Then & Now

Nikki's Bridal Shower

It's a girl!  Those words are called out and the dreaming and planning begins!  Ballet classes, Sweet Sixteen, Prom and now it's the Bridal Shower.  It's been both exhilarating & stressful but more fun than not.  In the end, no matter what - totally worth it!  Here it goes...in a photo diary:

Started with the invitations.  I printed them up myself choosing
font and color of ink.

The favors:  Gifts bags which I decorated with doily bridal dresses.  Bead
bracelets in tulle bags and personalized Hersey kisses in heart boxes.

close-up of the kisses

Kris added her handmade soap with personalized packaging

A dramatic shot of the pom-pom/lantern decoration

Kathy's handmade banner - so pretty!!

Centerpiece for bridal table - courtesy of Bicky

Flower bunches in decorated mason jars that also
doubled as table number holders

Bicky did a beautiful job with the flowers

Before the arrival

The Arrival!!  Nikki hugging Izzy

Making her way through the crowd

I'm behind her video-taping all of it

Tom mingling along

The Food:  Braised chicken in olives and raisins

Sides of rice & beans / chayote salad

Shrimp and grits

Slow cooked heritage pork

Ginger, Nikki, Me & Tom

The gorgeous bridal party

With matron of honor, Kris

Bridesmaid - Miranda

Bridesmaid - Saela 

Bridesmaid - Mengfan (both Saela and Mengfan
were co-winners of Who Knows the Bride Best game)

Ronna, Izzy, Me & Nikki

Nikki & Liz

Nikki & Aunt Bicky

Nikki & Aunt Kathy

The Sisters

4th on the 5th

This year's annual 4th of July family gathering seemed less stressful from previous years - I don't know why. Same amount of people (give or take) - same amount of food and prep work - maybe it was just the beautiful weather that helped everything along.  Amazing how much sweltering heat brings the mood down like it was last year.

I did have plenty of time to prepared.  4th of July passed nicely with Kathy, Tony & Kris who had flown in the night before.  That was slightly worrisome since we had a hurricane in the area.  Once her flight wasn't cancelled (thank the Lord!) - and then she landed a-ok even if it was a few hours later than scheduled, we all breathed a sigh of relief.  It was so good to see Kris and really wonderful that she pulled off the surprise to everyone else!

I started the Pernil early the morning of the 4th.  Marinating it for more than 24 hours.  Whatever I could do ahead of time, I did.  I made the chimichurri & sliced the onion thinly for the tomato/onion salad and put together my famous potato salad.  The morning of the party - I put the pork in the oven at 11am and let it roast nice and slow.  The results were perfect and I did a happy dance after a taste.  We had sweet corn on the cob, rice along with all I noted above. Plus a ramen coleslaw salad, Kathy's ribs and cornbread souffle. Brownies and a chocolate mousse birthday cake rounded the rest of the meal.

Everyone was hungry so I completely forgot to take photos of the food since we all just wanted to start eating!  But at least I have shots of my family and that is really more important!