Aloha!

ALOHA means both HELLO and GOODBYE. After not blogging for over two years, this is Aloha from me to you.

My word of the year for 2017 is: PREPARE EVERY NEEDFUL THING. OK, I know that's not a word- it's four. However, that's kind of my thing right now. Back to basics. I've been on a decluttering kick to include my house and my activities. Streamlining my life. Focus on my family. Simplifying.

I know I've neglected my blog, and my website. At one time I found great comfort in message boards and blogging. I needed that support and I'm so thankful for those who were there for me. 

However, as I age and time marches on, I am trying to be more present in my real world life. I've decided that I am going to streamline online, as well. I will be modifying and simplifying. After May 1, 2017, I will no longer sell scrapbooking items, I will no longer send newsletters. I WILL continue to sell the rubber band bracelets. 

If you'd like to place a final order, please do so before May 1. 

And so, I say, ALOHA. 

wishing you peace-

Emily

Community Gathering- Sweet Pea/Lancaster, PA

If you are anywhere near Lancaster, PA this is going to be an amazing event to celebrate the launch of the new book To Linger On Hot Coals

The notice I recieved from Stephanie:

Hi friends! We are so excited about our next community event- Sweet Pea Project's to linger on hot coals poetic gathering presented by OBGYN of Lancaster. We are just 3 weeks away from this lovely little gathering and want to make sure we have enough books and refreshments, so please click over to https://hotcoalspoetry.wufoo.com/forms/to-linger-on-hot-coals-poetic-gathering/ and let us know if you plan to attend. 

We hope you will join us at 1pm on Saturday, March 8 at the beautiful Mulberry Art Studios in downtown Lancaster for an afternoon of poetry, music, and community in a candle-lit art gallery. From 1pm-2pm you can mingle and relax with a glass of wine and a plate of delicious hors d'oeuvres served by Food For Thought Catering, while listening to the gently strummed guitar of singer/songwriter Bobbi Carmitchell.  156 candles, each with the name of a deeply loved and missed child handwritten on it, will be lighting the gallery.  Copies of to linger on hot coals will be available, and several of the contributors will be signing books and chatting with guests.

At 2pm, Dr Joanne Cacciatore- founder of the MISS Foundation and Center For Loss & Trauma- will open with a short presentation via video about her involvement in to linger on hot coals. The poetry reading will immediately follow and will include pieces from each of the to linger on hot coals contributors. Angie Yingst, Devany LeDrew, Catherine Bayly and Stephanie Paige Cole will read live in the gallery and, since they live much too far away to attend in person, Kara LC Jones, Sherokee Ilse, Laura Seftel, Carly Dudley, Tara Hart, Beth Morey, Amy McCarter, Hannah Logan Morris and Anne Morris will share their poems with us via video projected on the gallery wall.

Learn more about to linger on hot coals, which was released a few weeks ago and is already receiving some amazing reviews from high profile members of our community, at www.tolingeronhotcoals.com.

Thank you to our event sponsors: OBGYN of Lancaster, Food For Thought Catering, Mulberry Art Studios, Loving Memories Photography & Continental Inn!

(PS... Think warm thoughts and save the date for our next community event: 4th Annual Sweet Pea Sisters & Brothers Picnic at Lititz Springs Park on June 7!)

Word of the Year 2014: Small and Simple Things

Ok, that's not one word. The only way I can think to say SMALL AND SIMPLE THINGS in one word is "Babysteps" and that brings to mind that horrible Bill Murray movie that I hate and my husband loves- 'What About Bob.' Babysteps, babysteps..

My word last year was VALIANT. I think I bit off more than I could chew. Heaven knows I tried but for all my attempts I fell short at reaching my goals last year. In fact, I'm the kind of person who gets overwhelmed and then I have to go take a nap. Like, for a week, or a month. I spent most of November in my pajamas.

So, this year I am trying to really FOCUS (word of the year from 2011.. see what I did there??) and be ACTIVE (word of the year 2010) to be headed in the right direction.

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." Les Brown

"A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at." Bruce Lee

"...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..." Alma 37:6

"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito." Dalai Lama XIV

 "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Lao-tzu

"Put one foot.. in front of the other..." The Winter Warlock, Santa Claus is Coming to Town

"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.." Dori, Finding Nemo

A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.
Bruce Lee
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/goal.html#470eQAxOu7Jgvg7g.99

A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.
Bruce Lee
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/goal.html#470eQAxOu7Jgvg7g.99

A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.
Bruce Lee
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/goal.html#470eQAxOu7Jgvg7g.99

Product Critique: Everlasting Memories

I was offered a keepsake of my choice from the site Everlasting Memories and the photo engraved jewelry was suggested. It kind of threw me for a loop for a second. I DO have a photo of Gabriel, but not one that I'd be comfortable displaying. I was intrigued by the gorgeous cremation jewelry that allows you to put a little bit of cremains inside to carry with you but I didn't want to disturb Gabriel's ashes that are currently sealed in a little wooden box.

 After several days I decided on the Stainless Steel Photo Engraved Keychain but instead of a photo I asked that it be inscribed with a scripture.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1

The representative was wonderful to work with and very interested in helping me pick just the right item as a keepsake. Shipping was very quick and it is nicer than I had expected. Very solid touchstone- I find myself rubbing it while I'm holding my keys, kind of like a little worry stone.

The inscription is perfect except for the fact that I picked a longish verse and the print is very, very tiny. Except, you know what? Gabriel was very, very tiny. I know what it says and anyone who cares to look closely will too.

This would be a perfect mother's day or father's day gift. I love it, and I love that it can be personalized to be just right.

Personal Shrine Collage

 

I'm participating in a Day of the Dead art swap over at Mother Henna. 

I'm a super type A and it is really hard for me to let go and let the art magic happen. However, I discovered two things. One, I'm becoming obsessed with Day of the Dead. A day to remember and celebrate our loved ones? Bring it on. And, Two, I really love collage. I mean, I love it. I especially like cutting out words from magazines and watch as a message from the universe appears to me.

I made these personal shrines. They are inspired by the tin 'nichos' in Latin American culture where you make a tiny shrine featuring a symbol or item that is special to you. They use mason jar lids since mason jars are all hip and in style right now. Also cheap. And now that I've started I can't stop. I want to make a million of them. My son is getting baptized this weekend (at the age of 8, it's a big deal) and I want to make a little shadowbox shrine to commemorate that. I want to make one with my great grandmother's photo and her broach I have. I want to make one to honor Gabriel with his sandname photo and some shells and a little bottle of sand.

Here are a few photos from the ones I made from the swap- I kept my two favorite. The red one that says, "Dream" and one not pictured that says, "Discover the Path"

Collage. Who knew?

Love You Forever

 

I worked in the children's section at Borders Books for about 15 years and sold many many copies of this book: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. I cringed a little bit every time I did. You either love this book or you hate it. I admit, I was a hater.

Today I found out the story BEHIND this book. From Robert Munsch's website


Love You Forever started as a song.

“I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
as long as I’m living
my baby you’ll be.” 

I made that up after my wife and I had two babies born dead. The song was my song to my dead babies. For a long time I had it in my head and I couldn’t even sing it because every time I tried to sing it I cried. It was very strange having a song in my head that I couldn’t sing.

For a long time it was just a song but one day, while telling stories at a big theatre at the University of Guelph, it occurred to me that I might be able to make a story around the song.

Out popped Love You Forever, pretty much the way it is in the book.

Knowing that, now I know I really will never be able to read this book again. But you can bet I will be squeezing my kids extra tight.

peace-
emily