Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
With three mothers in the house, there were plenty of flowers this weekend! These are from Pippo to Rosie! Clever boy. |
I wish I were the kind of blogger who posted every day. I certainly have things to tell you every day, and I even have pictures, despite the preponderance of heavy, dark days here. And it's not like things aren't happening! All sorts of things.
I could post a little picture and then a little something about it. Maybe I'll try that someday. It's not for lack of content that I don't!
It's just limited old me. The things I have to do every day are just enough for me, and leave me tired every night. Every once in a while I panic. I know that lots of you feel that way too, just about things that seem ordinary to others, or at least to the face they put on for the rest of us.
In fact, very few people in this world can do everything. Not me!
Luckily, I can resort to putting everything in the {phfr} spot. It's a good place to just catch up, isn't it?
Sukie's wedding is a week from Sunday, and then Deirdre's is three weeks after that. You should see how simple, yet lovely, it is all shaping up to be.
Here are the things you will need to pull all this off (assuming we do — pull it off, that is):
1. Reasonable daughters. They are really just down to earth. They obviously have good taste and love pretty things — and a good party — but I can't get over how undemanding they are both being. Also, 1a) reasonable prospective sons-in-law.
2. Good family and good friends. I recommend that you surround yourself with people who like to do things with you, who have the skills, and who are generous with what they have, including time. I will fill you in on this all later.
3. Limited means. And by limited, I just mean not unlimited! Just limited enough to get creative.
And from what I can tell, this way is actually not more stressful than simply ordering up the dream wedding. Not that this way isn't stressful, don't get me wrong. I'm not really an event-planning type of person, and I'm not all that organized, despite what people may think (if you read this blog carefully, you will discover that it's about keeping chaos from the door, not about being super organized!).
If a hundred or two hundred people — people who, after all, wish us well — showed up sort of without warning, I think I'd enjoy it. But it does stress me out to feel them all coming… in waves… and needing to be ready…
I'm just like you, only a little less on top of things.
Remember how badly The Chief wanted to catch a swarm? And remember how he built himself an observation hive?
That blue thing is the roof, left off here to allow the bees to settle in. |
Well, this winter he built a top-bar hive as well, and his regular hives did super well through our (mild, which was fine by me also) winter.
See, I could post about the top-bar hive. But I don't.
Here he is, looking at the swarm, which is just on the ground there. |
And that branch that the bees swarmed to last year, twice, fell down in the hurricane. Did you know that bees will pretty much swarm to the same place? Unless it somehow disappears!
So this was his chance, because that branch was way too high to do anything when bees landed on it. They were going where they wanted to go. This time, without their swarm branch, they went…
… to a swarm trap! Not that he didn't try to trap them before. They just weren't interested then.
But this time, he caught them, and then all he had to do was shake them into the top-bar hive, which was also laced with all the things that bees love. And then, oh, he was so happy!
Okay, I know that you really want Pippo pictures! A little coloring, although he is a boy on the move, let me tell you. Also, my camera was set on the mountain thingy instead of manual, so the coloring photos didn't come out right.
Then he decided to have a snack and a ride.
Only, someone was so interested in his snack…
And really, she is so good, and doesn't snatch things, but when they are offered…
Well, it's hard to resist.
The making.
It goes on.
My Mother's Day flowers from Nick and Natasha, with a little something in progress. The best thing about Mother's Day is that everyone checks in. I love talking to my kids! |
Sewing. The little sleeve with the flower you see there is a potential flower girl dress, not made by me. |
More sewing. And you know what? I like sewing! |
DIY-ing. Did you see this? Sorry about the swear, but my, it's funny. Not that our brides are this way. No, the culprits are elsewhere! (DIY it! We can DIY it!) |
Sitting, not standing because that would be naughty, in Papa's chair. |
Uncle Will provides the motor force to the rocker! |
Haus Frau says
Laughed through the video! Good luck with all the last minute wedding stuff. We can't wait to see the pictures! 🙂
(Still gushing about yours & Rosie's veil)
Blair says
Oh, my husband would love to hear about the top-bar hive! He was thrilled to catch 2 swarms this spring (both given to friends). Our hive hasn't been doing so well. It was split from our hive back home (we moved 4 hrs away), and it's been very “jumpy.” Not sure if we'll get much honey this year. I can't wait to see photos of the weddings; I'm sure they will be beautiful!
european says
I find the bee story so exciting! I'm dreaming of beekeeping in my next life – for now, there are too many small children sharing the yard with the wildlife!
I cracked up at the hairy chest in that wedding dress. HAHAHAHA.
momco3 says
I LOVE that you took photos of Pippo and the dog, instead of putting an end to the doggy-snack. Love this post.
Deanne says
Loved this post so much! Congratulations to your beautiful daughters!! Happy birthday to you!!!
hope says
That video was hilarious. The bees and wedding plans are so exciting! Lovely photos as always!
Kate says
Pippo is cute! What's that rocking horse bench table thing he's sitting in? I like it.
Christina A says
I like it, too! Never seen the like…
shwell says
I hope that you all have two wonderful weddings and that you thoroughly enjoy them.
The one thing I wish people thought of at weddings is – when the photographer/friend with camera is taking millions of photos of bride and flowers and place settings etc. they don't ever take photos of the families that are there as guests. When we go to a wedding with 3 kids in tow and we are all dressed up and having a good time, I wish the photographer would take a nice family photo of us. We would defiantely buy copies of it for Our Families. (Not that you need anything else to think about….)
misty bennett says
Ooh, I see you have rhubarb! Maybe you can post what you made with it? Because I have some growing and have no idea what to do with it! LOL
Colette says
Rustic chic and zombies, I'm still chuckling . Your house looks so cozy and inviting.
Maurisa says
Oh! I just love rhubarb! I can't wait to plant some in our new garden this fall!
Robin says
What?! What?! With that baby to love on, and TWO weddings to plan, sew for, and enjoy, you think you don't post enough? I think you are a hero for doing all that you are currently doing!
Please, take care of those things and know that we will sit here patiently waiting for the Pearls of Wisdom that you will drop our way. Eventually. Which is fine.
And such joy that Rosie has the flexibility to be there during this busy season for you all. Such blessings!
justamouse says
the excitement is killing me! I cannot wait to see what you creative people came up with. And that sewing peek a boo picture is beyond tantalizing.
You give me hope, Auntie Leila, I'm going to have (perhaps? I think I have a nun in the making) 7 weddings and I am SO not organized. But my kids are also undemanding, and we love getting creative so these are good lessons for me.
Kate says
Bee question: Why are your hives painted pretty colors?Aesthetic reasons? Left over paint? Does it attract more bees? Most hives I've seen are white.
My parents with an imbalance of girls in our family, had three weddings in one year. My parents said mine, the first, was the least expensive and the least hassle. We rented a conference room in a local inn and had the inn serve a luncheon. I made my wedding dress and my mom and sisters made the bridesmaid dresses. A friend made the cake, my husband's parents bought the flowers. One of my sisters wanted a larger, more involved wedding and thought she could get what she wanted cheaper if the family DIY (from flower arrangements to decorations). She found a large, cheap hall (the air conditioning went out at the reception and there was no one on site to take care of it) which someone had to decorate, set-up (the day before) and clean up (including bathrooms the day of). It all came together with the last minute help of friends and mostly relatives, but it is one of those weddings the family laughs about now. My parents said the amount of money “saved” was negligible and it was not worth the collective exhaustion.
Phil says
Kate, It's just leftover paint. I want some paint to protect the wood, and since the hives are easily visible they might as well look halfway decent. I don't think the bees care, although different colors may help them find their own homes.
CMerie says
Wow! The weddings are so soon! I can feel the pressure building for you! Prayers for a calm sort of busy for you all!
Stephanie says
Yay for fun uncles!
Pippajo says
Oh DEAR! My content filter won't let me see the video! It must be REALLY naughty! I can see why you kind of buried the link midst all the other innocent, wholesome stuff, haha!
Great pics as usual. You are one remarkable woman for finding time to bless us all with a good, long post loaded with photos! I've had difficulty managing two proms in one month: if I had two weddings in four week's time I would probably be institutionalized or well on my way to a lovely, little drinking problem! But I do like to exaggerate.
I, like the rest of your stalk–I mean fans, cannot wait to see loads of photos! I think we'll probably give you about two weeks to recover before we organize into an angry mob. Stay sane and try to enjoy yourself!
_Leila says
Haha, Pippajo, just look up S*** Brides Say. Only the title is inappropriate. Oh, and the \”bride\” is a guy, but that makes it so funny.
Thanks for all the compliments, but let's be clear — two weddings in THREE weeks' time. Pass the bourbon.
mamabearjd says
What crazy fun! We will happily take your quality posts over quantity. It might make me nervous if you posted at a rate that I couldn't timely read!
dweej {house unseen} says
The weddings are coming! The weddings are coming! I'm so excited for you guys I might just burst. Two in 3 weeks is a little but….um…daunting, though. That's for sure. But if anyone can do it it's you, Leila!
Charlotte says
So excited for your upcoming weddings! Take tons of pictures and then post them all!
Elizabeth says
Wow! The weddings came up fast. At least for me, but I'm sure it did on your end as well. I am so excited for all the fun that you will certainly have in the next few weeks and the pictures and stories that we will get to enjoy on the blog!
Faith says
Wow- I can't believe I'm the first one to comment on Pippo's hair!! It's like a cross between Tintin's hair and cotton candy… I don't think I've ever seen hair like that! Adorable!!
I seriously don't think you'll lose readers at all with infrequent posts– at least those of us that really matter… (feeling sassy after watching that video..”we're wanting to keep it small; I hope you'll understand…”)
Bobbi (RoL) says
Thanks for catching us up on the news. How exciting! I loved all the photos, especially of cutie-pie Pippo. 🙂
Anna says
Enjoyed your photos and comments. It sounds like you are a very busy lady right now!. 🙂
PNG says
I love your photos & of course Pippo is soooo cute! Lots of sewing for you, Auntie Leila.:) You know I just read an article on bee keeping. It's happening in Minneapolis…they always get all the fun!;)
kimberlee says
Happy Mother's Day to all of you three wonderful ladies! So busy and so blessed you are preparing for two weddings! Such a lovely season to be sharing with your family!
nancy says
Enjoyed all your pictures and commentary! Your blog is a blessing. Now please promise, in the future when your life calms down a bit to tell us about how you went about planning a wedding that was economically sane and lots of fun. Your advice would be most timely!
Woman of the House says
I didn't realize the weddings were so close! I'm sure we'll see pics of the big events. 🙂 Blessings on you all!
Anne-Marie says
Lovely post! I would love to hear especially about the food side of a creative, frugal wedding. I can see doing the flowers, dresses, and cake ourselves–but where to find the time, equipment, and space to cook a meal for 100-200 people?
Mary Drennen says
Hi,
I am absolutely in love with the bee pictures. My dad has bees. They are so cool. Anyway, I just wanted to drop a line to say how much I love this blog!
Mary Drennen