More of Charlotte and Jon's Wedding

Things are slowly getting back to normal...Here's more of the story...

 We had a simple rehearsal dinner at a neighborhood sports bar.  I just put a couple of decorations on the tables, a few favors and a grocery store cake.  The food was great and abundant, and Jon and Charlotte's family and friends enjoyed a low key night before the big day.

 Our Jon and Charlotte!

 The cake was half strawberry torte and half chocolate torte.  It was a big hit with everyone!

 The next morning,Wedding Day started cold and misty.  There was fog on the roads and it didn't look very promising for a outdoor wedding.  We, meaning Elizabeth and I, decorated the Schoolhouse steps with broom corn, bushel baskets, pumpkins, mums and I wove bittersweet from my arbor at home into the pickets on the fence.

 Charlotte brought the washboards.  They were a cute and vintage element to the decor.

 There were lanterns lining the aisle which Mike and Amanda decorated with autumn picks and burlap ribbon.

I filled my wheelbarrow with a old lace tablecloth and used it to hold the programs, bubbles and little white pumpkins and the Jon and Charlotte chalkboard I made for their shower. The clouds parted and the weather warmed for the ceremony.

 Our big contribution to the celebration was doing a sweet table for the happy couple.  They had decided that they wanted cookies, not cake.  Here the cookies are still covered and all the finishing touches are not shown...like several dozen mini pumpkin pies!

 Taffy apples, donuts from a local shop, lot's of special candies.

 Reese's chocolate peanut butter chex mix. They cut a loaf of homemade bread instead of a cake.  Jon is the guy who cuts the bread for every holiday at home.  We surprised him with this sentimental touch.

Our family is wild for this bread.  Jon guards over it, and there have been some fun moments as people try to steal a taste before dinner.

 I found this cute felt notice board at HobLob.  Hubby did the letters.  It was just what out table needed.  Let's just say that the sweet table was a BIG SUCCESS!

 Charlotte had so many cute touches.  The tables were elegant with flowers, votives, white pumpkins all on a wooden charger.  A burlap runner covered each table.

 Flameless candles and votives lined the wall boards.

 Everything was so special, Charlotte found so many beautiful and meaningful things to include in their day. .

This is the schoolhouse after the ceremony.

This was the barn from the loft.  Magical!

My feelings on this special day in a later post

More photos when the photographer sends a sneak peek.

Speaking of magical, The Chicago Cubs are going to the World's Series!  I will write more about this later.  Let's just say, WOW!  My fourteen year old self is thrilled, my sixty one year old self is grateful.  Thank you Cubbies.

Thank you so much for stopping by and for all your kind comments.

Enjoy this beautiful day.

Penny

Somebody's Getting Married!

 Still entertaining guests. Be back soon with the whole story.  What a wonderful day!

A Cozy Weekend

 We had the wettest and coolest week and weekend.  Just when we thought that Autumn would never start, down came the rain and with it that chill in the air that's so welcome after a hot and dry summer.

 Collecting some harvest treasures.  Sunflowers and a large sunflower head.

 This will go into the garden to feed the birds but mostly the squirrels that will devour it in minutes.

We have over 100 white pumpkins for Jon and Charlotte's wedding just days away.

So many surprises for the kids that I'll share after the fact.

I am making all the treats for the Sweet Table.

Perfect cool weather, and my dearest busy with work gives me plenty of time for baking.

 I even did a little craft project.  This wreath made with grapevine wire and some silk leaves.

 So easy, but it's simplicity spoke to me. I saw it in a magazine and had to make one.

 So sweet in the window.

 I washed and rolled a dozen shawls I've been collecting, in case of a chilling evening at the wedding.  Charlotte has thought of everything, and I am adding my touches and help where I can.
I didn't do any of these kinds of things for my own wedding.  I told Charlotte that I was not the person I am now, back then.  I was just a kid really, we both were my guy and I.  It is so much fun to be a part of everything.  Charlotte and Jon have looked to us for help and advice, and kept us involved though out.  We were there when they first saw the venue, tasted the food and now I have the pleasure of baking for everyone.  From the beginning they didn't want a cake, but my cookies.

 With so much still to do, we relaxed and enjoyed a quiet Sunday.

 While my hubby napped, I washed some of the glass I'll be using. My dear pal Jean recommended that dish washing was therapeutic.  Thank goodness for a a finger that is functioning, though stiff.  I still have problems with shaking peoples hands and clapping.  I've thought of wearing a oven mitt to protect my hand in the receiving line.;-) Otherwise, I am writing again, hooray!  Using the cookie scoop is not painful, actually a good workout for my hand. Can't wait to share all the secrets.  I am sooo excited.  Jon and Charlotte could not be more perfect for each other. We love them both so much.  What a happy happy day it will be for us all.

Thanks for stopping by and for your kindness always.  Enjoy this beautiful day.  If you're chilly, grab a shawl!

Love, Penny