Monday, June 16, 2014

Graduation Banquet

As some of you know, I was asked to decorate for a graduation banquet a couple weeks ago. 
 
Of course I love decorating, coordinating, and planning parties, banquets and weddings. 
 
Sometimes it is easy to get ideas and
other times it is a little bit of a struggle. 
It all depends on what you are given to work with.

So this is what I was told...

Theme:  Classic English
Entertainment/Game:  Clue (a live version)
Photo Booth:  Something with a Thatched Roof

Not much to go on, however the wheels in my head started turning...and they kept on turning.

I had two rooms to work with and several other variables to work around.  So I started drawing up some plans and gathering supplies.


 

 
Looks like a mess, I know. 
 
The first room I had my ideas down without any problems.
 
The second room, where they would sit, eat and have the game...well, that room....let's just say that I went through a lot of paper drawing out plans and reworking things.
 
The first room that they came into was an English rose garden, with a Terrace (where they served cake), and a porch with "thatched roof" and lattice work for pictures.
 
We literally spread out mulch, used brick as a border and lots of flowers.  There was a white dove perched on the fence.
Don't laugh at our "thatched roof".  We tried. 
There were lights and vines on the lattice work.



 
A long steam rose for them to hold for pictures.

 
From this room, they went into the second room...
or should we say they went from the Garden into the Manor.
The head table for the two graduates.
 

 It's all in the details...the folded napkin on the head table.

 
This was the "gift table".  There were large pictures of the graduates with matting for the guest to sign.  They had also made time capsules for the graduates.

 My mom's rose lights.
 

 
There are six characters to the game of Clue: 
Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Scarlett, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, and Colonel Mustard
 
Professor Plum's table had hard back books, bow ties, a hat, a pair of old spectacles, and a plum colored
flower arrangement.

Scarlett's table had a red boa, gold beads, perfume bottles,
a gold heart mirror, a red hand bag, and red roses.


Mr. Green's table had a top hat, gold coins, old paper stocks and bonds, money, gold dollar signs, a handkerchief with
Mr Green embroidered on it, a bank book,
and a green flower arrangement.

 
Colonel Mustard's table had a safari hat, long rifle, safari animals, an old pair of binoculars with their case,
a long leather whip, a burlap runner, 
and a yellow flower arrangement.
 
Mrs. Whites table had a small feather duster, a white maid's cap and apron, miniature tea sets, a black runner,
and a white flower arrangement.
 
Mrs. Peacock's table had 'of course' peacock feathers, pearls, white gloves, a small teal handbag, a small glass etched tea cup, and a blue flower arrangement.
 
It was so neat to see the tables come together. 
Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of each table before people sat down.  Remember how I said it was all in the details...well each character was represented with lots of detail.  I am really disappointed that there isn't a picture of each table to show you. 
 
Dinner was served in courses.
 
The first course was
Chilled Cantaloupe Soup
(it was actually pretty good)
 
I don't have pictures of the remaining food.
 
Cake (made by someone else) 
was served on the Terrace along with a spot of tea of course.
 
 

And what's a party with out balloons.


Saturday, June 14, 2014

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day

Wishing my wonderful Husband a Happy Father's Day.  We were never able to hold our precious babies in our arms but you would have been a fantastic Dad.  I love you.

 

Dear Dad
            I thought of you today ,but that is nothing new.
            I thought of you yesterday and days before that too.
            Your memory is a keepsake from which I'll never part.
            You taught me so much,
                       not just in words but through example.
            The world is a better place for the life you lived.
            God has you in His Arms
                       I have you in my heart and
                                     there you will always be.


 
Anyone can be a Father
but it takes someone special to be a Dad.
 
 
 

Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day

Today we honor those who have given their lives for our freedoms. 

 
Memorial Day has turned into a day of picnics, an extra day off, and retail sales.  However the real reason for the holiday is to
 remember the brave soldiers who have
fallen while serving our country.
 
All gave some
But some gave all.
 
Lest we forget.
 
 
 
So while you are enjoying your day off, your food,
family and friends...
 
Stop to remember the sacrifice that was made for you.
 

America, home of the free and the brave.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice!

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning...


This morning when I opened the front door, that is what I thought. 

"Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day....

       It is so nice out right now.  The sun is shining but it is cool, not hot yet.

"oh what a beautiful feeling, everything's going my way...

             Ok, I would definitely not go that far.   However...

"oh what a beautiful day."

For a day really is as good as you make it or let it be.  I know we all have horrible days from time to time, and yes terrible things can happen.  However as a general rule, a day is what you make of it. 


Recently I heard a friend talking about a conversation she had with her daughter.  They were driving down the road and she saw some 'flowers'.  Technically they were weeds.  However she said to her daughter, "look at those pretty flowers."  The daughter was quick to correct the mother and point out that they were just weeds.  The daughter was right but the mother choose to see the pretty color rather than the ugly weed. 

There's a lesson there that can be learned and applied to just about anything.   While I would have agreed with the daughter, it was just a weed after all.  Still we need to look for the beauty and good in things.  There sure isn't any lacking in the bad and ugly in this world we live in.  So why not tried to fine the good?


On another note, 
Can you believe next week is the end of May?  It is almost June?

Part of me is really glad that it is almost June because that means vacation is getting closer and I cannot wait!!!  However, another part of me says, where is this year going! 
 
Well, that is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.
Enjoy your weekend!
 

Saturday, May 17, 2014

A Cup of Tea

It has been very busy lately...getting ready for a community yard sale, in addition to all the normal stuff.  Spent many days going through drawers, closets and such.  
 
Today was the yard sale.  The weather was chilly and windy but at least the rain had stopped.  Although everything did not sell, I was able to sell a good bit and then donate most of what was left over.
  Overall, I was able to clear out some of the 'clutter' that we had
for which I am very happy.
(if you stop to think of how much 'clutter' we accumulate through the years,
you will realize just how richly blessed we truly are)

By now though, I am exhausted...my feet and legs are hurting. 
 
It is time to sit down, prop my feet up,
enjoy a nice cup of hot tea...and relax!
 
(tea set was from an elderly couple in Virginia who had bought it while visiting China, the doily was Mom's, Ray bought me the wooden tray on a trip to Lancaster, the table covering is from Italy, and the table belonged to Ray's Grandmother)
 
 
I do drink coffee, however, sometimes a nice cup of hot tea is so relaxing, soothing and refreshing.
 
I came across several things that brought back memories while preparing for the yard sale.  Childhood memories, memories of my parents and grandparents, etc. 
Yes several tears were shed in the process. 
(family members: do not worry, I did not get rid of family treasures, heirlooms or such)
 
I normally do not put personal 'people' pictures on my blog...
(call me paranoid but we live in a crazy world with crazy people.)
 
However I have to share this
precious picture of my dear sweet Mother.
 
Precious memories!
 
So to wrap this up...
Fix yourself a nice cup of tea,
get out a family photo album or just sit and
think of you memories and many blessings. 
 
Yes, even in the hard times of life
there are many blessings if we just look in the right places.
 
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
 


Thursday, May 15, 2014

Had to Share

I saw this the other day and just had to share.
 
 
A couple things...
 
1.  If my mother ever caught me or my sisters saying "shut up" she would have washed our mouths out with soap!  ha
 
2.  I know I need to loose weight.  If you have the willpower to stick with it and see results, good for you.  I haven't found the long term willpower needed for success...yet.
 
There's just too many good things out there!  ha

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Happy Mother's Day

Just want to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day. 
Hope you have a wonderful day of pampering and fun. 
Those of you who still have your Mother here with you, treasure her!



I love you Mom!  Miss you so much!!
Happy Mother's Day!