Lydia's Bridal Luncheon

I thought I'd share a few wedding related posts while I was away this week.....trying to play "catch up" before Lauren's big day arrives!
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 Lydia's Bridal luncheon was hosted by two very dear friends of mine, Julie and Sherry.  I go waaay back with both of them and I am blessed beyond measure because of their friendship. Through the years they have encouraged me, taught me, rebuked me and made me laugh more times  than I could ever count.  Julie's parents own this beautiful bed and breakfast in downtown  Meridian called The Century House.   It has become quite special to us through the years as all of our girls have celebrated monumental occasions within its beautiful walls...graduation luncheons, Elizabeth's bridal luncheon and on this gorgeous day the Lord provided... we celebrated Lydia's bridal luncheon.

 The Century House

Upon entering we were greeted with a delicious glass of refreshing punch.

Julie and Sherry outdid themselves with the table setting and menu!

They know Lydia well and had mini bags of cotton candy with our names as the place cards.

Lydia was tickled pink!

Her beautiful corsage.

Besides honoring her bridesmaids, she also wanted to honor these special ladies.  Her Aunt Joice and Aunt Heather were instrumental in so much of the wedding preparations.  We couldn't have done it without them.  The girls were a big help too jumping in wherever they were needed.

The bridesmaids, flower girls, moms and grand-moms....and of course the bride!

One of the courses served was asparagus soup.  And it was an absolute favorite of Miss Julia Rose.  She handled all the fine china like a little lady and ate every last drop of her soup...all by herself.

Although.... it wasn't too long later that they ditched our table for the table with all their cousins.

Everyone enjoyed opening all their gifts Lydia had bought for them.

All of us ladies received a monogrammed handkerchief....

And she bought the bridal party matching TOMS.

 The beautiful grandmothers.

My beautiful girls....what incredible young women they have grown up to be1

Lydia's bestie, Jenna.

Mrs. Sue, Lydia's precious mom-in-law.

Her two mommas!

 The whole gang!

Three generations.

A little entertainment on their "stage".

And here are the two hostess' responsible for all of this loveliness....

two of my dearest AND craziest friends I have.

And by crazy, I mean that as a compliment.

Of course...they already know that.

                                                 

Sprucing Up the Honey Pot

So by now you have probably noticed things look a little different around here.

I was ready for a fresh look but I am absolutely the most non technical person you will ever meet. 

I mean...I know how to facetime my grand kids and write blog posts...but anything beyond that and I have to call my son-in-law or hire a professional. Well, being that Christopher is neck deep in Hebrew and other stuff you do while in seminary, I thought I'd do the later and hire a professional.

Meet Danielle.  

She has an amazing blog called Take Heart and she has her own blog design business.

And more importantly than that,  she loves the Lord and it just shines through in all she does.

I was blessed to get to meet her this past year and hang out for 5 incredible days with her and 7 other women who are now some of my closest friends.  It's hard to remember life before them...(and our group texting)   

Seriously. She's talented. She's fast.  And she has the most adorable laundry room on the planet.

I hope you check out her biz and if you do tell her Honey sent ya!

Thanks Danielle for birthing my baby! ;)

                                                 

Momma Time

Happy Monday y'all.

I'm on way to see this woman.

My momma.

For five wonderful- fun-filled - no agenda - do whatever tickles our fancy - drinking coffee in the morning together -  shop til we drop - eating out - sleeping in the same bed - I don't have to share her with anyone cuz its just me going- days!!

Watch out world....there is no telling what we're gonna get into!

                                                                                       

                                                             
                                                 

Friday's Letters

 Dear Gandkids of mine,
  You are killing your Honey with cuteness overload.  Don't stop doing what you're doing though....it would be a great way to go. 

Dear Briggs Chapel Church Family,
  Thank y'all for throwing Nick such a fun party.  I know the LSU theme was a tough pill to swallow for some of y'all and the sacrifice does not go unnoticed. We love all of you so much and thank the Lord each day for sending us out to the little church in the country. A special thank  you to Bill....I'm gonna start calling you the Party Planner of Porterville.  You did an amazing job pulling it all together.  You even got K.C. to come!

Dear Tina,
   Thanks for hosting our crew like you did!  You went above and beyond.  I'm so thankful you turned an old bar/pool hall into a sweet little family restaurant with good food and christian atmosphere.  I love your christian music you play and I double love your twinkle lights.  I hope everyone takes a ride out to Lauderdale and checks out your place..."Tina's".

Dear Gorgeous Auburn Hair,
  I think I want you up on my head....as in dying my hair your color.  I used to have you but its been a long time.  Hmmmm....we shall see.

Dear Heather,
  Happy Birthday!  You keep getting more and more beautimous every day. Thankful for this past year together and all that it brought with it for me and you.   There is no telling what you will accomplish this year... I mean look at you...here you were in New York City, on a subway, sitting next to a complete stranger. Wow.  That is some bravery going on in this pic...we might have to try something drastic like skydiving or something to top that this year. ;)    Love you   

Dear Entertainment Weekly,
  Thanks for the preview.  Eeeep!

Dear Rosalyn,
  I'm sorry you inherited my tangly hair.  But apparently by the looks of it, you also inherited my ability to sleep like a rock...so I guess we can call it even.  

Dear Lauren,

  I had so much fun pinning stuff with you to our secret board for the wedding last night!  I am starting to "see it" now in my mind!  It's gonna be grand!  EEEEP!!

Dear Mom,

I can't even imagine how much fun we are gonna have next week when I come to stay with you...just me and you.   I mean when is the last time we have ever had 5 days just us? We are gonna have us some FUN!!!!!!

Dear Nick,
  I haven't even packed yet and I'm missing you already.  

Stephanie :)

A Recipe {Hershey Bar Cake}

To all my sisters who are participating in the "A little too fluffy" challenge,  I sincerely apologize for this post.  You might not want to read it.  Or look at it.

To everyone else who has requested this recipe, here you go!!

When y'all see how ridiculously easy it is, you're gonna wanna make it on a regular basis.

It delivers a huge wow factor in looks and taste and is super duper easy...
the best combo there is.
I got the recipe from a sweet friend of my mom's, Mrs. Carolyn, but I've tweaked it a little.

                         Hershey Bar Cake 

1 Box Swiss Chocolate or German Chocolate cake mix

1 small box vanilla instant pudding

3 eggs

1½ cups milk

1 cup oil

Mix all ingredients and pour into 3 greased and floured cake pans.

Bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes.  (I always check on them around 18 minutes...it could just be my oven but the one up front usually bakes faster.)

Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese (at room temperature)

1 cup powdered sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

*16 oz container of Cool Whip  * I'm not sure of the ounces...I get the largest one..whatever size that is!  Lots of cool whip is what makes it so tall and pretty and yummy!

1 Giant  Hershey Bar - again...I get the biggest one they have! I chop it in my mini food processor. 

1 to 2  cups chopped pecans depending on what you like. - again....we like a lot.

Mix sugars and cream cheese together until smooth. Fold in Cool Whip, chocolate and nuts. Blend well.  This makes a lot so use plenty between layers.

Then put it in the refrigerator to get good and cold before serving.  I try to make mine early in the day or even the day before.

I'm not an icing girl but I can eat my weight in this stuff.
It's light and fluffy and not too incredibly super sweet.  The icing is great on all kinds of stuff.  Or by itself with a big spoon.

And even those weirdos people who are not a big fan of chocolate cake usually still like this one. It's more creamy cool whippy good than it is chocolately good.


Enjoy!  It's a keeper.

Stephanie :)

Happy 42!

This is what a year in the life of a blessed man looks like...

Happy 42nd Birthday Nick! 

I'm loving growing old with you.

(somehow some of the pictures got all wonky when I uploaded the video to youtube

...sorry about that.) 

"Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who delights greatly in His commandments.
His descendants will be mighty on the earth;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches will be in house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man deals graciously and lends;
He will guide his affairs with discretion.
Surely he will never be shaken;
the righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.
He will not be afraid of evil tidings;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is established."
Psalm 112: 1-8

Stephanie :)