I'm blogging at The Popculturedivas today

Join me at The Popculturedivas for a look at why Weddings Are Beginnings and Endings.

Summer Stock Sunday - 42

Robin's Summer Stock Sunday meme invites all to post summery photos, and to visit other bloggers who share their feelings and memories about this magical season.

Normally my vintage summer offering would go back a little farther than last year - but no matter.

Last year at this time, my sister Michelle was attending two bridal showers given by each side of her family. The first was given by her best friend, our cousin Julianne. The second one was given by her sister-in-law Reta and mother-in-law Joan.

Something I really love about bridal showers and baby showers is the rite of passage element to them. I think deep down, people need these sorts of rituals. I know they make me feel connected, not only to my own community of women, but to the generations of women who came before me and who will follow. The multi-generational aspect of showers really highlights that for me.





Shower 1









































































Shower 2

Thursday Thirteen - 174 - 13 Ways to Enjoy Two Wedding Showers

1 - Last weekend was a bridal shower double bill for my sister.

The first was a city shower hosted by my mom and my cousin, and was held at my cousin's house.


























2 - Above, Julianne MacLean and her cousin/bestest friend/critique partner, the bride-to-be, Michelle.

My sister with our mom, Paulette.



























3 - Tasty shower delectables.



























4 - Catching up with friends and family.































5 - Time to open prezzies. Including lovely confections like this lingerie.














6 - And this collection of recipes from my sister's friends at the office.


















7 - A new day, a new shower! This time at the cottage.



























8 - This shower was hosted by Michelle's new family-in-law-to-be. Above, her fiance's mother Joan chats with her lifelong friend.

My sister's new family-in-law has sisters, step-daughters, cousins, nieces and a step-granddaughter.































9 - More delish dishes of yumminess.












































10 - More fun - above, my mom nabs her gift back during a Yankee gift exchange.

The photographer informs Michelle what she'll be saying to Newt on the wedding night. These are taken from all of the bride-to-be's remarks as she opens her gifts. Hilarious!












































11 - More frothy confections!














12 - Newt's sister bestows a handmade cooking apron to Michelle. Now she's in like Flynn.

















13 - A lifetime of happiness is wished for Michelle and Newt!

Join me next week to hear what my sister's shower predicted would be her wedding night words.

Janet says I can't wait to read the 'wedding night vows' next week - I've been to showers that have played that game and it always turns out to be hilarious :)

Anne MacFarlane says Julia, it looks like so much fun. Hope Michelle's big day is just as wonderful.

Kelly Boyce says Congratulations to Michelle and Newt! I'm so happy for them.

Wordless Wednesday - 164

Akelamalu says Well the cakes look beautiful, can't wait to see the celebration photos. :)

Janet says Now I want cake! Looking forward to the pics and commentary tomorrow, Julia :)

Nikita Banerjee says Yummy cakes and my best wishes to Michelle!

Summer Stock Sunday - 29

My vintage look at summer for Summer Stock Sunday, hosted by Robin at Around the Island.


















Yesterday and this afternoon, my sister is the guest of honor at two bridal showers - one hosted by our family, one hosted by her new family-in-law-to-be.

In the timeless ways of summer celebrations, another bridal shower was held for my mom in the summer of 1962 by her landlady, Mrs. Crete. Mom was rooming with her, while her family resettled themselves from a recent ping-pong move from Michigan to Canada and back to Michigan.

Here in this shot is the bride-to-be, my mom Paulette, and behind her on the left is her mom, Juliette, with her mother-in-law-to-be, Viola on the right. The two moms held a second shower in their daughter's honor in absentia, as Mom was already posted with my dad overseas during his three-year US Army service. They sent all of Mom's shower gifts through the army posting delivery to Europe.

I'll be posting pix of my sister's two showers this week for Thursday Thirteen, if you'd like to drop by.

Nessa says It was nice that so many people took care of your mom.

Naquillity says What great friends your mother had. Lovely picture. And congrats to your sister on her two bridal showers. May she always be happy.

Robin says As someone who lives far across the world from the rest of her family I can really appreciate this - friends really do become surrogate relatives when you're away from home. Congratulations to your sister!

Summer Stock Sunday - 10

Last weekend my mom and I attended a bridal shower. A lovely summery celebration before the main event next Saturday. My sister would have joined us, but she was at another shower that she was partially hosting - a baby shower for her boyfriend's daughter. It never showers, but pours.














This is Tasha, the bride-to-be.

Her grandmother is my step mom, Doris. I guess that makes Tasha my step niece.














My mom enjoyed the bubbles set out at each place.














We had fun making naughty Do Not Disturb signs for their honeymoon...














All was hilarity until her sister and maid of honor began reading letters that her friends and family had written out for her.

Kleenex time.














Especially when her two missing step grandfathers were mentioned - including my dad. Both have passed on, but were very present in the room with us all afternoon.














Onward with the saucy fun!














It's fun to celebrate brides. Women sure have a lot of laughs when they get together for a wedding shower, let me tell you!

L to R: My mom Paulette, my step mom Doris, bride-to-be Tasha and me

For more Summer Stock Sunday, visit Robin at Around the Island.

EllieVellie says I can't wait to see her all dressed up! Please share with us!

Dina says Have a happy wedding. Shalom from Jerusalem.

Leora says She looks so happy - she radiates!