Archives for August 2015

Wedding Cake Idea: Coconut Cloud

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Mother of the Bride, are you and your little-girl-turned-bride-to-be looking at wedding cakes yet? If so, you’ve probably discovered a plethora of choices. Allow me to add one other today.

The coconut cloud cake puts a whole new spin—and texture—to a traditional cake. Not only is it a perfect choice if the bride and groom are coconut lovers, but it will allow their cake to stand out as a little more unique than many others.

I especially like the coconut touch on an ombre cake (as pictured above.) The coconut shows up better when using a variety of colors, plus it allows the happy couple to incorporate one of their wedding colors if they’d like. The coconut cloud effect with the pink used in this cake almost gives a sunrise or sunset look, doesn’t it? Other colors will create other beautiful moods and images, but an all-white cake would look stunning as well.

Hope you and your daughter have fun, MOB, looking at all the cake choices out there. I know you’ll enjoy taste-testing when the time comes!

*You might also like to read New Wedding Cake Trend: The Ombre Cake, Wedding Cake Idea: The Textured Cake, and Wedding Cake Trend: Ruffles!

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, came out early this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Be sure to enter the Back At It Giveaway over on my home page. Deadline to enter is 6 p.m. (Central) August 26.

*Flickr photo by Whipped Bakeshop, Creative Commons License

Wedding Photo Idea: Black and White Bubble Shot

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Mother of the Bride, I’ve got a great Wedding Day photo idea for you today. I hope you and the happy couple are keeping a list of must-have shots to share with your photographer. If so, you might want to add this to your list today.

If your daughter and her groom have decided to use bubbles during their send-off from the church or reception site, make sure you ask the photographer to use a black and white photo finish.

As you can see in the photo above, this shot done in black and white really causes the bubbles to stand out. I love how it almost makes them look like snow falling. I also love how the couple is kissing in the shot above. The perfect touch, right? So ask your sweet couple to do the same. I’m sure they’ll be happy to oblige!

Show this photo to your daughter and her beloved, MOB, and see what they think. If they haven’t decided on what to use during the send-off, they may decide to go with bubbles just to get this shot!

*You might also like to read Engagement Photo Idea: Show Off the Ring, Bridal Portraits: Include Some Artsy Shots, and Engagement Photo Idea: Playground Fun.

*Be sure to enter the Back At It Giveaway over on my home page. Deadline to enter is 6 p.m. (Central) August 26.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Corey Ann, Creative Commons License

Midweek Morsel: Prayer for the Hurting

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Do we know someone hurting today? Maybe we know someone grieving a heartbreaking loss (loss takes many forms, you know.) Or perhaps we’re thinking of someone dealing with chronic illness or pain or maybe someone wounded by deep disappointment or betrayal. Maybe we are the ones hurting.

We can help the hurting with our prayers. And if we are among the hurting, we can pray for ourselves as well. God hears our prayers and longs to help and heal. Let’s give the hurting—let’s give ourselves—the gift of intercession. Here is a prayer we can pray for those who are hurting today:

Lord, I pray today for a hurting soul you’ve placed on my heart. She needs you, Lord. She needs your strength, your peace, your hope, and your comforting touch. Father, show her your love. Comfort and carry her. Be her balm of Gilead. Be her refuge in the storm. I ask and pray this in Jesus’ precious name.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

*When have the prayers of others helped you through a painful time?

*Flickr photo by allspice1, Creative Commons License

*Be sure to enter the Back At It Giveaway. Deadline to enter is 6 p.m. (Central) August 26.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right!

Back At It Giveaway Is Back At It!

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It’s that time of year again, folks—time for me to get back to the business of my inspirational/devotional posts. Summer Photo Fun is always, well, fun, but now it’s time to focus on the written word again.

Of course, that means it’s also time for my annual Back At It Giveaway! I always like to kick off my back-to-business emphasis with a fun little giveaway. We can’t leave all the fun of the summer spirit behind, can we?

So what’s the prize? One lucky commenter will win a $15 gift card to Barnes and Noble! Who wouldn’t like the chance to buy a new paperback he or she has been dying to get their hands on or pick up a new journal or some other fun item? Maybe even a gift for someone else!

To be included in the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post by 6 p.m. (CDT) Wednesday, August 26. I’ll announce the winner the next day in my Thursday Midweek Morsel post.

Any comment will work, but to make it a little more fun, tell me what book you would recommend to the winner or mention the best book you’ve read recently. Personal recommendation is one of the best ways to find amazing new-to-us books and authors, isn’t it?

The best books I’ve read the past few months have included Jocelyn Green’s Spy of Richmond, Bob Goff’s Love Does, Susan Meissner’s Secrets of a Charmed Life (a general market book), and Carla Stewart’s A Flying Affair.

So winner of the giveaway or not, we’ll all be winners with some great new titles to add to our to-read lists. Happy reading, everyone!

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flicker photo by nicholasjon, Creative Commons License

Bridal Headpiece Idea: The Flower Crown

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Mother of the Bride, if your daughter has settled on her dress for her big day, now is the time to start considering veils and/or headpieces. What will look best with her dress? Her hair? What fits her personality?

The flower crown is one option that is done less often than others, but it could be just right for your sweet girl. If she tends to be playful, likes whimsy, or has earthy leanings and also wants part of her attire to look a little more casual, a crown of roses, daisies, baby’s breath, or any number of other flower combinations might be the answer to her headpiece decision. She can choose fresh, dried, or even fabric flowers and shop for her dream flower crown in stores or online, or she could ask the florist, a family member, or a friend to fashion one for her.

More of than not, veils aren’t used with flower crown headpieces, but that’s not always the case. Brides can do whatever they want. However, flower crown headpieces don’t need a veil. So if your daughter prefers not to wear a veil, this particular headpiece option might be perfect for her.

Why not toss out the flower crown headpiece idea, MOB, and see if it strikes your daughter’s bridal-hair fancy. If it does, you’re one step closer to completing her big day look!

*Here are some options on the Flower Hair Wreaths Pinterest page.

*You might also like to read In Lieu of a Veil: Floral Bridal Combs or Hairpins.

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*Flickr photos by ~ Hatty Photo, Creative Commons License

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right!