Vintage Southern Weddings at Magnolia HIll

Vintage Southern Weddings at Magnolia HIll
Southern Romantic Weddings, Destination Weddings and Receptions at Alda's Magnolia Hill • 5110 Stageoach Road, Little Rock, Arkansas | call: 501-690-2574

Sunday, April 12, 2020

Remembering the Legend of the Dogwood


 There is a legend, that at the time 
of the Crucifixion the dogwood 
had been the size of the oak
 and other forest trees.


 It was chosen as the timber for the cross
 as it was strong  and tall.

To be used for such a cruel purpose
 greatly distressed the tree, 
and Jesus, nailed upon it, sensed this, 
and in His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering said to it: 

"Because of your regret and pity 
for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree 
grow large enough to be used as a cross. 

Henceforth it shall be slender
 and bent and twisted and its blossoms 
shall be in the form of a cross. 
...two long petals and two short petals.  

And in the center of the outer edge of 
each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust 
and stained with red,
 and in the center of the flower 
will be a crown of thorns. 
All those who see it will remember." 
                                    
                                                                                       - author unknown


Even though this is just a legend, 
I appreciate the reminder 
of my Savior's sacrifice for me 
when I see these blooms.



Somehow every year by Easter, 
our Dogwood tree has been in full bloom. 
The purple Wisteria on the dock  is in full bloom
 at the same time as the Dogwood trees.






In my lifetime, I have never missed
 an Easter  church service...
but this year is certainly different. 


In honor of all the health care workers, 
especially those that have passed
 though our Magnolia Hill gates...we are staying home. 

 Healthcare workers are literally risking it all to save us.
They say,  "We also have family but we can't stay home...
Be responsible and STAY HOME because I can't"


Especially pretty in spring, but also in the fall,  
 as swirling scarlet and purple leaves 
add to the fall landscape's  autumnal palette.

Colored red berries on both the white and pink dogwoods 
attract songbirds through early winter. 


The pink dogwood is an American classic. 
This pink Dogwood was given as a gift in
  honor of my mother as she lost her battle with Breast Cancer. 


These legendary trees have long been part of our native landscape 
and provide an aura of magnificence in a 
100% North American native cultivar that ranges
coast to coast.... from Maine to Florida 
and from the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific Ocean .




America's founding fathers were big dogwood fans too.
 George Washington planted them at
 Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson planted them at Monticello.


And we too,  love the Dogwood trees at Magnolia Hill.  

It has been an amazing week hasn't it? 
Buddy and I hope you have a blessed Easter
 and see God in the flowers and trees 
or where ever you celebrate. 
As Max Lucado says, "With God's help we 
will get through this!"

Pssst: Did you know Magnolia Hill  is on Instagram? 
You’ll find me on Instagram here:  Alda's Magnolia Hill 


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Thursday, April 9, 2020

Vintage Easter Bunny Hop


Since this year we are all sheltering in place 
I am sad there will not be any little people 
coming through my back door on Easter 
with a loud "Hi Happy!"
  (that is what I am called by the two
 most important little people in my life... ages 2 and 5!) 


Bunnies came out of storage 
and they are all around the house.


 Thank goodness, right after Valentines day 
I started pulling out the bunnies for an Easter Party.


And Little velvet chicks....


 Easter candies and marshmallow bunnies 
appeared on the table and quickly disappeared
 when the little boys were able to come
 before the crisis. 


 They loved the cutest bunny teapot 


 The Easter basket was mine that my mother 
had saved and perfect for felt bunnies 
and marshmallow suckers.




 A velvet bunny in the kitchen...


Staying so close to home, and sheltering in place, 
I can still hop down the bunny trail 
as bunnies carry their baskets full of roses 
and share some Easter inspiration. 



Have you every read the book,
 The Little Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings ?  
You know how some books that your mother read to you
as a little child just touch you and stay with you forever?
I loved the message that there is only one of "You" .


I thought you might enjoy 
a bit of a "Bunny Hop" 
as they have hopped all over the house.

 Easter Sunday will mark one month 
since we've been sheltered here. 
I know some of you have been confined
 to your homes even longer than that.  


And yet there still seems to be signs of hope

 all around--in the faces of the heroic first responders
 and health professionals working extra-hard.

Some of my most favorite bunnies and eggs 
are in the dining room and help to make your home 
 places of grace even while you're stuck in them. 


 Beaded eggs by Katherine's Collection 
 fill a crystal bowl. 


 A favorite velvet bunny
 and his little chocolate friend. 



 A framed vintage postcard 
from my postcard collection circa 1906
 displayed with white velvet bunnies.


 The teapot lamp brightens 
a corner of the dining room. 


 Of course not real chocolate bunnies, 
but they sure do tempt little boys!


We will just have to wait until next year 
for the big egg hunt, 
but I hope you can celebrate Easter or Passover 
with those you love 
even from afar...or by Zoom, 
or Facetime...or simply the phone. 




I hope you are all okay, I hope those you love
are safe and well, and I hope you’re 
weathering this storm with your family. 
What an unprecedented time.   

Wishing you a joy-filled weekend ...hugs! 

Be sure to join us on Instagram too!   https://www.instagram.com/aldasmagnoliahill/

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Saturday, April 4, 2020

Welcoming Spring on the Porch & Gratitude


Hi friends! With Easter only a week away, I thought I would share how Spring 
has blossomed and bunnies have multiplied . 

 The dogwood wreath on the front door is
my spring inspiration for I just love Dogwood trees. 


When the first buds of spring peep through their winter sleep, 
I start fluffing the pillows on the porch.   




 As the miracle of spring unfolds, I like to think of my front porch 
as a cozy resting spot in which we find the reassurance 
of new beginnings especially this year. 

Bunnies seemed to be popping up on the porch everywhere...



It was so nice to have a clean fresh porch! 
 If you have known me very long, 
you know I love a porch, and the gatherings on the porch.

 This forced quiet time has certainly let us keep busy
with projects like installing a new front porch and painting it. 

 Living in a hundred year old house there is 
always something that needs some refreshing. 
A fresh coat of paint will feel smooth and cool to summers bare feet.  


 I found it was too easy to become overwhelmed,
 and stressed watching the news on the 24 hour television
 that was holding me captive. 
 I had to turn it off and get busy while limiting
 myself to checking in only once a day. 
The porch seems a nice diversion to step away from all the news. 





Quiet reflection on the porch... Reading a good book, 
counting my blessings, and especially missing those I love... .


 The rocking chairs got a fresh coat of paint too. 
They were a Christmas gift from my husband the first year in our house.








Miss Magnolia finds herself all alone these days
except for a few left over jonquils. 

Enjoying the last camilla blooms from
 time spent on the porch. 
Notes to self while under "house arrest" ....enjoy the gift of the day. 

 My heart is saddened by the loss of a lifelong friend
 to the virus. Yet I am so full of gratitude 
with her gift of friendship through the years. 


" No disaster can overtake you, 

No plague can come hear your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you, 
To keep you in all your ways. "
Psalm 91:10-11


Stay well, sweet friends, stay well.