Garden Party

I went to a dinner party set in an amazing private garden. Like the gracious and multi-talented hostess, it was an organized profusion of complexity and beauty. Very, very cool.

It was a potluck, so I this was my dish, broccoli cheese tortellini salad:

Our table:

We were surrounded by a Buddha, a fountain and a Koi pond:

That red blur is a dragonfly:

 A carnivorous plant called Dutchman’s Pipe, front and back:

There was a hen and fruit trees, and numerous nooks to explore.  It was a balmy Cali night in a beautiful setting, with great company and wonderful food.

Question Mark Necklace

I find the shape of a question mark interesting. Something about its whippy curve ending in a decisive dot makes it a satisfying design. In fact I made a big question mark necklace that I used to wear all the time. I loved that necklace.

Years later, someone called me a “seeker”. I don’t think it was meant as a compliment but more an exasperated observation of my constant curiosity and willingness to satisfy it. So I took it as a compliment. Being older and wiser now (ok, somewhat wiser), I no longer feel the need to make overt statements of who I am, but now value the things that are subtle reminders of self.

For more information on this question mark necklace, please click here.

Pretty Things

By pretty things, I mean cupcakes, my new found love.

From Frosted:  Moist and rich cake with chocolate buttercream frosting.

Flourless cupcake from SusieCakes -So rich that I recommend you save this one for PMS. 

With caramel buttercream toffee from Frosted - yeahhh, it's as delicious as the name of the frosting.

I feel spoiled!  :)

On "Passion"

I think the word “passion” has become a word of convenience.  Instead of using any variety of words to convey our likes and interest in something, we throw around the word “passion.”  Know anyone who likes to say they are “passionate “ about what they do, yet you can’t really distinguish their level of accomplishment from the next person who just does their job?

I also think the current vogue of “finding your passion” gets a lot of people stuck. It implies that each of us has a purpose that will distinguish us from the rest and make our lives meaningful.  And you’ll know it when you find it, because the clouds will part and you’ll hear the chorus of angels while a beam of heavenly light envelops you. OK, I’m being silly. But many of us do waste a lot of time waiting for that chorus of angels, and it prevents us from making decisions and commitments that could possibly lead us to something genuinely meaningful.  

A couple of years ago, I heard someone on TV say, “Don’t worry about finding your passion. Instead, follow your effort.”  Spot on. Because human beings can only behave in accordance with what we believe or think, following our effort will show us what is truly important to us.  It will show us where we are putting our energy.  When I feel like I’m stuck or not sure of what to do, I ask myself, "Where would I like to put my effort?” or “Where am I putting my energy?” They’re much easier questions to answer than “What is my passion?”

I’ve consciously decided not use the word “passion” in my daily life. Instead, I use words like “enthusiastic,” “really enjoy,” “excited about” or “love, love, luuuuuuve.”  In my opinion, they’re much more accurate descriptions of my interests.  I think the word “passion” should be reserved for something truly above the standard, like when people have a singular focus that results in outcomes so extraordinary that we can collectively recognize their effort.  And they don’t even have to say that they were passionate about what they did.

                                For more information on this Golden Rose necklace, please click here

A Prayer

You know those women, bitter in their old age that no one recognized their latent genius?  Please, God, don’t let me become one of them.   

Rambling - New Office

Ever since I quit my job last fall and decided to work full-time on my business Silver Moth, Whole Foods and Starbucks have become my new offices. Sure, I can work from home. Actually most of what I need to do have to be done at home, but oh, the distractions…TV, the Internet, refrigerator, doing the dishes, etc. etc.  Sure, I can go to the library, but that’s just too quiet, and there is no food.  I needed someplace with great energy, easy food access and minimal distractions to help me focus.  Enter…Whole Foods and Starbucks.

I don’t shop at Whole Foods, but I like to “work” there.  The one I go to has a huge seating area with free Wi-fi and great snacks in near proximity.  I usually head to my “office” after breakfast, and when I get there, I get a couple of sugar cookies and tea and get to work. Those are great cookies, by the way.  If I’m there long enough to get hungry, there is the food bar…roasted chicken, sateed kale, ribs, stew, samosa, salad, dessert, etc.  All I have to do is pile them on my plate and go back to work. No prepping, cooking or doing the dishes.  This saves me so much time and the break in concentration is minimal. I get to people watch too, although they are mostly from the local businesses and not very interesting.  This is where I come to do research and look through my latest issue of Metalsmith magazine.  I like how open the space is, and it’s a fun place to “work”. 

Starbucks is my second office.  I love it for the convenience. Again, I usually get there in the morning, settle down with a Spinach Feta Wrap and tea and get to work.  Unfortunately, aside from the breakfast food, their pastry selections aren’t very good. Wait, I take that back. Chocolate chip cookie warmed up is very good.  But that’s about it. I’m actually at a Starbucks typing this.  I like this location because the cute young man at the cash register always includes an extra smile with my order.  Now, this is a great place to watch people because, well, everyone comes in here.  I like how contained the space is and it helps me to focus.  At this “office”, I like to read boring but important stuff like insurance policy and make a list of things to do. Oh, and it’s a great place to write a blog post. 

It’s just occurred to me that as I’m typing this Trader Joe’s would be another great place for an “office” if they’d just put in a seating area.  Hm.

 For more information on this necklace, please click here.