Favorite Photos from my Vacation...

Frogging around is a good way to chill-lax.

It's good to be optomistic!
Colorful shoes help you run faster!

Get Smart...

Some funny moments. Better written in the first half than the second. My favorite part of the film was Anne Hathaway's lovely wardrobe. I'm glad I didn't go out and pay real money to see this in a theater.

Speaking of Baby Stuff...

I love ABaby for looking at Nursery gear. They have lots of cute things.

Wrapping it Up...

I'm going to a baby shower... It's OK to use non-traditional colors these days I think. If you look in the stores there is a ton of brown... I wish there were a few more options since I'm a bright and not a brown loving girl.. but anywho I think that means you can go non-traditional. I love wrapping things up.

Collecting...

I wouldn't say that I'm a big collector because I only have 3-4 of these, but I love 14X36 size movie posters. They are pre 1980 so I guess that makes them a fun vintage find.. It's fun to have them from some of your favorite films.

The Millionaire Next Door...

This book is a classic in my opinion. I've read it 3-4 times. It's a really enjoyable book beyond the fact that I believe that it really proposes what are sound and safe financial practices during good times and those that are less certain. Read it and tell me what you think.

Support Your Local Sheriff...

Little c loved this fun old film. It's a great pick for family night.

Black White & Pink...

Earth's crammed with heaven... ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

in

THe Love BoXes SHoP

Baby Carriages...

It seems like I've been working on these baby carriages forever. I need them to turn out just right. The red one is a gift for my baby and so I wanted it to be perfect.
This one has been listed in THe SHoP

And I will be listing another later this afternoon. Lots of painting to do.. I hope you are having a great day.

Mary Kaye Huntsman First Lady of Utah...

Yesterday C and I went to hear Mrs. Huntsman speak. She was so interesting and personable. She spoke about her concerns for children in the state and some of the things that she is trying to do to help them. She told about adopting her two cute daughters, one from China and one from India. Her talk was so inspiring. I was grateful that I was able to attend the event.

If you are interested, you can learn about Mary Kaye Huntsman's initiatives for children and other programs on her web page HERE.

Seven Years in Tibet...

I found this to be a very fascinating read. Heinrich Harrer tells the story of his escape from an English prisoner of war camp in India during the Second World War into Tibet and the forbidden city of Lhasa where he eventually became the tutor to the current Dalia Lama.

The high adventure story of Harrer's escape mountaineering through the Himalayas is fairly interesting, but I was really interested to learn about the city of Lhasa before the Chinese invasion and the personality of the Dalai Lama as a young man. He was a brilliant and curious teenager who seemed to feel deeply his responsibility as a leader and was anxious to be a person of great wisdom and understanding.

I do not understand the Chinese government position toward Tibet and the Tibetan people and hope that some time in the future the Dalai Lama will be able to return to the city of Lhasa and live his religion in peace with his people.

Pink Peek-A-Boo Bunnies...

Back in the...

SHoP

An Ideal Husband...

Amazing acting. Perfect script. I love this film. The actor who plays the father makes so much of a small role. I just enjoy watching his perplexed face.

Cool Runnings...

Family entertainment with a can do attitude.

Night Crossing...

This film just goes to show that you can make a film very intense without having to show a lot of gore. I really think that Night Crossing conveys the feeling of being trapped by an oppressive government. This was the perfect introduction to this bit of history for little c. A little artistically awkward and a tiny bit outdated in parts, but overall a really great film. See it again if it's been awhile. Thanks Lora!

Big voices... and some thoughts on 9/11...

God created the rose and the rainbow, the summer sky and the snowflake. AND, he created the beautiful voice of Luciano Pavarotti. I have been a big fan since Jr. High. He is my favorite tenor of the favorite tenors, although I love them all. When he sings it is so beautiful that I feel inspired to be a better person. That's what great art should always do I think.
We were watching a documentary about his life last night on PBS (I love you PBS). It was so fun to watch him perform some of the pieces that became his signatures. How can you sing a song a million times and still sing it with tears in your eyes. Maybe he knew that his voice was touched by angels and that pure beauty sang out. I don't know, but I had a lump in my throat. There are people who leave a big hole in that atmosphere when they are gone.
We lost so many of those people 7 years ago today. From the very accomplished and intelligent Barbara Olsen to so many of the first generation Americans who were just on duty doing dishes in the World Trade Centers that day. Who knows what they might have done and become? I believe that the cost in dollars of what we really lost that day is incalcuable. People are always our biggest resource.
In honor of this day. I wanted to post some lyrics to a beautiful anthem made famous by another amazing tenor from East of Eden. Whenever I hear this beautiful song, it reminds me to be grateful for liberty, for the good people of this nation.. so many of whom do their best each day to make it ever greater.
An American Hymn
I have seen a summer day
that slowly opens like a rose
along a quiet road that wanders by
And I have smiled and wonder'd
Where it goes
I have stumbled through the night
Alone as any man can be
Then found a silent canyon full of stars
And in my heart I heard them telling me
I was home
The gentle winds, the rains that fall
The tallest trees, and I'm part of it all
I've seen the silver mountain tops
And golden prairies on my way
Now everywhere I go across the land
I stand so proudly in the sun and say
I am home
I've dreamed of eden all my life
I find it more and more each day
Now everywhere I go across the land
I stand so proudly in the sun and say
I am home...

Pink Chucks...

My sister bought these first in black for her 3 year old. Cute! I loved them and was thrilled to find this pink version on sale for little c.

Sweet Tooth...

Part of the Halloween Collection...

in the shop...

HERE :)

Short Cuts...

I'm not a cook, or I should say that cooking is not my favorite chore. I'd rather do the laundry. So, I'm always looking for shortcuts. I love these diced onions from Honeyville Grains a place I need to visit again soon. Although you don't need to visit. They will ship your entire order to your home for $4.95 UPS. I have been really impressed with the quality of the items that I have purchased there. And, if you are in the market for food storage supplies. They are a terrific resource.
I love these onions in any recipe with browned hamburger like the taco salad above. And, it's a no tears endeavor.
Are you enjoying garden tomatoes? I hope so!

More Halloween in the Shop...

See them here...

... and more Halloween here...

Say Cheese!

I think these are such a fun treat to put in little c's lunches. Not nearly as expensive at Costco.

Oranges...

Oranges are my favorite fruit. I don't enjoy OJ so much as just the fruit. Love them. They taste like Christmas Day. Oh that they were in season longer and really those lovely Harry and David quality oranges that you can get in the winter from Florida. Then someone somewhere has an epiphany! Have you been enjoying the most marvelous oranges from our friendly oranges growers in Australia?!?! They arrived in Utah to my notice at the end of July. They are a bit different.. in a fabulous way! What a treat!

Christmas Tree Boxes...

Finished and listed. :)

Here.

New Christmas Boxes for Boys...

I am often asked why I don't have more boxes in my shop designed for boys. Hmmm. I guess I'm kind of a girly girl and I love frills and flowers. However, I adore my nephews too and so I tried to make a simple design that I felt would be masculine enough for them (I also made some more pink frilly heart boxes because they had sold out so if you need multiples, let me know). Anyway, the tree box reads, "May the Christmas Star always lead you home..."

These boxes will be listed tomorrow in the:

LoVE BoXEs SHOP

Water Bottles...

One of the many things that I'm OCD about is a good water bottle. I don't like to purchase bottled water as a rule because the filtered tap water from my house tastes the best to me. But, I don't want a plastic that has any smell or harmful chemical. I had some of these water bottles, which I used for 8 years until I lost two of them.. the last one left is still in great shape and dishwasher safe. When I found this updated version of the same Rubbermaid 32 oz. water bottle at my local Albertson's I was thrilled. I love that it has a wide mouth for easy cleaning, in case I put milk or juice inside. It's dishwasher safe and the lid cleans easily. I don't like lids with straws and parts that are easily lost and not easily cleaned.

I know you're laughing, but just think how many years of happiness I may potentially get out of these bottles. Hooray!

Kung Fu Panda...

"There is no extra charge for awesomeness or attractiveness."

Pretty cute. And, for the most part stays away from the low humor that I abhor.