Friday, October 22, 2010

Little Man, Amanda & Bob



Meet my favorite "little man" from 2010 wedding season and his wonderful family...I waited all season for this wedding! And how magical for me...I attended as a guest. a tired, dirt under the nails and no makeup I might add...guest...









The venue was also magical and I highly recommend it,
especially for intimate, "cocktail" style weddings.


http://www.campbellsteele.com/ - a wonderful, classy art gallery filled with ambiance. Priscilla and Craig are very gracious hosts. Thank you Craig for hanging our chandeliers. The lighting was perfect!

The bride walked down the isle with her "little man" and well...Goosebumps is all I can say...and a few tears of joy.

Oh..I guess I can say a few more words...the bride made her own wedding cakes...darling and delicious. Is that crazy? Almost as crazy as a florist, designing her daughter's florals.



Best Wishes to you all! Cheryl










Wednesday, October 6, 2010

The Nest, Gertie and the Garden Wren


I started this blog last February...my first post was full of whining and complaints about not being able to open my windows..tired of winter...I was begging for Spring. I deleted that post, as soon..I will be writing it again..as winter nears.

Then I saw a draft I started on the eve of Mother's Day...I published it today as it reminded me of what a fabulous day I had, how wonderful my children are AND what a great spring and summer I had. Now into our fall season...I have started rooting around in my yarn stash..and I have KNITTING on the brain.

Which leads me to this post...We have a new location for our yarn!!! VINTAGE in Marion is a resale cafe...and I love it...I have space...a little nest...to sell my yarn, teach knitting classes...and of course enjoy the coffee and pasteries this little cafe has to offer. This location will blend perfectly Gerties Knitwear and The Garden Wren floral design studio. I will bring in florals to showcase in the shop, but the focus will be on the infant gifts, yarns and classes.

So exciting...we are setup and have already had some knitters in to buy yarn. Classes will start in November. I will be posting the schedule in the next few days.

We are having a GRAND OPENING for Vintage and Gertie and the Garden Wren October 15th, 16th and 17th...Stop in say hello!!! Call Cheryl with questions at 319.241.9987 or email at thegardenwren@yahoo.com.

Vintage is located at: 933 8th Avenue, Marion Iowa Find Vintage on Facebook

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Some Days are Magic


On this Mother's Day, a big hurrah to all mothers. Twenty seven years ago I celebrated my first Mother's Day. I was pregnant with my daughter, Lindsey. We sat on my parents front porch, sipped on lemonade, laughed at my already huge belly and I opened presents. I received my first real maternity jumper in denim... a very fashionable tent, that I loved and wore proudly. (As the months progressed, I needed a tent.) My parents were elated and couldn't wait for this baby.

Since then I have been fortunate to have four more children and celebrated many Mother's Days. Some were good, some were not. Sometimes, I felt forgotten, taken advantage of and just plain depressed that my family didn't shout to the sky to celebrate my hard work. Other times, I felt pressured in to going out to eat at a "chain" restaurant, that I hated. Many years, I was even asked what I wanted to do for Mother's Day and my honest response was taken seriously,,,"just nothing."

Today, was a perfect Mother's Day. I woke up to a ray of sunshine streaming in the bedroom window. My 22 year old son was spending day two on a much needed roof and shingle job over our kitchen. Yesterday was tear off...today he even came back...to put the shingles on. I went out into the yard early,,,said a good morning to my son, greeted every flower with a smile and began digging in the dirt. Throughout the day, I shot a glance at my son...and was proud. He did an amazing job, and worked his fanny off. I couldn't remember having him around all day, all weekend for a long time.

My daughter called and wanted to know the plans for the day...I said...I am working in the yard...come on over..she did with a bag of my favorite goodies and we all just relaxed outside. No pressure, not having to go somewhere, prepare something, rush, rush, rush. Just some conversation.

I had called her earlier at work and expressed a little dismay that so far only two kiss mee over the garden gate flowers had reseeded....then while digging...to my surprise I discoverd two larged patches of them sprouting through the grass!!! And even some Sweet Annie! Well,,,that is a photo op...so I ran to the house and grabbed the camera.

The day went on...I planted and planted, new seeds that will grow new surprises...
The yellow glow from my daugther's gift, a candle - frangrance "Happiness", welcomes me inside as we settle in and prepare the upcoming week.

Happy Mother's Day.