Saturday (And our family grew)

On Saturday morning we gathered to prepare for a very momentous occasion, one of those occasions that will be recorded as part of your family history, will be forever part of your collective memory and will always be recalled with a smile.

As we hung the garland handmade by my brother and his new bride, as we strung lights, put jars of fresh flowers from their garden on the tables, as we placed tiny lights along the pathway leading into reception hall, as we laid home-made crisp cookies at each place setting, we were all taking part in what would be their wedding.

There couldn't have been a more perfect setting: a small green lawn surrounded by autumnal trees, situated among the mountains. The nearby reception hall reminded me much of the grange halls I had read about. Her dress she had refashioned using the fabric from her mother's. My brother was handsome in his dark suit. As we watched them exchange vows, vows they had written, you could literally feel the sincerity.

The wedding and events leading up to and following were non-traditional, but perhaps more appropriate and fitting than any I had been involved in. They celebrated the couple, they honored family and they recognized relationships. From outdoor family dinners to picnics to fiddles at the ceremony, everything was suitable and reminiscent of the duo.

The decorations, as I mentioned, were all created by my brother and his bride, as well as their friends. The couple had collected tea cups, saucers and dessert plates throughout the year, all mismatched and encouraged their guests to take home one of each.

And yesterday my family grew by leaps, as we welcomed not only my new sister-in-law, but her wonderful family as well.

(And the cake was amazing! Light frothy icing, blueberry filling. . .mmmmmm.)

We're headed home.

Photos:
Signs and flowers leading to the wedding.

Mounds of cups waiting for coffee.

Friday (Picnicking in the park)

Our day began with a misting rain, which soon cleared. However, that wasn't enough to lure us from our room. It seems we were a little lazy this morning, choosing to stay inside until time for lunch. We joined my parents for lunch at Jack in the Woods and a little time downtown.

After a few wedding-related errands, we went to yet another nuptual event: a family and friend picnic at a beautiful park. This was a great opportunity for us to spend some quality time watching my tiny nephew sleep and my active niece play.

All is well and we are relaxing, as tomorrow is the big day: wedding bells will be ringing. And then sadly, on Sunday, we'll be coming home.

Photos:
A shot of a little shoppe that seemed appropriate for this here blog.

The walkway at the site of the picnic, autumn is here.

Thursday (We are a family)

On Thursday, admist wind and rain, we bid farewell to Charleston and Folly Beach, as we made our way to Asheville. Four hours of travel later and we were checked into our hotel. We ventured downtown for lunch, a visit to the Earth Guild, Purl's and Malaprop's Bookstore.

Afterward we met up for a family dinner to kick off the festivities leading up to my brother and soon-to-be-sister-in-law's wedding. They hosted the meal in their beautiful and unique backyard. As we all sat along a long table at the center of their gardens, we shared food and drank wine as the two families and groups of friends got to know each other a little better. Fireworks topped off the evening and we said our goodbyes.

Meanwhile our "hometown" was pelted by horrific storms and perhaps a tornado. Trusted friends checked on the house and thankfully all is well. However, the steeple on my church was torn off and tossed into the sanctuary, several houses were damaged, some buildings destroyed and trees, powerlines and poles scattered around town. Apparently 11 people are injured, but gratefully no deaths reported thus far. The tornado is one of 10 potential ones in a four county area.

I am not certain what today holds, but there is a picnic and "field day" at 4. Wish us luck, as the athletic gene has not been passed among our clan.

Photos:
Shot of the dinner table and one of the candles scattered throughout the yard.