I thank each and every one who visited to enjoy Dia de Bloglandia and those that participated and joined Rebecca and me in this JOY Full holiday of remembrance.
As the snow falls now...and the Marigolds are but a sweet memory, I will look back in delight on all the beautiful posts that you shared with us of your intimate and most heartfelt stories.
I hope we can gather again next year...
We have arrived, Rebecca of Recuerda mi Corazon and me to gather together the heartfelt offerings of those that join us for dia de bloglandia...
...we are 'sewn' together like the marigold chain, stacked bloom to bloom to share our stories, ofrendas and art for Dia de los Muertos.
My own ofrenda includes photographs of loved ones, items that remind us of their unique contributions to our lives and memories that help them live on...candles to light the way and to sit in the golden light.
A sugar skull for each of our loved ones...
Traditionally an ofrenda will be decorated with an item of each earthly element, air (cut paper), earth (marigolds), fire (candles), and water (bowls of water) along with things that help bring the deceased back into focus to hold them in our hearts.
This little Oaxacan angel surrounded in chains of marigolds ties us to the origins of this ancient tradition.
Our altar is filled with too many, many too young memories...Mr. R's daughter who had such a hard time living in this world, we remember her with photos, flowers and her sugar skull.
A small bowl of pinto beans to remind us of my sweet mother in law Helen...she tried many times teach me her old recipes, often laughing at my attempts to 'alter' them into more heart healthy versions. Mr R regrets not making a mold of her hand as this was the measuring tool she often used to share those recipes. This carousel glass that reminds me of my grandfathers' love of Orange Nehi that he drank from these festive glasses...photos of our lost sweet pups...
Our Ofrendas are setup in rooms that we are often in so we can spend time with the colors and smells of the altar for many weeks. This year it shares our kitchen...I have changed out the flowers as the garden flourished, now holding beautifully dried blooms.
Thank you for being part of this powerful tradition and for sharing with us your stories and experiences.
Please leave the link to your Dia de Bloglandia post below with Mr Linky and be sure to leave a comment too. Leave your link and comment with Rebecca as well so that we may all sit this evening in the candle light together.
As the time grows near, the veil is thinning...for us to gather in the candle light together and share our art and stories of Dia de los Muertos and sit in their loving memory...I surround myself with my own stories and images that gather in the Mango Studio.
On Tuesday, Nov 1st please visit me and Rebecca...leave the link to your Dia de los Muertos/ Dia de Bloglandia post in both our Mr Linky's and leave a comment on both of our posts.
Then settle in to visit each and every offering, share with each other the beautiful stories, ofrendas and artwork in this Dia de los Muertos.
We are only days away from Dia de Bloglandia...sweet
Great history of sugar skulls can be found HERE
Stringing chains of shades of orange, yellow and gold marigolds...easy. I use a heavy weight sewing thread and a longish needle. Put the needle through the flower end and on through the bit of green stem, grab another and continue until you have a beautiful chain.
Please use needle nose pliers to pull the needle through the bloom and not your teeth...let me be the only one that has to explain to her dentist exactly how I chipped that tooth.
These Merry-gold chains remind me of our conversations here...the accumulating stories that we share...that tie us together.
that so perfectly wrap around, gently holding together, one story unfolding into the next.... Just 1 more Sunday of sharing our prepartions for our Dia de Bloglandia event. Be sure to visit Rebecca for more on the Art of Remembering.
and...we put our huge garden to bed today...the last of the marigolds on their way to the compost pile.
perhaps I should be raking leaves...but stringing the last of the marigolds was more fun.
This would be me...in the city garden along the bike path...filling a bag with gold, marigold
They'll be dug up soon...better to savor the JOY of them in my Day of the Dead altar.
More gold in them thar hills from a hike a couple of weekends ago.
Savoring the fall color after a trip to the southeast where it was hot/humid and wet!!
Go here to find more JOY?
I was so very moved by what you had to share with me on the Butterflies and Dia de los Muertos post. I printed each comment to tuck away in the Mariposa journal page... a reminder of our journey here.
Many kindred souls
all taking flight...together
Joy in the journey
More Haiku my heart
I am happy to be included again in the Studio 12 Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead show in Denver. Two of my plaster/wax/painting/photograph mixed media pieces.
The first opening was well attended...enjoying the quality and variety of the work...
Laurie Beth Zuckerman's all black, Victorian flavored altar...
Studio 12 is a beautiful space on the southend of the Santa Fe Arts District. There will be another opening to 'Meet the Artists' on Friday, Nov 4th.
I'll be there and would love to see you if you can make it!
