Ordeal or ADVENTURE?

I have been talking about my son's wedding for months and the day finally arrived last Saturday.

My speech at the rehearsal dinner on Friday night focused on a quote.

The day the photographer made the 3 hour drive to our house for an engagement photo shoot,

it was pouring down rain, so these two avid readers who both hold degrees in English literature

spent most of the photo shoot in Calico Cat Book Store.

They turned the ordeal into an adventure and subsequently, a wedding theme.

via

Southern California is suffering from a drought, yet Saturday was the wettest July day on record in Los Angeles.

Once again, Aylin and Joshua turned an ordeal into an adventure.

Steve and I, along with Aylin's parents, were the only people to sit in the rain - we are trying to get our umbrella open.

The florist worked her magic to turn my props into lovely vignettes - the birdcage held gift cards from guests.

I was thrilled when I spotted guests filling in cards with memories and advice to the newlyweds.

The file cabinet made by Becky of My Salvaged Treasures 

held the seating arrangement cards.

Rather than numbered tables, they were designated by book title - Aylin chose 3 of her favorites

and Joshua chose 3 of his.

The ladder vignette I created was greatly improved by it's location in front of a lovely garden spot and the gorgeous flowers the florist added.

I bought tons of props for the Photo Booth which was a big hit -

how do I look in my Groucho glasses?

I went technology free and did not take photos once the ceremony began.

so I have no photos of the black and white films playing on the giant screen throughout the night

or EVERYONE joining in on the Turkish dances.

 Fortunately others had their phones so I do have photos of two people who did not let a little rain bother them 

and they had the time of their life surrounded by family and friends.

Creativity

Creativity is a NEED for me.

I express my creativity in constructing a vignette

or taking a picture in the garden.

For the last few months, the guest room has been "Wedding Central" and most of my creativity has gone toward props for my son's book themed wedding.

A Just Married banner will be held by Aylin and Joshua in pictures after the ceremony

as will the Thank You signs.

My birdcage will hold cards at the wedding - after the florist adds flowers to the top.

The Mr. & Mrs. bunting is ready for the backs of the chairs.

My favorite creation for the wedding is my vintage ladder.

Aylin and Joshua had loads of pictures from the engagement photo shoot and I decided to use the photos to decorate the ladder.

The florist is creating a garland of flowers that will drape around the ladder.

We had fun choosing props for the Photo Booth and I am pleased with the chalkboard.

The only major thing left to finish is the chalkboard for the entrance to the wedding  - 5 attempts have been erased and we have finally settled on a message, but now my chalk pen is dried out.

Steve is happy that the guest room is once again livable and ready for company, but he knows how much fun I have had creating for the wedding.

But, we have company arriving tomorrow so my "FUN" will be put on hold for a few days.

I feel the need . . .

As Steve and I walked early this morning 

through the state beach

and past beautiful old homes,

 I was planning the rest of my day.

 I thought of the line from Top Gun, "I feel the need, the need for speed."

But, in my case it was, "I feel the need, the need to create."

When I got home, I finished up the Bachelorette bags for the Palm Springs Weekend which starts tomorrow.

 I need to get the Mr. & Mrs. garland made and clear off the bed for a visit tomorrow from KC, but instead I decided to do a couple of quick projects for the house.

The oar has been hanging above the sofa for about 17 years and I have wavered between painting the oar a primary color or keeping the weathered wood look.

I decided that some simple stripes would be an easy compromise.

While Steve was grocery shopping, I took the oar down, quickly painted it

and had it back up on the wall before he got home.

He has yet to notice the EAT sign I put in the kitchen on March 8, so it will be interesting to see if he notices the stripes on the oar.

I also had time to paint a sign for the garden.

I love the old cabinet door I painted blue, but sitting on the potting bench on the side of the house, it is never seen.

I thought it might look good on the sewing machine table.

Steve noticed this change because it is the table where he sets the food and his tools when he is barbecuing, but he didn't complain because I already put the books back in the garden house.

I guess times have changed since Cicero spoke this quote before he died in 44 B. C., because I have a garden and a library, but I also NEED to create.

 And, I need to stop slacking and get busy on the garland because there are just 52 days left until the wedding.