Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Meskel...



I was looking through some of our photos from last year and came across these ones of Zoe and I in our traditional Ethiopian dresses. We were dressed up for the annual Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Meskel ~ The Holy Cross.

The Meskel celebration includes the burning of a large bonfire that is based on the belief that Queen Eleni had a revelation in a dream. She was told that she shall make a bonfire and that the smoke would show her where the true cross was buried. So the Queen ordered the people of Jerusalem to bring wood and make a huge pile. After adding frankincense to it the bonfire was lit and the smoke rose high up to the sky and returned to the ground, exactly to the spot where the Cross had been buried.

During the day huge bonfires were built in the streets or courtyards of homes and then the children spend time decorating them with flowers. As soon as the sun sett and the first stars in the sky appeared, the bonfires are lit. Men and women joined together in a singing and dancing ritual around the fire until it burns down to ashes.
It was quite the spectacle to be a part of, one that we enjoyed watching as a family and community member in our qäbäle. (neighbourhood)





Words of a Sufi Mystic...

.

Rumi
Do not feel lonely, The entire Universe is inside you. -Rumi
~~ Rumi ~~

Rumi
Rumi




Monday, May 26, 2014

Lost & Found...

  
Finding one's path/s... 
 
One of my major life's passions is wandering this awe inspiring globe, 
to live and experience its people and places. 


Since January our lives were a bit up in the air as we figure out what our next move in the international teaching circuit would be. Therefore, question most asked in my home has been:
 "Where are we going next?"


Over our date night dinners it would be a lengthy discussion between Rob & I  /  walking to school with my 10 year old son, he would question, explore & dream / playing blocks or racing cars ~ my two younger sons would try to guess the next country they will live in.


At different points it has come very close to being China, Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia....

But this month we were blessed with not only a clear path...but THE path were were trying the most to manifest for our families, friends and future....
We are moving to Kula Lumpur, Malaysia!!

It is a perfect fit for us....one that has been making all of us smile like a bunch of  fools!

So WHY did we want to move to Kula Lumpur???

Location: we LOVE South east Asia - great food, people, culture, crafts, music, beaches, temples, and awesome road trip destinations

Family: it is close to Australia, where my husband's family come from - but also a major travel hub to get to my family from (or have them come to us!)

Employment: it is a new International school which means we will be part of the pioneers who will help shape the feel of the school.
Future: most importantly, it is somewhere we feel that we can be for at least 5 years...where we can put down some roots for our children.  But it is also an amazing opportunity for me to really start focusing on my design business and for Rob  to complete his PhD.


As much as I did love those dreamy, "lost" conversations, filled with "What if we are going to ___________"

It is wonderful to have a map in my hands now......





Friday, May 16, 2014

Gratitude

Ups, downs, in betweens- I could not ask for a better life- I am truly BLESSED
We can all find ourselves in a downward spiral where life knocks us on our knees. When this happens the only thing we can truly control is our reaction.

As we get closer to our moving date,  things start to get a bit frayed at the edges - including my reactions.

So in the middle of the mini-storms that have come our way, I am keeping "I love my life" as my mantra. 
I am trying to focus on the blessings I have in my life - to be open and grateful of those aspects of my life that are shining bright instead of focusing on the darkness that tries to seep in.

Some days it may simply be that you are grateful for the deep breath that you just took or the smell of the ocean as you open your car windows.

What do you do during these times to remind yourself of your blessings? 








Thursday, May 8, 2014

Patterns...

  
Swoooooon!!! 
 

Bead stacks...
 
Stephanie Brachmann : "My most recent work is sculptural pieces made from discarded clothing.  I slice through bundles of the stuff with a giant knife." 
Recycled clothing artwork by Stephanie Brachmann 
 
Sarah London.  Free Apache Tears Pattern 
Free Apache Tears Pattern 
  
Painted texture... 
 
Photo by Nicole Franzen- Fresh Holiday 
Soap goodies... 
 
fortuny 
Muted... 
 
Kelly Wearstler Box 
Crystal collection... 
glamour:  Photo by Justina Blakeney via Lonny 
Soooo pretty.... 
 
  
Feathers of a kind... 
 
 
 
Each of these photos expresses a unique and beautiful relationship between colour and pattern ~ which then  relationship creates a mood that tells a visual story one could get lost in.


Monday, May 5, 2014

Sparkle...

light canopy
I often choose to eat at a restaurant just because of their white lights!


crisscross white lights over tables
Gorgeous light canopy
light 
Streetlights in Jerusalem 
Patio times 
Simple patio lights 
20 LED Warm White Connectable Festoon Lights, White Cable Type U £29.99 | Lights4fun.co.uk 
Camping with LED lights 
lights ... bright nights ... simple transformation from a plain outdoor patio with a canopy of string lights 
Simple transformation 
Traditional living room via Imgfave.com 
Sooo cozy... 
words-of-wizdom:    psychotic—depression:      blog for the dead 
Mixing textures with lighting 
I don't care if it is reminiscent of a college dorm room, I love white string lights and I love them everywhere and all the time. 
Dreamy... 
twinkle...little white lights make me smile:) 
Truth... 
 
It doesn't need to Christmas or your wedding to break out strings of white lights...add them to any room in your house or to your outdoor spaces any time of the year to add sparkle to your spirit & space.