...ending. It's officially official. [Insert sad, pouty face here.]
I would settle for another week...another week of picnics in the park, chasing waves at our little "hideaway" beach at Shaw's Cove, apricots and watermelons, spontaneous stops to run wild in the water fountains, relaxing on city benches while eating ice cream, farmers markets, walking on the pier, laying on the grass, bonfires and smores, hangin' with the boys, playing marco polo in the pool, bicycling and roller skating, outdoor movies and concerts...and my favorite, sleeping in until 10 a.m.
Even still, I won't have the summer blues for long. We are SO ready for school to begin...schedules and alarm clocks and bedtimes and homework never sounded so delighful! Since the girls are in a multi-age class they get to be together throughout the day and that makes them say goodbye to summer with a smile, welcoming new adventures that await!
Such a reflection of the "right-here-right-now" of my soul...lots of symbolism and meaning...
Much of the inspiration for this is based on Isaiah 58:11 which describes our hearts as gardens that need to be watered...
"And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."
Spending this time with the girls has been such a blessing. I don't want to ever take for granted this time to enjoy them...their young, innocent faces, silly smiles, eyes of wonder just at the sight of cotton candy. These are such good years and I will be the first to admit, there are times I want to rush them...whiz past the days...speed by the moments...but not this day!
It all started when I read the novel "Scared: A Novel on the Edge of the World" It's about a photojournalist who travels to a small village in Africa to cover the AIDS crisis. It was such a powerful read because it stopped me dead in my tracks...people are hurting, hoping, sacrificing, suffering...everywhere...all over the world...even in our own backyard...on my own street corner...at any given moment, someone is in need...and where do I fit it? What does that mean for my hands and feet?
And while that was percolating in my heart and mind, I came across some pretty amazing initiatives of artists who are answering the call with their own God given talents....I recalled a year ago, making this art journal page...it is a reflection that everyone is purposed to create...including me...i may only sing in the shower...or create art for my family...but I have always had a longing for a more "colorful" life and I wonder, how can I use that desire for others...for the greater good...?
Here are just a few artists who are doing just that...
Artist Kelli Murray. I was immediately drawn into her art...it's quite simply BEAUTIFUL!!! "Her work displays a distinctive hip and urban feel, with illustrative overlays of innocence and messages of hope." From website.
She has also done murals to raise awareness and money for a cause. Love this one...
Her gallery is overflowing with more amazing goodness...
Art for Huruma. Thiscollaboration between two talented artists (Barton Damer and Promise (Tangeman) Wurzell) who simply had a heart to give and use that gift to serve. Proceeds from art and t-shirt sales will be given to Huruma Children’s Home whose founder and director is Mama Zipporah, is situated on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, on the slopes of Ngong Hills in Kenya. It is currently home for over 150 children, both girls and boys aged between one day and 18 years. There mission is to empower children in need to become productive members of society through rehabilitation, education and self-reliance skills. For children are a heritage from the Lord and they deserve the best. Here is the art that will impact lives...
Love, Light and Melody. A nonprofit organization whose mission is to "battle the physical, emotional and spiritual effects of extreme poverty. Even more inspiring is their use of music and the arts to rebuild, restore, and bring healing to these communities." Having worked in nonprofits for more than a decade, I am drawn to people whose livelihood is built on helping others...and there is something about music...worship...that is healing, empowering and hopeful. Anyone who knows me, knows music speaks to me in ways that words cannot. It is that universal language that moves us all.
This photograph was taken at a trash dump in Managua, Nicaragua, where nearly 1,500 people live, work, and make their homes. Seeing these images caused me to pause. relflect. repurpose.
Learn more about the collision of poverty and music and how artists are being used for good through Love, Light and Melody....
Light Gives Heat. Their mission is to "see Africa rebuilt and renewed from the inside out and see people in the west living with hope." One of their projects is called Suubi (meaning hope) which brings together Uganda women to create and sell necklaces, thus having a form of income and purpose providing for their families. They also seek to help us look outside ourselves and respond creatively. What's so neat is that these women were already creating necklaces before there ever was a nonprofit organization. A family who traveled to Uganda to adopt their daughter "happened" to meet one of the women...and today that family is providing an avenue, opening a door, to give them a voice beyond their small village.
I told a friend recently that something is brewing inside of my heart...something I am not quite sure of...but quite simply a desire to serve. to give. to empower...and these artists have inspired me today. God. is. good.
Here's a look at some of the colorful goodness...I love all the bright girly colors...it's so me! I don't know what I had more fun with...decorating it all or the party itself!
We have a small backyard and the main sitting area is under this gazebo which we decked out with tons of color...
Little birthday girl couldn't WAIT to dig in to all the candy...every 5 minutes she kept asking me if it was time for her cupcakes...the pillows were relocated from their bedroom to the patio...and on the table we added fabric to brighten it up...the table top lantern is from Z Gallerie, which I spray painted turquoise.
We lined streamers and a few "candies" from the top of our gazebo. I was hoping to cover the entire ceiling but we ran out of time!
The candy buffet! YUM! I used tin buckets for the flowers and various found glass containers, vases and apothecary jars...
I made little treat bags so everyone could "shop" for their favorite candy...
It's a bit hard to tell here, but we hung candy in the tree using paper lanterns and cellophane along with lollipops made from foam bulletin boards I found at Michaels for 75 cents!
One of my favorite decorations was placed at the gift table...this board of pictures of my little one over the last 5 years. It's amazing how fast we forget what they were like...just seeing the pictures brought back a flood of memories...
Rainbow of flavors! We put these small flower buckets and candy bowls throughout the yard and inside the house...
Another fun project was making this banner...I also hung a few scrapbook pages from the last several years...another personal way to see how fast the kids grow!
Aside from all the candy goodness for my daughter...she enjoyed opening her presents! Here are a few favorite reactions showing my daughter's hilarial (my word forhilarious + hysterical) silliness and sheer delight!
I think she got a bit lazy and just decided to plunge right in to see the treasures that await!
She is as girly as it gets...princesses and dresses make her heart go pitter patter, but ONLY when she's not around her boy friends...THEN she only likes boy toys. Of course, every present she opened she hid, embarrassed for the boys to see....UNTIL she opened her backagon...THAT gift got the ultimate sign of approval...thumbs up!
And the last present of the day brought on squeals of excitement...I think my ears drums are still ringing...we had my older daughter read it aloud...they both almost fell over in shock! (Thank you, Aunty!)
A fine day filled with pink and candy...both of us were in heaven...and truly, what could be better! Happy Birthday to my Little Cupcake!
Involving my daughters in the creative process of decorating my little one's Candyland birthday party was such a treat! I am always amazed at the vibrant colors that make up their imagination! I enjoyed relinquishing a little control to allow them to stretch the creative canvas of their minds. Just made it all that much more memorable.
EVERY city, state and wonderland has a sign welcoming all who enter, and big sister wanted to do the same for our Candyland!
This pinata was made from cardboard boxes, paint, markers, and wood glue!
I am still sorting through the pictures and can't wait to share the bright and festive decor. So deliciously fun!
...that I was in a house full of candy and I was eating all the candy. It was so yummy!"
That's what my little ittle bittle one said one day and when I asked her what she wanted for her party she said "CANDY! CANDY! CANDY!" And "Candyland" theme was born...
So we are scurring around making preparations for a little family gathering for this 5 year old of mine...
A few yummy treats and fun things that will soon be a table feast fit for a candy princess!
I was SO happy to find some great inspiration for our candyland theme...I wasn't sure how I was going to wrap my head around a "candy" party for little Maddie...
Amy Atlas Events creates A-MAZE-ING parties and candy displays...just beautiful...her website is chock full of gorgeous inpiration, like this:
