Giving a little forethought to my Thanksgiving table…
love the inspiration of these centerpieces done for a son’s wedding several years ago
scores of arrangements, all in collected vintage white ironstone
by my favorite floral designer, Susan Estabrook*
always on the cutting edge of design, use of plant material and creativity!
*Fleur Provocateur, designs that surprise and delight
Susan Estabrook – sjedj1949@gmail.com
Filed under Family history, Inspiration
CONFLICTED!
Spring has come to the garden, bringing luscious colors and bright green foliage….
…in the midst of drought!!!
Lake Cachuma, just over the Santa Ynez mountains, serves as a reservoir for our area. Seeing the lake over the weekend – a stark reminder of the severity of the situation: under 40% capacity, more than 50 feet below spill level. With another family wedding here in July, the conflict: to water, or not to water………???
I react viscerally to fall – Webster says this means my reaction “proceeds from instinct rather then intellect”.
There were times when I loved fall: when I was young I relished the start of the school year with all its possibilities; when my children were young I loved the shorter cooler days that brought them inside for the evening to the family dinner table. As they grew and their lives became more complex,
when a new matchbox car…
-I’m so glad I saved them!!!-
or a favorite birthday cake…
was no longer enough. When dropping them off for school for the first day became dropping them off until the next holiday – fall became for me a time of uncertainty, with a frisson of perpetually impending change.
Although walking onto a college campus, feeling the almost imperceptible change in the air, or watching withered leaves fall from a tree can still trigger that vague feeling of unease,
I have come full circle – I am delighted by fall once again!
A time to harvest apples from the orchard…
and rhubarb…
to share in the cooking and eating of meals…
a time to celebrate the changes of life:
a new marriage…
a promotion…
a time to draw together with loved ones,
a time to reflect on blessings of the past, to savor each minute of the day, and look forward with faith to the future.
Filed under Family history, Food, Seasons
the wedding deconstructed……… part 2
golden memories
beautiful gifts from the bride
a most thoughtful and fun gift from an auntie
the gown
candle light
heartfelt wishes
a new family member – another Mrs. W
…………………filled with gratitude!!!
Filed under Fashion, Inspiration
the wedding deconstructed…………..
the aisle
the sunscreen
the guest book
the reception structure
simply Samantha
Mr. & Mrs.
their mothers
off to South Africa and the Seychelles
We love you – God go with you now and for the rest of your lives!
Filed under Exteriors, Family history, Fashion, Garden, Inspiration, Nature, Travel
Previously, in episode 1, dirt was delivered to level the proposed cocktail area. The dirt is now in place and rocks have been delivered to form the retaining wall.
The wall is partially complete – can’t wait to see the finished project!!!
We have also been experimenting with table decor for the fiesta-themed rehearsal dinner.
wedding site preparations have begun in earnest……..!!!
removing trees for the cocktail area
fill dirt arriving
delineating the space to be leveled
stay tuned……!
Susan Wennerstrom | W designs 