One morning this spring I got up and decided to take a walk. My first turn was around my property and a stop at the stream. Pow, I was blown away by the sight. Mock orange bushes were in full bloom up and down both sides for at least 2 city blocks! There was a wonderful amount of water in the stream so the reflection aspect was mind blowing.
A few dead branches and overgrown bushes were marring the sight, so I decided to garden at the stream! I ran for my boots, small saw clippers and gloves. The results were magnificent. Just a few snips, sawing down one small tree and cleaning dead leaves that had jammed in a past storm produced a picture perfect garden worthy of any tour. It looked gorgeous.
I was entertaining that night, so I quickly went to the phone and called my guests. Bring your boots, I said! Drinks in the stream. Well, they did and it was such a hoot, a tremendous success. I’d found a new room and decorated it in minutes. A miracle created by a much Greater Gardner than myself.
Hi Everybody! Am just finishing the articles in Time, January 17, 2005. The theme is Happiness and the articles are fascinating. It really deserves the time to read it.
The issue really points up the importance of the home, family, relationships, and how we connect to others.
It also talks at length about being in the moment. I could go on and on. But it you would be rewarded more to check out the article yourself!
The issue really points up the importance of the home, family, relationships, and how we connect to others.
It also talks at length about being in the moment. I could go on and on. But it you would be rewarded more to check out the article yourself!
I met with a client recently who had been a student in my design workshops years ago. She had purchased my book, "What Color Is Your Slipcover?" and totally done the process. We met today to review architectural plans for her new house. Her changes since fifteen years ago were huge. When the class met in her home it was highly contemporary with a very high ceiling, lots of glass, white walls, and white and black marble kitchen floors. Today, her picture journal presented Tuscany styles, strong colors, arched doorways and windows, wood floors etc. etc. etc. There was a huge swing toward her feminine side. The process of the book helped her figure it all out. She knows exactly what she wants in her new design.
It was worth the commitment.
It was worth the commitment.
I have just finished "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell. It is a wonderful book that has been on the New York Best Seller List for quite awhile.
In the book Malcolm talks about the problem crime rate in New York City and how they dealt with it through the environment of the subway system. It is an amazing story and one that doesn’t surprise me. It may serve you in understanding the importance of environment in terms of the home. I hope you’ll take a look
In the book Malcolm talks about the problem crime rate in New York City and how they dealt with it through the environment of the subway system. It is an amazing story and one that doesn’t surprise me. It may serve you in understanding the importance of environment in terms of the home. I hope you’ll take a look
I met with a builder and his clients today to consider moving forward with plans for renovation. Surprisingly they had realized that they don’t presently use their existing space efficiently. So instead of adding square footage, they’re redesigning the almost dead living room and dining room spaces along with some changes to the kitchen and family room.
This is great innovation that stops the waste of adding new space that leaves the existing house unused. I see it happen over and over again.
Love, Denny
This is great innovation that stops the waste of adding new space that leaves the existing house unused. I see it happen over and over again.
Love, Denny
A Birthday Ritual With Friends
I have a wonderful support group consisting of five women. We call ourselves The Wise Women. We’re not always that wise, but it feels good to name ourselves that way.
We have dinner together about two times a month. Each of us takes a turn at cooking, so we get to look forward to a dinner party every other week, and we don’t need to bring a thing. It’s the best. When it's someone's turn, each seems to plan and cook their meal with such love and care.
Part of the evening is a check-in. This means that each person shares what is going on with them in their life right now. No one judges or advises during this time. We share our intimate thoughts without anyone criticizing. We also meditate together for about 30 minutes. This always ends up being very powerful for me.
Birthdays in the group have usually been celebrated by a special dessert and gifts from everyone. This year as my birthday was approaching I got very clear that the gifts were no longer meaningful for me. I’m tired of stuff. I’m trying to give some of what I do own away. I asked the group if we might forget the gifts, and instead share in a ritual of my design. They all agreed, and even seemed relieved that the gift giving might end.
I began to imagine what kind of ritual I would want. Since most of the women are quite psychic and healers a very typical ritual would be the laying on of hands with some special music and words. This occurred to me as my possibility, but the idea soon gave way to something more meaningful, at least at this time in my life.
I am finding that connecting to others with very intimate conversation and sharing is at the top of my list. I value when a friend shares a deep feeling, or a profound realization about themselves. Realizing that “sharing” was such a priority I decided to base my birthday ritual on exactly that.
I knew I would want candlelight and incense to create a nice environment. Then I decided to give each friend a yellow rose which is for em a spiritual symbol of caring and love. Certainly, I decided, a toast with champagne would be appropriate too. But I chose that the main focus of the ritual be a series of questions that I would ask each of my friends. The answers helped create a wonderful hour of revelation into who each one of us is. Some things were shared that might never have come out any other way but by this questioning.
The questions went like this:
What is your greatest fear?
What has been your greatest success?
What was your most embarrassing moment?
What is your greatest hope?
What advice would you give a young person today?
What’s your best feature?
What do other’s like about you?
What’s the smartest thing you ever did?
What was your biggest mistake?
And on and on. If you might decide to do this, you can make up your own questions to fit your group. But just know that the time that is spent in sharing these answers brings you closer individually and nurtures the complete group. I am so grateful that my friends were open to this new kind of celebration for us. And I’m so happy that I had the courage to break with tradition. It truly was a gift to myself.
My women friends are so precious to me. They sustain and support me in ways that are constant and deep. Thanks be. And Happy Birthday to me!
I have a wonderful support group consisting of five women. We call ourselves The Wise Women. We’re not always that wise, but it feels good to name ourselves that way.
We have dinner together about two times a month. Each of us takes a turn at cooking, so we get to look forward to a dinner party every other week, and we don’t need to bring a thing. It’s the best. When it's someone's turn, each seems to plan and cook their meal with such love and care.
Part of the evening is a check-in. This means that each person shares what is going on with them in their life right now. No one judges or advises during this time. We share our intimate thoughts without anyone criticizing. We also meditate together for about 30 minutes. This always ends up being very powerful for me.
Birthdays in the group have usually been celebrated by a special dessert and gifts from everyone. This year as my birthday was approaching I got very clear that the gifts were no longer meaningful for me. I’m tired of stuff. I’m trying to give some of what I do own away. I asked the group if we might forget the gifts, and instead share in a ritual of my design. They all agreed, and even seemed relieved that the gift giving might end.
I began to imagine what kind of ritual I would want. Since most of the women are quite psychic and healers a very typical ritual would be the laying on of hands with some special music and words. This occurred to me as my possibility, but the idea soon gave way to something more meaningful, at least at this time in my life.
I am finding that connecting to others with very intimate conversation and sharing is at the top of my list. I value when a friend shares a deep feeling, or a profound realization about themselves. Realizing that “sharing” was such a priority I decided to base my birthday ritual on exactly that.
I knew I would want candlelight and incense to create a nice environment. Then I decided to give each friend a yellow rose which is for em a spiritual symbol of caring and love. Certainly, I decided, a toast with champagne would be appropriate too. But I chose that the main focus of the ritual be a series of questions that I would ask each of my friends. The answers helped create a wonderful hour of revelation into who each one of us is. Some things were shared that might never have come out any other way but by this questioning.
The questions went like this:
What is your greatest fear?
What has been your greatest success?
What was your most embarrassing moment?
What is your greatest hope?
What advice would you give a young person today?
What’s your best feature?
What do other’s like about you?
What’s the smartest thing you ever did?
What was your biggest mistake?
And on and on. If you might decide to do this, you can make up your own questions to fit your group. But just know that the time that is spent in sharing these answers brings you closer individually and nurtures the complete group. I am so grateful that my friends were open to this new kind of celebration for us. And I’m so happy that I had the courage to break with tradition. It truly was a gift to myself.
My women friends are so precious to me. They sustain and support me in ways that are constant and deep. Thanks be. And Happy Birthday to me!
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