Archives for August 2023

Wedding Cake-Stand Idea: A Glass Stand

August 15, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, once your daughter chooses the design for her wedding cake, she’ll still need to decide what kind of cake stand she’d like to use. And believe it or not, there are several varieties to choose from—everything from silver-plated to acrylic to wood and lots of options in between.

One simple but still beautiful option is a glass stand. Not only does it look classy, but it gives you the opportunity to further add to the presentation of the cake by placing décor of some sort under the glass. Glass crystals are pictured under the stand above, but you could use flowers, pearls, or any number of other items.

You or someone in your family might be able to fashion a glass stand on your own, but your wedding cake designer will have cake stands available to rent too. If your daughter likes the glass option, be sure to ask your designer if she has one available and what the rental price is. Also be sure to search online because you might be able to purchase one for about the same price. Then you’d be able to use it again or sell it and earn back the purchase price.

Of course, glass pedestal stands offer another great option for all sizes of cakes but could work especially well with smaller cakes and cupcakes. See below for one example. You can still scatter decor under this style of cake stand too.

If you’d like to show your daughter other possibilities for cake stands, have her check out these links for more ideas:

etsy.com/market/wedding_cake_stand

pinterest.com/explore/wedding-cake-stands/ 

Get creative, MOB, and have fun brainstorming options with your precious girl!

*You might also like to read Wedding Cake Trend: Multiple Mini Cakes and Cake Table Tip for Weddings: Display Engagement Photo.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is FREE. *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Top Flickr photo by the-icing-on-the-cake. (Jo), Creative Commons License; Second Flickr photo by smcgee, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: advice, appearance, bride, cake, creation/creative/creator, decorate, dessert, Mother of the Bride, preparation, table, variety, wedding Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Rain and Refreshment: For the Earth and For Us

August 15, 2023 by 2 Comments

Summer rain is almost always welcome, isn’t it? So refreshing and life-giving.

I wrote the poem below a few years ago during a time of drought in our region. We and so many others desperately needed rain. Today areas of our nation and world cry out for rain again.

In our personal lives, many of us also cry out for refreshment. Some sort of drought has been our portion for too long and we are in need of relief.

Won’t you praise God with me today for the refreshment he gives our earth—and also for the refreshment he gives our souls? How we thank you, how we praise you, Lord!

Blessed Sound of Falling Rain

Blessed sound of falling rain
The music we’ve strained to hear
For so long,
The sound of life
To our drought-stricken land,
The melody of God’s provision.
A greedy earth clutches at the drops
Almost drinking before they land,
Needy and desperate for any relief
It takes hours before she relaxes.
Finally she glories in the drink
Soaking, laughing, swelling with life,
Praising God with every drip, drip, drip
Turning green with gratitude.
Our thirsty souls wait as well
For the sounds of life that restore us,
The sounds of a Savior
Coming to pour
The music we’ve strained to hear.
Yes, blessed sound of falling rain.

“for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:9 NIV

*How has God refreshed you lately?

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is FREE. *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*Flickr photo by John-Morgan, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: blessing, creation/creative/creator, help, joy, life, nature, poem, praise, provision, rain, refresh, sounds, summer, thanks Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Find Rest in God’s Promise of a Haven

August 1, 2023 by Leave a Comment

“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” Psalm 107:29-30 NIV

Storms are inevitable part of our lives. Why? Simple—we’re not in heaven yet.

Jesus, in fact, warned us of storms. He told his disciples, “‘In this world you will have trouble.’”(John 16:33 NIV) But in that same verse he also told them that in him we may have peace and that he has already overcome the world. In other words, he promised that he is bigger than the storms that come barreling into our lives.

The words of Jesus have certainly proved true in my life. Time and again, God has stilled the storms that have assaulted me. He hushed the waves that threatened me.

Even when I felt as if I might drown not long ago while in the midst of a very private and nearly unbearable season of life, God strengthened me until the storm’s fury subsided. He held me up until he calmed the angry sea of waves around me.

And just as the Psalmist stated, after the winds and waves lost their steam, God led me to the haven I needed, a haven of peace and relief. And he has continued to surround me with peace. He’s wrapped me in comfort and led me along a path of forgiveness. He’s graciously given what I’ve needed.

But even though God has faithfully carried me through all the storms of my life and ministered to me in their aftermath, I still haven’t reached the point where I welcome them. I’m not sure any of us do.

We can reach the point, though, where we don’t fear storms so much, where we know our God is bigger. We can reach a point where we trust him in the midst of a storm. A point where we’re at rest—at rest in his promise of a haven.

“The LORD replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 NIV

*When did the Lord last lead you to a haven?

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, comes out tomorrow. Sign-up is FREE! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*My photo (Coulter Bay area of Grand Teton National Park)

Filed Under: burden, comfort, encouragement, faithfulness, fear, help, life, peace, protection, provision, refresh, rest, stress, trial, trust, unfailing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wedding Photo Speaks Volumes: The Minister’s Bible

August 1, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, some of the simplest shots your photographer captures on wedding day can speak volumes. No elaborate background set-up, no gathering of the bridal party or family members, just some ideas in mind and a photographer’s great eye.

The minister with his Bible is one such photo that conveys deep meaning. I love the shot above that focuses on the Bible and not on the minister himself. It speaks of the importance of the day and the holiness of the ceremony. It says God is here. It says this marriage is founded on the instruction and wisdom of God. Yes, this simple shot speaks volumes.

So, MOB, when you’re compiling a list of shots for the photographer to take on wedding day, be sure to include the minister-with-his-Bible idea along with other artsy-type shots you might have in mind. Just tell the photographer some general ideas you’d like included, and he’ll be ready to work his magic. Bet you’ll be pleased!

*You might also like to read Wedding Day Tip: A List for the Photographer and Wedding Photography Tip: Candid Shots of the Guests.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out tomorrow. Sign up is FREE! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Photo by Chris Humphrey

Filed Under: advice, bride, faith, focus, Mother of the Bride, photo fun, preparation, simplify, wedding, wisdom, Word of God Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,