Wedding Bliss

The much anticipated day was filled with love, laughter, friends and family, as our darling daughter Elaine married Gary and Sandy's darling son Christopher.  The setting was Camarillo Ranch and its beautiful Victorian home and grounds.  We were blessed with a perfect warm and lovely fall day.

We of the wedding party waited in front of the house while the guests were seated.

Elaine and Chris loved this enormous ficus tree (Moreton Bay Fig).

The reception was held in the old barn.

While the wedding took place in front of this beautiful gazebo.

My handsome husband Grant and our son Nick.

All dressed up and feeling very happy.

Our darling girl with Chris's mom, Sandy.

Final touches in the bride's room before the wedding.

With her bridesmaids.  Our other darling girl Erica is in the center.

First dance as husband and wife.

Sweet newlyweds!

Fall details

DH Grant had this week off work and I took Thursday and today to take care of the last details for the big weekend. Yesterday we drove out to the wedding venue to make the final payments and also for Grant to see the site--when he had visited it with me months ago, there was another wedding taking place and we were unable to get into the buildings or walk around the grounds. This time I played bride while he walked me down the path--without mishap--and we looked around the reception building, picturing where everything has been mapped out to go. Then we drove up to visit the caterer at her restaurant and I gave her the tablerunner I made for her as a thank you for working with the budget. She was so surprised I would be making her a gift and really liked it. 

Here's a photo of it again.  I guessed correctly that she favors pink and blue.

It was a perfect warm fall day in Southern California.  On the way home we passed this pumpkin patch going up a big hill.  It opens annually just beside the 101 Freeway, the farmland lined with palm trees.  Can't you just guess where all the kids want to look for their pumpkins? 

One Word Wednesday

Perfect.

Tuesday's Orts--Oct 25, 2011

Orts on Tuesdays are the thoughts and bits of my week that hit this spot...

• After spending so much time at my sewing machine this past week but not having any piecing or quilting to show for it, I'm feeling a bit "off".
• Bride to Be Elaine is very organized and has lists for everything.  She and her fiance Chris have been very thoughtful in making their day special and unique for family and friends. 
• My one work friend invited to the wedding has been more stressed out over her outfit than I have, and has done way more shopping.  I think she's finally set!
• Don't you hate shopping for intimates?  It's demoralizing enough just trying on regular clothes, let alone bodyshapers and bras.  It seems someone should have improved lighting in dressing rooms after all these decades.
• Traffic rant:  Extreme slowpokes.  Now, I'm known as the slowpoke in our family because I don't like to exceed the speed limit on the freeway.  But I also don't impede traffic by going 15 miles an hour below the limit as every car has to change lanes to pass.  These dimwits come in all age brackets so don't think I'm picking on the elderly. 
• I got a flu shot at my #2 employer's free clinic at the hospital on Friday.  My method of coming late in the day worked out perfectly, since I time it after 4 PM to let all the folks getting off at 3 PM finish up.  I had a close parking spot and walked in and out in less than 10 minutes, no waiting.  
• Future SIL Chris came by on Saturday with a load of wedding items and we discussed some more details.  Grant said he wasn't going to ask him if he was nervous, which is the common query, and Chris said he only felt that way when he pictured everyone looking at him at once.  He said he was going to get a veil to pull over his face.  Then he asked if he was going to be wearing a corsage (instead of saying boutonniere) and I teased that it sounded like he wanted to be the bride!
• You know there's a party coming up soon when your living room looks like this:

And there's more to come!

MOB

That's me, the Mother of the Bride.  I think the last minute for picking something to wear has passed, so my decision isn't last minute.  How's that for rationalization? 

A bit blurry, but here are the dress and jacket I made am making--obviously the hem is not finished!

I'll be wearing my hair down so here's a pic to show the collar.  While I love the color and fabric, and the outfit is very "me", what I don't like is that this beautiful silk brocade wrinkles like mad.  Disappointing, but this outfit will have to be seen at another event where photos immortalizing me in wrinkled clothing are not going to be taken.

Here is the alternate dress. The smoky blue and satin/chiffon textures I really like.  I bought myself some cleavage fillets but you can see the dress is really low cut.

A piece of black lace improves my comfort in this.

I will close the wrap front with a few hand stitches (it is only pinned here).

...And craft myself a modesty accessory from the lace.  The armholes also need attention as the dress is a bit too tight there.  With these alterations I think it will be a good choice for this MOB.  I'd be happy to hear any feedback.

Back Home

My mom returned on Thursday from her trip to London and Paris with my brother's family.   She was just in time to see the backyard transformed.  I stopped by Friday night to get updated photos.

All the boards were attached using a hidden fastener system so there are no nails or screws in the top of the beautiful redwood.  This deck is BIG, 18 x 30 feet.  There will be a built in bench across the far end, and some steps leading off the sides to walkways close to the house.

Bear watched all the progress as intently as he always does, with a smile on his face. 

There were presents from overseas for me to open!  Some Fauchon tea from my sister in law Laura, and the Earl Grey from Harrod's from my mom.   Thanks, Mom and Laura!   I plan to savor both.  I hope to have some photos from London and Paris to share in a few days, but it may be ATW (after the wedding).

Friday evening and a number of hours today have been spent on the wedding outfit.  More on that tomorrow...

One Word Wednesday

Alternate.