September 19, 2010

That Golden Glow


Summer ended with a golden kiss of promise. That kiss for the future was imbued in the ochre light of the autumn which was coming on. 
Ochre like love is an ancient color and has been used by humans since the earliest of times.  In a cave in northern Australia predating the caves of  Lascaux yellow ocher was used. Since Neolithic times humans have made yellow to describe, and symbolize their days. In Pharonic Egypt, yellow was used to depict the sun, gold, and to differentiate the complexion of female from male in sarcophagi. In 2500 BC the Egyptians developed a yellow color called an  orpiment a natural yellow pigment derived from arsenic sulfide. This wonderful warm dangerous golden tone was used by the Greeks and many other cultures.  Cennino Cennini warned painters not to soil their tongues with this dangerous paint. Finally its use was banned in the 19th century. So then in trying to capture golden tones, Naples yellow, a color which contained lead was invented, Rubens used  it when he painted fleshtones.
Venus at a Mirror, 1651, Liechtenstien
All over the world ancient peoples worked on capturing that golden glow. Cosmos and dahlias were used by the Aztecs to create a dye, Turkey used chamomile, western Africans the kola nut and golden rod was used by some native Americans. Then of course that essence from crocus pistils, saffron makes the most expensive yellow dye of all. 
This color,  yellow, which I associate with September and the heralding of fall in the Rocky Mountains,
Steamboat Spgs, Colorado, Fall 2009
is a color I will be watching as it unfolds  in the topmost trees of our urban forest in Denver and reaches high to the tallest peaks of Colorado. What better way to herald the passing of the sun and its embrace of the land than in the golden warmth of young promise.

September 8, 2010

The Best Weekend Ever! Part 1



Since December when my daughter Johanna became engaged,( You can check this out at
http://nativemoments.blogspot.com/2009/12/proposal-picture.html) a slow rhythm has been building and it finally came to a crescendo last weekend. A beautiful crescendo- Nature obliged and the hot muggy weather, that part of Kansas can have- on Labor Day weekend - never occurred. Instead still, calm quiet graceful days unfolded into a beautiful family occasion for a celebration for a young couple with a fresh and open style.
We all assembled at The Circle S Ranch http://www.circlesranch.com/secOffer/Weddings/Weddings.htm
It was a family affair, cake and pie stands were donated by family and friends.

Pies made by family members, Jams made with Colorado fruit by me, decorative swags sewn by Johanna and hung by all. Flowers were locally grown and decorations made and donated. So this post is about the ambiance and a later post will be more about the event.
                               Flowers were picked from the roadside and used to decorate the altar.  
 While the Bridal  Party got ready and photographers prepared to take photos family members hung out, talked, played croquet, bocce, badminton and enjoyed the day.
The Bridal Party
The Groom, Ryan and Bride Johanna and Bridesmaid Kate (sister of the Bride)
The Bride and Groom








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