Earth Day Plantings

For three years in a row, T and I have planted some plants for Mother Earth.  We were a little late this year but better late than never!  As usual, I went and got a pair of plants.  I believe in pairs... they are my good luck!  =o)

I purchased the plants over the weekend but just never got around to the actual planting because of all the sewing that I had to finish.  Over dinner, I reminded T that we had to plant today.  Of course, S2 did not want to be left out...thankfully for me!  ;oP  

  I gave them each a shovel and set them to work.

 They got right down to work and soon we had both plants in the ground.

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 There was an empty spot on the front yard by the magnolias that was sticking out to me like a sore thumb.  I wanted it to fill in and have the hedge continue in its circular path towards the tree line; instead of just stopping short.

Here it is from a distance.  It looks better already.  I think that T dug her hole a little bit too forward but I think that it will be okay once the green viburnum on the left fills up some. 

Doesn't it look much better?

I just wish that the deer wouldn't keep munching on the cypresses.  =o( 

 After all that digging, T and S2 decided to do a quick bathing suit change and take advantage of the watering in the backyard.

 Soon enough, the dogs joined in and Spikey spotted the ball.  It didn't matter how large it was....only that it was a ball.

 Soon enough, S1 joined in also with a frisbee.  I, of course, stayed dry near the shade by my wall of jasmine.

 

 Another typical day in the K household...  =o)

Happy Monday everyone!

Productive Weekend

I had a couple of rush stole orders for this weekend.  Although all of my stoles are made with love, I am especially proud of these two of whose owners are both my students.  Luis, in particular, (who owns the white one) is in Texas teaching for Teach for America.  I still cannot believe that he was able to get his masters degree while still on assignment for TFA.  He is doing an amazing job with his elementatry students and has decided that he wants to be a highschool principal  I think that he would be really great at this!!!

I have also FINALLY finished the Ti Amo (click here) quilt that started as the Ti Voglio Bene (click here) quilt. This quilt was a challenge for me as I wanted to keep it looking somewhat like stained glass but at the same time working with the main yellow fabric. After being 7 months late, I hope this surprise will be loved by its new owners! 

The backing is made out of fabric that has the  green ivy weaved with small red hearts.  The colors are in keeping with the green and red of the Italian flag.   This quilt is 68" x 78".

Cabbage Update

Here are the cabbages 77 days after planting.



As you can see, the cabbage fruits in the middle are getting quite large!  It's really exciting!


T happily agreed to get her picture taken for this cabbage update.  S2 on the other hand....well, he wasn't too happy...  =o/

Earth Day Celebration

We celebrated Mother Earth's birthday last night by turning of all the lights and playing monopoly by candlelight.  We had a wonderful time together and enjoyed this precious moment.  T won because she had the most property.  We thought that S2 had the most money but we found $500 and $100 bills on the floor by T's chair this morning!  =o)  Guess she dropped them last night!  LOL!  S1 and I lost.  Oh well, it was a perfect evening!  After the hour we decided not to turn on any of the lights and just go to bed.  Happy Birthday Mother Earth!!!  =o)

Rest in Peace, my friend...

Yesterday was the funeral for my friend, Alex Ainza. Alex left us at a very young age of 41. He was the first in my peer group to leave. We all met decades ago in college through the Filipino Student Association.

The current FSA did a wonderful tribute of him here.

This past week has been difficult. It has made me think of my mortality and my legacy... of what really matters...and most of all, what doesn't.

After yesterday, I thought that my crying would have stopped. But as I look outside at the pouring rain, it's as if the heavens are joining me in my cry... There is sooooooo much, and soooooo many...and such very little time for it all.

Live and love to the absolute fullest, for we never know when it is our turn....

Rough Month, Rougher Week..and Happy Mailings...

This past few weeks for me has been quite hectic. This time of the year for me at work is one of the busiest times and it has been non stop since March. I can delightfully say that I am D-O-N-E with more than a hundred applications, interviews, hirings and scheduling. (well, scheduling will be going on for a couple more weeks.


sold order to Charlotte, North Carolina

This week, however has been even more trying as it is the first time that the twins are taking the FCATs. So of course, I must be the ever-present parent and make sure that they are well cared for in terms of sleep and eating. This also means ALOT of "But Mommy, Why..." whinings and arguments. ;o/


sold order to La Jolla,California

What tops the cake is that a good friend of mine passed away last weekend. He is the first one to go in my peer group and it has brought alot of soul searching about life and future and living and making the most of everyday...and of course, loving to the fullest.

sold order to Stanford, California

For the past month, there has not really been alot of luxury time for myself although I actually enjoyed the sewing for the stole orders for this semester's graduates. (I was so intent on finishing them that I forgot to take pictures!)

But after a lull of creative energy, I was able to pick out some of the main fabrics for some long promised quilts. I'm kinda excited about the design process! =o)

Sentimental Saturday

It's so funny that any little thing can automatically remind you of something. I was in the car driving on my regular Saturday morning jaunt when these little flowers caught my eye from off of a side street. At first I was going to just let it go but I turned around, took a right off the road and pulled up a driveway just to get this picture.

There were only a small handful of these lovely dandelions but automatically, it reminded me of my childhood and the shared yard between our house and the next door neighbors. It was at our first home in Canada. Notre Dame Street. Such wonderful memories. I have never seen dandelions as big and beautiful as those ones in that yard. It was a sea of yellow and no matter how many we picked, there were always many more. Come to think of it now, I guess our yard was not the healthiest of yards if it had all these weeds. But oh how I love dandelions! =o)

Dinosaur Update

After taking our pictures for the blog, T gingerly laid her creation on the counter to dry. This morning, I showed her my post and she happily approved of it before I published. We shared the post with S1 and S2 and she walked over to her dragon's nest. But it was gone!!!! Only remnants of the nest were found on the floor. Right away we knew the dragon's doom. There is ONLY one predator most feared in the Cretaceous era for eating dinosaur eggs... and one's lineage can be found in this house! The wolf!... and sure enough, as I did a more thorough search of the house, more bits of the nests were found in Spikey's cage! =o(

Maiasaura Peeblesorum Draconis

I'm sure you're asking... What the heck is this post about??! Well, T came home yesterday with ANOTHER creation.

This one is made out of clay and it was still delicately soft as it laid cradled on her palm. She said that another girl had hogged all the clay that was there and so she made something out of the little bit that was left.

This little guy is a hatchling. When I asked her what it was, she looked at me in disbelief and could not understand WHY I would now know what it was!

"It's a baby dragon, Mommy!" She said. I looked closer and then I saw ALL the details. Serves me right for not paying close attention.
Right before I started this post, I googled and sure enough, this is what I found. Duck-billed dinosaurs! =o) How wonderfully creative!
What do you paleontologists think? =o)

Easter

There is a great article by Gina Savet Tavangar in the Huffington Post, regarding all the different celebrations that are happening during this time of year and the messages that we can derive from them. I dont know about you but for me, it comes with a great hope that through these celebrations that the goodness in the world prevails and with it, bring for a better tomorrow...

Here is the article that was taken from here.

I'm often amazed by the convergence of so many important, sacred holidays within the same few weeks of the year. If a being from a peaceful planet came to earth this week and got a bird's eye view, I wonder what lessons they would take away from this coming together on the calendar? I doubt they'd take sides -- as in, "this tradition is good, that one is bunk!" If we hoped they would take away some important lessons from each of the rituals that cause people of diverse convictions to change their routine in honor of something bigger, here are some lessons they might take away:

From Passover (Pesach), the Jewish holiday: The ritual seder dinner involving all the senses serves as a parable for and about children, reliving the Exodus of Moses and his loyal believers, embarking on a journey marked by hardship, but ultimately filled with hope and optimism for a brighter future, toward freedom -- from oppression, want and indignity.

From Vaisakhi, the Sikh holiday: This day marks the establishment of the concept of the Saint-Soldier, whose courage is rooted in standing up for the freedom of any oppressed human being, all of whom are children of the same One Creator, to be treated equally regardless of

From Mahavir Jayanti, the Jain holiday: gender, caste, beliefs. This marks the birth of the last of the Jain prophets who was believed to have conquered all human vice; the sacred holiday serves as a reminder of the qualities of renunciation from materialism, charity, justice, nonviolence and honesty.

From Christian Holy Week, Culminating on Easter Sunday: The suffering of Jesus, dying on the cross followed by His miraculous resurrection, exemplifies Divine grace and humanity's hope for redemption and renewal, even amidst the worst crises.

From Ugadi(and other names), the New Year for various regions' Hindus: This festivity or its variations is celebrated with foods that mark the various tastes of the year to come: bitter, sweet, sour and fiery, followed by fresh clothes, clean home, visits to loved ones and symbols of goods' triumph over evil. The idea of renewal is coupled with the realities of life's trials and hope for goodness as the ultimate victor.

From Theravadin, the Buddhist New Year (in Southeast Asia): Renewal is marked by celebratory food, visits to temples, fresh and new items for home and person. These help begin a new cycle, as in nature. People also might be splashed with water -- amidst revelry -- to symbolize a cleansing from past sins.

From Nowruz originated by Zoroastrians. While this ancient holiday starts on the Spring Equinox in March, Persians celebrate it for 13 days, so it also carries into April. Today, part of the beauty of Nowruz is that all Persians, regardless of religious affiliation, whether Muslim, Jewish, Christian or Baha'i, are united by this holiday honoring beauty, renewal, hospitality and fresh beginnings.

From Ridvan, the Baha'i holiday: The Ridvan festival marks Baha'u'llah's publicly announcing His sacred mission centered in the realization of the Oneness of Humanity, justice and a renewal God's purpose for humanity to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization. It is symbolized by roses, as thousands were brought to honor Baha'u'llah prior to His embarking on yet another journey in His long exile.

Earth Day also falls right around these holy days, marking a common stewardship of the planet across all faiths and traditions.

Ironically, I could not find an Islamic holiday falling in April. Perhaps this could have special significance for Muslims, particularly those in the Middle East and North Africa. As the last few months have been called the "Arab Spring," this could serve as an especially poignant reminder, a time to gather the lessons of the ages to build hopeful democracies: consider the virtues of Freedom, Renewal, Resurrection, Redemption, Liberation and Justice that all the world's faiths encourage us to realize. Perhaps taken together, this vision of a world in celebration this spring could bring us closer to the ideals we all hope for. It certainly makes for important lessons to teach our children.

I also promised you a picture of Mother Mary, who I talked about here. Unfortunately, my cousin couldn't stay in my Lola's town through Easter Sunday but she did get AMAZING pictures of Mother Mary in her glory on Friday.


Isn't she absolutely beautiful?! Even dressed in black, she is a sight to look at!


Look at all of those flowers! Keep in mind that they are ALL real! Absolute fresh flowers that adorn this large float! Remember that it was ONLY 2 days previously that her float was decorated by the colorful and gorgeous sweet blooms. Now it is a total transformation in white!!!



Remember the other statue that I was telling you about in my previous post that we had owned and given to another family? Well here he is.


My cousin Dolly was able to get a picture of him too! Now just imagine how SCARY it is to live with this life size statue in your home all year through. My Lola kept him in his coffin on the 2nd floor sitting room of her house. I hated having to go up there for anything let alone after sundown! And during my younger days, we still moved around by lamp light!
Ahhhhh..... the memories of a wonderful childhood!

My present to you...

T was really itching to decorate an egg. So I boiled 2, because I knew that if I boiled only 1, I would regret it later... She decided that it was going to be her Easter present to her brother. Sure enough, just after she finished painting her egg, he came along and wanted to paint his too. He also decided that his decorated egg would be for her...

Here are their creations! Can you guess which is whose? =o)

Holy Wednesday

In my grandma's town where my mom grew up, each of the more established families own and care for a holy statue. These life size statues live in the homes of the family where they are treated like a revered family member. Every expense is given to their care, their elaborate dresses and costumes and jewelries. Many, many thousands of pesos are spent on the decorations and fresh flowers that adorn their floats.



During my grandmother's time, our family was the only one with 2 floats. We owned the statue of Mother Mary and the Christ Jesus asleep in the coffin. Since my grandmother's death, the dead Jesus has been given to another family to be cared for. However, we have retained ownership of Mother Mary.

Mother Mary retains her role as the most revered statue of the town. She goes through 3 costume changes within the short week. She is the one that starts the Holy Week procession in her typical blue attire, and is the one to bring up the end of the procession dressed in black on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday, she is dressed and adorned in the most beautiful of dresses and jewelries and holds her court in the church plaza. Here she is greeted by angels (towns little girls) and an entire program is dedicated to her unveiling and the celebration of Jesus' resurrection.

This very short synopsis does not even come close to the impact and importance of this custom to the people. Aside from the religious aspect of the entire Holy Week festivities, family name, family status, etc. all come into play. It matters where your order is in the procession, who pulls the float, where in the church your statue is displayed, etc. Everything is overwhelming!

But the real beauty of it all is the dedication of these people, the belief in their religion and the amazing sacrifices that all go through to make this one week, a week to remember for the whole year through. As an adult, I have only ever heard of the 3 hour long procession before dawn, to pray around the town and end up greeting the sun by the water's horizon.

I remember alot of this, being there as a little girl, but I wish that I can now experience it as an adult when I KNOW and understand all of its meanings.

I give credit to my cousin Dolly who took these pictures of the Holy Wednesday procession back home. I wish that I could show you ALL the pictures to attempt at recreating the greatness of this week in this town.

I will try to share with you Mother Mary on Friday and Mother Mary again on Easter Sunday.

Japanese Plum Tree

Do you remember this tree?

I talked about it here.
Well, less than a month later, this is how it looks like now that it is warmer!

Now do you see WHY it's my favorite tree?? Beautiful ANY way, huh?

Inside and Outside Garden

Every time I see my entire wall of Jasmine, I get giddy! =o) I LOVE the old ivy look and especially this time of year that all the flowers are abloom with their sweet smelling fragrance. You can smell the sweetness as you approach the house!


But inside the house, there is another garden! One that was grown with care and imagination and with pride...

It was a present waiting for me when I got home...
My absolute favorite has got to be the carrot!!! =o)

Holy Week and Celebrations

Today is a day full of special events. For us Christians, today, Palm Sunday, is the start of our holiest of week which leads up to Easter.

(This is a photo taken of a small part of my collection of religious icons and crosses in the masters bedroom.)

Here in the US, today is also celebrated as April Fools Day.

(taken in 2009)


...and lastly, here at home, we are also celebrating the birthday of our youngest family member!! Happy Birthday Spikey! We love you!

(Spikey now)

(Spikey a couple of months after adoption)

Whatever season you are celebrating, hope it is joyous!