"WE", A Sweet Story for Valentine's Day

During this frigid day, I have been busy cleaning out drawers and organizing.  It's amazing  what you re-discover when going through this process.  Today I happened upon this enchanting little celluloid program book for a fraternity dance in 1932, held in Milwaukee at the Schroeder Hotel.   Reading it, my mind started to daydream about that evening. 

 

 

 

Most of the beautiful Art Deco architectural details still exist today.

 

The Schroeder Hotel was the finest hotel in Milwaukee in it's day.  It is now owned by Hilton and still retains much of the charm of the original hotel.  In the year 1932,  I'll bet it was quite a big event to go to the Schroeder for a Formal Dinner Dance.  

 

 

And it seems that  Miss Doris Pope was being escorted by Mr. Ted Carpenter.

My mind wandered- I wonder how long they had been dating.  How did he ask her to the dance?

Was there a chaperone? 

But more importantly- what was Doris going to wear to the dance?

 

I purchased this dress from a Milwaukee antique dealer year's ago- could it have

been worn by Doris? 

 

Pink pearls are sewn into gold lace on the bodice, while silk velvet makes the sash.

 

Doris would have been the Belle of the Ball.

 

 

And what shoes to wear to dance the night away with her true love? 

Perhaps these ribbon embroidery ballet flats.

 

 

The menu in the middle of the little book gives insight to the cuisine of the evening!

 

Fruit cocktail- the star beginning course.

And a slight nod to the famous Wisconsin relish tray- hearts of celery and JUMBO olives.

 

 

 

What did the Green Room look like? I'm not sure but I did find  this picture-----

 

 

This is the large ballroom at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center now- still with the original light fixtures.

 

 

 

I think the Green Room should have had green china- like this romantic 1930's pattern.

 



 

Green napkins with romantic little cherub napkin rings.

 

I can just imagine Doris and Ted enjoying each other's company, while eating

Roast Sirloin and Parisienne Potatoes off  this plate.

 

And gorgeous gilded stemware for the punch that I am sure was served.

Looks perfect with those lovely crystal chandeliers.

 

Alas, dinner is over and the orchestra starts.

 

 

 I peek to the back of the little book and find

Doris's dance cards. 

 

 

 

 

Of the 14 dances, Doris has entered the word - "WE" 6 times, including the last dance, a waltz.

 

Doesn't the word "WE" just say it all?  

 

Mr. Young, Lee and Mullen didn't have a chance!

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day! 

 

 

 

 

 

Magical Farm Wedding in Green Lake, Wisconsin

One of the most rewarding aspects of  Romancing the Home has been the relationships formed with our wonderful customers.  I love to hear what's going on in their lives.  Today, I saw two of my favorite customers, sisters Robyn and Lisa, and had the chance to get caught up with what's been going on in their hectic lives.   Robyn shared with me some photos of her daughters wedding, held late last summer in a barn near Green Lake, Wisconsin.  I was so enchanted with the photos, that I begged her to send them to me to share with my readers on my blog.  So here we go--- 

                                    The wedding was held on the grounds of a
                                      beautiful nursery in Green Lake, Wisconsin. .

 

 

 

The bride and her flower girls heading to the ceremony.

 

 

The Aisle Runner

 

The ring bearer pillow

 

 

The beautiful couple

The wedding party

 

Gorgeous flowers in old barrels

 

How precious!

 

 

Robyn, the mother of the bride, found this metal cupola at the Elkhorn Flea Market in Wisconsin and had a carpenter build the chicken wire frame under it to house the "wedding chickens"!!

 

The cupola just happened to have the wedding garland on it- how perfect!

 

 

The chickens were a fun surprise for the guests.

 In a field near the barn, a tent set the tone for the dance hall! 

Swags of soft, flowing fabric created a romantic entrance to the dance floor.

 

 

 

 

   A gate made of old doors and fresh flowers beckoned the guests to come through and experience the next magical part of this wedding weekend.

 

Old lace panels, strings of pearls and a steer head grace the door of the Dance Hall.

 

Hydrangeas and roses in bark covered vases with tons of white votives.

 

A mis-matched collection of vintage china was gathered for the table settings on the long communal style tables.

 

 

It was so much fun for the bride's family  to put this wonderfully enchanting wedding together.

I can only imagine the hours spent creating, shopping,  planning and implementing.

 

 A gorgeous, creative and simply delightful wedding!

Heavy Snow Looks Like Cake Icing

Finally- on February 1st- a true Chicago snowfall!  Had to get up early to capture the snowfall with my camera before the snow plows ruined the beauty of the morning!  I took these pictures about
5 hours ago and it is already twice as deep.  Dare I go back out there to capture the snow's progress?
Maybe in the morning!  Snow is predicted to fall until midnight and the winds are going to pick up creating drifting snow mounds.  Not sure which to watch tonight- the Super Bowl or the Snow fall!

I never get tired of freshly fallen snow- so white and clean.

 The angel in the middle of the front drive has had many inches of snow upon her shoulders

over the years.  The snow continues to fall softly all day.

 

 

 

Wind is starting to come in from the lake and the snow is drifting on to the front porch

and literally  icing all the furniture and evergreens.

 

 

Normally, the porch floor is Charleston green.  Now it is slippery snow white!

 

 

 

 

The view down the street from our back driveway.  I keep looking for the horse drawn

carriages on their way to grandma's house!

 

A perfect mound of snow on the wicker tabletop.

 

 

The newly planted spruce trees are enjoying their first winter in Lake Bluff.

 

 

 

I love how the snow falls on the iron gates that open on to our front porch.

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Harry doesn't even want to do out for a walk.  He would rather stay

on his pillow by the fire and watch the winter festivities from inside.

 

 

 

 

 

I agree with Harry,  We can watch Mother Nature

"do her thing" through the windows.

 

 Post Script- The Morning After!

 

It's Monday morning and the sun is coming up over the lake

and the snow is glistening!

 

Looks like we got another 6-8 inches or so-

 

 Last night about 5 pm- maybe 18 inches high??

 This morning!  Our back terrace table- maybe 22 inches high?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How quickly Mother Nature changes!  Blue skies today!