Friday, May 8, 2009

{a BERRY good thing...}

Years ago, I had a wonderful job as Director of Volunteer Services and Gift Shop Manager at our local hospital. I worked with a terrific group of retired ladies, and was quite sad to leave my position. Ironically, since it is Mother's Day Weekend, my last day was a week before David was born. I left my job for "motherhood duties!"  Ashley was in kindergarten at the time, but during her first five years, I stayed at home with her, and wanted to do the same for David. From time to time, I am still called back to help with special projects, and this past Tuesday, one of those arose. ....to be a consultant and help with the District Meeting our local Auxiliary was hosting, which they do every 5-7 years.
The meeting consisted of a day of workshops and lunch, held in the old train depot downtown which has been renovated for such functions in our town. It is a beautiful old building!
Below are baskets we fixed for the speaker's gifts. You'll see a little lower, that they were filled with sweet, beautiful freshly picked red strawberries.
(Our theme was "Berries.")
The baskets were found at AC Moore for $2.99, and topped with a bow. Burlap and red cellophane were added to the inside.
(We were on a tight budget and  trying to stretch it!)
One of the ladies found plastic red strawberries, which were the cutest accent!
We hot-glued them to the centers.
We made goodie bags for each person attending, which contained a 1 ounce jar of Strawberry Jam, strawberry hard candy, and green package filler. The jam was small but cute, and found online at Cudge.net. (Quickly shipped!)
On each table, we used a basket of red begonias, surrounded by red package filler. The baskets were later given away as door prizes.



The baskets for the speakers again, filled with strawberries....


I had the pleasure of introducing the speaker below, Bill Thompson, who is local, but also well-known over the state as an author and writer/contributor for Our State Magazine.
Two of the books he has written are "Sweet Tea, Fried Chicken, & Lazy Dogs," and "Pearl's Pork Palace."
The ladies laughed the entire 45 minutes he spoke, as he delighted them with quirky tales of the south.
Our local Sheriff, below, did a workshop on Identity Theft, which was very informative.
I had a wonderful time working with the Volunteers once again. :)
~~~~
On Another Note....
I've also been working on some Mother's Day Projects this week.
I can't post them yet, because for one, I'm not quite finished. And secondly, a certain "mother" might see them here and not be surprised! "smiles"
I'll give you all just a sneak peek below....




Is your curiosity up? :)
~~~~
I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Mother's Day!
~God Bless, Rhonda

{I predict the cartoon below will be David and I in about 30 years! LOL!}


20 comments:

Susan said...

What a lovely workshop and lunch. Thanks for sharing it all with us and yet I am very curious!!!
Susan

Vee said...

Very nicely done, Rhonda. It looks as if it was a festive evening and I'm sure that the speakers were pleased with their baskets.

Yes, I am curious about what you're up to...

Nah, you'll remember that little cartoon and you won't say it. ;D

Amelia said...

Looks like an excellent way to carry out the theme of the evening.Everything looked so cute.

Enjoy your Mother;s Day - don't work too hard.

Rue said...

Hi Rhonda :)

That cartoon cracked me up because that IS my mom LOL

You did a beautiful job with those tables and the little packages!

I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day sweet friend :)

xoxo,
rue

duchess said...

Very nice.
Enjoy your Mother's Day weekend.

Kitty Scraps said...

Hi Miz Rhonda,
Happy Mother's Day to you! It looks like you put a lot of care and thought into those adorable strawberry baskets! Who wouldn't love them? And the tables are sweet as well. Berry nice!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

That looks like it was a fun workshop! Love teh strawberry filled baskets and the cute little strawberry jam jars. Everything looks so pretty. laurie

Nancy Rosalina said...

OOH how berry pretty everything looked at the luncheon! Cute ideas to!
Happy Mothers Day, Rhonda!

Blessings, Nancy

southerninspiration said...

Looks great, a very cute and well thought out and carried thru theme!

Suzanne

Beth at Aunties said...

I can already relate to the cartoon! LOL Both with children and our parents!!! :-)
The luncheon and decor was so appealing and beautiful. How fun to be asked to come back again to help.

And how fun t have a guess to keep you laughing for so long and the identity theft just scares me!

Sometime post waht you learned about what he said:)

Happy Mothers Day!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Looks like it was a delightful event! Happy Mother's Day!

Dawn said...

The place settings are lovely, as are the baskets. That was very clever and I am sure very appreciated. How nice that you are still called back to for special projects.

Happy Mother's Day to you!

take care,
Dawn

onlymehere said...

I love the card!! It's already Nicholas and I and he's 24!! He's on the countdown until his wedding. When he does something he'll look at me and smile and say "only 53 more days" or whatever the day is now, I'm sure he'll tell me when he wakes up!! LOL! I wonder if my husband was that excited for our wedding day? Hmmmm, guess I'll have to ask. I love the decorating you did and am very, VERY curious to see what your mother's day gifts are! Have a great Mother's Day yourself!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

May you have a wonderful Mother's day my friend...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Hey Rhonda! This looks wonderful! I'm glad you were involved...volunteers are always the best and full of great ideas...at least I think! I hope you have a wonderful mother's day!
Blessings,
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Evening, Dear Rhonda! Oh, what a nice workshop and luncheon you helped organize. All of the little strawberry treats were so cute! You've done a wonderful job and I want to wish you a beautiful MOther's Day!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Unknown said...

Hi Rhonda,
Looks like the event went well and was very nice...you did a great job.

Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Anonymous said...

Morning Rhonda! Looks very festive; how can you go wrong with red and/or strawberries!!!lol Nice job! Love the titles on the books!!!lol Yes you do have my curiousity up???What could it be??? Like those color combos though!! Look forward to the post! All us moms can relate to the cute cartoon!!!lol Have a great week - Jeannette

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

This event looks wonderful, Rhonda! I'll have to find the books, they sound delightful!

Unknown said...

Everything was so lovely for your function!!

I am curious about your Mother's Day project! Hope you had a lovely Mother's Day!!