Joyful Purpose

circle of friends

My darling dear friend Judi hosted a women's circle to honor my 40th bday (2/16 actually) this past Sunday.  The day included 8 of my close friends and others that were their in spirit.  I started by taking a walk on the beach and collecting sea water - saying a prayer and heading back to a room filled with beauty, joy, safety and wonderment.  Judi smudged the room with sage and blessed each person as they entered the room.  We sat in a circle and wrote the thing we wanted to let go of and the thing we wanted to embrace into our lives which we then professed and burned in the fire.  Judi had each of my friends bring a bead that was special to them as an offering to me which they lovingly strung as we went around the circle and they blessed me with what I meant to them.  This was a treasure indeed.  I then asked each person to paint something on a painting that I am working on that is inspired by this poem by Mary Oliver -

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice --
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do --
determined to save
the only life you could save.

~ Mary Oliver ~

No this isn't my sweet new puppy but my mom's - her name is Cricket and I was baby sitting.

We then had a delicious tea filled with tea sandwiches, choc. covered strawberries, champagne - my favorite - Veuve Clicquot ,

the best cherry scones in the world - made by dear Judi

 

and ended with my favorite cake from Phoenix Bakery

It was a wonderful day filled with ritual, friendship, love and purpose - a great way for me to celebrate entering my 5th decade.

CP's Annual Valentines Tea

It was Carol Park's Annual Valentines Tea Party today and as usual it was a feast - for the eyes, senses, and spirit.  There was yummy food, handing out of handmade valentines, raffles, laughter and more eye candy then you can imagine - with that being said ....

Oh and did I mention the belly dancers!!

 "Gifts for Valentine's Day by ProFlowers.com"

Groovy Baby

Feelin Groovy Baby!  The annual mother son school dance was last night and you guessed it it was a 60'd theme.  These pics crack me up.  I am so glad that my boys like to express themselves and dress up - they picked out the outfits and HAD to have the afro wigs. Go figure! 

Blessed little Favors

This sunday I will be having a women's circle and tea hosted by my friend Judi at my home to honor my turning 40 on the 16th of this month.  It will be 8 of my closet friends (the ones that live within traveling distance that is ... the ones who live a far will be there in spirit ;)) It is a very special ceremony that includes blessings, letting go, looking forward, and affirming who I am and wish to be in this new phase of my life.  Afterwards there will be a tea filled with yummy treats, mimosas and good champagne.  I created these little gifts for all of my friends attending.  A chinese tea pot and cup tied up with some very delicious Lady Grey Tea bags. 

Will you be my Valentine?

I finished my valentines today for my friend Carol's annual valentine tea party on Sat.  - 36 of these sweet babies - a valentine tag accompanied by a cute clothespin magnet.  To make it a little easier on myself I made the tag front and back with photoshop printed them out and glued them down to the tag and then inked and embellished it.  I think they turned out rather nice. 

And BTW Gung Hay Fat Choy!  Happy Chinese New Year - Celebrating the year of the Rat - the boys and I stuffed red envelopes with i ching coins, golden chocolate coins and lucky lychee candy for their classmates.

Wriskey Girl - can you say LOVE

I just got my new WRISKEY in the mail and must say - I love it!  Not only is it very cute it is also practical - it stays on your wrist easily ( i have really small wrists and everything always falls off and it stays on comfortably)  Not only does Tara Frey carry a very nice variety of styles she also has a nice blog as well - you must check her out! I love supporting small businesses and being a former owner of one myself I know how much work it is. And to top it off the price is right and it comes Beautifully Packaged!  What more could a girl ask for ... cuteness, practicality, packaging and a bargain!  On a side note my package was shipped to my husband's office and my mom is the office manager so she picked it up from the mail for me  .... she couldn't figure out why I had a package from "Whiskey Girl" - turning over a new leaf ma! ;)

p.s. must run in the family as I was calling it Wristkey ???  duh its Wriskey like "risky" ... obviously I am not a "risky" girl ;) more like a literal one or as my brother says "a dork" and proud of it!

It's all in the packaging

I finished all my valentines and packed them up for my swap drop off - presentation makes it  - something needs to look good on the outside and be sweet on the inside as well ;)

I also packed up some sweet valentine goodies for the host Carol Parks.  Who wouldn't want to receive one of these!