Memory Lane

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Visit Susan @ Between Naps on The Porch for more Before and After

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

Before

After

Well, try as I might, I'm just not having much success at blogging on a more frequent schedule, but I'm not giving up. I like to start decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, but like my blogging, I'm a little behind this year. I did re-arrange furniture the week before Thanksgiving and set up the Christmas Village before Thanksgiving so maybe that will give me some bonus points. I thought I would share a before and after with you of my Christmas Village.

I LOVE my Christmas Village, it reminds me of my childhood and a much gentler time. There were not cookie cutter malls in my childhood. Each shop had it's own personality, it's own unique smell. I can still smell the delicious scents coming from The Peanut Shop and the dapper Mr. Peanut welcoming everyone in. I love imagining walking on the snow covered streets and going from shop to shop. I can hear the chime of the bell ringer's bells and the tinkle of the coins as happy shoppers drop them in the big red pots. I can hear the cheer in the voices of the people on the streets and in the stores as they wish everyone a "Merry Christmas"! That time and place is only a memory now, but oh how I love to relive them every chance I get. This Christmas Season I hope we can all take a step back in time if just for a moment to remember what this season is all about and enjoy the simple pleasures.

Tropical Tablescape

TABLESCAPE THURSDAY Hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch

Beautiful and delicious beach cake is displayed on a gorgeous dimensional display of crushed shells, driftwood, starfish, shells and moss.

Cake by Incredible Edibles, Photography by Chris and Cami Photography 

CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE FOR MORE DETAIL

I was so excited when I first began my blogging venture, but shortly after I began I got buried in weddings. That isn't a bad thing, in fact is quite the opposite. I've been blessed to be able to profit from doing what I love most. The downside of it is, I don't have the time I used to have to plan my own events....I actually haven't had time to have any of my own events. I'm hoping to be able to squeeze a few in in the next few weeks, but in the mean time I thought I would share some of the beautiful tablescapes from some of the weddings that I have had the privilege of planning.

Just as there are no two couples exactly alike, there are no two weddings exactly alike. Even if you have a dozen beach themed weddings they all have a different twist. The tablescape I'm sharing with you today is one of my favorites. When Deana and Will chose the South Carolina coast as their destination wedding venue they knew they wanted their special day to carry a low country theme and be filled with Southern Charm. You won't find a place filled with more Southern Charm than DeBordieu Colony. The elegant Georgian style clubhouse was the perfect setting for their casual yet elegant low country reception. From the exquisite Low Country cuisine to their one of a kind "grit" send off, the evening was filled with casual elegance as well as low country Southern charm.




Alternating high and low centerpieces consist of birds of paradise, cymbidium orchids, ginger and pincushion protea. Low bubble bowl arrangements sit on a squares of bamboo fencing and monstera leaves. Three foot tall cylinder vases are wrapped in bamboo fencing for uniformity.

To Everything There Is A Season

Outdoor Wednesday At A Southern Daydreamer

The family is one of nature's masterpieces.

~George Santayana

I love Mary Engelbreit's art. Her pictures depict such happy, whimsical scenes that remind you to be thankful for the little things in life that are often overlooked. Things that are the true treasures and make life worth while. So often we get caught up in the hustle bustle of life and are so busy in making a living that we forget to live. While I am not a fan of cold weather I am a fan of fall. I love the beautiful jewel tone leaves, the rustle of leave beneath your feet, sweet smell of hot apple cider and the sweet taste of caramel apples...........oh, and you can't forget the pumpkins!! Pumpkin pie, pumpkin scones, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin rolls, and just pumpkins in general! Every day, every season we are surrounded by little miracles that make life worthwhile if we'll only slow down long enough to catch a glimpse of them. Hope you are enjoying your fall and anticipating the wonderful holidays that are just around the corner. Take a minute to step outside today and while you are there, stop to smell the pumpkins!

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS. Lamentations 3: 22-23

Miss Caroline's Very First Halloween

It seems like just yesterday that I was in Tennessee visiting my sister for her birthday and shopping for my daughter's baby shower which we were planning for Thanksgiving weekend. Well, it's been a year ago now and Miss Caroline is 8 months old and just celebrated her first Halloween. My sister, who is a Halloween baby (I told her she was the best Halloween treat I ever got) loves dressing up for Halloween and making creative and unique costumes, has decided that that would be her and Caroline's special bonding activity. She will be her personal costume designer. Once she's old enough to make her own requests all she has to do is let Auntie M (she's also a HUGE Wizard of Oz fan so we thought the name was only fitting) know what she would like to be and she will have a one of a kind custom made costume. This year her mommy put in a request for an Indian costume so Auntie M. got to work and even included the authentic suede moccasins. As you can see Miss Caroline had a very happy first Halloween.

Oh! It's an Apron

Hello to all my blogging friends. I've missed you! Things are starting to slow down a bit and I'm hoping to start blogging again. As many of you know, I'm a wedding and event planner and thankfully the wedding business is still booming which is a blessing. For a few months I don't have an actual event taking place so I'm hoping to plan some events for my friends and family at my home.

Today was the first time in a long time that I've been able to check on my blogging friends to see what you have been up to. The first place I started was at Just A Little Something For You......my dear friend Judy's place and to my delight found a brand new post of the adorable aprons her sister in law has been making for the past few months. I happen to be one of the VERY lucky recipients of one them. I hadn't planned on doing a post today, but when I saw Judy's post I decided I had to do a quick post to let you see me in my haute couture as well. I love wearing my very special apron (I'm an apron girl anyway) and as Judy says, just slip on the apron and you're ready to go. Last month when my oldest son and his girlfriend came to visit I had this picture taken of me with them and posted it on Facebook. One of my friends was commenting on my cute sundress and then realized, OH! it's an apron!!! They are the perfect accessory for any dinner party. You can get them to coordinate with any theme and not only are they practical, they are adorable and you won't have to worry about what to wear. With the holiday season just around the corner I might just have to get a few more for all my parties! You might want to contact Judy to see how to get your very own haute couture apron as well.

I'm looking foward to catching up with all of you. Please come and visit with me as well (bear with me while I get back in the swing of things).

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Blue Monday, but No Sadness In Sight

Congratulations Lynette & Mike

Hello dear friends in blogland!!! I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. I think of you often, I just haven't had a spare moment to get a post written much less published. As most of you know, I'm a wedding planner and this is my busy season. I am blessed to be able to have a job doing something that I love. Somehow we have been able to accomplish a few jobs around the house and have even had some landscaping done in the backyard, but I'll have to post about that when I have a chance to take some pictures. For now, it's another "blue" wedding. Blue seems to be the most popular beach wedding color, but just as every couple is completely different so is every "blue" beach wedding. This happens to be one of my favorite ones yet. This happy couple from Ohio decided to tie the know while on vacation and make it a small, intimate, family affiar.

Memorial Day Memories

As many of my blogging friends know, our children don't live in the same state as we do and our times together are definately not as frequent as we would like. This Memorial Day was a special time for us as we got to enjoy having our daughter, our granddaughter, one son and two sisters (which our granddaughter made great aunts) here to make memories with. It was also our little Caroline's first trip to Grandmomma and Granddaddy's house and her very first beach trip. As you can see, she's growing like a little weed (or kudzu in the south).





Originally referred to as Decoration Day, Memorial Day, is a day that has been designated as a day to remember those who have died defending our nation. In recent years it has become not only a holiday to remember our fallen soldiers, but a day to remember and decorate the graves all of our loved ones who have gone on before us. It is also a popular day for families to gather together and enjoy picnics or barbecues. In a sense we are creating memories with the loved ones that will one day be remembered on Memorial Day in the future. Time goes by so quickly and special times with our loved ones are at times far and few between. Let's make the most of anytime that we can spend with family and friends and make all the memories we can to fill our treasure chest with, for it's our memories that keep our loved ones close to us no matter where they are.

Such an Honor

Attitude of Gratitude Award

This is an award for people who know how to make lemonade out of the lemons that life sometimes hands you. It is also an award for blogs that have a good Attitude and plenty of Gratitude. Your attitude is not determined by circumstances, but by how you respond to your circumstances. It’s how you react to events, not the events themselves, that determines your attitude.

When I started blogging in January I intended for it to be a blog for my business, Grand Occasions and offer tips and advice on weddings and events, but I quickly discovered many delightful ladies with the same interests as me, so my Grand Occasions turned into a personal blog and a place I come to relax, get inspired, pick up clever ideas and meet new friends. I have gotten to know some very special ladies and I'm looking forward to meeting many more. I've learned they are very patient and understanding friends and continue to visit even when I'm a little slow in publishing new posts.

I would like to introduce you to one of those friends, Sherri at Sharing with Sherri. I was deeply touched when she gave me my very first award this week. It's the Attitude of Gratitude Award! I feel so honored and excited to have been given such a special award. Now, she tells me I have to share what has given me that attitude of gratitude and to be honest, I'm not exactly sure I know except by the grace of God. I don't know if it's something that's been developed or if that's just the way the Lord made me. I was raised by parents that didn't take anything for granted and who expected us to be thankful for and take care of what we had and were given. If you didn't show appreciation or respect for whatever it was, it was taken away and sometimes given to someone else who was in need of it or who would appreciate it. We never felt like we were entitled to things as so many children and adults are today even thought looking back we had more than most. Our parents were older and worked hard for what they had and what was given to us. My mother died when I was 10 and my sister was only 5. Even thought that was very young I had a solid foundation and lot of determination. The Lord provided us with an abundance of godly women to give advice, make costumes, take us shopping, provide a bed or whatever else we were in need of at the time. We loved being with our Daddy and especially loved going to work with him (he owned a beauty salon), but there were just some things a daddy didn't know how to handle like a woman did. As Sherri said there were good times and bad times especially after our daddy re-married, but somehow by the Lord's grace I came out unscathed and ended up with a whole lot of knowledge about a whole lot of things. I think life is short and even though this world we live in is not what it was intended to be it's filled with amazing beauty and a lot to be enjoyed. I'm a people person. They interest me, they are all different, they all have their own unique story and I'll let you in on a little secret...none of them are perfect and every single one of them no matter where they come from, how much they have or don't have, has a problem or two. I am thankful for all of those godly self-less ladies the Lord put in my life and the times they shared with us that sometimes weren't convenient. If I could go back and change things I honestly don't know how much I would change. I've learned valuable lessons that I would otherwise never have learned. The trick is to put into practice what you've learned. Of course you always wonder what if, but remember this, nothing will ever happen in our lives that the Lord doesn't allow. He knows all about it even before it ever happens. He's promised to never leave or forsake us so take hold of His hand and enjoy the stroll. He'll do the leading so you can enjoy the scenery. He didn't promise us a life without lemons, in fact He's told us there would be lots of lemons and He's given us the recipe to make lemonade with them. So if you have bowl full, a bag full or maybe even a whole house full of lemons, start squeezing them and add plenty of sugar you will find that it's very refreshing!

Sherri is a brand new blogger as well, please stop by her blog for a visit and get to know her http://sharingwithsherri.blogspot.com/


Thank you Sherri for this very special award. I feel very honored and blessed to have met you!

A Love As Deep As The Ocean

Photos Can Be Enlarged By Clicking On Them










It was a blue Saturday for Bethany & George, but the only tears were tears of joy as the happy couple said I DO on the beach with the blue Atlantic as their backdrop.


Bethany's love for femininity and Georges love of golf were combined to create a beautiful and whimsical wedding theme for their blue wedding. Under a cloudless blue sky and surrounded by a warm ocean breeze guests celebrated with a couple that was made fore eachother! Congratulations Bethany and George!

http://www.grandoccasions-inc.com

It's Blue Monday time!
Hosted by Smiling Sally
@ http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/
Be sure to visit her blog and leave her a message.
Also, check out other participants blogs too!

The Shirt Off Your Back

Click on photo to enlarge.

Most everyone has heard the saying, "they'd give you the shirt off their back". While I've never actually had anyone do that, I did have a friend give me a shelf right off their wall. While living in Massachusetts I was admiring a friends "teacup shelf" that didn't have a teacup one on it. She said, "oh, is that what that is supposed to be" and laughed. I said yes and almost every Southern girl has one on her wall filled with teacups. I asked her where she had gotten it because I have a teacup collection and was in need of one. She had gotten it from J.C. Penney when she was first married about 22 years earlier. A few days later she came to visit me and what did she have with her? The teacup shelf ! I couldn't believe it. She had cleared out all of her nick nacks, took it off her wall and was giving it to me!! I love that teacup shelf and the memories of my dear and very generous friend. She has even added a teacup to my collection. Truly a gift from the heart and one that suited me to a tea.

One Very Excited Grandmomma!

Anticipated Package
Finally Arrives!

Even The Wrapping Is Beautiful!

Yippee!

Now isn't THIS the most adorable apron you've ever seen?

Many of you may have seen the darling aprons and matching tea towels pictured in Judy's post titled "The Very Fashionable Grandma's Apron" at Just A Little Something For You a couple of weeks ago. They were made by her very talented sister-in-law Julia and purchased by Judy as gifts for the lucky recipients of her pay-it-forward post. I am very happy to be one of the lucky three!!!

NOW, I hate to disagree with Tracy and Kim, BUT, I think you'll just have to agree that "MY" apron is the absolute cutest apron you've ever seen. I'll definitely be one fashionable Grandmomma wearing such an adorable apron. We are expecting a lot of guests this spring and summer and have a lot of get togethers scheduled already with the first one being in about 2 weeks. That should give me plenty of time to find some black flip flops with pink and white polka dot bows!! I can't wait to show off my beautiful apron.

If you've never visited Judy stop over and say hello (http://justalittlesomethingforyou.blogspot.com/) , you're in for a treat. Pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy. I'm so glad I discovered her blog and I think you will be to. Not only have I gotten a lot of great ideas and inspiration, but I've made a very special friend. Thank you Judy for my gorgeous apron and tea towel!! They are absolutely perfect. Tell Julia thanks as well and to keep up the good work.

Speaking of give aways, hop over to http://etiquettewithmissjanice.blogspot.com/ and look at what Miss Janice is giving away!

Easter Story Cookies

Hello friends and visitors! I've been so busy with weddings lately that I haven't had much time to visit my blogging friends or get anything posted. I was trying to think of something I could post this week and when a friend asked me to send her the Easter Cookie Recipe I thought it might be just the thing to share with you this week. I think it's a wonderful Easter activity to do with the special little ones in your life and thought you might enjoy it as well. The recipe isn't my own creation and unfortunately I don't know who the creator is. I did make these with a friend and her son a couple of years ago and it does work. Hope you enjoy sharing the Easter Story with your little ones and hope you have a joyful Easter weekend!

EASTER COOKIE RECIPE

Making cookies with your children
to teach the true meaning of EASTER! The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory,
the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

You Need

Help & permission from Parents!

1- cup whole pecans

1-teaspoon vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch of salt

1-cup sugar

zipper baggie

wooden spoon

tape

Bible

Preheat the oven to 300 (this is important-don't wait 'til you're half-done with the recipe)

1. Place the pecans in the baggie and let the kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.Read John 19:1-3

2. Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl. Let each child smell the vinegar. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross and He became thirsty, He was offered vinegar to drink.Read John 19:28-30

3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. The eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life so that we could have life.Read John 10:10-11

4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand and let them taste it. Put the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.Read Luke 23:27

5. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

6. Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3

7. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid to rest.Read Matt. 27:57-60

8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off.

9. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed.Read Matt. 27:65-66

10. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that Jesus followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.Read John 16:20-22

11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. the cookies are hollow! ON THE FIRST EASTER, Jesus' followers were amazed to find His tomb empty.Read Matt. 28: 1-9

Benny Update

Hi friends and visitors. I thought I would give you an update on our grandcat Benny. Some of you may recall the picture I posted of him the day after he came to live with us looking sad and forlorn. Well, I'm pleased to let you know he has adjusted very quickly and is now one happy cat. He slipped out yesterday when Granddaddy forgot to shut the door and decided to go on an adventure! He was so proud of himself since Grandmomma and Granddaddy didn't know he had gone out. Grandmomma heard Fluffy (the neighbors dog) barking by the front door and figured he must see Benny in the window, but a while later when Grandmomma opened the door to leave the house, IN FLEW Benny, relieved to be back inside. He doesn't think he'll be going on any new adventures any time soon, maybe never! His Mommy is coming for a visit in May and he is looking forward to her and Caroline's visit. I'm sure he will have a lot of exciting things to tell them.

Cooking With Matt

Click on Pictures to Enlarge


















Two thousand and nine has been an exciting year for our family. Our daughter became a mother, we became first time grandparents, our sons became uncles and both of them moved into new condos. This weekend, Hubby and I decided to drive to NC to spend some time with the boys and see their new digs.

While there we got to enjoy some delicious meals prepared by our favorite chef, Chef Matt! Our oldest son discovered a hidden talent several years ago that family and friends enjoy as much as he does and like to take advantage of whenever we can. He loves to cook!! Not only does he LOVE to cook, he has a natural talent for it and everything he makes is delicious. We are happy to be taste testers anytime he has a new recipe that needs testing. His goal is to go to culinary school and have his own restaurant one day. If only he had discovered his love and talent for cooking before getting his BS degree, we might be coming to you live from Matt's Kitchen on national t.v.

I thought you might enjoy a short episode of Cooking With Matt. I wish it was smell-avision or taste-avision, but this is the best I can do.

A Day The Lord Hath Made

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.
Psalm 19:1

Now You're Cookin!

One of my favorite things to do is look through decorating, design and craft books for new ideas. While visiting my sister we decided to look through her stacks of Christmas and Craft books to find some new ideas for Christmas gifts. While leafing through a Trash To Treasure Book I came across one of the cleverest ideas I've seen in awhile. A child size range made from a recycled nightstand plus cookware and kitchen accessories to match made from boxes and containers we all have around the house. I will be making one for Caroline and I thought I would share it with you in case you would like to make one for a special little one in your life or perhaps to sell at a craft fair.

CHILD'S RANGE



The first thing you will need is an unused nightstand. Perhaps you have one on hand, but if not one should be easy to find at a thrift store, yard sale or maybe even on a curbside. You will need a 1"x6" pine board, 3" wide baseboard, handsaw, screws, screwdriver, wood glue, white primer, assorted colors of acrylic paint, paintbrushes, permanent marker, knobs, handles and some imagination. Remove the old handle/handles. Sand the entire nightstand and wipe with a tack cloth. Cut a piece of 1"x6" board the width of your nightstand and attach to the back with wood glue and screws, making sure the board extends 3" above the top edge of the nightstand. Cut a piece of the 3" wide baseboard and attach to the pine board extending above the edge of the nightstand with wood glue. After the wood glue is dry, prime the entire "range". After primer has dried, paint with white acrylic paint. Once your base coat is completely dry you can attach the knobs to the knob panel and paint on a clock. Complete your range by painting on burners, trim accents and adding your new oven door pulls. I'm sure it would be easy to make a sink, washer/dryer and other appliances with a little imagination.

CANISTERS AND COOKWARE

















You will need:
Recycled assorted containers with lids in 5 sizes.
White spray primer
Craft knife
Cutting mat
Assorted colors of acrylic paint
Paintbrushes
Foam core board
Assorted wooden knobs
Hot blue gun
Utility scissors
Craft knife
Two jumbo craft sticks
Wood glue

1. Apply primer to outsides of containers and lids
2. For pans, use craft knife to cut 1 1/2" to 2 1/2" from bottoms of two containers
Paint pans.
3. For each pan lid, draw around bottom of pan on foam core board. Use craft knife to cut out circle 1/4" outside drawn line. Draw hearts or any design you like on the top of each lid and paint with assorted colors. Outline each heart in a contrasting color. Paint designs on each heart. Paint knobs, center and glue knob on lid.
4. For pan with handle, use utility scissors to cut craft sticks in half. Matching cut ends, stack halves and glue together. Let glue dry and paint handles. Use craft knife slit large enough to insert handle in side of pan. Apply glue to cut end of handle and insert in slit.
5. Draw heart or other design on the sides of remaining containers. Using assorted colors, paint each heart. Outline each heart in a contrasting color. Paint designs on hearts as desired.
6. For each canister lid, paint lid of container and knob.

What could be easier or more affordable? A one of a kind, custom kitchen made by you especially for your little one. Have fun cooking up some special times with the special child in your life!