"Lovely Honor"
By Cheryl Harwell Bailey

I have watched the today show all of my life. 
I still do. So I'm drinking my coffee, 

and I hear the word "wedding." 
I always pay attention when I hear the word, "wedding!"

Today I'm am loving the Today Show!

Listening to every smidgen in the details.
"Hoda" says's,
 "we have the cutest wedding story!"
This photo comes on the T.V. screen! 

 I see a beautiful Bride!

Her exquisite Bridal Gown!

The magnifique Bridal Bouquet!

The Beautiful Forest Venue!

It had much more than that! 

It spoke volumes!

I have never heard or seen any wedding,

like this one.
I see four Ladies 
flanking the Bride on either side.

They were most beautiful.

Each one in gorgeous blue lace.

Carrying little white wooden,

 baskets filled with petals.

"Here Comes the Bride,"

written in blue letters on each one.

The Bride gazing lovingly at the lady beside her!

Then Hoda said, "the four flower girls are the Bride and Grooms grandmothers!"

That's when I teared up!

A picture is worth a thousand words!

That evening when Randall arrived home, 

I was so excited to tell him all about it.

He had already seen it of course, on facebook.

He said, "oh that's neat!"

Just pondering on this darling wedding, 
brought Philippians 8:4 to mind.

Finally brethren, 
Whatsoever things are true,
Whatsoever things are honest,
Whatsoever things are just,
Whatsoever things are pure,
Whatsoever things are lovely,
Whatsoever things are of a good report;
If there be any virtue,
If there be any praise, 
THINK on these things. 

I slept well Wednesday Night!

The next day, I kept the T.V. on.

I usually turn the T.V. off and listen to music,

but I left it on, just to see the story again.

Which I did several times. 

I am happy the world was as happy as I.

To see a Bride, honor her grandmothers 

in this way, is precious.
 I knew this wedding took place in Tennessee.
I loved this segment so much
 that I pulled it up on line.
"The Today Show" with "Hoda and Jenna."
 It is still on line, and amazing. 

What I did not know!
What no one told me!
Kendra,
Yes my Kendra,
My daughter,
( I'm getting ahead of myself,)
was involved.

Keep reading please.

Since mother's have bragging rights,

(Kendra never brags!!!)
I'm blogging and bragging!

Kendra Bailey Collins

We are proud of our daughter!
She built a wonderful business 
with her own two hands!
 Kendra owns 

"Ever After Bridal and Formal Wear"

Keep reading please.

WHAT
we her parents didn't know? 

Kendra was the Wedding Coordinator for the 
sweet wedding we are all talking about.
Lyndsey purchased her Wedding Gown from  
"Ever After Bridal and Formal Wear,"
In Cleveland, Tennessee.

Also on Market Street in
 Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The End

The response has been touching! 

This scripture (if two or three...as touching any one thing) might seem COMPLETELY out of context here but, just knowing many of us are seeing, loving, being touched by any one thing no matter how far apart we are, as if we have shared this thing, this story, an emotion...
Thank you Lyndsey for having the loving heart to honor your Gram’s in such a unique way, Kendra Bailey Collins for your like-none-other talent and spirit and a dream long ago to do what came to fruition, through God’s blessing and guidance and your family’s 
perseverance and love, the Today Show for sharing it on air, Cheryl Harwell Bailey for making us aware that it was even MORE personal than we knew when we first saw it..
and thank you Jesus that your love shines out to believers 
in many ways.
Andrea Manos Preston

  

  

Falls Family Traditions

"A Word Fitly Spoken 

is Like Apples of Gold!"

Proverbs 25: 11

Season of mists 

and mellow fruitfulness!

Close bosom-friend

of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him

how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round

the thatch eaves run.

John Keats

Our Driveway! 

Our yard is a lesson in letting go.

The leaves are turning, and falling, 

to make ready for new ones, next year.

We must make ready as well! 

"Welcome Home"

Our front door has a screen door!

Our back door has a screen door!

Do we not all enjoy the screen door in the  

Fall and Spring?

"Who loves candles? You too?"

This piece is so special! 

I still can't believe 

Mom Bailey handed this magnificent crystal Crown 

down to Randall and I! 

She bought it many years ago in Germany. 

It whispers a quiet glow as the nights get darker. 

A tiny tea light candle sets the facets aglow with brilliance!

Shh! I add a secret ingredient to my

Cinnamon Sugar!

It makes a huge difference. 

And a steaming a cup o' tea

from my Brown Betty teapot!

The yeast bread is almost done. 
Randall is taking this photo 
and counting the minutes!

He has cut a hunk, 

and is smothering it in butter.

I just gained 5 pounds watching him!

Season Scent

A constant in my home every Fall and Winter.

 A generational tradition.
 Not just recipes, but family treasures.
I remember Grandma making these.
Her daughter, my Mother, made them.
She taught me.
I taught my daughters. 
Not only is it a constant in their homes,
they are teaching my grandchildren. 


Sliced oranges, 
Cinnamon (ground or whole,) Cloves (whole.)
Cover with water.
Bring to a boil, turn to simmer, 
keep a watch to add water through-out the day.

"Cloves In Oranges!"

It smells so great, and lasts longer.

Because of my Mama,

It smells so good in this house!

Who is that old silver haired woman 
sitting with my daughter?

Pumpkin Pie 
Yes, they also have a secret.

Mustn't forget 
"Mile High Apple Pie!"

Harvest moon is sooo beautiful!

The Neighbors,

want to See our House! 

This really happened!

Did I mention how much I love to decorate

everything and everybody?

I really try to stop, but I can't.

If I'm not decorating, 

I have died or I'm close!

No matter how much my feet hurt, 

my back aches, or my knees give out,

I don't stop! 

Oh the sweet pain of the final touch.

The wonderful fact is, 

I have 2 daughters, a sister, and some bff's

just like me!

Please indulge us as we go about 
making this world a little 
( dare I say,) 
"Better!"

There is a place beyond imagination
Finer than, any on earth, or any place else.


But as it is written, 
Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither hath it entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared
 for them that love him.
I Corinthians  2: 9

Forest Lane Cottage

"Ever After" 
Fall Memories

Juliet

Cinderella Before!

Cinderella After!
Ever After!!!

Fairy godmothers Carriage,

Emma Ever After!

Miss Tennessee Stephanie Whittler and me!
Honored to be asked to go the The Miss America Pageant,
where she won First Runner Up!

Grand Opening on Market Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee!

Randall & our little star, Emma!

Atlanta Bridal Market Fashion Show

Our daughter, Kendra Collins owner of "Ever After Bridal and Formal Wear."

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
 and lean not to unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths!
Proverbs 3: 5,6