The Sugar Free Wedding Cake- 50th Anniversary

I was asked to plan and execute my grandparents 50th Anniversary party including cake and small ceremony. I jumped at the chance!
Remember this post? Well, a lot of research, hope, faith and imagination and......

I used a rich chocolate batter with Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper. Then I torted-(I think that's an actual term) each of the six cakes with sugar free ganache and  whipped sugar free cream cheese buttercream. 
The homemade fondant, tiny sugar pearls and handmade white chocolate flowers painted with edible pearl gold dust were of course, not sugar free...but really the cake and frosting were so nice and decadent that you wouldn't  miss the fondant if you didn't use it..
The fondant just makes a more even finish on the exterior. Especially with the soft sugar free buttercream. And those that ate the fondant were pleasantly surprised at how good it tasted (nothing like that rubbery stuff you might be used to).


I went with a white/cream/gold theme. Gold being the 50th Anniversary color. I found that the gold can get 'gaudy' pretty easily if you let it get out of hand, so I kept it to a minimum.

cream and white paper flowers were scattered around the table

cream, white, and hint of gold pearls and stones added to dozens of candles

White love birds topped the cake while delicate edible pearls, gold fondant trim and gold tipped handmade white chocolate roses decorated it.

 

 

 

 

There were label cards in cream colored frames trimmed with 'pearls' to let guest know what they were eating beside each dish. The label cards rested on golden mini plate stands.


Rose petals were strewn about at the bottom of the arch where my grandparents renewed their vows. The lights were dimmed and candles lit. It was beautiful. They are beautiful. The memories I share with them will carry me through my life. 

Feb. 24, 1961

50 years later

 

 

Fifty years. That is an amazing feat. Even when times are great. When asked how they've stuck together all these years, they both agree that forgiveness and compromise will get you through anything.

I love my Granny and Popaw!

Winter is warmer in my mind

I am freezing! Alabama is COLD right now. We are forecasting a whole inch of snow for tomorrow! School will be out.

If you are reading this from a northern state, DON'T laugh. 16 degrees is far beyond what southerners are capable of 'getting used to'. All this cold made me think...

If I put up drapes instead of curtains and put in a wood burning stove for back up heat and buy a few more pairs of socks and long underwear....

Maybe, just maybe, my family will survive.

Seriously, if you are somewhere north of us and are laughing, it isn't funny.

Here are a few pictures I found for inspiration. Warm thoughts and wishes.

Spring will come.

Lazy Summer days will return.

And the lucky ducks in the tropics make me sick right now:)

Early this fall we were faced with a floor decision. To paint or to stain? We went for acid stain for a few reasons. First of all it was quick, cheap(er) and the most durable finish for our concrete floors. Still somewhere in the back of my mind I kept thinking I should paint them a trendy color and forget the fact that it wasn't a common activity. I received my February issue of House Beautiful and look what they featured!

 

This color would have been perfect.

 

Ah, well. I guess when it's time to redecorate in a decade and I've changed my mind about painted floors, I could do it then?

Stay warm.

Christmas trees

I finally got the girl's trees up! 
They love them.


Our tree is up too....
I'd rather not show it :-)  Maybe we'll get a new one for next year.

I made Alex's ornaments.

 

 

Gracie Lu's tree turned out to be my favorite.

 

We also have my great grandmother's tree in the guest bath and next year I want one in my room too, for all the more sentimental ornaments. Too many??


Wishing for a happy, healthy Christmas season for everyone.

updated pictures

 

Ahh, now we can take a small break and enjoy our hard work.  

 

 

 

powder room

 

 

And maybe go to bed on time..... (boy, I do need a bedroom suite)

 

( this was my great aunt's)

And Alex can play and relax if she can, in her ORANGE room....

(hobby lobby knobs and a fresh coat of white paint)

 

 

(this rocker is the one that my MIL rocked my hubby in when he was a baby)

 

And LuLu can have tea, and destroy play in her sweet room.....

 

 

 

or maybe sissy's room while she is at school....

 

They need bedroom suites too.There are so many things I still want to do.  But I am so excited that the things that still need to be done are simple weekend projects. I'm sure that in no time my nearly empty house will be overfull! Thank you again to everyone who came to the housewarming!!

Master Bath

Here are some pics of my very undecorated, bare bones master bath. But hey, it is no longer under construction!

And here is a picture of the beautiful ride around Highland Lake taking Alex to school.

And here is a picture of LuLu, just 'cause she's so darn cute.