a wedding–prepping the home

Our Easter Sunday this year was a little different–we were privileged to attend Lawrance’s brother’s wedding.
It started with us going back to Lawrance’s childhood home to help the family prepare for receiving the bride.

The groom, YuHong, had shaved his head into the shape of a heart. 

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The groom showed us his transformed childhood home into a room to welcome a bride.  He was proud.
Placed on all the items were little red circles with the “double joy” wedding symbol inside.
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Traditionally children are to jump on the new couple’s bed in order to ensure lots of children.  They substituted with a small bride and groom statue decked out in traditional Chinese wedding clothes.

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Another new-to-me superstition was that a bride is not to look at herself in the mirror (don’t remember why, will have to ask). However, it really isn’t followed not, but in honor of that tradition YuHong covered the mirror in the bedroom with red paper.

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Double Joys were everywhere–even the front door. And they will stay there till ?? (not sure–a year? till Chinese New Year? till they fall off?).

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This wedding banner was placed over the household entrance. I think it is religious, but I don’t know more than that.

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TongYuan also needed to be prepared. So, Lawrance, the awesome tongyan master, lent a helping hand.  Why tongyuan at a wedding? Well, sweet sticky dumplings represent sticking together forever, a sweet life, and fullness of blessing.
 
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We also had tea and fruit prepared.  Serving the tea and tongyuan were my job. ;)
 

all dressed up

I was thinking about these photos tonight as I drove home, and I realized I’d not posted them yet the blog.  So . . . here is my lovely husband all dressed up in Texas two years ago.













Our dear neighbors and friends, Jerry and Lin, hosted Lawrance while he was in Texas before we got married.  Jerry is the one responsible for dressing up Lawrance. Thanks, Jerry!!

redirect: for moms, former moms, and wannabe moms

I needed this today.  It was a perfect reminder of truth.



Keep reading here.

move over, daisy

I think I’ve fallen in love with a new flower.

For a long time now, sunflowers and daisies have been my favorite flowers.  They just SMILE at me!  They make me OH so happy!!   Lawrance knows I’m not a rose fan.  They smell wonderful, but that’s about it.  Daisies and sunflowers are just so much more joyful.

Our second date was to a sunflower field.

___We used daisies as the inspiration for our American wedding.

___See?  They are just HAPPY flowers.

But, move over daisy . . . and, move over sunny . . . there’s a new girl in town.

I think I’ve fallen in love with the peony.

Deep Blue Peony by geishaboy500 on flickr

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If sunflowers smile at me, peonies whisper to me “Come closer, I have a secret.”

Paeonia, Tree Peony detail byTie Guy II on flickr

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Like all women she is complex.  She appears soft and delicate, but she is so full and flamboyant at the same time.

Peony Momo by geishaboy500 on flickr

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She starts out so tight and guarded, yet she bursts with potential, waiting to unfold.

Peony Opening by nettsu on flickr

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The Tang Dynasty saw the first female ruler in China’s history.  She declared that no flowers be allowed to bloom.  Only the peony broke her orders and bloomed anyway.

peony in a vase by tanakawho on flickr

____In Chinese culture the peony is a symbol of richness because of the luxuriousness and abundance of a single peony bloom, making her a favored subject in paintings.  Again, I see why.

rainy day peonies by Pear Biter on flickr

___Sunflower, you will always make me smile.  Daisy, you will always hold a special place in my heart.  But, move over girls, it’s time to invite Peony to the party too.

Do you have a favorite flower?  What does your favorite flower say to you when no one is looking?

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