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Lindsay’s Literary Baby Shower

Do you remember this exquisite wedding (and more wedding pictures and this fun bridal shower)?

Well, my “little sister” Lindsay and her husband, Bob, are expecting a baby in just a few short weeks!

[I took Lindsay’s family pictures back in November, and I’ll post them as soon as my hard drive is recovered!]

My sister Shannon (with friends Jessye, Tinsa, and Domini) knocked it out of the park again with the baby shower decor. It helped to have such a fabulous location.

The literary theme was carried throughout the room. Each guest table was topped with a stack of gorgeous old books.

Lindsay with her daughter, sister-in-law Domini, and mom:

Chalkboards with literary quotes were sprinkled throughout the room. This was my favorite:

Lovely brunch food:

The guest book was a darling picture book version of Anne of Green Gables. Guests signed the inside cover.

This adorable illustration of Anne of Green Gables was custom created by a friend. Lindsay received the original piece of art, and the image was the cover of the invitations.

What happens when Heidi is given the task of planning the baby shower game? The guests are given a literature quiz!

I gave them each a paper with 20 children’s book quotes and 20 children’s book titles, and they had to match them.

Want to give it a try?

QUOTES

1. “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver…”Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”__________

2. Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk.________

3. In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines… ________

4. Better drowned than duffers if not duffers won’t drown. ________

5. “Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” _________

6. Second star to the right, and straight on till morning. _________

7. “When I say ‘salutations,’ it’s just my fancy way of saying hello or good morning.” __________

8. We can’t go over it. We can’t go under it. Oh no! We’ve got to go through it!  _________

9. It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like “What about lunch?” ________

10. The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world.  _________

11. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. _________

12. For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.  __________

13. So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.
Then fill the shelves with lots of books.  ___________

14. “You were Real to the Boy,” the Fairy said, “because he loved you. Now you shall be Real to everyone.” __________

15. “Please, sir. I want some more.” _________

16. “No, Miss Minchin, you are not kind. And this is not a home.” _________

17. “I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I’ve never been able to believe it. I don’t believe a rose WOULD be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage.”  ___________

18. And for all I know he is sitting there still, under his favorite cork tree, smelling the flowers just quietly.  ___________

19. A person’s a person, no matter how small. ___________

20. As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be. _________

 

TITLES

A. The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

B. Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

C. Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

D. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

E. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

F. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

G. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

H. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

I. Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White

J. Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss

K. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

L. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

M. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury

N. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

O. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

P. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Q. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

R. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

S. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

T. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Lola Colette

From Senior to Sailor

The first year of my blog, I had a photo shoot with my nephew Drake. He was 9 years old, almost 10. Is that possible?! He was so little. Eight years later (this past October), I had the privilege of taking his senior photos.

In August he will be entering military service with the Navy, and he will be gone for many years. It breaks my heart a little that these kids grow up and start their own lives. Sniff.

[What terrifies me is that my youngest son, Leif, is 9 years old, almost ten. I’m going to blink and he will be graduating.]

Two of My Favorite Kids!

They’ve grown up a bit from this little girl and this little boy, haven’t they?!

Nephews

In the midst of other activities this past month, I managed to snag a few senior photos of my nephews. These handsome young men are my nephews Ronnie and Robbie. This was a quick head-shot photo session so they could turn something in for their yearbook. I’ll be taking more later in the year. [I’ll share some pictures of Drake in a few days.]

The Karstens Family

I have so much to catch up on this month after my 31 Days series last month!

We’ll start with pictures of my sister Holly’s family. I can’t believe her kids were so little when I started my blog (2, 9, and 10!). Ilex is now 19 and in college. Drake turns 18 this month and is in his senior year (senior photos coming up), and Ivy just turned 11. Many of you have watched them grow up over the years. Somehow everyone gets older but my sister. [grin]

Celebrate

I can't help myself. I must post more of this gorgeous wedding. [Check out more photographs here and here.] Isn’t it a dreamy location?

My friends Jessye (above) and Tinsa (below). (They are both in my ChocLit Guild book club along with the bride and her mother.)

After the kiss. (I love Daphne’s smile.)

Reception tables. (Again, décor and flower arrangements by my sister Shannon.)

My lovely parents.

Jessye (again) and my friend Danielle.

Rilla (above) and (Aunt) Holly with baby Sweden (below).

[Still more to come…]

Friend

The Beginning and End of Everything ~ Lindsay and Bob’s Wedding [Part 1]

“I love her and that’s the beginning and end of everything.” ~F. Scott Fitzgerald

[Chalkboard above and way below by my insanely talented niece, Ilex. Reception and guest book table flowers and décor by my insanely talented sister, Shannon.]

The bride’s brother and sister-in-law (above) and daughter and nephews (below).

Husband and wife.

Below: Shannon, Drake and Sweden, Ben and Rilla, Leif at the guest “book” (typewriter), Dad and Shannon.

Sweden (above) and Holly’s family (below). (Most of the guests came in Gatsby attire.)

Shannon and Lindsay.

[I might spend all week posting pictures…]