Going To The Chapel

Well, here I am on my second day of a two week spring break.  As promised, I am going to start the first part of "The Wedding" for you.

Early in the morning of February 11, we made our way to Knoxville to begin the wedding weekend festivities.  I can remember thinking, "Wow!  My son is really getting married tomorrow!"  "Wow!  I'm going to have a beautiful daughter now!" "Wow!  Kenny and I are going to be Pa and Gramma to a beautiful little girl!"  It was all so surreal!

The day began with a bridesmaids luncheon held at the bride's parents' home.  What a wonderful time I had with these lovely ladies and such wonderful food!

Just look at the yummy spread that we enjoyed!  Prepared by the bride's grandmother, aunt, and mother, this luncheon was inspired by the Apple Cake Tea Room in Knoxville.  The chicken salad was so good...the fruit...awesome...and the banana bread sandwiches...out of this world!!!  Delish for sure!

The "memory" table was beautifully set with a tablecloth and china that belonged to the bride's great-grandmothers, and silver and glassware that belonged to her grandmothers.  Now, Carrie will have another memory of this special luncheon with family and friends on the day before her wedding.

The bride {front}, maid of honor {third from left}, and bridesmaids gather for a couple of quick pics before heading out to run some last minute wedding errands together.

Such a princess!

While the ladies ran their errands, Kenny and I enjoyed some time with the groom...our wonderful son, Blake, at the tux shop. 

It was hard to believe that in less than 24 hours, this young man was going to be a husband...and a father!

Next post....

*Off to the Wedding Rehearsal*

So check back soon!  I'll meet you right here, and we'll pick up where we left off.

Hugs and Blessings,

Rebecca 

I know...MIA Again!

But with good...No, No...GREAT REASONS!

Oh how I have missed you all!  I have SO MUCH to share!  It has just been soooo crazy busy...but my 2 week spring break is just around the corner...and you know I'll be blogging again almost every day then!  I will share with you just as soon as I have time to recap everything!  It's all been good!
Blake is now married...the wedding was perfect...his bride is Beautiful inside and out!

...I am officially a Gramma

{That's my girl with Gramma at the Wedding Rehearsal}

...Just celebrated 24 years of marriage

...I'll just have to make you all wait, because I want to go into great detail on all of these!  

So please hang with me...it won't be too much longer.  But I will leave you with a few of my favorite pics, as of late.  Maybe that will hold you over until I can give this the attention that it deserves.  *smiles*

Spring Blessings,

Rebecca 

*Vintage Valentine Card Party*

Joan from Anything Goes Here is hosting a Vintage Valentine Card Party!  As you can tell from all of my recent posts, Valentine's Day is very important to me!  The vintage valentines in my collection have come from various places such as antique shops, flea markets, and such.  None of them are personal ones but I love them just the same. 

With me being a teacher, of course, I am drawn to those type of cards!  Here are two of my favorite teacher valentines.  Don't you just love little cupid peeking out from the pages of this book?  Sweet!

No teacher's pet in my classroom!  All of my kids are special!  But I do love this little valentine.  Such a kind looking teacher.

We love our friends, and this little card was a gift from my sweet friend, Sherrie!

This is the inside of that card.

I am drawn to sweet little animal valentines too!  Love the little bear, but those puppies in the basket really stole my heart!

Here are some cutesy cards too.

And there's nothing like a card from  your sweetheart!

 Oh how I adore these sweet tokens of love on Valentine's Day!

Don't forget to go check out the party at Joan's!  You'll be glad you did!

Just click on the graphic below to get there.

And before I close, I want to wish my wonderful hubby of 23 fabulous years Happy Valentine's Day and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!  I LOVE YOU MORE EACH DAY.  And if you haven't already, you might want to read the next couple of posts, as they are dedicated to my anniversary and to Valentine's Day.  

Hug someone today, and let them know you love them!

Sweet Valentine Wishes,

Rebecca

Vintage Valentine Swap Show~N~Tell

I showed some of this already, because I got sooooo excited about this swap.  I feel sooooo blessed to have made a great new friend!!  Thanks to Dolly, at "From My Cherry Heart" for hosting this once again for us!  You're awesome!!

So, on with the show...

Karen, from Some Days Are Diamonds, was my partner for this swap.  And she was a diamond for sure!!  We emailed each other and snooped around each other's blog...hee hee but I kept blowing my cover, because I found so many posts that I wanted to comment on!  hee hee

My package arrived from Karen before the deadline.  It came on a day that I was home from work, feeling horrible from my wisdom teeth fiasco!  It couldn't have shown up on a better day...it was the PERFECT medicine!!  So, let's take a look at my goodies from Karen.  This sweet heart covered box with wonderful heart ribbon was what I saw inside the box.  I could hardly wait to get it opened, but I composed myself long enough to snap this pic...

OMGOSH!  So much to take in...

Look at those sweet little love birdies on this tea towel!

And LOOK at this beautiful L*O*V*E that Karen made for me.   

There's that sweet cupid ready to shoot some arrows!

Now, get ready to squeal like I did.  This little guy is toooooo darn cute!

IT'S A HEDGEHOG.  IS THAT NOT ADORABLE!!!!!

Look at that precious little face!

And did you spot her little heart necklace?  SWEET!

And look at this most precious birdhouse!  And the shingles on the roof are.....

~~~Wait for it~~~

PINK AND RED HEARTS!

Take a look at the back.  There are sweet little details all around this little house!!!

MORE yummy goodies!   Wonderful ribbon and lace with sweet little hearts will be welcomed in my studio, for sure! 

I told ya that Karen did some snooping around my blog.  lol  She found out that I adore red handled kitchen gadgets and cookies cutters.  I literally squealed with delight when I saw these.  I quickly found a home for them here...

These red handled cuties joined more cookie cutters here atop my vintage kitchen scales.

And the red handled gadgets join other gadgets, rolling pins, and advertising tins here.

Aren't those the cutest felt hearts she put on them to make them more festive!

The cone had yummy chocolates and mints inside.

There are those adorable little love birdies again!

And Valentines isn't complete until you have those wonderful conversation hearts!

OH KAREN, I LOVE IT ALL!!!!!  And I enjoyed meeting you and making a wonderful new friend!  I feel soooo blessed!  Thanks again to Dolly!

Here are the things that I sent for Karen...

I was so hoping this vintage cameo heart vase would make it all in one piece and it did!  Whew!

I fell in love with this little plate.  Little did I know that Karen was married in 1980!  Wow!  That was fate!

I must have a valentine card for my partner on Valentine's Day.  I found this sweet little vintage card.  I love the cameo on it.  It came with a precious vintage hanky.

Buttons, Bits, and Baubles are a must!

A handmade Valentine by me for my new friend, Karen.

And a girl can never have too many embellishments.  

I am so glad Karen loved her goodies.

I sure LOVED mine!

Want to see more Valentine Swap goodies?  Check out all of the other participants in Dolly's Vintage Heart Swap here.

Valentine Blessings,

Rebecca

* Valentine Pink Saturday * Valentine Party *

This week, Pink Saturday is dedicated to the most romantic holiday...Valentine's Day, of course!  And Laurie is having a Valentine's Party...WHAT FUN!!!

Valentine's Day is a MOST special day to me, and this is why...

Twenty three years ago on this coming Valentine's Day, my sweetheart and I were married!  

It was like a fairytale...the most perfect wedding dress...

Beautiful red roses with crystal and pearls bouquet...

My little 4-year-old son as ring bearer...

With all of our family and friends surrounding us, we were truly blessed.

And then, my Valentine, my love waiting at the alter.

I felt like a princess with my handsome prince by my side on the most romantic day of the year.

Over the years, we have had some wonderful anniversary memories.  

For several years, we made our way to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, TN.  We enjoyed days of shopping and visiting some area attractions & shows, and taking in the magnificent scenery.  

The evenings were cozy dinners by the fireplace or in our favorite restaurants.  

Most years, we went to the wonderful dinner show at The Dixie Stampede, which is our favorite!  

One VERY memorable anniversary was when I kidnapped Kenny from work.  As I entered his work place, he had his back to me.  I quietly tiptoed up behind him and blindfolded him.  He knew immediately I was up to something, and was a great sport about it!  Our boys were young, so they were staying with their grandparents for the weekend.  I had my car packed with our luggage and ready to go!  So, I lead him to the car, got him settled and buckled in {still in blindfold}and we began our little journey.  Now, you need to know that our town isn't that big, so we know our way around every inch of it, as well as the small towns and areas around us.

We were headed to a B & B that wasn't very far out of town...the roads that we had traveled many, many times.  So, I had to drive him around and around so he would think we were going really far.  After traveling down the winding country road, I pulled up beside the falls and parked the car.  Before I opened the door of the car, I told him to guess where we were...and he said...somewhere near Ledford's Mill...OMGosh!  I can't fool him.  I got out of the car and opened his door.  At that moment, you could hear the falls rushing! 

 Today, I can close my eyes and think about it, and I can still hear those wonderful falls from that day!

That evening, we went to a favorite quaint little old-house-turned-restaurant.  After a most delicious meal, we got up to leave.  We looked out the big picture window, and we saw a winter wonderland outside.  I will never forget that magical moment!!!  We headed back to the B&B, and enjoyed a most wonderful Valentine anniversary weekend together!

So last year...minus the blindfold...we headed back to the same place for our Valentine anniversary weekend.  The place was still basically the same, but there were new owners, and they helped make the weekend a special one!

Ahhhh, my sweetheart, my Valentine, my husband...and I am amazed at how much more I fall in love with him each day.

Happy Anniversary honey.  I love you SO MUCH!

Well, thanks for traveling down memory lane with me.  Hope you enjoy this Valentine's Day with someone you love!

Be sure to visit our most wonderful Pink Saturday hostess, Beverly, to find many more Valentine memories from other participants!  And please keep Beverly in your prayers, as she is having surgery. 

And be sure to enjoy the Valentine's Party at Laurie's!

Valentine Blessings,

Rebecca