Friday, September 25, 2009

Pink Saturday Memory Forever

Last Saturday found me in Ruidoso, New Mexico for a fabulous Girls’ Road Trip…check out the adventures as chronicled by Nancy Gail who  has the most computer-blog savvy  http://www.mycraftylittlepage.blogspot.com/

We were excited to have been there for their annual Monarch butterfly release. This memorable event is sponsored by Hospice, an organization that has meant so much to all of us.  Pam hold a sign in anticipation of the flurry of activity getting ready to unfold.

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For our donations we each received a sleeping butterfly that we warmed in our hands…

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As the sun and our hands warmed them, the butterflies began to flutter slightly in their little boxes.  We had been told they would wake up hungry and so we positioned ourselves near their favorite plants… After pausing to remember and honor those who have battled cancer, we opened the boxes and were amazed at the beauty inside each…

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They were so large!!!and true to predictions, they went straight for the flowers…

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And then, in the sweetest gesture you can imagine, mine came back for a moment and landed on my foot…

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I know it sounds corny, but I had a lump in my throat…I’m not the only one to react…the ooohs and aaahs were like Fourth of July fireworks and we were all children together for an hour sharing our excitement with strangers watching those beautiful Monarchs. None of us will forget the beauty of that day.

While shopping, Carol found a poem, “Advice from a Butterfly” on a tee shirt…we took the lines as our mantra for the week and  made paper bag books to commemorate the experience.

Ruidoso 2009 butterfly book Gianna's Baptism 2009 050

Each of us made a cover…each different and each unique… Then we made copies of our individual pages so that we each have copies of the others…

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Lots of PINK will be found among the pages…

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And lots of good advice…

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And lots of found art and recycled tourist pamphlets and newspapers…we literally created books from what was on the table and in our totes…

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Isn’t it just the coolest Vacation Journal ever?…

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a couple of pockets hold additional advice…

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And my little butterfly box (along with memories of the PINKEST week ever) gets tucked inside…

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Add a beautiful fantasy paper butterfly from Nancy… and it’s done! Ruidoso 2009 butterfly book Gianna's Baptism 2009 059

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out Beverly’s list of fellow lovers of Pink…http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Enjoy the day and have a Pink week. LaVerne

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi! what a beautiful story and beautiful book you've made. I picked your blog as the one I'm posting about for Beverly's challenge this week. :)
Happy Pink Saturday!
hugs,
Missy

Anonymous said...

Missy mentioned you were in Ruidoso, NM and I had to come over and say "HI" and tell you that it made me homesick when I read NM! Moved from Tularosa, NM (about 30 min from Ruidoso) 2 years ago after living in the Alamogordo area all my life- It is so unique and beautiful there in NM.

Love your post about the butterflys!

blessings
mary

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a wonderful post! Your story is wonderful and your pictures captured it perfectly. I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Claudia said...

Oh my gosh, what an amazing story! I would have loved to take part in something as magical as your monarch butterfly adventure. You will remember that always! Happy Pink Saturday!

Nancy said...

Your book looks wonderful. I need to finish my own now! Love the way your story unfolded with the book. xoxo Nancy

Beansieleigh said...

Hi LaVerne! Love your journals, and all the beautiful pages they hold! What fun it looks like you had!.. Happy Pink Saturday, and hope you have a wonderful weekend! ~tina

Betty said...

That is a wonderful story. I was all choked up just thinking about it!
Happy Pink Saturday!

Regina said...

Hello. Sorry came by late. I don't have electricity due too the typhoon but its okay now.
What a wonderful pink post.
Have a great day,

Beverly said...

LaVerne, I love this books you each made. The butterfly release was amazing. Hospice is the most incredible organization.

Happy Pink Saturday.



Limping Deer and the Twins

Limping Deer and the Twins
They are still spotted at this time.

Show and Tell Sunday June 15

Flea Market Finds...sounds like my whole house and yard...

Milk Glass Collection

Milk Glass Collection
Who knew that a 25 cent flea market find would unleash such a collecting frenzy? I never pay more than a dollar unless it's a really nice piece. They are great grouped with a single daisy in each.

These used to be inexpensive florist vases in the 50's and 60's. Everyone's Grandmother had bunches.

Mexicana Dishes

Mexicana Dishes
My sister found these for me at Bussy's Flea Market in San Antonio, Texas. I had seen pictures in her Fiesta reference book. Mexicana was also made by Homer Laughlin in the 30's. I had been looking for several years without ever finding even a single piece when she found the set...with a promise to hold it for us, she came running to find me and I bought the entire set...60+ pieces for $50.

Mexicana

Mexicana
I've added to the set over the years, but the price and experience will never match that first amazing find.

Vintage Kitchen Hutch

Vintage Kitchen Hutch
When my hubby found this hutch it was Pepto pink and I was not 100% sure about it. But with a new red back and fresh white paint and refurbished hardware, it became one of my favorite pieces.

Nancy made me save the vine

Nancy made me save the vine
The vine and flowers painted on the inside were in such bad shape that I was ready to remove it all. Nancy -My Crafty Little Page convinced me to keep it and after some touch-up work, I'm glad I listened to her. My husband restores vintage Cushman motorscooters and he tries to make everything "mint" condition again. The Shabby Chic movement came along just in time to keep me from making some terrible mistakes.