Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Showering Best Wishes for an October Wedding

This past Sunday we celebrated the bridal shower of my youngest child and daughter, Tricia.  Mostly family and a number of Tricia's friends filled my daughter Katie's living-room-turned-cafe for an afternoon of really good food and lots of happy chatter.  Together with the other bridesmaids, Tricia's sisters Katie and Meghan  produced an exceptional party.  Tricia never stopped smiling the whole time.  Her joy is obvious as her wedding (just 27 days away) looms!

I wrote previously of the preparations leading up to the shower.  The funny thing is, I expected the guests to mozie up to my apartment from Katie's house, but none did.  We stayed downstairs and had such a good time there was no reason to wander off.  So, my little apartment got all dressed up for the party for no reason, and that's just fine too.  Right now, it's ready for guests at a moment's notice.  Usually, my apartment looks like baking-central and now everything baking-related is put away, out of sight. Mine almost looks like a "normal" kitchen again!  But before the great hiding away, my kitchen produced a bit for Tricia's shower, including scones and fancy cupcakes.  That was nothing compared to what Katie produced.  She made wonderful carrot cake petit fours which were enrobed in a cream cheese glaze.  They were beautiful and delicious, a tiny bite of autumn sweetness that everyone loved.  I'll post that recipe in a day or two.  Katie also made two soups to go with the elegant tea sandwiches (salmon with cucumber and capers, curried chicken salad, shrimp salad, and cream cheese with cucumber) she picked up at The Whistling Kettle in nearby Ballston Spa.  Her soups were butternut squash with apple, and creamy wild rice and chicken, and both were exceptional!  Bridesmaids brought an abundant pasta salad, a luscious fruit platter, a black bean confetti dip and toasted tortilla chips.  Mother of the groom Carol made unbelievably decadent brownies with Snickers!  No one went away hungry, that's for sure!

Really good food!

More of the good stuff...

Katie's carrot cake petit fours

The desserts!

The night before the shower, Katie and Meghan had moved all the furniture out of her living room and set up five round tables with chairs.

The setting...

Tea pot wishes... (later shellacked for preservation)
(tea pots and placemats decorated by bridesmaid Val!)

The tables were draped with gold-colored tablecloths, and decorated with placemats as well as personally painted tea pots (party favors for each guest), both made by Val echoing a tea party theme with an Alice in Wonderland motif.  Katie and Meghan made centerpieces with branches from her woods, stones, and purple calla lilies which were beautiful in their natural simplicity.  Meghan strung white lights in a zig zag pattern across the living room, giving the space a very festive glow.  I actually relaxed and let my girls do the work, enjoying their collaboration to make this happen.  It was great to let go, trusting them to do a good job, and realizing the terrific work they do without my help!  It's liberating!

The centerpieces

Here are a few shots of moments that made the afternoon so meaningful to Tricia (and to her sisters and me).  It was a lovely day!



Pretty pillow matched Tricia's sparkley dress!

Games!
Katie, my sister Anne, and my sister Ginny

Tricia with her future-aunt Judy and mother-in-law Carol!

Lovely Cousins Lauren and Louise

Meghan, me, Tricia, and Katie

Tricia with precious Grammy Mary Lou Eddy!

A collage of bridesmaids!!!

Fiance Jeff surprised Tricia when he showed
up as the Mad Hatter!


Love and all the best wishes to Tricia and Jeff!


15 comments:

  1. Lovely,glad everything went well..Congrates to Tricia and Jeff!!
    CJune

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  2. Looks like a gorgeous, special day!! Congrats to Tricia and Jeff - can't wait to hear about the wedding in October!!!! And I'm still surprised (in a good way) that we're both having our receptions at Jimbo's. TOO cool!! Hope the rest of the preparations leading up to the big day go well for everyone!! :)

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    1. Colleen, it is such a nice coincidence that your wedding and Tricia's are both at Jimbo's! What a gorgeous setting! Time is flying now for both my family and yours, and I can't wait to hear about your wedding as well!

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  3. Everything about the shower was wonderful (not to mention beautiful AND delicious)...but the thing that sticks in my mind is something you've already mentioned. Tricia smiled the entire time...not just a little smile, but a light up the world smile. She was so happy she couldn't keep it in...she actually glowed! What a pleasure it was to share in her joy! I'm so sorry we can't make the wedding, because I know that she'll be dazzling....

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    1. Di - I'm so glad you were able to join us, though we will really miss you at the wedding. It was great to have you here with us Sunday. Tricia was SO happy to see you again. Just like old times! xox

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  4. Looks so pretty! Congrats to Tricia!

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  5. Jeannie, you write effortlessly ~ between your description of the day and the beautiful pictures I feel as if I were right there celebrating the (lovely!) bride to be!

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    1. Liz, so happy to see your comment! Now you are in the running for that monthly prize! I'm very happy we've "met" through work and I look forward to talking to you again soon!

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  6. I love the idea of the teapot wishes!

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    1. Janice - thanks so much for your comment! Valerie Ness, one of Tricia's bridesmaids, worked so hard on the teapots and decorations. She did an amazing job.

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  7. Looks like a great party! The decorations and food all look fantastic! I'm drooling a little over here!

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  8. What special day and a lot of fun...the girls did a great job! Enjoy the next few weeks leading up to the wedding!

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  9. Jen Capron BarthelmasSeptember 25, 2012 at 2:24 PM

    Those teapot favors were adorable! What a great idea! I can't wait for you to bake for Aiden's special day :-)

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  10. How lovely! And what a nice article in The Sratogian - No wonder it was inspiring. Very best wishes to Tricia and Jeff!

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