"No!", Said The Bride, "No Bows For Me!"

Got a call from an old friend, that I had not seen in a while. He asked me if I would help his sister set up a wedding for her daughter. "Of course, I would be delighted too help!" "How many bows do you want me to make?" As I pulled up to the family cottage, on Sunday, I knew that this was to be a blessed day.

 

Our special, neighborhood flower farmer, was there with her husband and armfuls of flowers in vases. Omena Cut Flowers, no wedding on the bay can go on without them! 

If all is white the flowers set the stage with their pops of color gracing the center of the reception tables. 

The blessing of the Birch Trees, a tree of beginnings, new dawns and promise, the alter of the wedding vows. 

The shared efforts of family and friends, creating a truly special celebration of love on this beautiful Sunday morning on the bay. 

We all worked together to set a pretty table. 

A party of eighty eight friends and family! All who, yes they did, carry the chairs back to the tables after the ceremony. 

It was just like in the movies!!

Mother Nature at the weather controls, she's a pro, could not have been a more beautiful day! She even threw down a moon rise for the special couple. 

A thousand Origami Cranes hung from the trees. A Japanese tradition, symbolic of life, longevity and happiness.

Life, Liberty, Beaches and Pies! Oh My! Treat bags from Cherry Republic for the guests!

The mother bought the pots of Daises and we put them in the wrought iron baskets, then lined the aisle with small white mums for the bride. 

How could I not have enjoyed helping? The scene was peaceful and serene on this Sunday morning, over looking the water. 

Clever seating chart! 

The floral arrangements were nestled into a spread of Cedar and polished beach stones.  Symbolic of Lake Michigan! 

The brides friends created an arch of Cranes over the alter....

....and hung the garlands of cranes all through the tent. Gently swinging in the breeze.

We used satin ribbon to line the railing for the bride. Her mother snugged the Mums around the bottom of the stairs. 

"No bows", said the bride! The wedding turn out to be extremely elegant without all the fuss!

Even the outhouses were given some attention. 

Flowers everywhere!

 

 

My Pinterest Pics For The Week

venustrappedinmars

I don't know which part of this outfit I like best! The gold bow bracelet is a finishing touch.  

sezane

Scalloped edging on these black suede pumps is so dainty. I would feel so girlish wearing these shoes!

modaoperandi

This darling little sheath of a dress could go from casual to dinner in a moments notice. 

benjaminmoore

This color is a running joke I have between me and a friend! I say coral and she says, in her St Louis accent, "karl"!

 

honestlywtf

I wish I had a stack of these Welsh blankets! 

How many files do you have on Pinterest? I counted and I have 27 files! When I have some down time I like to look back to see what has caught my eye over the last few weeks. My favorite, this week, is the collection of Welsh blankets. Now where do I source these babies? On the internet, of course! I can't think of a shop within 500 miles that would carry these. If I had my brick and mortar you would be sure to see them in the mix. Also, how bout those shoes? I need an invitation so I can wear the pretty little dress with the dainty little pumps! The vest with the colorful floral on a navy background with hot pink jeans this winter would take the winter blues away! How bout Karl? Coral! Love the way the southern women roll the words off their tongues! My beautiful daughter-in-law is from the heart of Alabama and I love to listen to her tell a story. 

That's all I have for you, this week!
 Stay safe and wash your hands. 

Desk Work Today

What a beautiful day! Rain rain rain and now the sun is shinning. It's desk work Tuesday! Time to catch up from the weekend. Pay a few bills. Search for fabrics. A little of this and that.

Beside doing special orders, in the studio, we also have items for cash and carry. Just a little accessory can go along way in finding your look, your fabric and your paint color. 

Paper Mache frog, from Sid Samuelson, watching me calculate as I reconcile accounts. 

A toad stool and strawberries sit in front of my computer.

Looking up is my sunrise window.

It is definitely fun to sit at my desk and do my bookwork. 

 

The Lake Michigan Bed

Come into the showroom. I have something to show you!

I changed things up to showcase the new bedding. 

It's the middle of summer and all I want to do is sit on the beach and watch the seagulls catch some air!

Feeling the silky sand under foot and listening to the waves lap the shoreline. 

Pale blues, a little green and white caps on the water. 

The colors of Lake Michigan at the end of July.

I would like to thank Soft Furnishings for creating the roman shades, Taylor Linens addition of shorebird pillows, Annie Selke, couldn't do it without her, bedding, pillows and rugs. Thank you to the new line on the block, Sorella Glenn, custom lamp shades to top off my lamp line, that I have been selling since 2004! 

Do I brush the sand off my feet before I get into bed?
Sometimes!!

 

Morning Light

I drink ASEA, every morning, and have to wait 15 minutes before I can drink my coffee and eat my fruit and yogurt. So I spend the time looking for cucumbers in Steve's garden. Well, I walked outside, yesterday morning, and the light was so pretty. I ran up to my office and pulled my camera off the shelf and ran back down. This little guy watched me go back and forth. "What the heck, in that pink bathrobe, does she think she is doing?" "Hold still, I said, I will take your picture!"

Pulled my lens up and caught the Hummingbird in mid-flight! The toes of my slippers are all wet with the dew. 

Mother Nature planted the ferns. She had planted them on both sides of the field stone walk but I dug them up so the Hostas could have room to spread out. I planted the ferns, outback, between the house and the woods. 

Yarrow, Sunflowers, Lavender and Hosta blossoms.

So many shades of green. 

Steve planted the flag stone walk, this spring, it has nestled right in. 

Rustle rustle in the leaves, what/who is following me? 

He thinks if he sits very still I won't see him! 

The Dill is having a moment! Last year the cucumbers came in hot and heavy and Steve made jars of pickles all summer long! But we were short in the dill department.

This year the cucumbers are slow growing but we have plenty of Dill and it smells divine! 

My husband started Snapdragons from seed and planted them with his tomatoes. They are unlike any Snapdragon I have ever seen. The head doesn't snap!! Just ruffled petals! 

Did I tell you about my Dill?

This is what made me run and pick up my camera! The Dill plant is so light in weight and delicate. It sways in the smallest breath of wind. The head floating on a breeze. 

There is a lot going on in this garden! Everyone seems pretty happy.

The tomatoes are plump and full. Look how tall the plants are! May not have pickles this year but I will be freezing tomatoes into fall! 

Time for breakfast!