Graduation Festivities

First of all hello everyone. I fear I may be writing this post to myself as I am sure many of you have given up that I would ever post again as it has been some time since I have been here. I am back and ready to write. Thank you for being so patient. My daughter Brittany recently graduated from high school as class valedictorian! We are so very proud of her accomplishments.Graduation was wonderful but sad too. An ending but a beginning. We wanted to throw her a nice graduation party and I think we were successful. The weather gods were in our corner. It turned out to be a glorious ,sunny, picture perfect day .
Here are some photos from graduation and the party. As you can see the party pics are actually more decoration pics rather then pictures from the actual party as I was so busy runing around during the party itself. You can click any picture to make it larger. They are actually much clearer that way.




At the house before heading to graduation at the school.

                                                       
                                                Britt and her brother LD(Little Dale) or Dale, Jr.









Britt and her dad, my DH

                                           

The happy graduate!



                                                           Britt delivering her valedictory speech.

                                            Britt and her close friends after graduation

                                                Britt walking out of the school for the last time.

                                              

       Britt's Kindergarten Graduation                                     

                                                 

An old scale my dad gave me with an ivy planted in an old strainer.

                                               This has the sun's glare on it but it is an old window frame I found at a yard sale  and I put Britt's school pictures in it.

                                           Purple and gold(our school colors )  planted in barrels at the sidewalk entrance.

                                               An antique chalkboard with school pictures (K-12)

                                            Purple and gold johnny jump ups in an antique box

     

Our pond out back

                                                                
                                       An info board about SUNY Geneseo (the college Britt is going to) and a graduation cap card box we made.

                                        

                                              Pics of Britt and a copy of her college acceptance letter in a frame.

                                             Under the vinyl which was on top of each colored tablecloth I put pictures of Brittany through the years.

                                                Our garage

                                              

                                            

                                              

                                             

                                             

                                               

                                                                    

                                                                                                                    

                                              

  

Wildflower arrangements my son's GF made and put into mason jars for me. She was a huge help with this party! She's a keeper!

Purple and gold sand pails for the silverware.

  

An old drinking thermos on the drink table with wildflowers.

A purple and gold cupcake liner garland . I stuck small doilies in between.

      
                       It was the 4th Of July weekend so I stuck red, white and blue around for affect.

Ice Luminaries, Snowflakes and Wreaths

I mentioned in my last post about doing a whole post on ice luminaries. I have seen so many beautiful ideas  for them on different websites and  blogs. I  thought I would try to put some all in one place. I just think ice luminaries are so peaceful and beautiful and along with ice wreaths and ice snowflakes would make wonderful winter decorations.
Perhaps my favorite ice decorations are these beautiful lace and ice snowflakes from Resurrection Fern.   They really are quite stunning. They are made from old doilies found at thrift stores , yard sales, etc. and tins. I think it would be neat to make various sizes too. Wouldn't this make for a beautiful entry  for guests arriving at your home?  Remember to click on any photo to make it larger and you will be able to see the beauty in these.


Picture from Resurrection Fern

 



Picture From Resurrection Fern

I also really like her wreaths.                                                                   

                                                

Photo -Resurrection Fern

     Instructions for this can also be found at Resurrection Fern here

     Ice Wreaths

Here are some more beautiful ice projects

This tabletop ice luminary I found years ago in an old Better Homes And Gardens magazine. The instructions are a bit blurry  but basically you make this one in a bread pan and use small cans weighted down with small rocks for the votive sections. To remove the cans when water has frozen just place a little warm or hot water in the cans and remove. Insert votives where cans were. Remember to place this on a waterproof pan to catch melting water. So simple and basically nothing to buy!

BHG

I love this next idea also found long ago at BHG

I especially love the square luminary on the right.

Better Homes And Gardens

A simple garland of blueberries and kumquats accents a window box brimming with votive candles and ice wreaths. To make your own ice wreath, place a coffee can weighted with rocks in the center of a square metal baking pan, add an inch or so of distilled water, and partially freeze. Place greenery on top of the partially frozen water, then add more water and refreeze. Gently pop the wreath out of the pan (and remove the coffee can) by dipping the pan in warm water. Nestle the wreath into soil in your window box or brace it with blocks of ice, then place a pillar candle behind it.

I love the frosted look of these next luminaries from Raised In Cotton and how they are nestled in greens .Wouldn't these be great to serve a cold dessert in?

Photo- Raised In Cotton

  
   Directions For Cranberry Ice Lanterns- Raised In Cotton
   Here are some different luminaries found also at Raised In Cotton

   More ice luminaries





   I love the amount of cranberries in this next ice wreath .

Photo- Craftown

                                                           


    Instructions for this wreath can be found at  Craftown



   Here are some from Simply Home And Family
   Ice Decorations Simply Home And Family

  Here are some beautiful ones from Stonewall Kitchen. Notice the star apple slices in the one luminary.




Picture -Stonewall Kitchen

                                                                      Directions here

Luminaries Stonewall Kitchen

These ice sculptures over at Craftberry Bush are amazing!

Picture- Craftberry Bush

Craftberry Bush SNOW Ice Sculptures

I think these reindeer ice wreaths over at  How Does She? are just adorable! You can make them with apples instead of carrots.

This one I found over at Creative Homestyle