Front Porch Wedding

Front porch weddings might be trending as the coronavirus seems to take hold and cause a lot of couples to rethink their wedding as originally planned. 

 Recently we hosted a "Plan B" wedding for a very special Magnolia Hill bride who is a hero in her own right as a member of the National Guard.

“The National Guard is fully involved at the local, state, and federal level in the planning and execution of the nation’s response to COVID-19,” 
a National Guard Bureau spokesperson said in the release.  

“At the national level, Guard members are training personnel on COVID-19 response, identifying and preparing National Guard facilities for use as isolation housing, and compiling state medical supply inventories,” the release continued. “National Guard personnel will provide assistance to the states that include logistical support, disinfection/cleaning, activate/conduct transportation of medical personnel, call center support, and meal delivery."  

Our hero National Guard bride Maria and her fiance´ Santiago, chose to go ahead and postpone the wedding with all friends and family to instead,  have a simple sweet Front Porch Wedding.

 We rallied around our "hero" and gave her an intimate wedding with only parents and immediate family to watch safely from a distance. 

On the table a Bible 

and hand sanitizer...what a sign of the times!

The Arkansas National Guard has soldiers and airmen on state active duty performing a variety of missions in support of the Arkansas Department of Health, the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

The groom nervously twirls the ring and awaits for his bride...

Beautiful Maria arrives with a handful of white roses and the marriage license in hand. 

Vows and rings are exchanged on the front porch under Buddy's direction.

Photographer Lori Sparkman graciously 

agreed to catch it all even if from a distance 

with her camera and artful eye. 

Mr. and Mrs..."You may now kiss your bride!"

To bless the new marriage ceremony, a basket of white doves were released ...

Family stood nearby with their cameras 
ready to snap and capture the dove release. 
 All Less than 10 people!

Buddy signed the marriage license on the front porch and made it all official.

Since our 102 year old home is on the 

National Historic Register, 

I wonder if this is the first wedding

 on this southern style front porch. 

 It surely is under these conditions! 

 Arkansas Guardsmen are supporting 12 active missions as part of the state’s COVID-19 response efforts. 

Glancing down at new rings...

Hugs from dad

Our hearts were full as this couple bursting with love 

got married on our front porch.  

Monday morning back to work protecting us all...

 Watching this wedding from afar and 

knowing that this member of the National Guard 

can pull off a stunning wedding 

in a Sunday afternoon...all on the front porch. 

Congratulations ! 

“‘I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord,

 ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.’

Jeremiah 29:11

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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Fall Favorites at Magnolia Hill

Hi everyone, Autumn is the favorite time 
of the year for many of us, and
 I wanted to share some 
of my beloved aspects of fall.

At Magnolia Hill October is 
our most popular month of all 
for weddings...and engagement photos. 
 The days grow short, the air has a chill to it, the stores are full of mums ready to burst into color, 
and the pumpkins swell on the vine.  

 The red Chevy proudly made a trip 
to the farm store for a few bales of straw.

The trip to the farmers market is 
something I look forward to all year.



 I adore bringing out the fall decorations
 and making the trip to the
Farmers Market for pumpkins, mums and apples. 

That in itself speaks autumn love to me!


Late afternoons are filled with a time for picture taking.
Leaves floating on top the water signal of the changes to come.  
Perfect background for a dreamy Engagement Photo Shoot.

Sterling Images

The vintage red color of our 100 year old home 
is original and blends perfect for fall. 




Autumn is a time when nature fills the senses 
and decorating is easy 
with colorful leaves, harvest produce 
and of course the American flag.

  Oh my goodness, 

love is certainly in the crisp fall air!

 Our front door announces the wedding 
of the day with a bountiful fall wreath.

Autumn is a time of gathering in and feeling cozy.
 I bring out the quilts 
and drape them over the front porch rockers.

And my favorite taste of fall is 
simply
 my mother's recipe
 for Wagon Wheel Apple Cider.
Served in a mug or enamel cup.

A vintage picnic basket is perfect 
for a cozy weekend 
getaway for two. 
 A thrown quilt, warm cider, cheeses
 and comfort food set the mood.  

Crisp apples, crunch bread, crackers 
and assorted cheese 
make for a perfect casual picnic. 

Wagon Wheel Apple Cider

I like to collect old Thermos bottles 

from tag sales so that every person or couple

 can have their own thermos of hot cider. 

1 gallon apple cider

1 cup light brown sugar

4 2-inch cinnamon sticks

1 teaspoon allspice

2 teaspoons whole cloves

Pour the apple juice into a clean 30 cup electric, percolator style coffeepot.
Pour the cider in the urn and put the basket in place.
Drop the cinnamon, sugar, and spices into the basket and let it perk as usual.
Serve hot with a cinnamon stick in each thermos or mug.

"Whoever you are... be noble;
Whatever you do,do well;
 Whenever you speak, speak friendly. 
Give joy wherever you dwell."
 

Hope your fall is filled with love too  !

Spring at Magnolia Hill

April is one of the most colorful months of all at Magnolia Hill. Now I know what it means to say "spring green".  It is a green like no other time of the year. This week and every week around Easter, our glorious Dogwood tree is in full bloom. Azaelas are showing off their colors, and purple Wisteria sets off a wave fragrant blooms.

An antique trellis supports a white climbing hydrangea 

A popular month for bridal portraits !

The White Dogwood tree makes a lovey backdrop for wedding day.

The Pink Dogwood in front of the Guest House was given in memory of my mother and her loss to Breast Cancer. 

A vintage postcard from my ephemera collection shares The Legend of the Dogwood.

Spring green table decor

"He fills my life with good things"  - Psalms 103:5

A stone path beckons you for a walk to the lake.

The dock is draped in purple wisteria.

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.

A bride and her daddy wait on the carriage to come.

 "Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'"  ~Robin Williams