Oh Happy Day!

Once there was a boy.

Who fell in love with a girl who made his heart sing.



He asked his brothers and her brothers and their friends to stand up with him as he pledged his life-long love and commitment to her before the throne of God above.

She asked his sister and her friends to stand up with her as she pledged her life-long love and commitment to him before the throne of God above.

There was a precious little flower girl who twirled and skipped and ran down the aisle ahead of her soon-to-be Aunt Betta into the arms of her Uncle Bo Bo.

There was an equally precious little ringbearer who slowly walked down the aisle and solemnly presented the ringbearer's pillow to the minister

Family and friends gathered in the beautiful and magnificent old church


    The name of the Lord was lifted high.

There was so much joy it could scarcely be contained.

I wasn't the only one who was crying happy tears. 

It was a happy and holy day.

     
           And of course, you have to leave such a wedding in style...


There was a great party afterwards. There will be more to follow about that. I promise.

And at the end of a great day, there was a very tired, but gloriously happy new Mr. and Mrs....

I did not take a single one of these pictures, but I know who did: the amazing Amber Beckham.
Check her out at amberbeckham.com. She is the bride's cousin and is an incredible photographer!
Thank you Amber for capturing this very special day for all of us!

Little Two's Big Adventure

   Let's go fly a kite....Nonna didn't have a kite, so we did the next best thing: we went on an adventure in my very own yard. The weather was balmy. Nonna rolled my sleeves up so we could get down to business.  We started out in my favorite place: the front yard swing.

Then we went on a nature walk. My legs are still short so we didn't go too far. 

But I made some important discoveries. The neighborhood botanists should take note.

First there was a large stick.

Nonna said that it was way too big and insisted that I throw it down.

 I could tell that she meant business. 

When she gets that look in her eye, there's not much you can do.

I personally thought that it was a very important scientific discovery,

but she wasn't buying it.

 Then I spied a much smaller stick. I think this might work. 

It's from a dogwood tree or so Nonna says.

I held it up for her inspection. Nonna approved.
Then we moved on to the flower bed. I like flowers. 

Like any good botanist, I do a careful observation.

First I squish the flower. Then I shake it. Then I smell it. It seems like the right thing to do.

 Then I decided to see how dirty I could get. That was the best part.

 Where to next?

 Gosh, there's so much to see.

 Who knew my own front yard had so many treasures!
If my yard is any indication, it's a great big wide world out there!

In Honor of Leap Year

Yours Truly in...gasp...Junior High School! 

Today I can pretend to be 14.5 years of age instead of 58. Wait. 

I don't want to be fourteen and a half. 

I remember that age. 

Braces. Zits. Oily bangs. More zits. 

Oh, and don't forget, the obligatory hose, 

Nicely Nude Hose to be exact. Yes, hose.

There are some things that are best left in the past. 

And sorry, Kate Middleton, that's one of them.

Penny loafers. Bass Weejuns.

Villager shirtwaist dresses with Peter Pan collars.

Dirndl skirts.

Twin sets.

Eye make-up that I had to remove before

I got home because I was only allowed to wear a little blush, some Bonne Belle powder, 

and a light lip gloss called Yardley Light Shimmer.

But definitely no mascara and absolutely no eye-liner. 

Little did my mother know that I had the most beautiful Cleopatra eye thing going. 

Really. 

But each day at 7th period, I trudged into the bathroom and emerged once again with naked eyes.

It was my idea of obedience. 

I was dying for pierced ears, but my mother would not budge.

 There really wasn't any way that I could get around that one.

I certainly don't miss the insecurities, 

my embarrassing lack of physical coordination 

(something I have yet to escape),

 the endless girl drama, the wish for some boy drama,

the longing to be accepted,

and the smile that I pasted on my face every day.

I definitely don't wanna go back. No siree.

I'll take fifty-eight any day over fourteen and a half.

So long leap year. 

Next time you roll around I'll be 16. 

Now that's a different story, but you'll just have to wait until then to get the scoop.

A lot can happen in four years.

A Little Love Coming Your Way Today

   It's been a while since you have seen my girls...my grandgirls, that is. You know, the little people who own me lock, stock, and barrel. I threw away the key when each of them was born. The Husband is nearly as bad as I am. They call. We run. It's a blessed thing to have a little person love you. It has a way of making all right with the world. Some days you need that more than others.
   This is Little One's version of this particular day.

   "Nonna wants me to wear my coat. We are going to walk to Marche. Really, she is going to walk and I am going to ride in my Bob." (Note from Nonna: For those of you who don't have hip grandbabies, a Bob is a stroller and not just any stroller, but a very hip stroller for very hip urban babies.)

     "I have other shoes, but I like to wear my rain boots whenever possible, even when there is not a drop of rain in the forecast. My boots look like frog faces and they are funny. I like that word: F U N N Y. I say it and laugh real loud. That makes Nonna smile."

"Nonna, in case you haven't noticed, I am ready to roll."

"This hat is getting hot, but for some reason, Nonna is obsessed with taking pictures of me. 

I, on the other hand, am totally ready to head out to Marche."

  "Dum de dum dum...more pictures."

 "Let's get this show on the road."

   "My patience is wearing thin."

"You think Nonna would get the idea."

"This is the best 'Cheese' I can give Nonna, 'cause it's time to GO!"

Party Perfect

   Take a look at the pictures and you will know what I mean.

Charming invites by none other than my favorite graphic designer:
The incomparable Emily O. Holmes!

Vintage touches layered in varying heights provided interest and charm.
Can you spy the homemade salted caramel chocolate cake and
 the bacon, tomato and basil tarts? Yum!

Another view of the tablescape

Antique Limoge looks especially lovely alongside vintage crystal,
British Castles and charming bird plates from Anthropologie!

   It was a picture perfect evening for friends to gather. The air was crisp, the night was clear, the wine was flowing and the table was loaded to perfection. In addition to the brie en croute, there were bacon, tomato and basil tarts, artisanal cheeses, and three of the most decadent home-made desserts known to man: salted caramel chocolate cake, strawberry parfait trifle and Mexican chocolate tortillas with whipped creme. It's a wonder anyone left the table at all.
   And the decor...well let's just say that the hostess in charge of the tablescape and the lovely touches that were placed throughout The Daughter's house could easily find full-time employment working her incredible magic on a much larger scale!

In case you are wondering, this is the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs!
You've met them before here.