me and my storey

How we make Sauce

2010-08-30T20:31:00.000-07:00

We lucked out today and a friend gave us bunches of apples off her tree. What better way to spend the afternoon than showing the kids how to make tasty applesauce? First we set up our assembly line. Everyone had a job:

Peel the apples

Cut the apples

Put them in the pot

Then add a little sugar

Cook them down and mash them up

Eat while still warm in cute little cups. Delicious!

Sidewalk Shelf

2010-08-25T14:57:00.001-07:00

These are the shelves I found on the sidewalk with a sign that said free. There are moments in life where you just get lucky and this was one of those for me. Made of pine and carved with flowers, they were perfect for either side of my piano. Sanded them down, painted the carvings and applied a few coats of Briwax to them TaDa, new shelves for me :)

Rock and cork mushrooms the kids did to keep busy while I painted my new furniture.

treasureized trash

2010-08-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

I meant to take "before" pics but neglected to do so. Found these chairs on the side of the road. They were in horrible shape. Two cans of hot pink spray paint, some MDF and oilcloth later, here is the finished result. Lovin the hot pink and blue color combo. While we were being crafty we also whipped up this little wind chime. We used my old steamer basket and old silverware. The neighbor drilled the holes and the kids did the ribbon. The tinkling sound the silverware makes is so peaceful and fairy-like. It's something fun and different.

Balance

2010-08-22T21:35:00.000-07:00

Goal for the week. Strike a balance between doing the stuff I love in order to find contentment. I struggle with the joy I find in being domestic. I love hanging out the laundry, baking anything, creating new things, keeping a clean house etc... I also find extreme joy in being able to throw my sneakers on and run out my door. Seeing the mileage add up and knowing what I can accomplish. I have a goal to not let one of these things outweigh the other one. I find joy in both and miss one when I spend too much time doing the other. Which leads to a weird anxiety. This week will be an attempt at keeping the see saw balanced.

Grandmama

2010-08-22T21:21:00.000-07:00

There are women in our lives who inspire us. This is one of mine. Grandma. Spending the past few days with her reminded me what an amazing woman she is. Always she had time for me and all my friends growing up. Buying us our favorite cereal and making us delicious cinnamon toast, hot chocolate with ice cream and serving it on cookie trays in front of the tv. Saving spoonfuls of cookie dough for us if we're not around to pick at the bowl. Never very loud but always soft spoken. Giving gifts of books to encourage our love for reading. Reminding us not to forget to appreciate the spiritual things in life. Nibbling on our necks and squeaky smooches. "Grandma Loves Me Very Much" we would always tell her. Newspaper clippings and gentle smiles. Yearly calendars with everyones birthdays from the whole entire family. If nothing else I hope I can write more letters, read more books and be mindful of others like she is.

Grandpapa

2010-08-22T21:06:00.001-07:00

This is one of my most favorite men in the world. He is slowly fading away with Alzheimer's. It's hard to watch. I have memories of him. He is always reading. He was always so strong and would scare us to death with his deep voice when chasing us. I remember holding onto him in the pool and how he smells of old spice. I know he could build anything. His stories of the Grand Canyon, Bandelier and being in the Navy. How he came to my 16th birthday party with his ear pierced. Cheering me on at basketball games louder than anyone else in the building. Working on our stamp collections while it poured rain outside and eating chocolate pudding. He's got such a warm sensitive side. Saying goodbye to him stabs a knife in my heart and twists it. He gets teary eyed and puts his hand up to his mouth as if to suppress the tears. He is such a dear man. I hope we can hang onto him for just a little longer.

Fort Fun...for a minute

2010-04-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

We are ending week 2 of Spring Break. It has been lots of fun! We entertained ourselves today by pulling out all the blankets and beach towels to make a magnificent fort. Right after this pic the boys destroyed it causing the girl to cast her wrath upon them and everyone ending up in tears...It's time to go back to school .

A Good Egg is a Good Thing

2010-04-02T16:43:00.001-07:00

I needed a fun idea for something for the little guy for Easter. I didn't want to go out and buy more junk to be thrown away in 2 months. I turned to whipup and found this idea. I know the ittybitty pieces will all get lost pretty quick, but they're easy to replace. Hopefully he likes it. And even if he doesn't want to play with it, I will. Its fun making sesame street looking eggs.

My Wild Thing turns 3

2010-02-24T18:24:00.001-08:00

Does the youngest ever get to a point where tehy are no longer referred to as the baby anymore. This guy, my baby, just turned 3. I can't believe it. His favorite story is Where the Wild Things Are, so we had a Wild Things birthday party with 6 other 2 and 3 year olds.

The Favors

2010-02-24T18:07:00.001-08:00

We didn't do much for the party since all the kiddos were 3 or under. We blew up 24 balloons and called it good. However, I knew I could go to town with the party favors. I did get some ideas from the Matsuke blog and from the amazing Natalie with her Wild Things blog. I think these are my favorite party favor sets I have ever put together.

Each child went home with a monster shadow puppet, a cd filled with stories, candy bar with custom label, a wild things mask, and a Wild Thing and Max nesting doll. I was thrilled with how the nesting doll turned out. The monster is hollowed out and Max fits right inside. They each have 6 coats of varnish. Everything looks better when it's shiny!

The Invites

2010-02-24T18:05:00.001-08:00

Once there was a snowman

2010-02-24T17:53:00.000-08:00

Chocolate chip buttons, bacon scarf, whipped cream snow. Delicious.

4th times a charm!

2009-11-28T15:30:00.001-08:00

I finally figured out how to make this dang hat. After 4 attempts I finally got it right!

round and round

2009-11-16T19:05:00.001-08:00

This is the picture of a major accomplishment. This is a picture that is proof I can now knit on circular needles. I've always been so intimidated by them, but I now embrace them and love them. They are my new friends. I could not believe how fast this hat went. And all the St stitches without having to knit a row and then purl a row. This was really quite a blissful experience. I see many more bigger knitting projects in the future. Now to get over the fear of socks....

Rules

2009-11-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here is our new reminder of our family rules. I would give credit to where I found the inspiration for it, but I can't remember

who it was. Sorry! Anyhow, super easy to make. Canvas, cardstock, modge podge and a cricut cutter. Now we have something pretty to remind us of the things we need to be doing. It's a good thing.

Halloween snow

2009-11-03T19:39:00.000-08:00

For 3 days before Halloween we had nothing but heavy snow. When it had all stopped we ended up with 28 inches. Here it is at the peak of all the snow.

Two days later it all melted away for us to go trick or treating. That's Colorado for you.

Pan de Los Muertos

2009-11-03T19:23:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we celebrated Dia de Los Muertos. It is one of my favorite holidays that is celebrated in our world. I love the joy that is celebrated in remembering those who have passed on. We made Pan de los Muertos, chicken enchiladas,pinto beans, Mexican hot chocolate and little bones made out of pretzels and marshmallows dipped in white chocolate. We talked about memories of people we love who have died, played bingo and enjoyed taking part in another culture.

cupcake pops

2009-10-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

A while back I saw Bakerella make these on Martha and became obsessed. Then I started hearing from a few friends how easy they were to do. I decided to try it out. The best way to learn is to teach other people how to do it. Last night I volunteered to teach a small group of ladies how to whip these up. Seeing as how I had not made these before last night, I couldn't be happier with how they turned out!

Dia de Los Muertos

2009-09-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

Some of the things in life that I have always loved have been the amazing folk art of Mexico and the celebration of Dia de los Muertos. This past week my littlest sister has been in town staying with me. I have found that if she has a project to focus on our lives run a lot smoother. Rather than pulling out the same old things I thought this time we would try something we've never done before. At the library I found a book about crafts for Day of the dead. In it was instructions on how to make embossed painted tin. I have always loved that! I have vintage pieces hanging in my kitchen from my Grandmother. We copied the pattern, bought the supplies and went to town. I could not be happier with the result. I'm already thinking of more ideas I want to do with these. Maybe make a set to nail into the front door or up on the clothesline? The options are endless. I think this year we will also be making a small shrine to our deceased relatives to celebrate. And of course it will include some of these. If only I had more hours in the day!

Lunch time

2009-09-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

I can't even express how badly I want these. Look at that baby elephant sandwich! It's ok to spend 20 plus shipping in order to make the sack lunch cute, right?

Zzzzz

2009-09-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

Why can't the moments leading up to these moments be as peaceful?

Socktastic

2009-09-15T17:56:00.000-07:00

I have the most amazing and talented friends EVER! Today my dear friend Elizabeth completely blew my mind by giving me a late birthday /early Christmas present. 24 itty bitty hand knitted socks. I LOVE them! A long time ago we both took a sock class. Right after we started it my baby got really sick, so I had to stop. I never learned how to knit a sock. She on the other hand went to town on them and makes them by the dozens. I had told her when we did the class that I had a goal one day of making 24 little socks to use for an advent calendar. I am still stunned that she took the time to do this and that she remembered my goal. Thank goodness for the people we have in our lives who make our existence more beautiful and enjoyable. Thank you Elizabeth!!!!!

Seriously?!

2009-09-06T19:48:00.001-07:00

Can I just say how much I love the randomness of ebay? Last weekend I went to a garage sale and found a walmart bag full of 80's plastic glo worms for a buck. There's nothing that great about them. They're all in pretty good condition, so I thought I would list all 15 of the separately on ebay. Here are the 2 that brought me the most money. They both went to a person in France who also purchased 3 others that I had listed. He payed 46$ for the prayer one and 26$ for the butterfly one. Plus shipping all the way to France on top of that. I am thrilled that I was able to help fulfill this persons qwest to complete their glo worm collection.

Setting the Sparrow Free!

2009-08-25T18:55:00.000-07:00

I've been volunteering at the wild bird sanctuary for the past month. I really love helping there. Helping the birds is not something I would have thought of doing, but they really need help. These little creatures are amazing. One of the best parts of this job is setting the rehabilitated birds free. Today I came home with 10 little sparrows to let go.

Free at Last!

A little timid

Didn't want to go

Didn't leave the cage for a couple of hours

Exploring the yard

Pie Pops

2009-08-22T20:50:00.001-07:00

Even better than cake pops

New Obsession

2009-08-16T09:28:00.001-07:00

( yes, these are ones that I made)

Fuzzy Wuzzy

2009-06-22T20:12:00.000-07:00

With the kids being gone all week, I decided to break out the lethal felting needles and whip out this little bear. Now to decide what to do with it....

Mexican wedding

2009-06-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

We were lucky enough to be able to attend our good friends wedding back in April. I was so inspired by the colors and artwork that we saw in the markets, that I wanted to make soemthing for them. I used the Sublime Stitching Dia de los Muertos pattern and created this piece. After 4 months, it's finally complete!

My week in Review

2009-06-20T05:59:00.000-07:00

This past week we.... Hiked at Sylvan lake, stood where Nicholas Cage stood and did find the lost city of gold
Picked up sticks to use for walking

Climbed rock dams

made flower chains

Met a giant tortoise that was 125 years old

came face to face with a baby croc

watched a man stick his arm in a crocodiles mouth and come out ok

walked in the rain

Found an old ghost town, this is the chalk board in the school

cars left to become spider homes

beautiful orange mushrooms on the forest floor

layers of wallpaper in an old house

baby buffalo

played on a merry-go-round

went for a tractor ride

What did you do?

today

2009-06-19T07:00:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I'm amazed at the things I get to see. This was my view when my car overheated today in Wyoming. Pretty eh?

To Market To Market

2009-05-25T20:53:00.001-07:00

Market Bags made using the Jane market bag pattern. So addicting to make! These are a birthday treat for my sister. I'll be making many more and teaching it for a Super Saturday craft. So many possibilities with these!

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

My day was naked babies and yummy food, hope you had a good day as well!

Score!

2009-05-17T19:39:00.000-07:00

I was at a garage sale over the weekend. Really, it was a pretty lame sale. On the way out, at the last table I was looking at, I saw this roasting pot. I knew it had to be worth quite a bit of money. I could tell that it was an antique just by seeing the art deco handles and feeling the weight of the pan. Cookware just isn't made like this anymore. The lady who owned it said it had been her Grandmothers and din't think that it had ever been used. Long story short I payed 3$ for it. I had no idea until I got home and did some research on it that it's actually worth at least 130$. Can you believe it? I never score deals like that!

animal crackers

2009-05-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love walking through a town and coming across random art exhibits? A while back I was visiting one of my favorite artists and best friends in Albuquerque. We went on a walk around my dream place to live village of Corrales and came upon this amazing piece. The funny thing was even though it's such a random thing to have so big in front of a market, was that it didn't seem out of place at all. I think the sandy browns of the animals helped it blend in with the stucco and adobe. Albuquerque was truly an inspirational place to live and I do miss it dearly. Maybe some day I'll have a little house in that little village.

sandy toes

2009-05-14T20:46:00.000-07:00

What do you think of when you need to think Happy thoughts? One of mine is standing in the

sand in Mexico.

Happy flower

2009-05-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

I placed an order for some Heather Bailey trash ties not too long ago. To my delight a copy of her fleur debis pattern was enclosed. I made this one for an Easter hair pretty. I'm thinking they'd also be super cute as gift toppers.

in progress

2009-05-13T21:16:00.000-07:00

Can't decide what to do around it. Some sort of flower border I think....

yummy felt

2009-05-13T21:13:00.000-07:00

One of the new obsessions of the last 6 months has been felt food. Strawberries are fun becasue they are easy, but the milk carton is what started it all. I love that it opens and closes just like the ones we use to get at school.

Why not?

2009-05-13T21:10:00.000-07:00

What the heck, why not start posting on this thing agin, it's been awhile.

Blood and Hearts challenge

2009-01-20T19:21:00.001-08:00

I finally finished it! This is my piece for the Get the Funk Out Challenge. I really enjoy doing embroidery on felt. I love the contrast of the textures. This was inspired by how much I use to hate Valentines Day. So, here I am thinking about how much I hated Valentines Day. I guess now it's ok, since I have someone to share it with

Howdy

2009-01-16T16:07:00.000-08:00

Today was cowboy day at school. What cowboy outfit is complete without chaps and a vest? Last night, I was attempting to make things complicated with how to make them, so Hunny Pie came in and saved the day by whipping these up out of my scrap felt. Sometimes that man of mine blows my mind with his hidden talents!

Jamberry

2009-01-16T16:00:00.000-08:00

First take the blackberries that you got on a super good sale at Sunflower and rinse them off.

Then mash them up and add sugar and pectin. Last eat it on toast.

Beanstalk

2009-01-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

The studio needed a little pizzaz, so I painted this vine up on one of the doors. It's based on an Elsie Cake design. I like the brown against the green.

Random shot

2009-01-12T21:37:00.000-08:00

Every now and then, one of the kids will grab the camera and take a random picture of some of the goings on in the house. This one was from today. I'm tempted one day this month to let them each take a turn and spend the day shooting the world through their eyes. I think we'd end up with some amazing pics.

Kinder

2009-01-07T20:53:00.001-08:00

This is a quote by J.M. Barrie. I mad this to give to someone in Relief Society on Sunday. We have to put together a basket that represents something about ourselves. I love stitching and reading, so I thought this was a good combo. I think I may put in some Frida postcards, homemade raisin bread and some bookplates. I could so get carried away on this!

nativity scene

2008-12-18T20:15:00.000-08:00

31 ways

2008-12-16T19:19:00.000-08:00

I came across this article today and really loved it. It's easy to get caught up in all the "Christmas Pressures", so I enjoyed the simplicity of these ideas:

31 Ways to Make Christmas Meaningful by Julie King Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The holidays are so full of things to do: presents to buy, goodies to bake, cards to write. We get wrapped up in accomplishing so many things that a lasting feeling of joy and happiness never takes hold enough to sink in. But you can make this holiday season one to remember for all of the right reasons. Here are 31 ways to make your holidays a little more special this year.
1. Declutter and donate. Help your kids go through their clothing and toys and donate them to a local charity. Also, go through your holiday decorations and donate any you no longer use or love.
2. Forgive someone. We only end up hurting ourselves when we hold onto grudges. Give yourself a gift this holiday season and forgive a person who has wronged you. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you condone their actions, but allows you to let go of the pain. We may think of forgiveness as a sign of weakness, but it shows strength of character.
3. Take a day off. We often get caught up in the hustle and bustle and forget to enjoy this time of year. So give yourself a day off from shopping, gift-wrapping, and baking. Take a walk and breathe deeply the crisp air. Or call a friend and enjoy a leisurely lunch.
4. Call someone you love. Our days are often filled with piano lessons, carpools, and field trips. Take time out to call a loved one that you haven’t talked to in a long time. Let them know how much you truly care about them.
5. Write a thank-you note. I’m not talking about a “Thanks for the pink sweater, Aunt Esther,” but a from-the-heart letter full of gratitude. Maybe you want to thank your mom for enduring your rebellious adolescence or finally write your third-grade teacher who sparked your love of science.
6. Find a way to serve others. This could be a year-round goal, but we often feel more charitable around this time of year. Do something that you enjoy to help others. Read aloud to an elementary school class. Knit scarves to donate to a homeless shelter. One friend of mine who is Jewish volunteers at a soup kitchen on Christmas Day so that the regular volunteers can celebrate the holiday at home with their families.
7. Start a new tradition. This doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Make a gingerbread house with your kids. Take a drive to see all the lights in your neighborhood. Go ice skating. Have your kids help you make Grandma’s famous hot fudge recipe.
8. Introduce yourself to a neighbor. Many of us may not know some of our neighbors because we become consumed with our busy lives. Take a plate of cookies and go meet a neighbor you don’t know.
9. Apologize. Maybe you forgot to RSVP to a friend’s elegant birthday bash or maybe you did something you are ashamed of. We all make mistakes. We often fail to apologize due to our embarrassment over our insensitive actions, or fear that our apology will be rejected and forgiveness denied. Swallow your pride, do the right thing, and clear your conscience.
10. Downsize. The holiday season can easily become about things instead of people. Downsize your holiday by using the money you would have spent on one present for your child and donate that money or a gift to a program like Toys for Tots. At a certain point the holidays can become a cross-country exchange of gift cards with your adult siblings. Pool the money you would have spent on gifts for each other and sponsor a family for Christmas instead.
11. Give yourself the gift of peace of mind. Over the past couple of years we have all seen the devastation and destruction unleashed by the wrath of Mother Nature. It generally takes about 72 hours after a disaster strikes for relief agencies to arrive, but we all saw with Hurricane Katrina that 72 hours is no guarantee. You are on your own for the first three days. So, what do you need for a 72-hour kit? Go to ready.gov or redcross.org to get a list of essentials. Put a kit together for each person in your immediate family and know that you are prepared for whatever may happen.
12. Hit the after-Christmas sales for others. December comes and goes and so can that feeling of generosity and good will to all. Stock up on scarves, mittens, and hats when they are discounted after Christmas. Donate these items to a local domestic violence or homeless shelter.
13. Grieve with someone. Maybe a neighbor lost a baby, or a friend’s mother passed away. The holidays can be difficult as people celebrate the holidays while knowing a loved one is no longer there to share in the joy. Let someone know you are aware of their grief and be ready to be a shoulder to cry on.
14. Cut down your Christmas card list. Often we will continue to send Christmas cards to people we don’t really keep in touch with. Keep track of who sends you holiday cards for a couple years and then allow yourself to cut your first college roommate off the list when you don’t hear from her for five years.
15. Drink a lot of hot chocolate. I am a big chocolate fan and I don’t think anything beats coming in from a really chilly day and sitting down with a big mug of hot chocolate. Have fun and don’t scold your kids when they fill theirs to the brim with mini marshmallows.
16. Let someone cut in front of you in line. Lines at stores can seem to stretch on forever during the holiday shopping season. Notice the stressed-out mom juggling a toddler and an infant, or the elderly gentleman who seems tired from standing so long. Offer to let them move ahead of you in line.
17. Invite someone over who doesn’t have a place to go. One of my favorite Thanksgiving memories is when my husband invited a co-worker and her fiancée over for Thanksgiving dinner. They are both from India and it was their first American Thanksgiving. It was great learning about another culture (they were having an arranged marriage) and we discovered how much we all had in common (like playing hopscotch as children).
18. Decorate your home with snowflakes. Cut snowflakes out of white paper and let your child make their room into a winter wonderland. Make a winter scene with a shoebox, some cotton balls, and their favorite plastic animals.
19. Say prayers of gratitude. So often our prayers are full of requests and demands. This is a time of thankfulness and we should let that feeling flow into our hearts and prayers.
20. Memorize all the verses of a Christmas carol. Too often we only know the first verse of Christmas songs. Let each child pick their favorite one and work on memorizing all the verses during Family Home Evening.
21. Have a snowball fight. Use bread pans to make snow bricks for a fort, or get out all those sand toys and use them in the snow.
22. Make homemade wrapping paper. Use the Sunday comics to wrap gifts or use white paper and have your kids use washable paint to make their own wrapping paper with their handprints and footprints. Grandma will love it and it’s a great way to see how much your children grow each year if you can save a piece for a scrapbook.
23. Show your gratitude for your home by helping someone else’s home become a reality. Contact your local Habitat for Humanity and volunteer to decorate a bedroom or stock a linen closet with new towels, soap, and toilet paper. We should not only say we are grateful, but show it.
24. Gather stockings and fill them with goodies. Homeless shelters are always in need of things like socks, deodorant, shoes, razors, and gloves. Fill some dollar store stockings with these items and donate them to a shelter. Or fill a stocking with things like perfume, pantyhose, gloves, scarves, socks and take them to a shelter for abused women.
25. Make a nativity from clay. Often nativity scenes are off-limits to small hands that can smudge and drop fragile pieces. Let your kids make their own nativity scene with clay so that they can have something to touch and something they can be proud of.
26. Focus on the feelings. The holidays have become extremely commercialized and the focus is often on spending money. In August, I was surprised to see Halloween decorations already on display. Instead of focusing on the spending, focus on the spirit you want to have in your home. Come together as a family and discuss ways to bring a spirit of peace into your home.
27. Consider a homemade Christmas. Now, I am no craft connoisseur, but homemade gifts can be simple and beautiful at the same time. Maybe your teenager can make an ABC book for your preschooler. Your preschooler can glue pictures on paper to make a reverence book for her seven-year-old brother. You can create a family calendar together highlighting your favorite memories from the year. Or create coupon books that include coupons like “Good for a free night of babysitting” or dad can create one with “Good for baking a batch of cookies together.”
28. Buy an ornament for each child. Have a tradition of giving a new ornament to each child on Christmas Eve to add to the Christmas tree. By the time your kids are old enough to leave the house and start their own tree, they will have a great collection of ornaments.
29. Go sledding. If you don’t live in a cold climate, get ice blocks and go riding on them down hills. It will give you a rush and remind you of the joys of being a kid.
30. Journal the year as a family. Pull out a family journal and have everyone write a few things about the year. Maybe it is the best and worst things that happened to them that year. Maybe it is the things they have learned in school or new sports or activities they have tried. This will be a great time capsule as children get older.
31. Ring in the New Year by watching home movies. Put some home movies on and leave them running throughout the day. It will remind you of some great times and might also give you some good ideas for activities to do in the upcoming year. Maybe you have forgotten what fun you all had on that trip to the zoo or wish you could go back to that corn maze again

Decorating the tree

2008-12-15T13:56:00.001-08:00

tree time

2008-12-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we woke up at the crack of dawn and drove down to Pikes Peak National Forest to cut ourselves a Christmas tree. We had so much fun! The kids loved playing in the snow. We really liked hiking out to where there were no footprints and cutting down our own tree. We carried it back to the car piled in and had hot chocolate. We will never buy a tree from the store again.

Up in the air

2008-12-07T21:10:00.000-08:00

I love when I can actually think of a clever post for what my post is about! I have so many pics of things that are "up in the air" right now, because they are presents. I can't wait to be able to show all the craftiness that's been happening around here!

Visiting Santa

2008-12-07T21:03:00.001-08:00

Santa was really helpful this year and told B it would be really easy to give him Bakugon for Christmas, since that's the only thing he really wants. Thanks random Santa at the Wildlife Experience. I appreciate helpful statements. This one is hoping for ice skates. Santa said, "those would be fun! You sure love ice skating don't you". That was an appropriate statement. No promises, just good observations.

Now this little guy loves Santa. He was freaking out because he couldn't get up to see him fast enough. He's good with Elmo or Thomas and some Cheerios. I think Santa was just glad he wasn't crying.

Peppermint bark

2008-12-07T20:54:00.000-08:00

How to make peppermint bark. Melt your chocolates. 1 bag of milk and one bag of white. First melt the milk chocolate and spread out over a lined cookie sheet. Let cool in the fridge to get hard. Next spread the melted white chocolate over the milk chocolate.
While the chocolates are melting, use a rolling pin to crush up half a box of candy canes. Pour crushed candy canes over the white chocolate while it's still warm. Gently press the candy in to help keep it all from falling off once it's cooled.

Finally remove from the fridge and attempt to break into huge chunks with hands. Realize that won't work and smash strategically with a hammer.

Eat your peppermint bark and laugh at all those suckers at the mall paying 25$/ box, Ha!

Christmas Journal

2008-11-26T20:33:00.000-08:00

Here's another great idea borrowed from the Good Neighbor Moki. It's actually one of several big projects I've been working on that I just need to post about. Anyhow, the idea is to keep a journal through the month of December. You can put in it pictures, cards, have the kids write their thoughts in it, souvenirs from the day, whatever you want, then you have this great remembrance for next December of all the good things that happened this year. I love the idea! So, I went out and got myself a "C" encyclopedia. After many questions to Moki I went and found an old cookbook. I ripped all the pages out of the encyclopedia, ripped the binder section out of the cookbook, glued and reglued the rings into the book, covered it in bright cheery oilcloth, stuck some custom made pages in it, and voila, my Christmas Storey. How's that for a run on sentence? I really love how the pages turned out with the torn edges. I'm excited to start filling it up next week.... Already next week!

Donuts

2008-11-20T18:23:00.001-08:00

This week we took some time to make donuts. We made both real ones and felt ones. They both look tasty, but only one was soooo good to eat. Actually, good enough to eat and eat and eat. Probably should stick to the felt ones.

tasty treats

2008-11-15T20:54:00.000-08:00

Today was a Baby shower for my good friend Wib News who should be having her baby in a week. There was lots of yummy food, but these were my contribution: baby cinnamon rolls and

baby chocolate cream pies. I ate too many and now feel sick, but it was totally tasty and totally worth it!

Insomnia

2008-11-14T22:02:00.000-08:00

When I can't sleep, I lay in bed for hours trying to fall back asleep. Wen this guy can't sleep he sits on the kitchen counter and draws pics of "me and Daddy skateboarding".

Forget it!

2008-11-14T21:55:00.001-08:00

I tried really hard to do the whole blogging every day thing. It's just not going to work. I have a lot that I've made, but can't show since it's that magical Christmas time of year. Some things need to be a surprise! Instead today I give you my water baby. I love these 2 pics. The first is one of him this morning in the tub. A lot of days I wish I was still little enough to take a bath and have the water come all the way up to my shoulders. The other pic gives me a lot of joy. Over the summer any time it would rain he would run outside to the gutter. He plants his little toes in the mud and holds his hands under the down spout to feel the rain water pour over his little fingers. Oh the joys of being small and discovering things!

Leaves and Lean To's

2008-11-14T21:44:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have one of those Saturdays that is so fantastic, because you don't have to do anything? That was our Saturday last week. We had no obligations, so we played in the yard. After years of having a postage stamp size yard, it's wonderful being able to go out and play. It's wonderful having leaves to jump in. We cut down limbs that were falling down anyway from past storms.
C worked really hard on making herself a lean-to, as she calls it. I was actually really impressed with how it turned out, especially since she did it all herself.

And really are there many things in life that are better than running and jumping in leaves in footy pajamas?

Lucha Libre

2008-11-09T21:10:00.000-08:00

Sublime Stitching Lucha Libre pattern, part of yet another Christmas present! I think this is one of my faves. At some point I'm going t make one for B. He loves Nacho Libre. I can't wait to do this one again. I plan on using more satin Stitch and brighter colors, however, I am thrilled with this one.

Faith

2008-11-09T19:38:00.001-08:00

( in front of the SLC temple 2005)

I have to say how grateful I am for religion and to be able to go to a church of my choosing. I am grateful for all that I feel my religion offers me. I love going to church every week and feeling uplifted. Here were a few of today's highlights.

How to Find Lasting Happiness instead of counterfeit:

Ask is this real?

Does this really matter?

Are my motives pure?

It our choice to be happy, or our choice to be miserable. It's something we decide.

I was really blown away by this talk. Last night I was having a pity party for myself and My dear friend the Good Neighbor said almost the exact same thing to me. I know that Heavenly Father speaks to me through my friends. I truly believe that He sticks people in my life and inspires them to say exactly what I need to hear at the time. I really sit up and pay attention when He makes sure I hear it more than once. It must be a message that I really need. OK, I choose to be happy!

The other great thing I heard today was this:

A member of the bishopric was counseling a young couple about to be married. He said to them in every marriage there are 4 little words that need to be spoken often, lovingly and tenderly. With these 4 little words you will eliminate fighting and just be a happier couple. They are " We can't afford it".

I loved that because that's something I need to work on telling myself. My husband says those words as he's breathing. It's so important to not have debt and so hard. I'm thankful for a husband with great financial self restraint. In a day of economic tsunami so to speak, it really is better to just hang onto your money. The three things we were told to ask ourselves before we make a purchase are:

Can we afford it?

Do we want it?

Will it affect our devotion and testimony?

I am grateful for leaders who are wise and inspired. I am grateful to feel really happy today for the first time in a long time. It's amazing how you can decide to tell yourself to do something and then just do it.

guitar hero

2008-11-06T21:27:00.001-08:00

Part of a Christmas present. Don't you hate it when you make something and it's not quite what you thought it would be, but you have to go with it because you spent so much time on it and there's not time to redo it? I would have done 2 electric guitars with this set. The acoustic doesn't really fit in and I don't really like the colors on the electric, but oh well, it will have to do!!

Miss Amy

2008-11-06T20:42:00.001-08:00

Why Can't Joanns carry Amy butler things so that I can use my coupon on them?! I just found these free patterns on her page today. I will be making this snow mum pillow sometime this weekend, but probably with a pink flower and brown background, maybe with some ric rac somewhere in there. Everything is cuter with ric rac! And, look at these gift sashes. Can you imagine getting beautiful gifts wrapped

How to be Really Alive

2008-11-06T07:37:00.000-08:00

A long time ago I went to Tinkertown with Moki and picked up this postcard. I have kept it on my fridge ever since. My favorite ones are Dream of Gypsy Wagons, Dry your clothes in the Sun, Keep Toys in the Bathtub, Celebrate an Old Person and Delight Someone. I try to look through this often to remind me not to such a pessimist

Monkey Luv

2008-11-04T19:31:00.000-08:00

Sublime Stitching Monkey Love pattern, part of a Christmas present.

Living Craft

2008-11-03T21:16:00.001-08:00

I was finally able to find the Fall issue of Living Craft. Most of this issue focuses on wool. Take a peek at some of the yumminess in this issue: Needle felted hedgehogs, there's actually a whole story that comes with it.

How cute is this little owl and these little sheep!

Who wouldn't want a needle felted pumpkin basket filled with felted acorns as their centerpiece for Thanksgiving?

Adorable how to on making crowns for little ones

I hear the Winter issue is going to be the best one yet! Fortunately I found this issue way into fall, so I shouldn't have to wait long for the next one!

Don't let the bed bugs bite!

2008-11-02T19:20:00.001-08:00

Sometime last year I was reading NieNies' blog. I am continually inspired by her strength and courage and constantly have her in my prayers, but that is a whole different post. Anyhow, she wrote how one thing she did every night was go around to her children's rooms before she went to bed to check on them. She would lean over and kiss them and then whisper secrets into their little sleepy heads. I remember being so taken with that idea that I started doing it that night and have been doing it ever since. It's fun to try and come up with something new every night. It's fun to hear them sigh as I walk away.

Now?

2008-11-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

Now that Halloween is over, is it ok to come out publicly that all I can think about is Christmas? Honestly, I am in a panic that it's already November, am I the only one who feels this way? By the way, did you hear of the challenge to blog every day in November for National Blogging Month? I may just have to try that out amid all the other self-induced chaos, why not?

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T06:26:00.001-07:00

I saw these cute embroidery patterns on whip up and knew they'd be adorable as finger puppets. Happy Halloween! Or, should I say "Hoppy Halloween?"

thirsty witch

2008-10-30T08:36:00.000-07:00

Halloween papercut thanks to the Good Neighbor!

Tiki

2008-10-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

Sublime Stitching Tiki pattern, for part of a Christmas present.

# 9!

2008-10-25T22:31:00.000-07:00

We had the 9th birthday party, I can't believe it! We had so much fun. It was all about the pretty things of being a girl. Which by the way, when was the last time you watched Flower Drum Song? I really love that musical. Anyhow, we made pretty hair things and painted nails. I'll post pics of the pretty hair things at some point. We glued ribbon to alligator clips, wrapped headbands with yarn and glued felt flowers to them, made pom poms, all in all we had a great time. I do have to say it was the most quiet birthday party we've ever had with 10 little girls all in one room, they were all so focused! I was so thrilled how the cake turned out. I made the silhouette out of white chocolate. It was a little too big for the cake, but as it warmed up to room temp it just lay down flat on the cake. Cherry cake, chocolate frosting and white chocolate, how can you go wrong?

Corn maze

2008-10-25T22:16:00.000-07:00

Really this should be the last picture. It's of D freaking out because he didn't want to leave. We took Grandma and Grandpa up to Rock Creek Farms just 45 min north of here for a day of pumpkin picking, corn mazing and picnicing. We had so much fun, I think it's now a new family tradition!

My Favorite Felt Sweets

2008-10-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

Check out these images of some of the 106 mouth-watering felt replicas of delicious sweets! I can't wait to have a lull on the project list to make some of these.

Apple Pies

2008-10-19T19:12:00.001-07:00

Baked in a muffin pan for tomorrows picnic at the Pumpkin Patch.

Little Mermaid

2008-10-11T19:58:00.001-07:00

Fall Muffins

2008-10-11T17:36:00.001-07:00

Herons Nest had this amazing recipe for Pumpkin muffins. I tried it and forgot to take pics. Then I saw Emeril make these and knew I had to take a pic and share it with you because they are so fabulous! Here's what he does:

2 cups water
3/4 cup dried cranberries
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup whole milk
1 cup pumpkin puree (canned solid pumpkin)
4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate, chopped
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, melted
12 ounces white chocolate chips, melted
12 plastic spiders
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 12-muffin tin with paper liners.
In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Place the cranberries in a medium bowl and cover with the boiling water. Let sit until plumped, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain well.
Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt into a medium mixing bowl. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, milk, pumpkin, melted butter, and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix just until incorporated, being careful not to overmix. Fold in the drained cranberries. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Bake until golden brown, 22 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool in the tin for 10 minutes.
In a small saucepan, scald the cream over medium heat. Place the chopped chocolate in a medium, heat-proof bowl and cover with the cream. Let sit for 2 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Spread the warm chocolate glaze onto the muffins.
Splatter both of the melted chocolates onto parchment paper with a fork. Place in the freezer and freeze until firm, about 5 to 10 minutes. Break the hardened chocolate "webs" into 6-inch circular shapes. Place a chocolate "web" on top of each muffin. Top with a plastic spider.

These were so easy to make. Next time I think I'll omit the chocolate glaze. That way they'd be great for breakfast. I also did these in a mini muffin pan, so I had plenty to share with the neighbors! Of course, the best part about the whole thing, is licking off the chocolate!

Argh!!!!

2008-10-07T20:01:00.001-07:00

This is so frustrating! I am making these gifts that are embroidered. I already have all the material cut with no extras. When I ironed on this pattern I forgot to cut off the copyright so it was ironed on with the pattern of the snake. I had to go with it, seeing as how there are no extras. Now I have this cute pillowcase that I'm working on with backwards copyright words on it that can't be washed off. So Obnoxious!!

Tomoyo

2008-10-03T22:14:00.000-07:00

We were so blessed this week to have an Exchange student with us from Japan. Tomoyo was so much fun to have here and such a sweet person. She made having an exchange student everything I could ever want it to be. She brought us beautiful stationary, bath salts, Hello Kitty toothbrushes, Japanese chocolates and yummy snacks. One night she also brought spices to make a tasty dinner that is apparently the favorite food to the people of Osaka. I don't know how to spell what the name of the dish is called, but it was basically like a pancake with cabbage, bacon and corn inside. I have to admit, one reason I was so excited to have her was to translate my craft books for me. Unfortunately her English is not quite good enough to tell me the interpretations. Maybe someday. For now I am just grateful that she came to see us. Our lives are better for having her in them for a moment.

Pocket Friend

2008-10-02T18:24:00.001-07:00

She was so easy and fun to make, I plan on making a little clan to play outside in C's fairy house.

#6!

2008-09-28T20:10:00.001-07:00

This was the year of the Star Wars party. I forgot about the cake until the morning of, so it's only Star Wars connection is Yoda Green frosting We made the party favors. I found some candy molds off ebay. Poured plaster in them. Got some cute boxes and plastic containers from the container store. Voila, you have take home Jedi paint kits!

Death Star pinata Trip to the Lego Store day before party

Also decided to make Jedi robes for all the young Padawans
Made the mistake of using yarn for the pinata rope which promptly broke off
I wish I was little enough to enjoy tissue paper so much!
Completing the day playing with new video games.

Happy Birthday handsome boy, I love you!

Love is all you need

2008-09-23T21:02:00.001-07:00

There's a lot of crappy things going on in today's world. There are so many things that make me want to burrow down in my covers and not come out of bed. I could so easily hide out for awhile. Then, there are some days when I am overwhelmingly grateful for my husband and children. I am grateful for the time I have with them. I am grateful to give them hugs and whisper secrets to all of them while they sleep. I am grateful to watch them eat what I bake for them, or to take "interesting" walks to look for things that are cool to them. I am grateful to tuck them in at night and hear about things that matter to them. I'm grateful for small notes from my husband and to be able to perform acts of service for him. I'm grateful for my little pack and that we have each other. This is what gets me out of bed in our scary world.

Pie, cake, cupcake

2008-09-10T13:18:00.001-07:00

For a "naturally sweet " wall hanging that someones getting for Christmas.

Sk8tr Grl

2008-09-01T10:39:00.001-07:00

Projects in progress

Fancy dessert

2008-09-01T10:27:00.000-07:00

My honey took me out to dinner for my birthday. It was a really nice place with yummy food. I ordered a coconut cream pie. It was so fancy, like something you see on T.V. It was in a teeny tiny tart shell, loads of whipped cream and a coconut wafer stuck in the top. Carmel sauce and bits of pineapple were sprinkled all over the plate. The next day the kids and I thought we should make our own fancy dessert, so we did mini chocolate cream pies. I used the kids toy pie tins, cooked the crusts in those and the filled them with super rich chocolate custard and fresh whipped cream.
To be really fancy we sprinkled chocolate shavings all over the whole thing. Next time I'm going to try it using my mini muffin pan. That would be fancy and adorable!

New Decade

2008-08-27T20:31:00.000-07:00

These are the super amazing sunny flowers that my honey gave me for the celebration of the 3rd decade of my life. I love them. I love that he go me these and not roses or carnations. They were exactly what I needed and are perfect. I can't believe 30 years! I will make a choice now to embrace it. To be more confident. To accomplish things I set out to accomplish, not to stress and to enjoy more. This will be a good new chapter.

ballerina

2008-08-18T20:47:00.000-07:00

Part of a " pretty things" set that I'm working on

First Day

2008-08-14T21:11:00.000-07:00

I now have 1 at home, one in Kindergarten and one in 3rd. Where does the time go? How do you schedule your day in 3 hour segments? Lots of limited free time....

Custer Cemetary

2008-08-14T21:00:00.001-07:00

One thing that we did up in South Dakota this year was check out the very old cemetary. It was my kids first time visiting the cemetary. I love coming to them. They are such peaceful places. In High School there was one not too far from my house. I spent a lot of time walking through it when my parents thought I was in bed, or during the day with my friends. It was fun to take the kids here and watch their eyes light up as they "discovered" history. We did grave rubbings....
This one was a little sad, from the late 1800s. a little 2 year old girl and her parents
This headstone was my favorite. Just simple made from native rocks and chunks of glass, also very old from mid 1800s

Ice Blocking

2008-08-14T20:45:00.000-07:00

We did this all the time in Idaho growing up. You take a block of ice that is only big enough for your bum, sit on it and slide down a hill. Super cheap and super fun. Funny thing is nobody here that I've talked to has ever heard of doing this. I took a bunch of friends to the park and opened their eyes to it. It was loads of fun until all the kids decided that the ice was too heavy to drag up the hill.

fabric pom pom

2008-08-14T20:42:00.000-07:00

New fave around here: Fabric pom poms. Super cute and super easy, I'm thinking these would be great on top of Christmas presents

Thanks!

2008-07-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

Wait, I have a blog? That's amazing, I almost forgot about it after all this time and the craziness of the past 3 months with moving, school getting out, traveling and everything else. But, I'm going to try to start posting again, starting with this. It's a thank you card for my parents for keeping my kids for a month.

MeMe

2008-07-09T21:13:00.000-07:00

Saw this over at the Good Neighbor, repost if you want, but the rule is you can only answer each question with one word........

1. Where is your cell phone? upstairs
2. Your significant other? sleeping
3. Your hair? up
4. Your mother? artist
5. Your father? example
6. Your favorite thing? love
7. Your dream last night? unmentionable
8. Your favorite drink? cranberry
9. Your dream/goal? happy
10. The room you’re in? office
11. Your church? Mormon
12. Your fear? intolerance
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? outside
14. Where were you last night? couch
15. What you’re not? rested
16. Muffins? cupcakes
17. One of your wish list items? la cruset
18. Where you grew up? Idaho
19. The last thing you did? unpack
20. What are you wearing? towel
21. Your TV? on
22. Your pets? abandoned
23. Your computer? blessing
24. Your life? mine
25. Your mood? swings
26. Missing someone? always
27. Your car? 2nd home
28. Something you’re not wearing? socks
29. Favorite store? Fancy Tiger
30. Your summer? short
31. Like(love) someone? yes
32. Your favorite color? blue
33. Last time you laughed? evening
34. Last time you cried? evening
35. Who will repost this?bored

Something to do

2008-06-17T06:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of 60 things to do if your kids get whiny about having nothing to do. I posted it last year. If I had more energy this year,I would have reread it and added things to it. There's still lots of good ideas though, so have fun!

1. Mosaic pavers for the garden
2. Tiddly Winks with buttons
3. Marbles
4. Play in the pool
5. Make paper dresses
6. Make hot pads
7. Do latch hook
8. Make a bracelet
9. Cats Cradle
10. Tea party picnic
11. Make an iceberg
12. Balloon volleyball
13. Bean bag toss
14. Clothes pin race
15. finger puppet play
16. marble bowling
17. Write a secret message
18. Wash doll clothes
19. Write a letter
20. lacing cards
21. leaf rubbing
22. Do a puzzle
23. Art in the dark
24. Etching coloring
25. Knock Knock card
26. Make pom poms
27. jump rope.
28. Paper Airplanes
29. Simon Says
30. Red light Green light
31. coin toss in a muffin tin
32. Fashion plates
33. Chalk coloring
34. Make a treasure map
35. Brick Garden
36. Paper hats
37. Read a book
38. Paper doll chain
39. get a tadpole.
40. Make cookies
41. Fabric flowers
42. Go to Barnes and Noble to look at books and play checkers
43. paint rocks
44. make play dough
45. Play with play dough
46. knit something
47. Work on a Brownie Patch
48. Build a sandcastle
49. Press flowers
50. Make dresses out of pressed flowers
51. Bean bag tic tac toe
52. Hopscotch
53. Make bagels
54. Take a hike
55. Make nature bracelets by wrapping packing tape around your wrist like a bracelet with the sticky side out and sticking things to it while on your walk
56. Embroider something
57. Play t-ball
58. Sit outside and look at stars while eating microwaved smores
59. Go antiquing
60. take a nap ;)
I hope this gives you ideas if you need them!

What a Whirl

2008-06-15T21:35:00.001-07:00

Oh my goodness, we are so busy this week, and actually have been for the past few weeks. We decided that spending close to 400 a month is a bit too much. We need to move somewhere more centralized to everything that we do. We put our house up to rent and found a very cute little old lady and her friend to rent it out to. At the same time we found this great house that was bank owned and put a bid on it. We won the bid and are going to close on it either Friday or Monday. Hopefully on Friday, so we can move over the weekend. Then we have 2 weeks to fix things up. We need to get all new appliances, take care of the radon problem, plumb for gas in the kitchen, paint everything, clean the carpets and unpack. I can't wait! The yard is huge. The house is a lot bigger. It backs up to an elementary school. I'm super excited to get in and paint. I'm really excited, because I will also get my own studio space. That's going to be a huge change from the back of my closet right now. I'm still trying to devise a plan to get a chandelier in there. Every studio needs a chandelier. Trying to make this happen and figuring it all out and all the stress that comes along with all that has consumed me for the last few weeks. I will be so glad when it's actually happening.

Beep bo beep bop

2008-06-02T11:43:00.001-07:00

That is the sound a robot makes. Today I was a good Mom and B and I quilled a robot. Then we went for a walk and came home and played Shrek video pinball. I'll have to repost the list sometime of 72 things to do in the summer when you hear "I'm Bored!"

Mothers

2008-05-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

My Mom
Below is a lot to read. It's a talk by our General Relief Society President of our church from a couple of conferences ago. It's a lot to read, but it is something that influences me in day to day life. It explains the joy and passion I have for being a Mother and for wanting to be an amazing Mother. I am so eternally grateful to be a Mom. To have little children whose spirits I have been charged with. I am grateful for my Mom and Grandmother. For my Husbands Mother, for the Mothers of my friends and my friends who are Mothers. Happy Mothers Day to all of you whose lives are affected by a great Mother!

Mothers Who Know
Julie B. Beck Relief Society General President
There is eternal influence and power in motherhood.
In the Book of Mormon we read about 2,000 exemplary young men who were exceedingly valiant, courageous, and strong. "Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him" (Alma 53:21). These faithful young men paid tribute to their mothers. They said, "Our mothers knew it" (Alma 56:48). I would suspect that the mothers of Captain Moroni, Mosiah, Mormon, and other great leaders also knew.
The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. Children are being born into a world where they "wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).1 However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children.
Mothers Who Know Bear Children
Mothers who know desire to bear children. Whereas in many cultures in the world children are "becoming less valued,"2 in the culture of the gospel we still believe in having children. Prophets, seers, and revelators who were sustained at this conference have declared that "God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force."3 President Ezra Taft Benson taught that young couples should not postpone having children and that "in the eternal perspective, children—not possessions, not position, not prestige—are our greatest jewels."4
Faithful daughters of God desire children. In the scriptures we read of Eve (see Moses 4:26), Sarah (see Genesis 17:16), Rebekah (see Genesis 24:60), and Mary (see 1 Nephi 11:13–20), who were foreordained to be mothers before children were born to them. Some women are not given the responsibility of bearing children in mortality, but just as Hannah of the Old Testament prayed fervently for her child (see 1 Samuel 1:11), the value women place on motherhood in this life and the attributes of motherhood they attain here will rise with them in the Resurrection (see D&C 130:18). Women who desire and work toward that blessing in this life are promised they will receive it for all eternity, and eternity is much, much longer than mortality. There is eternal influence and power in motherhood.
Mothers Who Know Honor Sacred Ordinances and Covenants
Mothers who know honor sacred ordinances and covenants. I have visited sacrament meetings in some of the poorest places on the earth where mothers have dressed with great care in their Sunday best despite walking for miles on dusty streets and using worn-out public transportation. They bring daughters in clean and ironed dresses with hair brushed to perfection; their sons wear white shirts and ties and have missionary haircuts. These mothers know they are going to sacrament meeting, where covenants are renewed. These mothers have made and honor temple covenants. They know that if they are not pointing their children to the temple, they are not pointing them toward desired eternal goals. These mothers have influence and power.
Mothers Who Know Are Nurturers
Mothers who know are nurturers. This is their special assignment and role under the plan of happiness.5 To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Therefore, mothers who know create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes. Another word for nurturing is homemaking. Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home. Home is where women have the most power and influence; therefore, Latter-day Saint women should be the best homemakers in the world. Working beside children in homemaking tasks creates opportunities to teach and model qualities children should emulate. Nurturing mothers are knowledgeable, but all the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth. Growth happens best in a "house of order," and women should pattern their homes after the Lord's house (see D&C 109). Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women.
Mothers Who Know Are Leaders
Mothers who know are leaders. In equal partnership with their husbands, they lead a great and eternal organization. These mothers plan for the future of their organization. They plan for missions, temple marriages, and education. They plan for prayer, scripture study, and family home evening. Mothers who know build children into future leaders and are the primary examples of what leaders look like. They do not abandon their plan by succumbing to social pressure and worldly models of parenting. These wise mothers who know are selective about their own activities and involvement to conserve their limited strength in order to maximize their influence where it matters most.
Mothers Who Know Are Teachers
Mothers who know are always teachers. Since they are not babysitters, they are never off duty. A well-taught friend told me that he did not learn anything at church that he had not already learned at home. His parents used family scripture study, prayer, family home evening, mealtimes, and other gatherings to teach. Think of the power of our future missionary force if mothers considered their homes as a pre–missionary training center. Then the doctrines of the gospel taught in the MTC would be a review and not a revelation. That is influence; that is power.
Mothers Who Know Do Less
Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world's goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world. Their goal is to prepare future fathers and mothers who will be builders of the Lord's kingdom for the next 50 years. That is influence; that is power.
Mothers Who Know Stand Strong and Immovable
Who will prepare this righteous generation of sons and daughters? Latter-day Saint women will do this—women who know and love the Lord and bear testimony of Him, women who are strong and immovable and who do not give up during difficult and discouraging times. We are led by an inspired prophet of God who has called upon the women of the Church to "stand strong and immovable for that which is correct and proper under the plan of the Lord."6 He has asked us to "begin in [our] own homes"7 to teach children the ways of truth.
Latter-day Saint women should be the very best in the world at upholding, nurturing, and protecting families. I have every confidence that our women will do this and will come to be known as mothers who "knew" (Alma 56:48). In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Mantra for Mom

2008-05-10T16:13:00.001-07:00

For my Mom for Mothers Day, using the Day of the Dead Sublime Stitching pattern.

Kids in a tree

2008-04-27T20:32:00.001-07:00

Just finished this papercut. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet.

Recycled crayons

2008-04-21T19:21:00.001-07:00

My little guy and I made these this afternoon out of old crayons. We'll do more tomorrow with more colors.

Best Book

2008-04-16T19:49:00.000-07:00

This finally came in the mail today. I saw it last month sometime at the bookstore and did not want to pay full price for it. I found it on Amazon for a fraction of the price. I'm starting to gather things together to gear up for summer vacation. This one is going to be great to do with my mini me! Check out all the cool stuff in it.... The girl on the cover is a paper doll that pops out. It's to help teach you how to sew using a pattern. There are step by step instructions to sew a cute outfit for each season.

The red sweater is made using a cut up glove, so clever!

I love the badge idea. I'm thinking we may have to have goals over the summer. When we accomplish one we'll make our own badge and sew it o a tote bag or something.
There's also step by step instructions for knitting. This picture of a fingerless glove is upside down. I'm too tired to deal with redoing it, so stand on your head to look at it I guess.
Also knitted fruit, oranges, cherries, strawberries,

Cute fabric charms. What a good way to use scraps. A bunch of these would look cute on a bedroom door or hanging from flower boxes outside. I think we'll get a lot of good use out of this. There's also embroidery, spool knitting pom pom making etc..

After having temps in the 80's yesterday and going to 2 inches of snow outside right now, I'm so ready for summer. I love getting all of the activities and everything together. I also love having unscheduled play time. Sigh!