Kat's Bridal Shower

 Yesterday my sister, Kathi and I hosted a bridal shower for our nephew, Levi's fiancee, Kat. I've always wanted to set up one long table and have a party in the pasture. So that is what we did.

Entertaining takes a village.

This shower is brought to you by Kathi and I and my daughter-in-law, Kassie and the gardens at Shelly's farm.  All flowers are from Shelly's gardens! Thank you Shell!

Hubby helped with set up and tear down. 

 I made the balloon installation.  I saw it on Pinterest and thought, "how hard can it be? I can do that."

When fools rush in...and Amazon helps.  Anyway, I won't be quitting my sub job to create balloon art but it did turn out okay and Kassie and I got in the tree.

 We used our tiki bar for the mimosas and champagne cocktails.

 A million thanks to Kassie for pouring and refilling and yeah, helping me set up.

I love her!

 The bride and her sister, Brooke. Twinning much?

 Kat with her future sisters-in-law Hana and Serena and Serena and Alex's Baby, Aurora.

 Kat and my sister, Jodi.  Kat is getting a wonderful mother-in-law and Jodi is getting a wonderful daughter-in-law. It's a win win.

 The mimosas made everything so pretty!

 Everyone enjoyed the brunch. Kathi and I tried new recipes.

 I love my sissies!

 I can't wait for the wedding! Not because Levi and Kat are getting hitched but because Brooke gets to make a speech with a microphone. Aren't sisters the best?

A Lot of Random

Last week I was super busy. I was like a sugar addict running after the ice cream truck.  Kate and her prince were in India and her wardrobe was all I could think about, that and how on earth does she go to India and not sweat.  Apparently, botox!  I seriously have a life, a busy life.  But the past ten days I have been following her trip and every single piece of clothing.  Where did she get that dress, can I afford it, does it come in my size?  Is there a copycat dress at Gap?

 I do enjoy following the royals, and this trip to India was gorgeous.  Tell me I wasn't the only one vicariously enjoying the royal trip.

While Kate was all cool and collected in India, I was baking cupcakes for my BIL Bill's 50th birthday party.  Jodi put on a fabulous party for Bill.  Good job, sissy!

 

 Yesterday was a scorcher in Ltown.  We seldom hit temperatures in the 80's in April.  Some years it doesn't happen until July.  Hubby was off work yesterday and we worked in the yard.  Until we fell over.  A big change this year is the beauty bark.  I have always thought bark was for old people's gardens.  After the plethora of weeds this spring I preened and then barked.  Waved the white flag.  The weeds overtook my dreams of an English garden with rich soil and pretty perennials. 

Speaking of old people, I am retiring from my job at the museum.  I have been there for 19+ years.  It's time to take care of some deferred maintenance here at home and spend more time with Hubby.

Everyone keeps asking me what am I going to do.  I'm going to get a dumpster, have a yard sale and clean up my house and garage.  That should take about three years.

Hubby and I are starting another trailer restoration.  That should keep me out of trouble too.  It's one hot mess.  It's a Curtis Wright model 6, and the only one we've found on the internet. It's a rare bird.

We get to pick it up this weekend.  I am so excited!

So, I think that just about covers random today.  A royal trip to India, Bill is 50, beauty bark is for old people, my retirement and our new baby.

Yep, that outta do it.

Random is Better Than Nothing

It is going to be a very random post this morning.  

Our sweet, Hawley is slowing down.  He is still very smart though.  When we let Hawley out of the kennel in the morning he skips and jumps around and then when we call him to go back into the kennel poor old Hawley moves like the 95 year old gent that he is, s l o w.  He's an old dog with a lot of old tricks.  And isn't he distinguished with his gray?

 I'm trying to clear the bathroom vanity counter of cold relief products.  I put them back in the medicine cabinet and then some come back out.  It's a long, slow recovery.

Move over, nasal spray!  I need room on the vanity for sunscreen and nail polish. Spring break, sunshine and fun are coming my way.  One of my favorite words in the English language,  poolside,  will be overused by moi.  Poolside, say it with me.  The definition of  poolside  includes sun, fun, swimming, lounging, reading, visiting, a g & t, and best of all the warmth of the sun.  I love that word, so much!

 In the meantime, it has been pretty nice here in the Pacific Northwest.  Everything is blooming and growing and there is a lot of green.  Of course, there is rain too.  I have to stop on my morning walks for flower photos.  Who could resist these cherry blossoms?

 My parent's magnolia tree is gorgeous this year.  My folks have put their home on the market and will be moving to town.  It's bittersweet, for sure.  They bought their house when I was in the first grade.  It had been vacant for nine years and was a fixer upper.  It was built in 1895 and they are the second owners.  When families get to this house it becomes a home for many years. 

 I have so many wonderful memories here.  I know their move to town will be hard for our family but it will be nice for them to have less yard work and maintenance.

I feel so blessed to have grown up in this house and been able to return to it so many times for family dinners and holidays.  My folks are the definition of hospitality.  Please pray that they have peace with their decision and a smooth move.

I have funerals to attend in the next several days, a vintage show to attend and some packing to take care of to get myself  poolside.  Enjoy your weekend and make the moments count!

Seattle Flower and Garden Show

Last week I went with friends to the Seattle Flower and Garden Show.  I didn't get a picture of us, so use your imagination.  Chris sent me a cute black and white one that she had of us.

After fortuitously finding a parking spot in downtown Seattle we went right to the show and directly to see JohnBob Cool Junk.  They do have cool junk and are always happy to see us.  Or they are good actors pretending to be happy to see us.  Their booth didn't disappoint.

 A sweet Shasta trailer was parked in the vintage area.  I loved the red and green color scheme and their fun camping equipment.  The original flooring is so great.

 A flower fairy in a very clever booth was eye candy.  The booth was made from old doors.

 I can't remember the name of the vendor of the next booth, but it's my favorite.  It was so simple, the colors were so pretty.  I could have moved right in and stayed.

 There were eight city patios set up on the sky bridge.

 There were tiny gardens too.

 Uhmm, honey, I think I want a new hut.

Our friend Kim took this shot of Chris, Shelly and myself.  It was fun to see Kim and her Mom at the show.

After the show, we had lunch at The Met, shopped at Watson Kennedy, and had a cocktail at Oliver's.

Pretty much a perfect day in the city with the girls.



Cozy Up

It's Fall Y'all and I do love this season.  There is something so wonderful about all of the colorful leaves, the Fall light, and the  spicypumpkin of a pumpkin latte or a pumpkin scone.

We like to cozy up at our house.  We get as close to hibernation as a family of bears.  The wood is stacked and ready.  We lit a fire for the first time on Sunday.  The weather has been so mild that this is the latest in our history of the Stone House to get toasty with the wood stove.

 The flannel sheets are on the beds.  I have new flannel pjs with vintage trailers and flamingos on them.

Pretty much a flannel board in the bedroom...

 The summer flowers are on the compost heap.  There are a few mums and cabbages planted for winter interest.

I made a pumpkin roll.  That is one messy job.  So worth it though.

It's all good but I just can't help myself, I am thinking about Christmas and I want to start decorating.  Badly.

I know, I know.  Slow down, enjoy the moment... but it's hard.  Really, really hard.

Maybe I'll just start upstairs...