onsdag den 30. maj 2012

wedding favor organza bags

Guest Favors and Wedding Table Centerpieces are both beautiful additions to a wedding reception that the bride loves to arrange and the guests love to enjoy. However, both favors and centerpieces don't come cheap and very often these are the little details that have to be abandoned when organising a budget wedding. Now we have discovered the perfect solution, you can provide each of your guests with a favor to take home and treasure your special day, whilst doubling them up as your wedding table centerpieces - saving yourself a fortune on elaborate floral centerpieces; continue reading to find out how.

Wedding table centerpieces do not have to be elaborate and over-the-top, very often simple and elegant is even more effective. Cupcakes are now a very fashionable wedding favor, which are usually given to guests in little card boxes. To turn these favors into a centerpiece you could write the guest names on each of the boxes, then pile them up decoratively on a charger plate and place in the centre of the table as an alternative table decoration. To enhance the look of the centerpiece you could strategically place a few flowers in amongst the boxes or scatter some petals around the edge of the plate.

Fruits make a beautiful centerpiece and although not traditionally used as a favor, it promotes health and wellbeing and after a big meal many people delight in the taste of a piece of fresh organic fruit.

wedding favor organza bags

A very unique suggestion would be to buy your guests miniature photoframes and put a small photograph in each one, the photo could be of the guest, the bride and groom, or a lovely touch would be photographs of brides in your family throughout the generations, as far back as you can go. You can then arrange these photoframes as a table centerpiece, guaranteed to be a talking point if nothing else.

wedding favor organza bags

An Italian tradition which has spread throughout the world, is to give your guests a small bag of sugared almonds to take away with them. Nowadays dragees are a very classy alternative, which come in many pretty colours including gold, silver and bronze. These could be tied into pretty organza bags and piled with ribbons and feathers in a romantic table centerpiece or you could arrange them in bowls with diamonds and confetti scattered on the tablecloth and some pretty tealights casting a romantic light onto them.

wedding favor organza bags

Piling your favors up into a centerpiece can be really effective no matter what they are, as long as you include a few of the following elements to complete the transformation; fresh or fabric petals, confetti, scattered diamonds, shells, ribbons, feathers, fresh or silk flowers, dragees and/or candles.

wedding favor organza bags

Transforming your wedding favors into stunning wedding table centerpieces only takes a little creative thought and determination. It is a great money saver and can add a fun personal touch to the proceedings.

wedding favor cd

There are some brides that do not like the idea of giving gifts to her guests. However, it is a nice gesture as a thank you for attending your very special day.

These wedding favors can be stylish, fun and practical. The practical ones are especially good. Here are 15 excellent suggestions for fun and creative wedding favors.

1. Divinity fudge is delicious inexpensive wedding favor. You can wrap it up in white tulle and tie with a white ribbon. Add a tag with a little message such as "Love is divine". Keep in mind that divinity does not come out well in high humidity.

wedding favor cd

2. Standard candles are nice too for low-cost wedding favors. Wrap in tulle, tie with ribbon and stick a small flower in the ribbon.

3. Tree seedlings, like citrus or any other kind of tree, are something everybody will appreciate. People will always think of your wedding with this creative wedding favor idea. You should wrap the plastic pot to camouflage.

4. Flower seedlings or seed packets make a great wedding favors. You can wrap in any style that is suitable for your wedding. Tie with ribbon, paper ribbon or raffia.

5. Use wire and beads to make wine glass markers. You can get instructions at the craft store. One is enough for a wedding favor. Use a small box for package and tie with ribbon.

6. Sachets made from lavender. Make a small bag from lace and sew up three sides. Put the lavender in and sew up fourth side. Use a small silk flower for attachment. Potpourris in drawstring bags made of tulle or lace are beautiful and smell good too.

7. Almost all people love herbs. Purchase small ones and put plastic container right into a small terracotta pot. To camouflage the plastic planter you should put some moss around the top. Add in a nice tag with instructions for care and stick on to a ribbon tied around the pot.

wedding favor cd

8. A strawberry plant is one more creative wedding favor idea. It can be arranged in the same way as an herb. Anything of this nature that is in season is good choice.

9. Candies, like M&Ms, Kisses or Hugs, mints, a nice piece of chocolate, look excellent in a cupcake liner. You can get them in different sizes and colors.

10. Get M and M's in your wedding colors, put them in plastic bags and tie a ribbon on them.

11. If you plan an outdoor wedding, think about buying umbrellas for a dollar a piece. You can wrap them in ribbons with your colors. This is for a smaller wedding party only, but can be a fantastic gift to help protect guests from bad weather or the sun.

wedding favor cd

12. Purchase plain chocolate bars in bulk or get the miniature version. Print out new labels that you personalize for yourself and wrap them around the bars.

13. Burn your own CD with your favorite songs. You can include the First Dance song, the cake-cutting song, etc. You should print CD covers with your picture on it. A good idea is to include your favorite songs on CD - not just the wedding ones!

wedding favor cd

14. If your wedding will happen on Christmas, give each guest a Christmas ornament. Take a plain ball type ornament and use a paint pen to personalize with your name and the wedding date.

15. Do you and your intended share a love of something special? Are you big Nascar fan or love to play golf? Gear your wedding favors around these characteristics.

wedding favor pails

Beach wedding favors are for the guests who come to greet bride and groom on the auspicious day of their marriage. Generally, would-be-couples decide as to what gifts should be given to the arriving guests that serve as a perfect token of their wedding apart from being useful.

Gifting unique marriage gifts is an ideal way to say 'thank you' to the guests who come all the way to shower their blessings on the newly weds. Wedding gifts remind guests about the day of your marriage. That's why would-be couples, these days, are taking extra care while selecting their perfect beach marriage gifts. Giving away presents and gifts let guests feel special and delighted. Beach wedding favors are the perfect souvenir for your seaside marriage that helps people remember your special day always.

In order to make your special day an unforgettable experience for your guests many online companies are offering all types of assistance. These days, seaside marriages are quite in vogue that makes selecting marriage gifts a little tougher. Before choosing your beach wedding favors, decide where you want to organize your marriage ceremony and what would be the theme of your marriage. Depending upon the theme of your marriage select suitable marriage presents.

wedding favor pails

These days, beach wedding favors are available in various types of designs, sizes, and prices to choose from. Below is a short rundown of some popular seaside marriage gifts which are beautiful apart from being useful. These are:

wedding favor pails

Seashell marriage gifts - Starfish tea light, shell cardholders, luminous lanterns, photo glass coaster and many more.

wedding favor pails

Silver beach marriage gifts - Silver plated shell keepsake box, shell silver place card, silver starfish charm and many more.

There are some favors which can be customized or personalized and adds a personal touch to the gifts. Favors like beach party set, customized beach pails, just married flip flops for him/her, flip flop photo frames etc. can be made personalized as well.

wedding favor pails

wedding favor boxes clear

One thing that makes weddings really fun is that no two are exactly the same. The most memorable weddings are those which include unique or offbeat details which help to showcase the personality of the bride and groom. With that idea in mind, here are some cute and quirky wedding ideas to inspire you for your own wedding celebration.

Every wedding shares many elements in common, but that is no reason that you have to do them in the expected way. Most brides will give their attendants bridesmaid jewelry, but instead of giving each girl an identical set, why not have custom bridesmaid jewelry made with unique variations for each attendant? What a simple way to show each of your bridesmaids that you see her as an individual, not just as part of a matched set.

Your wedding favors are a great place to try something a little different. No matter how traditional the wedding, it is always okay to go out on a limb with the favors. At one wedding I attended in a mountain resort, the newlyweds gave pens from the resort as their favor; not just any pens, but the retro kind filled with liquid and a moving scene. To dress them up, they handmade special clear triangular tubes which fit the gifts to a "t". It made a nice presentation for favors which were inexpensive, but also fun, unique, and enjoyed by all the guests.

wedding favor boxes clear

Re-purposing items can be a wonderful way to decorate your wedding in an unexpected way. Why not use a vintage dresser to hold your escort cards instead of the standard table with a white cloth over it? This makes a fun diy project for the creative bride, as you can refinish a thrift shop find by sanding it and painting it in your wedding colors. It looks particularly funky and fun when the piece of furniture is used for an outdoor wedding. This idea can be applied to any place you need furniture for your wedding, not just the escort card table. Best of all, at the end of the day, you will have a great new table or dresser for your new home.

wedding favor boxes clear

Centerpieces are one of the main forms of decorations for most wedding receptions. Flowers are always gorgeous, of course, but blossoms in a vase do not always look so original. Think of new ways to display your flowers, like putting them under a sheet of Plexiglass on the table or inside clear boxes. Or skip the flowers altogether and design centerpieces around something that is near to your heart.

wedding favor boxes clear

Book lovers can stack up piles of their favorite classic stories (pick up vintage hardcover versions in second hand shops) and top with a ribbon or a few loose cut flowers. Or maybe you are headed to Paris for your honeymoon. Attractive Eiffel Tower replicas would look marvelous as centerpieces. Almost anything goes, as long as it looks stylish or beautiful. Allow your mind to wander and your creative juices to flow, and before you know it, you will have planned a wedding which is quirky, fun, and entirely you.

wedding favor boxes clear

wedding favor gift tags

Wedding favors are supposed to remind the guests who are given them of this special occasion and day and what could be more appropriate than a wedding or engagement ring. The "With This Ring" Engagement Ring Keychain is just the perfect keepsake and it not only has an elegant appearance, but it is also useful and is a fully functioning keychain and can keep many keys organized and together.

The "With This Ring" Engagement Ring Keychain is especially suitable for all the female guests attending a wedding ceremony or as a unique wedding favor for female guests of the reception. This keychain is a large model of a real engagement ring and looks just as elegant and classical. The crystal on the ring that represents the diamond is of excellent quality and very much resembles the real thing. It will impress any person who receives this wedding favor. The gift box is also appropriate to decorate a wedding reception table with and it is in a showcase gift box packaging and is topped off by a bow and matching tag. The tag allows the name of the recipient to be written on it and so it can also be used as a place holder too.

wedding favor gift tags
wedding favor gift tags

Your guest will love this wedding favor and you will love the great way it really shows it's true beauty. Also I think that you should think of your Bridesmaids and your groomsmen gifts to add to this ceremony. I think for a bridesmaid gift try a personalized bracelet to give each girl and give your guys the pocket watch with a personal engraving for the best man.

wedding favor gift tags
wedding favor gift tags

fredag den 18. maj 2012

pictures of wedding towel cakes

Sugar and spice, and everything nice, that's what little girls are made of. If you or a loved one is expecting a baby girl and are throwing a gender themed baby shower, it is appropriate to give out favors to reflect the joyous occasion. Everyone loves the sweetness a newborn brings and you can share this excitement by giving them a unique and memorable pink baby shower favor that reflects this sentiment.

For 2010 baby showers we recommend the following souvenirs to be given to your guests. Not only will these gifts be used because they are so practical but enjoyed as well.

pictures of wedding towel cakes

Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice Sugar Bowl - The size of this sugar bowl is quite impressive in person and is one of the largest baby shower favors on the market today. Pre-packaged for your convenience, just place on your tables. For an extra touch of sweetness, we recommend filling with sugar cubes!Pink Ice Cream Bowls - Since girls are so sweet, ice cream is just the right treat to remember them. There are quite a selection of ice cream bowls that will fit your theme perfectly from traditional shaped cups to ice cream martini shaped bowls for the trendy mom-to-be.She'll Soon See Her Feet Again Pedicure & Manicure Kit - Girls, young and old, love being pampered! And the girls attending your baby shower will appreciate this useful favor. It comes complete with everything you need for an on-the-go manicure or touch up. It's also a great pun on the mom-to-be's feet that surely she can't see at the moment!Pink Towel Cakes - The mom-to-be is sure to receive little washcloths for her newborn which is a staple for every baby layette. Share this with your guests by giving them ingenious little faux cakes - which look as good as the real thing - but only made out of washcloths! Pre-packaged for your convenience and relatively inexpensive, these make charming reminders.Pink Brownie Pops - all the sweetness in a charming little brownie ball with a stick attached can be made at home or purchased on line. Edible favors are sure to be eaten and enjoyed! Think floral, baby faces or initial designs for baby showers.Pink Egg Shaped "Time for Baby" Kitchen Timers - let's face it, besides changing diapers, a new mom spends a lot of time in the kitchen warming bottles and cleaning them! The perfect gift for your guests to enjoy is a kitchen timer - it's useful, practical and makes fun kitchen decor!"Little Notes" Notebooks - a handy little notebook that your guests can fit into their purse or car, these are personalized with the baby shower information and comes complete with a matching pen. Adorable and affordable!Photo Frames - are a classic and timeless favor and perfect for your guests to display and remember your newborn! Remember that if you are sending out photos of your newborn to include a picture that will fit into the size frame you give to your guests.A Single Pink Rose - a single rose is a very sweet gesture to be given. There are many keepsake roses made of wood, crystal and capodimonte porcelain which can be kept for years to come.Lip Balms - Personalized or in themed colors, lip balms are the perfect gift so your guests can pucker up and give sweet kisses to both you and your newborn.

For many more unique baby shower favors and gift ideas, browse the web to find the perfect reminder of your day!

pictures of wedding towel cakes
pictures of wedding towel cakes
pictures of wedding towel cakes

pictures of fountain wedding cakes

In most cases, the centerpieces will vary according to not only the type of party you are having, but the theme of the party, the purpose of the party, or the scale of the party. An ice swan might not be the best choice for a Blues Clues birthday party for your two-year old, and a Big Bird Cake would not be the best choice for a formal wedding. Still, centerpieces can make a statement about the occasion, and the care to which you have gone, in planning the perfect party.

While beautifully detailed cakes and champagne fountains at weddings, or elegant celebrations are usually best left to professionals, there are a huge variety of centerpieces you can make yourself to give your party that special touch! A simple watering can full of daisies can make the perfect centerpiece for a garden party. Using floral gel instead of water eliminates any concerns over spilling, and the guest of honor can even take the centerpiece home when the party is over. A great centerpiece for a bridal shower is a collection of towels, folded in half and rolled up. Put rolled bath towels together with white or gold wire edged ribbon tied into a bow, to form the base of a mock wedding cake. The next tier can be done the same way, but made up of fluffy hand towels, and the top layer can be wash cloths. Sprinkle with glittery foil stars, miniature seed 'pearls', or tuck in little gifts, like soaps, scented candles, or bubble baths, with the edges peeking out, and you have a beautiful centerpiece.

pictures of fountain wedding cakes

Baby shower centerpieces can be fun and functional. A baby bath full of punch with a rubber ducky floating in it, or a couple of bags of diapers arranged to look like a cake, scattered with pacifiers, teething rings, and other baby necessities ensure that all the little odds and ends are available when they are needed.

A beach theme birthday party can have centerpieces as simple as seashells, small sand pails (stuffed with goodies for guests to take home) or balloons stuffed with gifts, filled with helium, and secured to float just above the table. Centerpieces do not have to be expensive or complex, they just have to be fun!

pictures of fountain wedding cakes
pictures of fountain wedding cakes
pictures of fountain wedding cakes

pictures of cupcake wedding cakes

The dessert that is more than just a dessert - the Wedding Cake, beautiful to look at - but the sticker shock can be overwhelming. Here's a few insider tips that will help you get a fabulous looking and great tasting cake - and money left over.

I've baked wedding cakes for friends and family and so I'll share with you some information that could save you hundreds of dollars in expenses. One thing is to do your budget so that you know how much you can spend. Talk to friends who have recently gone through the wedding planning experience. Listen to your friends and neighbors to their recommendations about who does the best job.

pictures of cupcake wedding cakes

Have a talk with the manager of your reception venue and find out what the rules are for your wedding cake. Some venues will only allow you to bring in cakes from licensed bakers - these are businesses or in home bakers who have the required permits to make a cake. Don't try to get around this - you might end up with a cake that can't be served. Also find out if the venue charges a fee to slice and serve a cake that you bring in.

Here are the basics of what a wedding cake is. The cake is made up of several layered cakes that are stacked one on top of the other. Each cake is called a tier. Most wedding cakes are three or four tiers. Each tier of cake is on a cardboard round, in between each tier there are wooden or plastic dowels that hold up each tier and makes sure the cake doesn't collapse in on itself. The cake is frosted with either butter cream or fondant. Fondant is marshmallow which is rolled thin and placed over the cake. It tastes awful. Butter cream taste wonderful, but you do not get the smooth appearance that you can get with fondant - which is why decorators love fondant. At the bottom of each cake - where one cake meets the other - there is a border of decoration either frosting, fondant, ribbon, or even candy. This helps to cover up the edge. After a cake is stacked, then the decorations are added - like flowers. That's the basic construction of the cake. Don't let price fool you a cheap cake isn't a bad cake and an expensive one won't guarantee it's the best. Taste - demand a sample and don't order a cake until you've had a proper tasting.

pictures of cupcake wedding cakes

You will need to decide on flavors of the cake, the filling and frosting, and the color of the outside and the decorations. Sounds quite simple, but the cost can very easily get out of hand so here are some ways to keep your budget in tact and get the best - inexpensive cake you can.

Don't overlook grocery stores. Many offer wedding cakes and cupcakes. Check on their delivery policy - you might have to pick it up yourself.

Order a plain cake and put your own fresh flowers on it. Individually made sugar flowers are very expensive.

I've done wedding cakes where they were decorated with silk flowers. Wash all the flowers - any that have dyes that run cannot be used.

Order a smaller cake and then have sheet cakes delivered to the kitchen. The main cake will be in your pictures, it's the one you cut, and th

pictures of cupcake wedding cakes

e sheet cakes can make up the difference. No one will really care and the price difference is significant.

Cupcakes can be cheaper; you will need a way to display them. Compare the price of a regular wedding cake by comparing the price 'per slice' with the cost of a cupcake. You can order plain cupcakes and decorate them with a flower or a piece of candy.

You will save the most if you can do it yourself - practice, take some lessons to learn the 'how to', and the extra cash is all yours.

pictures of cupcake wedding cakes

wedding photographer checklist

Will you be saying your "I dos" on a beach this summer or for a winter destination wedding? Make sure that you do not overlook any of the important details which are unique to beach weddings. Get prepared with this beach wedding planning checklist.

With the bright sun and humid air, the beach can tend to be a sweaty place. To be certain that your bridal glow comes from your internal joy, not a sheen of perspiration, shop for the right kind of makeup. Light oil-free products will help to give you flawless skin and will withstand a hot day. Avoid heavy foundation that will melt in the heat. You should also choose sheer foundation with sunscreen to avoid getting burned. And as every bride knows, water-proof mascara is a must! Work with your hairstylist to select anti-frizz products that will keep your hair looking neat no matter the weather.

wedding photographer checklist

It is inevitable that some of your wedding guests will show up wearing impractical high heeled shoes to your wedding on the sand. This is why it is a great idea for the hosts of a beach wedding to put out a basket of flip flops and a shoe check station. Your guests will definitely feel more relaxed when they are not struggling to walk over the sand. Providing flip flops is such an easy thing to do, and it can really help to get your guests into the laid-back beachy frame of mind. Set out bottles of water next to the shoe check station so that your guests will have a cool drink to sip as they await the start of the marriage ceremony.

wedding photographer checklist

The bridal party will also want to have the right beachy spirit for the wedding. You can help this along with tropical touches, such as beach theme bridesmaid jewelry for your attendants. Silver starfish pendants or crystal seashells are popular beach theme bridesmaid jewelry gifts. Your attendants will like them, because they can wear the jewelry again summer after summer. For the guys in the wedding, it would be fun to choose ties with a beach motif. Look at places like Vineyard Vines or Lilly Pulitzer for ties decorated with sailboats, sea creatures, or seaplanes.

wedding photographer checklist

Another thing to keep in mind for your beach wedding is shade. Although the sun is one of the best things about the beach, it can get to be too much of a good thing. It is not only your wedding guests that may need a shady spot to cool off; your food and cake will fare better if not placed in direct sunlight. Take advantage of naturally shady spots created by palm trees or boardwalks. Many resorts have gazebos or awnings under which you can set up the food and wedding cake displays. As for your guests, you can set up a tent if there is not another shady spot available.

Beyond these special things, getting ready for a beach wedding is much like any other. You'll need your wedding attire, flowers, food, music, and the like. Remember to pack your swimsuit for your honeymoon, and you'll be all set for a fabulous wedding on the beach!

wedding photographer checklist

fort wayne wedding photographer

This is the true story of a great singer, a "crooner" from the 1920's, whose music I would hope, after I tell you about him, you will say "I've got to hear his recordings, especially if he's as great as the guy writing this article says he is." My view, a prejudiced one, is that he is the best forgotten male singer who ever sang with a big band orchestra. It's also the story of the invisible threads of "coincidence" that caused three lives to touch each other.

In 1964 an avid music collector from Temple, Texas, mailed a brief note hoping to contact one of his favorite band singers from the 1920's and 1930's. What resulted was an inter-generational friendship that would change the lives of both men. My life was changed when I contacted this man about doing a story on his Bing Crosby collection for our Central Texas Live at Five Show and, while there, he played Smith Ballew singing a song called Deep Night.

fort wayne wedding photographer

Depression era sweethearts, despite the crashing din from Wall Street, spooned by the moon to 78's of crooners Billy Smith with Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Orchestra, Buddy Blue, Gary Dawson, Herman Heigle, Sturgis Anderson, Ford Britten, Tony Ballard, Ross Colby, or Charles Roberts. A discerning ear, however, could detect Smith Ballew's vocal refrain on each, his name mysteriously replaced by these and other pseudonyms on the labels.

Contracts with Columbia and Okey labels prohibited Smith Ballew to use his name for any other New York recording sessions. Far from his small-town Texas home of Palestine, young, married, a new father, and wanting all the work he could get, a pragmatic Smith Ballew devised dozens of aliases. In all, Smith Ballew recorded over 2,500 arrangements from the 1923 "Jimmie Joys," a band formed while at the University of Texas in Austin, to crooning under dozens of names known today only to his small batch of collectors, myself among them.

When the Wall Street crash of 1929 flattened Smith Ballew's own investments to the tune of $200,000, the never-bitter Ballew brushed it off and simply worked harder. Commanding top money for recording sessions, often booking several in a day, with all the "name" orchestras plus appearing nightly at New York's swankier dinner clubs and broadcasting his own Smith Ballew Orchestra on the NBC Radio Network, Ballew and his family rode out the Depression in grand style.

fort wayne wedding photographer

Orchestra leaders such as Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey and composers like Ira Gershwin chased down the versatile Ballew for vocal work. Smith navigated the most complex jazz scores, dignified mediocre lyrics and mounted the high ranges of many songs with an ease other singers of the day were unable to reach. The great Glenn Miller collaborated with Ballew for about eight years and eventually took over Smith's band and fashioned it into the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Unpublished biographical materials I've read tell of a professional engagement when Bing Crosby requested that his friend Smith Ballew fill in for him on a sing with a pesky high note beyond Crosby's own register. The pair were known for hailing New York City cabs and singing impromptu duets while the cabbie drove around the streets of New York.

In 1936, summoned by Hollywood for his Gary Cooper good looks and manner, the 6'3" Smith Ballew pulled out of New York and headed West for a new start in Tinsel Town. He had previously appeared in three musical shorts and his voice can be heard in the background, if ever so faintly, of the Marx Brothers 1929 film Cocoanuts. Smith dubbed over a cowboy vocal for John Wayne in the picture Randy Rides Alone, and he eventually starred, mostly in westerns, usually as a singing cowboy, in over 20 films.

In 1936 when Al Jolson left his top-billed NBC radio variety show, Shell Chateau, of which I have the first program with guest star Judy Garland, Ballew stepped in as host and resident crooner. Celebrity telegrams poured in. Dick Kenny's New York Daily Mirror feature said: "Smith Ballew sang "We'll Wait at the End of the Trail" and added that Ballew did so "from Los Angeles the other night in a way that sent chills up this old sailor's spine."

fort wayne wedding photographer

Maybe it was Smith's trusting nature, his country-bred way of seeing only the good in others that undid him in Hollywood. Some might placed the blame the bungled agenting of his movie career by Zeppo Marx, who rejected lucrative western film offers without consulting Ballew, on the fact that he eventually walked away from show business and because of that decision -- a financial one -- his name is now all but forgotten. Maybe the last straw was the disastrous 1940 New Mexico mining scheme that left Ballew penniless again. He needed work and he needed it badly to continue support of his family.

His natural patriotism and the wartime effort influenced the timing of his resolution to seek a more practical career than show business. Ballew chose the aviation industry. A path led him from Northrup to Hughes Aircraft, owned by old acquaintance Howard Hughes, to Convair, which became General Dynamics in Fort Worth. By 1952 Ballew found himself back home, at last, in Texas and out of the national spotlight.

Justine, his college sweetheart and wife of 35 years, passed away in 1960.

And yet, despite these changes in Ballew's life, he was destined -- even though now a corporate executive -- to re-live his entertainment career through the generosity of a man who was determined that Smith Ballew's legacy would not die.

Olin Carver contacted Ballew from Temple, Texas, in 1964. Carver, collector of music and music memorabilia since a disabling railroad injury in 1943, had managed to create one of the largest assemblages of records and memorabilia in the Southwestern United States. I know because, as a feature story TV reporter, I was so overwhelmed by Carver's collection that I probably did over a dozen stories with him for our Live at Five show.

fort wayne wedding photographer

"I was looking for a way to pass the time," Carver told me. At the time of his disabling accident "I was young and restless and disabled. Once I discovered Smith Ballew's early records, I kept collecting him like crazy. Oh yea, he was great! And he sang with the best bands of his era. Then, when I found out he was living in Fort Worth, I had to write him. I was thrilled when he responded and wanted to get together."

By 1964 Smith Ballew had lost track of most of his recordings and was eager to locate anything he could get his hands on. Carver, Ballew, and Mary -- Smith's second wife -- met regularly in Temple or Fort Worth to play Smith's old songs. Ballew, now 62 and visibly moved by the music, would stand and direct his orchestra again, tracing the vocal refrain in his compelling baritone. After years of silence about his celebrated past, Smith would keep Olin Carver up into the early morning hours recounting favorite New York and Hollywood stories.

Carver, who had become like a younger brother, enjoyed playing the role of volunteer public relations man to Smith, often stopping patrons in restraints and asking, "Do you realize who this man is? He replaced Al Jolson on the radio." A few might vaguely recall this crooner whose career had embraced the best of the New York recording scene from the 1920's to the middle 1930's. A few would nod and smile as they glanced at the actor who they thought they remembered but couldn't place.

Carver was there to offer encouragement to a devastated Smith Ballew when his wife Mary died in 1972. He maintained the final bedside vigil, at Smith's request, in Longview, Texas, May 1984 as Smith passed on. An 82-year-old Smith Ballew slipped quietly from the world as his friend, Olin Carver, whispered softly into his ear, "Smith, you were a great man."

Thanks to Olin Carver's generosity during my TV years in Central Texas, he recorded for me and I own about 1200 of Smith Ballew's recordings from the 1920's until about 1936 when he basically stopped recording. Shortly after I moved on from TV to start new career, I received word that Olin Carver died. I miss Olin, I miss his friendship, and I thank him for introducing me to the recordings of Smith Ballew the day my photographer and I were at his home taping a story on his Bing Crosby memorabilia.

A small number of Smith Ballew's recordings are on CD, having been re-mastered and you can probably find them on Amazon.com or Ebay.com If you haven't heard the music of the 1920's and early 1930's you owe it to yourself to do so. Amazingly, there are several Ballew vocals on YouTube. I'd suggest you start with the recordings of Smith Ballew, Bing Crosby, Annette Hanshaw -- who retired before the age of 30 -- and who is my favorite female vocalist of all time. Her vocals are amazing. How I wish this incredibly shy young woman not retired from the music business so early in life.

The English bands of that era are also incredible, especially Bert Ambrose and His Orchestra, Jack Hylton, Jack Payne, Ray Noble, Lew Stone and His Orchestra, and the Roy Fox Orchestra. Find the vocals of Al Bowlly. You will love them. These are songs you will not, it's likely, ever hear on your local radio station but, thankfully, they still exist thanks to the zeal of a few record collectors like Olin Carver.

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The Peterson family on May 5th 2007 took the initiative to gain therapeutic services for their troubled son David. Throughout the therapeutic process, all family members became actively involved. Three primary family therapeutic approaches for treatment were eventually chosen by the therapist with the application of three interventions within each approach. The approaches included; Cognitive Behavioral approach, Narrative Based Therapeutic approach, and a Psychoeducational Therapeutic approach. These purposely chosen constructs were applied to the Peterson family system and with their help the Peterson family was able to assist their son David with his behavior issues. Agency Context

The current agency, in which the Peterson family sought assistance, was the Summit Agency. Summit is an inner city agency located within the college district of Philadelphia. It is a high end agency that specializes in helping families and individuals with problematic behaviors and circumstances. Much of the clientele within the Summit Agency could be considered mid to upper class. The agency is primarily funded by direct payment from clients who are seeking highly qualified PhD. and Masters level clinicians to assist with their family issues and by private donations given by local university professors and staff. Presenting Problem

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The presenting problem according to the Peterson family has been clarified by Mr. and Mrs. Peterson as the behavior of their 16 yr. old son David. For the last two months David has been acting out in school and been disrespectful at home. Rule breaking, disrespecting teachers, and detentions have remained consistent parts of David's behaviors. This type of behavior for the Peterson family is unacceptable and has resulted in the Peterson family seeking assistance for their son's behavior. Mr. Peterson worries that if David's behavior continues, many may think that David is a real trouble maker; thus effecting his academic life and possibilities of going to college in two years. Mrs. Peterson is concerned about her son and wants his negative behaviors to cease. She feels that when he acts out in school this causes tensions within the household; especially between herself and her husband. Both Mr. & Mrs. Peterson seem to agree that they argue more and have greater difficulties on the weeks and days in which David gets in the most trouble. In sessions, David makes statements like, "I don't care about school, because you guy's don't really care about me." David, in session seems angry. He seems to be very sensitive and seems to desire more attention and time with his parents. He states that he believes no one listens to him and that the only reason he is at the Summit Point agency is because his mom & dad just want to change him. Both, Mr. and Mrs. Peterson want David to just behave at school and at home in order for him to obtain a good education and be regarded as a good young man. David states that if his parents would not work so much, he may have some time with them, and not feel so lonely. David also states that when his parents are angry, they seem to take things out on him; thus making him more frustrated and angry.Demographics

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Mr. Peterson is a 50 year old white male. Mr. Peterson is an educated man with a PhD in literature from the University of North Carolina, for which he takes great pride. Mr. Peterson could be described as having an opinionated egocentric personality, quick witted, and some how seems to respond with some type of literary quote within every response to family and friends. Mr. Peterson does not emphasize a religious preference or identity and could be considered one who maintains an upper middle class life style. Although Mr. Peterson has published a few literary works, none have been significantly successful, and this seems to be a source of pain and loss of self esteem for Mr. Peterson.

Mrs. Peterson is a 46 year old white female. Mrs. Peterson also graduated from the University of North Carolina with a PhD in literature. Mrs. Peterson seems to be a smart, pleasant person that makes references to having hobbies; such as playing tennis, biking and shopping. Mrs. Peterson does not declare a religious preference, but does say she believes in God. Mrs. Peterson has published two novels and takes great pride in their success.

David is a sixteen year old white male. He has no history of mental illness or notable behavior problems. David attends high school within the tenth grade at Highland High School. David does not consider himself to be a religious person, but does love the latest Eminem Rap CD, loves to skate board, draw, and enjoys watching horror movies. David does seem to be a sensitive young man, and at times makes efforts to express his feelings and clearly express any noticeable changes to pictures and other items within my therapeutic office; thus indicating a heightened sense of observational ability.

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Treatment Plan

The current treatment plan (see figure 1.1) consist of one primary goal and intermediary objectives through a Cognitive Approach to assist in modifying David's current behavior issues. Thus far, over the past month and a half I have met with the Peterson family every week and attempted to assist David and his family with these objectives and goal with no progress. I believe that with the current information I can develop suggestions, and inform my practice by linking new strategies and intervention objectives from family therapeutic approaches to assist in solving David's difficulties.

GOAL: To decrease David's problematic behaviors

- Send home weekly progress report

- When David receives poor behavior reports he is grounded from skate boarding and other activities he enjoys

Figure 1.1

The current suggestion and decision to link family therapy approaches to this circumstance is to assist with significant issues. In retrospect, the interventions although practical, placed much of the responsibility and process upon David rather than a family oriented intervention. It was found that many times David would not even bring home his weekly progress reports for review. It was also founded that the use of negative reinforcement strategies was not effective due to David's already tattered self image. After further interactions with parents it was discovered that they rarely complimented David on what he does right, and they admitted to criticizing him at times. With this information I believe that it would be wise to now integrate a positive reinforcement plan that would assist with promoting good behavior and increasing self esteem. I feel that suggesting the use of strategies to assist with David's parents in regards to their relationship and the scape goating behaviors David describes may be beneficial. I believe that David's parents would also benefit by gaining parenting skills and education. The prior treatment plan did not allow David to experience for himself the roles of others or allow him to identify thought and feeling patterns. I believe that with the understanding of David's personality and his obvious intelligence and sensitivity, utilizing strategies that assist with thought identification may be beneficial. The newly suggested treatment plan is as follows;

Goal One: To decrease David's problematic behaviors

- To increase David's awareness of how his behavior affects others

- To assist David in identifying thoughts, feelings, behaviors, beliefs

- To assist David's parents with better parenting and relationship skills

Figure 1.2Strategies for Change - Cognitive Approach

During session discussion I would ask David, how he thought his behavior at school made others feel and what impact his behavior had on others. After his response I feel that the "Critical Moment" Cognitive Behavioral approach intervention that I learned at the University of Michigan School of Social Work may be effective (Personal Communication, R. Tolman, October, 2006). I would suggest that a role play should be utilized with David and his parents. I would ask David to identify any time or circumstance in which he interacted with a teacher negatively and when the interaction concluded with a negative consequence for David. The circumstance I would request of David must have ended with him thinking that he should have responded differently. I would ask him to express to all of us his detailed story from beginning to end. After he expressed his story I would ask David and his parents if there were more positive responses David could have utilized that were not disrespectful. David and his parents would have good ideas regarding what David's response could have been and they would share these ideas. After sharing their ideas, I would request that David play the role of the teacher, and I then ask his father to play the role of his son David. I would ask David's father to make sure that in his response, as he acted like David that he would include the newly agreed upon positive response. As both would act out the role play, David would state the words of his teacher within the past interaction and his father would do his best to repeat what David had stated was spoken during the interaction, except for the addition of the positive statement that David should have said. After the role play, I would request a role reversal. This time David would play himself, stating what his father had stated with the positive response attached to his interaction. His father would play the teacher, and at the conclusion David would hopefully begin to understand both roles of those involved. It is hypothesized that this role reversal may change David's perceptions.

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The second intervention that I believe would be helpful in allowing David to identify his thoughts and feelings and how they effect his behavior would be to utilize during the session a dry erase board in order to draw the "circle of identification" (Becvar & Becvar, 2000). This circle could indicate the process of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I feel that the utilization of this type of intervention may work well, considering the known information regarding David's love for drawing and visual acuity. I would suggest to David to express a time when he was disrespectful or acting out against his parents or teachers. That specific episode would be the focus in which we would identify his thoughts, feelings and behaviors to that circumstance. As a therapist I believe that as we identify his thoughts and feelings during this episode and address whether or not they were positive or negative, or whether they were realistic or distorted; at the center of David's response could lie schemas about himself and others that may not be healthy or functional for his life. It will be the goal of this intervention to address those negative schemas that may be assisting in negative responses, and purposely inserting positive collaborative thoughts created within our sessions.

Due to suspected negative reciprocity and the development of negative schemas within the family system, regarding David's consistent behaviors, it would seem to be beneficial to utilize a third cognitive approach. I feel that it may be beneficial for the Peterson family to utilize a thought, feeling, and behavior journal for all members in the family (Becvar & Becvar, 2000; Lawson & Prevatt, 1999). It would be expressed to the family that on each page of the journal there should be two headings; "What did David do today", and "How did I feel about what David did today." I believe that this could allow the family over a number of sessions to come to a realization of how they are perceiving their son, and how David perceives himself in a qualitative manner. Identifying these schemas, thoughts, and feelings may be beneficial for assisting in cognitively reconstructing the family systems perception and expectations of David's behavior.

Narrative Approach

It could be suggested that in an effort to speak about the behaviors within sessions one should seek to reduce parental "problem saturation" regarding discussions of David's behavior (Lawson & Prevatt, 1999). It could be hypothesized that due to the constant criticism and negative perceptions that David's parents have expressed regarding his behaviors, utilizing an externalization technique would be beneficial (Lawson & Prevatt, 1999). As the therapist I should ask two sets of questions; questions relating to how family members feel about David's behavior and after a series of questions regarding the families reactions to David's behavior I would ask the parents if there was ever a time in which David did not act disrespectful or behave in a negative manner (Prevatt & Lawson, 1999). All family members could then begin to identify the negative behaviors as external events in which they could seek to collaborate and work against (Prevatt & Lawson, 1999). This would seem to be an effective intervention, especially for David who has been indicated as having low self esteem and has been identified as possibly being the scape goat within the family system.

After a thorough expression of different perspectives over a number of sessions, as the therapist I would suggest to the parents to write a letter to their son. Within the letter I would ask them to express their commitment to helping David. I would express to the parents to write positive statements of affection for David and let him know that they validate his feelings. This would lend to decreased fault finding and negative reciprocity (Lawson & Prevatt, 1999). This process I believe would assist David in reducing his feelings of isolation and enhance his commitment to working against the externalized problems.

Furthermore, a third intervention that may be effective would be for myself as the therapist to write a final letter of prediction (Lawson & Prevatt, 1999). This letter would be written in a way that expressed a strengths base perspective and a positive message of hope in regards to family commitment and David's behaviors. Psychoeducational Approach

As the therapist I would pursue concepts and processes consistent with educating the Peterson family. I would identify concepts that may be effective considering the educational level of the parents and David, as well as the families strengths and ability to utilize problem solving and communication concepts (Becvar & Becvar, 2000). Considering the suspected scape goating behaviors of Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, I feel that teaching Mr. and Mrs. Peterson better ways of communicating their own problems rather than projecting them upon David would be beneficial. I believe speaking with Mr. and Mrs. Peterson about active listening skills, practicing the communication ball technique (speaker holds the ball / listener waits their turn) would allow the Petersons to work on their listening skills. I feel that this would work well for the Petersons considering their educational level and willingness to learn.

Another intervention I would implement to enhance communication with the educational system would be to teach parents how to implement a home/school communication system (Foley, 2007). This system includes maintaining a chart that is marked by teachers and parents to indicate behaviors, moods, and activities that were completed during the day (Foley, 2007). The construction of this system creates effective communications between school staff and parents (Foley, 2007). As the therapist I would ask the Petersons to construct this system as instructed and then within one session evaluate the process and express the ideas to David. Emphasizing also to David that good reports will bring good rewards. Educating Mr. and Mrs. Peterson regarding follow through and consistency regarding the communication system would be very important.

Due to the educational levels of the Peterson family, as a therapist I would suggest interventions such as parental skills groups within the community or the use of parenting resources and educational programs within sessions. It is hypothesized that the Petersons would welcome any educational information regarding more effective parenting. Recommending web sites, books (Love and Logic) and therapeutic games to enhance a child's communication and self esteem would be possible interventions for the Peterson family. These psychoeducational interventions would assist with the third objective of the treatment plan, regarding the need to obtain greater parenting and relationship skills.

Conclusion

The difficulty I identified within the first treatment plan was that only one approach was utilized and it was not an eclectic process with at least three approaches and multiple interventions. I believe that the eclecticism should be a priority due to the nature of the problem and multiple systems involved. I felt as if in order to reduce David's negative behaviors the interventions should be creative, connected to problem solving objectives and address the entire family system.

I believe that utilizing a cognitively based approach would be an important part in identifying the negative beliefs and schemas David may have about himself as the roots of his low self esteem. By increasing David's abilities in negative thought identification, David will be able to purposely insert positive thoughts through cognitive restructuring (Becvar & Becvar, 2000). Gaining parental involvement with journaling may also be a wonderful intervention, considering that Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are writers and may give interesting and creative reflections.

What may be a concern is that David's parents could identify externalizing a problem through a Narrative approach, as a way of David not taking full responsibility for his behavior. Considering their past negative reciprocity of his behaviors and the parents' attitudes and expectations, it would be important to emphasize the significance of such a perspective.

David stated that his parents do not listen to him. Also admitted by his parents, they tend to argue more when David gets in trouble. The chosen Psycho educational approach would seem to be an effective approach. This approach I feel would assist the Petersons in gaining valuable communication skills and greater parenting strategies for David. I feel that communication building strategies would assist with what David stated as "no one listens to me." Considering the Petersons income level, community influence and positive attitude towards education, suggesting that they gain involvement in a parenting and or communications group would be an excellent intervention strategy.

I feel as the Petersons therapist that the utilization of these three approaches and choosing them according to their specific circumstance and family dynamics that they will prove to be more effective. I feel that these approaches contain all the elements that are needed to enhance the skills and reduce the problems that were chosen by the Peterson family.

Note to Reader: All participants in this article and the agency are fictional: any relation or connection to real circumstances is clearly coincidental.

L. J. Riley Jr. BSW, LLMSW______________________________________

References

Becvar, D. S., & Bacvar, R. J. (2000). Family Therapy; A Systemic Integration. (4th edition). Needham Heights; Ma: Allyn & Bacon Publishing.

Foley, S. (2007) Psychological Testing for Social Workers; The Notes.

Lawson, D. M., & Prevatt, F. F. (1999) Casebook in Family Therapy. Belmont; CA:Wadsworth Publishing.