Wednesday, November 26, 2008

In addition to Christmas Boxes...

I made this little box for a lovely dark haired baby named Lily.
... and put together these little favor bags for little c's b-day party. Do you see Pancake peeking out of there. c and I collaborated on that one. She didn't realize how difficult it is to get to the final design. I think she had to draw a simple sketch 9-10 times before we got the exact shape we needed. I was proud of her for sticking it out with me. There are a few Pancakes in the shop.. but no blue lilies I'm afraid although there are yellow and pink.


be happy: A little book to help you live a happy life.


I received this little book as a gift recently. I love it. It has some great advice inside that I need to follow.
Here are some examples...
1. Give away what you don't need, to someone who does.
2. Do a one day news fast.
3. Listen to music.
I'm a listen to the news person. You wouldn't believe the difference in your mood if you trade news for music! It's amazing.
I might not go back... OK I watched Frontline last night and that probably counts and it gave me nightmares and made me mad as heck before I went to bed. Hugo Chavez... what a jerk! See I need a change here.
I need to give away some things too. I would love to have one of those homes where all the clothing in the closet fits and is in good repair. Where the drawers have order and make sense. I used to have that when I lived in such a small space in the city. Chaos reigns here in the burbs.. but I'm going to work on this one too.
Find this little book. You'll love it. It will have something that will inspire you!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage...

I loved this movie. Peter O'Toole is brilliant as is Marcia Gay Harden. I loved the comments that Peter O'Toole's character makes about art.. so true.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Bound for Glory...

This film about the song writer/musician Woody Guthrie was an interesting history lesson and well filmed. However, it was not an inspiring film to me. While the man Woody Guthrie often had his heart in the right place... he was no angel. His story reminded me of the quote by David O. McKay, "No success can compensate for failure in the home." No matter who you try to help or how magnanimous your intent.. if you fail your family all your victories may seem as hollow as this film.


Thursday, November 20, 2008

Jesus The Christ...

I enjoyed this book immensely. It is a chronological biography of the life of Christ carefully researched and referenced and based on events recorded in ancient and modern scripture. Everyone should read this once. I thought it would be a challenging book, but it was not and I really enjoyed how Talmage compares the different gospels when they reference the same event.

Finding Noel...


This is the kind of book that I often complain about because I didn't learn anything reading it and that always makes a book less exciting to me. It's a sweet little Christmas story and I listened to the entire book in a marathon painting session yesterday. I wouldn't sit down and dedicate myself to reading this book, but if you have lots of dishes or ironing or something like that.. it's a nice diversion.

Good Manners Thursday...

Hooray! My sister Jackie sent in this lovely contribution to Good Manners Thurs. I just love this quote and hope that you will enjoy it.

I thought you'd appreciate this on a good manners Thursday. I've been studying about the music, and culture of Bali as it pertains to music. Here's a quote for you:

"Refinement (halus) is what everyone strives for, as indirectness, self-control, humility, and polite deference are important aspects of character and social interaction in Bali. They can be seen in business and social negotiations as well as theatrical performances. As cherished ideals for behavior, they are external representations of the inner power and potency (Lisa Gold, Music in Bali, p. 94-95)."

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Sarah Jane Studios...

I love the sweetness in the art work of this Utah artist.
See more of her work here!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Matryoshka...



New Matryoshka Doll Box...
$30
in the SHoP

Madagascar 2...

Pretty funny. There are more penguins and more of the Lemur King... so it's funnier. I have to admit that I did fall asleep during 20 minutes of the middle... but my 4 year old nephew sitting next to me was glued through the entire film.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

The Queen of Christmas...



I love Children's picture books. The best art in the world is found in the children's lit. section at the library. We collect Christmas everything around here and this is newest book in our collection thanks to Circe! Thank you Circe!

I love the message in this book. It reminds me of some advice that I got from a friend one day who said, "Life is short. Don't make your life about taking care of stuff. Make your life about experiences." Circe does that better than anyone I know as well as gifting great experiences that become treasured memories to her family, especially her children, and all her friends. Getting and having lovely things is wonderful, but memories of great times last forever.

I enjoy so much the work of what little c calls the "HOLIDAY BOOM!" Making the chocolate chip pecan pies for Thanksgiving is coming right up.. The trick is to skip the parts you don't like as much in favor of the fun part. For example.. I don't enjoy making the pie crust usually... so I skip that part... buy the crust and just make and bake the filling inside. I love the smell from the oven.

What are the parts you'd skip and the parts you enjoy the most?

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Bird Clips...




DCi Decor Craft... sure makes some cute things... I love it when designers take the time to make common things a delight...

George Washington's Rules of Civility...


If only our society was as concerned with good grace as our first president! This little book has 110 rules for good manners. Some of the rules are a bit funny to us ... but some are still very pertinent and important rules of etiquette.
a bit funny...
Cleanse not your teeth with the table cloth napkin, fork, or knife; but if others do it, let it be done with a pick tooth.
very pertinent...
Be not angry at table whatever happens, and if you have reason to be so, show it not; put on a cheerful countenance especially if there be strangers, for good humour makes one dish of meat a feast.
and...
It is unbecoming to stoop too much to ones meat. Keep your fingers clean and when foul wipe them on the corner of your table napkin.
I would add... never.. ever lick your fingers. It's a fast way to bad manners and a bad cold.
Love this little book. It's a lot to think about still.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The 2008 Paralympic Games...


Sunday, I was able to catch just a few minutes of the 2008 Paralympic Games. I wonder why the networks don't broadcast these games like they do the regular Olympics... these athletes have struggled every bit as much or more to get to these games and their stories are compelling and inspiring.
I found myself crying a long with a man who was telling about his battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, who was trying to live to compete in the sailing event. He told about his love of being out on the water and how he wished for more days to sail. A story was told about a girl who suffered a terrible cancer and became paralyzed, but still had the courage to swim and about her parents who made her dreams possible even in the most challenging circumstances.
There is so much pure junk on TV these days..., but for very little cost the networks could have broadcast these stories all day. It is difficult these days to understand the success of some of the programing on television. We have to look for those stories that inspire, that art that lifts and encourages, those people who speak truth. These are all hard to find, but they are there and worth the effort.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Something I'm happy I saved...


I love these sweet little Feltman Brothers dresses. They can be found lots of places. I saved a few that c wore when she was a babe. I have one kind of like this one.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington...


Just to put you in the mood to vote tomorrow. ..try watching this fabulous Frank Capra film! It's a favorite around here!




Christmas Fairies...


Isn't this winter fairy dress from Chasing Fireflies... just a dream? Sooo pretty! These dresses remind me of Jackie Kennedy's beautiful wedding dress. I've seen a lot of these applied ruffles or ribbon details lately. I love it, it's so feminine!

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the King's Singers...


I was thrilled to see this in Deseret Book on Saturday. I've been waiting for it. I have become a huge fan of the choir since they started making their own recordings and the sound is sooo much better. This CD will be one of your Christmas favorites... Yes, if you hate the Christmas posts.. you'll just have to stay away from this blog for awhile. C and I have a philosophy about Thanksgiving and Christmas it goes like this... What are you most thankful for??? CHRISTMAS!!!

Pork Chops and Brown Rice...

Sorry, I forgot to take a photo of this recipe... It's one of those Utah recipes with Cream of Mushroom soup, which I sometimes tire of... but it tasted good yesterday.

1 package thin lean pork chops (cut about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can french onion soup

Mix soups in small pot and place pork chops in the soup making sure they are covered... cook on 275 for about 4 hours or more until they are very tender.

Serve with brown rice, a side veggie and salad.
Recipe is easily doubled.

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Autumn Day at Temple Square...

We had such a fun family day today. We went to see the Reflections of Christ exhibit at the Joseph Smith Building... it was quite beautiful. We had lunch at the Lion House Pantry.
We walked around Temple Square's beautiful Autumn gardens and rode the Trax train around town. It was like a mini vacation. I just loved it all.