Madelyn, Author at Madelyn Ridgeway

2013 word of the year

January 14, 2013

Whew! That’s me breathing a sigh of relief that 2012 is behind me. It was a tough year for me. Sadly, I can’t say that any one big thing happened, it was just a bunch of little things that happened or never happened.

You may remember my post from last year about my word for 2012. Little did I know when I pledged to be resolute for the year that I would be challenged from every direction.

My goal for 2012 was to be resolute in pursuing my dreams and staying the course. It was challenging but I’m glad to say I’m as convinced as ever that I’m on the right course. I’m proud to say that despite many personal and professional challenges in 2012, I stay resolved to pursuing the purpose God has for my life. Ironically, it was the challenges that have helped me see I’m on the right road. I mean seriously, how many great dreams have you seen that came easy? Most often, great dreams or God dreams, require you to have a great resolve to accomplish them.

Because my word for 2012 seemed to challenge me so much, I was very cautious as I prayed about what my word for 2013 would be. I didn’t take the task lightly. I soon came to realize that pursue was the perfect word for the new year. It really does make perfect sense when I think about it. In order to pursue something, you really should have a resolve that it’s the right thing to go after.

Webster’s dictionary defines purse as:

1.to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, or defeat

2.to find or employ measures to obtain or accomplish

3. to proceed along.

4. a. to engage in

b : to follow up or proceed with

There it is. My goal for 2013 is to pursue all those things I’ve resolved in my heart are for me; joy, success, peace, and most of all love in every area of my life.

Stay tuned because you’ll see big things happen with me and Madelyn Ridgeway Events this year; I know it. You’ll see things materialize that have been in my heart for a long time. Things I have to share with the world and make it a better place.

Love y’all,

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Hats for Pattycake

December 28, 2012

Thanksgiving this year was a bittersweet holiday for me. My family celebrated the life of my maternal grandmother, Mrs Ada Dunning Moore. My grandmother and I were the best of friends and shared an extra special relationship that I will forever cherish. Although I knew her as Grandma, she was always known as Pattycake to Solomon. Whenever we would visit her in Alabama she would sing her own version of the song patty cake to Solomon which didn’t always consist of the right words! Because of that, he’s always called her Pattycake.

Like many southern, African-American women, my Grandma was especially fond of and well-known for her hats. The more extravagant, the better. Not only was she buried in a beautiful butter, yellow hat but to honor her memory, most of the women in my family wore one of my grandmother’s hat to her funeral. The variety and colors that day bought tears to my eyes. Pattycake loved to put her hats on display for all to see and it was only fitting that this day was no different.

My aunts and cousin deciding which hat they would wear. The hat shows before the funeral were quite funny!

My Aunt Loretta

A family friend, Aunt Mary

My Aunt Mattie. (It was a miracle to get a picture of her and one in a hat especially)

My Aunt Sherriel (left), Uncle Howard, and my Mom, Ella (right)

My Aunt Vanessa

We’re all gathering to take a family picture before the funeral

Me in one of Grandma’s most infamous hats

My grandma was 87 years old and lived a lovely life. I can’t put into words how much I miss talking and laughing with her but I rest knowing that she’s at peace and resting in heaven with Jesus and all of her loved ones who’d passed on before her. She was the last of her generation left so I can only imagine the loneliness she experienced as she saw all of her siblings and friends leave earth one by one. She left a legacy of love, wisdom and sassiness that will live on forever in the hearts of those of us who loved her.

I love you Pattycake,

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showering karis with love

December 27, 2012

This summer I had the pleasure of helping my client Leslie plan a bridal shower for her younger sister Karis.

You may remember the inspiration board I posted which was inspired by a piece of beautiful pink and gold lame fabric I found at Wal-Mart of all places and some gold containers I found for a steal while out shopping.

1. www.marthastewartweddings.com

2. Jennifer Bergman Weddings via Cynthia Martyn Events

3. www.jihancerda.com via www.hwtm.com

4. www.orangebeautiful.com

5. www.coutureeventsbylottie.com

6. Lovely Little Parties via www.silverboxcreative.com

7. www.bridalbar.com

The shower was held in The Cellar located in the basement of the restaurant CU in Waterloo. Joe and his staff were extremely helpful and accommodating to work with. Guests were treated to an array of delicious appetizers and Scratch cupcakes for dessert. They could also scroll over and enjoy massages as the shower progressed. As you can see from the picture below, a fun time was had by all. The love everyone felt for Karis was evident.

The main table

Guests were treated to spa favors in adorable kraft bags

A special note about the cupcake tower; it’s an antique piecrust table I found while thrifting one day in my local Salvation Army retail store. It needed some love and thanks to my husband, it got it. When I saw it sitting all by its lonesome, I knew it needed me and I needed it; it was meant to be. I’m thrilled with the way it turned out! Here’s a quick before picture: