Liebster Award

What a surprise to see a comment from Annette Gendler saying that I had been given the "Liebster Award"-- I zipped over to her blog to see what it actually entailed. Her blog update stated "this award is intended to connect bloggers, especially those with less than 200 followers..." 


In accepting the award, I must :


* Show my thanks to the blogger who gave me the award by linking back to him or her.
* Reveal my top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
* Post the award on my blog.
* Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the internet—other writers.
* And best of all – have fun and spread the good will.


Now I will reveal my top 5 picks:


Le Monde - Nisha is an amazing woman who loves travel. She does not let anything get in her way- whether it be sickness or any other hinderance. I love the way she shares her travels via word and photos.


A simple blogger - Not only do I enjoy his updates- I love his stories (he is very creative)-- he has also proven to be a great photographer. He is also a supportive reader of this blog and I appreciate his consistency. 

Bike With Jackie - Jackie has great insights to share in each of her updates. I've followed her blog for 2 years now- having found her two years ago in the blogathon. I lost touch with her blog for a few months- and at the blogathon this year was able to reconnect- thankfully!


Quite Simply -  What I love about Susan's updates are that each of them 'speak to me'....I can't read one of her blog posts without learning something. Her blog is encouraging and uplifting.


Inspired Life - Christine opens up her "home" and shares antidotes about her children....and recently she has been going through some rough waters- it doesn't stop her from sharing good thoughts and insights. Although my computer wouldn't let me comment on her blog, she didn't give up on my blog! (thanks Christine)


I wish I could nominate MORE than 5 blogs- because there are at least a dozen more I think would be worth mentioning. Unfortunately, I need to stick to the rules- so I will stop here.

August 20th 2011- Here comes the Bride

Mac, Carolyn and Kailynn

When we checked weather.com ten days before the wedding it said there would be a chance of rainfall. Thankfully, as the wedding day approached, the skies remained clear and the day couldn't have been more perfect for a wonderful ceremony.

Kailynn before the ceremony

The bridal party made their way down the grassy aisle to the sweet sound of a harp. Kailynn, my granddaughter, made it all the way to the front. "Hi...Hi...Hi..." she kept saying to those sitting along the aisle. We joked later that she thought this was HER day :)

The Ushers giving out the programs

As the guests walked towards their seats they were handed a program. It comprised of 5 cards tied with jute and slid into an airmail envelope. The final page read:

""Remembrance - Elcho Zaire Redding- my hero grandfather, he gave me his middle name, dry humor and vision of the Kingdom's agenda. 
He would have adored you, Katrina."

I must say, when I was helping to 'stuff' the envelopes I cried every time I read what Micah had written. 

Photo display

After the ceremony, people walked through the various rooms and looked at the different displays. There was a "guest book" which consisted of tags which were to be hung on branches. Carnations filled vintage jars...old books stacked on the center of tables....crocheted doilies filled in empty spaces. Instead of the usual slide show, there was a photo display of the bride and groom at various stages of their life. Also, corresponding photo frames encased pictures of parents, grand parents and great grandparents. 

Jam for the guests to remember the day

Each guest was asked to take a bottle of homemade jam...(I had never made jam in my life...the things we do for our kids)...200 jars of blueberry and strawberry jam rested in vintage crates and containers. Each jar had a burlap cover with a tag which read, "Home made with love" written on one side. Katrina insisted on writing each tag herself. On the other side of the tag there was a strawberry stamp if it was strawberry jam and a blueberry stamp if it was blueberry.

After a lovely evening of 'mini' reunions between friends and relatives....laughter...tears and lots of hugs, it was time to bid the bride and groom farewell as they headed off on their honeymoon. 

Sneak Peek

My elder daughter is married- here is a sneak peek- more pics to follow. After the weeks of planning- whirlwind preparations- it was over in a blink of an eye. She did an amazing job with her decorations and planning! 
As I said- more pics to follow- now I'll take a deep breath before I have to dive into preparations for my youngest daughter's wedding in October! 

Bridal showers, Babies and Birthdays

The past few weeks have been full of all the usual activity and then some extras. My eldest daughter had a bridal shower a few weeks ago and it was really amazing. I think what was so amazing was two young ladies- 13 years old and 11 years old, did alot to make the day a special day. 

One of our dear church members- Belinda- created a spectacular cake. It was in the form of a wedding dress!! She is absolutely amazing with her cake creations (and her other food) as can be seen on her blog- belzyskitchen.

Right after the bridal shower, my son and his wife and daughter arrived. My granddaughter has stolen my heart!! It has been wonderful having her around. I just wish they lived close by and I could see her more. (they live in another state) While they have been here, we discovered my granddaughter is going to be a big sister :)....YES!!! Another grandbaby on the way- great news!


 In the midst of celebrations and family coming and other activity- I had a birthday. It was one of those "significant" ones :) I'll talk more about that later....but I must say my family and friends out did themselves on this one. I'm not a 'birthday' type person- inotherwords, I'd rather my birthdays came and went with out much ado -- but they did not allow this to happen- and actually all they did was much appreciated.

At our weekly Ladies Bible study- they surprised me with a cake and gifts- oh my- the cake looked like a tea pot because that is my absolute favorite thing....tea...tea cups...tea pots...drinking tea. Of course, it was Belinda who made the cake. As I said, she is absolutely amazing with her cake designs. The cake tasted so good. 


TOn my birthday itself, my family tricked me. The girls said they were taking me out for coffee...by this time I thought I was all birthdayed out. I tried to get out of going for coffee- "why not we just hang out with the boys" I asked. They would not hear of it. So we jumbled into my daughter's car and drove away. "But before we go for coffee we need to stop off at Param's house" they told me. This seemed to be a reasonable thing to do because there was something I had to pick up from her house. Oh the rascals, they had planned a surprise birthday brunch! Brunch is my favorite meal...and Param outdid herself with the decor and the menu! My family were tickled pink that they had pulled one over on me...and of course, I was in tears! (happy tears)