderly folks wave as you drive by and strangers take you off guard with compliments. 

And

in the middle of nowhere shines this gem.

This 1940's beauty is volunteer-operated with all profit feeding back into its restoration. Thankfully we arrived early! The house was sold-out minutes after our tickets were purchased.  

Absolutely brilliant. 

You must see it for yourself. 

Graduation Gift Idea



Every year, as a volunteer with my church's youth ministry, I say goodbye to the -tremendous- seniors graduating. It's rather bittersweet... a kind of "boo-hoo/yay!" seesaw if you know what I mean. 

There's quite a few graduation parties that go with the youth group territory and a few years ago I came up with an all purpose gift idea that's served me well. 

On the day of the graduation party I gift a coin envelope in the style of a "miniature" gift package. Then, at some point within the next school year, I post a bubble mailer full of goodies their way. 

Personal but doable if you're a fan of a lot of seniors. 


Cheerio Class of 2013! May you abide in Christ your life-long.