Memorial Day...

Coming up this weekend is Memorial Day. Commonly referred to as the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day is often a day where people can enjoy a break from work, spend time outside cooking out and relaxing with friends and family. I feel like the true meaning of the holiday is slipping away, and this rings true for me especially as I see our family traditions shifting more and more each year.

As a child, I distinctly recall the succession of events our family engaged in every Memorial Day. It all started by purposely donning an outfit consisting of red, white and blue. Then we met up with my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents for the annual Pancake Breakfast at the school. We kids would usually gobble up our breakfast and then head outside to the playground while the adults gabbed before leaving to head to one of the local cemeteries to join the children's choir in singing a handful of Patriotic songs. Thanks to that experience, I actually remember most of the words to moving pieces like "My Country 'Tis of Thee," "This Land is Your Land," "America, America," and of course the National Anthem. A troop of soldiers from the local parade would always be present and after firing the guns, we kids would scramble to collect the empty bullet shells. We'd then head to the main street where the parades took place which as a kid were always an impressive production - bands, percussion, fire trucks, police cruisers, the whole gamut. We'd follow the parade to another cemetery where a speech would be made, more patriotic music was played and then we'd march on down to the town common for more speeches (as a kid it did get a little boring), and the reciting of the names of local soldiers either killed in action or missing in action.

From there, the fun would begin. We'd head to my great-grandmother's house for coffee. And by coffee, that mean iced coffee full of delicious cream and sugar and a fabulous array of donuts, brownies and coffee cake. We kids would run off and play, hanging from tree limbs, scouring the sides of the railroad tracks for treasures and doing whatever else kids do. Then, the day was normally filled with either a trip to the zoo and a picnic in the park or to the beach or just to my grandparents' house for a day of playing, relaxing and visiting.

But the important thing was the parades and remembering the veterans, the soldiers and even our own loved ones who have passed on. In recent years, I've noticed the parades getting smaller and the crowds getting thinner. Memorial Day is a hard day for me now that the day usually includes visiting my own father's grave - something I simultaneously both wish I did more often and yet hesitate to do. But even though something may be difficult, it's still worth doing.

As silly as it sounds, there was a very poignant scene in the recently released movie Battleship that I went to see last weekend with friends. When all odds were against the main characters and their resources seemed entirely depleted and all hope was lost, WWII veterans stepped up and performed like they hadn't been out of the service for a second. The thing we should remember - not just for one day but every day - is that these men and women made such a sacrifice, displayed such courage, wore such bravery, bore such humility all for the sake of our country, our freedoms, our livelihood. If asked, many of us wouldn't be strong enough to do the same, and the fact that someone else was deserves the utmost respect.

I'm not writing this to tell people how to spend their holiday. I know from personal experience that traditions have a tendency of changing with the generations. But if you see a soldier or a veteran on Monday, tip your hat. Shake their hand. Give them a pat on the back. Show them that their service was not in vain. Show them the respect and the honor that they deserve, because without our servicemen and women our country would not be what it is today.

refresh...

It's funny to me how I can look outside and suddenly see thriving life where just 2 months ago, the branches were bare and the ground was cold. It's like I blinked and suddenly the world is green and vibrant. I can't help but be invigorated by the beauty that really is all around. My friend and I have been regularly going on our morning runs together three times a week, and even though the alarm clock goes off way too early some days, the reward of a beautiful sunrise and crisp morning air and the occasional bunny makes it worthwhile (in addition to maintaining my waistline - or at least attempting to).

Over the weekend, I took a slow stroll around the house, and it was so exciting for me to see my gardens bursting to life. I have 2 clematis vines that are still young, but growing well, climbing along their trellises, and I will admit I can't wait to see the first sign of blossoms on them. My pansies, given to me by my mother in law at Easter, are surprisingly doing quite well around my bird bath, although as the days get hotter and the sun stronger, they may begin to wilt. Our azalea bushes have big, beautiful pink flowers on them, and we even have some white irises that surprised us by opening up this year (the past two years, we've just gotten leaves, but no flowers). There is just something so satisfying about knowing that your work is literally blossoming before your eyes; comfort in seeing that the seasons will always continue to change and new life is always being welcomed into the world and making it a more beautiful place.

While fall has always been a favorite season of mine, I think spring is quickly taking the front seat. At a time in my life when I am frequently reminded of a constant absence brought on by death, the reminder of new life and beauty and joy is refreshing.

write...

After what feels like a pretty long stint of not being inspired to write, I've found myself picking up an old story I'd started quite a few months ago (dare I even say maybe a year ago) and deliberately and excitedly adding to it. With the help of one of my beloved coworker's frequent inquiries of "What happened to Claire?" I am finally making Claire move forward. I have found in most of my writing that including some of my own life experiences, although through the eyes of a fictional character, has definitely helped give my stories that other level of relateability, an emotional connection between the reader, author and character.

The idea that I'm able to sit down and easily type out a handful of pages makes me feel like I haven't lost it - that passion for writing, for words, for creating a story. Considering it's what my degree is in, a degree I pursued after deciding what I thought I wanted to do - dental hygiene - wasn't really my dream after all; my dream was in fact becoming a published author and having my writing skills recognized by complete strangers. My dream was moving people with my words, making an impact on their lives simply by creating an image through the stringing together of words that by themselves have little meaning.

Recently it seems like there have been so many trending books out there like the Twilight Series, The Hunger Games, and who can forget Harry Potter? I debate whether I want to be that author; that author who is readily and frequently talked about and whose prose are transformed into box office busters. Or would I rather be the unsuspecting author who is one day discovered and whose name is quietly whispered from ear to ear, shared from friend to friend. "You have to read this book out by this new author. I couldn't put it down!" Oh I shutter with glee at the thought.

For now I'll continue to plug away at my stories, tucking my goal in my back pocket and just waiting for it to fall into my lap.

Girls' Night In...

I've been told plenty of times that I should quit my day job and become an event planner. This statement came up most often while I was in the throes of wedding planning and everyone seemed to be charmed by my organization and clear vision of what I wanted our wedding to be. But it is safe to say that just about any event I host, whether it's a dinner party with the parents or an open house for my Pampered Chef business, I do my best to make it fun and festive.

This coming weekend, I have a Girls' Night In planned, and I couldn't be more excited. Partly just because it's the first opportunity since my husband and I got married that he'll be out of the house overnight and I can do whatever I please. Now I love my husband very much, but let's face it ladies - sometimes, we girls just like to have fun without the men. So I'm fully embracing the opportunity to make this rare event as indulgently girly as possible. And what screams girly more than delicious desserts accented with the perfectly pink decor.

The dining room table will be my canvas where I'll focus the bulk of my decorating. Since we're planning on a chickflick night, I figured what goes better with movies than candy, so I wanted to somehow incorporate a candy-bar theme into my centerpiece while still keeping the overall look shabby chic, springy and grown-up. Thanks to a quick stop by Home Goods - my most favorite store in the world - I found 3 perfectly mismatched apothecary jars with lids - one tall and slender, one similarly tall, but wider, and one short and fat. I plan to fill these with fun goodies like Twizzlers, M&M's and Starburst.

 I also found two placemats made with this beautiful pink rose pattern and accented with coordinating striped fabric on one edge. By abutting the placemats against each other lengthwise - striped accent on the farthest edges - I effectively created an adorable and inexpensive (each placemat was only $2.99) runner.

I knew I had to have something else under the runner though to soften the rest of the table, so I found 2 yards of this darling sheer white polka-dotted tulle at Joann's to use as my underlay. Finally, I needed to add some actual flowers to the spread, so I found some life-like miniature daisies and some pink lavender-looking flowers in the silk flower section of Joann's to intersperse among the base of the apothecary jars. After I made this purchase, I was just dying to get home and see it all together. My fingers are just itching to get started...

And now for the best part - the menu. Because Saturday is in fact May 5 (aka Cinco de Mayo) it was necessary to work in some Spanish flare into the evening, so we'll be enjoying margaritas (one of my specialties as a bartender in a past life) and five-layer dip among other delicious snacks. But the sweet treats are the real stars of the evening. I decided to play on grown-up verses whimsical desserts and introduce the two, so I'm making a New York Style cheesecake with cherry topping (grown-up) and also assembling a brownie sundae buffet of sorts. Tell me that doesn't sound like fun! I haven't had a brownie sundae since....well maybe like a month or to ago...but not to the extremes I'm going to for this party. I'm pulling out all the stops for this brownie buffet - we're talking sprinkles, crumbled oreos, candy, fudge sauce and of course whipped cream. You can admit you're jealous....right after you wipe the drool from your lip.

So...yes...I'll admit I am a huge fan of party planning even if it's something as simple as a girls' night with 4 or 5 of my favorite ladies. Because making a big deal out of the little things makes it all the more fun.