Photos...and a sweet story....

 Second Fridays in Lititz are a big deal. Each shop tries to do something

special on that night.  Often it is a sale, a guest artist or something.

We had a musician on the porch and a couple enjoy dinner

as they listened to him last month.

This month we were hoping to have swing dancers performing

but the timing didn't work as there was a conflicting event in

town that weekend for the dancers.

And so, we decided to host a deserving mom and her immediate family to

dinner in our garden. 

After asking for nominees we chose a mother of twins who had

suffered multiple pregnancy losses prior to having her

sweet girls.

After she had them an emergency heart surgery became necessary 

for her.  Her mother shared her story in a heartfelt way and I knew

that we would not only want to host the daughter and her family

but the mom and dad as well.

They were all available to come.

Chelsea and Chadd set up a beautiful table.

They went to Wilbur Chocolate and got special chocolates.

I got a pizza order and we had it waiting as the family arrived.

Below is a photo of the beautiful family.

The twins insisted on being held by their grandparents

for this photo.

As a new Grandma I just loved that!

We were so pleased to provide a quiet space and 

beautiful environment for this dinner.

What a lovely family!

The next day I needed to serve appetizers.

All of the shops were taking turns serving food.

I got crackers, cream cheese and red pepper jelly.

Easy...and tasty!

Mother's Day flowers from Mikey and Emily.

Aren't they pretty??

In the garden...the shrooms have arrived.

So bright and colorful.

Gotta love them!

From inside the shop....

Local artist, Liz Hess, is extremely popular in our shop.

Often you will find a red umbrella in her works...

but not always.

I have examples of both in this post.

 This is a print from Liz's latest series, Jerusalem.

Another popular local artist is 

Mary Charles.

She is self taught, a great person and has

mastered the art of color!

Mary says she uses the colors that the Amish use

for their clothing.

We often think of the Amish as plain and colorless but that 

couldn't be further from the truth.

Lots of bright colors are worn by the entire family

but primarily by the younger crowd.

C&C Sheets created this 

amusing and attractive sign.

A fun new scarf display in the boutique room.

A pop up note pad and Curly Girl card.

Lovely towels!

Truth!

From our friend, Amy's shop

in our shop....

 We love her style!

Finishing up with a bit more 

from Liz Hess.

What amazing talent!

It's wedding season....

Have a wonderful day...

It's time for me to hit the road.

Introducing Mr. And Mrs. Jonathan Keeney

The month of April was a marathon for the ladies of this family.  Oh, my goodness!  Because our shop participated in a huge promotional tour called the Best Kept Secrets Tour which lasted more than two weeks we came into the intense wedding prep time pretty tired.  However, we were very excited at the same time.  Jonathan and Darcey did most of the work leading up the wedding themselves.  They seemed to truly enjoy taking care of the planning and crafty projects.

The location was so unique, and in being so, absolutely perfect for this wedding.  Global Aid Network is a ministry under Campus Crusade for Christ.  They have a warehouse in Mount Joy.  This is not a location that you would think of holding a wedding in.  However, I can't imagine a better place for Jonathan and Darcey's wedding.  As you'll see in the photos the backdrop to the ceremony itself were shelves and shelves of boxes filled with items to go out around the world in time of need.

Here is the day in photos....my phone was running low on battery so I didn't get many photos from the reception.  But here we go with my running commentary on what I did capture.

The colors were cobalt blue, silver and brown.  Jonathan made wearing a kilt optional and one of his groomsmen took him up on it.  Nate is a coworker of Jonathan's and is responsible for setting up Jonathan and Darcey.  He and one of the bridesmaids arranged the first meeting.  The best man is Jonathan's longtime friend, Josh.  Their friendship grew over the years we were in Conestoga Valley Homeschoolers.  It has only gotten stronger in recent  years.   The other two groomsmen are Michael and Chadd....Jonathan's brother and brother in law.  

Jonathan was fighting tears in this photo....and when he saw Darcey coming down the aisle he was losing that battle.  I offered him the tissue Darcey's mother had given me right before we sat down.

He wasn't having it.  Ha!

Our Pastor, Mike, married them.

Mike has been like a member of the family over the years.

Our kids love and respect him so much.

I was happy when Jonathan wanted Mike to perform the ceremony.

Mike recounted how when he first met Jonathan he could look down to see him.

Not so anymore....

Darcey and her Daddy. 

I loved the braids in his beard.

They fit the theme perfectly.

All of the girls carried shields rather than flowers.

The hours and hours spent on these shields were enough to test

Jonathan and Darcey's relationship I think.

They were a labor of love....and added a very unique touch

to the wedding.

After Darcey's Dad gave her over to Jonathan the ceremony was well underway.

In the upcoming photo  you'll be able to see the rest of the shields.

Molly is the one on the far end...she is the other person responsible for 

setting these two up.

Her husband catered the meal and did a fabulous job!!

He was so tired by the end of the day...and I felt his pain.

But...he completely rocked it!

Oh...how they adore each other.

My brother commented on how her face spoke volumes as she walked 

down the aisle toward her groom.  

I was watching Jon have the same reaction.

They kept the tradition of not seeing each other until the ceremony on their wedding day.

I think that always makes for more anticipation.

The silk flame pots were on loan from our friend, Melissa.

they added to the mood Jonathan and Darcey were going for.

You would have thought that the boxes and shelves behind the bridal party 

would have been a distraction but they weren't at all.

They melted away because of the sweetness of the moment.

But in looking at these photos it is special to know that 

those things will bring relief to many at some point.

Darcey has volunteered with GAIN on many occasions.

After being presented they headed back the aisle.

They quickly returned to personally dismiss every person who attended.

This was their way to get to speak to all who came

and to keep their guests comfortable in the waiting.

As people came into the reception space they found 

cheeses, fruits, veggies and crackers awaiting them.

This was my responsibility but there was a bit of a fiasco happening

at the time I meant to put it together and get them out so

thankfully my family jumped in and made it happen...

beautifully!!

O.k.

Let's talk about that fiasco.

It involved the cake.

Yes, it was supposed to be one cake.

However, as Warren and I were building the cake and put the final

layer on top the heat in the kitchen had finally been just too much for 

the buttercream frosting and the entire thing  started to slide toward the floor.

I quickly deconstructed the layers and wanted nothing more than to sit down and

cry....for having messed up the cake, of all things.

I stripped the bottom two layers back down to the look of a "naked cake"

but knew that this was not what either Jonathan or Darcey wanted.

The little Lego topper kept falling apart and into the sticky ganache....

I actually did freak out a bit.

It seemed that I was a wrecking ball.

However, finally we got it to stay together and this was the little cake that the 

sword cut.

The big blue cake isn't really as tall as it looks.

The cake stand was red so I covered it with buttercream.

Ha!

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Chelsea had the fantastic idea of putting Wilbur wafers all around the chocolate

cake while we found some mini light sabers to top it off.

The troublesome cake topper and mini porgs.

You can see the buckling of the frosting here.

But it truly was the case of not realizing how hot the kitchen had 

gotten.  It must have been in the mid 80's by the time I was trying to finish 

the cakes with just an hour until the ceremony.

I couldn't believe the mess.

So...while I'm super disappointed with how they came out in relation to how 

it was planned....I'm super happy with how they were rescued

and how they continued to fit so well into the theme.

Of course they tasted amazing.

That I knew would be the case.

That's how I make cake.  

Ha!!

Several borrowed photos are coming up next...this one from Jonathan.

Mark and his wife, Trish, traveled from Canada to attend the wedding.

Now, none of us had ever laid eyes on Mark in person before

but he has been one of Jonathan's best friends for many years.

Even I have talked to him through Jonathan's headset as he would 

"bless me" if I sneezed or would ask how I was doing from time to time.

I think I counted six people at the wedding who knew Mark

through virtual means but who enjoyed meeting him in person yesterday.

Conversation flowed freely among these friends!

From Warren's side of the family.

His Uncle Jim, Aunt Betty, Cousin Tim and Cousin once removed Alecia.

Last Sunday we visited Tim in the hospital....yesterday it was awesome to 

see him feeling so much better and able to attend.

Alecia and Jonathan have always had a connection due to their common

interests.  She really seemed to enjoy the wedding.

This photo and the next two were from Mom.

When we went outside to take family photos the weather was awesome.

Although it was quite windy.

Within an hour the skies were stormy and the rain

poured down.  But we were safe and dry inside and the pretty photos 

were captured.

What a great capture of my brother and his nephews.

Go mom!

With the happy couple.

Obligatory parental photo.

Surprising no one I was hanging out with these dudes.

Especially the little one.

Roy did sooo well yesterday.

He was all dressed up for the ceremony but seemed to enjoy

getting into comfy clothes and some play time with 

his daddy and Uncle Mikey in the grass during the photo time.

Back to the wedding.

The hardest part about the day was not getting to sit and chat

with all of the guests.

There was just so much to do....

but know that we appreciated ALL who were able to attend.

Long time friends...a sister of the heart....Aunts and Uncles...

Cousins...so many.

Our families, some volunteers and friends worked super hard and got the 

place cleaned up last night so that Darcey's family didn't have

to go back today to finish.

It was worth it.

All of it.

Jonathan and Darcey are on their honeymoon and hopefully are

having the time of their lives....

without stress.

Everyone kept commenting on how great it was to see

Jonathan just having fun.

He so often carries the weight of the world on his broad shoulders.

But yesterday....he let it all go and danced, danced and danced some more.

Praising God for how He has brought this couple together!

We wish them a life filled with richness of joy, peace and 

a love that grows and grows.

A Few Countdowns

What a crazy busy time we are in at the moment!

With two days left of the Best Kept Secrets Tour, Eight days until Jon and Darcey's wedding, and Seven days until I see great friends from Maryland and California.  These are all enough by themselves but when you put them all together... wow, just wow!

The Best Kept Secrets Tour has been fabulous!!  Our new location serves so much better than our last.  One woman recalled our last place as "the one you could barely move in".  Obviously she arrived when many others did during the last tour.  But she was right.  It was tight when there were more than four people in the shop.  So far we have had four $25 winners.  I believe there are still two winning plastic eggs out there.  Filling 2,000 plastic eggs with either .25 or $25 has proven to be a winning promotion.  We have gotten SO many of these eggs back.  But I remember filling those buggers in January.  That is a lot of eggs.  In case you wondered.

I found the dress to wear to the wedding.  Chelsea helped me and Warren approved it this morning.  So, its a keeper.  It's super comfy...a couple of sizes too big because it is all they had in stock...but since it is a maxi it just makes it a bit long.  I'll have to wear some heels.  Oops...there goes the comfy.  Haha.

I'm blessed to have extra hands coming to help with the rehearsal dinner preps.  My Aunt Naoma and cousin, Regina, are headed our way to attend the wedding.  They are already offering to do anything they can.  So.....as I have company coming from Maryland and CA Friday morning, I'm going to have Aunt Naoma and Regina peel and cook the mashed potatoes and make the stuffing.  Our menu is turkey and dressing, roast beef and mashed potatoes, a huge salad...made by Georgia, rolls, and baked beans.  I'll probably do some other veggie as well.  But that is optional.  Next up is finding some cool themed napkins and plates.  By the way the menu for the rehearsal dinner was chosen by the bride and groom and will be served at the wedding site at some point during rehearsal and set up.

The other BIG thing is the cake.  I'm making the wedding cake.  Can't wait!  It is going to be a design I've never done before but it's going to be very cool.  We have already been watching YouTube videos to see various techniques to get the desired results.  Chelsea is baking gluten free cupcakes for those guests who can't enjoy the cake.  It is so sweet to have this event include the entire family.

This little guy is doing great and has cut two bottom teeth.  He is obviously uncomfortable sometimes but over all deals well with the painful process.  We don't mind the extra cuddles that help him get through it.  Nope.  We don't.

For now, I'm taking the morning to catch up on Etsy orders...write this post...and pay our sales tax before heading to the shop by two.  I have a hard time not being at the shop when it is open but know that Mom and Chelsea do a great job.  I just hate missing the fun!

Most likely the next time I post we will have wedding rehearsal and/or wedding photos to share.  Yikes!  Then all of our kiddos will be married.  That's pretty awesome!!

Family, Shop and Springtime Winter Weather

Enough already is what I'm not only thinking but also saying about the snow that is completely covering our yards in this neighborhood.

I spent a few minutes pulling icy snow off our "spare" car this morning.  It was Chelsea's car but they have downsized to just one since they moved to Lititz and as it needs some work it is currently still snow covered in the driveway.  It is a reminder that the weather this Springtime is not cooperating fully.  However, I have heard that the 50's are finally headed our way.  That is hopeful.

Since I last posted, Sight and Sound has opened it's newest production, Jesus.  We really enjoyed the Friends and Family evening there.  We have less family members working there now but four that still do.  :-)   Quite the representation.

Loving the blue sky against the lighted theater.

Mikey and his Grandma Georgia

Emily and me

In case you were wondering....Jesus the show...is fantastic!!

We have had a lot of neat family events happening of late.  Friday was a surprise Bridal Shower for Darcey. It was Star Wars themed.  Her friends are so creative and even had a pin the beard on Jonathan game where they had cut out all of the beard styles from the movies and had a huge picture of Jonathan for us to pin the beards onto.  We loved playing the game but even more Roy enjoyed touching the photo of his uncle.  He loves pictures of the people in his life.  Darcey received very nice gifts and everyone enjoyed  tacos and ice cream.  Yum!!

 I believe the wedding is 33 days away now.  But who's counting?  Jonathan...that's who.  He shared the digits with me last night.  Wedding plans are coming together very nicely.  The thing that is super hard is finding housing.  That is still in the works.  Prayers appreciated as time is growing short.  There is a place they would love to rent but they are waiting to hear if they were chosen.

Yesterday was Roy's Dedication at church.  

They attend a different church than we do. It was special for all of both of his sides of the family to be able to attend.  It was so neat to have all of our children, the grandmas and Chadd's entire family there.  Roy was sooo good as the Pastor took him and prayed over him then presented him to the congregation.  He just looked people right in the eye and was calm as a cucumber.  One never knows about an eight month old.  Making it even more special was that Chadd and Chelsea's dear friends, Kevin and Heidi, had their son Sean dedicated at the same time.  Both boys were precious and no tears were shed...by the babies.  I was a teary mess all morning.  Having the next generation raising their children to follow Jesus is not something I take for granted.  It is a real gift.

The shop is growing and taking off.  It is not an easy thing to relocate and get settled but we are feeling much more at home.

The strangest thing was having more than one room to fill and oversee.  The first few times people came into the shop and left our line of sight felt super strange.  But we have been able to relax about it and every once in a while we make the loop to see if anyone has questions or would like us to hold something for them.  For the most part we leave them alone to look after offering to answer any questions as we greet them.  We are finding that the shoppers in Lititz are less likely to be drawn to the same things they went crazy over in Strasburg.  We aren't sure if that is because we aren't there to talk artisan items up or if they are just looking for different things.

My brother was awesome enough to go find another kind of mushroom to use for art
since it is the wrong season to harvest conks and we had sold out of the ones we had.
These are found on Black Locust trees.

Our friend, Sonia, made the fabric eggs at my request.
They are beautiful!

I loved how Sheila's Petals from Paper went so perfectly with the eggs.
Hoping some of both of these are sold this week to add to someone's Easter decor.

Chelsea's bath bombs are quite popular.
She has fans who come back time and again for more.

 We are also in waiting mode to see if tourist season lends itself to more artisan items selling.  But in any case it is an interesting new study.  And.I.Love.it!!  New challenges every day!

The ladies of Lititz are super supportive.  Introducing themselves and warmly welcoming us.  We are so thankful.  AND our dear friends from Strasburg are making the drive to Lititz as well.  Double blessings!!

Chelsea's gift for display is commented on nearly daily.  I always love to hear it.  She just has a way of seeing things.  Kind of like a photographer sees a frame around certain views....Chelsea just makes things pretty.

Roy has started doing something that amuses us.  When customers come in we greet them.  As they leave we thank them and say goodbye.  So now when the door opens he kind of makes this "haaayyyy" sound and when people leave he does the same.  It's what he thinks he should do.  Our little greeter.  They learn so much so early.  He also dearly loves to be down where the action is and gets frustrated when he can hear people downstairs if he is upstairs.  Funny boy.

Roy is such a blessing.

We all love him to the moon and back...

as that saying goes.

Hope all is well with you and yours.

Would love to hear from you.