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Remembering Our Fallen Soldiers......

Published 5-26~21

Memorial Day, a day of somber origin, is ironically celebrated with emphatic jubilance. The holiday to commemorate American military personnel who gave their lives to preserve our freedom, is marked at the end of May…just as Spring cements her green footprint over the frozen terrain of winter, making way for Summer’s pliable steps in sand.


And so, Memorial Day, known as “The Unofficial Start of Summer”, is celebrated on the last Monday in May. For many, it is the first 3-day weekend of the new year. People are flocking to destinations like “the shore”, “the Cape”, “the Keyes”, “Vegas”, San Padre Island, or Lake Havasu. Cars race the Indy 500. In states that experience all 4 seasons, you can almost hear bellowing Hallelujahs as beaches and pools officially open. Hot Dogs and Hamburgers dance on BBQ grates as grills are fired up. Knives are sharpened to cut up the pizza-slice shapes of succulent watermelon that will emit pink juice from both sides of your mouth once bitten into, and if you are “Old School”, you have the green light to wear white shoes and attire once again.


Parades will make their way through towns with such pomp and circumstance you might believe that they were also ringing in summer but let us take a moment to remember that the pristine strides of the soldiers on the pavement and music played in precision by the bands are in memoriam for those members of the US armed forces that have given their life for their country. It is to memorialize them that we even have this holiday.


Say a prayer for them, place a flower beside the place they have been laid to rest or exercise a moment of silence. You can still enjoy your day in the fashion you are accustomed. but remember, we live in

“The Land Of The Free Because Of The Brave”.

 

Cre8tively Yours!   

 

  

                                                                                                                                                   

Mamma Mia......

Published 5-6~21

Ma, Mom, Mama or Mommy, no matter what we call her, Mother’s Day is the day when the woman that means the most to us is celebrated. She has been here for us from the day we entered this world…even before that, nurturing us throughout our journey to get to our birth!!

And though it is only right to honor her on what has been chosen as the 2nd Sunday in May, why do we do so on only one day? Why wouldn’t we honor her on multiple days throughout the year, that actually exist, to show her what she means to us? Like National Teacher’s Day, because of all she’s taught us… National Personal Chef’s Day, because of all the meals she cooked…National Housekeepers Day, for the clean house she kept…National Laundry Day, for all those clothes she washed…World Tailor Day for all the sewing she mended…or International Taxi Driver Day for all the transportation she provided…and I’m just scratching the surface!!

AND…don’t let us forget the variations of Mothers in our lives! There are Single Mothers, God Mothers, Adopted Mothers (those who’ve adopted And those who we adopt), Grandmothers, Pet Mothers even widowed Fathers who also take on the dual role of Mother. Let them know how much they mean to us.

Take actions that let them feel that embrace…that recognition that we love them as unconditionally as they love us. Life is short and their life is shorter than ours. Take it from me...I wish I I had many more with mine...so, in addition to Mother's Day, honor mom every day!

 

Cre8tively Yours!   

 

  

                                                                                                                                                   

Viva La Fiesta......

Published 4~28~21

Growing up on the east coast, the 5th of May was just another day on the calendar. Any special significance, might have been the day a child received their First Holy Communion (had the day fallen on a Saturday).


It wasn’t until I moved to Los Angeles, in 1980, that I discovered the day had a completely different meaning. Not only was it the only day of the year Angelenos referred to it in its’ Spanish context, but it was a day everyone was as Mexican as they had been Irish on March 17th. I had been introduced to Cinco de Mayo.


Contrary to what most people think, Cinco De Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day, but a day commemorating their victory over the French Empire in 1862. This holiday, once celebrated only in California until the mid 80s (when it made its’ way to major cities across the nation) is ironically celebrated more in the US than in Mexico... Most notably Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Reno, Phoenix, San Antonio, Denver, Chicago, and surprisingly, Portland Oregon, Twin Cities Minnesota and Omaha Nebraska.


On this day, the music that fills the air is that of violins, guitars and trumpets performed by Mariachi Bands. These sounds are the perfect complement to the margaritas, sangrias and Corona beers that quench the thirst of the authentic cuisines of tacos, enchiladas, nachos, ceviche, chips, salsa, and guacamole that are consumed.

Serapes, sombreros and bold, saturated colors are the prominent decor del dia. Depending on the city in which you find yourself celebrating, one could participate in events such as of taco eating contests, chihuahua races, chili cook-offs, or rodeo events.


Cinco De Mayo is a wonderful opportunity to embrace the vibrant culture and flavorful cuisine of our Mexican neighbor. So put away your tuxedos and grab your amigos...Break out the chips, guacamole and dips.

Canta and Baila The Mexican Way, and Fiesta through Cinco until it becomes Seis.           

    

Cre8tively Yours!

 

  

                                                                                                                                                   

And The Oscar Goes to......

Published 4~21~21

The film industry encompasses the most amazing array of creative talent; and Cre8tively Yours is proud to pay it homage as it celebrates its’ 93rd Academy Awards Celebration.


In Hollywood, worlds are conceptualized from someone’s imagination, originating from a treatment, an author’s book, or true-life events, whether notable or obscure. Characters are developed…arcs are conceived.

Screenwriters weave words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs, providing the fabric in which the protagonists and secondary characters envelop themselves. Actors give type-written words abundant dimension and form, so much so, that you believe their interactions and portrayals are conversations and thoughts of their own and not ones that once lived as plain text on a piece of paper. Directors control the artistic and dramatic aspects of the project and guide the technical crew and actors to fulfill that vision. Costume Designers transform the modern-day thespian into the production’s appropriate time period. Set Designers do the same for the areas where the scenes are shot. Make-up and Special Effects Artists bring realism to a characters’ aging process, cultural composition, wounds, disabilities, disfigurations, etc., And entire Special Effects Teams are employed to provide realistic illusions through mechanical and optical effects. Editors work tirelessly to construct the sequential fluidity of the film as scenes are not shot in order of the way the final cut is presented, and Producers are akin to the film’s CEO, overseeing its’ development, planning, execution, and marketing.


There are still countless facets of talented roles that have not been mentioned above, but Hollywood is sure to recognize their categorical involvement; therefore broadcasting the annual Sunday extravaganza over 3.5 to 4 hours of time.

Having lived in Los Angeles for close to 35 years, I, like many others found myself “connected” to the industry. A term defined oh so differently that it is on the East Coast where I was born and now live. In LA, you are surrounded by the life in one way or another, knowing many who built a career either behind the scenes, or in front of the camera. Celebrity sightings are frequent occurrences at the local car washes, supermarketes, and neighborhood restaurants.

For 13 of those years, I worked for a marketing and sales division of AMC Theaters. When movies ended and the houselights came up, audiences stayed seated to watch the credits so they could acknowledge the name a neighbor or an acquaintance’s brother-in-law, etc. We all somehow lived on the fringes.


And for these reasons, in-home Academy Award Parties were always something you were throwing or being invited to. The décor, always in hues of black and gold. Food menus were derived in some form from the name of a film, actor, character or nominated movie setting. And no party would be complete without casting our ballots for those WE wanted to see take home the coveted statue, after having seen as many as the nominated films as possible.


So, without fear of being asked, “Who are you wearing?”, dress up in your finest attire or curl up in your jammies

 and join me on April 25th by celebrating Hollywood!

End Scene…fade to black (red and gold)

Cre8tively Yours!

 

  

                                                                                                                                                   

Eggspressively Easter!

Published 4~4~21

As is the case with many Holidays, Easter was always filled with certain traditions growing up.… coloring eggs, chocolate bunnies, Easter egg hunts, the photo session with the oversized rabbit at the mall, (he was no Santa Claus), the large pastel-colored woven baskets filled with jellybeans, marshmallow peeps, chocolate eggs wrapped in foil and toys. But best of all, for me anyway, was that it marked a time to shop for an Easter Outfit.  Young boys got the latest style in suits and girls got a whole new ensemble…dress, hat, purse, shoes and, if lucky enough, spring coat. Growing up in the 60’s, it was the norm, but it seems somewhere along the 1980s the tradition vanished and is now only visible in cherished family photo albums.


Religiously for Catholics, the Easter season begins as Holy Week with the onset of Palm Sunday, the Sunday prior.

In our youth, everyone collected blessed palms on the way out of church and brought them to Grandma who would braid them into crosses. Each day of the week following, through Saturday, with the exception of Friday, had the word “Holy” added before the name of its’ day of the week. My only recollection of significance for these days is Holy Wednesday, which was also known as Spy Wednesday, when Judas planned his betrayal of Christ, Holy Thursday, the day of The Last Supper, and Good Friday, ironically named as it was the day of Christ’s Crucifixion.  To practicing Catholic children, outwardly, we rejoiced at Mass that Christ had resurrected into Heaven.   internally, we relished in the excitement that we could finally begin practicing or eating whatever we gave up for Lent (over those 40 very long days) and revert back to eating meat on Fridays.

  

It is also the time of year that Christians and Jews share a holiday season. Living in the West San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles for 35 years, I had the wonderful opportunity to live in a thriving Jewish community acquainting myself with so many who became more than friends to me… We were “mispucha”, Yiddish for family. Even though I moved back to the east coast close to 7 years ago, our connections are as close as if we still lived around the corner from one another. During that time, I got to experience countless Passover seders, listening intently to their prayers and participating in their traditions. Prior to this my only knowledge was what I had seen in biblical movies. One family had even convinced me Elijah was miraculously sipping at the wine glass which had been left for him, once leaving the door ajar so he could enter the room.


This year, I was so focused on preparations for Easter traditions, that I unintentionally “passed over” any creative ideas associated with the Judaic holiday. For this, I apologize and promise to incorporate what I have enjoyed learning in future updates. It just might take a year to perfect my Matzo Ball soup recipe.

Until then, a heartfelt Chag Sameach to all celebrating!


Cre8tively Yours!

                                                                                                                                                   

...Rejuvenation...Revival...Resurrection...

.....Re-Birth.....

Published 3~20~21

What a difference a year makes!

Last year at this time we were all thrown into an unforseen hibernation...

a Twilight Zone episode even Rod Serling had not envisioned.

Now, a full 365 orbits around the sun, our year-long winter is finding its' spring as we brave what is left of the cold and inoculate ourselves with a vaccine that will bring us back to a form of normalcy we once took for granted.

And while I dodged the catastrophic bullet associated with health concerns, I found I was not as lucky when it came to employment...Therefore, there was another form of Re-Birth that needed to take place...My Own!

Surprisingly, I found a Silver Lining in 2020 ...

In the time I spent cooking and creating; I realized it was hiding in plain sight.

So it was only fitting that after a 12 month gestation period, I give birth to my baby on the first day of Spring.

Please Help Me Welcome

~ Cre8tively Yours ~

Born March 20, 2021 @ 5:37am

Weight: 4.0 MB Length: 7 pgs

Gender: Neutral

Gift Registry: "Likes" "Shares"  and "Follows" 

Creating is Easy!

Published 3~20~21

I learned a long time ago from the author of "The Artist's Way", to 'Leap and the Net Will be There'... that Creating is a Process... that there are no mistakes..... If you intended to Zig, but instead you mistakenly Zag, embrace it! Remember, you are Creating.


Find your INSPIRATION, Why did you choose to create something in the first place? Is it to celebrate an occasion, mark a holiday, honor a colleague (i.e. Christmas, Sweet 16, Game Night, Bon Voyage, etc.)? Let's use St. Patrick's Day as an example. Now put on your "Shrinking Cap", Yes I said, "Shrinking Cap" because you're gonna dig a little! Make a list of all things you associate with the holiday...Lephrechauns, Shamrocks, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Pots of Gold, Celtic Music, Guinness Beer, The Irish Flag, The Color Green, Michael Flatley: Lord Of The Dance, etc. Look at all that INSPIRATION! Now run with it!


When you're entertaining, incorporate as many of your inspirational components as possible into your buffet, tablescape and menu items...choose a different element from your list of Inspirations and incorporate them in your napkin rings, plates, cutlery, stemware, place settings, favors, tablecloth, placemats, chargers and runners.

Don't feel inhibited because you do not own expensive linens, bone china, cut crystal or sterling silverware. While those elements are lovely and make a beautiful presentation, so much more is available to you for pennies on the dollar and will lend itself more to creativity and a true sense of pride when completed.


Make friends with your local dollar and second hand/thrift stores. Look for items associated with your theme. You might even find an item having nothing to do with your theme but one that inspires a whole new creation.

As you make your journey through this site, you will come to know me as an avid thrifter and an impulsive collector. My intention is not to turn you into either of these, but to expose you to resources you might not have uncovered on your own. Not only do they present the elements to fabulous and creative tablescapes, but also assist in creative gift giving.

Hopefully, the wheels are beginning to turn, & you have a bit of an idea as to where this journey is going to take you!


Cre8tively Yours !

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