Owl Pillow... Was fun to make..

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

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.

The Answer to all my troubles...

No. But, what a fantastic idea! From ICouldMakeThat.org.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Princess Hanna Peg Dolls 0-4...

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

LoVE BOxes SHOP...

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!

Tips for a Strawberry themed Wedding Celebration...

on Where Lilacs Bloom today...

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!

HERE...

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

Where Lilacs Bloom...

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

Come and see..

Where Lilacs Bloom...

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.

Congratulations to Haukur & Anna Lilly Custom Peg Doll Cake Toppers

Peg Doll Wedding Cake Toppers, Anniversary Cake Toppers etc...

LovE BOXeS SHoP...

Little c's Father's Day Talk...

Happy Father's Day to all the good Dad's out there!
Sacrament Meeting Talk given by Little c
"In his talk, "Fatherhood, an Eternal Calling, Elder Perry said, "As we take a long, hard look at the world today, it is becoming increasingly evident that Satan is working overtime to enslave the souls of men. His main target is the fundamental unit of society—the family.
During the past few decades, Satan has waged a vigorous campaign to belittle and demean this basic and most important of all organizations. His success is becoming increasingly evident—the grim facts are seen, reported, and heard about daily and involve the collapse of many family units. With the decay of the family, we see the terrible effects on our society—increased crime, behavior disorders, poverty, drug abuse, and the list continues to grow and grow.
It appears to me that the cross hairs of Satan’s scope are centered on husbands and fathers. Today’s media, for example, have been relentless in their attacks—ridiculing and demeaning husbands and fathers in their God-given roles."
In the world we live in, Families desperately need the protection and leadership of a man who honors his priesthood in the home.
In my life, I have personally seen the heroic efforts of great men who honor their Priesthood. My uncle Josh is severely handicapped. There is so much that he is unable to do for himself. My grandfather loves him, respects him and cares for him with all his energy. There is nothing he won’t do to serve his "special boy". Because of his Christ-like service, Josh has the best life he can have. He has moments of great joy and he knows how much he is cherished by his Dad who has given his life to make him comfortable.
Satan does everything he can to make fatherhood out to be silly, to make those men who choose marriage and fatherhood to look like they have been trapped and are not very bright. He tries to tell men that Fathers are not needed and Fatherhood is not worth their time. But, the truth is the exact opposite. There is nothing more inspiring, more important or more heroic than a good father. Those that seek to follow the Savior, seek to have the inspiration of the holy spirit and seek to know and teach the gospel to their children fulfill the measure of their creation as sons of God. What could be greater or more noble than that?
My cousin has a beautiful little girl. When she was just one she had a strange anorexic condition and was literally starving. She gave up her bottle and would not take it. My cousin & his wife were very distressed praying and fasting for her constantly. After many trips to the Doctor and trying many different things the Doctor told my cousin and his wife that their little girl would soon have to be hospitalized and put on an IV to save her life. She was in real trouble. Then my cousin was inspired to gather his family together. He made a bottle for each member of the family and one for his little daughter. He told his family that he wanted them to all show the baby how to drink her bottle. When the baby saw her father and all her family drinking from a bottle, she decided that it would be OK for her and she began to regain her strength. I believe that Heavenly Father blessed a worthy priesthood holder with the direction to save his little girl.
In his talk, "Them That Honour Me, I Will Honour" Elder James E. Faust said, "Brethren, noble fatherhood gives us a glimpse of the divine attributes of our Father in Heaven. A father should be many things. He should magnify his priesthood and be an example of righteousness. In companionship with his wife, he should be the source of stability and strength for the whole family. He should be the protector and the provider and the champion of the members of his family. Much of his love for his children should flow from his example of love, concern, and fidelity for their mother. By his uncompromising example he should instill character into his children."
I am very grateful to have a wonderful father. He is a good provider. I live in a beautiful home and have good food to eat. He teaches me a lot of things and is always willing to take the time to answer my questions. Every evening during the school year, he helped me with my math homework and to study for my tests so that I could achieve my goals at school. He is kind to my mother and always anxious to help her. He is interested in what I am doing and encourages me in all the good things that I want to do. He helps me to work things out when I have problems. He is also lots of fun and I love him very much.
I have a testimony of the divine role of fathers. I know that men can aspire to nothing more heroic. I have a testimony of the gospel. I know that it is a plan given to us by our Father in Heaven. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.