AM~Erica is Part of the Enchanted Forest

So anyway...

Do you know what is going on RIGHT NOW? If you said "Insane Holiday Shopping," you would be correct, but not the answer I'm looking for. If you said "Marillac's Enchanted Forest," then you would be exactly right! *DING, DING* You win a Whizzo Button! (old school reference, people)

Now the question becomes whether or not you've been able to visit. Well, those in the Kansas City area, anyway. So...have you? If you read my PREVIOUS POST, then all of the information is there.

Last night was the reception for the decorators. Even though our cute little tree didn't win anything...there was something exciting that happened while we were there...

OUR TREE GOT A BID!!

That moment was better than getting a ribbon put on a tree. Plus, I got to kind of dress up, spend time doing what my mom & I have done for years, and have the productive outcome of 3 generations working together.

Three generations worked together to make this Holiday Spectacle...tree...*ahem*

For the 1st time in 20 years (18 of them plotting a tree of some sort), OUR names appeared on a tree in a display that we have visited for so long. Plus, Teen Girl didn't know I had her name added to the sign. So I surprised her with it.

Let me show you some close ups of the tree on display. It still looks better in person, though...

 Our cute little tree...WITH OUR NAMES ON IT!!

 Close up of eyeglasses neck holder garland, sunglasses, and clear ornaments

 Giant eyeglass tree topper

 Clear ornaments containing eyeglass cleaning cloths & a bit of the amazing tree skirt

 See? "Eye"sicles. *snort* Get it? See what we did there?

 "Flowers" & clear ornaments: made or containing cleaning cloths

 Just me with the tree

Mom & Teen Girl with the tree

It was a lot of fun to hang out with the Marillac staff and other decorators. Plus...I got to enjoy some free mosacto spirits while getting into the Christmas spirit. Yeah...it was working pretty well.

I am stoked to do at least one more tree next year. We got to talk to the new Chick-in-Charge (that one's for you, Cassandra) about the set up, the organization & what may be in store next year. I really like this lady's vision. She was fantastic to talk to! And, for the first time, we really got to UNDERSTAND the fundraiser.

What a fabulous girls'-night-out with Teen Girl & Mom last night. And, there are probably about 50 trees & about the same number of wreaths. The display is spectacular. I am, also, loving the evolving tradition.

I highly recommend you see it in person. Really.

Click the banner, above, for more information on the Marillac Enchanted Forest

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica's BIG Wedding Weekend

So anyway...


If you read my previous post, you will know that I did watch the Royal Wedding. The ceremony, the hats/fashion, the dress, the transportation, the kiss...everything was wonderful! And the royal couple are so precious! The were like two giddy kids in love! The sparkle & twinkle in the eyes of both of them. The precious moment when William finally got to see Kate & tell her she looked beautiful (even when Harry HAD to sneak a peak). The funny little quip that William made to Kate's dad at the alter. We got to forget the horrible in the world for just a little while & focus on a joyous celebration! We also got to focus on hats galore (yes, even the ones that I think Fergie had Beatrice & Eugenie wear in her revenge against the snub of the royal family's cold non-invite). It was even more fun to see the crowds gather to catch a glimpse of their future princess & eventual queen. For those of you who are my Facebook friends know that I changed my profile pic to my big hat pic for the wedding...and for the Kentucky Derby next weekend.

Then I got to be the wedding coordinator for a wedding my hubby officiated for. We did the rehearsal with the boisterous family on Friday night, and then the wedding on Saturday afternoon. I have never seen a wedding where the entire family were ready for rehearsal EXTRA early...and guests arriving to the wedding an hour early! Talk about an excited bunch! Plus, the couple was so adorable. As a matter of fact, they both cried through the vows...so sweet! Another sweet & simple wedding with a lot of family!

THEN we went to a wedding reception of a family friend. Well, she's like my little sister & I always believe she's 8 years old. I think she hates it when I say that, but that's how it goes! The reception was a true party! She was super adorable in a full-on 40's themed short dress & pillbox hat w/ a mini veil. She was perfection! Since her dad passed away a few years ago, she didn't get the chance to get her dance with him...so she brilliantly had ALL present dads with daughters come dance in her place...with a condition: dancing to her dad's favorite song. So the daddy/daughter duos boogied down to "Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog". There was karaoke & we danced the "Time Warp"! There was even a makeshift photobooth for a chance to take 4 crazy pictures at a time! There was a peacock feather sent with each invitation, so I wore my peacock feather necklace & headband with a dress I've had for years that happen to coordinate! The bride donned a couple of peacock feathers in her perfect french braid, and the feathers were placed in center pieces, her bouquet & even the amazing 3-tier hexagon-shaped cake had edible peacock feathers on each tier.

What a crazy-amazing weekend for weddings! All so different & all so wonderful! So glad I got to be a part of each of them in some way, from watching from afar, to being hands-on, to enjoying a full-blown party in celebration.

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica