Sunday, June 7, 2009

Weddings and Babies

This weekend we have been in Salt Lake City for some very wonderful events. We often miss living up North because of all the celebrations for our family and friends.
Friday was our daughter's birthday.
Saturday was the wedding for the daughter of our good friends the Steeds.
Today was a baby blessing in the Fenlon family.

The Steed's held their daughter's reception in their back yard in Draper, Utah. We used to live down the street from this beautiful home.

The house sits on 4 acres. Craig is a Master Gardener and has constructed a huge waterfall that goes down the mountainside.

My girlfriend Ruth is one of the sweetest women I have ever known. Here she is fixing the bridesmaid dress of her daughter Sarah before the reception began.
Monica and Judi.
Monica has the best recipe for a Chocolate Ganache cake that I will have to share with you sometime.
Judi and I, along with another girlfriend Beth, worked in the kitchen preparing and serving food for the evening. We girlfriends love to stick together and help each other.
April and her new husband Trevor are such a wonderful match.
As the sun set, lights came out all over the yard. It was like a fairyland.
This weekend we stayed at the home of our dear friends Pam and Ray Fenlon. Their son Jeremy and his beautiful wife Ali just had their first baby. Today baby Avalon was blessed in church. In our faith a baby is blessed when they are an infant and then baptized at age 8 when the child old enough to make the decision for themselves.
After church we went over to Ali's parent's house for brunch.
Her mom used a cute baby quilt to decorate the table.
Ali had made this quilt for her mom.


Ali's father Bob Bradshaw is also a wonderful Gardener. I wanted to show you some of his very creative ideas.
For the grand children's playground he layered the most interesting base on the ground.
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In the Salt Lake area there is a company called "Stampin Up" that makes rubber stamps. As they cut out the stamp they have a lot of left over rubber pieces. Bob hauled several tons of left over pieces and layered them down around the play equipment. Walking on these gives quite a springy effect.
Very cool idea, don't you think?
The entrance to the Bradshaw's gardens.
It was a rainy, cold day so some of the pictures look a little gray, but his grounds are meticulously groomed with over 400 different types of plants.
Bob talked about some of his gardening techniques.
This shed is the "brain" of the garden. Bob has designed electronic features that control many of the garden events. He has created a watering system that also sends out fertilizer. The ponds and lighting are electronically controlled by a panel. He even has a very hi-tech recycling program.
We were impressed.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those yards are amazing. Only dream of making my yard look as nice some day.

Kim Walus said...

What a fun and eventful weekend. I loved all of the pictures of your friends backyard. Very beautiful and it must bring them lots of joy! Congrats to everyone!

I'd love Judy's recipe too! Sounds yummy right now!

Linda said...

What an incredible yard! It takes all our effort just to keep our little patches mowed - plus we have lots of artificial grass. I bet he doesn't turn out quilts though like you do!

dotti white said...

Absolutely incredible landscaping--it looks like you had an amazing and wonderful time! There is nothing as wonderful as dear friends! Thanks for sharing your joy!

Janet said...

You must have had a great time, the gardens are amazing. I'd love a little shed like that.

Material Mary said...

What beautiful yards. What a beautiful reception and such a cute baby.

Mary

Carol said...

What a full wonderful weekend. What beautiful yards. Oh that cake sounds YUMMY!

Unknown said...

What a weekend! I love the pictures of the yards and the rubber stamps is a perfect idea for under a playground.

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Incredible photo's. What wonderful events you have to share. I love that waterfall xo

Micki said...

What a lovely weekend you had and the garden is beautiful!
Micki

Carrie said...

Looks like a busy, fun weekend for you. I love the pictures of the beautiful yards - great inspiration!

amy smart said...

Wow! Amazing gardens! I'm so glad you shared. The Stampin' Up playground cracks me up. :)

Sherri said...

What a gorgeous yard! Thanks for sharing! I love the Stampin' Up playground filler too!

Nanette Merrill said...

Food and friends. What could be better? That yard is amazing. I love it. I wish our yard looked like that, I'd have our daughters wedding there. The people that own Stampin up are in my ward. I just became her visiting teacher. Speaking of . . . I need to get on that.