Groom’s Cake for the Pool Shark

January 10, 2017 by Leave a Comment

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Mother of the Bride, cake decisions are among the most fun that await your daughter and her beloved as they plan their wedding. And the groom’s cake decisions are especially fun since the groom gets to let loose and let his personality shine if he so chooses. He may know exactly what he wants or he might ask for ideas. Be prepared for either, MOB.

One way to go is to feature one of the hobbies or special skills of your soon-to-be son-in-law. This can be anything from his favorite sports team to his favorite recreational activity to his career expertise. All ideas are fair game—with the bride’s approval, of course :)

The idea I’m featuring today is for the groom who likes to play pool. He and your sweet girl may not have room for a pool table in their first home together, but he can sure have a pool table groom’s cake if he wants. To make it even more fun, part of his bachelor party could include shooting some pool. Just mention it to the best man or one of the groomsmen and they might surprise the man of the hour with a pool tournament the night before the big day.

This is just one option, MOB. Share it with your sweet couple and let their ideas take off from there!

*You might also like to read Groom’s Cake Idea for the Wrestling Fan, Groom’s Cake Idea: A Chessboard!, Groom’s Cake Idea: Law Books (or any other books!), and Groom’s Cake Idea for the Military Man.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a Starbucks gift card 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!

*Flickr photo by mandotts, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: bride, cake, fun, groom, Mother of the Bride, table, talent Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Include Venue Signs in the Wedding Photos

July 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Sharp ChapelMother of the Bride, many wedding photographers today pride themselves on telling a story with their photos. They make an effort to capture more than the standard shots and provide not only a timeline but the emotions of the big day as well. Their beautiful and meaning-filled finished products are works of art.

In the telling of the Wedding Day story, ask your photographer to be sure to include the signs at your ceremony and reception sites. Having those locations identified through photos not only helps tell the story, but it will be a help in years to come when you try to recall the names of the venues. After all, these special places play an important part in one of the highlights of your family’s life.

And believe it or not, MOB, a good photographer can even make photos of signs look artistic. So scope out your venues and give your photographer a heads-up about the locations of the signs. Be a part of telling the whole story!

*You might also like to read Wedding Day Tip: A List for the Photographer and Bridal Portraits: Include Some Artsy Shots.

0280*Photos by Chris Humphrey Photographer

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early August. Sign up is free and to the right!

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, creation/creative/creator, memories, Mother of the Bride, photo fun, preparation, signs, talent, variety, vision Tagged With: , , , ,

“Playing Santa Again” Giveaway!

December 4, 2014 by 16 Comments

early snowYes, dear blog readers, it’s that merry time of year again! If you’ve followed my blog through a few holiday seasons by now, you already know that I love to play Santa—with my family and also here on the blog. Wish I could surprise each one of you with a little gift, but alas, we’ll have to settle for a giveaway with one lucky yuletide winner.

In some of my giveaways this year I’ve had fun offering hand-made products from my very own blog readers, and the “Playing Santa Again” Giveaway is a perfect opportunity to do so once again.

This time I’m happy to feature the work of studio artist Jana Botkin (see photos above and below). You may remember that I’ve featured Jana’s photography during one of my Summer Photo Fun segments here on the blog, but her art work is the star of the show today. You can read more about Jana in my Summer Photo Fun: Artist Jana Botkin post.

The winner of the “Playing Santa Again” Giveaway will win a $20 credit towards any purchase from Jana’s website. If you win, you may want to select some of her beautiful note cards or use the winnings to help buy one of her pencil drawings or oil paintings. I hope you will all go over to her site and check out her work.

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post by 6 p.m. next Wednesday, December 10th. If I don’t know you personally or cannot contact you via your website or blog, be sure to include your email address (such as cheryl at cherylbarker dot net). It’s not required for the giveaway, but to make it more fun, tell us which piece on Jana’s website especially caught your attention. One of my favorites is the Early Snow drawing above.

I’ll announce the winner of the “Playing Santa Again” Giveaway in next Thursday’s Midweek Morsel post. May you all enjoy a glorious holiday season—starting right here with Jana’s beautiful art work!

“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.” John 1:16

MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA*Photos compliments of Jana Botkin.

*Would so appreciate your continued prayers for my husband Don as he slowly recovers from the injuries he received to his spine when he fell from a ladder. I can certainly use your prayers, too, as I care for him and try to keep up with life in general. Thank you!

Filed Under: beauty, creation/creative/creator, Friend, giveaway, holidays, talent

Look Beyond the Weakness

September 29, 2014 by 6 Comments

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Sometimes we have a tendency to label or pigeonhole people according to our perceived view of their weaknesses or flaws.

Just think of how we identify others at times, either in our thoughts or in actual conversation. We say things like oh, she’s the heavy one, the homely one, the ditzy one, the gossip. Or he’s the string-bean, the nerd, the boring one, the loser. Unfortunately, unless we’ve taken time to look beyond the weaknesses or flaws, we tend to think of them in terms of these not-so-flattering labels.

Even Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, has been remembered down through the ages as doubting Thomas. Yes, he did in fact express doubt when told about the resurrection of Jesus, and that event is detailed in John 20:24-29. Unfortunately, that’s how most of us remember him.

However, Thomas also displayed great courage. When Jesus wanted to return to an area where the Jews had previously threatened to stone him, the other disciples questioned Jesus about wanting to go back. Thomas, on the other hand, said, “‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’” (John 11:16b)

Maybe it’s time that we look beyond Thomas’s weakness and notice his strength—and maybe it’s time we do that for others as well. Let’s take time to look past whatever weakness or failure we see at first and look for the best in one another. Let’s be overheard saying things like oh, he’s the brave one, the funny guy, the giver, or she’s the creative one, the kind one, the peacemaker.

Yes, let’s look past the weaknesses. Let’s look through eyes of love. Let’s look beyond.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up . . .” 1 Thessalonians 5:11a

*What do you hope people see when they look beyond your weaknesses?

*Flickr photo by Flood G., Creative Commons License

Filed Under: appearance, focus, kindness, strength, talent

Discovering Gems—Once More

September 1, 2014 by 2 Comments

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*Hope you enjoy this encore presentation from June 2008.

Last Friday while on an outing to a nearby town, my friend Teri and I discovered a gem. A beautiful and unique little shop nestled right in among the ordinary businesses on the ordinary streets of our very ordinary little corner of the world.

We wanted to go to lunch for a girlfriend catch-up session and decided to make a quick trip to Independence. We had heard about a quilt shop there that had recently been selected as one of the top ten quilt shops in the nation. In our neck of the woods? We needed to see this with our own eyes.

We were not disappointed. As we entered the shop, we seemed to step into another world. The high ceilings and rich-looking furnishings along with the beautiful and creatively displayed quilts and accessories created an ambiance of a luxurious and delightful retreat from the outside world. Everything we saw held a special touch. We were awestruck by the quality of goods and workmanship. And for those of you who know I don’t even own a sewing machine and am craft-challenged — yes, even I could spot the quality here :)

What fun to discover this gem of a shop in our own backyard. Teri was in her element, and me? I tried hard to fit in. When the salesladies were around, I just acted like I knew what I was looking at, and then when they walked away, I asked Teri one elementary question after another. Know what I discovered, though? You don’t have to understand all the facets and complexities of a gem to enjoy its beauty. I loved the shop.

As I think about us as individuals, I know a gem could be found in each one of us as well. Something beautiful and unique. Something quality. If others looked into your own very ordinary life, what gem would they discover? Would they find a master quilter, an artist, or a gourmet chef? Perhaps a talented athlete or musician? Or maybe like me, you’re just good with words. The possibilities are endless, aren’t they?

So take a closer look at yourself as well as others in your life. There’s beauty all around. Go ahead – have fun discovering gems!

“…its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel…” Revelation 21:11

*What gem have you or someone else discovered in your life?

*Flickr photo by Jewellery Monthly, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, adventure, beauty, Friend, fun, new thing, search, surprise, talent
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