We Are Family

Well. That was fun.

This past weekend, my family came together in Portland, OR for a joint birthday celebration: my sister's 60th and my dad's 85th. From my dad to my great nieces, four generations were represented at this gathering.

Though none of us live very far apart, everyone is always so busy that we only get together about twice a year. Because we spend time together so infrequently, having all of us in the same place lent extra importance to these two already significant birthdays.

On Saturday night, my nieces and nephews threw a surprise party for my sister, inviting a handful of her old high school friends for casual cocktails and cake. Of course, my sister was surprised and delighted to see her friends. But the party really got going once the guests left, our kids pulled out their iPods, and started to DJ. What transpired was the best multi-generational dance party in recent memory. The kids catered to all ages, playing everything from The Beach Boys to Beyonce, with a liberal sprinkling of Michael Jackson in between. At one especially sweet moment, my sister danced with our dad to the song "My Way" by his favorite singer, Frank Sinatra. Immediately after the dance came a rousing round of "New York, New York," a homage to my dad's boyhood home, and a sprinkling of Johnny Cash and John Denver hits.

When James Brown said, "Get up offa that thing and shake 'til you feel better" he was right-- we danced and danced together for hours with complete abandon and plenty of laughter. It felt so good. To be sure, not every day, or even every birthday, feels as joyful as this one. Dancing provided the most wonderful release and made us all feel unquestionably closer to one another in the way only pure celebration and genuine expression of love can. I felt very reaffirmed in the strength in my family. I felt comforted to have their support and unconditional love for myself and for my children.

Especially for families who see each other only on rare occasions, it's too easy to forget how unique that familial bond feels. I strongly believe experiencing this kind of love is well worth the planning and patience it takes to coordinate everyone's schedules. Your family are the ones who will be there for you at the end of the day. Though you may not see eye to eye with some family members, they hold the unique position of knowing you your entire life. Don't overlook this fact. It is worth something. Keep your family close and cherish them.





www.rosannainc.com

More Adventure School

To go along with yesterday's interview with The Adventure School, Alessandra wrote one more post in conjunction with the 4th of July about our yearly celebrations in Italy. She put up some hysterical pictures of celebrations we've had over the years.

Honoring Independence Day has always been very important to me, even when we weren't in America on the appointed day of celebration. Read Alessandra's post to see what I mean!




www.rosannainc.com

Rosanna on the Adventure School!

This summer my oldest daughter Alessandra is writing and managing the blog of Seattle-based event planners Cori Ready and Aviva Palmer at The Adventure School and has featured me for their weekly Adventure Profiler interview!




www.rosannainc.com

Some Tablesetting Inspiration

As the famous line goes, "There's no place like home."

...and our 3rd Annual Rosanna table setting contest provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate this classic truism.

In the past year, I've noticed a renewed emphasis on creativity in home decor and the revival of treasured customs and home-based rituals. As many of you already know, this trend is one that I intuitively identify with. One day, a name to characterize this phenomenon popped into my head, without any thought at all: neo-traditionalism.

And as it just so happens, this movement to invest extra energy and care in our home environments coincides perfectly with our annual table setting contest! I say, take this opportunity as a jumping off point. Eat and entertain at home. Celebrate togetherness with beautiful design elements and delicious, home-cooked meals.

Even the UK Telegraph has caught on, devoting a lengthy article to the topic of home entertaining, complete with an entire "Recession" dinner party menu. Return of The Dinner Party

It is true what they say, that the hearth is the heart. But I also see my home as my own personal canvas for creative expression and experimentation. I hope our contest will encourage you to see this kind of opportunity in your home and help you discover the joy that comes from making your space beautiful and filling it with the warmth of others.

*painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir Luncheon of the Boating Party




www.rosannainc.com

Tablesetting Contest!

Join us for a chance to win a $500 Rosanna gift certificate!

I'm pleased to announce our third annual table setting contest, which will start next week, on July 1st and end on August 31st.

I look forward to this contest every year. It gives us a chance to see how people are incorporating Rosanna product into their lives, in interesting and exciting new ways. For a little inspiration, take a look at the photographs from our last two contests:


2008

2007

Here are the rules and a few guidelines:

Rules
1. Anyone with a passion for Rosanna-ware is welcome to compete, regardless of age.
2. Contest begins on July 1st, 2009 and ends August 31st, 2009 at 11:59pm PST.
3. Digital submissions must come as jpegs, around 4x5 inches, no less than 72 dpi and no more than 180 dpi.
4. When entering your photo, make sure to include your name, your city, and an email or phone number where we can reach you . We respect your privacy and will not give out any of your information.
5. Photos in hard copy will not be returned.
6. Rosanna Imports, Inc. reserves the right to use and/or publish photos of your table setting submission, however we see fit. By sending in your photo, you agree to these terms.

Guidelines
-Set your table for at least two
-Include a statement with a little bit about yourself and your inspiration for your design
-No actual food or Rosanna products required.

Please sent all entries to Info@rosannainc.com or via snail mail to 440 S. Holgate St., Seattle, WA 98134 USA Attn: Table Setting Contest.

I'm very excited to see this years' group of submissions. Good luck!



www.rosannainc.com

Rosanna Book Update!

You may have read in an earlier post that I'm in the process of writing a lifestyle book. The most recent exciting development? We just finished the long and detailed process of photographing everything. Now, all of the heavy legwork is done and the book will be in print as early as January 2010. I'm very excited. With this book, I attempt to outline a seasonal guide to living well with a focus on tradition, ritual and creating a soulful home. I also spend a lot of time talking about how to cultivate fulfilling relationships with our neighbors, friends and family. The book will feature absolutely stunning photography by the talented John Granen , as well as stories that demonstrate the way I incorporate tradition and rituals into my life, tips on living well and a collection of my favorite recipes, also beautifully photographed by John.

Keep reading the blog for more updates as we approach the book release by Stewart, Tabori & Chang, a division of Harry Abrams!




www.rosannainc.com

Simplicty: An Avenue to Happiness

Last weekend, I took my girls to see Up, the gorgeous new Pixar film that just came out. We laughed and laughed and adored the movie. Halfway through the film, the adorable, chubby boy scout named Russell talks about going out to ice cream with his dad after a scout meeting. He describes the flavors they'd get, and the special curb they'd sit on as they ate it. Then Russell says, "It may seem boring to you, but I really liked that curb."

I loved that the movie took the time to focus on the beauty inherent in sitting on the edge of the sidewalk eating ice cream. I think Russell even says something like, "It's the everyday things that mean the most in the end" and I believe that is so true.

There is so much value in small things like staying at home and making an evening of it by preparing a meal together, playing a simple game of cards or taking a walk in the neighborhood and capping the night by snuggling up on the couch and watching a great movie. When we take the time to enjoy these kinds of moments, we learn that we can in fact find joy in the textures of our everyday lives. Evenings like these cost little and mean much. Enjoy what you have in your own backyard. Enjoy the wonderful array of gifts right in front of your eyes. You'll be amazed at how far it goes in making you feel closer and more connected to your partner and/or your children.

I can't emphasize this phenomenon enough: When we truly take a moment to look around us and become conscious of all the wonderful things we have right at our fingertips, that elusive feeling of contentment magically alights on our shoulders.

This related quote about the topic really resonates with me:
"Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in."



www.rosannainc.com