In spite of the fact that that I have not blogged in almost a month, it seems hundreds of you kept checking in here to see if I am back. Thank you for your continued optimism.
John and I were on a road trip. We drove to Berkeley CA to participate and celebrate his daughter's wedding. Kate converted to Judaism a few years ago so this was a Jewish wedding with many of the traditions unfamiliar to us. The brides did a fantastic job of planning many things to bring everyone together. There were dinners, services, lunches, cocktails. breakfasts and the actual wedding. By the end of the weekend, everyone knew everyone on both sides of the family.
We all stayed at the same hotel. This was the view from our room.
The wedding ceremony took place on a hillside overlooking San Francisco Bay. If you look closely at the brown hill right in the middle of the trees, the little white specks are goats. It was an amazing place to have a wedding and the weather was perfect. The guest sat on white cushions placed on the wide stone stairs.
Kate and Margee were married by a wonderful rabbi who was kind, loving and humorous besides having a deep full awesome voice. They were married under the tradional chuppah.
This particular chuppah was constructed of squares made by family members.
Here is the square that John lovingly made for his Sweet Kate and her Margee.
There were other traditions that were wonderful, if not immediately understood:
John also made their "guest book". The girls requested that he draw a tree and then the guests stamped their fingerprint as leaves and signed their names. At least the guests who were not in the witness protection program stamped their fingerprints.
It was a wonderful wedding and we wish them a lifetime of happily ever after.
Sounds like you had a great time. The weather wasn't the best last weekend. I live in Modesto less than 100 miles from Berkley. Hope you got some time to shop in some of the most unique journal fodder shops in the US.
Posted by: Sharon Bennett | Thursday, 09 June 2011 at 08:17 AM
Ah, we knew you'd be back eventually! We have all been relaxing in your red family room this whole time. We got rid of all our pizza boxes and wine glasses before you got back...
Love, love the fingerprint tree.
Posted by: Pat P | Thursday, 09 June 2011 at 08:23 AM
I LOVE the tree with fingerprints idea!! I'm stealing it:-)
May they be full of joy and remember this day always.
Posted by: Judi | Thursday, 09 June 2011 at 06:27 PM