Spring Bridal Portrait Season

Spring is just the perfect time for Bridal Portraits. 

I feel so blessed to walk out my back door and 

see all of God's handiwork...

which here at Magnolia Hill, Spring is a time for portraits! 

Ornate benches are ideal for a day of spring day's dreaming. 

The spring lake is so pretty and it is no secret 

we love to work with great photographers.

 Actual wedding days are so jam packed, 

that it is a calming feeling to get a portrait 

in your dress with no one around.

 It is a perfect time to try hair and makeup for the big day.

For a portrait session wear comfortable shoes 

as there may be lots of walking. 

Most of the time, the shoes

 do not show in the portrait.

Our historic dogwood tree

 is always in bloom by Easter. 

Look high up in the treetops too, for there 

is the wild purple wisteria that blooms 

profusely in the tree tops.

Perfect for a bridal portrait...

Looking closely, each petal cluster

 is shaped like a cross with two longer petals 

and two shorter ones.

 A crown of thorns is in the center

 and "blood stained" tips with

 nail scars on each petal.

The dogwood is seen from afar 

even with azaleas showing off their colors. 

Spring was quite cool this year and 

we burned our wood burning 

outdoor patio stove for warmth.

The Red Bud trees seemed to bloom early this year.

 They frame a bridal portrait session nicely.

The days getting longer, most portrait sessions

 are late afternoon and early evening 

after the sun goes down.

Gathering the spirit of Spring's soft beauty, 

I picked some wisteria and dogwood for the table

 and placed it in a vintage crock, as it smelled so delightful.  

From across the lake, as if from another era,

 the dogwood

 and the wisteria are blooming

 with a timeless point of view.

Covered in wisteria blooms, 

the dock on the water creates

 a cozy room draped with the dripping blooms

 pouring over the rails. 

Our private country house is found inspiration

 for photographers for our house 

was built in 1918 but only three families

 have lived in it previously. It is a house 

people moved to stay. It has always been 

a place that is loved by the families 

who lived here. The house is wonderful, 

but the location is also quite special. 

Life is newness and

 ever changing when you live by the water.

 

Friends meet, where memories live, and where LOVE grows.
Happy Spring to you....

blessings, 

You’ll find me on Instagram here:  Alda's Magnolia Hill 

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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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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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