baby sister's vintage wedding

In December my baby sister became a bride.

I was honored to be able to go back and spend 2 weeks with her,

 helping her prepare for her special day.

  It was so…much…fun.
The ceremony was held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the Magnolia Mounds Plantation.

Don't take my word for it…you be the judge.

(Louisiana state capital)

My Sisters

My parents and ALL their kids plus their new son in law

Oh, yeah!  I guess you want to see the groom too?  Ok.

 Again, I say, it was so much fun.

There were some really unique details that added that special touch.

We signed a vintage globe instead of a guest book

 and cards were placed in the old suitcase.

Empty frames were randomly hung from the branches of the old tree.

The reception tables were decorated with random glass vases...painted tiffany blue

and antique books tied with hemp.

The backdrop was yards and yards of lace curtains and tablecloths cut into 2 inch strips.

The unity candle table was our Great-Grandpa's school desk.

Instead of organic birdseed...paper airplanes were used!

this will be an everlasting love,

wedding vows on the beach

we celebrated our 10th anniversary on Friday.  It was very special.  Prince Charming and I renewed our vows on the beach.  He even surprised me by writing his own vows! {wow} 

 Pastor Shawn (a national pastor and one of my husbands close friends) officiated for us.

I hope I can still fit into my dress for my 20th anniversary!

p.s. A big thank you to our friend T. J. Kimmel for taking the pictures for us.

Where's Jesus? Project

I {love} making the Bible come alive and real.  A few days before Easter I helped my kids and my little brothers make this Easter mural.  Everyone was in on the project!

We unrolled a huge roll of white paper across the table.  I sketched the ideas, than assigned projects to each child.  As I did a basic idea of each story the kids looked up the stories about Jesus in the Bible and wrote verses of Scripture off.

 It turned out really long!

We titled our project "Where is Jesus?" With footsteps connecting each scene except for palm branches leading up to the Last Supper.

The first picture is Jesus' birth.  

I did the original sketch to help them but the kids did all the coloring and extra ideas such as animals, details of costumes, weapons for the Roman soldiers, etc. It was fun to see them imagine shepherds and angels out the stable window. 

Next was Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist.  Complete with a little brown turtle watching the activity.

See the water drops when Jesus came out of the water?

Jesus did many miracles and they wanted to draw them all.  I opted for the feeding of the 5,000.  Maybe another time we can do a mural with just miracles!  

The Last Supper with each individual disciple.

They drew goblets and bread on the table. One discussion came up that some of the disciples should be blond, (like us) but the answer was Jewish people aren't blond.

Next, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when he was taken by the Roman soldiers.  Eden drew a nest and birds in one tree.





























The sad {but needed} picture was Jesus on the cross.  They added the 2 crosses with the thieves and the sign declaring who He was.

 The last part of our mural was Jesus rising from the grave!!!  Complete with an angel sitting on the rock and sleeping Roman soldier!

very fun, educational project.
  

Cadbury Mini Egg Muddy Mix Recipe

When I was a little girl I remember having lots of wonderful memories of Easter time.

A fresh new dress, Easter hats, white shoes, Sunrise Service at Church, Easter egg hunts,

chocolate bunnies with pretty frosting eyes, Reese's Eggs... and Cadbury Mini Eggs.

Cadbury Mini Eggs are my inspiration for this festive fun snack.

Cadbury Mini Egg Muddy Mix Recipe

1. Here is the shopping list!
8 cups chex (rice or corn) cereal
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 (10 ounce) bag of cadbury mini eggs
2.  Stir together peanut butter, butter, and chocolate chips in a microwave proof bowl.
Heat in the microwave oven at 30 second intervals until smooth.
You may dip the tip of your finger in to taste the {sweet} melted goodness.
Stir in the vanilla.
3.  Measure out the chex cereal in a large bowl and drizzle the chocolate mixture all over it...down to every last drop! Stir until evenly distributed.
4. Sprinkle the powdered sugar and stir {gingerly} scooping from the bottom up.
5. Drop the mini Cadbury Eggs into the bowl. Crushing some if you like.
I'll confess.  I did a little 2 for you... 2 for me {wink}
I just love those little chocolate eggs!  Can't help myself!

Store in airtight container!

yum,