Monday, May 23, 2011

Yesterday, I co-hosted my first-ever bridal shower for a bride named Caroline.





As I arranged the flowers on Saturday night, it quickly became evident that I hadn't purchased enough paeonia. And the stores close at 4! I remembered having seen a bush of the same color just down our street, and in a burst of un-Swisslike boldness, I grabbed my wallet and walked to a neighbor's house with two kids in tow.

"Hi... I'm your neighbor...pleased to meet you... I'm throwing a Bridal Shower... no, you don't know what that is, but .... I've run out of flowers and... may I please buy some of yours?"



Her generosity was moving; out of her house she buzzed like a worker bee, armed with shears and a smile overflowing with the solidarity of a true voisine.



Naturally, she would take no payment - but pictures are on the way!





A word for the Silver Spoons. There was once a woman named Ida. She lived across the street from where I live now, after having spent a lifetime as a governess for wealthy families. Over the years she had saved and poured her earnings into a set of silver for her hope chest... only no one had ever asked for her hand in marriage. She died alone... and there was no one to inherit her silver.



The silver fell into the hands of an executor, who eventually asked me if I wanted it. Did I ever!




And so, every time I use her silver (still brand new) I say a word for Ida. I tell her how beautiful it is, and thank her for it; I compliment her choice of pattern, and remember her.



Three toilet paper brides conclude an afternoon of feminine good-wishing. A lovely life for you, Caroline... showers of wishes and hope!

18 comments:

Ola said...

good to have such neigbours:)
sad storry about the lady waiting for a marriage all her life..

Joe said...

It is always good to have neighbors like your neighbor lady.

Evi said...

Ca m'a l'air tout réussi ! Bravo ! Et la robe de la petite tout à droite est très belle et originale. A mettre en vente sur le web "la robe jetable".
Est-ce que Caroline a aimé ta surprise ?

Judy said...

What a sweet neighbor, I can smell those all the way over here.
It looks like a beautiful shower, love the toilet paper brides.

Diane AZ said...

What a lovely bridal shower, the flowers and everything look perfect. :)

TexWisGirl said...

(Caroline was my mother's name... sniff, sniff...)

What a wonderful neighbor lady you have! I just want to give her a HUG!!! Please tell her that she touched the heart of a woman way over in Texas with her sweetness! She helped out my sweet friend Allison!

I love the story of Ida. You keep her memory alive and share the beauty of her silver and her dreams. YOU are a sweet neighbor too!

Changes in the wind said...

You did a fantatic job!

Meg said...

What a sweet little shower! And what a great neighbor to come to the rescue! :)

penny said...

Because you are a kind person, Allison.. a kindness was returned via, Ida's set of silver and the nice neighbors flowers for your beautiful arrangement.
I love the creative toilet paper bows :)

My California photos are from 2005.
I thought of you when I posted the quote.

Smiles and hugs,
Pam i am

Randy said...

Looks like you pulled off a very nice shower. Nice silver too!

Sarah said...

Trop beau trop parfait... t'es trop douée ;-) Bravissimo !
Et merci pour ton p'tit mot tout gentil sur FB !! ;-)

lindasinklings said...

Ah...and so with the silver spoons and the peonies, two more women stood by Caroline and wished her well. Beautiful in every detail, both seen and unseen; love was present.

Anonymous said...

C'est touchant, ton histoire! J'aime ta décoration, j'aime ces fleurs. Tu peux m'expliquer le mot "bridal shower"? L'allemande

Dawn said...

What a lovely neighbour...and what a beautiful shower! Such fun:)

Southern Lady said...

What a lovely shower! Isn't it nice to have good neighbors? I'm sure the bride enjoyed her shower. Carla

LBB said...

So much fun!! I love that you have such a wonderful story behind that silverware. So sweet! And great neighbors too! You created such a beautiful shower :D

Mom and Dad White said...

Allison, love the photos of the shower. You bring a bit of American culture to the Swiss. Very happy for Caroline.

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

I absolutely love going to bridal showers. What is wrong with me? Most people groan and sigh when they say they have to go to one. I love shopping for things for the home and kitchen. The shower looked lovely and what a score with Ida's silver. Oh, the flowers were beautiful too!!