Snippets of the past few weeks

I've been busy trying to write a paper, so my poor blog has been ignored, but here are a few snippets over the past few weeks of things we've done, some from my instagram.

We've had a few rainy days here and it's been lovely!

Not the best picture of Rocky (our algea eater), but he was loving the orange I put in there. 

 

A new joint called Creamistry just opened up near us which serves ice cream with a new twist, liquid nitrogen. It made the ice cream have a wonderful consistency. Super creamy and soft. Definitely a must try. 

 

 A wedding we went to over the weekend.

 Flowers from the hubby and a new candle I bought with an amazing scent that smells like candy, 'sparkling vanilla plum'. Yum!

Wedding

The hubby and I went to a wedding on Saturday evening in Huntington Beach.  It was a really beautiful evening and a chance to get all dressed up and have some fun.  Everything was so elegant and organized (I love organized weddings!) and the bride looked so happy!

The hotel was situated right near the beach and if it hadn't been so misty, you would have been able to see the ocean.

Puzzle pice "guest book".  Very cute idea.  

Tea station :)

Oh yes, I got me some Persian Tea, a very rare thing at most weddings...GOOD TEA!

Many happy thoughts for the new couple.  Wishing them a long life of happiness and joy with all things beautiful :)

Aghd (Marriage) Ceremony

The wedding spread (sofreh aghd) is another very important part of the Iranian culture, similar to the Haft-sin.  On Saturday, my brother's best friend got married, and they had a BEAUTIFUL spread.  For more information on what each item represents, here is a really great website. Please do note, that this website refers to this tradition as stemming from the Zoroastrian faith, but in reality it is much more ancient than that and a very important part of the Iranian traditions, regardless of whether you are Muslim, Christian, or Jew.

Their theme was purple and silver which of course made me love the sofreh even more (my wedding theme was also purple).  I thought this was one of the most beautiful sofrehs I had ever seen.  I'm not all for the fancy, overdone extravaganzas that so many of my friends have had, so the elegance and creativity of the sofreh really impressed me.  I wish I had had the knowledge and creativity of how to do things when I was making mine.  I had no idea what to do, how to do it, how to decorate it or where to get things.  I didn't have much help and no one really came forward to give me ideas, so I was working pretty much clueless.

 Since the wedding was on the 12th day of the Iranian New Year, there was a mini 

haft-sin on the spread as well.

Crystal rock candy

 Walnuts

 Party Favors

The Kaleh Ghand

Roses made of bread and radishes

Flashback to 4 years ago:

My simple sofreh

   

I do have to say though, I still love mine!