BECOME A FLORIST

SEASONAL WOMAN

There are seasons of a woman's life from conception, birth, growth, maturity, productivity, old age, death and beyond death into a new resurrection.

There are seasons of a woman's heart which cycle through joy and contentment to pain and sorrow; and seasons of her mind which seeks knowledge and develops wisdom.

There are seasons of a woman's relationships from new friendship to mature trust and companionship; from acquaintance to deep love and commitment.

There are seasons within seasons which overlap to make our lives rich, complicated, peaceful and restless. Just like the seasons of the year as creation turns on its axis new and varied aspects present themselves. It is an endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

This piece represents four women dancing around the cycle of life. Each is connected to the red womb-like source of the center circle, giving and receiving, supporting and nurturing. This hub revolves with the power of our efforts to connect with our source and each other. The power of this Dance makes possible our sisterhood in all times and places.

Each woman is connected to the others as one season gives way to the next or lingers before turning us loose to continue our journey. Spring gains with the promise of new life, summer offers maturity and productivity, fall rewards with its bounty and winter withdraws into dormancy and rest to gain strength for resurrection.

Our diversity as women is apparent in the variety of embellishments and fabrics expressing the nature of each season. Diversity, both as individuals with many facets and as women who belong to all the cultures of this world, is a blessing to be celebrated in the Dance.

The outer, all encompassing ring of gold indicates that we are on a continuous journey with the universal spirit in the many ways in which it is understood. It's un-limiting nature is represented by the two seasons which break out of the bounds of the divine ring, times when we have glimpses of insight into our spirits as divine. Hence, even in the desolation of winter and the fullness of summer life reaches out beyond itself to new promises.



May you be Blessed
Patia H. Rarick
June 2010

To celebrate the season, Cupcake Royale is selling seasonal cupcakes to fit the fall. The last time I was there they were selling two types and I took it as a kind of challenge to try them both. Here we have the pumpkin with cream cheese buttercream frosting (front) and the spiced apple with caramel buttercream frosting.

Pumpkin/Cream Cheese: There oughtta be a law. Seriously. I think this must have come freshly from the frosting station, it was that warm and fluffy and almost crumbly once I got beyond the ever so slightly crisped top. The cake was the best pumpkin "bread" I've ever had and the frosting held enough of the cream cheese tartness to perfectly complement the sweetness of the buttercream. Frankly, I wouldn't be at all disappointed if they added this to their permanent menu. Actually, I take that back. I'd much rather see a spring seasonal carrot cupcake.

I took a sip of water and moved over to the next cupcake.

Spiced Apple/Caramel: TOO SWEET! Goddam but halfway through this one and my teeth started to hurt. The cake alone was ok (not a huge fan of spiced apple as a rule) but when combined with the sugary frosting I was wondering whether I was entering sugar shock. I should point out that this they actually skimp on the frosting for this cake. It's more of a glaze than the liberal dollop you'll find on most of their other offerings, and even then I had to wonder. Frankly, I'd recommend avoiding this one like the plague. Behold, my first real disappointment from CR.

But given just how good that first one was...