Mother's Day Box.. Sweet Pea...

I put my favorite quote about mothers inside this box.. It reads, "I remember my mother's prayers.. they have clung to me all my life..." Abraham Lincoln

It's been listed this morning in..

THe LoVE BoXes SHoP

The O'Reilly Factor For Kids...

I picked this book up at the library thinking that it might have some good information for me as a parent. It did not. And, I was very put off by O'Reilly's style. For example, in the chapter about teen sex he does hit on all the dangers, pregnancy, disease, being used, but stops short of just saying, "don't" because he says, "As for me, I not going to tell you to avoid sex, because in the end you will do what you want anyway."

Sex is a bad thing for teens. They are not emotionally ready. Sex is not about loving another person at that age, it is about exploiting another person for pleasure. And the dangers that O'Reilly lists are real and they have life long consequences that sometimes filter down through generations because teen pregnancy is a quick short cut to real poverty and all it's many problems.

Drugs. Again, O'Reilly lists all of the dangers, but stops short of saying, "don't". I can see his angle. Present all the evidence and treat teens like adults who can make decisions for themselves.

I think that's fine, but kids should hear a firm "don't" from adults they respect. For one thing it gives them an excuse. My dad used to say that if I ever felt uncomfortable in any situation, I could call home and he would come get me. I probably would have felt that way anyway, but it was good that he said it. I will say that to my daughter. My dad also said that if I was ever asked to do anything that made me uncomfortable I could blame him, "Aw shucks! I'd love to, but my dad will get really mad!" I've already told c to say, "I can't. My mom's so mean.. she'd ground me for a year!"

Have you ever heard a successful adult say, "Gee whiz, I wish I had experimented with drugs as a teen"? No. That alone qualifies drug experimentation as a "don't".

I talk to c about sex, drugs, child abuse, divorce, drinking, smoking and all the rest. I am NOT one of those parents who is afraid of these subjects. I was at first, but I found that c was already hearing things at school and now she brings up the subjects most of the time, which is great. 3 isn't too young to tell a kid you don't want them smoking. And, "Don't" & "Absolutely Do NOT" are words that parents and leaders who love kids and teens are comfortable with in their vocabulary. They may not take your advice, but if they know how strongly you feel they just may and avoid a lot of mistakes in the end.

Skip this book for teens and go with, "Way to Be!" by Gordon B. Hinckley who was never afraid to say, "Don't!"

Owls...

This is the last owl in the cherry blossom tree for awhile.. until I can paint some more which I hope will be some time soon. They have flown out of the shop.
... and so I have decided since the little owl is so popular to put him into production as a postcard. I hope to see the finished product next week! Hooray!
I hate to talk so much shop lately, but we have a big church service project going on... and I was babysitting my little niece last night and dance lessons and blood drive and keeping up with the house and work has slipped through my fingers somewhat lately. The last few weeks have been more than usually crazy. I try to keep up, but you know how it is.. I know you do! But, this weekend is going to be fun. We have plans to introduce c to the Utah Symphony and possibly the new train. I try to keep up, but you know how it is.. I know you do! Good luck with all your stuff!!

Gift Packages...

I had so much fun making these yesterday. For some reason I have always thought that Love Boxes go with some of my other favorite things.. like candy! I also like to stuff these bags with pretty quotes, maybe a little game and a few other little fun things.
If you order a box from the shop and want this too..

On the main page, just look in the shop sections on the right for

Love Boxes Wrap Service

and a package like this can arrive at your door.. or the door of any friend you choose.

Someday My Prince Will Come...

I took the afternoon off yesterday and read this book cover to cover. No, I did not have time to do this and I will soon be paying the price for my irresponsible actions. Not to mention this book is so much debauchery and drunkeness... don't worry about my soul however, .. it's PG rated (but wouldn't be if there were details if you know what I mean)! But, it was just so fun!

I found this book about the silliest thing I've ever read. It's not really well written either, but at the same time I found it really inspiring in an insane sort of way and there are so many wonderful quotes..

Possibly because some of my own dreams are insane.. I related to Jerramy Fine and her quest (from the age of 6) to marry an English Prince. Raised by hippie parents on the outskirts of Denver (this book may be for you Janice).. she casts off her hemp wearing lifestyle at the age of 2 proclaiming as her mother comes to wake her, "You are NOT the woman who dresses me!"

It does seem that our dreams sometimes define us.. hopefully they define us better than we are...

"Nothing splendid was ever achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstance." ~Bruce Barton

If you read this book.. I am dying to know what you think!

Paperweights...

You may have recognized this from the montage above (montage = artistic composite of juxtaposed more or less heterogeneous elements... and I think heterogeneous means related or my banner may not be a montage... which would stink.. but either way good words right?) Anyway, I can never get a good photo of it, but I love this paperweight! I inherited it from my adopted grandmother Lydia when she passed away (I'm the one in the photo with my eyes closed.. reason 1 why I'm the photog and not the photographed at family parties!)
Anyway, I loved her. She spoiled kids. This is me, my brother and sister and the girl in front is one of her actual grandchildren I believe.. which is probably why she looks so happy! Lydia had really long silver hair that she wore in a crown like this.. she was Danish. She traveled the world and saw very interesting places and things. She had a great library. She loved Shakespeare. She was a wonderful cook and her house smelled like heaven all the time. When I was little my favorite thing she made me though was peach or orange jello with tons of fruit especially mandarin oranges and little tiny rolled up balls of cream cheese. I still love that! She collected Christmas plates (me too).
Anyway, I have a collection of glass paperweights, but this one was the first. Don't you think it's magical?

Diets...

Can you believe that I got this picture from appealinggifts.com??? Ha! If someone gave me this scale as a present.. I would be pretty hurt I think, but there is no accounting for taste. I suppose someone could have a friend named Bob who is in great shape and proud of it and likes to get on a scale every morning and say to himself, "Bob you're in great shape! Look at those numbers! What a guy!!!"

Anywho, things have been more that crazy around here since about Christmas and I have found myself eating more and more sugar. Since I already have sugar for breakfast, lunch and dinner (with a sugar-free diet coke of course) that's a lot of sugar!

So I intend to reform. (Does anyone want to reform with me?) I wrote this diet.. (but you could do your own program).

1. Eat 5 servings of fruit/veggies per day

2. Get 30 minutes of exercise per day

3. Eat only 1 treat per day

4. Eat regular portions and no seconds

5. Eat nothing after 8 P.M.

So that's my diet. The whole thing. I was going to join WW, but I never really do that because I'm not good at points or counting calories or anything like that. I wanted to make it simple. I know this diet isn't good enough to turn me into Nicole Kidman, but I think that I would be a lot healthier. My plan is to get a little notebook and check these things off everyday. Should be simple.. we'll see. Who wants to try this with me? It's a one week challenge.. we'll meet back here on Monday.. if we feel truly happier/better/more successful then we'll keep on, but if we're miserable/hate it/and overly tired and grouchy we'll just quit... it's a one week challenge. We could try it for a week right?

Reflections of Christ...

My Friend Shawna sent me this and it's very beautiful. You must see it!

There was a 'Reflections of Christ' photography exhibit recently on display at the Mesa Temple Visitors Center in conjunction with the Easter Pageant produced by the LDS Church. The photographer was given permission to photograph Pageant cast members for the exhibit. The photographer worked with a few other individuals to put together a 5 minute slide show which includes every image from the exhibit set to the hymn 'Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.'

Rescue of the Lost Lamb by Minerva Teichert

Something I'm dreaming of..

Someday, I would love to have a peony patch somewhere in the garden.. aren't these lovely?

Nancy Drew's Blue Car...

People often ask if c likes to paint... well... painting isn't her main gig.. let's just put it that way. She's more into construction.. the bigger the better. This is one of her latest. It takes up a good third of the kitchen table. I can picture c getting into large installation projects much more than my tiny boxes.. she likes art that's big! I'm thrilled that Nancy still has her imagination captured.. As her teacher was walking out of class the other day with 3 large empty donut boxes .. c immediately thought of building a car.. would you think of building a car out of donut boxes? I wouldn't. It's one of the many things that is fun about c. :)

Hooray.. I own a Lolli Doll!

... and this is how it came packaged!
Isn't she adorable! There is a link to this shop a few posts below. I believe Jenn is currently out, but you can check her shop periodically for shop updates.

I'm sorry if I haven't been around to visit recently. I'm here in fact I'm sitting right here. I had been taking a lot of pictures for people which requires mega hours editing... almost finished.. see you tomorrow!

Daffodils and other business...

Kelly did a lovely post about the story in this book with a link the the actual garden.. You might want to visit her if you haven't. Also, this book is a keeper if you can get a copy. The illustrations by Anne Marie Oborn are luminous and amazing.

Also, are you reading? Book report day is coming.. April 26th.. just a reminder.

Photo Shoot...

Yesterday afternoon we had a fun photo shoot with the Beehives in our neighborhood (translation Beehives equal 12 year old girls in Mormon speak). They had all dressed up in their Sunday best and they looked darling posing in front of the daffodils. I did the photos all in black and white because they are going to paint the photos in that old-fashioned technique (think of your grandmother's wedding photo). Anyway it was touch and go there for few minutes.. the clouds were large and it did snow on most of the girls pictures.. so it either looks like snow in their hair or large dandruff. But, what a great group of girls. They were really cute.

Even More Brown...

Now people, you can't ever say that I don't have any brown in the shop.. because I dooooo!

ThE LOve BoXes SHoP

More Brown & Pink...

love is a gift...

now in the

LoVE BoxeS SHoP

Chicks & Angels...

I just can't seem to take the Easter down. Easter colors are my colors. I just love them.

Horton Hears A Who...

We went to see this last night. It was really darling I thought. The the kids all loved it. I was impressed; I wasn't sure they could make a movie out of that little book, but they did. I've always loved this book too and so I was hoping it would succeed. What a great message it has. I hope the other really great Horton book will be a movie sometime.

Then we went to Noodles for our last Hoorah.. my brother and his darling Jenni and their 4 kids leave this afternoon for home. I'm afraid that all the kids are going to melt into a puddle of tears (especially my little c) when they wake up this morning. It's been a great week, they just adore each other. Cousins, COusins, COUSINS!! has been the rousing shout around here.

Here we are at mid-week. I hope you've been having a good one too!

WII Bowl Off...

What a fun night we had last night and I have not one single photo to prove it... but, we did. There was a caterpillar and a dragon on the swings in my sister's yard having a great time together. Thomas the train made a lot of appearances along with Percy and Big City Engine. The caterpillar had a WII bowl off with all of his cousins and won every game but the last... (the caterpillar was getting a little tired). But, his bowling was amazing all night.. spare.. strike.. spare. The big cousins (and C began studying his technique). The big cousins had formed a super-hero group and were fighting off the evil Zadak with Karate Chops which was really a good thing. I should have been out there with them because I couldn't help but snag an extra slice of Extreme Veggie Pizza from The Pie (mmmmmmmmmm.. it's my favorite). In addition to the lovely yellow room that I've shown you before.. my sisters house has a few other things I love.. an amazing view of the sunset and a fridge that dispenses crushed ice. I do wish that I had just one shot of the caterpillar and the dragon. It was an Alice In Wonderland evening for sure. :)

Roger Muhl 2...

beautiful...

Roger Muhl...

Sadly, the prolific French painter Roger Muhl passed away earlier this month. He leaves behind a large body of beautiful work. It is tragic there won't be more.

Morning Light Bouquet...

Several requests have been made for Mother's Day appropriate items.

Of course I will be painting some Mother's Day Love Boxes.. but I thought some new photographic note cards would be nice as well. There are a couple of sets available in the shop now (there are also a few sets of the Temple Square series still available). Also, an 8X10 art print similar to this one is in the shop and ready to be framed for Mother's Day. No watermarks will show on purchased photos. Also, a note on the art print.. the image had to be shrunk to fit Etsy.. but every pixel will be there in all it's undistorted glory in your mailbox.

ThE LoVe BOxeS SHoP

Lollipopworkshop...

Oh how I adore these little

Lollipop Workshop

dolls... aren't they cute!?!

Jenny is a former pastry chef and her little dollies are complete confection!

I thought I'd let you know.. she's having a shop update today! Hooray!

The Wedding...

I didn't get a very good photo.. so I hope the real photog did better than I did... but this is the lovely bride and handsome groom at their wedding luncheon.. which was lovely and delish!
Cake.. I hope I get to try some today..
Flowers everywhere.. They were so pretty. I loved the Sweet Peas and the Baby Hyacinth and the Hydrangea and all the big pink roses.. It smelled heavenly..
I didn't get a great shot of this either.. but you get the idea. This was the center piece for the dessert table which was really fun. I tried the Sting of the Bee Cake and was it ever fabulous. Yum!
More pretty flowers.. So this gives you an idea anyway. We had a great day and are all so happy for Alicia. She's a wonderful girl.. now married to a fabulous guy! Congratulations!

Angel Without Wings..

This little doll came without the holes to make her angel wings.. but I painted her anyway and thought she looked lovely... so she is a little angel, it's just that her wings don't show. You know people like that. Right? :)
I do. And, you must know who you are.
Please excuse me today. My sister is getting married. I will be back tomorrow with lots of fun photos.. I hope. :)

Welcome to my sister's home...

She's been decorating.
First she made sure the room had good bones by adding mouldings and trim and then color and light.
And then, she added good anchor pieces. (The art and other minor pieces are still to come. I'll have to take another photo sometime. But, the hard work is done. )Just like it says to do in my favorite decorating book by my favorite decorator..
who also always thinks there should at least be a little yellow in every room.
I think she'd like this one.

Fairies or Angels..

I never know exactly what to call them. I like the idea of both fairies and angels. I was happy with how this little blue one turned out. However, the photo doesn't show all the sparkly glitter in her dress... but it's there. I was trying to paint red hair yesterday. I wanted it to turn out like my friend Ruby's hair.. but no dice. I will have to keep working on red. I just love red hair. :) Anyway, there are more fairies, or angels in the shop..

Angels...

These angels will have their wings in the morning and will take flight to..

THe Love BoXes Shop

Sorry I missed visiting you all today. It was a crazy day.. but I did get some painting done this afternoon.. so that was good. I hope I will be by to visit everyone tomorrow.

In parting.. I just want to share a quote that was so kindly sent to me today by my friend Katherine..

“Nothing splendid was ever achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside was superior to circumstances.” Bruce Barton

Don't you love that?

Book Club...

Circe and Liz mentioned this book to me yesterday. And, by the way, thanks for all the great recommendations. My cue at the library is loaded up with great books on tape coming my way. I'm so thrilled.

Anywho, Peace Like A River is one of my favorite books. Leif Enger does a fantastic job of making his readers put themselves in some fairly complicated moral dilemmas. C and I both read this book. When I mentioned the recommendations to C.. we were immediately embroiled in a 2 hour discussion. This book is simply fascinating.

We began by discussing whether or not this book is a Western. I thought yes (my opinion was discounted based on the fact that I've read all of 1.5 westerns in my life.. my argument that I've seen lots of Western films.. flopped in the sagebrush). C says that this book is more a foil of the traditional Western. And, he made some good arguments for that. I don't want to give the story away though.

Our discussion then moved from bullying, to criminal law, to gun laws, ethics, to moral reasoning, to what it takes to feel safe, to jury duty ... to I don't even know.. but my brain was going a hundred miles an hour and it was difficult to sleep.

So, I am going to re-read this one. I've ordered my copy from the library and should have it Monday. Would anyone like to join me for a blog book club on this book? Say, Yes! :)

The way I want to do it is.. I will post my review in 3 weeks. And, I will post some questions. If you read the book and want to write your own review.. I will link from my review to yours. If you don't want to write a full review.. you can just leave a comment on the post or you can answer one of the questions either on the post or, I will link to your blog and you can answer it there. How's that?

I will post my review 3 weeks from today. :)

Two New Birdies in the SHoP...

I meant to make some bluebirds on a pink background.. but since c and I are trying to get through all the Harry Potter tapes together.. I had little owls on the brain. We googled photos of pygmy owls and had a great time trying to re-create them as we listened to those tapes last night. This is my attempt. c was sidetracked and didn't finish hers.. but if she does I'll show you.
Also.. a little help.. I really must have books to read or go simply nuts. Thanks to Miss Toothsome and to Circ I was able to order up a few from the library this morning, but those books will have to wait while someone else finishes reading them (please hurry someone else). Can you give me the names of some books that might be available on tape through the library that I might enjoy? I can only take so much NPR.. plus they are running their fund drive right now.. so you know how that is. Michelle.. I'm counting on you here. Anyone? Anyone? :)

The above boxes have already been listed in:

THe Love BoXes SHoP

Belia Bluebird...

Did you know that she could jump rope? I didn't. I thought she could only pose for just a second before she flew off with a million things to do.. see you later.. But no, she can take a break for just a second and have some fun. Bluebirds are very busy you know. Have you ever watched one. Wow! They have a lot to do in a day. I love this quote about them...

"If bluebirds were people, they would be respected citizens who raise their families with exemplary devotion, lead productive lives, and contribute generously to charities. And they would surely be featured soloists in church choirs on Sunday mornings!"

Steve Groom & Dick Peterson.. Bluebirds 1991

I'm hoping to have Belia finished and in

THe LOve BoXes SHoP

tomorrow.. Have a Happy Day!

Huxian Folk Art...

I haven't posted a favorite Chinese Folk Art painting recently. I'm tempted to buy this one of children catching butterflies.. so cute.

See it here. .. and more here

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins...

I had to hurry and take this photo because these disappear pretty fast.

This is one of my favorite recipes from the family cookbook that my sister-in-law Jenni put together. I use her cookbooks more than any other because even though she herself is a fantastic gourmet and can make anything.. she includes for us simple never fail recipes that taste the best and are always everyone's favorites...

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 cups flour

1/2 t. salt

3 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

2T orange juice or other acidic juice

3 mashed bananas

1 cup chocolate chips

Cream sugar, eggs and butter. Add dry ingred. and orange juice. Mix and add bananas. Add choc. chips last. Put into greased muffin pan (or use cup cake liners) and bake at 350 degrees for 20 min.

**You may need to bake them a bit longer but do a toothpick test at 20 min. You don't want to over cook these. Also when they cool, get them right into a container so they don't dry out. Also, they freeze pretty well.

*Note: You can use 1/2 cup applesauce instead of butter for a lower fat muffin and you can omit the chocolate chips if desired.