In a little town called Hubell...

 Our baby boy Mike married his sweetheart Amanda, on September 1st.

 I will say, that in spite of all this, a destination wedding, on a budget, 400 miles away, it all worked.

WE DID IT, and it was wonderful!

We got to Houghton, Michigan on Thursday.  All the kids were traveling.  Some by plane, most by car.  Mike and Amanda had been up north for a couple of days. and that night we watched our granddaughter Penny.  SIL Elizabeth, brother Greg, their daughter Tracy and her three wonderful girls and Penny spent a while in the pool. They had so much fun. Penny slept with us as the ladies went to the bachelorette party.  The guys went to a local bar.  We slept that night, but not much.  

Friday, we decorated the Hubell Fire Hall where the wedding and reception took place.  The set up  took hours.  Betty and I, with the help of one of Amanda’s Aunts, the lovely Dawn,  transformed that fire hall. It looked so pretty.  When we were done, we left to buy cupcakes and had a late lunch before the rehearsal dinner. The Rock House was right next door to our hotel.  They took care of everything except for a few decorations I brought and the cake. It is a family restaurant with skee ball and other games.  That was a lot of fun and a big hit with the kids.  Father of the Groom handed out cards to all the guests to play the games, while the food kept coming and coming. (Appetizers, salad and pizza) We had at least 40 to 50 people, hard to count, they were all over the place.  Mike and Amanda have the best friends and Amanda’s family are very sweet. Made for a very good time. We were relieved after the dinner and headed to bed so we'd be ready for Mike and Amanda's big day.

They tried to sell me Green Bay Packers cupcakes!  As if...

These two were cool and calm.

Just a note,

Having all my kids close, like in the next room for Jon and Charlotte and an adjoining room for Kris and Doug and Penny was fun. Betty, Greg, Tracy and the girls were just across the hall. So was nephew Greg and his sweetheart. (Alert: Greg caught the garter!) Mike and Amanda were having pedicures etc...but always calling and of course at the dinner and Mike dressed in our room on the wedding day.  

The theme was Love You to the Moon and Back.

 Paper lanterns, sparking stars and mirrored balls and Amanda's Grandma provided the golden bells.

Elizabeth found the large moon on Facebook.  It took two trips up north to get the huge display up there.

We had a runner to the arbor, and Elizabeth made the arrangements on each side.  The arbor was draped in sheer curtains and tulle with white wisteria.  My photos don't do it justice. 

We had a professional photographer.  It will be weeks till we see those pics.  I was not taking many photos as I was running;-)

The wedding day was hot and humid.  Poor guys were dying in suits.  There was an amazing young lady Emi, the wedding coordinator, that was in charge, and she got everything in order.  Before we knew it, the wedding began.  I was crying ugly by the time we walked up the aisle.  Not looking forward to seeing that picture.  Everything fell into place and it was so beautiful. Mike was crying as Amanda came up the aisle.  She was so lovely.  Amanda carried a bouquet I made for her.  It contained lily of the valley, ranunculus, yellow roses and paper leaves.  In her hair she wore the same flowers I made as a half crown.  She wore her beautiful hair half up.  She had her hair and makeup done professionally and she looked amazing.  Mike looked so handsome, I can still see his baby face under his generous beard.  He has the most beautiful eyes, but I digress. Another of Amanda’s Aunts, Betsy,  was the officiant.  Betsy was all choked up and asked for a moment to compose herself.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the hall. Mike and Amanda's vows were sweet and the music they selected were some of my favorites, just a coincidence but wonderful.

The ceremony was immediately followed by Mike and Amanda's first dance.They danced to a song called The Book of Love, by Peter Gabriel.  They danced up and down the aisle, and it was magic.

The evening moved along quickly. Next, the Mother and Son dance was so special. Mike picked the song for us and I cried and laughed while he cried and laughed.  When we weren't crying and laughing he sang the words to me. We always sang in the car together when we were on our way to school or work. It was the sweetest moment. Where did the time go, my wonderful baby boy.

My Heart...

Jon our son was the best man and gave a short and heart felt speech.  Our sons are brothers and friends, something that is so important to my husband and me. They love each other, and they love their  beautiful sister too.  It was so sweet to see the hugs and tears they shared.  Made Dad and I very proud and happy.

All the kids danced every song, be it the Chicken Dance or some new Shark song. Our Penny was so happy to dance the chicken dance, she’s been practicing since she was old enough to stand. All of my great-nieces were with us, two of my brothers, two SIL’s, nieces and nephews. Elizabeth helped so very much and was there to support me just like she always is.  

Elizabeth and her wonderful son Greg. We missed you Jim!

Our Penny is on the far left.

All the tearing down started as the happy Bride and Groom left to a sparkler goodbye.  We drove a very scary and foggy road back to the hotel, relieved and exhausted. 

For all that could have gone wrong, nothing did.  It was a homespun, homemade wedding, and it was the best time.  Mike and Amanda are amazing together.  My prayer is that they keep that happiness and love for each other always. 

My dearest, the dearest  sweetest most generous man made the dreams of our son Mike and his Bride Amanda’s dream of a Upper Peninsula wedding come true.   It was sweet and magical for our whole family, shared with Amanda’s sweet family who welcomed us with open arms, and made us feel at home.  

I am grateful to all my family that traveled so far at at great expense to share our joy.  Greg and Elizabeth and family were in as soon as the wedding was announced.  My brother Larry and SIL Lynette traveled and so did their amazing girls Gina and Amy with their guys.  It meant so much to us to have you all with us.

We hope to visit Houghton again when we have time to explore.  It is a beautiful place, Lake Superior is amazing and the drive is worth the views.  Now we have family up north, and an beautiful addition to our family here in Chicagoland..  

Life is Good, and We are Grateful.

Thanks for stopping by and for your kindness.

Enjoy this beautiful day

Love, Penny 

A Moment of Zen

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

            

                     

 Close your eyes, a moment of solitude.

 Center your focus away from all distractions.

 Listen to the birds, the wind in the trees/

 Breathe deep the scent of Mother Earth and all her wonders.

Take a moment to see the greater meaning of it all.

This is the reality!  A few days, 400 miles, 20+ family members, a rehearsal dinner and a wedding!

Serenity now, insanity later.

 A accidental craft.  Looking for something, I found the makings for a wreath I started in the spring and gave up on.  While my dearest worked through the weekend, I packed and sorted and shopped for last minute items and made this wreath. 

This is truly how I am feeling.

Thanks for dropping in and for your kindness.

Enjoy this beautiful day.

Love, Penny

Simple Unexpected Moments

Taken from the TV.

 A weekend with our girl is always a delight.  We had pizza and ice cream and went for a long walk. She fell asleep before a story and slept soundly until the morning when she woke happy and energetic.  Sunday we visited the Vintage Fair in Long Grove.  Penny discovered the delights of the candy store.  A place often visited by her Mom and Uncles when they were young.  We bought flying saucers, a kind of wafer candy filled with sprinkles, for Mom and Jon and Mike, just like in the old days.  Penny was not tempted...until we were at home and she wanted to taste just one of Mom's.  Poor Kris, no flying saucers left from that taste.  Good for Penny, all the candy she choose was not to her liking, except the lone Hershey kiss. 

Sunday was the Air and Water Show on Chicago's Lakefront.  We have yet to sit on the sand and watch in person, but WBBM News Radio, live streams the whole show on Facebook and we were able to watch on the big screen at home.  I am so excited to watch and found that Penny enjoyed it too.  Penny, on a field trip on Thursday had seen the Thunderbirds practicing overhead the Lincoln Park Zoo.  I have experienced the roar from the car, and it's awesome!

Mike and Amanda came by and shared dinner . We watched Penny's favorite (for the moment) movie, The Greatest Showman.  She knows all the songs and sings along with her Broadway voice. Our Bride and Groom are pretty stressed out.  It was good to visit and compare notes.  I have reminded them that it's just one day.  Everything will be fine and a blur of  happy memories. 

Monday was Penny and Grandma day.  Shopping at Target, playing with the toy we bought and another movie, Enchanted.  Grandpa worked all day and then we drove our girl home.  We were caught in a heavy rain on the way home, but home safely.  We love Penny's visits and miss her when she's back at home.

 Last week I did a bit of crafting.  I tried to stamp on flour sack towels with some IOD stamps. Iron Orchid Designs.  The flour sack towels are a much looser weave now and I should have washed them first. They came out of the wash better but not dark enough.  More trials in the Fall when I have some time.

 At the Vintage Fair I found this crate.  Penny lived in Brooklyn when she was tiny, and the man who sold us the crate was from New York too.

 We visited the thrift before Penny arrived this weekend.  A ten yard roll of Offray ribbon for a dollar/
The silver cast metal votive holder was 50 cents.

 A candle pedestal for a dollar.

 These two wall hangings were $2 each.  Funny thing I almost bought one at our local nursery for sixteen dollars and change, but thought I really didn't need another thing for my wall.

 Gloomy morning photo, but they are pretty and green and bright.

 I want to seal them and use them outside next spring.

 Perfect for a fall accent.

 A diversion from the wedding to come.

Out my kitchen window.

 Even though neglected, the flowers are still blooming because of our rainy weather.

 One more bargain...his one at Target.  I wanted something to go along with a gift card for a certain SIL's birthday.  Elizabeth loves Joanna Gaines and these were in the Hearth and Hand collection. 

No one likes a bargain as much as Elizabeth.  For her birthday we had a picnic dinner, a fresh peach and blueberry trifle, and went to see our dear pals Sue and Ron.  They played with their band Peach's Beach Party at a neighboring community's library.  It was fun and Elizabeth really enjoyed it. Betty is just getting sweeter and kinder with every year that passes.  

A Pic Collage of our weekend with our girl!

She'll be a first grader in a few short weeks.

"It is often, the simple and unexpected moments in life, which are the source of our greatest joy."

-Mary Anne Byrne

A special thank you to Lynne from Irish Garden House for the yards and yards of fabric she donated to our service project, Ryan's Case for Smiles.  Lynne is a special and generous soul.  Thank you so much for your kindness Lynne, love you.

Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kindness.

Enjoy this beautiful day.

Love, Penny

Everything Good

                                                  
Shopping the thrift last week I spied this table.  This thrift has that sliding scale, if it's not sold at a certain date, the price drops.  It's gambling to walk away from something you like, hoping it will still be there on the date the price drops, but I was happy when my guy pointed it out to me.  It had been moved so I thought it was gone when we came back this week.  Hubby took me on his lunch hour. He said that he wanted to be there for me in case I was disappointed.  Yes, that's what I'm dealing with over here.  The sweetest kindest man. 

 It's solid oak with five legs.  At some point it held many leaves, but none were included.  I just needed a small table and have been looking for a drop leaf table for a while. 

 On another adventure I found a couple of beautiful books and an orphan hand tossed bowl.

 Marjolein Bastin is one of my all time favorites. I originally found her work at Hallmark and she is now licensed many beautiful items with her work.

 Glorious photos, daydreams in a book.

 To add to my collection.

"Everything good, everything magical happens

between the months of June and August." 

-Jenny Han

The garden once babied before our garden party has been neglected. I got out this morning and was surprised by how resilient these once pampered plants can be. A good watering and deadheading the spent blooms was all they needed.

 We had our last Ravinia concert of the season.  It was Steve Martin and Martin Short and the Steep Canyon Rangers.  We had the best time.  We laughed, the music was great.  The weather cooperated.  The crowd was huge but well behaved and respectful.  Penny who enjoys listening to the latest Steven Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers album with us asked this morning if they played her favorite songs.  One called Caroline and another song The Strangest Christmas Yet.  They did not play her songs but it made me smile she knew the titles, and that she loves the songs too.

 The show was shown on a big screen on the lawn.

 It was just a bit hazy from the fires all over the west and into Canada.

We met a nice woman from New Jersey who had just relocated to Illinois.  She said it was her first time at Ravinia and we told her we have been coming for forty two years!  We enjoy this outdoor venue so much.  It's a part of summer we love and the last time we come each year, signals the end of summer is near.

 Two little sneak peeks.  Amanda's bouquet,

and an arrangement.  All the flowers for the wedding are finished.  The bride's headpiece, veil and bouquet, all the corsages, boutonnieres, bridesmaid's bouquets.  Elizabeth was amazing as usual and made the loveliest  arrangements, and helped finish the bouquets.   Elizabeth works at a "fancy pants" florist.  The arrangements she made would be worth hundreds of dollars in her shop.  I'm grateful for Elizabeth's help and artistic vision.  Did I mention we had so much fun working together.  Betty I love you and you're the best.

GOOD NEWS!  My dear friend Jean received excellent news, her scan was great.  No more chemo!    Thanks so much for sending good thoughts and prayers for my friend. It is such a relief.  Jean and her family so needed this wonderful news.  Now for the  slow and steady recovery. Let the healing begin.  Still praying for you my friend.

Thanks so much for stopping by and for your friendship.
Enjoy this beautiful day.
Love, Penny

Listening to the Rain

 After weeks of dry weather, it's so good to hear the rain this morning.  The trees are sighing, finally refreshed after some brutally hot days. 

The time is flying here at  English Valley.

Jobs are getting accomplished, lists made and checked.  The kids Mike and Amanda came over for a pow wow, dotting the i's and crossing the t's of a million and one items still to do for their wedding. Trying to enjoy this summer in spite of all the things that need our attention.    We went to our first carillon concert at the Chicago Botanic Garden on the eve of our anniversary.  It was very soothing but not quite as melodic as I expected.  Also the songs were mostly unknown to us except Danny Boy and Send in the Clowns.  Still a beautiful evening in the garden.

 On our anniversary we went to the amazing Blumen Gardens in Sycamore, Illinois.  It is a garden center, gift shop, nursery and wedding venue.  It's a beautiful ride in the country to get there, an a lovely place to shop and drink in the beauty.

 This is not the year for purchasing much, but there is inspiration galore.

 We were wondering if our shed out in the yard could support a sod roof.  Sure looks charming here.

 I love the mix of plantings and pots, something I used this year in our garden.

Loving these paver paths and brick walls as a gorgeous backdrop for the plants.

 Next year our arbor will be covered in bittersweet.  In fact, it needs a trim so we will still be able to see the beautiful ironwork.  The bittersweet was cut all the way back last year when our new arbor went up.  The plant came back like gangbusters, but just one tendril wrapping around the wooden post, the rest a large bush at the base. Fall project.  Wonder if I'll have honeysuckle berries to decorate with?

 Can you imagine how beautiful a outdoor reception would be here?

 Such an unique and lovely space.

 What a great idea.  Some vintage chairs, placed among the pots under a shady tree.
So welcoming and serene. Not the expected outdoor furniture.

 Hibiscus, big as a dinner plate.

These terracotta orbs.  Wow! Yes I'd like a half dozen to drop into the garden at home.

I have already remade Amanda's veil after it was attacked by a naughty cat.  I also made her headpiece.  Elizabeth and I will be working on flowers this week.  We are using silks, which are so much nicer today and  more realistic than in the past.  Photos will follow the big day.

This morning I got the okay from my fashion consultant on my shoes for the wedding.  She said, and I quote.  "Grandma, those shoes are fashionable, they look like a princess' shoes."  So, I have that going for me! Penny has her first loose tooth.  It makes me weep.  I remember waiting for that tooth to pop out.  Have I mentioned lately, that girl is tremendous!  

On a serious note, my dear friend Jean is waiting on results of a scan she had last week.  Jean has been through hell and back, and I pray for good news.  Sending good thoughts and prayers for you Jean.  God bless you always.

Thanks for stopping by and for your friendship and kindness.

Enjoy this beautiful day.

Love, Penny