One Boredom Buster

I rarely need boredom buster ideas. The reason? I rarely experience boredom, so I don't typically go about scrounging for ideas on how to bust it. It's that simple.

Even during this social distancing period sprung upon us by COVID-19, I tend to view all this extra time on my hands as opportunity for catch-up activities rather than surety for a lengthy session of boredom. (although...well, ask me if I've changed my mind on any of this after we're a few weeks - or months - in)

One of the catch-up activities to which I refer is blogging. Just because I don't publish a new blog post weekly, or even somewhat regularly, doesn't mean I don't have ideas for them roaming hither and yon in my mind. Maybe now is the time to corral some of those wandering creatures and harness them for usefulness.

I shall begin by keeping a blog promise and making a blog promise. I plan to share pictures of Kayleen & Carlin's wedding in this post. In the future I plan to post a daily series consisting of ideas for Things To Do During COVID-19 Isolation. The length of the series is unknown, at this point. Look for an introduction to the series soon.

I had such fun going over these wedding photos and savoring memories of that wonderful event 4 and 1/2  months ago. I can't help but think of couples who are/were planning to get married soon. Because of the Corona virus pandemic, those planning a wedding are needing to make some unusual and difficult decisions. My heart goes out to those people.

It is a sort of therapy for me, during a time of isolation, to look at these photos depicting the connection of family and friends in a large crowd at a social event. Perhaps it can be a mood-booster for you, too, even if you don't know many of the people personally. And we can all dream of resuming special times of celebration together in the future.

I give credit to Kayleen & Carlin's photographer, Chris Miller, for all of these photos.

So now, let the pictures begin:

It's a little tricky to plan the location for outdoor wedding photos in our neck of the woods during autumn. Kayleen wanted the photo shoot to be on the "home property", preferably with leaves still on the trees and no snow on the ground. She was granted her wish! It was pretty cold the morning of the wedding, but the orchard made a gorgeous backdrop for the photos. (Of course, I think that no matter what the setting, the photos would've turned out because of the lovely couple in focus!)

It was a beautiful morning, although chilly. You can see the residual snow on the shed roof and know why the wedding people needed blankets in between poses.

Groom & groomsmen: Kenny Beiler, Carlin, Travis Brubaker, Kyler Martin 

Bride & bridesmaids: Meghan Brubaker, Tory Martin, Kayleen, Kerra, Holly Streicher

The bride's family:

Joy & Rolin, Seth, Kerra, Carlin & Kayleen, Danette & Ken, Ricky & Jasmine

Couple with the bride's nephew, Seth.

The groom's family:

Nevin, Daisy & Titus, Rowan, George, Dana & Regina, Kayleen & Carlin, Julie & Jared, Wesley

Couple with the groom's nephews, Rowan & George

The singing group practicing before the wedding service. Their music was heavenly!

My dad, Dan Schrock, preached the wedding sermon.

Howard Bean officiated.

The parents joined the couple for a prayer of blessing after the vows.

According to Ontario laws for a wedding, the couple, two witnesses, and the minister officiating sign the register right during the ceremony in the presence of the whole congregation. Typically, the wedding vocalists sing while the signing is going on. Looks like Kayleen and Carlin were sharing a happy moment.

With Carlin's Grandma Beachy

With Kayleen's Grandma & Grandpa Schrock

With Carlin's Grandma Atkinson

With Kayleen's Grandma & Grandpa Martin

The appetizer on the tables included crackers, cream cheese, and red pepper jelly (that Kayleen and I had made during the wedding preparation months).

The lights strung around the gym walls were so beautiful, but they made for some dim reception photos. Here my twin sister and her husband Nolan are keeping apple cider furnished for the guests.

Ricky & Jasmine made an outstanding pair in their emcee teamwork. 

Wedding meal menu: chicken breasts in bbq sauce, butternut squash, rice pilaf, autumn tossed salad, and assorted dinner rolls.

Dessert was pie - apple and pumpkin - and ice cream.

A band of FB sisters: BeccaBethanyKayleenKristiMeghan

Farewell to the newly wed Mr. & Mrs. Atkinson!