Beyond Words

As a golfer, it’s not every day you get to play an uber private and legendary course but years back my husband got to do just that at Royal Troon in Scotland. It was a once-in-a-lifetime round and one courtesy of our dear friends Mary and Brian who we’ve known for many years and who are originally from Scotland. They contacted a dear friend of theirs “back home” who was a member at Troon and before we knew it, he was playing, I was touring, and later we were both inside the clubhouse and locker room with the most hospitable and friendly of Scottish couples and where hubby had to borrow a jacket from the club to wear over his golf shirt in the strict “jackets only” restaurant. We will never forget it and are reminded of it this week as the 152^nd British Open is played at Royal Troon’s Old Course.

 

 

Founded in 1878, the famous course was designed in the traditional out-and-back manner of another Old Course, St. Andrews. Troon is a tough test and includes a gentle opening through some of the most striking links land found at any Open venue. It wraps things up with a back nine that’s considered as tough as any finish in the world.

 

 

 

As memorable as Troon and all of Scotland was, one of the most unforgettable things we did and that I’ve ever done on any trip is seeing the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This pageantry of all pageantry consists of 1,000 musicians, pipers, drummers, singers, and dancers as well as stirring performances of the Massed Pipes and Drums and the Massed Military Bands emerging from the huge castle gates and playing the inspiring battle tunes of Scotland’s famed regiments all with the backdrop of the floodlit Edinburgh Castle. Dramatic, amazing, and mind-blowing don’t even begin to describe it.

 

If you know anything about golf, you know it originated in Scotland and if you know anything about Scotland, you know it’s also the home of bagpipes. Kind of.

 

 

 

Yes, bagpipes today are officially associated with Scotland, but ancient and medieval art and sculpture dating from 1000 BC depict forerunners of the bagpipe in Middle Eastern, Egyptian, Roman, and Grecian cultures. The earliest appearance in the British Isles didn’t appear until sometime in the 14^th century and in his classic “The Canterbury Tales” from 1380, Chaucer mentions “a baggepype wel coude he blowe and sowne.” So, there’s a snippet of its history, but what exactly is a bagpipe?

 

 

There remain several versions of the bagpipe, but the one we are most familiar with is the Scottish Highland one consisting of three drone pipes on the top of the bag and a nine-note chanter pipe along with a bag made out of sheep or elk skin.

 

From the bagpipe’s first days in Scotland, tradition had it that each town had an official tax-funded bagpiper who played at formal occasions, country fairs, weddings, and in churches. Not only were pipes entertaining, they were also protective. The first mention of bagpipes used as instruments to spur on the troops occurred at the Battle of Pinkie in 1549 and in 1746, they were used in the Scots’ failed Battle of Culloden, after which the instrument was banned by the British for 40 years.

 

But, by WWI, the Brits had adopted 2,500 Scottish comrades to bravely lead the troops into battle, many of whom were killed or wounded by the Germans. Pipers were then forbidden on WWII front lines but one brave Scottish piper called Private “Mad” Bill Millin could be heard on D-Day through gunfire on Normandy Beach.

 

 

As important as the pipe itself is, so is what a piper wears, often called the “full highland dress No. 1.” Essentials are traditionally the tall, ostrich feather bonnet; a highly decorated jacket and plaid kilt; a short sword called a dirk at the side; a large bejeweled brooch; horsehair tassels called sporran; and white spats, short for spatterdashes or spatter guards, which cover the instep and the ankle. As for what’s worn under a kilt; well, that’s a tale all its own.

 

 

Most of us have heard that it’s a Scottish tradition to not wear undies under a kilt. If you ask a kilt-wearing gent that question, you might regret doing so as his answer could vary and very well embarrass you, not him. (I may or may not have asked the piper pictured above with me and hubby!) Historically, many believe the tradition of not wearing undergarments under a kilt began in Scottish military regiments. It is rumored that the Scottish military code from the 18th century prescribed a kilt but did not mention underwear so Scottish soldiers took that as a challenge rather than an oversight and the underwear-less tradition began. The popular saying “going commando” evolved from this and the rest is kilt and underwear history. Oddly enough, Scottish regiments wore kilts in combat until they were banned during WWII for fear that a Scotsmen’s private parts would be exposed to chemical weapons. Ouchie! Some still consider it inauthentic to wear underwear while others insist that the regimental style is outdated and unhygienic. Today, a Scot’s choice of commando or not is theirs and theirs alone but I did learn that The Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing has made underwear part of the dress code. Apparently, one’s approach to what they wear under their kilt is as varied as the kilt tartans themselves. So really quickly; what is a tartan?

 

 

 

We are all guilty of using the term “plaid” when talking about any fabric that has checks going this way and that. But a plaid is actually a long piece of wool worn over the shoulder as part of traditional Highland dress. Tartan, on the other hand, is a checked pattern that has stripes meeting at a 90-degree angle and the vertical stripes are exact duplicates of the horizontal ones.  A tartan is a weave of colored threads registered with the Scottish Tartan Authority and owned by specific families and clans. For true traditionalists and those in Scotland, tartan is a pattern while plaid is a piece of cloth that consists of tartan prints.

 

One of the most famous plaids is the iconic Burberry plaid. Established in London in 1856 by Thomas Burberry, the brand’s distinctive plaid is recognized and imitated the world over. The Burberry plaid is a tartan recognized by the Scottish Tartan Authority and forever a fave of mine.

 

But back to bagpipes.

 

 

 

I love a good bagpipe. I loved them in Scotland and I love them at parades, weddings, and even funerals. There is something so unique about them and their sound and when accompanied by snare, tenor, and bass drums in a “pipe band,” there is nothing comparable.

 

Considered a woodwind instrument  using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag, bagpipes are equally complex and simple. The most common “Scottish Highland” bagpipes consist of a few pipes all connected to the bag, with the main melody pipe, called the “chanter,” in the same family as a double-reed oboe and bassoon. The other pipes are often single reed like clarinets and saxophones.

 

The chanter pipe plays the melody and is pitched in a certain scale by covering holes, like a recorder or song flute, while the continuous tone of the “drone” pipes is each pitched on one note. Close your eyes and you can probably hear that distinctive drone sound as a bagpipe warms up. But what about the bag?

 

 

That floppy bag, traditionally made from skins, actually serves as a “third lung” to store air. Interestingly enough, a piper doesn’t blow directly into the pipes but into the bag. He then uses arm pressure to squeeze air out of the bag and into the pipes. His goal is to keep refilling the bag with air so it never runs out, which results in an unbroken and continuous tone.

 

Bagpipes and all things related to them are not only interesting but historical. They look pretty and they sound pretty and they make for a pretty good story.

 

 

If I’ve piqued your interest in bagpipes and if you’re going to be in New York City, you might want to check out the extensive collection of historical bagpipes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art or check out the work of American composer Michael Kurek, whose compositions I learned a lot from. Better yet: go to Scotland! You might even want to buy yourself a kilt!

 

 

 

I blogged recently that one of my biggest regrets is not visiting my niece when she lived in Japan or joining her and her Japanese-born husband on any of their many trips back to his homeland. Kamoshiremasen itsuka? (I Googled that one and am hoping it means “maybe someday?” in Japanese. I could be way off but it’s worth a shot.)

 

As luck would have it, today is my nephew-in-law’s birthday so what better day to celebrate something Japanese: the fortune cookie. Say what Carla? Aren’t you getting your Japanese and Chinese mixed up? Fortune cookies are Chinese traditions, right? Yes, and no.

 

 

In the U.S., those yummy vanilla-flavored, butterfly-shaped treats concealing pithy predictions, corny puns, and sage advice that Chinese restaurants give out with the tab are indeed a Chinese-American meal tradition, but their Western origins actually trace back to Japan. How in the literal world did fortune cookies migrate from Japanese bakeries to Chinese restaurants in America? That’s a lot of country hopping for one little confectionary, but stay with me.

 

 

What we Americans know as a fortune cookie is something almost identical to a Japanese tsujiura senbei, or “fortune cracker.” These nutty sesame and miso tea cakes date back to the early 19^th century and also hide a wise saying or prophecy tucked inside. They are traditionally served with tea and made their way across the pond in the late 1880s and early 1900s. That’s when a surge of Japanese immigrants arrived on the American west coast but discovered opening a Japanese restaurant was risky because Americans didn’t want to eat raw fish. (Oh, how times have changed!) So, as ingenious as they were, they opted to open Chinese restaurants and served everything from chop suey to chow mein to egg foo young. In keeping with their Japanese traditions, they also served tsujiura senbei.

 

Much credit is given to the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco as the first known U.S. restaurant to serve fortune cookies. The restaurant got their cookies from a local baker called Benkyodo, which claims to have pioneered the treat’s trademark vanilla and butter flavoring as well as inventing a machine to mass-produce them sometime around 1911.

 

 

Things changed however in 1941 after the Japanese-American Internment following the attack on Pearl Harbor, which resulted in Chinese manufacturers taking over the production of them as the Japanese couldn’t and weren’t allowed to.

 

 

 

After WWII, returning American military personal who passed through San Francisco starting requesting the little cookies at their local Chinese restaurants and the cookie’s popularity spread across the country. In the 1950s, more than 200 million cookies were manufactured annually and Wonton Food in New York became the nation’s largest producer of fortunes cookies. Today the company makes more than 4 million of them daily and 3 billion annually.

 

Think about, that’s 3 billion fortunes tucked inside those fortune cookies. Where do these words of wisdom come from? As a writer, this is of great interest to me.

 

 

All those fortunes come from somewhere and believe it or not, are written by one person. All of them. (Sounds like a dream job to me; right up there with picking names for OPI nail polishes!) For 30 years Wonton Food Inc.’s CFO Donald Lau wrote what he estimates to be between 2,000-3,000 fortunes. In 2017, Lau passed the pen to James Wong, nephew of the company’s founder. That company is said to have a database of 10,000 messages, the majority of which are reused although 100 or so new ones are written each year. As Wong told the BBC, it’s more pressure than you’d think.

 

“It can be challenging to write universally pleasing and uplifting sentiments,” he said. “We need to bring happy messages. We want to make people feel good and there’s always an expectation of some type of fortune-telling.”

 

The many years of fortune messages have included advice, encouragement, life predictions, and a little comic relief. The inspiration for them comes from such diverse sources as Chinese proverbs and New York City subway signs. Freelance writers are also outsourced. Pick me, pick me!

 

 

I actually love fortune cookies. I like their simple but appealing flavor and I love serving them at dinner parties. Who doesn’t love a fortune by way of a cookie? Hopes are that the treats will encourage meaningful discussions and laughs and I love that about them.

 

Custom fortune cookies are also popular at events like birthday parties, anniversaries, and weddings. They’ve even been known to be used for marriage proposals. How cute is that?! Finally, in 1968 Robert F. Kennedy used them with a “Vote Kennedy” message inside during his presidential campaign. Hmmm…I can think of a GREAT slogan for our current 2024 election!

 

Wherever you eat one and whatever its message is, here’s hoping for all good fortunes for you and Happy Birthday Takeshi. You’re one smart cookie too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is so much stress and strife out there but I’m pretty sure most of us are all looking for peace and harmony. Wanna know where you can find true joy? A dog park. Yep, a dog park.

 

 

 

My husband I and recently took our three dogs to our local dog park and it dawned on me that, despite the endless barking and aimless running of many canines, everyone had a smile on their face. The owners are happy. The dogs are happy. The heavens are happy. That’s our beagle Nick above running with some new friend he met and look at the smile on his face! Priceless.

 

It’s not very often you find a place of true, unadulterated happiness but my friends, go to a dog park and you’ll find it. And it’s no wonder considering all the ways dogs make us happy.

 

 

 

The fact that science tells us dogs make us happier really only enforces what we already know, right? We know that whether we leave the house for five minutes, five hours, or five days, our canine family members will be there to greet us enthusiastically with open paws. They love us. They adore us.

 

 

 

 

They also improve our moods. You could say it’s a two-fer relationship. They make us happy and we make them happy. Study after study show our furry friends lessen symptoms of depression, loneliness, and overall feelings of sadness. It’s hard to be sad when a buddy follows your every move, looks adoringly at you with those “puppy dog eyes,” or even jumps on your lap and starts licking your face! Come to find out, those licks actually mean something.

 

 

 

When your dog licks your face, and yes, I agree it can be annoying, but know that it’s a sign of affection and respect. They also may lick when they’re curious about how you are feeling. Dogs sense everything. They have special receptors in their nose and mouth that process and interpret scented molecules in a person. This means that by simply licking your face or smelling your body, your dog may be able to tell whether you’re happy, sad, or stressed. Then, the therapist in them moves in.

 

 

Dogs have actually been shown to make great therapists and reduce stress. They have an innate sense of compassion that cues a desire to bring comfort, affection, and encouragement. I distinctly remember this happening when my sister died. Of our three dogs, one is not a big snuggeler unless you constantly pet him. But on that day when my emotions were all over the place and I laid down on our bed, sweet Barry the Beagle jumped up and laid right next to me. He didn’t require petting. He only wanted to comfort me.

 

 

 

As my friends and I just this week, sometimes it’s just about showing up. Often times there are no words to ease the pain someone is going through, but showing up and just being there can help. That’s what dogs do. They don’t say anything. They just show up. It’s all about love.

 

 

 

Dogs know a thing about love as it’s known that they increase oxytocin; “the love hormone.” Simply spending time with your dog actually increases the level of this hormone, which is a neurotransmitter that increases trust and reduces fear. Amazing, right?

 

 

 

 

Dogs aren’t called “Man’s Best Friend” for no reason. Man, woman, or child, every dog’s middle name could be “Loyalty.” The most common cartoon name for a dog is Fido and how appropriate since the Latin word for “faith” is “fidem” and who’s more faithful and loyal than a dog? The special skills of dogs and their undeniable loyalty were on full display during WW1 when “Mercy Dogs” were trained to sniff out the wounded and bring them first aid in the battlefields. If a soldier was beyond saving, the dog would lay down next to him so he didn’t have to die alone.

 

 

 

Also interesting is the story of a dog who went missing. Lots of people searched for the dog to no avail, and then someone suggested the owner to put an item of his clothing down in the area the pooch was thought to be lost. At first light, the dog was found sitting on the owner’s coat. Don’t believe me? Okay men, put your wife and your dog in the trunk of your car. Come back in a bit and let them out. One will be sooooo happy to see you; the other one not so much. It’s pretty easy to guess who’s who here and if you disagree you’re definitely barking up the wrong tree!

 

 

 

All joking aside, you can learn a lot from a dog, as one of my favorite authors and bloggers Courtney Carver wrote. (Her book “Soulful Simplicity” is one of my all-time favorites.) Her “Seven Lessons My Dog Taught Me About Living Simply” can teach us all something.

 

Your favorite things are enough. Dogs tend to have their favorite toys, beds, spots, even humans in the family and we humans do too. Do you use or wear the same things again and again? Like dogs, Carver recommends if you want to enjoy your favorite things, only own your favorite things. Her “Be More with Less” site helps enforce the fact that living simply is not a sacrifice and that we all need less than we think to be happy.

It’s always a good idea to go outside. Hello dog park! Hello walking your dog! Best thing about our local dog park? Yes, it’s a place of delight but it also has a track around its perimeter so while the dogs run around, I get my walk in. They say if your dog is fat, you’re not walking enough. Dogs love going outside and it’s good for us too. I agree with Carver that I always feel better after a walk or any outdoor activity.

Just be there. I talked about this above in that just being there for someone, not necessarily solving any problems or giving advice, is often just what they need. As my friends and I joked about this very subject, we were reminded you never want to come in hot as “the devil’s advocate.” It’s called that for a reason and it’s not good. Instead, be a dog. Just be there.

Appreciate a small space. Bigger is not always better. Wherever you are in your big or small house, your dog is going to be right there with you. They don’t care if they live in a mansion or an apartment, as long as you’re there they are happy. And secure. And content. We need to be like that and appreciate the magic of living in a small space.

The next thing doesn’t matter. This I need to work on and didn’t realize my dogs can teach me about being fully present. I’m a planner. I don’t like to forget something or forget to do something. Our dogs? They don’t care what happened yesterday or what comes next. All they care about is right now. If nothing is going on, they lie down and slow down. We could all do more of that ourselves.

Forget what happened yesterday. You could say this is the cousin of #5 as just as much as what comes next doesn’t matter, in many ways neither does what happened yesterday. Every day is a new day. Dogs don’t have very long memories, which becomes apparent in training or disciplining them, and that’s not always a bad thing. I tend to hold on too much at times but unless something yesterday is something you can learn from or improve, let it go. Let it go with love.

Be gentle. Oh, how I love this one. Being Hispanic and married to a Yankee, a calm and gentle demeanor isn’t always easy to come by in our house. Our dogs on the other hand, are gentle. They are not aggressive or angry and are great examples of being gentle in our relationships, our health, and our work. Quiet your life, slow down, and enjoy the moment. Sit. And stay.

 

 

Well dog gone it, look at all we’ve learned! As I write this, I have a Beagle next to me reminding me to be loyal, be loving, and be active. Those are such tail-wagging ideas I may even go to the dog park and enjoy these dog days of summer!

 

 

Happy summer! The season of sun and fun officially started Thursday and I’m here to say I didn’t even realize it. Then, I started seeing all these posts about summer and I realized the season is upon us. Where I live, summer means one thing: heat. Okay, maybe two things: heat and air conditioning. But it can also mean vacations, school’s out, gardening, and swimming. Leave it to my blogger and author girl Gretchen Rubin to present a whole new way of looking at the change of season.

In a recent blog, Rubin brainstormed about ways to make the most of this summer and challenged herself to write a five senses portrait of summer. She writes how exploring our five senses can get us out of our heads and into the world. I loved it and I’m up for the challenge. Are you?

Tied into her New York Times best-selling book, “Life of Five Senses,” which discovers a surprising path to energy, creativity, loves, and maybe even a little bit of luck simply by tuning into your five senses. The challenge asks you to list your five senses and tie each on into a memory of summer. Let’s dive in!

Sight. My immediate summer sight memory takes me to Costa Rica and gazing out on the ocean from our hotel balcony. It’s a happy place and a happy memory.

Hearing. Where I live, summer hearing means cicadas. Yep, those buzzing bugs that once we hear them chirping each evening, we know summer, or at least the heat, has officially arrived.

Smell. Flowers. I think of all the flowers blooming everywhere, especially my knock-out roses that go crazy once the weather warms up. They are so beautiful they could also be in my “sight” category.

Taste. Grilled anything. Summer (and spring for that matter) mean grilling outside for us. This could be anything from burgers to hot dogs to fajitas to BBQ ribs or brisket. Some of these could also qualify as “smells” of summer.

Touch. My skin. Weird, right? But yep, in the summer I tend to touch my skin a whole lot more cuz off went the hoodies and leggings and out came short sleeves and dresses.

Quick diversion here. Rubin also has what’s called the “What’s Your Neglected Sense?” quiz. I took it and discovered my most neglected sense is seeing. Rubin notes that is can be useful to recognize your neglected sense because that’s where you have the greatest opportunity to fin more enjoyment and heighten your mindfulness. Got to gretchenrubin.com to find out more about all of this.

Back to summer…

Last summer was one of endless days of 100 degrees or more, so I’m hoping this summer is a little different in that sense…excuse the pun. For me, summer also means getting up earlier for my morning walk with one of our three dogs, as by 9 a.m. it is way too hot for either of us to be out. Same goes for evening strolls, as it never really cools down enough for their little paws or me for that matter.

Summer came early this year, actually the earliest in two centuries. The summer solstice, which happened on Thursday, marks the longest day of the year north of the Equator, the exact moment when the sun reaches its most northern point in the sky, when the Earth’s north pole is most tilted towards the sun, and is the beginning of summer. The Earth has a solstice every six months, in June and September. After the summer solstice, the days get short and the sun will appear lower and lower in the sky each day until the winter solstice on December. Interestingly enough, the hottest temperatures of the year usually don’t occur until July or August, as it takes time for the sun’s rays to warm our planet. Don’t tell that to people in the northeast right now who are melting in an extreme heat wave!

Even though the sun gets all the attention during all of this, the moon had its own party with a stunning “Strawberry Moon” reaching its stunning peak on Friday. Did you see it?

It was the sixth full moon of 2024, was named after strawberries that ripen during the summer, and is always the lowest-hanging full moon because it mirrors the sun’s position when the sun is at its highest. It all coincided this year not only with summer solstice, but also with a rare “major lunar standstill” not seen since 2006. This happens when the tilts of the moon and Earth are at their maximum and when the moon rises and sets at the furthest points on its range on the horizon.

Whew! That’s a lot of astronomy! Truth be told this writer loves astronomy as being a word person, my math and science skills have always been lacking. In college, when I had to take a science, I took astronomy! I loved it!

But I digress. Back to our summer five senses portrait. It’s all for fun but maybe you’ll learn something useful out of it. Maybe you’ll acknowledge smells and sounds that make you reminisce about something enjoyable. Maybe a taste will not only make your tastebuds happy but your lips smile. Give it a shot. You might just discover what you see hung the moon in some fantastic way.

Have fun and happy summer!

Happy summer! The season of sun and fun officially started Thursday and I’m here to say I didn’t even realize it. Then, I started seeing all these posts about summer and I realized the season is upon us. Where I live, summer means one thing: heat. Okay, maybe two things: heat and air conditioning. But it can also mean vacations, school’s out, gardening, and swimming. Leave it to my blogger and author girl Gretchen Rubin to present a whole new way of looking at the change of season.

In a recent blog, Rubin brainstormed about ways to make the most of this summer and challenged herself to write a five senses portrait of summer. She writes how exploring our five senses can get us out of our heads and into the world. I loved it and I’m up for the challenge. Are you?

Tied into her New York Times best-selling book, “Life of Five Senses,” which discovers a surprising path to energy, creativity, loves, and maybe even a little bit of luck simply by tuning into your five senses. The challenge asks you to list your five senses and tie each on into a memory of summer. Let’s dive in!

Sight. My immediate summer sight memory takes me to Costa Rica and gazing out on the ocean from our hotel balcony. It’s a happy place and a happy memory.

Hearing. Where I live, summer hearing means cicadas. Yep, those buzzing bugs that once we hear them chirping each evening, we know summer, or at least the heat, has officially arrived.

Smell. Flowers. I think of all the flowers blooming everywhere, especially my knock-out roses that go crazy once the weather warms up. They are so beautiful they could also be in my “sight” category.

Taste. Grilled anything. Summer (and spring for that matter) mean grilling outside for us. This could be anything from burgers to hot dogs to fajitas to BBQ ribs or brisket. Some of these could also qualify as “smells” of summer.

Touch. My skin. Weird, right? But yep, in the summer I tend to touch my skin a whole lot more cuz off went the hoodies and leggings and out came short sleeves and dresses.

Quick diversion here. Rubin also has what’s called the “What’s Your Neglected Sense?” quiz. I took it and discovered my most neglected sense is seeing. Rubin notes that is can be useful to recognize your neglected sense because that’s where you have the greatest opportunity to fin more enjoyment and heighten your mindfulness. Got to gretchenrubin.com to find out more about all of this.

Back to summer…

Last summer was one of endless days of 100 degrees or more, so I’m hoping this summer is a little different in that sense…excuse the pun. For me, summer also means getting up earlier for my morning walk with one of our three dogs, as by 9 a.m. it is way too hot for either of us to be out. Same goes for evening strolls, as it never really cools down enough for their little paws or me for that matter.

Summer came early this year, actually the earliest in two centuries. The summer solstice, which happened on Thursday, marks the longest day of the year north of the Equator, the exact moment when the sun reaches its most northern point in the sky, when the Earth’s north pole is most tilted towards the sun, and is the beginning of summer. The Earth has a solstice every six months, in June and September. After the summer solstice, the days get short and the sun will appear lower and lower in the sky each day until the winter solstice on December. Interestingly enough, the hottest temperatures of the year usually don’t occur until July or August, as it takes time for the sun’s rays to warm our planet. Don’t tell that to people in the northeast right now who are melting in an extreme heat wave!

Even though the sun gets all the attention during all of this, the moon had its own party with a stunning “Strawberry Moon” reaching its stunning peak on Friday. Did you see it?

It was the sixth full moon of 2024, was named after strawberries that ripen during the summer, and is always the lowest-hanging full moon because it mirrors the sun’s position when the sun is at its highest. It all coincided this year not only with summer solstice, but also with a rare “major lunar standstill” not seen since 2006. This happens when the tilts of the moon and Earth are at their maximum and when the moon rises and sets at the furthest points on its range on the horizon.

Whew! That’s a lot of astronomy! Truth be told this writer loves astronomy as being a word person, my math and science skills have always been lacking. In college, when I had to take a science, I took astronomy! I loved it!

But I digress. Back to our summer five senses portrait. It’s all for fun but maybe you’ll learn something useful out of it. Maybe you’ll acknowledge smells and sounds that make you reminisce about something enjoyable. Maybe a taste will not only make your tastebuds happy but your lips smile. Give it a shot. You might just discover what you see hung the moon in some fantastic way.

Have fun and happy summer!

Tis the season for travel. Americans are traveling overseas in record numbers this year, setting aside worries about inflation and “prioritizing meaningful experiences over material goods,” according to a new report from Mastercard. Don’t believe that? Just look online. Everywhere I scroll someone is posting photos of their trips to one fabulous place after another. I’m guilty of posting a few photos of past trips myself and I enjoy doing so but I gotta admit I don’t enjoy travelling as much as I once did. Especially flying and especially flying during the summer. I seem to be joined somewhat by fellow travelers as choices are being made mindfully and earnestly.

 

“Today’s travelers are discerning, choosing destinations that offer both value and authenticity,” Michelle Meyer, chief economist and head of the Mastercard Economics Institute, which compiled the report, said. “Travel & Leisure” also interestingly reports that trending destinations are once-in-a-lifetime events, whether it’s a Taylor Swift concert, an international soccer tournament, or a solar eclipse. Consumers are also looking for places that offer excellent value, whether through favorable currency exchange rates or the overall bang-for-your-buck, somewhat proving that current inflation rates and overall increased cost-of-living expenses are playing a big part in where people go.

 

 

 

Among the hottest trending spots on Mastercard’s list are Tokyo, where the yen is down significantly compared to the U.S. dollar, as well as warm weather tropical favorites Aruba and Cancun. Additionally, rather than hopping from one destination to another, today’s travelers are extending their stays and immersing themselves in the experiences and wonders of each locale.

 

I do like the idea of settling in one spot but unless I’m going to one of my few remaining Bucket List locations, I’m happy either staying home or taking a road trip.

 

Speaking of road trips, we are scheduled to take a road trip with our three dogs to Ruidoso soon. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the devastating wild fires are contained and we are still able to make our favorite journey to the charming town, but most of all we are praying for all those displaced and whose homes and businesses were destroyed. Will you join me?

 

We love going to Ruidoso and do so annually. I’d also love to return to Costa Rica, where we visited annually until the pandemic shut the world down, but unfortunately the land of “pura vida” has been officially discovered so it’s more crowded and the hotel we called home each year is now 10 times more expensive. Sadly, no gracias.

 

 

I would love to return to Costa Rica, where we visited annually until the pandemic shut the world down, but unfortunately the land of “Pura Vida” has been officially discovered so it’s more crowded and the hotel we called home each year is now 10 times more expensive. Sadly, no gracias.

 

 

 

 

What about you? Do you prefer to return to places you previously visited or do you like to explore new and exciting places? I’m somewhere in the middle as there are destinations I haven’t been that I’d like to visit, but I also love returning to places I know and love and know that I love.

 

 

 

I’ve pretty much loved the majority of places I’ve been blessed to visit, some more than one time, some more than others, and most I’d visit again but before that, I do still have a few on my Bucket List. I would still like to see Ireland but am okay if I never do and Montana/Wyoming sound lovely but quite a chore to plan. Ultimately, the majority of places I still want to see are in the U.S. International travel is hard and with all that’s going on in our crazy world I’m a bit of the thinking that if I can’t drive home if need be, I’m staying home. That being said, I’m hell bent on seeing the Biltmore and surrounding Ashville; Louisville/Lexington and their bourbon trails, horse farms, and Churchill Downs; Colonial Williamsburg; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Newport, RI. Hopefully I’ll get to at least one of them this year.

 

 

 

Anyplace else I’m okay not seeing. Oddly enough one of those places is Hawaii. Neither my husband nor I have been and have no desire to. Yes, we’ve heard how beautiful it is, but if I’m going to fly that far I’m going to Ireland or somewhere else in Europe. Would I go if it was free? Of course, but if it were up to the two of us, we’re happy with Santa Fe; Ruidoso; Scottsdale; New Orleans; Longboat Key, Florida; his hometown of East Aurora, NY; and a couple of golf destinations in between. Call us old, call us simple, call us satisfied.

 

 

 

We know we are blessed. We’ve experienced many of great cities and charming countries in the world. My husband has played golf at most of the treasured courses and I’ve relaxed in a sundry of fabulous spas…my happy place. For 21 straight years I’ve been beyond fortunate with trips with four college buddies to a different location every year. I do have one travel regret though. I regret never going to visit my niece when she lived in Japan or going with her and her family on one of their annual trips to her husband’s home country. Someday maybe.

 

 

 

Naturally there will be trips to see family and attend weddings, which we always enjoy, but chosen and planned out travels are somewhat off our radar list. For starters, my husband has travelled for business for 40+ years (and yes, I’ve heard the argument “but leisure travel is different than business travel, but tell that to someone who has travelled for 40+ years. A plane is a plane. A hotel starts being a hotel. And a destination is just somewhere away from home. As his grateful wife I respect it and I get it.) and flying today is such a hassle. Truth be told, I would much rather take a long road trip then hop on a plane. Drive me to Montana before flying me to Hawaii.

 

 

 

Speaking of the two states, there’s also the beach vs. mountains and city vs. small town decisions to be made. Both my husband and I grew up snow skiing and continued doing so early in our marriage and in our younger days. We’ve also always loved the beach and now in our more current “mature” years, we prefer the beach although we do love a beautiful mountain town in the summer. Big cities are exciting but I’m kinda over them and prefer small, quaint towns.

 

I do somewhat admire (but don’t envy!) friends who go to what I call “daredevil destinations” like Machu Pichu or Antarctica as I would never choose to do any of them. I have ziplined in Costa Rica, rode in a dog sled in Alaska, jumped on board the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls, and breathed deep as my husband and I drove Furka Pass in Switzerland, but those are about the extent of my adventurous spirit. There’s just something very comforting and homey about going back to a lovely hotel and a familiar destination and in my comfort zone. Yeah, I know and have read all about that outside of your comfort zone is where the magic happens but I’m not big into magic either.

 

 

If you do travel this summer or anytime soon, Gretchen Rubin of the Happier podcast shed some summer travel hacks that I loved, including:

• Buy a book as a souvenir. (Oddly enough I started doing this many trips ago and have loved every book I’ve brought home for my library.)
• Choose a signature scent for the trip that will forever remind you of the memories made.
• Bring an extra light tote that can be used as a shopping bag, beach bag, or extra carry-on bag. (I always have one of those foldable ones in my purse and it has proven clutch on many occasions.)
• Take notes on your trip to help you remember details like places you loved and those you didn’t and what you might have do the same or even differently.

 

Tips from me:

• Use hotel shower caps as shoe covers. You’re welcome!
• Pack your patience. Things are not going to go exactly as planned. Flights will be delayed. Weather happens. Crowds congregate. Rubin suggests packing your humor too.
• Count your blessings. Travel is a luxury. Be grateful for every trip you get to take.

 

Safe travels to everyone heading out. I can’t wait to see the photos and hear all about your adventures. Have a wonderful time!

One day recently while playing golf, the “Barbie” movie came up. Some had seen it but I haven’t. Don’t get me wrong, I looooooved Barbie but heard such mixed things about the movie I opted to pass. Will I watch it now that it’s streaming? Maybe. But while talking about the movie and its stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, we got to talking about how much I loved Robbie’s TV series from way back called “Pan Am” and since I loved the book “Maid” I liked her in that too. We also talked about how Gosling’s wife Eva Mendes has opted to take a pause from her actress life to raise their kids. (Harrison Butker surely applauds her.) From there it took a turn to sandwiches. Yep, sandwiches.

 

One of my friends mentioned that she’d seen Gosling interviewed and when asked what his favorite sandwich was, he said “ice cream.” A bit unexpected but understandable nonetheless and it got me thinking about a recent Reel I saw online that listed the top favorite sandwiches. So, sandwiches it is today friends!

 

 

What is your favorite sandwich? Everyone has one, even if it’s an ice cream sandwich! Mine? I gotta admit I turn to my inner child on this one as two of my absolute favorites are a classic PB&J and a grilled cheese. A simple grilled cheese though, not (although I do like them) a “fancy” one a la Baltazar in New York City. And as for a PB&J, I like grape or strawberry jelly, over jam, and creamy peanut butter, over chunky. I love PB&Js so much that my recent discovery of them at a simple news store in Austin’s airport literally made my day. Wrapped in cellophane, they are the perfect go-to snack while waiting for a flight or boarding one.

 

 

The more grown-up Carla is not a fan of classic sub sandwiches made up of a variety of cheeses and meats but I do love a chicken or egg salad sandwich. Tuna salad is good too. Lastly, the more ravenous and unhealthy version of Carla loves a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich. I’ve even had one at one of Philadelphia’s original cheesesteak diners.

 

Okay, but back to the list.

 

“USA Today” reports that, according to data, 79 percent of people either “like” or “somewhat like” a good old’ grilled cheese sandwich best. It was closely followed by grilled chicken and turkey sandwiches, which tied for second with a 75 percent likeability score. Here’s the complete list of the top 15 favorite sandwiches in the U.S.

 

1. Grilled cheese
2. Grilled chicken
3. Turkey
4. Roast beef
5. Ham
6. BLT
7. Club
8. Bacon
9. Peanut butter & jelly
10. Pulled pork
11. Tuna
12. Egg salad
13. Meatball
14. Reuben
15. Cuban

 

 

While most of the above sandwiches are beloved across the country, it’s interesting to note how tastes vary by region in the U.S. For instance, YouGov reports that people in the Northeast prefer lobster rolls and meatball subs more than the rest of the country. And in the West, they’re much more into the French dip. I’m guessing the South ranks highest when it comes to egg salad or pimento cheese sandwiches and Texans love their pulled pork BBQ sandwiches. And, who’s ever been to New Orleans and not had a muffuletta? This combination of ham, salami, mortadella sausage, Swiss and provolone cheeses, and olive salad all served in a muffuletta loaf, which is similar to focaccia, is not my favorite, but beloved in the Louisiana.

 

One “sandwich” that didn’t make the list, and I added the quotes because the sandwich jury is out as to whether it’s truly a sandwich, is the good ole Sloppy Joe. I like the combo of ground beef, onions, and tomato sauce all slopped together in hamburger bun but not enough respondents did to make the below list. Other honorable mentions include a crab cake sandwich and a cucumber and cream cheese tea sandwich. Check, check; like them both.

 

 

Yet another debate is how you pronounce “sandwich.” My mom has forever said “sangwich” and then there’s the “samich” crowd. And, is the D silent? Sanwich or sandwich?

 

In all seriousness though, sandwiches are serious stuff. What goes into each one is the talk of the town square everywhere and they are big business, so here’s just a sampling of what’s what. Enjoy!

 

 

Grilled Cheese. Not widely exciting or inventive, a grilled cheese is simply hard to hate. The key is keeping it simple with just bread and cheese. I like my bread a little buttered too.

 

Chicken Sandwich. I had no idea that none other than Chick-fil-A actually invented the chicken sandwich. It was created by the fast-food chain’s founder as an alternative to the hamburger and is now beloved by many.

 

Turkey Sandwich. This one is kinda boring to me but most like it because it can be not only delicious, but healthy. Forego the mayo and opt for mustard, top with lettuce and tomato, and you’ve got a somewhat nutritious little treat. Turkey melts are also yummy!

 

Roast Beef Sandwich. This can be made in several ways, including with just mayo and other toppings ranging from horseradish and aioli to the more exotic French Dip. Consisting of thin-slice roast beef, Swiss cheese, and onions on a French roll or banquette, the French Dip is also served with a side of beef broth for dipping. Ironically, it was not invented in France but at an LA sandwich shop called Phillipe The Original back in 1918. Maybe this is why they are way more popular in the West then elsewhere in the U.S.

 

Ham Sandwich. Thick slices of ham are the stars of this sandwich and are often joined by cheese, preferably Swiss, tomato and mustard. The very first recipe for this classic came from cookbook author Eliza Leslie back in 1840, where she instructed, “cut some thin slices of bread neatly, having slightly buttered them, and if you choose, spread on very little mustard. Have ready some very thin slices of cold boiled ham and lay one between two slices of bread.” The sandwich, which I do like, has come a long way since then but its roots remain.

 

BLT. Fun story. Growing up our family’s “BLT” didn’t have lettuce or tomato, but rather bacon in between one slice of bread spread with peanut butter and another slice spread with mayo. Odd I know, but beloved by us to this day. The more traditional version consists of bacon, lettuce, and tomato served as one. The sandwich became a national craze after World War II when the ingredients were sold in grocery stores at affordable prices.

 

Club Sandwich. Like the BLT, it gets its name from its ingredients: Chicken and Lettuce Under Bacon. This, I did not know! The popular sandwich first appeared in America in the late 19^th century and traditionally includes chicken, lettuce, and bacon served in a three-layer form with an extra slice of bread in the middle and served in quarters.

 

 

PB&J. Another favorite named for its ingredients, the PB&J is favored by old and young alike. The simple sandwich has been around since the turn of the 20^th century and, like the BLT, became popular during World War II as they were staples on ration menus as their ingredients were cheap and accessible. You could say this is the “All American Sandwich.”

 

Pulled Pork Sandwich. I do enjoy a good pulled pork sandwich…preferably sauced up and shredded barbecue pork. It should come as no surprise that this sandwich has its roots in the South and that’s where you’ll find the best versions, often served with coleslaw, where it’s most popular.

 

Tuna Sandwich. The story behind this classic consists of not a sandwich, but a salad. Toward the end of the 19^th century, restaurants began catering to their female clientele by serving healthy yet hearty salads with tuna. Years later, as women joined the workforce en masse, the more complicated salad became an easy to go sandwich and it’s still one of America’s favorites. If you want to get really fancy, there’s always a tuna melt consisting of added cheese and a toasted creation. Yum!

 

 

Egg Salad Sandwich. Yet another southern favorite and a Masters tradition, egg salad sandwiches are considered a bit “old school” but once you’ve had a good one, young or old you are sold.

 

Meatball. Next up, the meatball sub. The whopping more-than-a-sandwich features a hearty helping of ground meat or meatballs, mozzarella or provolone cheese, all heated up on a baguette or other large roll. Men tend to prefer this sandwich over women and I’m on board with that.

 

Rueben. This seems to be one of those things that you either love or hate. I’m not a fan but many are. Like the meatball, the combination of corned beef, Swiss cheese, Russian dressing, and sauerkraut served up on grilled rye bread, is more popular with men then women and is especially beloved in the Midwest.

 

Cuban. I always think I’d like this sandwich more than I do. Maybe it’s the combination of thin-sliced roast pork and glazed ham. Traditionally those meats are topped with Swiss cheese and dill pickles and then stuffed into a thick and unique Cuban roll.

 

 

Amazingly, British royalty is to thank for the sandwich, which originated in the 18^th century and was named after John Montagu, the 4^th Earl of Sandwich. Legend has it that he came up with the idea of putting meat between two pieces of bread so he could continue eating while playing cards. Okay fine; the English may have invented it, but it’s safe to say the Americans have perfected it.

 

 

I’ll end with one of my favorite sandwiches not listed above: the compliment/criticism/compliment sandwich. Never heard of it? It’s actually pretty essential in the art of conversation when it comes to feeling the need to criticize or offer disparagement to someone. It’s ingredients? Start with praise or a compliment, top and follow that with the criticism or advice, and top it all with more praise. This sandwich takes the bite out of what might be an awkward encounter and makes a savory addition to what otherwise might be too salty or spicy. Give it a try and make conversations savory!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I sit writing this my husband is out in the yard fertilizing our lawns. No big deal, right? Wrong. This is the husband who is not in any way, shape, or form a handy or home improvement kind of guy. For some reason though, this year he’s all about the lawns and has put a lot of love and effort into them. He even went to Home Depot today after mass to get the right lawn food. IYKYK and if so, you know that no day is really a day to find him on the home improvement aisles, least of which the Sunday of a major golf tournament. But there he was. All alone. And he even bought a gorgeous pot of Impatiens for our back patio and says we need more flowers! Someone call the troopers; this ain’t right. (No offense Scottie Scheffler…we are still rooting for you and love you!) Who is this guy and what did he do with my husband?

 

 

 

This is the time of year many of us are tending our gardens, feeding the lawns, and potting those plants. We plant, we water, and we hope. Ironically, today in the church we celebrate Pentecost, during which we commemorate and celebrate the Holy Spirit. Of the many and holy things the Holy Spirit is known for, what are called the Fruits of the Holy Spirit are among the most beloved. In order for fruits to grow, we need to plant them and water them, right? Gardeners plant the seeds much like the seeds of faith are planted in us, specifically those Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. Then, it’s up to us to water them.

 

 

 

Jesus talks often about seeds, most notably in the parable of the Seed Sower. The Sower spreads the seeds through the ancient practice of scattering seeds, which is the original meaning of our modern-day term “broadcasting.” In the famous parable, the Sower sows on a path, rocky ground, among thorns, and rich soil. On the path, the seeds never plant and are taken away by the evil one. Those sown on rocky ground lack roots so they only last a short time but never fully grow. The ones sown among thorns are choked and bear no fruit but those sown on rich soil are firmly planted and successfully grow. The parable is used to illustrate that Jesus is the seed and wants to take root in us. Is your garden one full of rich soil for those seeds of faith and the Word to grow or are they choked up and live only temporarily?

 

 

 

Gardens also need water. Pardon the pun, but scripture is flooded with water. Noah and his ark. The parting of the Red Sea. Jesus walking on water and turning water into wine. In the faith, when we think of water we also think of baptism, which without, our seeds of faith will not and cannot grow. Water drenches us, helps us grow, is necessary for life, floods us with strength, nourishes us, and cleanses us. Water your garden and your seeds and the good ones are sure to grow.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, there are weeds…in gardens and in life. Gardeners take time to pull weeds and take steps to prevent them and we need to do the same in life. The weeds in life are things that tempt us in all the wrong ways, lead us astray, have us believe lies as truths, and basically choke out what is healthy and right. Make sure you are pulling the weeds in your life.

 

 

In the end, gardens are not made up of just one plant, but of many. Our gardens of life also need many watering us with love and support. I don’t know about you, but those Fruits of the Spirit are things I want growing in my garden and I plan to keep watering them and sowing them in rich soil.

 

 

 

Lastly, not to worry sports fans: hubby’s yard work is completed and he is firmly planted (again, no pun intended!) in his big chair watching the big boys battle it out for this year’s PGA Championship. Those fairways and greens are looking pretty plush. They must have been planted in rich soil and have loving gardeners watering them and tending to them.

 

 

On that note, here’s a little Garden of Daily Living:

 

• Plant three rows of peas: peace of mind, peace of heart, and peace of soul.
• Plant four rows of lettuce: lettuce be faithful, lettuce be kind, lettuce be patient, and lettuce love one another.
• Plant five rows of squash: squash gossip, squash indifference, squash grumbling, squash envy, and squash selfishness.
• Plant six rows of thyme: time for family, time for friends, time for quiet, time for exercise, thyme for giving, and time for prayer.
• No garden is without turnips so turnip for work, turnip for school, turnip for church, turnip for service, and turnip for each other.
• Water gardens freely with patience and cultivate them with love. Remember: you reap what you sow.

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Today is a traditional day of celebration but do you even know why?

 

 

 

Cinco de Mayo, or May 5^th, celebrates the date when the Mexican army declared victory over France in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. It is not Mexican Independence Day, which is September 15, or Dies y Seis de Septiembre, which was declared more than 50 years before the Battle of Puebla. Surprisingly, while Cinco de Mayo is popular in the U.S., it a relatively minor holiday in Mexico.

 

One way many of us celebrate Cinco de Mayo is by enjoying a margarita, but how did the popular drink become so entwined with the holiday?

 

 

Many believe it’s nothing traditional but rather thanks to the invention of the frozen margarita machine, created by Mexican-American restaurateur Mariono Martinez in the early 1970’s. The machine not only made a yummy frozen version of the cocktail, but one that was easy to serve to the masses.

 

The margarita itself, however, does have historic origins albeit often debated ones. Living in Texas, I’m of the belief it originated in the legendary Cadillac Bar in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, just over the border of Laredo, Texas and a place I’ve enjoyed a marg or two. The bar is known for its “Cadillac Margarita” and it’s a story I’m sticking to. There are many others though.

 

Most origins involve places in Mexico between the 1930s and 1940s and typically involve a bartender and a women named Margarita. One of the most popular ones involves an American socialite named Margarita Sames who claimed her friend Tommy Hilton invented a cocktail named after her and put it on his hotel menus. Paris must be proud.

 

 

Another rumor dates back to 1941 when bartender Don Carlos Orozco from Ensenada, Mexico offered his concoction to Margarita Henkel, the daughter of a German Ambassador. Mozart must be proud.

 

Last but not least is the story of Danny Negrete, who created a drink as a wedding gift for his sister-in-law named Margarita. Negrete has another connection to a woman named Margarita, none other than Rita Hayworth whose real name was Margarita Cansino and who performed at the Caliente Race Track, where Negrete worked.

 

 

Traditionally made with tequila, lime juice, and triple sec, but everyone has their favorite version. Mine is an old college friend’s recipe of a can of frozen lime juice, that empty can full of tequila, and then that empty can full of a beer. Surprisingly, the margarita is actually a descendant of the daiquiri, which dates back to the Royal Navy’s rum stations. Whatever its origins, by the early 20^th century, the margarita had arrived and is today one of the most popular cocktails around the world, ranking No. 7 on Drinks International’s list of the world’s 50 best-selling cocktails.

 

 

 

Something else I love as much as margaritas and is associated with Cinco de Mayo are mariachi bands. What is more festive than a marg in hand and a mariachi band? Mariachi is actually the group of musicians not the style of music and a mariachi band is generally composted of at least two violins, two trumpets, a Spanish guitar, and two other types of guitars usually a vihuela and guitarron. In the 1950s trumpets and a harp were added and all of this combined is what today’s mariachi bands look like. And even though when you think of a mariachi band you think of a group of males, I love that females are often part of one and that there are even all female mariachi bands. What they wear is as infamous as the sound of their music.

 

Called “charro” suits, the distinctive ornate horseman suits are often attributed to General Portofino Diaz who ordered the poor peasant musicians to don the outfits in order to look good for a visit by the U.S. Secretary of State. This visit took place in 1907 and the garments have remained ever since.

 

 

Some historians believe the name “mariachi” is derived from the French word mariage, meaning “wedding,” and it is fitting as mariachi groups still form an essential part of weddings in Mexico and elsewhere. Not having a mariachi band at our wedding either walking out of the church or entering our reception is the only regret I have of that special day. What was I thinking?!

 

Mariachi bands are known for their distinct style of music, but they play many different types although most are closely related to what is called ranchera music, songs that were literally sung on Mexican ranches. The music centered around traditional themes of love, patriotism, and nature and they rhythm of the music can be similar to that of a waltz, polka, or bolero. Ole!

 

 

Lastly there is the beloved pinata, another Cinco de Mayo staple. You will find them in all shapes and colors and they are also popular at birthday parties and Christmas in Mexico. The origin of these festive party favors is very interesting and has a spiritual meaning

 

Spanish priests used pinatas as a method of faith conversion and Aztecs celebrated the birth of the Aztec god of war. Missionaries gave the pinata increased religious meaning and the original pinata has the shape of a star with seven points. These seven points symbolized one of the biblical Seven Deadly Sins of wrath, envy, gluttony, greed, lust, pride, and sloth. The stick, which is used to break the pinata, symbolizes a method to destroy those seven sins. A pinata’s bright colors represent temptation while the blindfold used on whoever is trying to break open the pinata stands for faith. Lastly, the candy and prizes inside represent forgiveness and new beginnings. Who knew, right?!

 

 

 

So there you have it; everything you wanted to know about today’s celebrations. So as you toast your margarita, dance to mariachi music, and maybe bash a pinata, know that everything you do has meaning behind it. That’s life though, right?

 

 

 

Happy May everyone! Can you believe how fast this year is going by and that we are well on our way to summer? Crazy! But summer means many good things, one of which is flowers! I love flowers. I am by no means a green thumb but I do love flowers, especially my two favorites: daisies and Easter Lilies. Daisies are so simple and cheerful and Easter Lilies represent so much and smell so good. I also love Texas wildflowers and boy are we having a season this year! The photo above is from our backyard as I write this.

 

 

 

The photo above is an arrangement I made during a recent flower arranging class courtesy Bunches of Charm Floral Design. I went in knowing zero about the topic but I’m good at following directions and I love a pretty vase of flowers so this class was right up my alley.

 

 

 

And, although it’s past Easter (but still Easter Season in church) and my Easter Lily from this year is now lovingly planted in a flower bed, I also recently watched a Hallmark movie (yes, I love them) called “An Easter Bloom” about a gardener who sets out to save her family farm by entering a floral competition for Easter. Spoiler alert: yes, she saves the farm, wins the contest, and falls in love!  During the movie, a seasoned florist at one point tells her the four principles of floral design: harmony, contrast, purpose, and balance. It all made sense to me and piqued my interest. I wasn’t sure if this was accurate or just “Hallmarky” so I delved deeper.

 

 

Enter Wendy Mouton of Petal Republic who is quite versed in the area and says understanding the principles of floral design is the first step to creating beautiful arrangements. As with most rules, these guidelines are somewhat made to be broken depending on the arrangement’s purpose and supplies available, but you can’t follow or break rules without knowing them, right?

 

 

 

First for Mouton is Balance. An arrangement that’s top or bottom heavy or flat-out lopsided has balance issues, and I’m not talking because they were over-served. The key to achieving balance here is to use the horizontal and vertical lines of it as a guide. It’s easy, simply hold up a pencil in front of an arrangement in the center and determine if both sides are even and does each side attract equal attention? Keep in mind that larger flowers and shapes attract the eye more than smaller ones and warm or brighter colors attract the eye more than cool or dull colors. (More about colors below.)

 

 

 

Next up: Focal Point. This is a piece in the arrangement that draws the eye and anchors the design. This could be a large flower, which should always be placed just above the edge of the container leaving the outside for more delicate and wispy materials, or even a balloon or stuffed animal.

 

 

Accent and Emphasis are closely related to Focal Point and are generally the main cast members of a floral arrangement. These should be large flowers but not too many, shapes that create interest points, bright colors, and shiny textures.

 

 

 

Like a good musical piece, a good floral arrangement needs Rhythm and repetition offers just the right beat. Examples could be long and tall plants or flowers in a long and tall vase or a variation of the same color scattered throughout the design. Also, always use more than one of any type of plant or material and arrange them by thinking of a tree’s natural design: the trunk is broad and the branches generally get smaller as you move up the tree. In a flower arrangement, this type of transition works well by starting with the bigger and more compact middle and moving outward to smaller twigs and leafy materials to create rhythm and flow. Curves, of course, also create rhythm and curved plants are also playful and whimsical. When it comes to transition, color can also create rhythm by using a bridging color between two other colors such as using an orange flower between a yellow and red one.

 

 

Here’s where we bring in color as we talk about Contrast. One of the easiest ways to add contrast is with color and by making use of the color wheel. In case you’ve forgotten your elementary school color wheel, here’s a reminder:

 

In general, colors across the color wheel add instant contrast with the cornerstone Primary Colors of red, yellow, and blue adding the brightest and most vibrant punch that all work well together for a high-contrast grouping. The Secondary Colors of green, orange, and violet (or purple) are opposite the Primary Colors and mix well with their bigger and brighter brothers.

 

 

 

Lastly and perfectly, there’s Harmony. It just sounds pretty, right? Things that create harmony include repetition, texture, and using shapes, whether your arrangement is for in the kitchen or out on the porch. For example, match the color of the vase to the colors in the flowers and just for fun, sing while you’re doing it!

 

 

Okay, so maybe there’s more to floral design then depicted in the Hallmark movie, but isn’t that the norm? Things don’t always end up happily every after but if you follow even most of these guidelines, I’m confident you’ll be pretty happy with your creation. Even after it’s long gone.