Road Trip: Happily Ever After!

I have not been in public crowds for a very long time and I was very apprehensive about our visit to Cleveland. But my cousin Jeff was marrying the lovely Lauren and I wouldn't miss that for the world. Well, yeah, I probably would have if Covid was as bad as one year ago. But with the vaccine and booster, an N95 and another to put over it, and the promise of sitting at a vaccinated table after the outdoor wedding ceremony, I was good to go!

Postcards from the Lake: This is How We Do Weddings in Covid-Land

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the daughter of my cousin David, Heather, had been planning her wedding to Mike for about a year. There would be 200 guests, a large, lovely dinner, all the trimmings a woman might want for this special day. 

 

 Heather is the only girl in that family, pictured above with her dad and brother Joe. Because she lives in Maryland, we don't see her often but when she brought Mike to the lake last summer, shortly before they announced their engagement, we knew he had to be a special guy.

 All the plans were made. She picked out a stunning gown, did invitations, had the wedding party lined up. And then Covid came along. Regrets came to invitations and state rules didn't allow for larger gatherings. Even many of her closest family members declined the reception, which was indoors. Plans were changed. Fittings were held wearing a mask.

But Saturday she made it down the outdoor aisle on the arm of her very proud dad. 

We watched on Zoom. I guess it's the way we'll be doing a lot of events these days.

What was best of all was seeing her look so happy. 

The officiant was wonderful and the setting was beautiful. Almost-live reports from cousins after said that the weather was perfect. There were chairs spaced for those who wanted to sit while others stood at a distance and most were masked.

 

I couldn't take pix in person, but did my best with the computer monitor! This was my favorite.

And down the aisle they go!

As they left, Rick and I opened a bottle of Prosecco.

We toasted the couple and enjoyed snacks, just as we would if we were there in person.

I hope she gets to wear that gorgeous dress to her first wedding anniversary party next year!

Royal Wedding Day!

I don't remember when I fell in love with England but I think my high school English Lit teacher, Miss Ludwig, may have had something to do with it. England was "her place" and in addition to being the hardest teacher ever, she was one of the most interesting, peppering her talks about Thomas Hardy, Dickens and Shakespeare with slides from her trips and wonderful bits of history.

The September that I graduated from college and before starting grad school for the first time (1973), my mom and I went to England. The timing was fortuitous, because shortly after she was diagnosed with cancer and it was our last trip together. I didn't return until an extended layover with Rick six years ago. (But we're headed back in October!) So, my England is one of memories and history.

I have a pretty extensive collection of books related to England and the Royals, along with loads of Brit Lit, along with coronation cups, tins, plates and dishes that I've collected over the years. I decided to put it to use for the Royal Wedding.

My friend Carol was coming at the crack of dawn. Well, actually, pre-dawn, so the day before I made my scone dough (Marilyn's wonderful recipe from her "Tea Party in My Cupboard" book) and froze it to bake off and dipped the strawberries. (I knew a frozen quiche would have to do at that hour.)

I also got a few flowers for my garden and loosely planted them in some of my royal mugs.

This is the oldest -- Edward VII and Alexandra.

Here we salute the Queen.

The Charles/Diana cup went atop the Elizabeth/Philip tin. (Only fitting -- Harry's parents and grandparents.)

And this one, on the sideboard, was an error in timing -- the Coronation of King Edward VIII. And yes, if you remember your English history or watched "The Crown" you will know that never happened.

Mom's silver. Royal Doulton plates, atop a pink and white cloth over a crocheted lace confection. Do you recognize it, Linda? You should!

A little lemon curd and ginger marmalade (because Harry is, after all, as ginger as Gypsy was!), shortbread and tea and we were good to go.

Carol and I had our hats (Mine was a tad small and sat more on the back of my head!)...

...and we enjoyed the Royal Wedding Bingo from Thekittchen that I learned about from a host of Decor to Adore posts about the Royal Weddings present and past. (Laura's posts are a fabulous history lesson in themselves. If you don't know her blog and are into all things royal, check it out!)

Of course I took photos from the telly, even though I knew they would be much better if I just "borrowed" them from the internet.

I loved the ceremony but I wonder what the Queen thought. (Here's a fun fact -- Lizzie is named after the Queen -- she came into my life on Jubilee year.) Lizzie chimed in with a few meows, endearing herself to the allergic Carol! I love the pageantry of it all and the smiles, gorgeous music and Bishop Curry's exuberant homily. Oh yes, and Charlotte -- she's got the wave thing down pat!

And of course this photo -- fuzzy but so lovely. The thing I loved most about the dress was the very sheer train with the symbolic embroidery along the edge. It doesn't show in this photo but it was wonderful to see the tile of the chapel underneath the train.



It seems like recent weeks have been filled with bad news and sad things, both in ways more personal, affecting friends, and on a larger, more global scale. The thought of one more shooting on the Friday before the Royal Wedding (and apparently another later) just makes it feel a bit hopeless at times. It was lovely to see two people who do good things, who have had their personal struggles in the past, find happiness.

We all need a little happiness, a bit of diversion and love. Flowery hats and scones are good, too.

Sharing this week with Let's Add Sprinkles (Let's Keep in Touch)    /   Share Your Cup   /   Pink Saturday    

Wedding Bells!

I know this post will be far more interesting to my family and those who know them than it is to most of you, but bear with me.I recently had the joy of attending the wedding of Mark, my cousin's oldest son, and his wonderful Katie in the Cleveland area.

This is Mark and his brother, best man, best friend, Jeff -- waiting for a first spotting of Katie!

Mark was the first of the kids from "our gang" of cousins. I think of him more as a nephew because his mom, aunt and uncle are more like siblings to me. He waited a long time to find just the right woman -- but he scored big!

Our day began with a ride to the church along the beautiful Chagrin River. It, too, was decked out in its best for the big day!

This was the first interfaith wedding service I'd ever been to and it was remarkable. Held in a Catholic church, it also included a rabbi, along with the priest, and many of the traditions of both faiths were implemented.

Among those I found especially moving were Katie's giving flowers to Mary, as in the Virgin Mary, at an altar by the side. This confused some of us when we saw it in the program because we thought they were giving flowers to Mark's mom and couldn't understand why Katie's mom wasn't getting them too. (We Protestants had as much trouble with this one as anyone else!). (That bouquet is Katie's wedding flowers -- Mary's are beside her.)

 In one of the Jewish traditions, the couple drank from a wine glass. Later a different glass was broken as we shouted "Mazeltov!" (The rabbi said that was the last time Mark would be able to put his foot down -- and at the reception, Katie's 10-year-old nephew told Mark that was true -- he saw it in his house all the time!)

And the rabbi read the marriage contract, called the Katuba, which they both signed.

Finally, they were married! Applause and cheers!

Outside we waited for them to appear as bubble bottles were passed out.

Some of us had more fun with the bubbles than others! Check out David's beard! I love my family!

 
(This is the same photo taken after the bubbles dissipated. I think I like the bubbles best!

Of course, we had to take the "gee, we finally cleaned up -- and we're not too bad shots!" My cousin was one happy Groom-mum!

           

And then the departure. It was off to the reception -- but not before a hug for dad!
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Mark and Katie greeted us at the reception -- in a manner of speaking!

Some fun things at the reception -- cut outs where you could have your photo taken. I love this one of my cousin Patty ...

and of course Rick and me!

There was delicate and graceful cake cutting.

 

And in the toast department, Mark's brother Jeff rocked it with a funny and loving toast.

 

You can't beat a wonderful family time -- especially when a lot of love is involved!

Soon I'll take you to some terrific spots around the Cleveland area and share another special day with you! But this post is long enough for now!