Wedding and Dolphin Watching

Good afternoon my dears. 

We recently attended the wedding of Autumn and Danny in Destin, Florida. 

I first met Autumn in the Fall of 2005 at Spokane Falls Community College. We graduated with our associates in applied science in interior design in the Spring 2007, before transferring to different four year colleges to get our bachelors degrees. 

The two exchanged vows under a Spanish moss tree at Eden Gardens State Park along with their beloved pup, Maxie. Afterwards, there was a reception at Harry T's Lighthouse. The following day we went dolphin watching and had dinner at her parents rented condo. Here's a few pictures and a video to remember their special day. 

Picture by Mandie Medeiros Photography

Picture by Mandie Medeiros Photography

Our wedding gift was a sketch done by Cory of their dog, Maxie.

Our home video of the wedding and dolphin watching. 

Before I go, I wanted to share an adorable video of Dale and Alice Rockey, who were on CBS Sunday Morning as The couple with the longest marriage in America.  They were ninety-nine at the time of filming in 2015, wonder if they're still with us now. 

Kiki Nakita

You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, or Bloglovin'

Ancestors Recipes For Love

We had an unseasonably warm weekend here in the Carolinas. I started writing my new book - Ancestors Recipes For Love. The book is handwritten, like my favorite author Susan Branch's books, and is dedicated to my charming Husband.  

 

Intertwined, is four generations of love stories told in my family and recipes that I would like to preserve for our children, and children’s children.

 

My Nana and Granddad’s Wedding

 

My Nana once told me the story of being a little girl who liked the Church’s floral decorations at Christmastime, and that’s why she chose a winter wedding.

 

They were married on December 12th, 1954 in England. They waited until the Spring for their honeymoon. On their honeymoon they travelled around Europe in a motorcycle and side car. I always loved that story, of the adventurous two.

 

 

In the early 1960's they moved to South Africa, where my Granddad had an importantly skilled job, as a detonator for the gold mines. After two decades, they returned to England in the early 1980's.

 

My Granddad passed away in March of 2009, and my Nana five short months later, in August of 2009.

 

 

~ Four Generations of Anniversaries (on my side) ~

 

Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Thawley (Nana’s parents)

December 27th, 1930

Great Granddad and Great Grandma Bird (Grandad’s parents)

February 17th, 1934

Nanna and Grandad Bird December 12th, 1954

Granny and Grandpa Smith December 12th, 1962

Mom and Dad ~ August 10th 1985

Aunt and Uncle Bird (mom's brother) ~ September, 1985 (30th anniversary)

Aunt and Uncle Berry (dad's sister) ~ January 10th, 1987 (29th anniversary)

Us ~ July 31st, 2013 (2nd anniversary)

 

 

~ Remember ~

Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things. Love never fails. As for prophecies, they will be brought to an end. As for tongues, they will stop. As for knowledge, it will be brought to an end.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

We have some great examples of love before us, and for that, I'm eternally grateful.

 

Just so I remember:

 

On Friday night we went for dinner at Sonny's at The Arboretum. We had redneck rolls, and barbeque chicken salad. Afterwards, we strolled through the isles at Barnes and Noble. 

 

 

On Saturday, we stayed home, and I spent some time gathering four generations of wedding photos, marriage certificates, and anniversary dates for my book. That evening we went for dinner at The Terrace, located in the prestigious Piedmont Center, and for dessert at Ben and Jerry's.

 

On Sunday we stayed home to watch the Carolina Panthers play the Seattle Seahawks. The Carolina Panthers won 31-24. We grilled hot dogs and served with sautéed onions, coleslaw, and chips. While the game was on, I loaded all our ancestor, and family pictures onto my new hard drive. Did any of you watch the game?

 

This week my husband is being moved from his cubicle to an office as he has a lot of face-to-face meetings. He works as a UX/UI designer for insp, the wholesome family channel and Inspiration Ministries.

 

Have a blessed week,

Kiki Nakita

You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Bloglovin'

 

Nana and Grandad's Wedding Day

While I was in England earlier this year, I went through all my Nana's albums. Both she and my Granddad passed away in 2009. I scanned in all her pictures, and handwritten notes, including this one of her wedding day sixty years ago 'today' on December 12th, 1954. After their wedding my Granddad took my Nana honeymooning around Europe on a motorcycle and sidecar. We always laughed about that.

A Tour of The Duke Mansion

Yesterday evening, before the sun went down we went on a drive to the Myers Park part of Charlotte. Nestled behind -gargantuan- trees on Hamilton Place, is the magnificent Duke Mansion.

 

 

The Duke mansion was built in 1915 by Zebulon V. Taylor, President of Southern Public Utilities (now Duke Power Company). Below, is the original entrance facing Ardsley Road, currently the east wing.

 

 

 

To the south of the mansion is a gravel courtyard, with a seating arrangement on either side, that's where we started meandering around the grounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you climb up the steps you can see the south side of the mansion and it's grounds. In 1919 James B. Duke, founder of The American Tobacco Company and Duke Power Company bought the home. He tripled it's size to 32,000 square feet. Luckily, they had housekeepers!

 

 

 

 

In 1925 James B. Duke passed away leaving the legacy of Duke University, the Duke Power Company and The Duke Endowment. The home was purchased by C.C Coddington the owner of the local Buick dealership and radio station.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sadly, three years later in 1929 he passed away. The next owner was Martin Cannon who re-named the home White Oaks. He was founder of Cannon Mills and after twenty years of living in the home with his wife Cherry he passed away bequeathing the home to Meyers Park Presbyterian Church.

 

 

 

Nine short years later, in 1957 the church sold the home to Henry and Clayton Lineberger, a textile family. During their time in the home they restored the home and grounds, and unfortunately had a horrific fire in 1966, which almost destroyed the home. How tragic would that have been?

 

This is the north entrance today, overlooking the fountain.

 

 

 

 

The west entrance is undergoing re-landscaping, which will hopefully be finished next year for the 100 year anniversary.

 

 

 

Ten years after the fire, after nineteen years in the home Henry Lineberger passed away and gifted the home to the The Duke Endowment. At first it was a conference center, and a year later it was placed on the national register of historic places. The same year developer  William Allan converted the home into condominiums.

 

 

 

 

 

In 1988, there was a possible deal to build single family homes on the property, but the developers efforts failed.  A year later owners of Raycom Sports, Rick and Dee Ray considered buying a condominium, but instead bought out the property to preserve and restore the mansion. In 1996 they sold the home to The Lee Institute, a non-profit leading an effort to permanently protect the home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lee Institute brought the story full circle because Bill Lee's granddaddy was an engineer who had worked with James B. Duke. In 1998 the mansion opened as a Historic Inn and is still in operation. Nowadays you can celebrate your wedding, have a baby shower, or stay in one of the Inn's suites or you could take an early evening to self tour the home, and be in awe of it's history and splendor!

 

 

Linked up to:

Coastal Charm #205
Share Your Cup Thursday #96
Imparting Grace #99


Irish Coffee Recipe By Susan Branch

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

I found a Susan Branch recipe for Irish Coffee which looks delicious my dears.

I might have to stay indoors all day as I have nothing green to wear. Not sure if I'd stand out like a sore thumb in my pink or blue sweaters.

In other news did you hear...that Savannah Guthrie got married this weekend and announced she was having her first baby?
 

 

I'm so happy for her. At forty-two that she finally get's to start her own little family.