The Sisterhood!

Saturday morning coffee adds jitters to the day.
It's time to get ready and head out the door to the salons.
You need to understand, these are unusual events...for these girls.
Being pampered in this way was a real treat for all of us.
Mikki and Brandi are discussing strategies, trying to keep the Bride calm.

Thank you Sonia for giving careful attention to details for all of us that day.

Between putting fires out, cousin Brandi also  played a significant role as 'Paparazzi'.

What would Katrina do with Mikki's long hair? 
There she is...a strand to the right followed by a few rolls.

 Check out this double braid.
Just a beautiful, elegant relaxed look.

Brunch was served Birdies Bakery.
Mini croissants, mini quiche tarts.
What brunch would not be complete without
chocolate dipped strawberries and champagne.

She's even tackling a pedicure.
Notice the perfectly straight partition in her hair.

Now comes the Bride, wearing an unusual sweep, with curls to the side.

"Take a deep breath, Suzanne!"
We heard a loud sigh...oh no...Brandi...Is this called an anxiety attack?
You could of heard a pin drop...it was quiet.

We shifted the little 'Fascinator Hat' this way and that...
This little head piece was not cooperating.

Sister checked the angle to the left.

 Then to the right....

I'm not sure, how about this way?
Pin it this way...pins here and everywhere

She's home...she's smiling, she doesn't know what to think....

Checking, prepping,  making sure it sits just perfect.

Gazing out the window...watching the guests arrive.
Stay calm.
Take another deep breath.
You'll make it.
This long awaited day has arrived.
Then came the final moment of walking down the spiral stair case,
meeting her Father....watching the tears,
watching the final embrace.

And at the end of the day....we have two happy sisters.
The Maid of Honor and...

 

The Bride!
Perfect Smiles add to a Perfect Day.

I wonder what the next part of Sisterhood unfolds.

Wedding Preparations!

It did not take long once the couple had selected the wedding date,

to begin planning and thinking about all the details.

You've seen photos of the venue and event...

but let me give you a glimpse from behind the scenes.

There was never a dull moment.

They created a spreadsheet and from there we planned.

I needed to update myself with Google Docs and Google Plus!

Now it was simple for me to know what page they were on.

They had highlighted the websites and all I had to do was 

CLICK and CHECK.

"Let's make bees wax candles." they said.

I was on over load...

But before long, the groom and bride had it all organized.

We ran to town and picked up the necessities,

and before long we had made 150 candles.

CHECK, candles are finished.

It was my job to sew 80 linen bags for coffee favors.

"Me, sew?"

I could only remember what my teacher Nora Martens,

had taught me in Home Economics, years ago at MEI.

They roasted the coffee and I counted and sewed.

The little sacks were carefully filled and tied with raffia. 

Meanwhile we all made good use of our time by watching the Olympic Soccer games.

Don't they look just perfect?

I was taught to wash the fabric, and cut on the selvedge.

I was taught to hem all those edges...but not for this occasion.

CHECK, the favors are completed.

Meanwhile I had been busy planting sunflowers in the garden.

That is just what they wanted...and why not?

CHECK...flowers are planted.

Them came the day...

for wine tasting and paring of the wines.

It was enjoyable sitting on the patio,

sipping on wine with selected  cheese and crackers.

It had to be just perfect.

CHECK, the wine has been chosen.

"Harmony"

Discussion of the wedding cake was short.

No traditional cake for this couple.

They wanted my famous signature hazelnut roll.

And the baking began.

CHECK, the cakes are completed.

 The flowers were chosen and arranged.

And they look beautiful.

And the table centers looked 

'just perfect'

It had all come together.

Let's check out the 'perfect sisters' next.

Celebration of Lorne's Life

We all came together once more... to a place that Lorne loved.

December 3rd, 1950 ~ September 12, 2012

Early Sunday morning, we gathered around his red convertible,

a 1986, Chrysler, LeBaron,

something he could not leave go of.

We took the roof top down, and were reminded how he 

paraded his Mother down the Harrison strip, as one of her last wishes.

Today we would parade his car from Kamloops to Chase, for one last ride.

Along the ride, we reminisced about Lorne's fields.   They were 'his fields'

He loved farming, only from a distance.

He was a builder. He was passionate about construction.

Hay sheds...

He loved to talk about the farmers that knew how to farm, and those that did not. 

We finally arrived at the band shell, 

that Lorne had built in the town of Chase,

He loved Chase and made this his home for many years.

There was not a question in the minds of his children,

 Rachel and Clinton that this would be the venue where we would celebrate.

Families and friends, young and old, gathered together

to remember the days, stories and memories of Lorne.

 Our youngest brother Orlando did an exceptional job

of leading this event, giving insight into Lorne's life and  heritage, touching the hearts of many.

Poems, tributes, and eulogies were delivered by the family.

Heart warming stories from yesteryear and today.

Food and fellowship followed.

 As I was sitting, reflecting and observing, I kept thinking...

this is exactly how  he would want us to celebrate his life.

'a party in the park'

A bundle of helium balloons were released

as a symbol of  'letting go' and giving Lorne back to God.

Lorne had left a piece of himself with every one that day,

and we knew that he was now soaring high above to his heavenly realm.

Lorne's soul will keep touching our hearts forever!

Lorne was not a man of flowers....or huge wreaths or bouquets.

He loved the simple garden flowers.

Life needed to be simple.

His friends knew what he liked.

"Do not look back and grieve over the past,

 for it is gone...and do not be troubled about the future, 

For it has not yet come.

Live in the present and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering."

Ida Scott Taylor

(this was one of Lorne's last quotes on FB)

We all left the site straggling and lingering towards the end of the day,

hearts tugging..but being reminded of his words,

"As humans we are only visitors on this earth.   

We have been given permission to use what we need,

 on the understanding that in the end,

 the land will take back that which we have borrowed." 

Marie Studholme 

(another entry written on August 13th 2012.)

 

Lorne, we will miss you.

You have taught us so much about life!

Clinton and Rachel, we love you dearly.

This was is your DAD!

My Brother, Lorne

Lorne

This year has been filled with milestones for me.

And each milestone  has been exceptional.

I've just paused my wedding posts for a few days,

in order to take time to reflect about my brother Lorne.

We were driving to Kamloops this weekend visiting my brother Lorne,

meeting him Saturday afternoon.

My care package was carefully made, specifically knowing that I was 

making his favorite foods.

Fresh Corn,

Homemade buns, 

Rempels farmer sausage, 

Apple Perishky, 

Canned peaches...

just the things he requested.

The phone rang just before we were about to leave....

with the news you don't want to hear.

"Loren is back in the hospital."

He had experienced heart failure three months ago...

but we all thought he was on his way to recovery..

These times come unexpected and there's never a good time for illness.

Our anniversary celebrations were suddenly cut short,

and we found ourselves together with all our siblings,

standing around his bedside.

The Doctors did their best but could not give us any HOPE!

We held hands.....

We prayed for Lorne...

We read scriptures for Lorne...

We shared tears for Lorne...

We laughed for Lorne....

We held hands and released him to God.

He left us very peacefully and we knew that he was with a host of angels.

He was called home....a bit early,

But it gave us all joy to know that he was ready to meet his God.

Loren, you've run your race.

You've shared your life with family and friends.

You have taught me so much more about life.

Thank you for sharing your spirit with me.

I'm giving the verse back to you that you gave me at Christmas.

He loved the King James Version,

"While we look not at the things which are seen, 

but at the things which are not seen:

for the things which are seen are temporal, 

but the things which are not seen are eternal."

but I love this version from the Living Bible.

"So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, 

but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen.

The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."

2 Corinthians 4:18

Now I know why you gave me that verse...

"You saved the best for the last."

The Big Day!

Do we really need a rehearsal?

Well, it would only be good practice for the little ring bearers.

So our wonderful wedding event coordinator, Brandi directed the show.

Oh, it looks like one ring bearer decided to drop out...

but Silas was up to the job.

We knew we could count on him.

Let's see!

The string quartet started played a variety of various compositions.

And the procession began.

"And why is the maid of Honor smiling?"

"Why is she taking Drift for a walk?"

I think somethings going wrong....

"Mom, can you and Dad both walk me down the aisle?"

What an honor to share this moment with my daughter.

"But where are the ring bearers?"

"They need to go first."

My daughter looked at me and said.

"We gotta go...!"

And the notes of the Butterfly Waltz aired through the yard,

 as she casually strolled down the aisle.

There smiles were radiant...and the Groom's eyes twinkled as he watch His Bride.

No, he had not seen the dress...

this magical moment of a princess, indeed.

Pastor Jim, officiated the event.

The Wedding Sermon...The Chapter of Love, 1 Corinthians 13

The Pronouncement ~ Declaration of Marriage. 

Exchange of Vows.

Exchange of Rings.

The Signing of the Register.

Introduction of the Newly Weds

And Drift watched on and barked cheered as the couple walked out.

How many fittings did Drift need for his custom made suit?

Oh by the way, the ring bearers decided to sit with their parents.

So the less than 'perfect wedding' continued.

(just this last week, Silas met Brandi again and asked her when he was going to bring the dog to the wedding?)

I love those little ring bearers.

The reception and ceremony were enjoyed by all.

The evening lights cascaded over the guests,

as they enjoyed the warm summer breezes, in to the late evening hours.

Laughter and chatter commenced from all corners.

The real test was yet to come.

"Can you ride this tandem bike together..to the Harrison?"

One last photo opportunity before the newly weds waved good bye.

We'll come back next time and revisit the reception.