Hey Stephen Movie Premiere Grad Party

{Hey Stephen Movie Poster}

The thought of hosting a movie premiere graduation party in old Hollywood theme originated from our decision to customize Taylor Swift's song Hey Stephen into a film honoring our little brother by the same name.

The evening of the party, guests arrived in "old Hollywood" dress and celebrated by sipping (sparkling) champagne from crystal glasses, sampling sumptuous but dainty hors d'oeuvres (my favorite being petite shortbread cookies with lemon custard and blueberries), and loosing their shirts at poker and cards (as only high rolling high schoolers can).

Our film "Hey Stephen" was projected onto a screen and featured consecutively throughout the evening.

I am more than a little obsessed with my vintage dream of a dress (note spinning picture), which some thoughtful gals from the youth ministry let me borrow!


And now, enjoy this feature presentation of "Hey Stephen" 



He's a Senior Alright


Stephen and I traipsed around Purdue's campus for his first batch of senior pics. The rain would not - go away - so we will have venture out again for outdoor portraits later this week. The above are a few of my favorites.


After shooting we spent a little time catching up and sipping down some Potbelly's shakes. Stephen's first time. Mmmmm. 


Tea with the Queen (Bee!)

My little sister Deborah's name means "bee" andwe like to come up with clever ways of reminding our De-"bee" of this. She's been cheered on at games with a basketball-dunking bee sign, gifted with a bee-transformed pool ring floatie, and sewn a bee costume one year for Halloween. So, it is fitting that mini beehive cupcakes were baked for her graduation tea party (we've got a theme to keep up with!) All the dainty tea food was homemade by my mom and sisters and was amazingly delicious. 

There was: 

Toasted Coconut Gooey Goodies

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Cucumber Mint Coolers

Cream Cheese Cherry Tarts

Aunt Alice's Dill Chicken Salad on Croissants

Mary Poppin Fruit Kabobs

and more......

Which is your favorite prop?

The Photo Booth was also a hit! Thank you to all who gave suggestions on props. My sister Melody and I donned mustaches and accents and became photographers extraordinaire! It's amazing what a mustache can add to one's sense of humor - recommended for all. I played a slow speaking English chap and Melody an opinionated Frenchman, though her accent humorously slid unconsciously into a mish-mash of Spanish, Italian, English, and French....she must have had an interesting heritage. 

Below are some of my favorites of family:

One thing's for sure, we love our Debbie

I made the "Hip Hip Hooray Debbie!" fabric banner with tips from this papernstitch post. Debbie kept the "Debbie" portion of the banner to hang in her dorm room at her new college and my Alma mater: Purdue!

A Laid Down Life

My grandmother is a saint. She lays down her life for others like no one else I know. Even as her hair grows grayer and grayer she continues to be joyfully obedient in the work God has called her to.

What a heritage and Godly example she sets for me, my family, and fellow believers. Last Wednesday we had a birthday get-together to celebrate 76 sweet years. 

 We met and had a decadent lunch with dessert at The Villa in Indianapolis. 

{Appetizers: wild mushroom bruschetta, portobello caprese, & antipasto}

My grandma was, and still is, such a nicks nookser. Her sister relayed that as a child she used to implore "let's be good today Helen Jean" because she'd often get pulled into my grandma's mischief! I love that peppy side of her!

{My aunt Joy came up from DC to surprise my grandma!}

A birthday isn't quite complete without love gifts, the sweetest being from my grandpa to my grandma. On his precious card is written in Latin: "Pauper sum ego....I am a poor man, nihil habeo....I have nothing, cor meum dabo....I give you my heart."

Grandma, you are a treasure to all those blessed to know you.