Raw food hits OKC

Finally! The ice has been broken to welcome trendy dining to OKC. The other evening Rodolfo and I accidently happened upon the Flaming Lips ghouls gone wild parade. We were trying to make it to midtown OKC for dinner. When we saw the parade and their eery music and torches we high-tailed it over to Western to hit Sushi Neko. Once we got to Sushi we just changed our minds and kept on driving. I'm so glad we did! As we made the curve on Classen we were reminded that there is a new restaurant, 105 degrees, in the still-under-construction Classen Curve shopping center. My-oh-my what a surprise! I never would have imagined that the founder of the Raw food movement would be working (and teaching!) here in OKC. It is all part of Aubrey McClendon's efforts to put OKC on the map. This last surprise makes me think that he may really be able to do it. As I have mentioned before, I was on this no sugar, no dairy, no wheat fertility diet. It was so difficult to stay on it when I went to restaurants here because no one really caters to this type of eating. But now perhaps they will as the trend filters across the city. I really do NOT LOVE Raw food. I prefer mine warm, especially in the cold months, but this is such an exciting start to a trend that I adore that I just can't help but love this restaurant anyway. Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Une Artiste

Gigi went to the funnest birthday party last weekend. It was an art party for Harper who was turning 3. Her mother went all out and had all these stations where the kids could paint pictures, birdhouses, decorate masks, make bean shakers, fruit loop necklaces and finally decorate a canvas bag with their name on it. After the art was created the mom hung all the pieces to dry on a laundry line strung across the yard. The hanging art made the party even more festive! Here are some of Gigi's creations and photos of her working on them. What an artiste! :)

Pumpkin Patch

The holiday season has begun! We went out to the pumpkin patch this past Friday. Gigi had fun running around with Carter, riding the pony and playing in the haybales. I roasted hotdogs over a fire for lunch. At the end Georgia picked out a pumpkin to take home. She accidently dropped it in the creek when we were heading back to the car. Ah well. She has been busy carving a pumpkin with her Opapa this afternoon. October is a pretty nice month. The weather is crisp and the sun is golden. It has been windy lately, but I always notice that the wind blows right before the weather makes a seasonal shift. Georgia can't wait for Halloween. She has been trying to figure out the order of the seasons and holidays. She has been saying repeatedly, first it is Halloween, then autumn, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then my birthday!!! She will get it soon enough. :)

Introducing Chef Georgia

Move over Giada, Georgia has taken the reigns! This renegade chef designed and prepared an exquiste chocolate delight this past weekend for Aunt Rebecca on her 28th birthday. The regal confection was baked using ingredients from Granny's chocolate cake recipe. The frosting was none other than Betty Crocker and the topping consisted of a spattering of marshmellows as well as some royal jewels. Aunt Rebecca said that "the cake was moist and delicious and reminded her of Granny's cake." No higher compliment could have been granted. We look forward to seeing what else our kitchen genius will prepare in the days to come. :)

curtsy

Georgia still loves to play dress up. She also, as of late, has loved to curtsy. Here she is doing both!

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are blooming everwhere right now. When I think of sunflowers, I am reminded of a moving poem that was read in the movie Calendar Girls. It was read in a way that expressed the husband's true love for his wife. Here it is:

Sunflower Woman by Handsum Hart:

A sunflower must follow the rules of gravity. When its florets ripen with hundreds of edible seeds It must bend its body into the earth's bosom And allow the birds to eat its seeds That are rich in oil. A woman must follow the rules of romance. When her lips ripen With hundreds of edible kisses She must surrender herself into her man's arms And allow him to eat her kisses that are rich in passion A sunflower on a sunny day Will turn its face Towards the sun And with joyful eyes Watch it move across the sky. A woman on her wedding day Will turn her veiled face Towards her husband-to-be And with eyes soaked in matrimonial joy Watch him move across her soul. The nickname for Kansas Is the Sunflower State For it is where every sunflower dreams of living. The nickname for a man's heart should be Kansas For it is where every sunflower woman dreams of living.

Newborns

Last year, after I discovered and spread the news of my fertility challenges, wouldn't you know it, all of my friends became pregnant. In the past year I have had 15 friends (yes, 15!) tell me they are pregnant. I guess they all figured it was time to start on #2. I've watched them get morning sickness, get round and beautiful, some have gone on bedrest, others made it to the finish line with no problem. Now they are all talking about what a challenge it is with 2 and I am enjoying the freedom of one. One beautiful, healthy, fabulous 3 year old. I am so thankful for my darling Georgia. What has come out of my year of wishing I was pregnant is the birth of something a little unexpected. I LOVE photography. In fact, every free moment I have I spend it pouring over photography books, blogs, and my own efforts. I've been trying to take advantage of being around a lot of newborn babies. The photo above is of little Caelan Love. He was born two weeks ago today. I didn't come up with the idea for this pose. I've seen it on other photographer's blogs. But isn't it cute? And isn't he adorable? It is fun handling and being close to the newborns. And I cannot wait until I get to take some toddler shots. I am trying to build up a portfolio and maybe, in time, start a website.

50 Year Anniversary

Here she is with my old barbie box and barbie canopy bed.

Georgia looks like a doll to me. A doll playing with dolls.

Georgia discovered my old Barbie stuff while we were cleaning at Omama and Opapa's house. She has enjoyed pulling out all the clothes, brushing their hair and putting them to sleep. When we ate bar-b-que chicken the other night she gave us all a lesson explaining that barbie and bar-b-que are the same thing. She is still confused on that topic. :) I was in Pottery Barn Kids the other day and noticed that they have an entire Barbie bedroom ensemble. Apparently this year is Barbie's 50th anniversary. The bed decor celebrates this milestone. That would mean that she first presented herself on the retail stage in 1959. Hmmm... Barbie is such a controversial symbol now-a-days. Sometimes I feel guilty allowing Gigi to play with her because of all the psycho-babble hype. Is it all that bad to let your child play with a beautiful doll? Does she really embody a female role that is negative? I know for sure that I never used Barbie as a measuring rod when I compared myself to an ideal woman. In fact, I've always thought it kind of funny when people look too much like Barbie. Not that I wouldn't love big boobs and long full hair, but still, Barbie is not my go-to source when I wonder how I should behave, look, be as a woman. When I was growing up, every now and again I would receive the admonishing that I should strive to be like the Proverbs 31 woman. Now if anyone that woman is setting a standard that is way difficult to achieve. Still, I believe there is much truth in that passage, and my favorite line is "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD shall be praised." So, Barbie, happy birthday. And Georgia, dear, have fun playing with my old dolls but remember the ultimate standard is not Bar-b-que, but Proverbs 31.

Wild at heart

Penelope, blooming again. As lovely and as fragrant as ever.
My Spanish lavender. Stinky but beautiful.

My garden has gone completely wild. It had such great potential to be this little oasis of structured fecundity. Instead it is this jungle of weeds, flowers and fruit. I can't say that it is all that bad to have this jumbled mess. It is still nice to see things sprouting and growing, and when the sun shines on it in the morning and evening it is still beautiful to me, but it is not what I had planned. I was speaking to a man from India the other day about the Indian goddess of destruction, I think her name is Kali. She is symbolic of the forces in nature that destroy and she is not evil, she just exists as a natural cycle of life. Life emerges, is organized and is then destroyed and she represents this final stage in the cycle. I guess my garden is nearing its final stages. It is about to be destroyed by the coming winter. Harvest time is right now, and I am still getting carrots, tomatoes, tomatillos, bell peppers, kung fu peppers, banana peppers, basil and all the other herbs. But the winter is near. It is sad to see a garden destroyed by winter. But winter time has its benefits too. It allows the ground to rest and there is always the promise of spring. I've heard that there are plants that one can grow during the winter months-- beans, garlic, onions and cabbage. The French do that. Those crazy French. Always doing what they want because they can. I think I will too.

Nieces are nice

Had the pleasure of photographing Elle-belle this past weekend. She is the happiest, most angelic child. She smiled every time I'd twinkle my eyes her direction and would wave her chubby little baby paw to say hello. Don't know what is better than smiles and waves from babies you love!

Untitled

Today started out very pleasant. Painted Gigi's nails. We relaxed around the house and ran a few errands. This afternoon I received the biggest shock of my life. It was not a good shock. I guess a new path is being forged now. Can't explain what it will be. Don't even know if I'm thinking straight. Now everything will change.

The Emperor Moth

A man once found a cocoon of the beautiful emperor moth and took it home so that he could watch the moth emerge from the cocoon.

On the day a small opening appeared, he sat enthralled and watched for several hours as the moth struggled to force its body through the little hole. After a while it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could go and it could go no further. He just seemed to be stuck.

So the man, in his kindness, decided to help the moth... he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of cocoon. To his relief, the moth then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the moth because at any moment the wings would enlarge and expand and support the body, which would contract in time, and the moth would fly away. But it never happened. In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the moth to get through the tiny opening was the way of forcing fluid from the body of the moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Freedom and flight could only come after struggle. By depriving the moth of its struggle, he deprived the moth of health and freedom.

If we were to go through life without any obstacles or struggle, we too would be crippled. We would not be as strong as what we would have been. Give every struggle (opportunity) a chance, learn to grow beyond it and fly free of your cocoon - leave no room for regrets.

-Author Unknown

Layers

Have you ever noticed how layers make life more interesting? Cook a hamburger using meat straight out of the package with a bun straight from the grocery store and slap some american cheese on it and you have a burger. However, if you take the time to season your meat with some salt and pepper (and whatever else you prefer), add a few onions to the pan before you cook your meat, take time to butter and toast your buns, and then use a cheese that has been aged -- like a good aged cheddar, then you have A BURGER! There is more to it than the basic ingredients-- it has been layered with flavor and wow how those layers bring out the best in the end product!

I've started to notice that everything is better with layers-- makeup application looks better layered, decorating is better layered, cooking is better with layers and so is photography! Even people are layered. Children come fresh out of the package and it is endearing and fabulous because they are so in the moment and honest about it. As people age, there are experiences, sad and happy ones, that form the person and make them interesting, profound and sometimes difficult to understand. Sometimes you have to peel the layers away to get at the core of a person. And sometimes a person is so transparent you see through to the core immediately, even though there are many layers.

It takes courage to be transparent about one's life and to be honest about the layers-- the good and the bad ones. I think art (music, literature, painting, film, sculpture, architecture, etc.) that is powerful and speaks volumes comes from an artist who is honest. Honesty resonates with humanity and elevates expression-- whatever kind, to true art and sometimes even to a masterpiece. There are artists in each of us with an expression to be made if we are courageous enough to be honest with ourselves and voice it. I guess life is an evolution towards expressing this inner voice. And I read somewhere that true art is the expression of the divine within-- of God within us. When we reach that moment of honesty in our work/expression we are communing with God Himself because God is the embodiment of truth (as well as love) and that, my friends, is beautiful!

Hair-raising moments

Michael, Laurie's husband, snapped this photo of Elle at Gigi's wild and crazy birthday party. I had so much fun snapping pictures of all the children but there was so much going on that I couldn't catch everything and I'm glad that Michael was there snapping along too. This moment is hilarious, and like the commercial says, priceless!! The blueberry photo I snatched off of facebook from Mindy's album. It makes me laugh every time I see it. Oh that Elle! Like mother, like daughter. :)

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Georgia, Happy Birthday to you! At 11:37 AM 3 years ago today you came into the world and changed our lives forever. You are a special, fabulous blessing and we love you. We hope you liked your cinnamon roll birthday wake up this morning. And we hope you love your princess/pool/bubble party tomorrow! Kisses forever you darling dearest angel! Love, Mommy & Papi

Ideas!

Every now and again I just get bombarded with fascinating ideas and possibilities. This past week has been one of those times. I've had a million and one ideas swirling around in my head. Photoshop has been my main creative focus the past few months and I still want it to stay that way. But a new glorious idea that Rodolfo and I have discussed for over 6 months is seeming to ripen as well and oh how I would like to pursue it!
In the photo above, Georgia is telling me about her necklace which was a gift from her Abuela Orie, Abuelo Ofo and Abuelita Tenchi. She loves that necklace. Aren't her eyes pretty?

Le Weekend!

We have had an easy, breezy, beautiful weekend so far. Last night we went over to the lake and walked around. It felt so carefree to just say to heck with routine and bedtime, let's go have fun! We even took Wally and were glad to have our canine companion plopping along beside us. This afternoon we had lunch with Granny to celebrate her 88th birthday-- Happy Birthday Granny! And then this evening we are headed over to my parents to celebrate my dad's 55th (or is it 26th?) birthday. Of course, we are gearing up for Gigi's big 3rd birthday coming very soon. My week is sure to be full of planning and preparations. Ah! I love summer!

Firestation & Hair Brushing

We visited the Edmond firestation today with a group of girls from church. It was really actually an educational visit. I figured it would be 15 minutes of organized chaos with the little ones, but the kids actually behaved well and listened to the firemen who were full of lots of pertinent advice. We were there for an hour. The highlight, of course, was when the kids got to sit in the firetruck (see above), but seeing the fireman suit up into his uniform was a close second. Georgia was not intimidated at all by the hat and mask and actually went up and gave the fireman a high-five. She also spent a lot of time brushing her hair and the hair of those around her. This has become her thing, brushing hair. If you look closely at the last picture, she even has the hair brush in the firetruck!! Silly girl. :)

Halt!

We had our final homestudy interview yesterday. It went all wrong. I thought I had planned everything perfectly. The house was spotless. My life book looked nearly professional. Georgia actually was wearing an outfit that I picked out. Rodolfo and I had said a beautiful prayer that morning together anticipating our next child. But when the woman walked through our door, sat down at our breakfast table and said that she wanted us to wait I couldn't believe my ears. She said that she felt like I was still yearning for a biological child and that it wasn't fair to a birthmother and an adopted child to be placed in a family where these emotions exist. I was floored, didn't know what to say, how to respond. You know, in movies the actors all respond so gracefully to events. Even their sorrow looks elegant. Mine did not. I immediately lost all composure and had tears and nose slobber pouring down my face. My voice was high and squeeky and I sounded more like a child than a woman. The reason she came to this conclusion is because I am taking herbal teas, acupuncture and following a fertility diet. Yes, I would like to have a biological child again. But I am still unclear as to how this negates my desire to adopted a child. She argued that when one adopts a person needs to be completely resigned to the fact that they cannot have children any other way. This sounds suspect to me. Don't families with biological children adopt??? I asked her this question and she said not domestically, normally only internationally. I am very perturbed at her conclusion. She said that it is not that we are bad canidates for adoption, she just wants us to get past this stage of yearning for a biological one before we continue down this path. I told her that I don't think any woman who has been diagnosed with infertility ever gets past the yearning for a biological child. How could she? Then she said that we just need to stop actively trying to conceive one of our own before she wants us to move forward. For about 12 hours I pondered this stance. At first I thought, okay maybe she is right, maybe by actively trying to conceive another child I am showing indifference towards adoption. But the more I have considered it, the more strongly I disagree. I JUST WANT A BABY!!!! God is the one that gives a child to a family, not an agency, not a doctor, and not herbs and acupuncture. All I am doing by trying these things is hoping to widen the possibility of a baby coming into my life. I'm trying to cover all my bases in the hopes that somehow, someway, sooner than later a beautiful, healthy, wonderful little person will join our family. Frankly, I could care less how the baby arrives. I've already jumped that hurdle. A baby coming through me or through another woman is not an issue. God is the one that gives a baby to a person and that person does not own the baby (see post a few months ago). I'm even getting nauseated as I type. Have to go. Will conclude later.

Peek-a-boo!

Yea! Here is the other photo I was trying to load last night. Glad it finally loaded.