Happy 2nd Birthday

[The Grower's Daughter]

Willen, seconds after he was born, all fresh and new and perfect.

Two years ago today, my husband and I got to meet our baby boy for the first time, and from that moment on, our lives have never been the same.

Happy 2nd Birthday Willen.

Meet Oliver

[All Photos - The Grower's Daughter]

It's a well known fact that anyone who frequents auctions will, eventually, come home with a find that they most definitely didn't need, or perhaps even want, but somehow, ended up purchasing. For some of us, it's an awful modern painting that was bought with the hope of beginning a collection of artwork, and will, for years to come, remain collecting dust in our attic. For others, perhaps we purchased a massive lot of something which seemed like a steal at the time, but is quickly looking like it may be given out next year at Halloween.

For me it was neither a painting, nor a lot of unnecessary items.

Meet Oliver.

 

This handsome Miniature Schnauzer is 5 months old and possibly the last thing I needed to come home with. But, somehow, I stumbled across him and was instantly attached.

I wasn't as smitten with his more dominant brother, who wanted to be the center of attention, nor was I as taken by his mischievous brother who cared only for digging and chewing his way out of their crate. There was, however, something about this runt of the litter who was curled up in a ball, sleeping in the corner, who quietly came over to be pet and sat contently, that stole my heart. After a few calls to my unsuspecting husband, he was ours.

I really don't know what I was thinking, but somehow, I missed most of the furniture, skipped the implements and really couldn't have been happier with my find. Luckily, I purchased a small lot of ironstone (rare for a sale of this sort), which was up on the block before I met him. It turned out the be a successful day after all!

To Market, To Market

[All Photos - The Grower's Daughter]

Last night, just as the heat seemed to be lifting, and the night began to cool off, my parents popped in to take us down to the market in town. Because it's a smaller market, it's held on Thursday nights in town square. I don't mind, because it means I can attend a larger one in the city on Saturday mornings.

I was excited that our flower stand had a small pail of peonies for sale for the first time this season, so I took a couple bunches home with me, along with a pint of the season's first strawberries. Fresh picked local strawberries, all sun-ripened and sweet are one of my favourite things!

Here are a few other lovely stands that I like to frequent.

Cheesy Guys - They carry an assortment of the best local cheeses, including local cheese curds that are so fresh they still squeak! They've quickly become one of my favorite treats.

Howell's Family Farm Fudge. Yum. So far I've just sampled their delicious fudge because I don't dare bring any home for fear of it not even making it to the door.

The Herb Lady. She always carries an assortment of local, organic herbs.

And, this ladies man - The Chocolate Expressions booth. His accent is as thick as his caramel and I think he truly believes that chocolate is the way to any woman's heart. Though who could blame him, I mean even I get a little giddy when he's handing me a pretzel dipped in caramel, coated in nuts and drizzled with chocolate. Seriously.

A lovely assortment of peonies in various shades of pink from the Flower Man. Gorgeous.

I'm off to clean my house, and get things ready for a trip to an Auction a few hours away tomorrow. It'll be a super early morning, but I'm expecting to come home with a truck full of treasures!

Happy Friday girls and have a lovely weekend!

Wedding Two - Dean and Laura

[All Photos - The Grower's Daughter]

The second wedding we attended this past weekend was held in the most gorgeous of settings - the woods.

I have to hand it to the bride for being able to pull off such a feat. Honestly, with the rain we've been getting, I would have been a nervous wreck. This wasn't just any outdoor wedding. We were up the side of the escarpment in the middle of the woods. It had stormed all morning and by the time we were getting ready for the evening ceremony, we were convinced they would have found us another venue. But, upon arriving we were ushered up the winding hill, into the coziest of spots.

The rain did hold off for the rest of the evening, and even the mosquito's seemed to stay at bay. The ceremony was followed by a reception at the camp mess house and shortly there after were enjoyed a night of dinner and dancing.

It really turned out to be the a perfectly intimate wedding and a lovely night out.

Congratulations Dean and Laura!

The bride, with her beautifully natural bouquet and elegant dress, was escorted by her father up the path.

They exchanged rings and vows on the simple wooden platform surrounded by moss covered boulders and a plain wooden cross.

We all sat on old wooden benches tucked into the side of the hill. The view surrounding us was breathtaking. Everything was slightly damp and earthy and the birds were singing happily. The forest was lush and green thanks to the rain that morning.

We were ushered out by a guitarist who lead us all back down towards the reception.

The bride and groom.

The entire ceremony was almost completely natural with the exception of some white covers for the benches and a couple pretty baskets of flowers.

As we got to the bottom of the hill, we crossed a small wooden bridge, over a small creek.

The car the bride arrived in.

And, the reception. I thought this old mess hall made a fabulous venue. I especially loved the old lights! They roasted a pig on a spit and we enjoyed an assortment of salads, meat and fresh breads for dinner, as well as cupcakes for dessert. Each guest brought a bottle of Peach Chardonnay, made by the bride, home as a favour. Guests were able to lodge in the camp cabins for the night, and were invited to join the bride and groom for breakfast the next morning.

Wedding One - Rebecca and Nathan

[All Photos - The Grower's Daughter, and Family]

As promised, here are a few photos from our first wedding, my sister's, this past Friday.

I was in the wedding party, and when I wasn't busy with pictures and other duties, I was styling the set up for the reception which took place in the same barn afterwards. It was so busy that I just didn't have time to take as many photos as I would have liked, but I was busy with more important things!

It was quite literally the perfect day. The weather was as good as it could possibly be and everything went as planned and looked gorgeous. Really, the photos don't nearly do it justice.

Congratulations Rebecca and Nathan!

She was the most stunning bride in her antique white dress that was simple and elegant. Her veil was trimmed in pretty lace and she wore a simple strand of pearls. Isn't she gorgeous?

She carried a simple bouquet of luscious cream and soft pink peonies tied with lace.

This was the reception in the barn. There was awful fluorescent lights (hence the horrible lighting in the photos), so we hung strands of garden party lights which made the ambiance so romantic.

The tables were simple with cream tablecloths, truffle brown napkins and a burlap table runner. The guests got homemade biscotti as a favour, which was made by my mom.

We stenciled the table runners with a monogram which really personalized them.

The front of the barn was decorated with old sap buckets full of white Hydrangeas and cream Garden Roses, as well as huge bundles of curly willow.

I used old windows as place settings and my chalkboards to write out the menus for the evening.

This was the entrance she walked through during the ceremony, and then all of us again later for the reception.

Old mason jars with zinc lids were filled with peonies and placed around the barn, on tables and in the windows which made the whole barn smell so lovely.

Our bouquets - cream Antique Garden Roses.

The head table was decorated with all of my old crates and ironstone, carriers and anything else I had stored in my garage!

I made chocolate and vanilla cupcakes for dessert, which matched the cream and brown colours.

As well, I did her wedding cake. It's a vanilla bean cake with vanilla buttercream and a chocolate truffle filling between one layer and a Robin's egg blue buttercream filling between the other layer.

And because I couldn't resist - my son. He was the ring bearer and he was just the most handsome little guy ever! I was so proud.

They were the happiest couple, and really are the perfect pair.

Left Over Flowers

[All Photos - The Grower's Daughter]

I hope you're all having a restful Sunday. We're so thankful for a quiet day today as a family, with gorgeous weather and nothing to do but relax after a busy, but amazing, weekend.

Both weddings were so beautiful and turned out so perfectly, but there will be photos coming later on them so I won't get into any details!

I just quickly wanted to share some of the most gorgeous flowers that are making my house smell beautiful.

They are left overs from my sister's wedding - White Peonies, which graced the tables and filled her bouquet, and Antique Cream Garden Roses which were for our bouquets (the bridesmaids), and filled old rusty sap buckets around the barn. The Hydrangeas were placed in sap buckets as well (above), and were part of the front of the church for the ceremony, and were also around the head table later.

The cut flowers are so fragrant and brighten every room in my house!

Have a lovely week ladies.

Pink Peonies

[All Photos - The Grower's Daughter]

This morning, after a few days of much needed sunshine and warmth, I was able to cut a few of the first peony blooms in my front garden.

Much to my delight, these were already established when we moved in. I prefer soft pinks and delicate whites and creams, but these still make me happy and smell heavenly.

Earlier this season, I planted a white Peony Tree (From Japan), as well as a row of white Festiva Maxima peonies especially for cutting. I can't wait to enjoy them next year.

Until then, these lovely beauties will fill my little bud vases, and grace each room around my house with their delicately aromas.

Have a lovely rest of the week and weekend ladies. I will be celebrating with two weddings, one belonging to my sister, who coincidentally, is having white peonies and the softest pink garden roses for her bouquet. I can't wait!

This is a pretty apothecary bottle I picked up at a Flea this past weekend on my way home. It has remnants of a hand written label and looks gorgeous in this old white utensil caddy I found at the show. More to come on those...