Love, Laughter, and EVERYTHING in Between: Welcome RAZIAH GRACE!

"If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren, I'd have had them first. "

Bunica (boo-nee-ka)

Nonna (non-na)

Yaya (yah-yah)

Bomma (bo-ma)

 Oba-chan, Sobo (oh-bah-chan, soh-boh)
Lola (low-lah)

Yeay (yay)

Tutu, Kuku (too-too, coo-coo)
Savta (soft-tah)
Maimeó (mam-o)

Today, April 1, 2015,  I have the honor of being a GRANDMA.  Please welcome our little princess Raziah Grace Ewing into the world. Her parents Brandon Ewing and Ciara Caves did a wonderful job ...  Although they live out of state, my heart couldn't be more content.

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Love, Laughter, and EVERYTHING in Between: Day 31- Creativity

Kuumba/Creativity:  Leaving our families, community, and world a better place to live, work, and love.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater ~ photo credit: Andrew Eccles

• Grow in knowing that the energy and impulse of the Creator’s image and essence within you is the power that drives your desire for a world that ismore hospitable and nurturing for human existence.
• Grow knowing and showing that the talents, skills and resources entrusted unto you are never to be used without respect for the greatest good for the greatest number of family, community and humanity. 
• Always be pro-active to share and utilize this consciousness and energy everywhere you go, with everyone you meet. 

Candle Lighting :On the sixth day of Kwanzaa the family lights the RED candle. This candle is symbolic of struggle- continuous effort and work. The placement and order of the Kwanzaa candles teach and reinforce valuable lessons for the family. The lesson here is that we light the red candle to reinforce the value and priority we place struggle as the method for creating progress.

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Love, Laughter, and EVERYTHING in Between: Day 28- Collective Work and Responsibility

UJIMA (00-GEE-MA) Collective Work and Responsibility: To build and maintain our community together and make our sister’s and brother’s problems our problems and solve them together.

• Are you your brothers or sisters keeper?
• Are you willing, compassionate and pro-active in extending the knowledge, abilities, energy and other resources at your disposal to help members of your family and community to achieve the best outcome of a given life or situation?
• Can you extend yourself in this manner without the expectation of some immediate material return, but with the satisfaction of knowing that helping others in this fashion is, in the long run, help and reward for you also?

Candle Lighting: On the third day of Kwanzaa the family lights the GREEN candle next to the black candle. This candle is symbolic of future success and achievement.

~Until Next Time
SimplySHAY

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Love, Laughter, and EVERYTHING in Between: Day 27- Self Determination

Self-Determination/Kujichagulia To define the world in our own image and interest, placing African people and our history and culture at the center of our worldview and social reality.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Who am I? 
• How well do I know the history of achievement and excellence of my people? 
• What am I doing to further and deepen that knowledge?
• What contributions am I making toward restoring and continuing the ethic of intellectual, analytically and visionary excellence in my family and community? (Overthrowing the ethic of anything goes, self-hate, hopelessness, mediocrity, violence and self-destruction)
• How much am I influenced by the images of my people in the media?

Candle Lighting: On the second day of Kwanzaa the family lights the RED candle. This candle is symbolic of the effort. The placement and order of the Kwanzaa candles teach and reinforce valuable lessons for the family. The RED candle is symbolic of the effort a person, family, school or community makes. The lesson is that we light the RED candle to reinforce the value of work and effort.

~Until Next Time
SimplySHAY

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Love, Laughter, and EVERYTHING in Between: Day 26-UNITY

Umoja (OO-MO-JAH) Unity begins the Kwanzaa celebration and stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, "I am We," or "I am because We are."

Another symbol that could be useful for Umoja reflections is the Nkonsonkonson – Chain Link – a symbol of unity and human relations; a reminder to contribute to the community; that in unity lies strength. It signifies the strong bonds between people of common blood relations that are difficult to break apart. The belief includes ancestors who are constantly protecting the living. It can also serve as a reminder to give a helping hand to strengthen the communities we live in, and encourages the veneration of the ancestors in order for them to keep in touch with the living. Baba Mxolisi T. Sowell

Candle Lighting: Today we light the BLACK candle or Umoja candle. The black candle symbolizes black people. So the lesson is this: We want to build up the capacity of unity in the family, our neighborhoods and among our people. To achieve this, we discuss ways which we will build, enhance, strengthen our family bonds and community ties.

What ways have you and your family practiced this principle?

~Until Next Time
SimplySHAY

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Love, Laughter, and EVERYTHING in Between: Day 26-Celebrating Kwanzaa

Just what is Kwanzaa? Unlike Christmas, Ramadan, and Hanukkah, Kwanzaa’s unaffiliated with a major religion. One of the newer American holidays, Kwanzaa originated in the turbulent 1960s to instill racial pride and unity in the black community.

Established in 1966 by Ron Karenga, Kwanzaa aims to reconnect black Americans to their African roots and recognize their struggles as a people by building community. It is observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 annually. Derived from the Swahili term, “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first-fruits,” Kwanzaa is based on African harvest celebrations such as the seven-day Umkhost of Zululand.

Starting today, December 26th, through January 1st we will focus on the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

~Until Next Time
SimplySHAY


Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Love, Laughter and EVERYTHING in Between: Day 2: Tablescapes!

It's the holiday season and anyone that knows me knows that I enjoy having people over, feeding them and making sure it's an overall fabulous experience. One way I try and make the atmosphere special is in the simple details. It's the Simply Peaceful things and having a nice table sets the tone for a truly wonderful evening. 

 

You may be feeling like you can't do it but tablescapes aren't as difficult as you may think. Get yourself some chargers, nice crisp linen, a few candles and you're well on our way. Don't be afraid of color and by all means, do NOT use plastic (smile) …

 

Until Next Time....
SimplySHAY

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Motivational Monday: "Celebrating MY Mother"

In 1936 King George V died and was succeeded by his son, Edward VIII, who soon abdicates to marry an American-born divorcée, and is succeeded by brother, George VI.  Spanish civil war began and hundreds of Americans joined the "Lincoln Brigades." War between China and Japan also began  to continue through World War II.

FDR was reelected in a landslide. The Electoral Vote was 523-8.  NY Yankees defeated the NY Giants (4-2) for the World Series and the first successful helicopter flight is made.  Most importantly, DOROTHY LAMAR BRADLEY was born. 

In case you're wondering who that last person is, she is MY mother!  Every year we take her out to dinner or have some type of birthday celebration.  She looks forward to those times and I'm blessed and honored to still be able to share birthday's with her.

Six children, 17+ grandchildren and almost 20 great grands .. she's done well in the area of leaving a mark!  LOL  I often tease and say how much my mother gets on my nerves with her complaining and waking up at noon to find things for people to do now that she's slept BUT she's earned the right to do so. 

I LOVE my mother and I am thankful for all that she has imparted into me.  My family doesn't think I know how to cook because Karen makes amazing Mac and cheese while Parkey jams on the spaghetti.  Yes, I enjoy making pastries and sweets but I've had to cook just like them for as long as I can remember.  Dorothy didn't play that, she made sure that my sisters and I would be able to keep a house. 

We are all extremely organized and thorough; she ran a football organization like it was NOTHING for years and I'm convinced being with her during that time has molded me into Simply Perfect Peace Events business owner I am today.  Early on she set the standard for what clean was; if it's not done do not "dart" out that door.  LOL

Affectionately known as DOT by my dad and Aunt DOT by all of our cousins and her close friends, DOT is still a trooper at 77 years young.  In 1995 (I think) she suffered a stroke that changed her life forever but every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday she makes her way to bingo, attends church on Sundays and is President of her Senior Group.  We tease her because she says everything in 3's.. ok ok ok... I'm done, I'm done, I'm done (and it's never OK, nor is she done)... but it's funny to us that she still does it.

This is a praise report about my mother - every day isn't "good" but it's great because she is still here and she thoroughly enjoys Dillard Family Weekend and it's our pleasure to be able to pull that together for her no matter how we feel about all of the planning and EXTRA stuff she does.

Dorothy Dillard - this blog post is for YOU young lady. Love you and I'm looking forward to celebrating more birthday's with you. 

DISCLAIMER:  I would say her favorite daughter but everyone knows that is my sister Parkey! 


Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

WEDnesday Love: "Butterflies and New Beginnings"

During wedding season you've probably seen people throw rose petals or blow bubbles when a newlywed couple exits the wedding ceremony. A fun and beautiful alternative to the above traditions is to have guests release butterflies after the nuptials.  Butterflies symbolize new beginnings, so a butterfly release is a magical way to symbolize a marriage.

Not sure when to release the butterflies?  They can be released in one of two ways, an individual release or a mass release. For the individual release, each butterfly is in a small, secured box and as the couple exits the ceremony site, each guests opens a box and releases a butterfly. For the mass release, the butterflies are held in a large box or container and when instructed, someone will open the box and all of the butterflies will be released. This is typically done by the bride and groom.

Butterflies can be ordered from a variety of companies.  Here are a few possible places to order butterflies:

• Swallow Tails Farms – They offer monarch butterflies. While they recommend ordering as soon as possible, they are sometimes able to accommodate last minute orders.
• Amazing Butterflies – They offer monarch butterflies and painted ladies.
• Butterfly Release Company – They also offer monarch butterflies and painted ladies. Last minute orders are accepted.

Tips for Releasing Butterflies

• When you receive the package, replace the ice pack with a frozen one. This will keep the butterflies dormant.
• An hour before you want the butterflies to fly, take the boxes out of the insulated shipping box. This gives the butterflies time to wake up.
• When choosing the type of butterfly, know that painted ladies will linger after being released while monarchs will fly away quickly. However, the monarchs are twice the size of painted ladies.

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Fun Friday Find: "Ice Cream Anyone?"

Did you know that in 1984 President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day? He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90 percent of the nation's population. 

 

So, in addition to this wonderful heat wave we're experiencing, which gets you to the beach, get out with family and friends and enjoy this tasty treat.

What's your favorite? Mine is homemade butter pecan.

YUM-I-LICIOUS!!

Live & Love!
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Motivational Monday: Creating Peace...

SIMPLY PEACE.. Your Journey's Journal (creating and maintaining your own personal peace) is a bedside journal for YOUR thoughts and cares. It includes some basic steps to encourage the reader to push past the present situation and see that Peace is yours for the asking. Practicing (maintaining) the Peace that has been created and seeing the rewards of it!

"Peace has to be created in order to be maintained"... this is a very easy statement to type but believe me when I tell you it's hard to practice! When I first started SIMPLY PERFECT PEACE EVENTS, the prayer was to allow the same peace that resides within me -be passed on to others.  I stood on the streets of Tamarack and wondered, how Lord can that be done?  I wasn't always at "peace"; life happens and sometimes it's just not there. 

The first step, and probably the easiest, to acquiring this "peace" was to surround myself with like minded people.  I have a wonderful family and friends of faith that can't be matched.  However, In the process of surrounding myself I also had to let some people go.  When you do a lot of networking, often times you meet people that make frequent withdrawals and few deposits. This began to interrupt my peace and cause me to be angry ..... so bye bye to those people, I wish you well and consider the withdrawals paying it forward :)

The second step, and what I consider the most beneficial, was "studying to be quiet".  Not only was this the most beneficial, it was the most difficult!!!  Four years ago I said to myself.. "self, shut your mouth!"  From home, to work, to all social settings.. Sharon had to sit down and shut up!!!  How in the world can the PEACE of GOD abide when you're always flappin (yes flappin) your gums?  Throughout this process, my fear of speaking openly was conquered and I was able to share with other women of faith the importance of building up and not tearing down (Proverbs 14:1).  From this three journals and two t-shirt were birthed and I'm grateful, thankful and honored that God would use ME to help others.

• Your Journey's Journal - an Inspirational Guide to Fasting
• Simply Shay - A Guide to Planning Peaceful Weddings and Events
• Simply Shay - Creating and Maintaining Your Own Personal Peace
• "I'm Studying....Are You?"  and "Do someone a favor and mind your own business" (tshirts)

The third step is to LIVE life and CHERISH each day as a gift from above.  Yes, I LOVE the Lord.. I LOVE my church.. I LOVE my family..I LOVE my friends of faith, I am also a HOUSEHEAD to the core.  I make no apologizes for who I am and the things that make me ME!  I live to learn, I enjoy seeing people smile, I know being broken is what continues to make me GROW and be strong.

Not acknowledging the so called "haters":  Let PEACE abide "If what you sow you reap in one area.. then why not in this one too... " ~ SimplyShay

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Wedding Motivational Monday: Fighting the Good Fight!

Adrienne & "Mooney" Rufus Trent

Relationships can be very trying at times.  Often to the point of wanting to throw in the towel and say forget this crap!  Well, today being Memorial Day I thought I'd encourage those in relationships or looking for one to fight as our soldiers did.. til the end!!!  After you've done all you can.. prayed AND cried square your shoulders and let's get it because truly anything worth having IS worth fighting for!  Only difference is I'm going to suggest five non-violent ways to fight the good fight.

Communication:  I posted about this topic before and knowing how to communicate effectively is vital to the survival of any relationship.  Ladies, I know they don't want to hear "we need to talk" but sometimes we just do.  Be mindful that the conversation isn't all about what he doesn't do or only about what you need.  Be willing to listen as well as speak.  Fellas, sex doesn't answer all of our questions nor does it make us forget we have them....

No Outsiders: If I could high five myself I would.  Me and you against the world; ride or die; aint no stopping US now; it take two to make a thing go right...yep, all of that!  Many people have a lot of advice for your relationship but be careful when that friend says "girl forget him" or even worse "don't let him/her dictate what you do"  I had the opportunity to listen to a few men give "advice" to a man recently about his situation.  I was appalled at how they treated this brother who was only trying to respect his woman and honor his word.  Seek WISE counsel and use wisdom in doing that :)

Janice & Rochie Surles

Latoya & Dwayne Perry

Counseling: This is where the WISE counsel comes in.  If the relationship needs intervention don't be too proud to talk to someone that can be unbiased and believes in strong, positive relationships!!!

Building: When I say building I mean just that BUILDING! You've seen homes that go up quickly and come down just as quick.  The builder more than likely used cheap materials and didn't put a lot of care into the project.  Put good things into your homes for "A wise woman builds her home but a foolish one tears it down". We must watch our mouths and learn to study to be quiet.  This doesn't mean be a doormat but it does mean learn when to speak and what to speak.



Cara & Scott Nava
Photography by J. Brandy Photography

Respect: Take the top four,  add this and whewwww you'll get as much sex (keep it spicy folks is a bonus tip) as you can stand!!! LOL  yes, there are a few other things but I believe if you can do these five you have a fighting chance!

Disclaimer:  The opinion expressed here is that of my own.. that's it, that's all!

"Love Without End"
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Favorite Friday Finds: Babies, Babies, Babies!!!

At Simply Perfect Peace we LOVE weddings!  Probably one of our favorite things to plan, but know that we do much more than weddings. From engagement parties to rehearsal dinners; anniversaries, sweet 16's, retreats and large corporate events…SPPE loves it all.   However, with so many of our past clients having babies, we are looking forward to the four baby showers we have booked thus far this year! 

NOTE: If this is baby #2, same gender - consider having a baby SPRINKLE!  Not sure what that is? We can help.  CONGRATULATIONS to all the expecting moms :)

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.