Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Cafe Terigo...

While I'm talking about Park City Restaurants, I don't think I've ever mentioned this one before and it deserves a mention. This is not light fair... the food is extravagant. The photo above is their famous dessert... bread pudding with homemade cinnamon ice cream. Why isn't cinnamon ice cream a flavor available at the store? I don't know because it's so yummy. Their risotto is perfect, their fish is amazing. I've been there at least 10 times and never been disappointed. It's also nice and quiet and has a beautiful atmosphere with quotes from Victor Hugo and the like on the walls. It's a pretty place. Give it a try and tell me what you think.


424 Main Street
Park City, Utah 84060
(435) 645-9555Open Mon 11:30am-2:30pm; Tue-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-9pm

Hapa Grill...

I have no experience with sushi, but after eating here, I want to eat more soon. It was melt in your mouth delicious. My salad was also really different and yummy. This is already new favorite place in Park City. And, I was there with such fantastic company :)

Friday, July 15, 2011

Owl Pillow... Was fun to make..

This owl pillow/bean bag was very fun to make. "How to" post coming first of next week. :)

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Afghan from Afghanistan...

This is my cozy chair. This top white blanket is an Afghan that my cousin Jonna made for me while she was serving our country in Afghanistan. You wouldn't think something so comforting could be made in a war zone.. but there it is. I already felt like Jonna and all our servicemen and women had done something truly wonderful for me.. so I didn't need this blanket, but I sure LOVE IT. And, I will treasure it. Thank you Jonna. Thank you for the blanket and thank you for your service. I'm very touched and grateful for both gifts.

Friday, July 08, 2011

Wearing grief... a few thoughts...







I have been noticing these vinyl signs on vehicles everywhere lately. In loving memory of... somebody that someone loves. I found this decal HERE...

It's an interesting phenomenon and I wonder about it because I think about death a lot. I don't think it's morbid. I just think of it as an experience we all face. I'm afraid of it a little bit. I don't want to die before I've done what I need to for my kids. And, I don't want to be left behind by those I deeply love. I don't want it to hurt, but I know that it probably will.

My husband's grandmother was a good friend to me. I went to visit her on her birthday once when she'd been a widow for about six years. She said, "Why am I still here?" I didn't know the answer to that, but I was grateful for her faith and for her courage. I knew she was ready when the time came and I was grateful for her help and wisdom while she was still living.

Some people have a very private grief and some people are more open. Once walking in the cemetery I saw a young woman weeping over the grave of a lost child. My initial reaction was to run over and hug her and have a good cry with her. Would that have been right? You don't know. I felt that I had invaded her private space... I found the depth of her love for a child she had known for such a short time to be sacred and exquisitely beautiful. But, I didn't want to walk there anymore and chance disturbing her again.

When people have these markers on their cars.. to me it says, "my heart is broken and I hurt." As humans the best we can do for each other is to "do unto others as we would have done to us." But, there is a greater comfort. Our Father in Heaven knows how to comfort each of us according to our need. He knows the number of hairs on our heads. He knows the intricacies of our hearts and he knows how they break and he knows how to mend them. The more we seek to become like Him, the greater ability we will have to do unto others as THEY would have done unto them. I know that our Savior has paid the price to heal every mind and body and heart and make it whole.

Thursday, July 07, 2011

Relative Values...



Not a very good title, BUT lots of fun. Appropriate for everyone and brilliantly acted by an incredible cast. Those of you who appreciated Cold Comfort Farm need to put this on your list immediately if you haven't seen it. Sophie Thompson playing the intoxicated maid is ... well, I just don't know how she did it. It's a perfect performance and made me smile for nearly two hours. I don't know how I missed this when it came out in 2000, but it's a new favorite.

Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Rescue Dawn...



I wanted to spend part of Independence Day remembering the sacrifices of our military. C and I watched this gripping film which bears a striking resemblance to the real story and is brilliantly acted by all involved. (I would highly recommend this film to anyone over the age of 14. The worst of the violence has been suggested at rather than shown.)


When I was younger and fascinated by war, especially WW2... history and man's inhumanity to man was a bit removed as I studied and read. Now I have cousins and friends flying these planes and helicopters and so I pray for our military members every night. And, whenever I see the flag, or hear patriotic songs... these men and women are in my thoughts and prayers and heart.
I hope you had a beautiful Independence Day.

Sunday, July 03, 2011

Marta Gomez: Cielito Lindo

Tonight I was visiting with my brother who was trying to calm his sweet baby girl. He played her Cielito Lindo, a very old Spanish song often performed by Mexican Mariachi bands, but never sung more beautifully than by Marta Gomez HERE.. Her entire cd is lovely. This song will be part of the music and other fun ideas posted on Where Lilacs Bloom later this week for our Sweet Senorita Party... I can't wait, but had to give my good friends a preview since you need to rock your babies to sleep to this tonight.


Jennie D. can you teach me how to make a video.. I finally found a song. :)

Be-spangling the house...











We had fun spangling yesterday. I had a small helper and so it took most of the day. It took awhile for me to remember where the red, white and blue things were all located. We made paper flowers and a few little treat sacks for neighbors and vets. I also stumbled upon the Taste and Tell blog, which had some fun ideas for 4th of July treats. Check her side bar for more ideas.

Friday, July 01, 2011

Climb of My Life...



When I went to university, I had the fortunate experience of rooming with someone I came to very much admire for just a semester. She is an accomplished poet among many other talents and has started a blog of her own, A Poet In Zion, which I think you'll really enjoy. She posts her thoughts and poems on Fridays. Stop by and visit her blog or at least read this post about FAITH which I love.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Princess Hanna Peg Dolls 0-4...

A favorite dress for every year. Custom Peg Dolls, Wedding Cake Toppers.. birthdays etc... are available at

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Where Lilacs Bloom...

It has been quite a week. Last week I decided to start a new design blog in the middle of a few other projects and it has been a lot of work to get it up and running... so please stop over and look at all the party planning ideas.. one of my favorites of the posts today: How to make your own silent movie for either your FLapper Themed Wedding OR your Dinner and a Murder Party :)

There will also be two real weddings featured with inspiration boards to create the same feel with handmade and vintage items. Stay tuned :)
Where Lilacs Bloom...

Elder Maxwell tells it like it "REALLY" is...

I thought this talk of Elder Maxwell's was so powerful I sent it to my entire family tonight. I never do that. I would be happy to hear what you think. There article is HERE...

Sunscreen...

Being fair, I love sunscreen and this little stick is my new favorite thing. I love the scent of Waterbabies. Plus it's pink and it makes sure your nose is not!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Tips for a Strawberry themed Wedding Celebration...

Two Layer Cake with a strawberry on top!

I think I've made about a dozen two-layer cakes in my life. But, I've decided they are very Granny Chic and so I'm going to make the effort to stop making "snack cake" where you pour the entire batter into a 9X13. The thing is.. it's intimidating. Even with cooking spray or flour and butter I have a hard time getting the rounds out of the pans because I like the cake to be very moist. It's a crumby mess when I get them out.
So I have to apply not one crumb coat...

... but 2! If you haven't done this before. You use one of those thin frosting spreaders .. I like THIS one... (BTW a friend gave me the large Wilton spatula as a gift.. they are the best for lifting enchiladas out of the pan w/out ruining them.. free tip for the day).


After the second crumb coat.. even a moist, crumby cake starts to look prettier ( I apologize for the horrid light in these photos).

I need a better butter cream recipe. The one I use, I won't recommend because I made it up and it's kinda soggy so the cake doesn't fluff out pretty like a Martha Stewart cake. But, still I thought it was pretty cute and the best part.. It was DELICIOUS! Everyone said so. ;)

A cake is a celebration for which there need be no reason.

My secret recipe will appear in the comments.. just for those of you who are still reading.. shhh. :)

July 4th Inspiration Board...

You've got to pop over and see this flag painting enlarged. It's simply awe inspiring!

His Excellency George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis



I wasn't a fan of this book. I don't like books that feel the need to nit pick at great men.

I intended to write a whole bit about the many reasons I dislike these types of histories, but I'm just not in the mood to be negative today, it's too pretty. So I'll just include one of the ideas that I really liked. It was that among his peers: Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton, Franklin, Madison and others.. among these great men, he was considered a leader.


I haven't read another book just about Washington. But, I would recommend instead..


Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer

Angel in the Whirlwind by Benson Bobrick

Friday, June 24, 2011

Where Lilacs Bloom...

I'm starting up a new wedding blog...

Come and see..


In today's posts: The Tiffany Blue inspiration board has the most beautiful vintage wedding dress... stop by Etsy and take a look. It's a stunner.