Thursday, June 9, 2011

WORKING TOGETHER

It looks like a big knitting party, and no, it wasn't a canning session, although we went through a zillion Ball jars {and assorted pickle, mayonnaise and peanut jars}. No, we were making table decorations for son Kevin and Mary Clare's wedding. Here is the group of helpers.
Nora, Mary Clare's sister is actually swaddling her six week old baby in this wrap. I wish there had been something this fashionable when mine were infants. Can you see his tiny head?

Anyway, what we were doing was wrapping glass jars with jute string. These jars will be filled with candles and wildflowers on the guest tables. Have I mentioned that the wedding reception is outdoors under tents? They are going for a farmhouse atmosphere although the location is actually on the grounds of an academy.
So we cut and wrapped and glued all afternoon. Mary Clare's mother, Peggy, served lunch and coffee and Emily and I got to get to know 3 of Peggy's four sisters. Can you imagine that many girls in one family? And they are all so close and fun together. We all hummed and sang along to old songs on the radio while we kept our fingers busy. Each jar turned out as individual as the lady making it. It was a wonderful afternoon.
We continue with the preparations for one of the bridal shower being held tomorrow night {the one for which I have to make chicken salad for 1000 people}. Chicago had torrential rain and the home where we are having the shower had it's basement flooded. We've gone back and forth as to whether or not we can rent a place on such notice, or if the basement can be cleaned up in time. We are hoping for the latter. Stay tuned. And after it is all over, I will be back on the dock of the bay, watching the turtles splash and humming away! :-)

48 comments:

Terra said...

That is happy news for your family, and the table decorations with the jute will be very festive. Hope you find the right place for the shower.

Brenda Pruitt said...

And I imagine you'll also be pretty darned tired of chicken salad too!
Brenda

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

This wedding is going to be so pretty!

Amanda (Small Acorns) said...

The jars look so great, and don't you love occasions like this that bring everyone together? I bet it was so much fun making them.
Hope the shower goes well. I note the chicken salad requirements have grown somewhat!!

Unknown said...

This may be for an occasion, but you gals seem to be having too much fun! Great post! Hugs!

Lynn said...

That's one big ole Bridal Shower Jane! Have fun:@)

Shirley said...

Hi Jane, We haven't had the rain like you, just heat and trying to prepare for the flood water. What is the worse part it is because of them letting water out of the dams. They are trying to prepare for it so it is not like the one that we had in 1993. Wedddings are so much fun with all of the activities. Have fun and hopefully you will be able to hold the shower where you were originally planning it. Must run. Have a great weekend. The little shower we got today just made it that much hotter. Your Missouri Friend.

Kathy@ Gone North said...

You are TOO cute... now it is 1000?? : )
The decorations will be adorable & how nice to be included in the fun...
Have fun at the shower & be sure to take & post pics...

Hearts Turned said...

My goodness, you're a busy girl, Jane! Congrats on the wedding! Can't believe you're making chicken salad for 1000--whew!

The jars are a wonderful idea--can't wait to see photos!

Wishing you a beautiful day, my friend...

Julie

Anonymous said...

chicken salad for 1000,, whoooo, thats crazy,, happy wedding news,, good for you!

Connie Eyberg Originals said...

I'm anxious to see photos of the decorations and of the wedding! What fun it must be all working on them together. Best of luck with all of it, including the flooded basement. Connie

Low Tide High Style said...

What a wonderful way to get to know one another and to unite your two families! I'm sorry to hear about the basement flooding and I hope the shower goes off without a hitch. I can't wait to see the wedding photos!

Kat :)

Anonymous said...

I forgot to say how much I love the photo of the swaddled babe's head peeking out,, what a lovely wrap and I agree, we missed out on these lovely things,,the group of people at that table just made my heart smile,

Jane said...

Chicken salad for 1000 people!! Now that's a lot of chicken!
Love the idea for the table decorations. So nice to have everyone together to help.
Jane

NanaDiana said...

Okay- I read that other post and I think the 1000 is just a tad of an exaggeration~ but I won't out you here...if you want people to think you have 1000 people coming to a shower...well, I can only imagine how many guests you are going to have at that wedding! Soo...I sure hope you are getting a "daughter". I have one that is a daughter-in-love! I hope you get one just like her!

I know how hectic this time of life is when you are preparing to see your children start adult lives of their own. Hang in there- in a few weeks it will be just the sweetest, fond memory ever. Enjoy EVERY moment of it though! xo Diana

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Jane,
Chicken Salad for 1000, whoa!!

Love the mason jar idea for the tables. Isn't it great to have all that talented help!

hugs
Sissie

My Grama's Soul said...

Oh dear Jane.....sounds like you will be up to your neck in chicken...is all I can say!! This looked like so much fun...lucky you with so man helpers.

Jo

Sue @ Not the Good Scissors! said...

Now that looks like fun. I just love working on crafts especially in a group and when it is for a celebration. Love it!

How in the world does one make chicken salad for 1000 people, or anything for 1000 people! Where are you going to keep it until it is ready for serving. Hmmm. I think we need a "How To" post from you. LOL!
Hugs

Maryrose said...

It looks like a great time with fun ladies. I can't wait to see the arrangements done. Chicken salad for 1000? or just alot...yowsa.

Good luck with the shower, I hope the location is in tip top condition for you, and that sitting by the lake pic is fantastic, I wish it was me.

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Oh my, you ladies are busy beavers! What a fun way to get to know each other better. I hope the shower issues work out okay.
Have a great time Jane!
- Susan

Knitty said...

What a nice way to get things done and have fun with blended family at the same time!

Good luck with the shower locale decision. Recent weather isn't making any location easy, inside or out.

Privet and Holly said...

Can't believe how
laid back you are,
Jane! Sending you
BIG, happy and peaceful
wishes that it all
go smoothly, my friend!
xx Suzanne

Melissa: Write it in Lipstick said...

how exciting putting lots of people to work for a happy day, but 1000 people need to be fed at a bridal shower what?!? they must be some way cool cats to have that many people coming :)

La said...

I hope the basement is back to normal in time for the shower. Sending hugs your way!

Unknown said...

How fun! It is awesome that you have so much great help. And congrats on the wedding! :)

~Liz

Elaine said...

Good luck with the mountain of chicken salad sandwiches you will be making. Sounds like you had a nice bonding experience with the brides family.

We had the torrential rain too. We always are a little bit behind Chicago in the weather dept. We had severe thunderstorms and rain today. Hope the bridal shower goes off without a hitch.

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

How lovely to be working on the wedding while getting to know your daughter.in.law - to - be. Chicken salad for 1,000. I think you should blog about that, after the event is over. Have fun.

Fondly,
Glenda

Sarah said...

Jane, looks like a fun time and a great way to get to know your son's in-laws. Did you see my post Farmyard Chic showing a table for a wedding reception with a farmhouse style? (Posted May 17) The centerpiece is clever. ~ Sarah

Debbie said...

Looks like a fun time!
Hope everything turns out okay for the shower.
I'd love to sit out on the dock, but the weather turned so cold!
Enjoy the shower, where ever you hold it.
Smooches.
Debbie

Vicki said...

This looked like a fun time. Love the theme. I hope the basement is dried out and that all goes well for the shower.

Pondside said...

I think we should, each of us, volunteer to send you a bowlful of chicken salad to feed the multitudes at that shower!

FRENCH LAUNDRY said...

Wow Jane, sounds like you've been a busy bee. Please tell me you were kidding about chicken salad for 1000. That's a LOT of chicken salad! Yikes!

Have a lovely weekend,
Judy

Paula@SweetPea said...

This sounds like such a fun way to spend an afternoon getting to know ladies who will soon be a part of your family. Good luck with the shower!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Question... How do you fit a 1,000 guests into a cellar, for a shower?

How do you make salad, for 1,000 people?

You have to be being funny. ,-)

Luck with the shower set-up and the salad, anyway. :-)

~♥~

Tammy @BeatriceBanks said...

Working with a group of girls like that always makes it fun. And doing it for a wedding even more so. I can't believe you are making salad for 1000! What a feat! Hope everything turns out perfectly!

All That Glitters said...

looks like you girls had a lot of fun!!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Looks like there was a lot of fun going on with all the work. lol. The wedding sounds wonderful. I hope the rains let up and the basement is dry so the shower can go on as planned. Girl that is a lot of salad to make...wish I could be there to help. Love you sitting on the dock...well at least your feet. lol. hugs ~lynne~

Charlene said...

Jane that sounds like so much fun to sit with all the other gals & craft/create & visit. I can't wait to see photos of the wedding & hope the rain didn't spoil anything. SEND SOME OF THAT DOWN HERE!!! We are already 12 feet below level in the lake closest to us. Have a great weekend. HUGS!
Charlene

Lori said...

Many hands make light work ~ isn't that how the saying goes?? Great gathering to get things ready for the wedding. I hope that everything works out for the shower and that you post your chicken salad recipe! xo

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

oh my goodness Jane - 1000 people - chicken salad?!! you'll need serious beach time for this after this is over!! Love the jars & farm theme...very cute!!

Lori E said...

Now that is a heckofalotta chicken salad. How on earth do you do that?
I just saw some pictures of some rustic wedding settings and they were gorgeous.

Leslie said...

What a fun time!!! I bet the wedding will be stunning.
Have a wonderful weekend!!!!

Tricia said...

The reception sounds like its going to be beautiful. I hope all the preparations leading up to it end up going smoothly :)

Lynne said...

I love wedding work parties...I wish I could have just pulled up to the table to help! Jane...you and I are so blessed...what a summer it will be! (For what date do I need to pray for sunshine and low humidity?)
~Lynne
[w/love]

Gypsy Heart said...

How fun!! I think this is a great way to create memories in the midst of all the wedding preparations. I so hope that the shower turned out ok. You are a brave soul to make a dish for a 1,000 people! I can't imagine ~

Get some rest now, ok?
xo
Pat

Gypsy Heart said...

How fun!! I think this is a great way to create memories in the midst of all the wedding preparations. I so hope that the shower turned out ok. You are a brave soul to make a dish for a 1,000 people! I can't imagine ~

Get some rest now, ok?
xo
Pat

Anonymous said...

I love that idea! Xanti tells us she and K hope marry in about a year, at her G'pa B's farm, outdoors. These candle holders would be wonderful. I'll have to tell her about them.

Lynne said...

Jane, I am spending it with my new grandaughter, Holland Grace. She will be five days old on the 4th! I know you will have an amazing Independence Day at the lake.
It will be a grand weekend!
~Lynne
[with love]