Archives for February 2016

Before-the-Wedding Shot of Colorful Bridal Shoes

February 29, 2016 by 2 Comments

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Mother of the Bride, is your little bride-to-be one of those brides who wants to make a splash on her wedding day with colorful shoes? If she has made a bold color choice to adorn her tootsies on her big day, here’s a great photo idea to help show them off before she ever puts them on.

Have the photographer document her splash of color in a before-the-wedding shot that will show off not only the shoes but the gown as well. Most photographers take a shot of the dress before the bride dresses on wedding day so just arrange the train in a similar fashion to the photo above. Place her snazzy shoes on the bed of white elegance created by her gown, and there you have it. A perfect photo to highlight one of the fun choices she’s made for her day to remember.

Why not mention this idea to the photographer, MOB? Won’t it be fun to surprise your darling girl with a special shot of her big-day shoes like this? Go on now. Have some fun!

*You might also like to read Wedding Shoes Trend: Color Is In!, Hand Painted Wedding Shoes for the Bride!, Cute Idea for the Bride—Shoes to Match the Bouquet, and Custom Sneakers for the Bride (and Groom!).

*Flickr photo by Corey Ann, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: accessories, appearance, bride, color, fun, Mother of the Bride, photo fun Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Peek at Spring

February 29, 2016 by 9 Comments

8601580968_eb015e0fc2_zNot long ago, we got our first real taste of spring here in our corner of Kansas this year. Sunny skies and temps climbing well into the 70s left me inspired to flex my poetic wings. After all, if spring doesn’t inspire a writer to dabble in poetry, what will, right? So, friends, here’s my latest—hope you enjoy!

A Peek at Spring

Savoring it, that’s what I’m doing,
the preview of spring
that came our way.
Winter pulled back
for a few delightful days,
and we frolicked with Spring,
we promised her our hearts
if she would but stay.
“Not quite yet,” she said, “but soon.
I’ll leave some calling cards
to remind you of hope,
to remind you I won’t be long,
for I’ll be back in all my glory
after Winter heaves another breath,
after Winter punches his time clock.”

And with that she was off,
but true to her word
she left behind buds
bursting through winter’s branches,
she dotted dry landscapes
with the redbreasts of robins,
she pushed early miracles through the soil
with a crocus here, a daffodil there
and spotty green evidence of life
to spruce up our yards of straw.

This peek at spring
what power it holds
to refresh and recharge
to give life anew
to remind us that hope
is not far away but always in reach,
to remind us that glory is on the way.
Thank you, Lord, for spring,
thank you for hope never-ending.

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5

*What part of spring’s preview do you most enjoy?

*Flickr photo by anneheathen, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: beauty, change, hope, life, miracle, nature, poem, refresh, spring, writing Tagged With: , , ,

Kicking Off the In-Law Relationship

February 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment

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If the prospect of meeting your daughter’s future in-laws puts butterflies in your stomach, Mother of the Bride, rest assured you’re not alone. After all, everyone involved wants this new relationship to start on a positive note so a few nerves are to be expected. The key is to diffuse them as much as possible as soon as possible.

Realizing that this particular social anxiety is completely normal is a good first step toward putting yourself, MOB—and others as well—at ease. Just think about it. The other relationships—the bride’s and groom’s, yours and your husband’s relationship with the groom, the groom’s family’s with your daughter—have all had time to grow and develop. But the in-laws’ relationships with one another? In many cases, the parents of the happy couple are meeting for the very first time.

If you fall into the category of in-laws-to-be who have never met before, here’s an idea that works especially well for your initial get-together. Meet for lunch or dinner—along with the bride and groom, of course—at a restaurant of the newly-engaged couple’s choosing and enjoy getting to know one another in a casual, neutral setting.

This works for several reasons:

1. No one has to stress over cooking or trying to guess food preferences.

2. No one has to worry about having a clean house.

3. It takes the pressure off of first impressions concerning where you live or how nice your home is.

4. It will limit you to an hour or two together – the perfect amount of time for a first meeting.

5. The setting itself offers conversation starters such as favorite menu items or favorite restaurants, which in turn can lead to chit chat about where you live or places you’ve visited, etc.

So, MOB, no need to fear—relax and go with the restaurant idea as you kick off your relationship with your daughter’s future in-laws. Have a few questions in mind to keep the conversation going and enjoy getting to know this new arm of your family. Maybe it will be the start of a beautiful friendship!

*You might also like to read Make the Mother of the Groom Part of the Team.

*Flickr photo by qwazymonkey, Creative Commons License

*Since the readership of the Mother of the Bride Blog is ever-changing, I hope this encore post will be helpful to those of you who weren’t MOBs when I originally posted it in July 2013.

Filed Under: advice, bride, family, groom, Mother of the Bride, new thing Tagged With: , , , ,

Midweek Morsel: Attended by Angels

February 25, 2016 by 4 Comments

11248586324_e55d800f60_z“At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” Mark1:12-13

Did you know angels attended Jesus during his days in the desert? Scripture doesn’t tell us exactly how they attended him, but they were on duty.

The gospel of Matthew specifically mentions angels attending Jesus after Satan tempted him (at the end of a forty day fast), and here in Mark’s gospel we hear that wild animals were part of the scene. My NIV text note says that in Jesus’ day there were many more wild animals, including lions, in Palestine. I guess Satan wasn’t the only danger in the desert. Wild animals posed a threat—and I’m sure the elements did as well.

The Israelites also experienced angelic attendance during their desert days. In Exodus (23:20, 23; 32:34), we’re told that an angel went ahead of them, guiding and protecting them. I wonder if the angels who attended Jesus did the same for him. Perhaps they even ministered to other needs he had.

If God sent angels to attend Jesus and also the Israelites during their desert days, don’t you think he might send them to us as well in our times of need? When we are faced with temptations, dangers, dry and barren days, as well as need in extreme situations, will God leave us to struggle on our own? No, he will minister to us. And it might just be through angels.

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;” Psalm 91:11

*Have you ever felt that angels were attending you?

*Flickr photo by  www.carloscherer.eu, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: encouragement, enemy, heaven, help, protection, provision, refresh, temptation, trial, Word of God Tagged With: , , , ,

Wedding Registry to Consider: Crate and Barrel

February 22, 2016 by Leave a Comment

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Mother of the Bride, is your daughter itching to branch out a bit from the most standard registry choices? If so, encourage her to check out what Crate and Barrel has to offer. Even if you don’t have a Crate and Barrel in your city, she and her sweet guy can register online, and of course, guests can shop online as well.

Crate and Barrel carries a wide range of products—everything from kitchen to bath to furniture to décor to even outdoor items and more. And you, MOB, will even have fun perusing their site!

Here are all the vital links your daughter will need:

The registry page itself has a lot of great info, tips, and suggestions.

Be sure to have her check out the registry benefits page. Among other things, the benefits include a set of Crate and Barrel’s best-selling stemless wine glasses in an embroidered linen bag, bonus gifts from more than 14 brands, and a mobile app.

If the happy couple registers for one of Crate and Barrel’s weekly private registry events, they’ll be eligible for the weekly giveaway drawing as well as the monthly giveaway drawing. They will also be given a goodie bag with free gift. Definitely something to do if at all possible, huh?

MOB, why not share this post with your sweet girl? It might be just the registry she’d love to add to her list of choices!

*You might also like to read A Fair Trade Wedding Registry: Ten Thousand Villages, A Wedding Registry to Consider: Williams Sonoma!,  Wedding Registry to Consider: Pottery Barn!, and A Wedding Registry to Consider: Best Buy!

*The latest 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 Keith “Captain Photo” Cuddeback, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: bride, Gift, giving, groom, Mother of the Bride, preparation, variety Tagged With: , , , , ,
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