Tonight I put the finishing touches on the 2011 ofrenda in my living room. Sophia changed into her witch costume and she donned the death mask loaned to her by Jessica, one of our Spanish teachers. She also loaned us the paper papeles for the front of the ofrenda. This is a close-up of Sophia waiting.
Preparing for Dia de los Muertos has been especially meaningful to me this year as several of us are preparing together with Rebecca and Stephanie and Dia de Bloglandia. It all started with their invitation to join them on September 5.
Instead of being macabre, it has been joyous as I have gathered my beloved family and friends who have gone before me. So many beautiful memories. I've even been dreaming comforting dreams of times when I was with them and I feel like I'm getting my yearly chance to be with them again. Last night I dreamt I was at Olvera Street where festivities were just beginning to happen, but even the renowned birthplace of the City of the Angels didn't have the supplies I was hunting for. So, in the dream, I decided my homemade skeletons, calaveras, Catrins and Catrinas would have to suffice.
And in reality, it's pretty much been that way.
