CAFE de PARIS ~ Fall Dinner 2008

Just a little disclaimer here! Blogger seems to be messing with this blog! :) Does anyone else see blue "F's" everywhere and "this picture is unavailable" all over the pictures?

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The Student Council at our Bible School asked me to help with with decorations for the Fall Dinner this year. It is a dinner put on (in the Fall :) for the students, staff, faculty and board.

Each year they turn the chapel of the high school building into a banquet room with a special theme for this formal dinner.

Here was the invitation:

The theme they wanted was a "street side cafe in Paris, at night"! :)

Unfortunately, I have never been to Paris, so we did lots of looking online to find out what a street side might look like.

We decided to create these 5 shops:

CAFE de Paris - our cafe

(with "2nd story" apartment/billboard above the cafe)

La Roseraie - a flower shop

COLETTE - dress shop

TEA & TATTERED PAGES - bookstore/tea room

PAPABUBBLE - candy store

We had fun researching online for the names of our shops. Some (if not all) of them are names of actual shops in Paris. I did alot of cutting & pasting from different images online and came up with the below for a plan... not necessarily this color scheme, but this general idea (pardon the scrunched up picture, I did this in excel, which does not talk to blogger too well!!
This was our plan for the layout of the chapel

After hours of shopping, planning, discussing, changing, and changing again! :)Here are a few pictures of what we came up with.

The chapel has a tall dome ceiling that we completely covered with black plastic and hung silver stars from to create a nighttime feel.

We had some awesome artist do all the detail painting for our shops

(THANKS!! to Ryan J., Vicki C. & Chad C.)

Here is the "2nd story" apartment/billboard set above our Cafe.

The Cafe

Bookstore/Tearoom & Candy Shop

Looking thru the window of "Tea & Tattered Pages"

Up close of the candy shop...it wasn't quite complete in this picture, but it was fun to create.
The students cam up with the idea of having real candy out at this shop. It was a great touch, and everyone could "help themselves" during the course of the evening.

The Flower Shop
My very creative mother was the artist of this shop. She free handed the sign, researched all the French for the "Store Hours" sign on the front (including "Closed on Sundays"!! :) and overall did an excellent job of creating a romantic, welcoming feel to this outdoor flower shop display.

Dress Shop

The Tables

Denise M. (mom of one of the StuCo members) came up with the greatest idea for centerpieces.

She painted these candle holders black, then adorned them with grapes, grass and crab apples.

The picture below, does not show it, but right before the banquet she set apples on them with a tea light candle set in a small hole carved in the top of the apple.

They were perfect!! Then we also set basket of bread on the table as part of the decor/appetizer.

The Menu/Program

At the entry way to the chapel was a 17 foot cardboard structure of the Eiffel Tower. The guest entered under the tower, which was a neat effect. Not sure why I didn't get a picture of that! Remember, I am NOT a photographer! :) Because of the low lighting in the room, it was hard to get real clear pictures overall, but this is the idea!

I think the students and other guests had a great evening! The food was delicious, and the speaker was inspiring.

Here was our verse for the evening:

Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars...she hath also furnished her table. Proverbs 9:1-2

When we gave the speaker that verse, I thought "wow, that might be a difficult verse to build a message out of!". Later he said that someone had once told him that the Chapter in Proverbs that corresponds with the day of the month on which you were born is like your "life chapter". His birthday is on the 9th of the month, so he had practically memorized this chapter when he was younger. So he was very familiar with these verses and gave an excellent talk on wisdom.

Our week...

We have had a "busy but good" (as our friend Eric would say!) week.

I am HORRIBLE about toting my camera around, and now that I'm sitting here rethinking our week, I'm realizing all the great pictures I missed! Maybe next time!
Tyra gave me the most beautiful hanging candle this week...just because! I love it.
This picture does not do it justice, but it's the best this amature could do!

Our church is having a "Harvest Time" effort for the month of November. So last Sunday, we finished out Pastor Appreciation Month with a pounding for our Pastor and then a time of snacks and fellowship after church. Then we broke of into 3 teams to start planning for "Harvest". It was a fun time in the fellowship hall, but also a serious time, thinking about bringing souls to Christ. We have a "church school" and that tends to bring alot of different people into our services, but not the lost, and our church is really beginning to see the need of going out and winning souls for Christ. We have a little bit of friendly competition going on with the church being divided into 3 teams, but (hopefully!) it is all in good Christian fun!

We have started have"Taco Wednesday" with Derek and Tyra and mom and dad before church on Wednesday nights. Tyra keeps Madi for me till supper time and I make tacos and try to get prepared for our Wednesday night Children's Church service.

Thursday night was our Bible Study at our house. We have been having a study with some of the young couples in our church for the past couple months, with my dad as the leader. We have discussed alot of different topics, but this past week was on dress and modesty...so you know that was a lively discussion!!! :) We have felt God close many times during these sessions and I feel SO privileged to be a part with a devoted group of young people.

Along with the harvest effort, our team had a "fall block party" on Halloween night. Our team leaders graciously opened their home and their yard. They built a very welcoming fire in a metal pit and tables and chair for people to visit and eat. Lots of hot chili and other great food was served to their neighbors and anyone else passing by who cared to stop. They passed out tracks and candy as well. I was not able to stop by till late, but it was a great atmosphere with great people and a very pleasant evening. Seth had spent a good part of his day helping put a new roof on one of the building at the school, so he opted to stay at home with Madi as he was exhausted.

Adrian and Anthony came in to town for Hadlee's Birthday Party and stayed the weekend with us. Alexa thought it was really fun that Madi was walking and it was so cute to see her try to mimick her tottering around!

"The Girls", Tyra, Adrian, Taylar, and myself, got up on Saturday morning for coffee. We were able to spend about an hour together talking, laughing, drinking a "Sticky Bun" and eating Cranberry Scone and Blueberry Muffin...mmmm!! It was a beautiful fall day.

Adrian helped me run all around town, gathering up items for a fall display in the church foyer, and then they were off to the party. Later that afternoon, Adrian started making preparations for Sunday dinner...homemade rolls and the works. She is a great cook and enjoys doing it. I was contented to just follow her around with a wash rag and clean up the mess! :)

Saturday evening, we were invited over for games and fellowship with some of the young couples in the area and had a great time.

This morning I was PLEASANTLY surprised by the time change! I know I am so out of it, but seriously had not heard one person mention the change. But who doesn't need an extra hour on Sunday mornings!! We spent lunch today with my family and now we are off to another busy week.

This is my reminder to myself to stop and treasure what is important and enjoy the little things!

Have a great week!

My Little Name Sake...

Ok, so this is random, but my dear friend (clear back from the 2nd grade!), Cherita, named her little girl, Natalie! :) I'm not POSTIVE that I can say she named her after me, but I'd like to think so! I have only got to meet her a few times, but we got to spend some time together at camp this summer and she is a doll!

Cherita sent me this picture on my cell phone, so I could help but post it!!! Ain't she cute!?

Answer to Prayer

Just wanted to share a little prayer that God has answered for us recently. Since Seth is self-employed and Natalie works from home, we spend ALOT of time in the office. We only had one desk and this made it hard for us to get done everything that was needed in a timely and organized fashion. This picture shows just one desk with a table, but it has another corner desk attached to the other side of the table. We also have another desk on the other side of the office. All office furniture was bought used at an awesome discount. God answered our prayers in ways that we did'nt even imagine. It's awesome to know that God cares about us enough to answer our prayers exceedingly above what we could ask or even think!

Washroom - Gone to the Birds

We recently had a yard sale, and in preparation for turning the guest room to Madi's room, I sold most of my "Safari Decor" that I had had since we got married. Along with that, I decided to also change the main bath (which was also in Safari), but I had NO idea what to put in there.

Well, while shopping at Target (which does not happen very often) I spotted these ducks, and literally fell in love! :) I don't know what my obsession is with birds lately, but I could not resist these; and they were on clearance, which made them even better.

I bought 3...blue, brown & cream.

I also found this blue and brown shower curtain, which I also could not resist and the shade of blue went so well with the duck.

At the same rummage sale, my cousin was selling this Beatrix Potter (wrote "Tale of Peter Rabbit") print for 10 cents...Actually, it didn't sell, and I rescued it from the boxes that were going to the "Community Closet" after the sale. I had recently saw the movie "Miss Potter" and loved it! I don't remember her books much from childhood, but think her characters are just adorable. I had spray painted this silver frame white, and it happened to fit this print. Thought MAYBE I could get by with using it here above the latrine :) and think it turned out kinda cute!

I actually think I would like to add more of her prints in this room.

ALSO found these little birds at Target and again, could not resist.

This wreath is on the main wall opposite the sink, and looks a little lonely, but it's all the changes we could handle (afford!) for now.

Overall, I really like the new look. SOOO different from Safari, but feels so more me. Seth just shakes his head and says "I don't know what you're doing!" :) He's not one for change, so I do feel a little bad for him, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!

More Changes

Adrian arranged these flowers with a ribbon for me.

I love how this turned out!

Love this story...

Probably my least favorite arrangement. Seems a little cheesy to have a lifesize picture of yourself in your living room, but this is the room they match...so they stay!

Painted these leaves Almond...

made a big difference! and gave this arrangement a finished look.

Broke down and painted the birdhouse...made it look distressed with some brown paint. Love the finished look. I want to get a white vase (instead of the bright green!) and a new candle...the purple wax peeled right off of this one...otherwise, I really like the changes we've made here.

Victorian Meets Shabby Chic

I'm sure I can't make this transfer from Victorian to Shabby Chic without commiting some decoratoring faux pas along the way...Oh well! That's the fun of it I guess.
Vicky created this look on my armoire. I could never figure out what to do with this bird house and I think this is the perfect thing!

The birds were a great deal from Twigs. They are stone and I think intended for the garden, but they are light and work great here.

I'm not sure this arrangement is completed yet. It too is a work in progress.

Don't know what to do with the Courting Dulcimer now!...might hang it on the wall??

This little bird came from Dollar Tree...in 30 years, my kids will be saying, "she had these horrible white birds everywhere"! :)

Swans

Aren't these those most beautiful piece ever! I love this! I need help with what to put with it...with or without the flowers behind?

~ Corner Embellishments ~

Ok, so I'm not even waiting to to get the trim painted to hang these! These are the $3.40 bargian that Vicki found for me at Hobby Lobby! It gives such a warm feel!

Dining Room Hutch

This needs some more work!

It will be a gradual process...

Madi's Curtains

This is the material I hope to use in Madi's room for her curtains. The pattern I hope to simulate is at this link:

http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/2008/04/do-you-mistreat.html

I really like this lady's style!