60/100

My heart is so buoyed right now...full of joy, hope, and brightness. This summer has been just incredible....full of ups and downs, adventures, and transformation. I can feel myself rising from the ashes of the past, just like a phoenix. This is the kind of joy that brings tears to your eyes, much like those moments when you look out over the landscape and feel God rising with the sun. There are so few words.

61/100

While we were in Maui, Dave and I got to experience the rising of the sun over Haleakala. It was a truly magical experience.

62/100

I stood there, bracing myself against the wind and biting cold, marveling at the volcanic landscape below, and waiting for the Sun to bless us with it's rays of golden light.

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It did not disappoint.

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I left the top of the world feeling brighter than ever, fascinated by the diversity of the world we live in, and eternally grateful, as we descended to the wooded world below.

56/100

 

There's something special about the details of a place.

Those intimate spaces where wind whispers through, little creatures doze, and fragile flowers grow.

It is when you stop, and look closer, taking your eyes off the skyline, that you really get to know a place.

It's all in the details.

The small things.

Intimate little spaces.

While we were in Maui, I let Dave take the big shots...the panoramic, wide angle vista shots, encompassing the whole of a place. Meanwhile, I stopped, looked around, and found those little intricacies that capture my heart.

The spectacular pattern of an unfamiliar lichen...

The curls, and subtle color changes, from pink to green...

Textures, and little quirks...

 

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Lines, shapes, form, and texture....

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 59/100

It's the details of a place that keep you coming back for more.

I have a little story to tell you.

It has nothing to do with metalsmithing or jewelry...

It is a humble story about a humble meal.

The first time I had eggs and rice, as a meal, was when I was 14 years old. At that point in my life, I had befriended a group of homeless 'kids' in downtown Portland, and would spend time with them whenever I could. My friends were a group of guys, all older than me, and all like big brothers. They made sure I was safe, taught me the law of the land and how things work in homeless communities, and kept me away from the much more dangerous areas and people. 

One afternoon, I was wandering around with my friend D, and we popped in to The Grove Hotel apartments to see one of his friends...this amazing little man, with huge curly hair, who was from somewhere in South America. I can't remember his name, but what I do remember is that this man had very little, and yet, when we came in to his apartment, he immediately set about making us each rice and eggs with salsa.

Now, every time I make rice and eggs, I think of that day. I think of the generosity of someone who had so little, and am grateful. I send a little prayer, and thank him each time, and am humbled by the memory.

Recently, my best friend got married, and I was chosen to be the Matron of Honor! During the weeks leading up to the wedding, I set about multiple tasks, which included making jewelry items for the groom's two mothers. I've never worked with Ruby in Fuschite before, but it really does make a stunning piece of jewelry.

 53/100

 54/100

With both necklaces, I tried to capture both the personality of the wearer, as well as reference the inherent nature of the shape of the stone. On the back, I pierced some of their favorite flowers, through which you can see the back of the stone.

Another task involved in being in a wedding is gift-giving. I wanted to give the happy couple something they could both appreciate and use. After much deliberation, I went with a simple album for their wedding photos, mementos, etc.

 55/100

I used a simple, yet beautiful, book cloth for the outside, and was lucky enough to come across a beautifully patterned paper that captures the essence of both of them. I hope the love it!

When I set the "Nothing New" challenge for myself, I knew it would be difficult.

I have succeeded in many ways, and faltered in some. I love the challenge, though...setting challenges for ourselves is important--it allows us to take internal inventory of values, strengths and weaknesses, and goals for the future. If we are lucky, it opens new doors and allows for growth.

I knew going into this that I'd be buying a few new items for an upcoming wedding that I am a Matron of Honor in. That wedding is tomorrow! So, I've bought a slim-fitting short black dress, and these gorgeous kitten-heels for it. 

Other purchases include:

Sunglasses (New--I wear contacts so sunnies are a must)

Chaco sandals (New--I don't screw around with shoes. I have high arches and stick to just a few select brands)

Short sleeved white button-down shirt for Dave (Used)

Pin stripe pants for Dave (Used)

6g Ebony plugs for Dave (New)

Frame for anniversary present (New)

What I am finding is that sheer convenience is what drives the purchase of new items. I probably could have found a lot of these items used if I had taken the time to look, but in a time crunch, I turn to where I know I can get something right then. Is that a bad thing? I'm not sure.

I suppose the purpose of this challenge is to reduce my impact on waste, and to analyze my own purchases more. 

Nothing New is a challenge I set for myself to buy nothing new (with some exceptions) between May 19, 2012 and May 19, 2013.

 50/100

....I married the love of my life.

In the time that we have been together, I have laughed harder, loved deeper, and have been treated better than I ever thought possible.

Today, we celebrated by biking up Mt. Tabor and having a little picnic at the top, while watching the sunset, followed by gift-giving once we got back home. Dave had one of our beautiful wedding photos printed up, and I had commissioned a drawing of vintage plane tickets to represent our upcoming trip.

It was beautiful, simple, and fun...and completely perfect for how our life is right now.

Beautiful.

Simple.

Fun.

51/100

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45/100

...Chicken Butt!

Isn't she lovely? Look at all that fluffiness. I get to take care of these critters for another week, before DW and I leave for Maui.

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49/100

Chickens are such silly creatures.