Weekend of brightness...

This weekend, my youngest turned 18....

Raising boys for 32 years, I'm almost done.

A long time coming? Yes! ~ Bittersweet? So very! 

 

Garrison, my baby,

 can only be described as brave, bold & bright,

in every form of each word~

 

Helping us celebrate his Uncle's milestone,
this tiny ball of brightness, Sawyer!

 He's really beginning to shine~

 

 

 

In addition, my favorite trees are blooming boldly in the back yard,

Saucer Magnolias (Magnolia × soulangeana) …

gifts from my boys over the years~

 

 

Brightly bringing an end to the month of love~

 

  

I pray yours was filled with much!

Remember….

The son always shines where you are! 

 

Remind…yourself of that brightness today! 

He is always with you!

Repeat…it to someone you love each day! 

Doesn’t everyone need to hear this?!

 

In love with His brightness and blessed by His grace, b

 

And then there were three....a blog for my brother

 

Happy Birthday big D,

My brother, exceptional man, Dad and soon to be PawPaw!

Before this girl was a beautiful Mommy to Be

 

A stunning Bride,

 

Wedding Photography by the beautiful Brittany Dawson

 

She was my brother’s baby girl....

 

 

I have been blessed through the past many years to watch her grow into the most perfect young lady, teacher and wife. 

 The last couple of years, I have been able to share in some of her most special moments, beginning with the honor of being  her wedding floral and design stylist!

(pictures promised a while back, here they are)

again thanks to Brittany Dawson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But words alone cannot express the joy it has been to witness

this guy, my brother...be her Daddy!

Believe me, he is a self taught shining example of a what a father is truly supposed to be!

Happy Birthday and Congratulations PawPaw to be,

You have my love and utmost respect for what you have accomplished with your girls!

You are a gracious Man!

Your sister, and I am not adopted, B

 

And of course we have to include Stacy's handsome husband and Dad to be Josh, he's a keeper!

 

Look like someone you know??We are all amazed at his resemblance to my baby, Garrison!

Grateful Sunday….

Today I am recovering from hosting a baby shower for my sweet niece, Stacy.

 

 

I’ve found that at my age, hosting any kind of gathering at my home requires at least a day of recouping or doing nothing,  Ahh Sunday….a day of rest!

 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. Exodus 20:8-10 

 

Oh for a male or female servant....just kidding! not really!!

 

 

Any time I play hostess, it seems for weeks before I am in full prep, clean and decorate mode, well maybe not weeks but you get the idea.  
Carried away? Yes!
Is it all worth it?  Yes, each and every time! 

 

 

This time it all started with a precious invite I found on

Tiny Prints.com, 

 

 

then an unbelievable find on Craig's list…a vintage pram,

perambulator or pram - a baby carriage to transport an infant before she can walk, i.e., an infant in a "pre-ambulatory" state,

~via St. Philip's Dictionary~1962 Version of CLShaw's Dictionary~

 

 

Aren’t you jealous? Isn't she gorgeous...(Stacy too, of course)?

But you will hate me even more when I tell you I only paid $40 for this beauty!!!

I love it, I own it, now I just have to figure out where I’m going to store her, hah!

 

 

 

With the help of my Mom and sis, the food was wonderful and the guest left with a little thank you from Baby Audrey!
Mom Stacy’s favorite,
Potbelly's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

And in the midst of all this cold rainy Texas weather, the day turned out to be beautiful and Stacy’s extended family and friends were all a blessing to have in my home. 

 

 

I so love gatherings at this Old Charlton House.  They always spark new ideas and changes around here, even if sometimes it gets me in a bit of trouble with St. Philip.  But on the day afterward when I’m a good exhausted, the feelings of gratitude  and gratefulness are overwhelming.

 

 

 

        OK, so what’s next and who needs a very large vintage pram??????

Gracefully pooped, B

and a special thanks to Linnie Moroney Riggs Reichle for some of the above photos!

 

When you least expect it….a new kind of post~blogett!

Funny when you are not looking for something, Something shows up.

My life and work has been full of those moments.   But I won’t go into the life part…

Aha, I caught you before you said, “Oh for Heaven’s sake, here she goes”

No, I’ll keep this short and worthwhile!

I love it when I find a great deal on a beautiful decorative item.  Immediately I say to myself, or whoever might be in earshot (even if I don’t know them), who needs this?  Someone NEEDS this!!!

 

There has to be a reason I find these things, right?   So, I’ve decided to start sharing my latest great find with my blog followers, just in case one of you needs it!  

 

My new Home Stylist mission!

 This weekend I was doing a little client shopping…trying to avoid the pillow isle, but I couldn’t help myself.  And look what I stumbled upon.

 

These wonderful jute pillows at Tuesday Morning!   Yes, they are in the most wonderful colors, yes they come in two sizes and yes they are a mere $14.99, I repeat JUST $14.99.   Even if they shed a little, I say in small print!!!

 

Indoor or Outdoor, they are the perfect textural addition to today's relaxed home style!   I bought two, going back for more,  because  SOME ONE  I need them!!!

 

 

See what I mean, when you least expect it!

 

May your day be full of God’s grace & unexpected blessings,  Most sincerely,  B