No Boys Allowed!

Pink lilies and roses, fine china, crystal, candles and music. What else could a girl want?

How about laughter, fellowship, music and fun?

This morning, Saturday, November 8, 2003, was the annual Ladies Fall Brunch at our church. Each year women from the church gather to de-stress before the holidays while eating a catered brunch served on fine china. The theme this year was “Real Women, Real Stories, Real Faith.” Four women from the church at different stages in life (ranging in age from 25 to 74) told their stories of how Christ had impacted and changed their lives in dramatic ways. It was presented in an unforgettable video format (that is available to purchase for $5). The stories were honest, powerful, and very real. The message was beautifully presented and was a great tribute to God’s love for us.

This year I had the joy of hosting a table for this event. I was responsible for providing the china, flatware, crystal, serving pieces and a centerpiece for a table of eight. I was thrilled to participate in this way because I’ve been dying to show off my grandmother’s china that I inherited last Christmas from my mom. In addition to Grandma’s china, I used sterling flatware, a cream and sugar set, and a centerpiece bowl that had all belonged to Jim’s grandmother, Janet. I made a cloth overlay to go under the centerpiece that was pink fabric piped in about an inch of burgundy silk. The centerpiece, a fresh bouquet of pink lilies and roses and some kind of baby eucalyptus was just stunning. (I clearly did not make it myself!) The table turned out beautifully!

One thing I always love about the Fall Brunch is that the twelve different tables are all so different, yet all represent beauty in a different way. I think that’s how it is with us. God can see beauty in each of us in a unique and special way, even if we can’t see it ourselves.

I've posted pictures and a slide show of this event that I was thrilled to take with our new digital camera! (If you choose to watch the slide show, you have to have QuickTime and it may take some time to load if you are using a modem.) Enjoy!