The W word...

{wedding}

I know my incessant blogging about weddings is getting old.
My friends say they don't mind hearing about strawberry mousse cake filling vs. plain buttercream. 
They assure me that they're not tired of hearing me complain about my weight...
whilst eating chocolate and or potato chips.
They tell me it doesn't bother them when I act like the Bride rather than the Mother of the Bride.


They lie.
And I appreciate it.

I met TeacherGirl and her fabulous husband-to-be rather early for a cake tasting at Oak Mill.

But let's talk about me first...


I never had a cake tasting. My Italian mother ordered my cake (without me) at her favorite Italian bakery. 
The filling was cannoli. I hate cannoli. 
I don't even like how the word sounds. But cannoli it was.

We tasted a variety of cakes and fillings at Oak Mill. 
And maybe it was a little rude of me to request a few cookies to go with my coffee, 
but considering the current cost of cake, a few cookies shouldn't matter.

See that cute little statuette up there next to my coffee?
My MIL gave me that way back in the dark ages the 70's, to put atop my cake.
(The damn cannoli cake).
Maggie and Bryan are going to use it now...on top of their strawberry-mouse- filled-yummy-cake.
I think it kinda looks like them!

We also finalized the wedding invitations...

This wasn't as much fun as the cake-tasting, but it gave me some time to pull out my calculator, add up the damage, and demand that these two take me to lunch.

Not a salad lunch. Real lunch.

They didn't disappoint.

Next on my list...my dress.

{Maybe I should have had a salad lunch?!}

Welcome...The First Official In-Law Party...Part 1

"in-law" 

1894, "anyone of a relationship not natural," abstracted from father-in-law,  etc.
"The position of the 'in-laws' is often not very apt to promote happiness." ["Blackwood's Magazine," 1894]


You've got to be kidding...Thankfully things have changed...

I've been trying to plan an "in-law" party...a simple cookout involving my children and their current in-laws, and "in-laws to be".

Nothing fancy, no dress code, just fun...food...and laughter.


It looks like It's going to happen soon... and I should be planning this party instead of blogging.
But here I am, just itching to write about the scary, more often joyful, experiences of having in-laws.


Let's just start by showing you a little picture, these are my in-laws...

No, we didn't hire any "extras" to fill the room...I'm sure the photographer had been hoping for some impending divorces when he was given the numbers, that would have made his job much easier. 


But no, here we all are last Thanksgiving Day, every single one of us.
This is the immediate family. {Actually a handful of new members have joined since then} Everyone here belongs here, there are no Thanksgiving crashers....and there's more coming soon.


Yes, you heard me correctly...there will be more.


Here's me...my kiddies...some cousins....and a sister-in-law... 
(Hi Clare!)

And here's Grandma, surrounded by some grandchildren and some great-grandchildren...and I'm certain these numbers will increase...it's just a matter of time.

And all this happened because these two had eight children...

I wonder if they were thinking about this during their wedding buffet in 1949...?

Having this many family members isn't always easy. A sit-down dinner requires not only a large space, but numerous chairs, a humongous table, lots of patience, and great organizational skills.
It was easier when the kiddies were still kiddies... small tykes may be loud and messy, but they take up very little room.

Jerry, Colleen, Patrick, and Connor

{1985}

As everyone grew finding space became more challenging, but we managed to celebrate quite comfortably.


Many events have been shared together, and although we still come together as a group, we are now branching off into our own family units. 


We've all learned well though. Grandma Betty could make a salad stretch, and make a family feel full on what may look like very little. We've also learned that stocking up on folding chairs is a must, dishes don't have to be matchy-matchy, and collecting large amounts of silverware will make you very happy one day.


The torch has been passed and I'm now enjoying the greatest stage of my life thus far...I get to plan the parties. 

{The New In-laws}

A whole new group of inlaws are forming through the marriages of my children. I'm already a mother-in-law, and I'm about to inherit another daughter-in-law, and a son-in-law. These new members are joining us, and their families are becoming dear friends. It sounds daunting, but we love the idea of extending our family. We've grown fond of big.


I'm hoping this party will be the first of many. I'm declaring it a tradition. 
I don't think my family will reach epic proportions, but I'm hoping we'll all create our own memories throughout the years...no matter what number we reach in population.


Thanks to so many talented bloggers, I'm getting lots of creative inspiration!
  
So far...


I'll be making Darby's Corn Salad recipe.
Making a few Vintage Buntings. 
And making These and possibly This!!




  
I'll also be praying for clear skies, dry pavements, and happy faces.
Wish me luck.

“Adam was the luckiest man in the world. He had no mother-in-law.”

-Mark Twain

Sweet Shot Tuesday!! Maggie and Bryan!

{Maggie and her Daddy!}

This past December my "Teacher-Girl" Maggie became engaged to her college love, Bryan.

This was a surprise for her, and I'm told the day went somewhat like this...

Maggie wanted to stay in her 'jammies because she'd been sick the last few days {being a new teacher is rough on the immune system!}.

Bryan insisted they go out, and drive around their alma mater, DePaul University...

Upon reaching the campus he insisted she exit the vehicle...HA! I can only imagine the look of horror that crossed my daughter's face! I'm guessing she had thoughts about ruining her shoes.

I picture him pulling her out of the warm car {this is December in Chicago} and dragging her to his designated engagement spot!

I think she was glad she got out of the car...

We were all waiting at Maggianos for them to arrive...

We had a wonderful time, and Teacher-Girl did not complain once about having to exit that warm car!!

She had no idea we would all be waiting for her. I give Bryan loads of credit for being able to plan and execute this surprise. Maggie is her mother's daughter, and we usually smell a plot way before it happens. You're a keeper Bryan!!

Maggie is joining a wonderful family...

Here's Bryan's Dad and younger brother, Keith...

Maggie and her MIL-to-be, Cindy...

Bryan's little brother Scott...

And I couldn't resist a picture of Maggie with her sister and sister-in-laws!!

Paige {Bryan's little sister}, Margaret, Maggie, Molly, and Carolyn!!

We're on our way to planning the wedding!

Link up here to post your "Sweet Shot" and Enjoy!!

Bye Mags and Bryan!!

My Maggie and Bryan will be heading home tomorrow...I'll miss them!
It's always nice to have some one-on-one time with your children, especially when you have four of them. My brain seems to fade easily these days, so being able to concentrate on one child at a time is a blessing. They're both anxious to return to their new digs and order their window treatments. Ha!... just wait until they start pricing those options. They may keep those sheets hanging in the windows just a little longer.


It's still beautiful here in Florida, and we took advantage of the weather. I've heard Chicago is having a typical Spring...cold and cloudy, slightly sunny, cold and cloudy, slightly warm, more cold and cloudy, less sunny...yuck.


I awoke this morning to some outrageous bird commotion, I was sure there must have been a gaggle of feathered friends outside my door. Cooper was a little disturbed also...

... but it turned out to be just ONE very loud feathered friend...

The "feathered friend" theme continued on our way to the Islands..

{I'm guessing the birds can't nest in palm trees so they've discovered other housing options?!}

As we drove on the causeway {with my upper half out the window} I had a close encounter overhead...I felt very daring and artistic {while hoping he wouldn't poop fly away before I snapped the pic}.

The Sanibel Causeway was recently rebuilt and completed in 2007. Here's some  aerial views of the construction if you're interested...
http://www.sanibelcauseway.com/aerial_photos_may_07_4.html

The drive can be bumper-to-bumper during holiday season but the scenery is beautiful...

We settled on Blind Pass Beach...

The fishermen are very versatile...they fly fish from the beach...

And they try reeling them in from the bridge...

We spent a little time in town before heading home...

I wish they were staying longer, but it was a relaxing few days and I enjoyed their company. My Empty Nest isn't going away so I'm trying to get used to all the hellos and the inevitable good- byes that follow.

Lisa will be flying down this Saturday for a few days...she doesn't have chemo next week so she's going to enjoy the healing powers of Florida instead. I owe her a dinner and although I love to cook for her family, this dinner will be prepared by a professional and will not include tupperware nor aluminum foil...can't wait!!

Gotta Love a Guy who buys....

Lilly Pulitzer!

Maggie's Bryan actually went with her to the Pink Pineapple...a lovely little store owned by a Yorkie breeder here in Fort Myers...I gotta love that!
And he bought her an early Birthday present!!...

Now she's letting him watch The Hurt Locker...that's my daughter, fair and balanced.

Oh, and we took a little walk toward the sunset later and I promised not to take any pictures...

..I lied.