What Begins with 'B'?

Beautiful, Bountiful, Braids, Bento and Bikes.

                   Spring has sprung. Again. It's Beautiful. I accidently stumbled upon this poem by Traherne, who I had never heard of before, but now that I've read it, "Wonder," I really want to read more of him. Flying down the hill on my shiny blue bike to come home and read "How like an angel down I come!" Can there be anything more breathtaking than words matching soul?

I within did flow

With seas of life like wine;

I nothing in the World did know

But 'twas Divine.

                                   – Wonder, Thomas Traherne

                       As if spring as awoken something crafty within my soul, I woke up on  Thursday morning and decided to make this: 

                That's right, it's my first Bento. The bottom compartment holds the traditional rice, and the upper tier plays host a ham stir fry, leftover from last night (actually, I think I made enough of it to last me a whole week of bentos, if I could stomach the monotony). I'm loving the cute, plastic, muffin molds, especially that bright blue against the yellow pineapple. The meal was a complete success, only 1) I can't eat rice with such short chopsticks! Next time I'll pack a longer pair, and 2) by the time I opened my bento the shortbread had become a little soggy. Everyone say  "eww!" No, it wasn't that bad, but I guess I'll have to remember to wrap breads and cookies separately to keep them from getting damp. 

                I've finally shot pictures of the overskirt, which I need to start working on. My mom has sent out the rest of my dress and I can't wait to finish all the fiddly little details. Bountiful is the Lord, they say, and that my soul knowth right well.

I'm still flabbergasted at the amount of work my mom has put into this dress, it's going to be mind-boggling. Completely white – or, to go with the 'B' theme, blanc – the overskirt is gauzy goodness, with little, silk ribbon roses sewn on to it (well, it will be like that. I'm still sewing them on), and larger roses pinning it up to make elegant drapes.  These drapes will be imitated on the bodice, and their will be a rose on each sleeve. Of course, their are matching shoes, white ones, to which roses will be attached. It's all going to be gorgeous when it comes together, which needs to happen before the ball on the  28th. 

                   In honor of the ball I had my hair braided. That was my official excuse, really I was just bored with the regular french braids I do. It's really hard to take pictures or your head, do you think this one came out okay? ( I colored it a little, forgive me)

         Oh, least I forget, the photos which this post is just full of are all courtesy of this cute little card reader. I ordered three, because some people complained about duds. Only the highest praise so far. No more camera trouble, yay!