Easter Basket Box... finished...

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Little Sarah...

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peg dolls, doll, little peg people. peggies, wedding cake toppers, cake toppers, cupcake toppers, birthday, decorations, painted, anniversary, available in love boxes shop...

Easter Basket...

Something new.. is coming to

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The Flip Side of Feminism: What Conservative Women Know and Men Can't Say

A liberated woman is one who has sex before marriage and a job after. ~Gloria Steinem

No woman should be authorized to stay home to raise her children. Women should not have that choice, because if there is such a choice, too many women would make that one. ~Simone de Beauvoir

I have a university degree and worked for a number of years after I was married. We waited until my husband had graduated and started in his career to begin our family so that I could be at home. I knew that I would never be able to leave my child in daycare. I realize that some women don't have a choice (This book is not a diatribe against working mothers).

It's true that my brain isn't stimulated by laundry (although books on tape help :) I don't love to change diapers and do dishes. But personally, I do love to be with my children. I love to watch them learn and grow. Teaching them their colors and numbers and then to watch them read, ride bikes, have friends of their own is amazing.

Even though I loved my work-life outside the home, mothering is the most creative, complicated, rewarding work I've ever done. I'm grateful that I have a husband who has prepared himself professionally and is willing to support our family. He has my great respect.

I hope that my daughters will find a man like him when they grow up. Will they? I see our feminist culture as the kryptonite to the supermen our boys want to become. By treating their rough and tumble elementary school games as bullying or expelling them for throwing snowballs (ridiculous). Banning recess?

There is a teacher in our school who has recognized this problem. She runs her class around the track before math. The class moves between every subject. She incorporates music and jumping jacks. Her classes are always filled with the "behavior problem boys" who turn out not to be problems in her class at all. The boys love her and they love school.

But, elementary school problems are just the beginning, the world has become hostile to men.

Feminism doesn't recognize the inherent differences of boys and girls, men and women and both suffer because of it. Feminism has been shoved down our throats until what was once considered shocking is a normal part of society to great cost. Broken families abound creating poverty, crime and other social problems at an alarming rate. Women put off having children for careers and advanced schooling to the point that infertility is rampant. 1.2 million abortions are performed in the United States every year. And, yet feminism has been considered a great step forward in society.

It's just the beginning of the lies that any fan of old movies, like myself, knows for what it is. Watch Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, Bogart and Bacall, Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur in films made before 1950 and you will know that American Women had equal rights long before Gloria Steinem came along.

I could go on forever, but I'll say this. I heard a stranger say the other day, "I don't want a woman who walks in front of me. I don't want a woman who walks behind me. I want a woman who will walk beside me." READ THIS BOOK!

One Brave Girl... Custom Peg Doll

peg dolls, doll, little peg people. peggies, wedding cake toppers, cake toppers, cupcake toppers, birthday, decorations, painted, anniversary, available in love boxes shop...

LoVE BoXeS SHoP...

Who Gets Two Bowls of Ice Cream???

ME! ME! ME!

I am now the proud owner of these two lovely paintings

by my very favorite artist...

Ally Sweeney

I love.. Love.. LOVE them!

Easter...

Now to plant the pansies...

How I love pretty ribbons...

Why Do We Let Girls Dress Like That?

Interesting article... WSJ
Women of a liberated generation wrestle with their eager-to-grow-up daughters—and their own pasts...
HERE...

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

I was a little surprised to learn that this book is considered YA fiction. I would probably read it with my teen if she were interested in reading this book. Because, the book covers some heavy topics: teen suicide, abandonment, death of a child, teen sex, drug abuse and depression. However, it is never overly graphic and it tries to help the reader have empathy for someone who is literally falling apart.

I sat down and read it in a single shot. It's a clear-your-schedule-and-make-some-couch-time-because-you-aren't-going-anywhere book.

Side-by-side, the book tells the stories of two troubled teens, one modern and one living during the French Revolution. The plot is complex and exciting, but it's also well researched historical fiction. I learned some things about the French Revolution that I didn't know before and Donnelly paints a fascinating picture of the time.

If you liked the book, The Thirteenth Tale... This book feels like that one... Surprises, great characters, tight writing. It's good stuff.

The Life of King Henry the Fifth

O Kate, nice customs curtsy to great kings. DearKate, you and I cannot be confined within the weaklist of a country's fashion: we are the makers ofmanners, Kate; and the liberty that follows ourplaces stops the mouth of all find-faults...

I love to watch Kenneth Branagh's 1989 version of Henry the Fifth. Brilliant. I need to spend more time with Shakespeare. Good for the brain and good for the heart. If you haven't seen THIS... put it on your list. Gorgeous!

Yearning For The Living God

I am grateful that I took the opportunity to read this book. It helped me puzzle some things together that I have been studying in other areas.

Enzio Busche was born just three years before Hitler came to power in Germany. He talks about the thought processes and learning at the time and about his experience in the Hitler Youth.

There is a part in the book where he says, "There was a great deal of talk about a world of conspiracy with secret combinations. Certain names of rich families were mentioned as well as members of the royal families in Europe. Supposedly, they wanted to establish a world government that would use democracy and communism as tools to fulfill their own purposes. We were told that Germany was the last enemy standing in their way, so they wanted to destroy it permanently."

Sound familiar?

Elder Busche goes on to say, "This idea always seemed very far-fetched to me. And, surprisingly, similar rumors tend to surface year after year, even in America. I do no believe them any more today than I did then. But I have observed with interest what long lived rumors and lies can have and how they destabilize the comfort and peace of societies."

I believe something is lost in the translation here. It was the only part of the book that had me really confused because in the very next paragraph, Elder Busche goes on the describe the very conspiracy that fooled so many and became what is known as the Holocaust. Truly, secret combinations are part of this world. I talked this out with C. He made the comment that he's been asked about who are behind the secret combinations of this world. Who are the conspirators? Who is the great and abominable church? His answer was that it wasn't one thing.

The drug cartels. The mafia. Those who seek to destroy the church and the faithful can all be part of secret combinations. Surely there are many. The idea of pointing to just one, even in the time of Hitler, Stalin was also an evil dictator responsible for the killing millions and for secret combinations that allowed him to keep the power of which he was so jealous. C's thoughts made a lot of sense to me. There is no one family, no one race, no royal family, no one sect that is out to cause chaos, war, bloodshed and the destruction of society.

The book goes on to tell of Elder Busche's conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and of the many tender mercies gifted to him by our Father in Heaven. He also tells many instances of people whose devotion to God gave them the ability to serve him in miraculous ways and often that helped them to be in the right place at the right time with the right help, with the right information... Elder Busche told many stories about how after giving all they had and coming short, the Lord made up the difference. The book is full of stories of the widow's mite... those that have so very little, but whose sacrifice, made in love is great.

There is a thread of liberty that runs through the book. An understanding of how freedom and liberty are essential to the gospel. The end of the book includes a treatise on the bloody history of Christianity. It's very sad, but interesting and made me think how much we still live today with our ancient history. Elder Busche tells how we need to judge faith by it's fruits and that the best is that message delivered by the angel at time of the birth of Christ, "Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward men."

I give this book the highest recommendation I have and hope that you will read it and tell me what you think.

The people of Japan...

I'm really impressed with the people of Japan. Looting? No. Whining that people aren't doing enough for them? No. They are handling this most difficult tragedy with grace and patience. Had they not, had there been riots and disorder... markets already fairly shaky would have had further problems. The Japanese have given the world a gift with their grace.
I'm sure that we will all find some way to be helpful to them.

Children Make Terrible Pets...

What if when you were a small child, you brought home a frog and asked your mom if you could, "please, please, please.." keep him forever? And then your mom said, "How would you like it if some forest creature picked you up and took you home and asked to keep you?" And you thought. "GREAT!" ... or something like that. This book is delightful!

Custom Birthday Cake Topper Giveaway...

I haven't done a giveaway in a long time... So... This one is for a

Custom Birthday Cake Topper

Made to look like your own son or daughter, with name and birth date on the bottom.

Will also include the fun gift service available in the

LoVe BoXeS SHoP...

Instructions: Everyone is welcome to enter by...
making a single comment in the comments section
Winner will be drawn Monday, Midnight EST
GOOD LUCK!

Congratulations Frenchy!

Charlotte Tiana...

This turned out to be one of my very favorite dolls so far.

Find custom birthday cake & wedding cake toppers

LoVe BoXEs SHoP...

little peg people. peggies, wedding cake toppers, cake toppers, cupcake toppers, birthday, decorations, painted, anniversary, available in love boxes shop...

Winston Churchill PBS

PBS documentaries of great men and women are a little too much like reading a newspaper these days. While no man is perfect, it is difficult for people to put into perspective a man's accomplishments vs. his sins. Just ask Dan Quayle what happens if you happen to not like a particular episode of Murphy Brown, for example. I think that "scandal" is what most people know about him. Or, if you are a favorite friend of the liberal media, like for example George H.W. Bush, you might be flayed in the media because of what great sin.. Yep, he doesn't like Broccoli. It almost got as much coverage as the death of Michael Jackson or even the O.J. Simpson trial.

I'm not saying that we should gloss over people. But, a little bit of perspective would be healthy. PBS often lacks that perspective and so while I learned a little bit, I can't highly recommend this program.

Winston Churchill in a nutshell: This is a man who smoked like a chimney and drank like a sailor, but when he was a young boy, he had an impression that he would have an opportunity to save his country and he spent his whole life preparing to do just that. And, when the time came, he was prepared and he did save his country and ours too.

He did not fall for the charm of "the great bear" like our own more shallow FDR. He knew the evils of communism and tried to prepare his people. He worked tirelessly to save Poland and in that he failed, but he knew liberty and when he held up a two fingered salute, it was not for peace, but for Victory.

God bless you Prime minister... We still have so much to learn from you.

All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope. ~Winston Churchill

How To Train Your Dragon

Everyone at my house wants to be Astrid. Since under-the-weather has been more normal than not this winter. I have this film memorized. What bit would you like to hear?

I love it though. This is a film about my people. I hope they were dragon fighting instead of raiding and pillaging, but hey... It's cold up there in the great north and we Vikings get worried about where our next meal is coming from.. If you get between a Viking and dinner.. you could have trouble.

Anyway, if there is any chance you haven't seen this 59 times, you should. It's darling. And, the music is really lovely. Really.

On Saturdays if you are very lucky...

You can find these HERE...

I know it looks just so everyday, but it's not.. it's DELICIOUS!

Sugar Daisy Bakery
140B North Main StreetKaysville, UT 84037(801) 543-1500

Spinach Chicken & Pasta Salad with Teriyaki Vinaigrette

My mom made this on the weekend.. If you are starting to look for some delicious summer recipes.. This one will be a hit!
***Note: I made this recipe myself. My suggestions are to go with the 2/3 cup rather than 1/3 teriyaki sauce and use regular table salt rather than sea salt :)

Recipe HERE...

PS.. I have to say that I love this blog so much. It has a ton of recipes that I would like to try. I am adding it to my blogroll so I'll be able to find it. Fantastic recipes :)

The Big Sleep...

I didn't like this one quite as well as To Have or Have Not, BUT Bogart and Bacall are electric together and the script is tight AND if you want to learn how to flirt like a champ.. this is your program. I couldn't believe these women. This is no Doris Day picture my friends. Loved it! I was telling my sister Jackie, these Bogart and Bacall films would make fantastic Opera!

Lucky in Love...

Love BoxEs SHoP...

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

On February 19, 1942 President Franklin Roosevelt signed an Executive Order that sent 110,000 Japanese Americans to interment camps in Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Arkansas, Colorado and California...

Los Angeles Times Editorial...

"
"A viper is nonetheless a viper wherever the egg is hatched... So, a Japanese American born of Japanese parents, nurtured upon Japanese traditions, living in a transplanted Japanese atmosphere... notwithstanding his nominal brand of accidental citizenship almost inevitably and with the rarest exceptions grows up to be a Japanese, and not an American... Thus, while it might cause injustice to a few to treat them all as potential enemies, I cannot escape the conclusion... that such treatment... should be accorded to each and all of them while we are at war with their race."

I hated to see that a bus from my beloved Sun Valley was used for this purpose...

Even though this book tells the story of one of the most shameful bits of American history, it is a beautifully written story of love and honor.

Henry Lee is a boy with troubles to spare. He is a Chinese-American elementary school student who is sent to an all white school. The white kids don't like him and the Chinese children in his neighborhood don't like him either. He is a solitary boy.

Henry's father is a man obsessed and eventually destroyed by hatred. He provides little comfort for Henry by insisting that the boy speak "American" and since his parent speak only Chinese, it insures for almost no conversation. Henry's mother does what she can to give Henry love and comfort, but she is very traditional and honors her husband's wishes in all things.

If it weren't for Sheldon, the saxophone playing jazz musician, Henry would be truly friendless.

Then, Henry meets the lovely little Keiko, a Japanese American girl who comes to attend the all white school with him just after Japan attacks Pearl Harbor...

This is a wonderful book... When you pick it up, make sure you've carved out the day.

What Every Freshman Should Know...

From the post below, you can see that I have been reading statements on socialism by modern prophets and apostles. While I was doing that, I came across this talk of Elder Boyd K. Packer given to a graduating class at Utah State University in 1973. This talk hit me right in the heart as I remember some of the challenges I faced in my classes with my different professors.
My biology class at BYU taught many things that didn't sit well with me. I sat in that class confused and frustrated. My Romantic Lit. professor was a tool and a half, in love with himself and his own voice and the students who flattered and patronized him. I was not one of those and he made me miserable.
My favorite professor taught Shakespeare. Dr. Glade Hunsaker had such a love of beautiful language, beautiful music and noble ideas. I am a better person because I was a member of that class. Class lasted about 5 electric minutes and we left with our brains abuzz with loveliness. Sometimes Dr. Hunsaker would sing to us bits of his favorite operas (Pilgrim's Chorus) and weave the stories into our lesson. I've always liked opera and I loved that. Dr. Hunsaker taught us how the study of great beauty can make us more beautiful and how close art can bring us to divinity. I remember being so happy in that class. I knew the things that I was learning were good and right. I hope my daughters will have teachers like Dr. Hunsaker.
You have to be so wise so young these days. There are those who want to help you up and those who want to trip you up. What Every Freshman Should Know is wise council for all of us searching for truth. I read it aloud to my family tonight. I hope some sunk in, but I'm not taking any chances. I will be reading it aloud again soon. I think it would be great for the first of every school year.

Socialism and the United Order...

Recently, the S.L. Tribune posted an article called The case for Book of Mormon Socialism. This topic crops up periodically and so I want to offer up some information here from the most reliable sources I know. And, I hope that if you have any questions on this issue, you will do some further study. This is one of the important questions of our time and each member of the church ought to have this settled in their own mind.

“[The Constitution] is the keystone of our nation. It is the guarantee of our liberty. That original document, with the Bill of Rights, constitutes the charter of our freedom. Through all of the years that have followed we have had some ambitious men who have sought to subvert the great principles of the Constitution, but somehow we have endured one crisis after another. We have been involved in terrible wars during this, the bloodiest of all centuries in the history of man. All of this is part of the miracle that is America, the struggle, the travail, the bitterness, the jealousies, the cynicism, and the criticism. But beyond and above it all is the wonder of a nation that for more than two centuries has remained free and independent and strong, the envy of the world, the hope of the world, the protection of free men everywhere, the manifestation of the power of the Almighty.” ["Keep Faith with America", commencement address given at Weber State University, Ogden, Utah on 6 May 1999.] President Gordon B. Hinckley

The practice of coveting and receiving unearned benefits has now become so fixed in our society that even men of great wealth, and possessing the means to produce more wealth, are expecting the government to guarantee them a profit. Elections often turn on what the candidates promise to do for voters from government funds. This practice, if universally accepted and implemented in any society, will make slaves of its citizens.
We cannot afford to become wards of the government, even though we have a legal right to do so. It requires too great a sacrifice in self-respect and in political, temporal, and spiritual independence. In Mine Own Way ~President Marion G. Romney (This whole talk is very helpful on this subject).

According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the fights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;
That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.
Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.
And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood. (D. & C. 101:77-80)

More HERE...

I have included 4 different talks on my other blog if you are interested... but, if you look just a little, there is much more.

The Happiest Bride...

Despite this more serious photo that I really liked. I don't think I've ever seen a happier bride and groom. Their joy was infections!
May this only be the beginning... "The best is yet to be..."

A Tale of Two Cities... Hale Centre Theater

So, we finally went last night to:

A Tale of Two Cities at Hale Centre Theater

A Tale of Two Cities is one of my favorite books. It's my favorite if you count the fact that I don't even know how many times I've read it. Since the director's (John Sweeney) wife Ally is my very dear friend, I wanted it to be amazing. I had no worries. It was a great evening of theater. The actors who play the central characters are incredible. I will put Utah voices up against any I've heard in New York or elsewhere. Ally and I were able to speak with the writer of the Book, Music and Lyrics Jill Santoriello during intermission and she agreed. (She was gracious and lovely. It was a treat to meet her. Her story in incredible.)

Angela Jeffries can raise the roof with her powerful voice but, the feeling she puts into the character and the depth of the script makes this Madame Defarge the first one I've seen that is at all three dimensional and true to the story. Madame Defarge is one of literary fiction's most evil villains, but Dickens is careful to point out how she became so hateful. Madame Defarge is truly the product of brutality. This is the first production to show that.

An introduction to the French people has cast members literally seen crawling from under ground like rats symbolic of how they are treated. Then, when caskets of wine are spilled in the streets, the starving people are seen licking it up the foreshadowing how the streets will run with blood and the people will become blood thirsty. I was stunned at how these crucial elements of the book were included seamlessly in the production.

The staging of the little funeral for Gaspard's son is so tender and touching that I was weeping by that point.

Sydney Carton is sensitively played by Kyle Olsen who has the voice of an archangel, which is fantastic in this production because it is one of the most musical, musicals I've seen. The show doesn't have musical numbers that put a point on the action, rather the music in Tale of Two Cities moves the story line along. In this way, it has an operatic quality.

The show is chocked full of fantastic talent. Charles and Lucie are brilliant. I thought Jeffrey Whitlock gave a stand out performance as Mr. Cruncher.

The costumes are amazing and made in house according to my friend Ally.

I could go one about it, but at the essence, A Tale of Two Cities is one of the most beautiful stories in our literary canon. Tales of redemption are poignant to all people who yearn to be better. The writer Jill Santoriello and this amazing company have created a glorious piece of art. The kind that inspires the best in us... that part that hopes to be more.

Now That I'm FAMOUS... I have a big head

I was asked to participate in THIS article about Provident Living.. I am so excited to be part of the article and thrilled with how it came together.

Three Bean Cassoulet...

Ingredients:
1 cup dried lima beans
1 cup dried great Northern beans
1 cup dried garbanzo beans
4-1/2 cups water
16 oz. bag baby carrots
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp. dried parsley flakes
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. white pepper
1 bay leaf
14 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
Cover beans with cold water in large saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 1 hour. Drain beans. Combine drained beans, 4-1/2 cups water, carrots, onion, garlic and seasonings except salt, tomatoes, and tomato paste in 3-1/2 to 4 quart slow cooker. Mix well to combine. Cover and cook on high heat for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook for 8-9 hours or until beans and vegetables are tender. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, and salt, cover, and cook 1 hour longer on low. Remove bay leaf before serving. 4 servings.

This recipes is so very healthy. It's pretty good too, but it's a little too healthy for me. Next time I make it, I'm going to add some pre-cooked ham cubes or a few bacon crumbles. I don't want to destroy the healthy, but it just needs a little more flavor. And, I may use black beans as one of the beans because I think it needs more color as well. But, I will definitely make it again. 10 minutes prep time and it cooks all day.

Magnolias...

I'm sorry this photo is so tiny, but Magnolias are so tiny too. One of the lovliest little feminine novelties I've ever been introduced to. I love these little things. I tried them last night for the first time at a friend's home. We were talking about Mark Twains Autobiography, which is a great read, and she brought out these tiny treats.

They made their debut in around 1860 and were a kind of breath mint for ladies. The flavors are:
White - Carnation, Pink - Rose, Orange - Jasmine, Yellow - Cashou, Green - Pear Blossom, Blue & Purple - Violet.
As far as I know, they are only available at
Startup's Quality Candies in Provo, Utah

German Pancakes...

This is my lazy day meal. One of them anyway. However, the children and the husband practically cheer when I make this. It's good. Kitchen prep time... 5 minutes!
8 eggs
1 1/4 cup flour
1 1/4 cup milk
1/4 sugar
4 tsp salted butter

Preheat oven to **380** degrees
Melt butter in over in a glass 9"X13" pan. Toss remaining ingred. in a blender until well mixed.
Pour batter into hot pan w/butter. Bake at 380 degrees for apx. 24 minutes. (Be watching for golden brown and super puffy)