sunrise spring, a blue moon and Easter

THIS YEAR in the northern hemisphere the first day of Spring or Vernal Equinox fell on Tuesday March, 2oth. The equinox marks the day when day and night are the same lengths all over the world, with the word equinox literally meaning ‘equal night’ in Latin.

I WAS FORTUNATE to witness an open-access event this year at sunrise on the vernal equinox to celebrate and welcome the new spring. Everyone is allowed into the center of the monument (or Druid temple) to witness the sunrise. A pre-dawn ceremony is usually led by some of the most well-known of the modern Druids. It was a sublime and happy experience I'll never forget. It seems that world peace is what the Druids wish for the most. That, and the protection of Stonehenge as sacred place of honor to the ancient Druids that were buried there.

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON | It's not often you see a blue bunny. Metaphorically, that would describe the magical experience I had at Stonehenge and then realizing just last night was a full moon—a blue moon.

A FULL BLUE MOON rose into the evening sky last night (March 31). This will be the second and final blue moon of 2018. Despite the name, the "Blue Moon" it isn't actually blue. In fact, it looked the same as any other full moon. According to the current definition, the term refers to the second full moon in a given calendar month. The traditional definition of a blue moon was reserved for the third full moon in a season that has four full moons, which happens in years that have 13 full moons instead of the usual 12.

SPRINGTIME BUNNY | This facsimile of an old metal chocolate bunny mold fits in nicely among all the symbols of fertility and rebirth during the Easter holiday. The small foil-wrapped chocolate eggs are from a Sainsbury's grocery in London.

THIS COSMIC SERIES OF EVENTS culminates with Easter which took place this weekend from Good Friday on March 30 until Easter Monday on April 2, making Easter Sunday fall today on April 1, which is also April Fool's day (which some say dates back to 1564—when France officially changed its calendar to the modern Gregorian version—moving the celebration of the New Year from the last week of March to January 1). These are interesting times indeed.

THE DEATH OF JESUS occurred around the Jewish passover, which is traditionally held on first full moon following the vernal equinox. As the full moon can vary in each time zone, the church said that they would use the 14th day of the lunar month instead – the Paschal full moon—and celebrate Easter day on the following Sunday. Once the date of the full moon is known, Easter day and the Easter holidays are determined.

TREATS OF THE SEASON

Because of this multi-level resonance in the Old World, Easter in the UK and other European nations celebrate in a big way. All the stores—even convenience stores and supermarkets—have amazing Easter treats. I brought quite a few home to photograph and share here.

WILD ABOUT HARRODS | Fancy stuff here at Harrods in London, including these beautifully meticulously-decorated spicy biscuits (amazingly delicious also) from Careless Biscuit Company and tiny chocolate eggs in pastel hues.

EGGCENTRIC SELFRIDGES | Selfridges of London had the most unique collection of Easter treats such as the chocolate speckled eggs above.

WHAT'S THE TEA? | London's Fortnum & Mason, in addition to the finest selections of tea they are known for, had the most elegant Easter finery.

CHICKEN AND THE EGGS | From Windsor Castle came these creamy delicious pastel eggs. A delicious Northern-Italian restaurant named Carluccio's in London is where I bought this white chocolate chicken. 

LAST, BUT NOT LEAST | This fabulous whole chocolate egg, when broken for the holiday contains creamy chocolate-caramel robin eggs and bits of chocolate to make it interesting. From the supermarket called Waitrose in London.

©2018 DARRYL MOLAND | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

collecting, photography 

and styling by Darryl Moland

pure of heart

HEART TO HEART | These bright and lively "decoupaged" metal heart ornaments were found at World Market, as well as the glittery heart card with the apt sentiment: "It was, it is, it always will be..." on the front. Inside, it simply states "you" "Happy Valentine's Day".

MY SWEETHEART told me recently that the reason he loved me is that I had a pure heart. I certainly didn't expect to hear that, but when you love someone for exactly who they are and are completely comfortable to just be yourself with them, I guess that's what comes through.

SOMETHING IN THE AIR | A close-up of the bird-embellished heart ornament, paired with bright red primitive wooden heart ornaments and golden heart lockets would make even a simple branch come alive with Valentine wishes.

IT WAS, IT IS, IT always will be like that when you find someone with whom you are completely compatible. Life becomes an adventure together. Juan has been that, and so much more. I miss him during the day when we're at work and I look forward to seeing him every evening, night and weekend . . . to do nothing more than just be . . . together. Happy Valentine's to me . . . to us, as he always corrects me to say.

LIFE IS | A box of chocolates from London's Charbonnel et Walker, heart ornaments and a love note for your sweetheart.

NO VALENTINE'S DAY would be complete without chocolate. I always will remember when the fancy boxes of chocolate appeared at the drugstore down the street from where I grew up. It signaled a special time. Back then, the boxes were decorated with ruffles and ribbons—much more elaborate than most are today. This special Valentine box of Charbonnel et Walker chocolates is utterly simple, but the cardboard dividers within are an unexpected package detail that gives them an old-world provenance. That, and the fact that the company was established as Britain's Master Chocolatiers (by Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen) since 1875. King Edward VII (then Prince of Wales) encouraged Mme. Charbonnel to leave the chocolate house of Maison Boissier in Paris to join Mrs. Walker to establish a chocolatier and confectionery house on London's Bond Street. And the rest is history.

RICH TAPESTRY | This heart ornament is decorated with a colorful tapestry of flowers and would brighten the heart of any Valentine.

MAKING HISTORY (and memories while eating fancy chocolates) with someone you love clearly is the best Valentine anyone can hope for. It was, it is, and it always will be the reason we fall in love . . . for the companionship and joy in this life we live . . . together.

©2015 DARRYL MOLAND | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

collecting, photography and styling by Darryl Moland.

ring in the new year

THE PHRASE "ring in the New Year" has a new resonance for 2015. Literally, Juan and I have new rings. He surprised me with one for Christmas and I, of course returned the favor as an engagement promise. Since we live in Georgia, the legal significance of these rings is yet to be determined, but in our hearts they mean what they always mean when any couple wears them. Mr. and Mr. will soon (hopefully) become a real possibility, now that 35 states, plus the District of Columbia have marriage equality laws in the books for same-sex couples.

MR. & MR. | This bottle bag from Crate & Barrel contains the bubbly for a sparking new year.

THE NEW YEAR is always about change. It's about leaving the past behind and embracing the future. Just the fact that products are appearing in the market that tout same sex togetherness such as this linen mr. and mr. bottle bag from a forward-thinking business (Crate and Barrel). These products make a toast to a reality that we are embracing ahead of the fact. We are using it here to hold our New Year champagne.

RINGING TOGETHER | This ring dish from Crate & Barrel will give our rings a resting place that we can always find as we are both constantly misplacing things (especially cell phones and remote controls).

THIS MEANS A LOT to both of our futures. And we have begun building this future together in earnest. It's exciting to know that our partnership might one day soon be recognized by the world we live in . . . just like everyone else. Our rings are the only tangible commitment we have to that right now, aside from what we hold in our hearts. As soon as we got our rings, we talked about a centralized place to keep them when we weren't wearing them. Crate and Barrel also helped us out with that dilemma with this Mr. & Mr. ring dish.

DEER IN THE FOREST | Made in Germany by Ino Schaller Bayern, a family tradition since 1894, is famous for their paper mache candy containers. The company also makes glittery bottle brush trees and the doe figurine seen here (as well as the stags).

IT HAS BEEN and eventful 2014 for both Juan and I. And we are looking forward to a long future together. We don't really need a marriage contract for that, but it will greatly help us in the eyes of the law. All of the benefits that most people take for granted with a legal marriage will be rightfully ours . . . finally. As an animal totem the deer symbolizes Juan and I exploring our own magical and spiritual nature together. The deer is a definitive symbol of grace and an appreciation for the beauty of balance.

BRUSH, BUBBLY, AND POP | Champagne served in these Edge Champagne Glasses from Crate & Barrel have a decidedly modern sensibility. Confetti Mini Crackers from West Elm pop apart to reveal surprise gifts.

OUR TOAST FOR 2015 is to continue along our trail to a future we can only dream of together. The crackers included in these photos are traditionally a Christmas favorite in the United Kingdom. Since we're planning on spending Christmas in London in 2015, that future is looking bright already! Happy New Year!

©2014 DARRYL MOLAND | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

collecting, photography and styling by Darryl Moland.