Yesterday evening I had the pleasure of attending a local play with my mother and niece. The romantic comedy was put on by ACT1 and told the mischievous story of a correspondence between a WWII soldier and a lovely girl named Ruth (played by Alyese Black). When Lt Bill Seawright (played by William Bradshaw) returns from England to meet Ruth for the first time, the family is surprised that they have heard nothing of this love affair between their eldest daughter and the soldier overseas. The story takes a twist when the family discovers it was not Ruth who carried on the correspondence, but rather their politically minded younger daughter, Miriam (played by Keelie Hogan).
The play was very heart-warming and will continue to show through the month of March. ACT1 Theater is based out of Alpharetta Presbyterian Church and is a member of both Christians in Theatre Arts and Atlanta Coalition of Performing Arts. Their upcoming shows include "Little Women: The Musical" which will be showing July 16- August 7. I would strongly encourage you to check their website out at www.act1theater.com and help support local artists by attending a show. You can also check out other local acting groups at www.matawards.com .
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Mama's Little Women
"My sisters and I will remember this winter as the coldest of our adulthood. A temporary poverty had settled upon our family sometime before. The war and the fall of the economy have made jobs scarce and fuel expensive. But "Necessity is indeed the mother of invention," and somehow in this dark time, our family, the Craig-Williams-Diaz family, will create its own light."
Adapted from Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott and screenplayed by Robin Swicord
Adapted from Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott and screenplayed by Robin Swicord
Monday, February 22, 2010
A Weekend of Precious Oils
I had the privilege of attending "Esther's days of Purification" this past weekend in preparation of the upcoming Feast of Purim. Apothecary Cynthia Hillson introduced us to the twelve months of preparation Esther went through before being presented to King Xeres.
The first six months were comprised of beauty treatments with oil of myrrh. Cynthia had us smell 6 different types of Myrrh from different places in the world. They each smelled delightful. She taught us of the daily bathing regimen Esther went through during these six months. It consisted of drenching herself in myrrh followed by a hot bath. After the hot bath which opened her pours and allowed the oil to settle in, she took a luke-warm bath and finally a cold bath to close the pours. After the bathing, she received daily massages of olive oil and myrrh.
The second six months were spent on sweet spices and beauty treatments. These days were comprised of make-up and hair styles, manicures and pedicures, foot and body massages, and meals of healthy foods. It was like spending six months at a health spa!
In addition to speaking about the outer beauty preparation, Cynthia and her daughter also spoke about inner beauty and the Seven Character Traits of Wisdom: Purity, Peach & Gentleness, Friendship, Prayers for Others, Good Deeds, Non-Judgment, and Being Yourself. The Six Months of Sweet Spices were tied together with inner beauty traits as well: Thoughts & Speech, Water, Diet, Posture, Attire, & Sleep, Knowing the Will of God in Your Life, The Fruits of the Spirit, How to Approach the King, and The Protocol of the Queens Position in the House.
I had a lovely time at the conference, which I attended with my mother and her friend Elizabeth. It really helped me to focus on others seeing the beauty of the Lord through myself and others.
For more information on Apothecary Cynthia Hillson and "Precious Oils Up On the Hill," please view www.TheFragrantBride.com
The first six months were comprised of beauty treatments with oil of myrrh. Cynthia had us smell 6 different types of Myrrh from different places in the world. They each smelled delightful. She taught us of the daily bathing regimen Esther went through during these six months. It consisted of drenching herself in myrrh followed by a hot bath. After the hot bath which opened her pours and allowed the oil to settle in, she took a luke-warm bath and finally a cold bath to close the pours. After the bathing, she received daily massages of olive oil and myrrh.
The second six months were spent on sweet spices and beauty treatments. These days were comprised of make-up and hair styles, manicures and pedicures, foot and body massages, and meals of healthy foods. It was like spending six months at a health spa!
In addition to speaking about the outer beauty preparation, Cynthia and her daughter also spoke about inner beauty and the Seven Character Traits of Wisdom: Purity, Peach & Gentleness, Friendship, Prayers for Others, Good Deeds, Non-Judgment, and Being Yourself. The Six Months of Sweet Spices were tied together with inner beauty traits as well: Thoughts & Speech, Water, Diet, Posture, Attire, & Sleep, Knowing the Will of God in Your Life, The Fruits of the Spirit, How to Approach the King, and The Protocol of the Queens Position in the House.
I had a lovely time at the conference, which I attended with my mother and her friend Elizabeth. It really helped me to focus on others seeing the beauty of the Lord through myself and others.
For more information on Apothecary Cynthia Hillson and "Precious Oils Up On the Hill," please view www.TheFragrantBride.com
Monday, February 15, 2010
Bonjour!
Last Friday, Chris and I had the pleasure of breakfast at Douceur de France Bakery and Café. We dined at the Roswell location located at 1173 Alpharetta St. Roswell, 30075 (there is also a location in Marietta). As soon as we walked in, we were transported to a different world. From the heavenly baguettes to the devilish pastries, each bite and moment was savored.
One of the two restaurant owners, Luc Beaudet is originally from France and is formally the Regional Corporate chef for Le Madeleine French Bakery. Chris and I started with cappuccinos served in the French style: a small but very strong tradition. For breakfast, Chris had a croque mademoiselle and we both had to admit that the sauce béchamel (a creamy white sauce similar to alfredo sauce) was better than my recent attempts :) I enjoyed a simple baguette with butter.
After breakfast, we tempted ourselves at the pastry counter. We ordered Madelines and a caramel éclair to-go. The éclair was so divine, we almost finished it within minutes of leaving the restaurant. I would highly recommend this restaurant to meet girlfriends at for brunch, to pick up some treats for a loved one, or to simply take a moment out of your hurried day to reflect on the simple beauties of life.
For more information on Douceur de France, please visit their website at www.douceurdefrance.com .
One of the two restaurant owners, Luc Beaudet is originally from France and is formally the Regional Corporate chef for Le Madeleine French Bakery. Chris and I started with cappuccinos served in the French style: a small but very strong tradition. For breakfast, Chris had a croque mademoiselle and we both had to admit that the sauce béchamel (a creamy white sauce similar to alfredo sauce) was better than my recent attempts :) I enjoyed a simple baguette with butter.
After breakfast, we tempted ourselves at the pastry counter. We ordered Madelines and a caramel éclair to-go. The éclair was so divine, we almost finished it within minutes of leaving the restaurant. I would highly recommend this restaurant to meet girlfriends at for brunch, to pick up some treats for a loved one, or to simply take a moment out of your hurried day to reflect on the simple beauties of life.
For more information on Douceur de France, please visit their website at www.douceurdefrance.com .
Sunday, February 14, 2010
L-O-V-E was in the Air!
Our 2010 Valentine's day was spent at the Love Family home celebrating the engagement of my baby sister Angela to her fiancé Clay. It was truly a celebration of LOVE as everyone pitched in to make the Sunday dinner special.
My responsibility was to bring a flower arangement. I ordered a bouquet of green and purple orchids that were to be arranged in a vase our mother had given Angela for her hope chest. The arrangement from http://www.pepperberryflowershop.com/ tipped over on the car ride home. Luckily for us (and the poor orchids!), my friend Mandi was able to come over to save the flowers and the day with her well-trained eye for beauty.
In addition to the flowers, I brought several plates of homemade Valentine cookies. I baked two different types- Lemon Butter Cookies (Southern Living/February 2010) and Sugar Cookies (www.marthastewart.com/2010) and frosted them both with Royal Frosting (www.marthastewart.com/2010). I then used glittery red gel to decorate the cookies with "L" and "A+C." They were adorable and tasted sweet.
Before entering the kitchen this morning, I finished reading Paris Times Eight: Finding Myself in the City of Dreams. It was the 7th book on Paris living I have read and told the "Coming of Age" story of Deirdre Kelly, a Canadian who falls in love with the ideal of Paris. Tonight I will begin French by Heart: An American Family's Adventures in La Belle, France.
My responsibility was to bring a flower arangement. I ordered a bouquet of green and purple orchids that were to be arranged in a vase our mother had given Angela for her hope chest. The arrangement from http://www.pepperberryflowershop.com/ tipped over on the car ride home. Luckily for us (and the poor orchids!), my friend Mandi was able to come over to save the flowers and the day with her well-trained eye for beauty.
In addition to the flowers, I brought several plates of homemade Valentine cookies. I baked two different types- Lemon Butter Cookies (Southern Living/February 2010) and Sugar Cookies (www.marthastewart.com/2010) and frosted them both with Royal Frosting (www.marthastewart.com/2010). I then used glittery red gel to decorate the cookies with "L" and "A+C." They were adorable and tasted sweet.
Before entering the kitchen this morning, I finished reading Paris Times Eight: Finding Myself in the City of Dreams. It was the 7th book on Paris living I have read and told the "Coming of Age" story of Deirdre Kelly, a Canadian who falls in love with the ideal of Paris. Tonight I will begin French by Heart: An American Family's Adventures in La Belle, France.
Allow Me to Introduce Myself
My name is Ashley and I live in Milton, Georgia. I have lived in Georgia my whole life (a rariety in the area I currently live) and have always been intrigued by the fine arts. I love exploring different realms of art including performing arts, visual arts, and culinary arts.
I am married to a wonderful husband, Chris, and we live in an apartment with our dog, Maxwel. I teach piano lessons and feel so blessed to get to do what I love every single day. I started playing piano when I was 7 and started teaching when I was 16. I now own my own studio and strive to make it a place of learning and music making.
I decided to create this blog as a way to not only share with others my thoughts, but also as a means of preserving a list of things in which I find beauty. As I write these words, I am enjoying a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and listening to my neice (and piano student) Victoria play her beautiful piano music. It is truly a perfect Sunday evening.
I am married to a wonderful husband, Chris, and we live in an apartment with our dog, Maxwel. I teach piano lessons and feel so blessed to get to do what I love every single day. I started playing piano when I was 7 and started teaching when I was 16. I now own my own studio and strive to make it a place of learning and music making.
I decided to create this blog as a way to not only share with others my thoughts, but also as a means of preserving a list of things in which I find beauty. As I write these words, I am enjoying a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and listening to my neice (and piano student) Victoria play her beautiful piano music. It is truly a perfect Sunday evening.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)