Sunday, September 02, 2012

Looking Around With Thanks

August 28 was Tasha Tudor's birthday. Maria and I love her illustrations, her stories, the way she lived resolute in her heart to do what she loved, how she loved it.

Maria set the table, with pretty cloths and dishes. We made pumpkin-carrot-oat muffins and sipped chai tea from pretty cups, with Alex and Max. We read some of Tasha Tudor's books, and then we talked about plans for fall, plans for our own Pumpkin Moonshines.

I met Ruth, Holly, and Izzie, in town. Ruth treated us to lunch, then we explored shops. Izzie starts first grade, soon. Ruth and Holly will be traveling to Madison, and Chicago for David and Ola's wedding. Maria, already back in school, would have loved this ladies luncheon... the pretty sights, and lemon water, visiting, and catching up.

Late summer means thunderheads, and mountain storms, and these breathtaking back country views. The Blue Moon, nearly full, appears dwarfed by this rising cloud, a castle in the sky. It put on a show for us, that we all enjoyed, then once more at night, when it lit up again and again with lightning. The whole family sat together in our bed, looking east, and watching the display. Ooooh! Aaaaah!

Aloha nui loa, Michael, for this beautiful plumeria lei.

Michael came by to share his gift with Maria... a gift for each of us, really. It recalls fond memories of our days in Hawaii. It's been too long, and the sweet fragrance of plumeria makes us nostalgic. I miss our visits to the Islands, but I am reminded that there is a lot of aloha from friends and family, closer to home, too.

6 comments:

stephanie from texas said...

We adore Tasha Tudor as well...i think of her when I feed the goat.
And I had to pin the picture of the glitter in salt shakers. I have to do that!!

Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10 said...

I'm a new follower. Stumbled over from AshleyAnn's blog.
We get some crazy late summer storms as well and luv it! Gorgeous clouds you have there!
nancy-of the crazy 9
http://nancyvnjourney.blogspot.com/

test said...

Patricia and I were going away this long weekend, and then on Friday I heard on the radio that the most thought after destination is San Diego, and guess where we are going this weekend. Just sayin.

Kim said...

I looked up Tasha Tudor, thanks to you, and "Pumpkin Moonshine" is now on my holds list at the library. I had never heard of her or her books before this.
It seems like you've carried The Aloha Spirit back with you and are passing it on to all your friends and family on the mainland. If you do ever visit the islands again, please, please let me know!

Tiglizzyclone said...

I too put this author on hold at the library! I never heard of Tasha Tudor before!

warren said...

Moonshine? Now you're getting into WV territory...'cept we make real moonshine here!