Showing posts with label celebrations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label celebrations. Show all posts

April 8, 2012

Rainbow Eggs

Clockwise from top: Hot water mixed with blueberries, green tea, parsley, cranberries, turmeric, and espresso.
 Yesterday, I was trying to come up with a way to attractively display the deviled eggs I usually bring to my dear friend and neighbor's annual Easter gathering. I found this website on pinterest. The pastel-colored-eggs are gorgeous but foreign colors for foods can be alarming (purple ketchup?). And food dye's have a bad rap in general. For years I've been meaning to experiment with dyeing eggs from sources from nature. From the research I did (Martha Stewart) they produce more subtle, elegant colors. 

After getting some ideas off the interwebs and checking my kitchen, I ended up using: coffee, frozen cranberries, frozen blueberries/blackberries, green tea, turmeric, and parsley, which I ran through our beloved juicer.
 Pretty and pastel-y, like I hoped!
I wanted to mix in the dill and parsley but in the end allowed people the option by serving on the side.
 I was worried the coffee one would taste too strong--it wasn't. 
 We were lucky to form a quality group of friend our first year living here. Our friends are grad students and spouses, who moved here from other parts of the country. We live in the same complex, so borrowing stuff and watching TV shows in pajamas is our normal.  Without family accessible, we're forced to rely on each other for community in ways you might not have to when living in a familiar place. Recently, we've seen dear friends move on to bigger and better things and leave us. Our time in this humble community has an end in sight. Year five is drawing to a close and I know that someday we wont be carving pumpkins together, crowding around for Thanksgiving, or celebrating Easter together in style. In the meanwhile, I try to live in the moment (and take lots of pictures) so I'll remember these good ole days.

February 27, 2012

Five or Fifteen Things

Colorful kids--and generous parents. My class is looking good. 
Beautiful children and their self-portraits.
Last week they did an exciting tie-dye project led by some terrific parents in my room. We frequently talk about primary and secondary colors, so it was wonderful to see all the colors blended together in a real-life way. 

Today we made a beautiful book of thank you notes. My students are so creative and growing so much as a writers and independent humans. It is so fun to witnessed. And I found the perfect use for a fancy tie-dye patterned pad of post-its I was gifted.

I did all the paperwork (not my strength) required to transfer to a new salary class. Moving to a new state,  I still started at Class 1 even with a high quality Masters degree. I managed to earn over 20 units in two years (evening classes, summer Writing Project) since working for this district. I feel accomplished and am happy to make a bit more money.

Really late in the game on this, but I bought an eyelash curler. I curled my lashes and think it actually DOES make a big difference. Va-va-vooom. A little scary. Do you get use to it?

Tonight I will eat pineapple upside down cake to celebrate a friend and neighbor's 32nd birthday. I don't have fancy digs but I love my community. My neighbors are my friends. We borrow things from one another, crowd together and watch TV in our PJs, and stumble upon easy conversations at the laundry room or mailboxes. Dorms for grown-ups.

My eyes are so tired of pinks and red and glitter and hearts. I can't wait for the switch to March. I find spring the most thrilling and dramatic season....I LOVE flowers and rainbows and clovers and soothing green. If Summer is the weekend of the Year, Spring is like Thursday night before the weekend. Friday Eve...   Two more days and then I refresh my calendar and classroom and begin celebrating spring. 

Do you see signs of a new season? What things are you looking forward to?

February 21, 2012

Restorative Weekend

 My four day weekend was very satisfactory.

I did so little. I puttered around. I woke when I felt like it. I experimented in the kitchen. I played with my plants. I made space and parted with stuff I don't need...a couch, bags of clothes, a rug. I selected fresh food and bright flowers at the farmer's market. I sat in the sun and drank coffee with A. I read in bed in the middle of the day (A Game of Thrones, Book 2). I noticed cute dogs (everywhere) Note: I may have the dog version of the baby-bug...some people feel pangs of longing for children, I feel them for canines.
I went to the beach, of course.

Bounty: In my fridges, on my counters, and in Andrew's ceramic vases.
I went to yoga. I wandered through the garden store and felt the comforting/familiar draw of a farm life. I wept through "The Descendents" set in my beautiful Hawaii heart-and-homeland.
Slow food. Warm food.
Put up my Instagram collage!
Fam life attracts me (and repels me).                    
This wilty looking 3rd-hand dendrobium rebloomed. I am awestruck.

At work today, I was happy to see my students smile and laugh. I took time to really notice them and practiced being a careful listener. There was time today to be scientists/historians/writers/performers/readers/thinkers and garden-growers. I felt fulfilled.

February 8, 2012

Swan Lake

Andrew's birthday weekend was super low key. We went to the beach twice...and got in the water Sunday. I also decided to revamp my old camera habit. My iPhone has been my camera since I got it. Why lug around two? Anyway, while I am due to invest in a big heay REAL real camera, I broke out my Panasonic Lumix.
Walking down a dirt road...
...to the nearby "lake."
Another cute couple....
Pretty (hungry?) swans in the background did a little show for us. I love the self-timer, and precariously balancing my camera; I'd never dare ask a stranger for a picture. Though I am quite comfortable around people I know, I have severe stranger danger (I'm shy).

Happy 29th birthday A-ditty!

February 5, 2012

Heart Days

My favorite neighborhood beach. We surfed there today for Andrew's birthday!
A heart rock... today is our two year anniversary of getting engaged.
Happy heart month. My favorite month maybe.
This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. Dalai Lama



Thanks for reading--and for all the encouragement to start blogging again.
Life has been very full. I appreciate having this space to share it.

November 13, 2010

Wedding Favorites...

Flowers...more is more.
Jewel-y Tones.
Haiku View.

It was a good party.
I am homesick for Maui.
Thanks for the photos HillyP!

July 28, 2010

Aloha Time

 
At the Honolulu Zoo!
 
Yee-haw!
 
Banyan Lovers
 
Family Time

July 21, 2010

Remembering Ashley

Photos from the Ashley Marie Smith Memorial Fund, by my sister Holly.

A collage my sister Lantana put together of her dear friend Ashley.  So many of these pictures make us smile.  It reminds me of the importance of taking picture and celebrating moments.
 Ashley's Hawaii ohana gathered at the beach to remember our ocean-loving friend's beautiful life.
 
 Paddling out for prayer and tossing loose flowers.

 You are loved and will live on in our hearts.   To learn more about Ashley and her legacy you can visit The Ashley Smith Memorial Fund page on facebook.

June 10, 2010

June 5, 2010

All Dressed in White: Thoughts on a Wedding


Sneak peak: Andrew's left chest and my left hip.
Our wedding outfits have been purchased!  We got Andrew the fanciest white silk shirt he's ever owned. And with the help of amazing friends, I found a dreamy, comfortable dress at an incredible price.

I have to admit, before I agreed to have one, I was a little scared of weddings. The hoopla, excess, and lack of success I've seen result from them left me a little incredulous. Two of the three big weddings I've been to in the last years ended at the year mark, and we are both from divorced families.  But I've known for ages now that I want to be with A forever and ever.  Marriage doesn't scare me one bit.  We've been through many difficult times and we still only love each other more and more. I admire Andrew so much and there is nobody who makes me feel better or more like myself.  I feel ridiculously lucky.

And the wedding?  I never grew up dreaming of the day and I am ignorant about most traditions. This hasn't been a bad thing. I knew from the start we couldn't spend a lot. While we are very happy, we don't have extra money. And even if I did I could think of many other places to spend it. I also don't want to go through motions that have no significance to me, I want something meaningful..

And everything has fallen into place. From our outfits, to our locale, to our invitations, to the people attending...it has been a labor of love and all extremely personal.  People we love have both talent and generous hearts. I am practiced at opening my heart to receiving these gifts.  It sounds strange, but I've witnessed the grace it takes to accept help, it is a common topic in yoga class, and I even read a book on it in graduate school.

June 4, 2010

School's Out


Feeling completely adored...the last week of school was a lovefest. I am so proud of the kids and how much they've grown. I also work with some wonderfully inspiring teachers. They are so generous with their craft!
I got a book from my students filled with their illustrations and sweet sentiments they wrote out. I don't remember ever being so kind to a teacher. Pictures of me (in Hawaii getting married), pictures of me and some of my students, and pictures of Andrew and me as a couple.

The end is bittersweet!

March 6, 2010

Playa-Del-Rey, California

I went down to LA to see my best girlfriend.
Dr. Cristina was visiting from snowy DC.
We reminisced on Maui and life
as we laid by the pool .
She got me off coffee
and onto fresh juice.
We (mostly jokingly) tried on dresses
for weddings to come, since we're
both betrothed Bettys.
She gave me the courage
to face the manicure ladies.
And we celebrated her stylish
Grandma Viv's Valentine's birthday
with sushi, vino, and laughter.

February 14, 2010

Happy Love Day

I love Valentine's Day. I loved it the same amount when I was a single gal since it is an excellent excuse to celebrate sparkles and pink and best friends and just be a cornball.  There is less pressure and pageantry than Christmas and if you never got around to sending Xmas Cards you'll have a month or more to throw together some paper hearts.  It is especially joyful as a teacher. See above.
I am so glad I've found someone to share this ride with. 
A week ago, on Andrew's birthday, he proposed to me.
He told me what he really wanted for his birthday
was to marry me.
I said yes.
My heart and life is filled with love these days.
Sending love to you.

~Emily~

February 6, 2010

Love for the Grands

Picture from my grandparents' wedding album.
Elizabeth and Charles have been married for 65 years.

Clearly they still like each other an awful lot.
Grandma visits in Hawaii.  I'm grateful for the role they've had in my life. 

With Granddad Christmas 2009.   
Good times.
Stay well in that Maryland snow!

January 23, 2010

Happy Birthday Lantana!


My sister turns 24 today. Some pictures from the early years. 
Literary
Athletic
Noticable 
Tough 
Artsy 
Naughty* 
Adventurous 
*You're also Nice and Nature-bound

Pictures from Hawaii 2009.  Love you sister!

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