Manzanita Speaks

So, we've been training for eleven weeks now, and somewhere during those eleven my two lovely training partners decided to up the ante. No, half marathons simply aren't good enough anymore..we won't be happy til we run a FULL-26.2-Mile real life Marathon.

When I say "we", I really mean them. I'm just tagging along for the ride.

Aside from that, this leads me to update number one: I am now training for a full marathon. Yikes. Didn't see that one coming.

Which leads me to update number two: we have not only met, but SURPASSED the "100 Miles Run" mark! (Did you realize this girls? Actually, not counting cross training we've gone 127 miles thus far).

Yep, my running shoes have hit the pavement enough times to reach the following destinations: Carpinteria, CA (this is where most of my flowers for events come from :), Soledad, CA (I don't really have a reason to go there), or (grand finale here) Bakersfield.

To be quite honest, (just keepin' it real) I still loathe running. But the sense of accomplishment afterward is pretty much priceless, and it has some spiritual application - I can now fully embrace what the apostle Paul meant when he said to run the race to win the prize.

So, I'm gonna hang in there with my running posse. That is, until we have our 18 mile run in a few Saturdays.

ps: those are my running shoes up there. Couldn't have done it without you, turquoise gel Asic Kayanos.

I don't know why I've procrastinated so long in posting this wedding!

Kristin & Chris got hitched May 31, 2008, at Kristin's parent's home in Old Oak Park, Arroyo Grande. Weddings at home are so precious..

When I met with Kristin & Chris last September to discuss flowers, I asked them for one adjective they envisioned would describe their wedding day. Kristin didn't even hesitate - the first and last word she said was "Sweet". This was such a perfect direction for K&C to head in - the are both so genuine, and are truly sweet people. Their wedding day really did end up making a statement about who they were.

For the flowers: how could I resist using sweet pea in all the bouquets? The girls' bouquets were all white with bright blue ribbon to match their dresses - sweet pea, roses, stock, and lisianthus. The Bride's bouquet was white and pink sweetpea with touches of tulips and cream gerbera daisies with dark eyes.

Photog: David Pascolla
Cake: Barbie Laney
Coordinator: Angel Canon

Last week, we were graciously invited by some dear friends to accompany them down to Laguna Beach for a weekend trip. I didn't realize how much I needed a vacation...I could just feel my nerves slowly uncoiling after months of stress and school deadlines as we sat on the beach and caught some rays.

One of the greatest things about the Laguna Beach apartment: no TV. I rushed over to the library and picked up half a dozen books for beach reading before we left. One of the books I chose (and subsequently finished last night) was Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte. Amazing book, amazing writing, plus in lieu of spending my evening hours watching my fave TV lineup of Scrubs, Family Guy, etc., I feel as though I was somewhat edified by the story. I'm on a roll, back in the saddle of reading good books if you will, and I don't want to lose my appetite for reading when fall quarter starts.

So, friends, here is why I mention this. I now am working on a list of books I have (embarrassingly) have never read, and intend to read. Here they are in no particular order. Have any suggestions to add to the list? Any ideas on what I should read first?

Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)

Moonstone (Wilkie Collins)

Surprised by Joy (CS Lewis)

Alice in Wonderland

Paradise Lost (John Milton)

Brothers Karamazov

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Chesapeake (James Michener)

1984

The Scarlet Letter

Madame Bovary (Gustave Flaubert)

I was experimenting with an action set for Photoshop CS3 the other day, and decided to use a picture of my brother Dan @ Johnny and Bekah's wedding.

The result was both hilarious and scary. See for yourself. I'm learning quickly that not all actions are created equal; in fact, using the wrong action on the right photo = material for nightmares to scare small children.

The first image is a little too fuzzy and dreamy for Dan..glamour-shot-ish if you will. The second one just plain looks like those photos Mexican photogs on the street in Tijuana persuade every American tourist to take, and "Quadrant Colors"....? I'm at a loss for what that's even for.

My personal fave for Dan is "Cinnamon Toast" - both vintagey and warm - kind of like him...? I'm sure he'll appreciate knowing I've distilled him down into those two terms. I'll have to apologize later.

I had the chance to do an AMAZING wedding last Saturday (as many of you know, since most of you were wedding guests!).

It's sort of hard to put Johnny and Bekah's style into succint terms...earthy, raw, vintage, organic. I could go on. But THE most defining term I could assign to their event would be TRENDY.

This, in and of itself, is rather funny because Bekah and Johnny could really care less if their tastes were in step with current trends and fashions (hello, if Barbie would have let them, the would have had a tie-dye wedding cake!).

J & B just plain had good taste, and it made it so fun for me to work with them on their vision for their day. Our main focal was white-and-yellow marguerite daisies, but Bekah really wanted a wildflowery, woodland kind of look. Additions of moss, valley oak and maidenhair fern, cottage yellow yarrow, and sweet september flower made it all come together.

I have to say, midway through the ceremony, I felt like I was set in the very middle of Pride and Prejudice! The setting was so idyllic and lovely, it seemed like we had stepped into another time.

I hear through the grapevine J & B loved everything and had a great time, and to top it off we all had a ton of fun up at the Shepard's for the reception. Lots of tri-tip, potato salad, Barbie Laney cake, and Merritt ice cream. Oh, and Noelle (sister of the groom for those who don't know) dancing at the reception was the icing on the cake. I'm so bummed I didn't catch any pictures of her and those silly dance moves!

Photog: Rachel Joy
Venue: See Canyon Fruit Ranch