warm welcome home

We landed in a drizzly, foggy Nashville last weekend, but it didn't dampen my mood one bit. I was thrilled just to be home. A wedding Saturday night and then a party on Sunday - that is my kind of homecoming! If rain really is a lucky charm on a wedding day then this couple certainly got their fill. It poured and thundered right as we sat down for supper, but it made for a very lively mood inside the warm tent. Lots of hugging and chatter and a few spins on the dance floor with my family - such a ball.

Then my dear friend (and partner in crime) threw me a little shindig on Sunday. I've told ya she's special! She fixed a ton of delicious food, my mom made champagne punch, and friends stopped by. Miriam ran around the whole time, scurrying between legs and grabbing a ham & roll whenever they were in her reach. I am so lucky to have these beautiful ladies in my life. So, so lucky.
 

secret society

Gourmet food, flowing vino, bluegrass music, and lot's of activities – all at a secret society event?! Sounds like heaven to me. Garden & Gun (my favorite mag) hosted a big weekend at Blackberry Farm for their very special peeps. Fly fishing, cooking classes, and did I mention Julia Reed was there? Love her! There's a zing about her writing that always keeps me turning the page. She'd be just the type of person you'd love to find yourself next to at a swanky bar.


So I'm thinking a weekend there with friends–spent cooking, hiking, relaxing, and indulging on too much food & good wine is in my future. A very distant future, but just the same I am making my plans for one fine day.

beautiful photos via here

books and bedtime shower

This is a bit belated, but I still wanted to share this fun party. Mom and aunt Louise have a lot of the same friends since they're sisters. A few that they go way back with, offered to throw cousin Lauren and I a shower. And by golly they went all out. The drinks were flowing and the mood was mighty spirited for a Sunday afternoon. We gathered at Louise's house and were immediately taken in by this lovely group of women. Smiling faces and curious minds all focused on the bellies. Some even remembered stories to tell about us as babies. I can only imagine our mothers in big mexican tent dresses, out on the farm, balancing us on their hips. We were definitely glowing by the end. Maybe not as glowing as those partaking in the champers, but glowing none the less. Keeping it all in the family, so to speak, Currier catered the affair with some divine nibbles. By gosh that girl has a way with food. Host Anita, brought children's books & stuffed animals to gussy up the spread. Adorable.




Lauren and I opened some wonderful gifts while the "adults" continued to get very lively. Somehow the roles had really reversed here. It was a ball! And I made sure to try each flavor of cupcake before I left. At this point, why not? The party was wrapping up and a few women sped off in a hot red convertible. In the wrong direction mind you. That was our clue. A good time really was had and now it was time to go home!

soul sister

I'm loving this new song. Maybe it's cheesy, but I crank it up every time it comes on the radio and it puts me in a good mood. We showered soul sister, cousin Lauren, with a bambino party last week. Friends gathered and toasted to her upcoming due date. I can't wait for her little nugget to nuzzle up against my neck. And I'm crossing my fingers baby b comes into this world with a full head of hair just like it's momma.



We're not sure if baby b is a boy or girl so I kept this invitation colorful and neutral. And since the momma loves her cowboy boots, I thought they were the perfect touch.

baby shower

Let the baby shower continue. I really didn't want it to end. My friends hosted such a fun afternoon. Just loads of sweet faces wanting to rub my belly. Currier did the food and totally outdid herself. Seriously, this chick is amazing. Mini "baby food" was all set up on a pretty table for folks to nibble on. The mimosas were flowing and the weather was crisp and sunny. I truly didn't want to leave. Lot's of soft, cuddly things to wrap up the bambino in and even a few items I'd never seen before. And I received three, yes three, little whale bathtubs! And now that I'm home and organizing all the little gifts, I'm trying to imagine this little baby inside. Trying to imagine how it will feel once it arrives. And thinking of all my friends and how good it felt to be embraced and supported during such a big phase in my life. Thank you to my sweet friends. I felt very loved.

"aunt" fifi, momma & chef currier

cutest baby food ever : baby bump sliders, heavenly little deviled eggs, prosciutto bundles of joy, sweet pea and spinach bassinets, cucumber & wasabi sammies, and petit tommies (tomato sandwiches)

the cousins - bumpin' bellies

Auburn roomates - one who came all the way from Charleston!

oh and of course cousin Lauren & I had the same necklace on. so typical!

bun in the oven

Way on back, when I was in middle school, I was given a nickname by my friends: Bonnie Buns. I don't even remember how it started, but let me tell ya… it stuck. And sure enough, it's continued. Though it's been shortened to just "Buns," to this day there are a few friends who still use this on a regular basis. Needless to say, a "bun in the oven" recently became very fitting. And so the theme of my baby shower was born. Miss Currier, my biz partner, illustrated the whole design and did such a nice job. I have to brag on her just a little. You could say it has a little spunk in the copy.





We mixed old stamps I'd collected with the cool new abstract art ones that just came out. The art ones are great because they're oversize. And I just love the mix. Adds some flair to the envelope.

special delivery

Over at Tenn Hens, I've been working on a sweet job that I want to share. It's such a treat to work with people you know and this particular client is an old friend of the fam. And it's an exciting time for her… she's having a baby. The concept was to incorporate the mother's move from Music City to the Big Apple in a whimsical design. A stork, in a cowboy hat of course, flying over the Brooklyn Bridge with a very special delivery. After all, who wouldn't want a country music, twang singing bird to deliver their baby? Sounds a lot easier than the real thing!

Oh and speaking of sweet things for a party… Cupcake party kits. These are mighty clever and would be killer at a baby shower.

via oh happy day

afternoon in the country

I sure love a good party. We didn't get invited to many soirees this year and the one I usually throw didn't happen either. Bummer. Work, babies and life just sort of got in the way this year I suppose. Oh well, it's still been a very cheery season and I'm looking forward to some good ole fashion family time this week.



We were lucky enough to get the nod on one fabulous party, Sunday. An afternoon in the country. Momma packed a picnic of cheese, crackers and mimosas for the road. It was an hour trip after all and we needed reinforcements. Dad stayed by the fire, sick with a cold, but hubs drove me, momma and Currier while we gabbed and gossiped away. We arrived as the sun finally came out and pulled into the drive, ready to stretch our legs. The hosts of the party restored an old house from the 1840s and call it Brookside. It's a federal style home in Giles County. Now, Giles Co. is where all the fox hunters ride so mom was pointing out all the various homes and trails. Beautiful countryside, but it's quite a haul.





We mingled and nibbled and I ordered a club soda + cranberry with a lime! That nog was mighty tempting though. Our host, Libby, had the most incredible spread and the country ham… well, it was simply the best I've ever tasted! Coconut cake, gingerbread men, pecan squares, fudge pie, sugar cookies, and peppermint petitfours - oh my! The men gathered by the TV in the kitchen to catch the end of the Titans game, while we took the tour. When I say this house was cool… I mean it was incredible. We all wanted to curl up and spend the night.



Our bellies were full of treats as we strolled around the garden. And this was no ordinary garden. The other half of the "hosts," Ben, is a landscape architect. He planted these mini boxwoods in scroll patterns, all just waiting to grow up when the weather warms. I can't wait to go back in a couple years and see how different it looks. That is, if we get invited back :)





Our crew rolled out with some pictures and big smiles. And Currier and I left the hosts with some little Tenn Hens "thank you" magnets (images from their birthday invitation this past summer). I think the ride home was even more wild thanks to my passengers. Somehow that just seems to happen after a few cocktails! We saw a donkey farm, deer, an owl, goats, draft horses and two mini ponies. Whew… it was like a funny farm.



Well, we're heading to Atlanta in the morning. Off to see the in laws and celebrate the season with them for a couple days. Trev's momma is quite the cook so we're in for a real treat. Then, we'll track back North to Chattanooga and see his dad's fam. It'll be a lot of driving, but we're so blessed to have all this family that want to see us! I've got a book on tape, some holiday tunes and my little gifts wrapped and ready too. I wish all of you friends a wonderful holiday and hope to return with lots of stories to share. xo

shower friends

MORE PICS FROM THE SHOWER :



baby momma + sara… being read Peter Rabit by amy's mom maida


currier + fiona + my mom (only ones drinking vino… no surprise there)


me + a-dub as I like to call her


sweet hostess leigh serving dessert


amy + char (notice the new folk art man in the background courtesy of mr. b)


erin + charlotte (still figuring out my camera so very blurry)


a very sweet pink gift


Amy is all set… now we just wait for the bambino to arrive!

little punkin

I've been slacking on the blog the last couple days, but my excuse is I've been in Nashville and just drove back yesterday. It rained the entire trip and I can not believe how much dreary rain we keep getting. Luckily, it was a gorgeous Fall day on Sunday and this post is full of color! I fact, I had to split this up so more party pics to come. My friend Amy has a little girl on the way, so we showered her in pink this past weekend. A group of friends took on hosting duties and divvied up the tasks.







My job was to get the house in tip top shape - my parent's house that is. My folks sure are wonderful. Mom had been out of town and Dad was super busy, but they didn't bat an eye when I said we had 25 ladies coming over the next day. They went right to work, dad in the yard and mom helping me make the house look party perfect.



I started by heading to a flower shop in Nashville. I stepped into their huge coolers of gorgeous flowers and was blown away. And maybe a little carried away too. They were just so pretty and the buds looked so tiny. I figured we needed a lot. So, of course I walked out with 5 dozen…yes, a little overkill I now admit.





You could say my father is a bit of a collector. Actually, that's an understatement, he's a huge collector! So, there are quite a lot of props around the house to choose from. One of the things I had been eying, were these antique coffee cans. Perfect for stuffing dozens of flowers in. Their antique colors and lettering is amazing.



The other hosts took care of the food and they did not disappoint. We had this amazing winter vegetable & bean soup, salad and rolls. Oh and we had to have cupcakes; strawberry, red velvet and caramel... deeelish!