A Summer Garden Reception ~ More News . . .

So, on Wednesday, Linsi (my goddaughter) and I went field tripping.

She is very interested in having a completely casual wedding reception ~ sort of like a beautiful picnic.

"Are you thinking picnic as in people might sit on the grass, kindah picnic?" I asked.

"Yes, casual, tropical, bright, kids, friends. You know, friendly," she replied.

"So, what are you thinking these casual friendly people will sit on?" I wondered out loud.

"Mmmmm, I don't know. What do you think?" she said lobbing the ball firmly back into my court.

"Well, we'd need several sit-upons, as in many. We need something "theme-y" and not expensive. We don't want to blow a lot of dough on something you won't use again. But, we also don't want our sit-upons to be depressing. We want them to appear to be thought out. and part of the greater whole."

In the back of my mind, I went over all the options I could think of that were festive and not a lot of dough. We really couldn't "buy" anything. No heading to Goodwill or other of that ilk. Then, I remembered my friend Sally and her and my friend Liz who is the queen of all things found, salvage and one-of-a-kind. I recall she had mentioned she had a basement full of fabric she was selling by the pound.

I sent her an email:

Hey Hun ~

   Do you still have fabric by the pound? If so, I'd like to come by to see about making some table cloths and sit-upons for my goddaughter's wedding reception.
   Let me know ~
XOXO
H

I'm up to my eyeballs in fabric but we are in SF this week. Call next Sunday. Liz

Hi Dear – I’m back and looking to unload a mountain of fabric. Come visit and we’ll have a cup of coffee while you peruse the offerings. Liz

Hi Ho Hun ~

   Are you available on Wednesday (sort of anytime but not real early and not real late ~ traffic, yah know) for Linsi and me to come look at your fabric? We field tripped this weekend to the meadow where the reception is planned and have some ideas for using your fabric.

   Whaddahyah think? Available?

   Tah ~

Heidi

Come do your part to unbury me of fabric. I think I have lots of stuff you can use for tablecloths for your niece's wedding. Liz;-)

Absolutely. I have nothing scheduled so you name the time.
Liz

 

 

And, so we did. What a really fun field trip.

When we arrived at Liz's home, I was reminded again about how wonderful it is to see the artfulness of others. Everything was fully realized. The approach to her home is a generous and friendly; spunky and vibrant; personal and interesting.

And, boy howdy, does she have fabric! She surmised it was from a person who quilted. Sort of 2 yard pieces in a wide array of patterns and colours. Lots to choose from.

Linsi set the tone. She and Brandon got married on the beach in Hawai'i. She gravitated to classic tropical cotton prints.

We made a first cut selection. Then, we went over all the ones that she liked at first blush and decided on the patterns and colours that best represented a tropical theme to her.

With our final selections weighed and paid for, we loaded everything up and brought them to my house. Can you say "work party"?

The concept is to make 48" square sit-upons. Pattern top / solid back scattered around the meadow under market umbrellas and use the patterned squares as table toppers over plain floor length table cloths. The jury is out but the potential is promising.

I'll keep you posted!

P.S. Yes, don't worry. We're going to have chairs, too!

Day 36 Everyday Grateful ~
Started out misty.

 Ended up blue skies, fluffy clouds.

A perfect Seattle day. Lovely.

A Summer Garden Wedding Reception ~ The Planning Continues . . .

Well, the planning for my goddaughter's wedding reception this summer continues. There was a bit of a hiatus since last I posted. Linsi is a baseball coach at a regional community college. She's been up to her nose in sports, recruiting for next year, working her second job and setting up her newly married life. Lots of things on that girl's plate.

Yesterday, we took a field trip to the meadow she has reserved for their reception. It's in a lovely older area of the north end of Seattle. The glen is surrounded on all sides by smaller bungalows. The residents were there for the yearly clean-up. Trees were being trimmed, brush was being cleared, the sun was doing its shiniest best and Linsi and I were going over the options.

The approach to the reception is lovely. The streets are narrow and deeply wooded with intersections that gently curve. No aggressive 90 degree angles here! No sidewalks either which may or may not be a good thing.

The path to the meadow is an unpaved, gentle slope shaded with old cedar, firs, rhododendron, Oregon grape, salal, Madrone trees. We may hang colourful banners along the path.

Serendipitously, the work party had cleared a path to the meadow, so the access will be easy and obvious. No need for the magic marker sign with arrow and balloon.

  

By the end of August, the grass will only be green along the edges where the trees shade the grass. So, we will be dealing with a nice toasty wheat coloured surface. 

We don't know what we will do with the very cool 50's backstop. Something fun, no doubt. I'll keep you posted.

Once everyone is here, Linsi and Brandon plan to have a small ceremony of sorts at the beginning of the reception in the mythical tent we are trying to obtain. That requires an entrance of sorts. We like the two old trees as the focal point of that entrance.

 

 

Now, that we have time, full attention and the lay of the land, it's going to be full-tilt, nonstop flurry of activity to get this ready for their big day the end of the summer. This reception will be just like Linsi and Brandon ~ friendly, casual, festive and fun. Not too much Martha but lovely none the less, I'm sure.

Day 35 Everyday Grateful ~
Slept in, read in bed, misty Seattle day. Lovely. 

Water is a Human Right

"The human right to drinking water is fundamental to life and health. Sufficient and safe drinking water is a precondition for the realization of human rights."

— United Nations 'General Comment' on the Right to Water. November 27, 2002

"The simple fact is, this model of privatization doesn’t work. You cannot marry the profit motive to something like water or air which people need to survive. We have to take this notion of fresh water out of the market place and say that it belongs to the earth, it belongs to all species, it belongs to future generations, and no one has the right to commodify it for personal gain.

— Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians, March 2004

When I ran for Congress, I was endorsed by the Sierra Club. Running for office and learning the details behind the issues important to my district was a profound and deeply moving experience. It made me love Thomas Jefferson and the citizen legislative process even more. Of course, I became even more an environmental zealot. And, it solidified my belief in the importance of our environment in the well-being of society. So, I recycle, buy used / salvage first and do what I can in my Western life to be mindful of the effect I have on my surroundings.

Which brings me to bottled water.

It took me a while to tumble to the importance of companies encouraging distrust in municipal water supplies in this country. If people feel the tap water is not safe to drink, their anxiety makes them the perfect consumers. The large multinational corporations fan the flames of that fear and offer the solution. Safe. Pure. "Bottled" water. Water you can trust . . . for sale, of course.

Sheesh! It's always about money.

I willingly drink my tap water. It's delicious. I've been known to come in my front door, head directly to my kitchen, throw my keys on the counter, turn on the tap and drink directly from my hand. When I'd come home from college and do the same thing, my mother would say, "we do have glasses, you know."

Which brings me to artesian well water.

Many years ago, a friend of mine told me about an artesian spring in Seattle. It's part of a local water district. People would line up to fill their jugs and take them home. Well, apparently the local water district wasn't too happy to have people not paying for water so they capped the well.

And . . . the old adage proved true!

When you have a point to make with someone, the universe has a bigger point to make with you or as I like to call it . . . the cosmic banana peel. The capped well refused to stay capped. It continued to flood and make for a very unhappy water district. So, the water district capitulated. And, better than that, they built a nice little cover so people could come to the well in any weather, at any time of the day or night and take the water.

Oh, and yes, it's still free.

As I filled my three 5 gallon jugs this morning and brought them home to my cooler in the pantry, I was reminded again how rare clean water is and how difficult it is to find in many parts of the world. I am more in awe of the lengths people go to get clean water. Five gallons of water weighs about 42#. Imagine walking miles there and back to bring fresh water to your family.

Another reason not to commodify water.

Do I still drink out of the tap? Absolutely.

But, I love knowing there's a little well that continually flows; a little well where the water is clean, clear and . . . free.

Day 34 Everyday Grateful ~
Fresh water at the well, 

the morning with Linsi planning 

her reception and lunch. 

Ramses came along for the ride

 and got to spend some time

 in a fenced yard! 

A good time was had by all

Sunny, bright, still. Happy.

16 Years a Widow

Richard G. Zwiebel

Eagle Scout

Top Gun Naval Aviator

World Famous Red Ripper

April 28, 1943 - August 22, 1996

What shall I say about this man I loved?

Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art:

thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks:
thy hair is as a flock of goats,
that appear from mount Gil'e-ad.

What shall I say about this man I loved?

By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth:

I sought him, but I found him not.

What shall I say about this man I loved?

He brought me to the banqueting house,

And his banner over me was love.

What shall I say about this man I loved?

his mouth is most sweet:

yea, he is altogether lovely.

What shall I say about this man I loved?

Thou art all fair, my love;

there is no spot in thee.

What shall I say about this man I loved?

This is my beloved, and this is my friend,

My beloved is mine and I am his:

Day 21 Everyday Grateful ~ and, every day thankful.

Happy Birthday, Rick

Web site of the World Famous Red Rippers http://www.vfa11.navy.mil/

Navy Fighter Weapons School ~ Top Gun http://a4skyhawk.org/3e/nfws/nfws.htm

Planning a Garden Wedding Reception

So, my darling goddaughter got married on the beach in Hawai'i on January 2, 2012. He's wonderful; she's wonderful. The perfect couple!

She asked me to help her with the planning of her reception this summer. I'm so excited!

I'll keep you posted on what we are considering, what we've chosen and all the ways we've saved money.

She came over on Sunday and the planning began. First the budget. As Linsi said, "We want to buy a house and have babies someday. We need to be frugal." She said they were planning to have an outdoor reception in August in a lovely field in Seattle. She wants it to be casual, romantic, friendly and colourful.

I showed her what I have here. 125 darling white cake plates with gold trim, a red band with gold fleur-de-lis, several dozen wine glasses, several dozen (maybe close to 100) champagne flutes, some market umbrellas (we designers are supply rich). All these I have, so we can just fill in what what needs to be rented.

Then I told her about the fantastic reception I attended several years ago that had as a centerpiece the most fantastic tent on earth. I sent an email to the rep and we are awaiting sizes, pricing and availability. I'll let you know.

 
 

    

Then we chatted about flowers. They really can cost the earth. And, since they don't last very long, this may be the place to spend less money by doing something different. One of the prettiest reception I ever attended (bar none) had a corridor of planted pots billowing to overflowing with perennials and annuals. Utterly heavenly. Maybe I'll take a page out of their book without taking a page out of their check book and I'll hie myself to Craigslist to see what they have:

Oooh, I found a pair of cool ones.  $40 for the pair (practically free.) 24" tall. Kindah great! Handsome. Wrought iron. Weathered. Traditional. Generously sized. Fill with moss and peat and start the plants in May. They would be enormous by August. Could be good. Yes, I like this idea. Mmmm, I'll send Linsi the link and see what she says.

And, I'll keep you posted.

http://www.rajtents.com/index.asp

Day 14 Everyday Grateful ~ another gorgeous bright
Seattle morning. Perfect for a visiting guest.
The mother of my foreign exchange
student from China is arriving for a visit.
How fun is that!

Paradise ~ Happiness Came to Visit

Such a gorgeous morning. Cat Stevens playing on the speakers in the courtyard, open packages of potting soil, sun warming the air, plants readying for their pots, breakfast outside, fresh coffee and, yes, smoked salmon.



Heaven!

And, best of all? My goddaughter came by. We are starting the planning for her wedding reception. Is there anything lovelier than a true bright-eyed smile. A young woman who has found true love and blinding happiness!

Day 11 Everyday Grateful ~ being part of planning

for the future with my dear goddaughter.

The Perils of a Prix Fixes Wedding

This is a blog post that when I look back on it in a couple of years, I will die of embarrassment. It's a cautionary tale. Here are the facts: I have a really, really beautiful home. The grounds are interesting and chock full of pots heaping with flowers. The house is on a nice quiet lane and set back from the road. It's lovely.

Over the years, several friends and family members have held weddings and special occasion events here. All beautiful. All successful.

During the financial crisis and economic downturn (or, as those of us in construction say ~ the depression), I decided to use all my skills and make every aspect of my life a "profit center." Uck, buzz words! Loathe them! I put them all in the category of thoroughly stupid phrases that are designed to make you seem smart, but, generally make you sound like an idiot, i.e., "mission statement," "way finding," "on message," "at the end of the day," "impact," "in my thoughts and prayers," etc. But, I digress . . .

So, I posted my ad on our local Craigslist:

Don't let Wall Street put the damper on your wedding plans. What you need, you cutie pies you, is a beautiful, romantic wedding for not much money. Impossible you say? Come with me. I found just the place.

Columns on the Park is a deluxe Bellevue B&B with an Italian sensibility. Columns has put together an amazing wedding package for your small weddings ~ say around 20 people. Your hostess is an award winning interior designer so, yes, she's got the china, silver and the touch to make everything beautiful for your special day. And, best of all, her studio is in a Tuscan Villa. And, I'm not kidding.

Sure you could have your wedding in chambers, but, for $####, you get a wedding in a drop dead gorgeous garden, a keepsake garter, dozens of photos of your wedding, a true wedding cake, a complimentary bottle of Italian champagne, two keepsake champagne flutes, the perfect music, and a coffee, tea, punch reception with china plates and linen napkins.

Oh, the adventures that begin with "Yes." Did I mention the garden in the spring? Book now!

What happened, you might ask? Was it successful? Were you able to turn your skills into a "profit center?" Well, yes. . . and, no.

Having worked my way through college working retail, nothing much surprises me about working with the public. First, there were the calls wanting to know if they could have 50 people. What about 75? Sheesh, what part of 20ish wasn't clear? Those calls were followed by "was there a room for the bridal party to dress?" My first thought was "what part of 'in chambers' sounded like dressing rooms were involved?" Could they bring their hairdresser? Nail artist? Could they come the night before to set-up?

Yes, there are speakers in the garden. Yes, I have lovely wedding music. Sure, I will put your wedding mix tape on. No, I can't time it to sync up with the instant you finish your vows. 

Yes, I provide three cake flavours. Yellow, white and chocolate. No, they are not gluten-free. No, there is no "tasting."

Mostly, it went well. But, occasionally, when my life reads like a story problem, things happened. And, not good things.

Like the time . . .

I'd had back-to-back weddings and there was a lot of clean-up, tidy-up, prepare for the second wedding to do. I'd finished one cake, cleaned up the house, pressure washed the stone, blew off the driveway, dead headed the roses, emptied the trash, washed the napkins, ironed the napkins, started the dishwasher, started the second cake, set the timer and, just closed my eyes for a second . . . and sat straight up in bed!

Oh, my God! What time is it?

Oh no! It's 2:30AM. The cake's been in the oven since 9:30.

Shit! Shit! Shit!

It's burned all the way down. No chance of scraping off the charred edges. It's dead! Utterly, absolutely dead!

Shit! Shit! Shit!

Get in the car. Speed to 24 hour grocery store. What the hell? What are all those police cars speeding past me in the parking lot with lights and sirens blazing? What are all those police officers doing leaping out of their cars with their guns drawn?

Shit! Shit! Shit!

My Safeway is being robbed! Oh, brother! My life really is a complete story problem! Nightmare!

Shit! Shit! Shit!

Find another 24 hour store ~ right the hell now. Thank God, I live in the suburbs. All the grocery stores can't be being robbed in the middle of the night.

And, home again by 5:00AM. Cake cooling on the counter by 6:30AM. Sigh.

I really must buy a lottery ticket.