Sunday, October 4, 2009

A Howard Hoedown

This weekend was amazing with a capital "A". I was honored to be invited to my "ex"-nephew's wedding. I very reluctantly use the term "ex" as my neices and nephews will always be such in my eyes...divorce or not. And to think my oldest nephew is old enough to be getting married certainly helped me realize my current state of...well..."old". The ceremony was absolutely gorgeous...a wonderful outdoor celebration which more resembled a worship service than a wedding. I felt touched in ways one never expects from a wedding. The tears were plentiful from the moment Josh stepped up to the alter. All I kept seeing was the sweet little boy who was in my wedding so many years ago. Of course, I also had to suppress my chuckles over the memory of him disrupting our wedding ceremony because he was holding himself and very loudly proclaiming his need "to pee". He has grown into a strong and amazingly handsome young man. And least we not forget the bride...she was absolutely gorgeous! They make a BEAUTIFUL couple.

While the ceremony was light, yet reverent, the reception was done in true Howard tradition, i.e....it was a "pah-tay"! Set outside under a massive white tent, the atmosphere was one of down-home elegance. It was finely catered but in keeping with the character of the bride and groom. Ribs, chicken and sliced pork with garlic potatoes, sauteed vegetables and field greens were served buffet style. Gorgeous wood carvings, lanterns and seasonal dried flowers adorned the white clothed tables. And the bar was open and happenin'. Add in a fantastic band and a partying group of people and you had the makings of a night to remember.

Here are a few of the random shots I captured with my point-and-shoot camera. I would love to show you pics of the bride and groom, but *sigh* I didn't get any. These are the most random, crazy shots...I guess that's what you get when you've had one vodka and cranberry too many.

A few Howard cousins:



Girlfriends:











Me and the mother of the groom, my ex-sister-in-law and good friend, Barbara:



Crazy boys:





A cutie groomsman (Colleen, this one's for you!):



The bouquet/garter catching couple:





It was one of the best nights I've had in a very long time. It was a homecoming of sorts. A time of reconnecting and re-establishing lost family ties and friendships. I hope your weekend brought you as much joy as mine did me.

xoxo
L

25 comments:

  1. What great spontaneous pictures!
    (my favorite kind) ;)
    It's nice to let your hair down every now and then, huh?
    I love the story about your nephew at your wedding, too funny!
    So glad you had a great weekend, mine was relatively low key for once! I got some scrapping done though...
    I've missed ya lady!
    ;)
    Tara

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  2. Great photos Lisa! Glad you had fun and reconnected with old relatives.... life is too short! Just because you got divorced does not have to mean you divorced the entire family.. speaking from experience here.
    Loved the story of your nephew at your wedding...
    xoxox

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  3. oops, I also meant to tell you how gorgeous you looked at the wedding! Fuschia looks great on you.
    Also, you truly are a dead ringer for Shania Twain!
    (has anyone ever told you that?)
    ok, bye for real this time LOL
    :)
    T


    Tara

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  4. You looked gorgeous!! Love those pics, and so happy that you had such a great time!! I've been meaning to blog all weekend, but really too lazy:) Maybe tomorrow, maybe...Have a great week girl! lOve, Jess

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  5. First off, let me start by saying that YOU my dear do NOT look like you are old enough to have a nephew that is getting married, you look great in the pictures, what ever it is that you are doing...can you please share with me ; )
    Glad to see you had such a great weekend and the you are reconnecting with loved ones.
    Have a wonderful week!

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  6. OMG Lisa! You looked gorgeous as ever! That pink you had on happens to be my favorite color of all time and it really looks good on you. I'm glad someone had an exciting weekend. hehehe

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  7. *U*
    *ARE*
    *HOT*
    *that*
    *is*
    *all*


    Well....besides....I'm glad U had FUN! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

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  8. I think YOU look AMAZING with a capital A!

    Glad to hear you had a FUN night! :-)

    Have a GREAT week, Lisa!

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  9. Looks like you had a fantastic weekend Lisa!
    And yes only can agree with the other girls...you are stunning!!
    Have a wonderful day my friend!

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  10. So glad you had such a wonderful time...you look stunning..and we all know you are a TRUE HOTTIE!!!! It was so great to talk and laugh with you!!!! I know how busy you are!!!! Have a great week...sweet friend... :-)

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  11. Amazing photo's.....you look stunning in cerise satin!! It looks like a fab time was had by all & your description of the wedding itself makes me wish I could have been a fly on the wall!!

    have a great week!! xoxox

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  12. I love weddings! Thanks for sharing the pics, you are sooo pretty!

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  13. You are such a beautiful lady! I have just found your blog and I'm so gald I did! I went on a tour of your blog and now I'm following your work! yay!!! :) I'm glad you were there for your nephew. It looks like it was geate time and always know that you are beautiful!!!
    blessings,
    Kim xXx

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  14. Looks like you had a great time!!! The photos are awesome and fun!! Sounds like my kind of party!!

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  15. You look fantastic! Wow, love the pink! The picture are spontanious and fun too! Glad to hear you had a great time. Have a wonderful week! Hugs!

    Chantal xx

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  16. Looks like you had a great time. Love that colour on you!

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  17. awwww it looks like a blast! And I bet it was a beautiful ceremony!
    yep, gotta hear your "other" stories! lol

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  18. Such fun pics!! Glad you had a great weekend!

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  19. I love your blouse in these pictures. The color is perfect on you!! You look Gorgeous (with a capital G)!!! Miss you...I'm just starting to get back in the swing. I have to get our layout done asap!! xoxo-Kim

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  20. That sounds like a lot of fun. I too have in-laws like that. Not from my previous marriages but from my brothers. We went to his ex-wife's house for Thanksgiving last year. It's great that we can all remain friends!

    Blessings,
    Christine

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  21. WOW, you look Stunning!!!!
    Are you and Shania twin sisters??? Lol.

    XXXJenneke

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  22. Sounds like you had a great time, thanks for sharing the photos! Loved the story about your nephew at your wedding, that was too cute! You look amazing Lisa, very happy and full of joy!

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  23. You are not old. You are gorgeous. I just gave you a blog award, it's on my blog if you want to go grab it and play along.

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  24. Oh Lisa..............You are just BEAUTIFUL!! I am lovin the pic of you and the cutie/hottie groomsman!!

    HUGGING YA TIGHT!

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  25. oh he is CUTE! he is your ex nephew so you can say that! LOL! it sounds gorgeous...totally my kinda wedding and what a beautiful time of year to celebrate outside.

    you look "hot" in pink, sista!

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