Balance Acrostic: 2024 Theme Word Refresher

July 2, 2024 by 2 Comments

**I will be taking a blogging break until mid-August. See you back here then!

A few years ago I wrote an acrostic as a refresher for my theme word that year, and I soon decided it was an exercise I would benefit from each year. 

For me, the creative exercise of writing acrostics is an excellent way to go deeper in my consideration of my annual theme words. Doing so helps me think of different aspects of the word.

As I remind myself of and reflect on my 2024 theme word balance, I pray you find something to help you find balance in your life as well. Or if you chose a theme word of your own this year, maybe you will be inspired to do something similar with your word too. Whatever the case, friends, may you be blessed and encouraged as you read!

Bend your goals to the current demands on your time.

Ask for God’s wisdom as you determine your priorities.

Let others handle some of your tasks.

Adore God daily and spend time in his Word.

Note your blessings and thank God for them.

Choose health and peace and time with loved ones.

Entrust God with your schedule and time.

“. . . it’s a matter of striking a balance.” 2 Cor 8:13 GW

*What is most challenging for you when it comes to maintaining balance in your life?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early August. 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 check out my Books/My Work page.

*Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash

Filed Under: balance, blogs, challenge, creation/creative/creator, encouragement, focus, goal, growth, help, life, refresh, word, writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

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: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cupcake Bouquets as Wedding Centerpieces

November 15, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, have I got a super-creative, super-yummy centerpiece idea for you and your sweet girl today—wedding centerpiece cupcake bouquets!

What’s not to love about a centerpiece that will definitely not go to waste? And what can be be more exciting for guests than cake at their very own tables? This is definitely a win-win idea!

Ask your cake baker/designer to frost the cupcakes to look like roses and then select whatever color will work best with your décor plan. You can even go with different color bouquets scattered throughout. For an extra touch of variety, you can offer multiple flavors of cake—but nothing is wrong with one divine flavor either!

A variety of bases and numbers of cupcakes in the bouquets can also be used. A pail is used in the examples pictured here, but flower pots, baskets, crystal glassware, or even wooden crates can work as well. A pretty ribbon wrapped around the base also adds a nice touch.

So MOB, see if this idea appeals to your daughter—and then have fun brainstorming cupcake bouquet ideas together!

*You might also like to read Wedding Centerpiece With a Rustic Flair, Centerpiece Idea: Mirror Magic, Watering Can Wedding Centerpiece, Centerpiece Idea: Flower Ring and Candle, and Wedding Cake Trend: Multiple Mini Cakes. 

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

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, comes out today. 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.

Flickr photos by clevercupcakes, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: bride, cake, celebrate, decorate, dessert, flowers, food, fun, Mother of the Bride, new thing, preparation, surprise, table, variety, wedding Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Deciding On a Wedding Guest Book: Ideas to Get You Started

April 21, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, have your daughter and her beloved decided on what kind of guest book they’d like the wedding guests to sign yet? Years ago (when we got married!), there weren’t a lot of options where guest books were concerned, but today the guest book decision isn’t as straightforward as it once was.

Yes, MOB, the choices for wedding guest books have broadened considerably. Why not brainstorm some possible approaches with your bride-to-be?

Here are some ideas to get you started:

  1. The traditional guest-book-only sign-in. This is the small book (maybe 5×7) used exclusively on wedding day to sign guests in as they arrive for the ceremony or reception.
  2. The traditional wedding record/memory book. This book is larger (approx. 9×12) and includes pages for everything from the couple’s first date to where they honeymoon. Several sign-in pages for the wedding are included as well as pages for showers, gifts, etc. (My daughters both used this method. In fact, I gave them their special record books as Christmas gifts when they were planning their weddings.)
  3. A photo guest book designed by the couple through a site like Shutterfly. This type of guest book adds a real personal touch since it features the couple’s engagement photos.
  4. A large framed photo or piece of art with guests signing the mat that surrounds it. This option allows the couple to daily enjoy the memories of their big day and the people who joined them for it.
  5. A guest book quilt, hanging and ready for guests to sign. What a keepsake treasure this would be!
  6. A photo booth wedding guest book. It provides not only a super fun visual record of those attending the wedding, but also gives the guests a chance to include a personal message.
  7. A guest tree.  Each guest signs a leaf on the tree, and when the wedding is over, the bride and groom have a keepsake record ready to hang on the wall, a continual reminder of all who joined them for their special day.

Possibilities abound with a little creative thought. Some help from Pinterest can come in handy, too, right? If you’d like to see a few more options, check out my Weddings—This and That board on Pinterest. Have fun brainstorming with your girl, MOB!

*You might also like to read Photo Booth Idea for Wedding Guest Book and Guest Book Idea: A Guest Tree.

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

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early May. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Amazon and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Photo by Flowers Photography

Filed Under: bride, groom, memories, Mother of the Bride, photo fun, preparation, tradition, trend, variety Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,