That Face!

Here's the Emp...

in full Pout-mode!

The cause of "said pout" still remains a mystery...

so we will just chalk it up to being seven years old.

I was immediately reminded of one of my favorite Linda Ronstandt songs "Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me"...like mother, like daughter.

Museum Fun

Should your photos be

hanging in a Museum???

Well...now they can.

http://www.dumpr.net/museumr.php

Check it out!

Huntington Library

Chinese New Year Festival

Sunday, February 1st, we journeyed to San Marino to celebrate Chinese New Year at the Huntington. This was our third year in attendance, and I always enjoy the day, which centers around the new Chinese Garden, Liu Fang Yuan. There was Chinese Knotting, Brush Painting and Calligraphy demonstrations, book readings, a mask-changing performance, Dough Doll making, Lion Dancers, Tai Chi demonstations and traditional Chinese music. Afterwards, we all went for a delicious Chinese dinner. It was a lovely day!

The majority of the photos below were edited using a Lightroom preset called Old School...I love the brownish/greenish cast it gives....makes them look like photos from the 4o's and 50's.


Here's Emilee and Claire on the walkway to the main entrance...



The main entrance...I think the word has really gotten out about this event because this year it was very crowded.



A beautiful Chinese floral display near the entrance...





Emilee watching the Tai Chi demonstration...

A Master Calligrapher...

Emilee trying her hand at calligraphy...I think this is the character for "Ox"...

The Jade Ribbon Bridge...



A group portrait on the bridge...from left to right is Adele (just home from China about 8 months ago...she is amazing...already speaking French and English!) Emily, Paige, Claire, Emilee, Rebekah and Nathan.

The sculptured trees and Bonsai are just beautiful...

The Moon Gate near the front entrance of the garden...

Another group picture on the walk to the Japanese Garden...all in all, the kids were very patient and cooperative for pictures!

I believe these are blooms on a large Magnolia tree near the Rose Garden...

And, of course, the New Year's celebration would not be complete without the Lion Dance...

Here are just a few individual shots of the girls...Claire won the award for "Model of the Day"....she was so sweet...and didn't take a bad picture all day!

Here's Emily S. who always has a pretty smile for the camera...

A nicely backlit Emilee...

And lastly, one of my favorite images of the day...but I can't decide which version I like best ...although I usually lean towards black and white. Leave a comment and let me know which one you favor...

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous (although not likely in this economy!)

Year of the Ox...

Plum Blossoms

In China, the plum blossom (Mei Hua) is praised as the queen of blossoms due to her attractive poses and incomparable dignity. The gestures of plum branches are elegant, versatile and graceful, and the fragrance of the blooming blossom is mild and sweet. It is no wonder she is crowned the national flower of China.

Our daughters of China are so like the plum blossom....

born into adversity, they flower with an unyielding spirit and fortitude.
They are truly the most lovely flowers of China...
scattered among us, so versatile and sweet,
making our lives more beautiful in every way.

My Plum Blossom

Oh, how I love that sweet face...

These are just a preview of what's yet to come...next up will be pictures from last weekend at the Huntington Library's Chinese New Year Festival...

Shanghai Tang

When we went to China in 2003 to bring Emilee home, our first stop was Hong Kong. Kris and I stayed at the Salisbury YMCA which was right across the street from the world famous Peninsula Hotel. We quickly decided we liked the Peninsula much better (not that there was anything wrong with the YMCA...it was very nice...just not as luxurious as the Peninsula!) We had a great time window shopping in the boutiques, one of which was Shanghai Tang, a very upscale Asian designer. I found the most beautiful red silk baby set (with matching shoes!) for Emilee, and although it was a ridiculous amount to pay for one outfit, I had to have it (well, what's American Express for anyway???). Ever since then I have liked their clothes, and low and behold, seen several pieces on ebay. This dress is one of them...it was brand new, still had tags on it ($90.00) and it only cost me $7.50 plus shipping!!!

So here is Emilee.... in Shanghai Tang...for the "Year of the Ox" ....

Is there any greater thrill than getting a "supreme" shopping bargain....well, yes there is....getting Emilee!!!

LA Chinatown

Emilee and I, along with Polly, Abbey and Anna went to Chinatown last Saturday! We were looking for a few Chinese New Year things, as the Year of the Ox starts January 26th. We started out in the older section; went to the Golden Dragon and a few other shops, and then worked our way up Broadway to the Dynasty Plaza Bazaar. Afterwards, we had a delicious lunch at the Plum Tree Restaurant...Cashew Chicken and Walnut Shrimp (which was exceptionally good!)

Oh, and I got my first Bonzai plant...hope I can keep it alive! My Nana always loved them, and had several when I was a child. I hope inherited her knack for growing them!

Here's a shot Emilee took of the Golden Dragon...

I love the lanterns that are strung up everywhere in the old section...caught the sun shining through this one.

Here's Anna, Emilee and Abbey. Note Abbey's new purse...she and Anna got pink ones and Emilee got a red one!

And of course, we always have to have a few new parasols....

And here is Fong's... my favorite shop. This trip I found a vintage copy of "Moy Moy" by Leo Politti. Mr Politti wrote children's stories about Los Angeles in the forties and fifties (Olvera St. and Chinatown) and this shop is featured prominently in both "Moy Moy" and "Mr. Fongs Toy Shop". It is still owned by his descendants, the See family. Lisa See wrote "On Gold Mountain" which tells the story of her great-grandfather, Fong See, coming to Los Angeles from China.

Here's an inside shot...



Abbey taking a rest outside of Fong's...

The East Gate...or "Gate of Maternal Virtues"

Another big reason for the trip was to scout locations for some "Chinatown Urban" photo sessions of the girls...there are so many great places to photograph. I've got several ideas and plan on going back soon to snap away....

Last stop is always the Phoenix Bakery....this time for the best chocolate eclair I've had in quite a while!

Check back soon for Emilee's Chinese New Year pictures....

New Year's Day 2009

Christmas is over and the

work is all done...

It's time for Santa's Elves to party

and have a little fun!!!

This year's China Moms Holiday Party was held on New Year's Day...because...well...Elves are too busy to get together before Christmas!

There was lots of wonderful food...Chinese Chicken Salad, Spring Rolls, Shrimp, Veggies, Pigs in a Blanket, Chips and Dip...and Gingerbread for dessert!

But nobody was allowed to eat until some pictures were taken....

Here are the Guiping Girls... Emilee and Abbey....

And the Jiangxi girls...Emily, Claire and Megan





Here's Rebekah, Emily and Nathan....




Award Time....Model Elf of the Day - Emily S.!!!!

She was always ready with the perfect pose and the biggest smile...a photographer's dream!

See what I mean...no bouncing around...she just sat there...perfectly composed!!!

Although, I must say...Madison came in a very close second.....she was just a little harder to catch!!!

Craft time.... the girls made...what else???...ELVES!

I think we went thru a whole gallon of glue....

Of course, everyone was anxious to open all those gifts under the tree.... and there were plenty!

After opening presents, we had the entertainment portion of the evening which consisted of Santa's Elves with their rendition of...what else...."Jingle Bells"!!!

Emilee loved her Elf costume...she even wore the hat most of the day!!! It seems to "suit her" doesn't it??? My little Elfish-Emp...

Yes, we all had a very "elfish" time... and no... you don't get to see pictures of me in my Elf hat even though I wore it all day. Who would have ever thought I'd be turning 57 and wearing an Elf hat on my birthday!!! The things Moms do.....

Can't wait until next year... when the theme will be..... PENGUINS!

Great...I get to turn 58 in a Tuxedo!!!!