Deathly Hallows Part 2 at ISO on Summer Solstice

For this Friday night of Summer Solstice, we decided to have a summer picnic at IUPUI.

Ashley found a wonderful, historic spot in Ball Garden.

The original concept for this Sunken Garden was to be a therapeutic greenspace for nurses and their patients.

The statue of Eve in the calming fountain is surrounded by brick walkways and beautiful trees.

We found a protected spot under a nearby tree to set up our summer charcuterie.

Sun Tree cherries and Strawberries, Sun Chips, Sundried Tomatoes, Fresh Honeycomb, Dill Havarti Cheese, Smoked Gouda, Mixed Olives and four types of Salami made a beautiful spread.

We also had fresh baked honey cakes, Flower Garden Pinot Grigio, and Elderflower Lemonade.

Ashley had lovingly baked the honey cakes that morning with Lavendar Honey and her own mix of spices.

The wine was poured into bee glasses and placed before yellow flowers, mulberry branches and oak leaves.

Ashley brought vibrant blankets to serve as a cozy seat for our meal.

This year has been particularly wet, and even on the first day of summer, we had rain.

Our tree mostly protected us from the droplets as we supped and talked.

The grounds of Ball Garden were beautiful and quiet at this time of evening.

In honor of Litha, we lit candles to the four directions and burned away things that had not served us this spring.

We released these things and opened ourselves to the energy, light and healing of the longest day of the year.

After our picnic, we rushed over to the symphony to be a part of history:

The world premier of the Deathly Hallows Part 2 being played live by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

We were so honored to stand before the performance to indicate we had attended ALL the films.

As the movie opened, the dark scene set a pall over the next couple of hours.

It is the darkest of the films, but with glimmers of hope.

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest times if one only remembers to turn on the light."

The Battle of Hogwarts is both heartbreaking and encouraging as we are reminded to stand up for what is right, 

cherish those you have with you today, and remember it is never too late do to the right thing.

We almost didn't want the movie to end.

We have grown so accustomed these last 3 years to have another concert date on the calendar - no matter how far away it may seem.

We really hope they start again with the first film.

The music was inspiring as always and we had the best seats in the house to watch it all unfold.

The longest day of the year seemed to end too soon as we left Hilbert Circle Theatre and headed for home.

But we know that even if this series is truly over, "Hogwarts will always be there to welcome us home."

Magical twin night!

Office Launch Party!!

Tonight was THE night!  Third time is the charm!

We accomplished the dream - we finished Ashley's new office!!

After some UberEats Qdoba, we got to work assembling (and in some cases re-assembling) Ashley's new office!

A fancy chalkboard door with a cute cat stopper is the first thing you see!

Since we had two previous attempts to complete it, everything came together perfectly this time!

We used all the accumulated decor to make an inviting, calm space - full of celestial wonder!

On round one, we had established the layout by taking apart a mega desk and re-arranging furniture.

The desk now faces the back wall for privacy and a bookshelf is in the perfect nook to showcase gilded astronomical wonders.

The top of the bookcase is draped in a navy and gold runner, and accented with fairy lights, an eagle and some green and gold geometry.

Behind the door, a tufted storage ottoman provides extra seating as well as a spot to stow larger items.

Lambda Nu honor cords are hung on a feathered geometric rod.  The same feathers also make an easy mug display.

The functional "Wingardium Leviosa" area subtly reminds one of Charms class.

The hanging bookcase was glittered with Edison bulb lights and the beloved countenance of Wilhelm Roentgen.

The first view as the door opens shows a star studded wall.

The auxiliary lighting gives a beautiful glow to the room when the flourescents are off.

A kettle and k-cup station fill in the counter space with sleek functionality.

Roentgen casts a shadow of greatness onto the wall.

The glowing owl tucked itself onto a nice perch behind the computer.

A better view of the footed storage ottoman, mug collection and honor cord wall.

The Ravenclaw colored banner spills neatly down the side of the industrial bookcase.

A bubbled glass Edison bulb table lamp brings height and provenance to the desk area.

In the dim lighting, the Mirror of Erised reflects the beams of light and golden orbs.

The Time Turner desk clock, raven tape dispenser and golden glass pencil case add shimmer to the desk.

Finally, a feather business card holder adds another light, airy feel - reminiscent of the Wizarding World.

The space is now full without being over the top.

The finished office is absolutely perfect!

All the decor came together to create a space of gilded airiness, celestial beauty and soft luxury.

It absolutely looks like an interior designer was hired to make a Ravenclaw common room!

Ashley did an incredible job finding all the right touches to make a cohesive design.

Phase one laid the foundations with room layout.

Phase two helped solidify the design and determine what was still needed.

Phase three was where the magic happened!

Accio Office!

Hoosier Village Brick Dedication Ceremony

Today we were honored to attend the Hoosier Village Dedication Ceremony for New Bricks in the Veterans Garden.

We arrived to the chapel early to set up the artwork from the ARN Memorial Day Art Contest.

Chaplain Ron May had agreed to have it displayed as an extra attraction.

We sat up front and reviewed the program to see the order of service.

Gran decided to change into her patriotic colors for the event.

There were 15 bricks for this ceremony.

As grandpa Earl's name was read, a photo of his stone was on the screen.

The head of the BHI Foundation and two veteran volunteers handed out the awards as Ron read the names.

Gran received a medal and a flag as part of the ceremony.

Air Force veteran McDonald shook her had after placing the medal around her neck.

She received another handshake and flag before the crowd gave a round of applause.

Her eyes were full of tears as she remembered the great love of her life.

The man she always looked at with pure love and admiration is no longer by her side, but always in her heart.

Grandpa finished his military service before he met gran, serving in the US Army Air Corps.

She had a hard time remembering the years he served or the branch of service, but it all happened before she knew him.

The medals given at the ceremony were different dependent upon if they were awarded to the veteran or spouse and according to the branch of service.

Gran's "Proud Wife of an Air Force Veteran" was worn to dinner with her friends.

After the touching program, Emily introduced the Memorial Day Art Gallery and invited attendees to view the art.

A patriotic flower display complete with US flags brightened up the table containing the medals.

Outside, the May sky was bright blue and the flags waved in the refreshing breeze.

We stopped at the veterans garden to find grandpa's newly dedicated stone.

It was nestled reverently amongst other American heroes.

We were so proud to sit outside on a day grandpa would have loved and recount memories of him.

We sang the song we always used to sing to him and embraced the sounds of the billowing flags, the smell of the grass and the warmth of the spring sun.

Then we took our separate routes and were on with our Thursday.

It was such a beautiful day to think of grandpa.  To remember his personality, his quirks and his love.

He may not have been with us for a long time, but he will be remembered always.

Great time with gran, gramps and twins.