Beautiful bouquets
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:10:18 am
It wouldn't be a wedding without the beauty of flowers. These gifts of nature may adorn everything from the entryway to the bride's bouquet and everywhere in between.
Their scents fill the air and evoke the very essence of romance, setting the tone for an impressive ceremony enjoyed by family and friends.

Crazy little thing called love
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:10:25 am
My first instinct was to put a note in place of this article that said, “Writer would like to boycott the love issue” and leave a blank space. I’m aware that I have a reputation to keep.

Brides can find it all at the fair
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:10:36 am
Think of the 2010 Happily Ever After Spring Bridal Show as one-stop shopping.
That's what coordinators Faye Mann and Didi Vardaman say anyway.

Before the vows
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:10:47 am
There is one guarantee that comes along with love that is shared between two people — differences, and lots of them. Navigating those differences proves to be both a challenge and an opportunity to enhance the love that already exists in a
relationship.

Marriage maintenance plans
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:10:09 am
While the old adage “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” may apply to many situations, marriage definitely is not one of them.

With this ring I thee wed
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:10:52 am
"It's about the people,” says Russell Mefford, of Mefford's Jewelers in Florence, adding that the rings are simply a symbol of the love the couple share.

What is your marriage maintenance plan?
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:10:13 am
“Every marriage is different, but every marriage needs maintenance. All you have to do to kill a relationship is neglect it. Small things maintain a healthy relationship. Little things, like a little touch, a little smile, a small gift, a kind word, mean the most. Noticing a need is big, but training your heart to notice is even...

Finding the perfect date
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:03:03 pm
The movies make it all seem so romantic.
Dates are always events.
The man is dressed to the nines, roses in hand when he picks the woman up for dinner at a nice restaurant.
In real life, though, women will tell you it rarely happens that way. Fortunately for them, it’s not what most women want.
At least not all the time.

Finger foods
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:03:06 pm
Whether you call them finger foods, appetizers, party food or the more sophisticated hors d'oeuvres, one thing is the same. Most cooks have a go-to favorite recipe that's a hit with friends and family. By the strictest definition, finger foods are things that can be eaten with the fingers instead of utensils. But send out an invitation asking...

Girl Scout Goodies
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:03:56 pm
It's that time of year again, when Girl Scouts start taking cookie orders. But you don't have to just eat the cookies alone. They also are great ingredients for other dishes. We asked Richard McGraw at McGraw's Coffee Shop and Chef Brandon at the 360 Grille. both in Florence, to create a recipe using their favorite Girl Scout cookie. Here is what...

Not perfect, but committed
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:04:15 pm
Rose and Gary Day have been married for 32 years, and they’re headed for the 33rd year with enthusiasm.

The honeymooners
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:04:19 pm
Lawrence and Gloria Huffman touch the stars with their honeymoon of almost 45 years, never going to bed without saying “I love you.”
Their journey started with a picture of Lawrence. After seeing his picture in her cousin’s wallet, Gloria asked, “Can I meet him?”

Best friends forever
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:04:22 pm
With 25 years of marriage, nine children — two of whom are married — and a busy life on 160 acres, this stay-at-home mom and this cattleman dad still are “best friends forever.”
Lee and Heidi Miller went all-out celebrating their 25th anniversary
May 19, 2009.

Soulmates
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:04:28 pm
Patient. Loving. Understanding. Family-oriented.
Those are just a few of the words Sharon Robbins uses to describe Charles, her husband of 34 years.
“We met at Royal Avenue pool in 1972 when we were 15,” Sharon said. “We dated off and on and were married Aug. 18, 1975.”

Living blue in a pink world
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:04:32 pm
It’s a boy? What are we going to do with a boy?” I remember saying when the ultrasound showed that one of my unborn twins was in fact male. Princesses, dress-up clothes, doll houses and all things girly have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Having mostly sisters, five nieces, and being a girl myself, it just comes...

Clothes make the workout
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:04:40 pm
I’m not an expert on fitness or healthy living or anything like that, but I do know one thing: If you want to pick an exercise program and stick to it, the first place to start is with the clothes.
Think about it.

Fitness important during pregnancy
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:04:50 pm
Good news. Research continues to show that exercise during pregnancy helps improve the overall health of mother and baby. Most pregnant women can and should exercise; however, medical clearance from your doctor is very important.

From the editor
Dec, 29, 2009  Last Updated:09:59 am
What do you do when you grew up in New Orleans and your fiancé is enthralled with the 1920s gangster era? Well, you can do as Sherri Stout and Wayne Boyle did, and throw a '20s-themed wedding. The couple generously invited Shoals Woman to their nuptials, which took place at their home overlooking the lake. They went all out, with bouncers...