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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

For loving days: another farm wedding!

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the bouquet I carried in our daughter's wedding, dried in l'atelier;
with my stick woman

I love a wedding, with its organza and lace, armfuls of flowers, pretty white chairs, music, sacred ceremony, and dancing, though part of me would like to avoid expensive wedding balls, if they are built on prestige and poppycock. As for Valentine's Day, I have always felt that love is for every day, and a box of chocolates, though tasty, lacks a bit by way of imagination.

But ain't love grand? Mais bien sûr! Our son is just engaged to be married to a woman he is in love with, and so are we. They will be married here on our hobby farm in August, three years to the month after his sister was married to her love here on the farm. (I posted about their wedding here.) Once again we get to mix satin and straw, quilts and lace with Queen Anne's lace, golden sunflowers and golden rings. There will be games, Mason jars with lemonade and beer, blackberries and golden raspberries, family and friends, torches and bonfires, music and laughter, kisses and tears. These are our children, grown and happy. And won't James be bouncy in his seven-month baby fat watching Unkie Pete wed his bride and new auntie? Or will he be crawling after a damselfly dressed up in gorgeously iridescent tulle wings?







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47 comments:

The Broad said...

Many congratulations to the happy couple -- and to her Mom as well! Sounds like a very beautiful start to married life -- surrounded by love and wonderful memories and incredible natural beauty. Sounds like the perfect beginning ...

Montag said...

Mazel tov! Again!

The picture of the chairs with flowers has depth: the worn paint in the areas where many legs have rested... perhaps tired, perhaps themselves worn out, and the beauty of the flowers, evanescent in their own way, yet never to be tired from walking those endless mile.
It gives me an odd feeling, in the sense that I have never juxtaposed old chairs, legs, and flowers before.

Marcie said...

How beautiful!! Another wedding!! How exciting it must be to see them grow into their own loves and lives!!! You paint such a romantic picture of the perfect country wedding!

Kathleen said...

How lovely! Happy Valentine's Day!

erin said...

a wedding outdoors on a farm - sounds about perfect to me.

i deliberate on the happy photos. they seem less like two dimensional photographs to me and more like books, volumes, story after story, that which comprises one life. it is staggering.

such joy. yes, let's focus on this joy.

xo
erin

Heather said...

What a beautiful couple. Congrats! They look so happy, and I know you and Don are, as well.

ellen abbott said...

How wonderful! Weddings are so full of love and promise.

ksam said...

Ah Congratulations!!! This is lovely news indeed!! Watching sons fall in love is wonderful. Seeing them be the kind of men, loving,gentle and so considerate, that we all hope for, is the single greatest reward I've ever had as a Mom. Now watching them love their daughters...beyond words!! Enjoy it all!!

Judy said...

Oh I can't wait for the wedding! I enjoyed the last farm wedding so much via blog! I'm excited!

Friko said...

White lace and promises, again.
Many congratulations to this sweet couple, may their love never wane.

You are right, love is for every day, but there is still great pleasure in reminding oneself. It can so easily get hidden in the dust of the commonplace.

hedgewitch said...

How exciting and what fun, Ruth. May the celebration of two loving beings uniting be everything wonderful for all concerned.

The Bug said...

Congratulations! I can't believe it's been 3 years since the last one - time flies...

Val said...

thats a beautiful post and perfect for valentines day! congratulations to the beautiful young couple and to you and your lovely family

Rosaria Williams said...

Such a magical time to look forward to! Congratulations on the happy couple and their parents. Having a home wedding is most precious and the intimacy keeps it real and meaningful.

Babs-beetle said...

Another wonderful time for you all!
Congratulations to your son and his future wife!

George said...

Yes, love is grand, Ruthie, but I will not be sending you chocolates this Valentine's Day. Far be it from me to be accused of having no imagination. How about this—to use an expression I just discovered in an essay by John O'Donohue, I will send you and your loved ones, especially young James, your son, and his bride-to-be, a "forest of dreaming." Now how's that for imagination?

You have a rich life, my friend, a life made all the richer by the poetry that is written upon your heart. May you and your family become the poem that you most want to write in your own forest of dreaming.

Barb said...

Happy news indeed on Valentine Day! Just seeing your photos helps me imagine the wedding to be! Congratulations to the happy couple.

Louise Gallagher said...

How divine!

and exciting!

Congratulations to everyone. Can't wait to read and see all about it! :)

I love the lightness of your being here.

Unknown said...

oh, I love George's comment!

Congratulations!
Your cups runs over so , Ruth.

( gosh , they are both so beautiful and radiant and clearly in love )

Rubye Jack said...

They're such a beautiful couple!

Your description of the wedding sounds like something out of a Bertolucci film. Spectacular in its simplicity. How exciting!

Arti said...

Just wonderful! Congratulations Ruth! They look beautiful together. And, has it been three years already, for your daughter? Of course I remember your photos. This is just lovely to have another wedding on the farm... and with a baby nephew dressing up for the occasion too I'm sure. What a blessing!

ds said...

Oh, joy! Another simply, beautifully perfect wedding. Another plum tree! (?) Another couple lit by love.
Many congratulations to Peter and Andrea. Truly your family's happiness has no bounds--thank you for sharing--I'm giddy for you all.

Amy @ Soul Dipper said...

Oh - this feels like family. Don't we just take position in this blog world? I feel as though I could be pitching in, helping with the arrangements made with such love.

freefalling said...

Oh she's pretty and got sparkly eyes!
What wonderful news!
How great to see both your children now wrapped in the arms of love.
AND a little baby person as well!
Ain't life grand, Rootie?

Brendan said...

Yes, ain't love grand? Boy the celebrations sure keep rolling your way ... your farmhouse weddings sound like old Irish festivals. And for you, the harvest of long loving -- its something like writing poems for decades. Congrats ... Brendan

The Cranky Crone, she lives alone! said...

That is such good news, especially on Valentines DAy.......I missed the wedding 3 years ago, so look forward to the next. What a beautiful couple the make too.
Your description is scrumptious, I like that position between glorious nature and fine fabric and mason jars.

Ruth said...

The Broad, thank you for your congratulations, we had such a great time at the last wedding. There is something special about this place.

Montag, thanks! It doesn't seem like 3 years since the last wedding. I really like old things, and we have them in spades around here. They lend energy, and as you say, depth, just as our forebears do.

Marcie, thank you so much for your enthusiasm! There's nothing like a party in the country here in Michigan in the summer. We'll keep our fingers crossed for good weather!

Ruth said...

Thanks, Kathleen!

erin, well, having been through this once before, from start to finish, I can testify that a farm wedding is about perfect. Thank you for seeing the depth of stories in these photos; there is much truth in them.

Heather, thank you, yes, Don and I are thrilled. You led the way with your farm wedding reception, so lovely there with the bluebirds.

Ruth said...

Ellen, thank you for sharing our joy!

ksam, how wonderful that you have experienced these joys so completely!

Judy, you are so good to remember and look forward to the next one. Thank you!

Ruth said...

Friko, thank you for your congratulations! Believe me, I have no problem with a special day devoted to love. I just want to be more mindful of it every day.

Hedge, thank you so much. We are pretty laid back about these things, even as we plan and attend to the details. Just spending time together is way too much fun.

Dana, thank you! I know, I can't believe it's been 3 years.

Ruth said...

Val, welcome and thank you for your enthusiastic blessing.

rosaria, I appreciate your congratulations, and your understanding of that special intimacy of a wedding here in this wonderful place.

Babs, thank you! I can't believe this son is going to have a wife!

Ruth said...

George, how I love your imaginative gift of a forest of dreaming. My inner landscape is populated with trees, and the North Woods are where I most feel at home. So nothing could be better. I do feel rich, immensely so. The pleasure of your friendship is one of my riches, and I thank you for your kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity.

That is not to say, however, that I wouldn't enjoy that cup of coffee and a plate of chocolate truffles together. Thank you, my friend.

Ruth said...

Barb, thank you! There is no end to the inspiration we are feeling here these days, surrounded by nature and these old buildings, dancing in our imaginations.

Louise, oh thank you! I will love sharing with you.

Deb, I love George's comment too. Aren't they beautiful, these 2?

Ruth said...

Rubye Jack, yes, Peter and Andrea are quite easy on the eyes. Andrea is going to wear something vintage, and I so look forward to seeing what she comes up with. Thank you for your comparison to Bertolucci, I think. (I have not seen one of his films; but I am hoping for the best.)

Arti, oh thank you, my friend, for your warm enthusiasm! Yes time has flown, I can't believe it's been this long either. And I do look forward to seeing James and what his mother dresses him in. You should have seen him for Valentine's Day! :-)

ds, isn't it wonderful? I couldn't wait for you to know, knowing you would be so pleased. It means the world to me that you share our giddiness in all these celebrations, my dear friend. And I will look forward to sharing more with you.

Ruth said...

Amy, so wonderful that you feel that way. Thank you. No doubt you will witness the unfolding of this event in the coming days.

Letty, I love you share my enthusiasm! Life is so good, and she is even prettier and more sparkly in person. In fact she's one of the most beautiful people I've met. And as for the baby person, Grammy will have to make sure he doesn't get a sunburn.

Ruth said...

Brendan, I do like to think of old-time celebrations that went on for days, or the ones in places like India where they still do. Such celebrations don't abide by clocks and allow us to get every bit out, draining to the last drop. It's terrific to see you back, my friend. You were missed.

Ruth said...

Cranky Crone, it's so nice of you to share this joy. There is something so delightful about a wabi-sabi wedding, and sometimes I think there is a bit farm in all of us.

Jeanie said...

Have I been reading your blog this long? Oh, my! I remember Lesley's wedding and I'm delighted you can have Peter's too! I know it will lovely in every single way -- not the least of which is -- the love!

Vagabonde said...

What wonderful news! First you greet a new baby in your family and now a new daughter. The bride is very pretty and they both look so happy. It will be much fun to have this wedding at the farm.

We are also invited to a wedding, the last week of July – in Chicago. My daughter’s brother in law is marrying a young Indian lady from there. It will be like my daughter’s wedding – most of the guests are from the Kerala region of India and will wear traditional Indian clothing. But in any clothing and any tradition weddings are a time of rejoicing and they both will be fun.

Shari said...

Ruth, Congratulations to you and your family. What joy! I loved the last wedding and can't wait for the next. It looks like Jaime's wedding may be finally happening. Don't want to jinx it. But you would laugh. We drove for 45 minutes to tour a wedding "farm". It was beautiful with miles of white fences. It even had a few horses. There was a beautiful victorian "house" with chandeliers. There was also an antique barn available. Jaime was prepared to pay $1,700 for the barn but she balked at an extra charge of $500 to have the ceremony under a nearby oak tree. Alas, everything was another extra charge from table linens to an optional horse drawn carriage. That didn't count flowers, food, drink, etc. It seems that you are sitting on a gold mine! Seriously, I am so happy for Peter and his bride. I'm sure the wedding will be wonderful.

Ruth said...

Thank you, Vagabonde! And congratulations to your daughter's BIL and joining cultures again. I have often wanted to attend an Indian wedding. I suggested to my future daughter-in-law that we might do henna on our hands for ours.

Shari, thank you! Congratulations to Jaime. Wow, $500 more for the tree. Incredible. We have had a couple of offers for people to get married here, but more theoretical than anything. Maybe when we retire!

Ruth said...

Jeanie, it doesn't seem like 2 1/2 years since the wedding to me either. Thank you!

RD said...

Congratulations to all! Farm weddings have got to be the best--can't wait to follow along with you as you prepare. I remember Lesley's wedding pictures on your blog. So beautiful. And yes this couple is gorgeous together. Very best wishes for a long and happy life together.

Ginnie Hart said...

I think it will be another day in heaven for all of us, Sister! We can hardly wait....

Montag said...

The photo is obsessive:

"Heidelberg Chair With Eyes, Thinking..."

like guyton's heidelberg project...
the sunflower yellow "eyes"...
and the mind is the prismatic water in the cranium of the glass jar, taking the sunshine and bending it!... to its own!.. ... purposes!!

Ruth said...

Thanks, RD! So good of you to remember Lesley's wedding, and now to follow along for her brother's. Thank you for your very bright wishes.

Boots, we are all so thrilled that you and Astrid will be here!

Montag, yes, the Heidelberg project, just the one I couldn't remember. Thank you. And for your sweet poem that packs quite a punch, how beautiful!

sandy said...

I can't believe it has been this long since Leslie's wedding.

How wonderful for you to have another one find his love!