Saturday, April 16

Weddings on April 16th

This ceremony was supposed to be held outside, but we were grateful that they had made the decision to move it indoors, since all hell broke loose soon after. More about that later.

I had to make 15 - count 'em - 15 of these kissing balls. Whew!! They are labor intensive.

Mel decorated the arch and made the arrangements to flank the arch.

The bride's tossing bouquet of white calla lilies.

Half of the tables had these tall calla arrangements.......

and half of them had these low centerpieces.

This was one of the pew markers for the first wedding; it was the only decent photo I got of this one. I loved the colors; all purple, lavender  and cream. Raleigh and the surrounding areas turned into "tornado alley" for several hours this afternoon.Mel and I returned to his shop after having delivered two weddings at 3:00 pm. The storms were brewing, so I left to drive the 13.5 miles home. It was very dark and windy, with a bit of rain, but not too much. As soon as I arrived (3:45), mr. kenju told me about the tornado warnings on TV, and we sat down to watch the reports. Mel called at about 4:15, to check on me and I told him I had heard of damage to an area of town that is only 1/4 mile from his shop, so he drove back there to check on it. The power was out, but the building was okay, unlike many in that area. It gives me the willies to know that I drove home through the eventual path of the storm, preceding it by about 20-30 minutes. We have no damage at all; just some broken tree branches and leaf debris. I did see some insulation and torn shingles in our yard, but it didn't come from our house. I wonder if the storm deposited it far from where it was gathered. I drove out later to go to the grocery and saw a lot more of that foam insulation in the streets and yards of my neighborhood. We were lucky and I am very grateful that we sustained no damage and that I got home without incident. Many people here were not so lucky; five have died and many homes and businesses are damaged. (Don't ask me why the text went all wonky - I didn't do it!)  








16 comments:

Celia said...

So glad you made it home alright and Mel's business was unscathed. Sounds much too close. Your pictures are beautiful especially the pew marker. Sorry your community has suffered this, my prayers for all.

jaycoles@gmail.com said...

I am so glad you are safe. The flowers are (as always) beautiful.. Love the calla lilies.

"The Calla Lilies are in bloom again - Such a strange flower."... Katherine Hepburn in Stage Door.

Gilly said...

I'm so glad you were OK - tornadoes must be really scary - I'm just thankful we don't get them like that in the UK!

I love those tall calla lily arrangements on the tables, they look so stately!

Pat said...

Thank goodness you got home safely. The decorations are most unusual and I love the colours.
Do you ever feel there is an imp in the computer pushing your buttons for sheer devilment?
I couldn't get on line for half a day yesterday.

Grannymar said...

I am so pleased you reached home without too much trouble and that the house was undamaged. Our weather patterns are so strange right now.

I love the The bride's tossing bouquet. Great flowers throughout.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I just went on the Compuyer for the first time today---Saw the Headlines, and came right here! So glad you and Mr. Kenju are okay...It sounds like a truly horrific storm with so much damage near you....Thank God, it did not hit you, my dear Judy.
It had to be scary indeed, to know you were racing in front of that storm the whole time on your way home. So glad you are safe and sound, my dear.

Darlene said...

It must have been frightening to drive under those conditions. I am glad you didn't suffer any damage.

The arrangements are lovely, as usual. I would not have the patience to make those kissing balls. Personally, I loved the small table arrangements best. Were the flowers really orange?

I feel sorry for the brides to have their wedding day marred by a disastrous storm.

Joy Des Jardins said...

Tornado warnings...good lord, I'm glad you got home okay. Oh those flowers....just gorgeous. I love the Calla Lilies, and those Kissing Balls are beautiful...and they do look like they are a lot of work.

Fran aka Redondowriter said...

The wedding is beautiful, Judy, and I'm glad you got home safe and sound. I hate to tell you that it was 80 degrees today.

Did you do OK at your friend's funeral?

oklhdan said...

So glad you are OK Judy. Your beautiful floral arrangements are as gorgeous as ever! I'm not sure I could tie 3 flowers together with a bow!

Anonymous said...

It does sound like a tornado must have been down somewhere. Glad you came away safe and sound.

Nancy said...

When I first heard the reports of tornados in North Carolina, the first person I thought of was you.

Thank Heavens you and your family and home were untouched by that terrible storm.

We received the tail end of that storm here in Pennsylvania much later that day and thankfully, it had calmed down by then. Just rain.....

Ginnie said...

Thank God you're safe !
On a happier note can you tell us how you made the kissing balls?

Kay Dennison said...

Your angels were with you!

The wedding flowers were -- as always -- magnificent!!!!!

tiff said...

crazy times all around - text and weather both!

Gilly said...

Are you OK? Our newspaper is full of pics of the damage to Raleigh. I'm really hoping it missed you. You seem to have had several tornadoes in your area, it must be awful for people to find their houses just flattened. xx