"Nothing of Significance Happens Suddenly"

My title to this week's post, "Nothing of Significance Happens Suddenly," is a quote from an ancient philosopher and used by the minister at Independent Presbyterian Church (IPC) in his sermon this past Sunday. This was a special Sunday as it was celebrating the completion of a beautiful pipe organ. As Ellen and I are laboring over the very challenging task of revising our Little Lamb Design designs for 2012, this really struck a chord, no pun intended! 

The beautiful sanctuary of Independent Presbyterian Church completed in 1926, as seen from the back balcony.

12 years of fund raising and planning, nearly 1 year of construction and installation, followed by 6 months just to tune the complex instrument, all came together in a joyous morning filled with thankfulness and music. How great that in this hurry up world where so many things are being dumb-ed down the cheapest and quickest denominator, that so many people came together and labored for years to have this organ completed. There were plenty of obstacles along the way, but there were those with vision who saw the project through. I believe that music is the universal language, and speaks to your soul, so it is really awesome to think of how many will be touched by the music this organ will produce for generations to come.

Just some of the nearly 130 pipes which compose this organ made by the Dobson Pipe Organ Builders

My father in law, Joseph Schreiber had been the organist at IPC for over thirty years and this instrument is named in his memory.  Not only did he set the bar for music during the worship services, but he also put into motion a music and arts program that enriches our whole community. He taught us all so much about hard work, attention to detail, and the value of doing things not the quickest way but the right way.

There is a whole orchestra contained in the organ, and I can't imagine the hours of practice required to master such a complex instrument, but we are all richer for the seed that my father in law planted, and that Jeff McLelland the current music director carries on.

If you live in Birmingham, or are ever passing through take the time to check out the beauty of this unique instrument, or better yet attend one of the many concerts or services where this powerful instrument plays a part!

Submitted by Stella 5/11/12

Morning of the Wedding Bridal Luncheon

I had the pleasure of helping to host a bridal brunch last weekend for a good friend's daughter and wanted to share a couple of the details in case you might be planning a similar event.  With everyone's work and travel schedules the only time to host the get together was the morning of the wedding. We were all concerned about planning too much the day of the wedding, but it all turned out to be very relaxed and fun! The bride and her bridesmaids needed to have a meal to get them through until the reception, so it was a practical way to kick off the exciting day.

We chose this colorful invitation and customized the colors of the bridesmaids dresses to match the actual wedding.  You can customize the colors of any invitation from Little Lamb Design for a small fee!

Next, my friend Shaun put together these simple table decorations with potted Gerber daises, little stainless buckets from the hardware store, and some shiny sheets of wrap in between. It was simple, inexpensive and fit in perfect with our pink and green theme.

I had heard about doing a bridesmaid's cake with charms for years, and here was my opportunity to try it!

The tea room where we hosted the brunch baked us a fabulous strawberry cake, and as they assembled it they place a charm for each bridesmaid attached to a ribbon underneath. At the other end of the ribbon we had attached a card with the meaning or fortune that the charm was to foretell.  Each bridesmaid and junior bridesmaid chose a charm to pull before we cut the cake.  Fortunes ranged from, a camper charm which meant their life would be filled with travel to a ring charm which meant they would be the next to marry. 

Somehow we all manged to eat a big slice of cake even though more cake awaited us at the reception just a few hours down the road.  It was great fun to get to share a little relaxed time with the our good friend and all three of her daughters on such a special day!

 I hope you have the same pleasure of being a part of such a happy celebration! Stella