.happy birthday blog!.

It's been a year ago today since I first put words into this blog.  Inspired by strangers who opened themselves up to the world, sharing with us, their talents, their dreams and fears, I chose to join them in documenting bits and pieces of myself.  Amazing how much change has taken place since that first post.  This is wishing you, Reveries and a Cup of Chai, a happy first birthday!  May there be many more post to come!    

.you are my little bird.

I love music.  You've probably figured that out by now.  My little girl also loves music.  And I mean LOVES music!  There's nothing more delightful to watch than your two year old child dance her little heart out to a song being played on the radio or the television, or a book for that matter.  So what if her dance moves resemble a really whacked out version of Richard Simmon's "Sweating to the Oldies" workout videos?  (She gets that from her Daddy.  Let's pray she grows out of it.)  She also loves to sing.  Although most of the words to her songs are still gibberish, except for the occasional "Daddy," "Momma," "Keoki" (our dog) and names of other family members and favorite characters, it is still sweet to listen to.  You can't help but laugh at the sheer cuteness of it all.  I know, I'm the gushing Mom.  Yesterday, I came across a CD with a cover that caught my eye.  We all know that they say you should never judge a book, or in this case an album, by its cover.  True.  But I was pleased to find that this one was a keeper.  Elizabeth Mitchell's You are My Little Bird is a wonderful album to add to your child's music collection.  Opening with Little Liza Jane, this catchy tune gets you hooked and reels you, and your little one, in for a beautiful ride!  The variety of carefully handpicked songs ranging from classic folk to the Velvet Underground, has been delicately woven together into a colorful tapestry of music fit for younger and older audiences alike.  Accompanied by her daughter Storey and husband Daniel on some of the songs, Mitchell brings the familiarity and joy of singing together as a family on this album, something that I treasure as a parent.  A collection of beautifully sung tunes and terrific arrangements, this album is sure to become a family favorite!  So, to check out more on Elizabeth Mitchell and her music, visit her here.  If you like the sound of this album, you should also check out Mitchell's collaboration with Lisa Loeb on Catch a Moon.  One of my faves!  

.happy earth day!.

Happy Earth Day folks!  I needed to share a book with you before I jet out of this place to head off to work.  For the kids in your life, Wildlife Gardening, a DK book written by Martyn Cox, is a must have!  The pages are covered with wonderful photos, illustrations, and tons of information showing how even children can help in bringing life to your backyard.  From planting flowers that will help attract honeybees, to building your own pond, the projects in this book are made simple enough so that even gardening dunces (such as myself) will know how-to and WHY.  So get this book, grab the munchakins, and go out and get your hands dirty!  The kids will love it!

.write on.

There once was a time when I would write. . . and write. . . and write.  I used to LOVE to write.  When I was in high school, that was the one thing I truly enjoyed the most.  Whether it was writing out reports in Sociology or creative writing in English.  Many times there were piles of notes I'd write to my high school friend Michelei during U.S. History class; stacks of letters, accompanied by heavily decorated envelopes, to my childhood best friend Mischa who moved to Oregon when we were fifteen.  Who I still keep in touch with by the way!  There was just something about putting down my thoughts on paper.  And I was SO proud of my handwriting!  Oh!  Let's not forget about poetry.  Poems were a way for me to release the pressure of emotions building up inside of me.  I didn't just write because I had to.  I did it because I loved it.  Because I needed it.  There was no fear in what I wanted to write.  No, I was not the best at it by any means.  Vocabulary was and is still a little challenging.  Grammar always seems to be so anxious to jump out with its red ballpoint pen.  And yet, I was confident in my thoughts, confident with what I would write.  That same confidence has, over the years, dwindled down to a mere ember set in a mound of ash and soot.  

Recently, I purchased a copy of The Right to Write, by Julia Cameron, the author of the best selling book, The Artist's Way.  I don't know why I purchased the book.  The title, perhaps.  As it says on the cover, it was my "invitation" to a writing life.  Deep down, I guess I've been wanting to be a part of that life again.  Having only read the first few chapters thus far, I was relieved to have someone tell me to forget the reasons why I hesitate to write; the fear of what others might think, the dread of sounding silly and unintelligent, the excuse of not having enough time.  Cameron's book has reminded me that I need to write for my own sake and not for the approval of anyone else.  Write simply for the love of writing.  From this point on, I will do just that.  

Wherever you are

is the entry point.

~Kabir

.bee-cause.

Today, I found this cute awareness message  in my inbox sent to me via Anthropologie.  With Earth Day officially set for tomorrow, it was a reminder of the critical situation the world's honeybees are in, as vast numbers of their population are dwindling at an alarming rate.  Many of the foods we enjoy, such as fruits and nuts, would not be in existence had it not been for these yellow and black striped workers aiding in the pollination process.  There's a lot more to these little guys than just honey.  To learn more about Anthropolgie's "bee cause" go to their site here.  Also, visit "Help the Honey Bees," an interactive site, created and sponsored by Haagen-Daz, to help raise awareness.  This brilliant site provides visitors with information on this strange phenomenon, the effects it can have on our environment, along with ways we as individuals can participate in their recovery.  So this Earth Day, let us all make a point to truly do our best for the environment we live in.  And just when you're about to spoon up some sugar for your tea, think about supporting local beekeepers in your area by purchasing honey instead!

.what a voice.

So there has been a lot of buzz on the internet about a woman named Susan Boyle of Scotland.  She appeared on the British talent show, Britain's Got Talent, where she blew the world away with her magnificent voice.  Listening to Opera does not usually bring me to tears, but I must admit, this one did.  Watch the clip here.  If you don't tear up just a little, you have no heart.  ;o)

.what's in your bag?.

Hello everyone!  I know, I know.  Where the heck have I been?!  Things have been a little hectic so I had to step away from Blogland for a little bit.  Hope all has been groovy in your neck of the woods! Let's see. . . what's going on with me at the moment, well after a visit to Susannah's blog this morning, I couldn't help but want to dump out the contents of my bag, simply to get a shot of it.  It's actually kinda funny once you realize just what you've got in there.  Here's what is in my bag:

• a cute journal 
• my little brown leather wallet stuffed with receipts, cards, bobby pins, stamps, and fortune cookie fortunes
• an orange flavored lollipop that the bank gives to my daughter every time we make a deposit
• a spiral sketchbook
• a case of colored pencils
• a tube of Aveeno lotion
• 2 tubes of lipstick:  L'Oreal Nature's Blush and MAC What a Do!
• my Canon Powershot Digital Elph
• Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
• a notebook
• a Pilot gel pen
• my check book
• a mini bag of Orville Redenbacher kettle corn popcorn
• a chocolate egg wrapped in mint green foil
• a lint roller
  

Other things that did not make it into the shot, several paycheck stubs, a few coins, lint, and of course, the emergency maxi pad.  Ha!  Now I ask YOU the same question. . . what's in YOUR bag?