Easton Events Best of 2008...
the sun also rises
This was in my inbox this morning. The same morning I opened an email from James, a Marine friend, who shared news from Iraq. A marine was killed this weekend in a mission, another was wounded. It is a reality that can't be denied...and these marines, are people, sons, daughters, friends, cousins, neighbors, Americans.
By the way, this photograph was taken by James. Sunset in Iraq.
To Kill an American
(Written by an Australian Dentist....)
You probably missed this in the rush of news, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper, an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American.
So an Australian dentist wrote an editorial the following day to let everyone know what an American is. So they would know when they found one. (Good one, mate!!!!)
'An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan.
An American may also be a Comanche, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole or one of the many other tribes known as native Americans.
An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim. In fact, there are more Muslims inAmerica than in Afghanistan. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses.
An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.
An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the world.
The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.
An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return.
When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet army 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country!
As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan. Americans welcome the best of everything...the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best services. But they also welcome the least.
The national symbol of America, The Statue of Liberty, welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built America.
Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11, 2001 earning a better life for their families. It's been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 different countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists.
So you can try to kill an American if you must. Hitler did. So did General Tojo, and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung, and other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world. But, in doing so you would just be killing yourself because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

a little twinkle
Last week I ran into a good friend of mine, Erin McDermott, at an art show around town...and we started talking jewelry. There are a lot of people out there (myself included...) who like to make jewelry...but Erin goes beyond just making it. The design is uniquely hers. I don't normally write plugs, but since I adore Erin (and her jewels!), its the holidays...and some of you may still need some ideas for those lovely ladies in your life...I thought I'd share her link...
Below is a just little ditty she wrote (which I love love love, Erin can i make that my bio, and just write "ditto"? kidding.....)
I am inspired everyday – not only by jewelry but also by the world around me. I like change…not only talking about change, but actually doing it. I like exposed wooden beams. Red brick under plaster. Glass globes. Woodcuts. Letterpress stationery. Pink lady apples. Down comforters and soft pillows. Converse. Riding in a car. The Post Office. The right stamp for the right letter. Looking up. Grilled cheese and old cotton t-shirts. Baby lotions. Eccentric, goofy, and humble people. Cracker jack prizes. Tight socks around the ankle. Corduroy. Stone and stucco. Sharpies. Riojas. Hidden pockets. The names of paint colors. Layering. Slate and concrete counters. Cajun shrimp toenail polish. Owls and the rings on tree stumps intrigue me. Exact change. Discovering cellars and basements. The idea of living in a lighthouse. Renovations and additions in my life. The process. Looking forward to evenings. Burlap and raffia. Docks. Embroidery. White and denim. Lockets. A series of four Black and white pictures from photo booths. Peeling paint off wood layer by layer and peeling dried salt off skin after a day at the ocean. Old diners and bakeries with glass cake plates housing layer cakes. And, of course, I love jewelry.
the life of a photograph
Two weeks ago I had the complete honor of hearing National Geographic photographer, Sam Abell, speak to a group of about 30 people at the New Dominion Book Shop in Charlottesville. It was one of those moments (which, happen to last for 2 hours) that I will probably never forget. He talked about his photographs, how he made them, why he made them, why he has given them lives, published them-- why we know them. It was a talk, as much about photography as it was about life. It was all there in his pictures (or absent from them...), it was incredible, emotional, hysterical, and extremely inspirational all at the same time.
Below are a few of his pictures. The first, is my favorite. The second, he told me, when I asked, is his. The third...well... maybe it will be yours?
sensational cakes!
Sylvia Weinstock has featured two (not one, TWO) of our events in her new book, Sensational Cakes! (Can you tell I'm excited?!) Recently we were featured in Virginia Living Magazine, and a few others around here... but this is BIG. Ms. Weinstock is no small name (though she is a small lady!). You know who she is... what Vera Wang is to gowns, Sylvia Weinstock is to cakes. She is known for her owl rimmed glasses... and her incredible cake designs, that look as if they belong in a china museum rather than on china plates. Easton Events planned and designed these weddings, Patricia Lyons made the photographs, and Ms. Weinstock has immortalized our brides, their weddings, and our event design, in her new book...check it out. Now. Let them eat cake!
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