Lunar New Year began February 1 and concludes 15 days later. My grandmother was born and raised in Shanghai. She attended a British boarding school. Raising a biracial family in the United States in the 1950s brought its challenges and the goal of the time was assimilation. We were not culturally Chinese, except on thoseContinue reading “Why we celebrate the Lunar New Year”
Spring Traditions
The temperatures make their great climb up and down between 35° and 65° in these early days of California spring. One, two, three, four daffodils bloom in the garden with two more on the way. I clip and cut and take the first of spring’s beauty indoors, displacing the winter decor, forgetting the calendar, theContinue reading “Spring Traditions”
All Work and No Play, makes Jack
Just as I began to accept the quiet of January and the spirit of “hygge,” a sense of cozy comfort with books, candles, tea and all things that help us endure the dreary winter days, the sun came blazing out, the temperature rose above 60° and I saw a daffodil in bloom. And just likeContinue reading “All Work and No Play, makes Jack”
A desk, a walk and an idea
I bought a desk When I decided to be a writer, to go all-in with the profession whenever it fits within the larger profession of all that stuff I do at home, I decided to buy a desk. We found a beautiful writing desk, probably from the 1940s on Craigslist and I sent my husbandContinue reading “A desk, a walk and an idea”
My January Must Watch List
I love a good theme and with Christmas behind us, in the spirit of Oscar season, I thought going for great films in January was in order.
Discovering George MacDonald
In my effort to read the classics, and those books that influenced the classics, I discovered George MacDonald. Have you?
Have Yourself a Festive Little Holiday.
I thought we would host my family on December 10.
I thought we would get out of hosting and escape to my parents’ for an easy Christmas dinner December 25.
I thought we would host my husband’s family on December 27.
I thought my husband would be working a lot around this holiday.
Instead, we got COVID-19.
What happened to festivity?
Mistakes I’ve Made Hosting
and how I learned to overcome them. I love to host. Freely, I admit it. These days bringing the people together to our house is easier than the alternative between planning for five children, including one of those not-very-flexible toddlers) and a slew of animals on our growing farm. But even before that, I lovedContinue reading “Mistakes I’ve Made Hosting”
Dried Orange Ornaments
Eight oranges were bagged and decanted into a wire fruit basket. Gathering my supplies, I cleared space next to the dish drainer for my husband to put the dehydrator out of the way of other kitchen activities. I set before me a chef’s knife, a cutting board and a basket of oranges. My daughter stoodContinue reading “Dried Orange Ornaments”
A Creative Play by The Merry Beggars
Change creates tension. The tension requires energy to work through. It also requires energy to fight against. When we dive in and actively work through the tension of change, we emerge smarter, stronger, and more creative.