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!

Sisters' Birthday Club # 22

June 18th....Winnie's month but today was my SBC celebration!  What a good life I am having that I get to still celebrate in JUNE!!  Ha!  I was thinking that since we do have more sisters, it might be nice to include them. BUT the four of us already have so much going on that we can't even get together within our months that adding more people would be incredibly complicated!  So far now...it's the original four.

Today Winnie got tickets to Wendy Williams where we enjoyed another "never fails to entertain" show. We even got a small giveaway...the soundtrack of Think Like A Man Too - all by Mary J Blige. My choice for dining was the famous Ichi Umi and it didn't disappoint. I had my fill of their wonderful sushi...(first plate)...then their hot food of teriyaki, tempura and various veggies...and my favorite...their delectable fried rice!  Topped off with fresh fruit.  I was too full for any of their little pastries.

A HOT day but perfect in every way...because ♪ ♫ WE are FAMILY...I got ALL my sisters with ME!♪ ♫

A Wedding Past

With Nikki's wedding on the horizon, my own wedding day keeps popping up in my head.  Today would have been my 33rd anniversary.  Doesn't seem possible that much time has passed!  I guess I can look at these photos with good feelings because I still have a rather good relationship with Stan.  After all - we did do one thing right!  Looking forward to posting Nikki's wedding photos!!  Love is love. :-)