I Love Halloween...

Halloween Witches will be making a debut in

The Love Boxes Etsy Shop

very soon..

be watching...

Boo!

(click on the pictures to see better detail... copyrighted material)

These is my Words...

This is one of the most beautiful pieces of fiction I have read in a long while. And this book captured me at about page 10 and I couldn't put it down for long after that. Sadly, I don't have much time to tell you about it... and there is much to say, but I couldn't wait and so I will leave you with two favorite quotes from the book and then you will see how wonderful it is and read it yourself. Right?

"Children are a burden to a mother, but not the way a heavy box is to a mule. Our children weigh hard on my heart, and thinking about them growing up honest and healthy, or just living to grow up at all, makes a load in my chest that is bigger than the safe at the bank, and more valuable than all the gold inside."

"... I remembered something that Blue Horse said to me back before Gilbert was born. He said that wisdom is not a path, it is a tree. At the time I was too busy to give it much thought, so I nodded politely but didn't pay much attention. Now I see that he was surely right. I have been sad almost a whole year, thinking that taking that test was somehow the end of my learning and that not having that as a possibility in my future left a big empty spot in my life that the children and the ranch didn't fill. But my life is not like that, it is a tree, and I can stay in one place and spread out in all directions, and I can do more learning shading this brood of mine than if I was all alone. I declare, it is like some other part of me made up some rules about happiness and I just went along with them without thinking."

Don't miss this one... It is one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read.

Bee Happy... GIVEAWAY!!!

Utaaaaahhhhns (that's how you say it for non-locals) will be celebrating the Days of '47 ... 1847 that is and Pioneer Day on July 24th. Brigham Young, second president of the Mormon Church and first territorial governor, wanted the people of Utah to always be "axiously engaged in a good cause" and busy bees. He built The Beehive House and Utah became The Beehive State. I think that for the most part we are busy bees, trying to just like this little bumble bee to make pretty gardens and all things lovely. I love Utah.

In order to celebrate Pioneer Day, I am giving away a Bee Happy Beehive Love Box... and a few other really fun Bee things... Please sign up (just once please) on this post. I will draw a name Monday Morning! Good Luck!

More Lilies...

These boxes are back by popular demand.. I have put a fun Jane Austen quote inside that reads, "There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart..."

There will be atleast one of these in

The Love Boxes Etsy Shop

tomorrow...

Liberty Quotes I love For July...

Liberty can not be preserved without a general knowledge among the people. John Adams

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. John F. Kennedy

The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time. Thomas Jefferson

Team of Rivals Part 2...

I can't praise this book enough, but there is a line in it that I cannot pass over without negative comment. (Remember, I told you there was one line that really bothered me...) Goodwin writes, "Before his marriage Lincoln enjoyed close relations with young women and almost certainly found outlets for his sexual urges among the prostitutes who were readily available on the frontier."

Why does this bother me so much? And, why must I say something about it when I liked most of the rest of the 760 pages so much?

This is one of the greatest men that ever lived. He is not here to defend himself against such an unbridled and uncertain charge. Something so ugly should not be said about a great man without the provision of implacable proof.

In light of the moral failings of many of our political heros, both liberal and conservative, I believe it is a temptation to bring great men down to their level, to say that every great man has these moral failings. But, I don't believe that is true. And, I do believe that when we let this pass, and begin to believe what recent films and some books have said without substantive proof about some of those who have built our nation, it is another way of tearing it down.

This same book, Team of Rivals, tells about Lincoln as a man of unusual habits. He did not smoke, he did not drink. There are few if any real instances recorded where he lost control of his temper. He forgave those who publicly humiliated and were in other ways disloyal to him. He was kind to the point of exhausting himself. He was a servant of the people and a great leader at the same time. He was a most unusual man of near perfect moral character, not according to me, but according to those who knew him best. When traveling one day, he was approached by a group of former slaves who knelt before him sayinging, "... there is the great Messiah! Glory Hallelujah!" With his voice full of emotion, Lincoln said, "that is not right. You must kneel before God only, and thank him for the liberty you will hereafter enjoy."

I am so thankful to God for the liberty that I enjoy and for the men and women through the ages that he has provided to preserve that liberty... may it go on forever.

Nancy Drew...

Little c and I went to see this film on Friday. It was so darling. I loved how the film stayed true to the feeling of the books. The granny chic wardrobe is really part of the film and the clothes are delightful.

Unlike many recent films that get a thumbs down from me as they down-grade our social interaction, each film trying to be more crude and rude than the one before, this film takes the high road praising social grace as an attribute of the well-educated girl, which it is.

While this film is made for the the pre-teen girl, the script is smarter than almost any films I have seen targeted to that demographic.

This is a film, I will buy it for my collection. Oh that respect and good manners would make a comeback in the movies...

STrictly Ballroom...

This silly film is one that I missed. It came out the year I was planning my wedding.. so anyway I saw it yesterday. It predates it, but I would still say that it is the Napoleon Dynamite of Ballroom Dance films... worth renting... it's avail. through Netflix.

BZZZzzzzz.......

This little Beehive is going in

The LOve BoxeS Shop

today...

Inside it reads, "Hope is the only bee that makes honey without flowers... Robert Green Ingersoll"

Quotes I Love Today...

The entire object of true education, is to make people not merely do the right thing, but to enjoy right things; not merely industrious, but to love industry; not merely learned, but to love knowledge. John Ruskin

The miracle, or the power, that elevates the few is to be found in their industry, application, and perseverance under the prompting of a brave, determined spirit. Mark Twain

What distinguishes a great artist from a weak one is first their sensibility and tenderness; second, their imagination, and third, their industry. Salman Rushdie

Team of Rivals...

You may have noticed the lack of a book review of late. That is not because I've given up reading. It is because this book, Team of Rivals, requires ones alert attention for over seven hundred pages. Minus one very unfortunate line, I found this book to be one of those rare and brilliant gifts that seems to part a curtain in history so that remarkable events and even thoughts unfold before the imagination. This book has been the center of conversation at our table for several weeks. We have been obsessed with this book and so it will not be possible for me to report on it in only one post. I don't think that I should even try.
The book gives a short history and background of five men, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edwin M. Stanton, Edward Bates and Abraham Lincoln. The lives of these men converge as they become bitter rivals in the contest for the Republican Presidential Nomination. Lincoln was a dark horse in a race where no one expected him to win. When he did win, and then win the Presidency, he had robbed, as they saw it, four very influential, brilliant men of their life long ambition.
This quote encapsulates the book to its essense, "This, then, is the story of Lincoln's political genius revealed through his extraordinary array of personal qualities that enabled him to form friendships with men who had previously opposed him; to repair injured feelings that, left untended, might have escalated into premanent hostility; to assume responsibility for the failures of subordinates; to share credit with ease; and to learn from mistakes. He possessed an acute understanding of the sources of power inherent in the presidency, an unparalleled ability to keep his governing coalition intact, a tough-minded appreciation of the need to protect his presidentioal prerogatives, and a masterful sense of timing. His success in dealing with the strong egos of the men in his cabinet suggests that in the hand of a truly great politician the qualities we generally associate with decency and morality -- kindness, sensitivity, compassion, honesty, and empaty -- can also be impressive political resources."
If this book has a thesis statement... I think that was it.
When we spend the investment of our time in something, especially in learning, we want that learning to be relevent. I find that a good history is always relevant. We repeat our history every generation, what we do not learn by the example left by others, we are destined to learn by personal experience. In that way, history can be timely indeed.

A list of some histories that I love because I learned so much reading them...


Angel in the Whirlwind by Benson Bobrick
Dearest Friend by Lynne Withey
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Our Sacred Honor by William Bennett
Benjam Franklin by Walter Isaacson
When the Cheering Stopped: The Last Years of Woodrow Wilson by Gene Smith
John Adams by David McCullough
Bridge at Andau by James A. Michener
Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng
Peter the Great by Robert K. Massie
Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

... there are so many more, but these are all great if you haven't had a chance to read any of them yet and they are all worth your time.

What are some of your favorite histories or biographies that I might have missed?

Good Read...

Father Jonathan tells it like it is...

July 4th...

Look! I got one sort of decent picture of the fireworks! I love the fireworks and the picnic and the whole thing. My mom thought the above flower arrangment that she made for the party was dumb, but I loved it! I thought it was perfectly festive as is everything that she does! Fun party Mom! In a whiny aside... my blogging time has recently been almost wiped out. I don't want to quit because I love doing this, but it will take me awhile now to get around to see everyone, I'm so sorry.. it just can't be helped.

A Little Culture...

We've had a funny week at the theater this week. I almost feel like a jinx. When we went to see the city production, which was amazing by the way, of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat-- the fire alam went off during the Grand Finale and we had to evacuate the building. We waited about 15 minutes in the intensely uncomfortable sound and then had to leave. I was sorry to hear that just a few minutes later the Fire Dept. was there and had everything corrected very quickly. People were able to re-take their seats and to see the Grand Finale in full. I wish that I had been one of those people because I really think that any town in Utah can stage a production full of talent, but I was very proud of my own little town because the show was just unbelievable from the sets to the costumes... but the talent was truly amazing.

This experience prepared me for the PMT production of Les Miserables. During the Lovely Ladies number, the electricity went out for over 40 min. A few people left, but most by far did not. The cast was at the end of contract and the show was sold out until then, so if we did not stay, we would miss it. And, it was not to be missed.

Here are some intersting facts about the show from an article that appeared in the Deseret Morning News on April 22, "First of all, this is not a touring production. PTC is the first regional company in the United States to be officially licensed by London-based producer Cameron Mackintosh to stage its own production... This all-new local production has been setting records for the Salt Lake City-based company. Even before this week's opening night, the production was already extended by six additional weeks. "It's not as if we're just extending on hope," said Morey. "We don't extend the show until the previous week is 90 percent sold out." I think people everywhere love this particular show, people in Utah certainly do.

Anyway, it was great, really great! Eponine was my favorite voice, but they were all amazing.

It has been so delightful to introduce little c to the theater this summer. She is loving it!

To love another person is to see the face of God.

Les Miserables.

Little House Box...

Maybe you don't know that when a love box arrives in your mail box, it comes all wrapped up pretty like this... perfect to give...
This large size house box, which I have not done before, will be available in

THe Love Boxes ETsy Shop

July 5th..

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful 4th with family and friends...

I'm off to celebrate...

God Bless America... From Sea to Shining SEA!!!

Little Baby Gift...

I finally made the trek down to IKEA with my mom yesterday. I had to see it atleast once. It was a bit overwhelming, but pretty fun. I liked these little tike dishes quite a bit. Each rainbow set of cups, plates or bowls cost $1.50 each and the little stuffie lion was .50. Tied up together I thought they made a cute baby gift for some new mothers in my neighborhood. (The dishes are microwave and dishwasher safe.)

Sparkling Stars...

There will be a few more Star Boxes available in the Etsy Shop today..

I made a medium size one as well that says, "God Bless America!"

LOve Boxes Etsy Shop

The Newsletter...

Alexandra's Newsletter has posted.

A House Divided...

Since I have been reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's book, Team of Rivals, I wanted to watch this again so that I could see the sights that are mentioned in the book. I think this is an amazing program and so relevant to so much that is happening in our country now.. see it if you haven't had a chance. (available through netflix)

Liberty Forever...

These little star boxes are available in

The LOve Boxes Etsy Shop

today....

Please read every bit of the post below to find out about giveaways in July...

*** these sold out very quickly... next year I'll make more :) Thanks everyone!

All Wrapped Up...

Dearest Friend...

I promised that I would recommend a few of my favorite books appropriate to the season. This book was given to me for my birthday one year and was a favorite gift. I just love it. Women are left out of history because they were not allowed to be the major players. Abigail Adams was one of the first women to look after the rights of the "ladies" and she had the brains to do it.

Thanks to her prolific letter writing, we have some insight into the thoughts of a great patriot as she wrote to her, "Dearest Friend" and many others as well.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is where she says this, "I begin to think that a calm is not desirable in any situation in life. Every object is most beautiful in motion, a ship under sail, trees gently agitated with the wind, and a fine woman dancing... man was made for action." It's a good thing that she felt that way because she was a woman who was forced to work very hard in her life. She accomplished greatness.

I am so appreciative to Ms. Withey for her efforts in writing this book. I am very touched by the integrity that she has as an author. I felt that she did not try to put words or thoughts into Abigail's head, but allowed Abigail's own words and the words of the other founders speak for themselves. This is the hard work of the dedicated historian and I felt that Ms. Withey took the road less traveled and it did indeed make all the difference. Reading this book was an experience that I am very grateful to have had.

North & South...

This film has nothing to do with the Civil War, but is definitely in the spirit of period costume dramas that I adore. And, again, the BBC just does a brilliant job here. This film is based on Elizabeth Gaskell's 19th century novel of the same name; she also wrote Wives and Daughters which has a BBC production of its own.

I was especially impressed by the depth of this story which includes themes that are very relevant today. Elizabeth Gaskell was not one of the Romantic writers but has a style very similar to Charles Dickens who was born just two years after Gaskell in 1812. They were both reformers who wrote very sympathetically of those in desperate conditions.

The script in this production is tight as a drum and the acting is spot on. Don't miss this one. (available through Netflix)

The "G" is for Guts...

I am amazed at the kinds of jobs given to very young people in war. This book is about the WW2 Glider Pilots whose job it was to fly large gliders loaded with fuel, troops, ammunition, food and supplies and crash land those gliders behind enemy lines and then fight their way out only to do the whole thing again.
This book shows the resolute courage of some of those pilots who remember still, the terrible cost of liberty.

Put this book on your July reading list.

Weekend in Midway...

We had a wonderful weekend spending some time around the campfire with lots of our good friends, C and little c had a dip in the pool while I finished up a great book, and we topped the weekend off by having a beautiful luch at our favorite Park City Restaurant... Terigos. The weekend just flew by.

Pretty Pink Petunia...

Petunias are amazing these days. The no longer need "dead-heading" (which does not mean that they have to be restricted from following a certain band), they spread all over with a little Mircacle Grow and they pile up in a petunia pouf by the middle of July. I love some of the trailing varieties which people are using for window boxes and hanging baskets... I used to hate the poor common petunia, but now it's a favorite as it really works for the Granny Chic garden I'm going for. It's just a lot of color for your money.

More Lilies...

Luau...

Help! I am hosting a Luau for sixty people. After spending $20 on these leis, I have eighty dollars left in my budget. I already have plates, napkins etc... I just don't know what to make that is delish, cheap and really easy.

Dear Frankie...

It takes me until about 2 years after a film has gone to DVD for me to see it these days. I finally saw this film last night and I'm so glad that I actually watched it because I've been short on time and I almost just sent it back unseen.

It is a very well written, well acted film about a mother who leaves a brutal marriage to protect her son. She is unable to tell him the truth about his father and so she pretends that the boys' father is in the navy and she writes the boy letters that come from his father's travels all over the world.

This is such a sweet film. I really enjoyed it and I don't want to give away any more so you'll just have to see it.

Keepers...

Some books are borrowers and some are keepers. By that I mean, some books are meant to be checked out at the library and returned and some books are meant to be purchased for your home library, kept and treasured. This is a treasured book. Beautifully written, and very straightforward, Benson Bobrick allows the Founding Parents to speak in their own words instead of making thoughts and assumptions for them as is so popular with many historians. When you finish this book, you will know the founders better, you will understand their values and you will see the seeds of a new kind of thought begin to take root and grow into the concept of self-government.

Over the next few weeks, I plan to share just a few of my favorite American histories with you. I believe that we ought to know the history of our country and even (this is where I'm pathetic) the history of our world. We can't possibly know enough about our past. I think that more than any other learning, learning about our past as a nation and as a human race, can help us avoid terrible mistakes in the future. I love this quote by Edward Gibbon, an Englishman and historian who wrote one of the world's very important books, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way of judging of the future but by the past."

Target...

Someone at Target likes the 4th of July. I love it myself and thought I might check and see what red, white and blue they might have. I did a "July" search and found 123 products. They've got red rubies and flag plates, you can buy a costume and dress up as Ben Franklin, they actually have all your colonial needs and if you get really in the spirit of things... you can dress your kid up as Uncle Sam.... (no I'm not kidding) and you can get all of this stuff with out even leaving your chair. Amazing... If little c ever wants to be in the parade, I know where I'm looking first.

Red, White & Blue...

If there is anything better than candy, it has to be holiday candy. Tootsie has taken quite the long time to jump on the holiday candy band wagon, but when they did... just look! Aren't these just sooooo fun!

Lily of the Valley...

I finished painting this box yesterday. It only needed that last coat of varnish but it was difficult to work that in when with swimming lessons and two ballet rehearsals. Little c and her cousin J make such beautiful little Autumn Leaves. The recital is based on the 4 seasons... it's been so fun.