Finders Keepers

Finding old photo albums is like discovering a gateway to the past.

This tattered, mildewed and decaying old wedding album was begging to be cherished.

The photos it held were suffering,

as the album was no longer fit to house the treasured memories.

Over the weekend, I took apart the old book

and gently separated the photos from the paper they were glued on to.

Inspired by the elegant shots,

I came up with a simple plan to showcase the bride and groom

in a fresh, new album ~ simple mounting, delicate accents.

Let the photos tell the tale.

I hope William and Dorothea are happy in their new dwelling place.

It's good to know that they are safe here...

preserved in a way that will endure.

No more yellowing.

No more tatters or decay.

No more fading away.

No, they now become a lasting treasure

just waiting to hear the gleeful cries of their great children

{or their great greats}

as they exclaim,

"Oh my! Look what I've found!"

Joining

Little Things Thursday

and

Mama Kat's

Swoooooon....

The place was lovely.

Filled with that happiness buzz

that comes when friends, both old and new, gather.

It was celebration time!

We came to 

rejoice with two friends who've loved, 

lost 

and tenderly loved again.

They remind us that struggle and heartache

can soften us.

Prepare us.

Provide for us in ways that are unforeseen.

Almost unimaginable.

We ate and chatted and hugged and toasted.

They exchanged vows

in front of the fire, amidst the sunflowers and

surrounded friends and family.

Friends and family whose faithfulness

has surmounted obstacles,

forgiven hurts,

held on during the storms

and

cherished the countless blessings that fill the in-betweens.

There was music.

Lots of it.

And laughter.

And then,

when all was almost said and done,

the groom took the mike

and sang to his bride...

Another crooner took over

and there was holding. And twirling.

Swoon worthy.

Yes indeed.

Congratulations, dear friends.

"Some day, when I'm awfully low

When the world is cold

I will feel a glow just thinking of you

And the way you look tonight

Yes, you're lovely

With your smile so warm

And your cheeks so soft

There is nothing for me but to love you

And the way you look tonight"

Joining Kathy for

Song-ography

a few extra wedding guests....

Last week's wedding reception was held at this lovely farm in Weston, MO.

Not only was the big old red barn beautifully decorated for our party,

but the farm itself was a fun place to wander and play!

A certain ring bearer and flower girl were especially pleased with their uncle's choice of venue...

Enjoy!

Joining Eileen for

Saturday's Critters

Six Word Fridays ~ Sparkle

It never ceases to amaze me
how much magic a few strands
of sparkling white lights can create!

Join us!

Share your story,

Six Words at a time!

Black & White Wednesday ~ Wedding Magic

Take one sweet bride and one overjoyed groom,

 Add several heaping tablespoons of good friends,

 And one closely knit family.

 Mix all this together with one old barn,

 A perfectly glorious summer day,

 And a pinch of frolicking children.

 Stir in one new party dress, one handsome date,

 Strands of twinkle lights and the setting sun.

Blend well and dance until your feet can't dance anymore!

When all these ingredients are combined with love,
One very magical wedding appears!

We're home from our first summer trip ~ a wonderful few days with some of our closest friends. These are some of my iPhone favorites from the day...I've got thousands of photos to go through...and can't wait to share more about our Kansas City to Texas adventure! The wedding was, of course, the highlight ~ such a beautiful celebration...we feel very blessed to have been a part of this special day!

Join the fun here and share your

black & white photos.

I'm also linking up with

Wednesdays Around the World

a gift that keeps on giving....

Our fourth of July was spent with very dear friends at a wedding!

Few things are better than all the fun we share

when good friends get together for such a wonderful celebration!!

One of my favorite gifts to give is a blank scrapbook.

I do all the decorating so the only thing left is to add the photos.

I made this book for the newlyweds so they'd have a place to save all the instagram fun!

Their hashtag?

Fourthofjoeleen

{fourth of July + Joe + Kathleen}

I hope they enjoy putting all the random shots from their special weekend into this album!
I sure had fun making it for them!

Joining Tamar for
The Good. The Random. The Fun.

Moon River

Years ago a college friend of mine had a baby.

When he was a little boy, she sang Moon River to her bundle.

It calmed him.

I imagine it might also have been sung when the toddler held hands with his mom and

followed her around the house...or around the town.

It was their song.

Yesterday we drove through beautiful, western Massachusetts...

past farms and fields, under blustery skies.

We arrived at a charming, New England chapel...

and wedding bells rung!

A new family joined hearts

and old friends celebrated another of life's milestones.

Oh, the joy of youth...and the wonder of young love!

Romance filled the room, as the newly minted Mr. & Mrs. danced their first dance.

Then the strains of Moon River filled the air.

And my friend took the hand of her boy and they danced to their timeless song.

Oh dream maker, you heart breaker,

Wherever you're going, I'm going your way...

Linking up with

Project 52

and sharing on FB with BTSBTW

Anniversary

A year ago today, my daughter married her best friend.

She's still glowing.

Please join me this Friday, 10/19 for Six Word Fridays. We're linking up right here on my blog and this week's prompt is INSTANT. {click on the tab at the top for details!}