The wedding band, a perfect circle with no beginning or end is traditionally worn on the third finger of the left hand. It is said that the arteries ending in that finger lead directly to the heart.

With the slipping on of a wedding band, a couple displays to the world a physical symbol of their commitment to each other.

I’ve noticed after many a ceremony, the groom twisting his band around his finger or bending and flexing the hand where his ring now presides. In fact, I noticed my husband doing this very thing on our wedding day. While these actions may be perceived as signs of nervousness or even regret by the more cynical reader, the opposite seems true to me. I think there is a point in each groom’s mind when he realizes a wedding is not about picking out invitations or hiring the right band and I believe that moment comes when he looks down at his left hand and sees the gleaming new ring on his finger.

In that simple piece of jewelry, every promise he’s made to his bride in the past, and every wish he has for their future is made manifest. And it’s likely he’s just become aware of those arteries leading to his heart.

“Do you love me because I’m beautiful, or am I beautiful because you love me”?
~ Oscar Hammerstein

There are so many things I love about summer: the longer days, the constant chirping of birds in our garden, flowers blooming riotously all around and of course, lots of delicious produce.

With such a sumptuous overabundance of berries available at farmer’s markets right now, it’s hard not to indulge. Whenever I want to guild the lily, I serve them with good quality lemon curd. This dish always makes my friends and family happy and I love it because to me, it’s a little bit of summer on a plate.

This beautiful feather (I think it’s a hawk’s) was found in a neighbor’s garden. Knowing my penchant for collecting this sort of thing, it was gifted to me and now holds pride of place in my art closet.

It’s time for me to introduce you to another one of my Happy Places, but first I have a question for you…what do you get when you take a 1965 Westward Ho Hotel, turn it on its ear, keep the funky, kitschy vibe alive but also create a space that is tranquil and bohemian? The answer can only be the Ace Hotel Palm Springs.

Larry and I had been dying to stay here for the longest time and when we received an invitation from Catering Sales Manager, Hilary Gluch, to attend their open house, we didn’t think twice about packing up mid-week and heading off to the desert.

Pulling up to the hotel immediately brought me back to my childhood. I saw many swooping rooflines and macramé festooned windows on our family road trips but that is where the similarities end. Inside, the rooms have a homey camp vibe and are outfitted with amenities you’d never expect such as a walking stick and caftans. Larry just about did a back flip when he discovered his very own turntable and selection of LPs by the bed.

One of my favorite things about the Ace is the varied and interesting artwork featured pretty much everywhere. I couldn’t bear to part with any of the printed material such as the map to our room or the parking tag for our windshield.

We had planned on doing some sightseeing in the city during our visit but found ourselves enjoying adult Sno Cones poolside by day and cozying up to our private fire pit every night. Other than taking a bike ride on the Cruisers provided for hotel guests, we never left the grounds.

For those of you planning your wedding or family reunion, you must check out the Ace. I promise you won’t find a more unique space and I can vouch for how attentive and helpful the staff is.

The Ace Hotel Palm Springs is a very Happy Place indeed.

www.acehotel.com/palmsprings

Of all the wonderful moments that happen on a wedding day, none is more magical than when wind meets veil.

Whenever I’m trudging along on vacation dragging my 4×5” camera and tripod, there will invariably be a point where I’ll ask myself, “why can’t you leave the cameras at home and just enjoy yourself like a normal person”? I have to admit there have been many occasions when carrying this rather cumbersome load has been not only an exercise of my forearms but also of futility. But on this day, the long hike from the parking lot down to Ruby Beach proved to be fruitful.

It had been raining since we arrived in Washington but we decided to not let bad weather stop us from exploring the coast. Just as we reached the shore, the rain stopped and the clouds started to dance for us. There is no time more magical than the moment between the end of a storm and the coming of the sun. Every time I look at the series of photographs I made that afternoon, I am immediately transported back.

On those occasions when I consider leaving my cameras at home, I’ll think back on days like this, pack up all the gear and trudge on.