Owl Postcards Have Flown In!

The paper is really heavy, lovely paper with an amazing finish. They work best if you use a nice sharpie pen to write on them.
These will be in..

THe LOVe BoXes SHoP

today!

Hedgehogs and Elephants...

New Boxes in..

ThE LOvE BOXeS SHoP

Tiny Heart Box...

The LOvE BoXeS SHoP...

Jeeves and the Fuedal Spirit...

If life has made a turn for the worse and things have been a real downer lately then.. you need Jeeves to cheer you up. I love a good P.G. Wodehouse and this one is hilarious. Bertie gets himself tied up in a love triangle, some trouble with his favorite aged ancestor and a fake pearl necklace and all kinds of comic relief. The benefit of these books is that by the end you'll be better able to talk like an Englishman.. a trip to the car wash is "ghastly, horrendous, the worst possible disaster in an otherwise pleasant life." A major car wreck where you've barely escaped with your life is, "a small spot of trouble, a minor inconvenience, a bit of a bump in the road." Wodehouse is always a smart, witty, quick read and tons of fun.

** If you haven't.. don't forget to sign up on the Giveaway post below.. everyone welcome!

Band of Brothers...

For the past few weeks, c and I have been watching Band of Brothers.. just an episode a night.. it's about all a person can take.

Probably most of you have seen this already. If not, you should. I think it should be part of a basic American History education. It took me a while to see it. I knew it was going to be rough viewing. FYI this film is not rated. I don't know if it gets documentary status or why.. maybe one of you can enlighten me, but anyway if it were rated it would have a big fat R because of language and violence. This is not a film I would want c watching. She is far too young. Until a person is old enough to see the characters as actual people, which they were, and to feel that loss deeply they are too young/immature to view this film.

As I was talking with my brother about the film Saturday, he made the comment that all films about war are romanticized to some extent. It can't be helped in the sense that, it isn't your friend dying, you are not feeling the cold for months and months, you are not living in a fox hole.. that kind of thing. While there is no way to really pay the proper respect to the Veterans of WW2 through film or books or any art form for that matter, this is one of the best efforts ever made. Like my dad said to me once, if you don't see it, you won't really know the extent of the sacrifice these brave men made. I have read a lot of books about war since I was about 12, but I am a visual person and this film taught me in a way that none of the books I've read could have. If you haven't.. see it.

The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn...

I'm sorry this is the best image I could come up with for this little made for television film. This movie has a few problems with the script and in some of the minor rolls the acting is a bit off.. but if you want to watch a couple of masters at work.. Sidney Poitier and Dianne Wiest are simply amazing in this film that is just a very sweet and simple story about a man who is genius at his craft, but has a very difficult time with personal relationships. Put it on your Netflix list.

Giveaway Day!

Congratulations SWS!

These are some of my favorite yellow things.

Alexandra's decorating book is my favorite of all the decorating books I've ever read, which are many. If you haven't had a chance to read it, you must it's simply brilliant. She talks about how the use of bright, clear colors, gloss white and tons of light can create rooms that mimic the feeling of a gorgeous sunny day outdoors alleviating the SAD blues. I have visited her in her apartment in New York, she's since moved, but those rooms were like a garden oasis in the city. Her book is filled with the principles of Feng Shui that teach balance and proportion. It's difficult to explain, you'll just have to read it.

Of course there is a yellow love box. I love to make them and I love to put things in them. I hope whoever wins this one will love it. Find many, many love boxes to see here in the

LOvE BoxeS SHoP

There are some of my spring photograph cards. Since it snowed YESTERDAY! I think these will still be appropriate. I have named them Utah Spring...

And, there is the cute little fabric floral pin, a yellow sharpie and a sparkly Bert's Bees.

Sorry about posting this so late.. our internet has been down all morning. Anyway, good luck!

Enter your name just once one the comments below and I will draw a name Monday Midnight EST. Spread the word. :)

Fabric Flowers...

I love these fabric flowers that I got at The Gap last Saturday. They are little jacket pins, but I think they would be lovely in a hairdo as well. One of the yellow ones will be part of the giveaway on Friday. It has been a crazy morning. I was up early to get c registered for some of her summer activities. She got in! whew!

5 boxes need finishing.

1 order needs shipping

The house is a complete wreck.

One nephew is coming over.

Piles of laundry and ironing.

It's going to be a flying by kind of day.. they all are that way lately. Life is short. It's about time for me to start painting Christmas boxes again! Things are starting to look up.. in The Glass Castle.. I'm almost finished. I don't think I could read this book a second time.. it's pretty rough reading. I would say that it's a book about 2 very intelligent but seriously damaged/mentally ill parents trying to raise 4 children. Atleast the children have each other. I going to finish reading/listening while I clean today.

I hope all of you are having grand adventures today! What are you going to do today? Anything interesting?

Owls.. The Diet... Sego Lily Cafe & Giveaway & all the News...

First of all.. if you haven't tried the Sego Lily Cafe in Bountiful.. you should.. it's divine. The menu says something like, "Fine Dining North of the City" and that's true. They have this creamy chicken soup that is some of the best soup I've ever tried! It's crazy there on the weekends and Monday nights, but if you go on Tuesday or Wednesday you can practically have the place to yourself. (I like to know that kind of info.. Are you in a see and be seen mood.. or just in the mood for a quiet dinner.. quiet dinner is more my scene).
The Diet... is finally doing better. The rule I have the most trouble with is the 5 servings per day of fruits and veggies. I usually get to 4 and miss the mark. My new secret weapon is frozen mixed veggies with lima beans. I love lima beans and I know that all of you do not.. so you may have to find your own secret weapon. But, a serving of mixed veggies equals 1/2 cup and I can microwave that and eat 1 whole cup with my lunch and that equals 2 servings. I really think eating healthier is helping me feel better which is good.. anything that will help curb the general anxiety. How are you doing with it.. those of you who are on the wagon?
Now.. Owl news! I got a proof from the printer yesterday and the new owl postcard looks to be really fun! I can't wait to show you! It should be here next week.
More Owl news is... that I finished just a few owl boxes this week and one is in:
ThE LOvE BoXes SHoP
today.
Then, heads up! There will be a yellow giveaway on Friday so don't forget to stop by then and say hello. I have not replaced my favorite color.. it's still pink, but I have a real fondness for the fun lemony yellows that have been around during the past year. It's going to be fun!

Union Pacific Rail Depot...

It's tragic that we didn't have the will or the cash to make
the Union Pacific Rail depot .. the SLC hub.
It's so sad.. I can just see this building filled with leather arm chairs and news stands.

Carmina Burana & The Utah Symphony...

Did I mention and C & I took c to her first Symphony on Friday. I wanted to pick one that would keep her awake and when I heard the Utah symphony would be performing Carmina Burana I thought. Perfect!

Camina Burana is about wickedness. Dang it. Although critics may argue with me, I choose to believe that it has the wholesome message of "wickedness never was happiness" because it ends with O Fortuna (or maybe Orff just thought is sounded so amazing he'd put it in twice). I love, LOVE Stravinky's Rite of Spring.. same thing, so apparently I like music about springtime wickedness. However, I have always been able to make up my own stories about music.. which is fun and I usually make them a bit more G rated OK.. PG/PG13 a girl need a little romance in there. Rite of Spring just sounds like things growing and the violent parts could be like when it snows and has dark clouds in April that bug. Or, it could be like an East wind. I even like to make up my own lyrics to Broadway musicals.. but I have to kind of keep them to myself.. because it's a big pet peeve of C's (he always remembers the right lyrics and is never forced to make up his own).

My imagination has a tougher time when they flash super titles over the stage. When they got to the point of "untying the chains of virginity" or something like that.. there was actual sniggering in the audience. I did not snigger! But the soloist was so funny and fun to watch.. I did have to smile!

I like to watch the orchestra and what a sight it is when they perform Carmina Burana. I think there are like 300 people on the stage. Am I exaggerating? I counted and the choir had more than 150 members. Wow! They could really sing too! The soloists were amazing. There were two concert grand pianos and they seemed to have all the instruments.. even a celesta (is that what you call the tiny piano?) One thing about the symphony.. they don't always have all the instruments. Some pieces just don't call for a trumpet (almost always sad I think:) But Carmina Burana has all or almost all the instruments. Can you tell I'm not an expert on music? Little c likes the clarinets best.

Anyway, there must have been some musical experts in the audience.. and there was a standing ovation with 3 call backs... (However, if you don't get a standing ovation with at least one call back.. you're not in Utah!) But still! It was really, really great. C loved it and so did c.. so the evening was a success and now a great memory. .. I like that part too.

The Joseph Smith Building & Temple Square & Gardens

Friends who have been to Temple Square can just skip this post.. been there done that. This post is for all my friends who haven't been to Temple Square and are curious. ..

This is a sacred place to me. I was married in this building in a beautiful white and green room with big windows and lots of light. Inside the room there are large mirrors on opposing walls so it's as if you can see for eternity.. Have you ever done that with a mirror? In our church we believe that family life continues after death and that we are married for time and all eternity.
I'm very happy about that because C is still my best friend and I don't want to have anything to do with an eternity that doesn't include him... (I'm his only wife, by the way and more trouble than any poor man should have to deal with but he's stuck with me now. :) Plural marriage was practiced in the early church by about 5% of the LDS population and it has not been practiced at all for over 100 years.. so please don't confuse my faith with the FLDS faith that has been so much in the news of late. While I have a lot of concern about and for the struggles that are happening within their faith. It's such a different church that I know little more about it than you.)
This is The Joseph Smith Building. It used to be The Hotel Utah, but President Gordon B. Hinckley wanted to make a building that would be a tribute to our Church's founding prophet Joseph Smith and so he had this building restored. Unlike the Temple, anyone can enter here. Inside there is a large family history center. Latter Day Saints (Mormons) like to find out about their ancestors. We like to know where we came from. And, you are welcome to go there and people will help you get started with your own genealogy if you like... It's all the rage you know Martha Stewart and Oprah are really into it these days so you don't have to be Mormon to like genealogy.
There are also a lot of pretty rooms in here where people like to have parties, musical events, business meetings & especially wedding receptions. It's the most fun place at Christmas!
The columns are about 50 feet tall, I think. Big anyway!


The gardens are lovely!
I took lots of close ups with my camera to make pretty cards.. but I wanted to show you how the whole flower beds look.

At the end of this little tour, I wish I could invite you for grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup at Lamb's down the street. It's been here a long time by Salt Lake City standards since 1918 I think. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed visiting some of my favorite places with me.. I just wanted to tell you these few things and show you some fun pictures. :)

Peace Like a River Review...

King Jame Bible Mark 6:4 " A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. "

Davy...
I wonder about Davy. When did he come to his agnostic views? Where did he lose his hope & then his faith. Did his mother pack it in her suit case when she left him? At some point Davy decided that his faith was in himself and he was a very capable and bright young man.

It is easy for me to justify Davy's actions. He's seventeen and he has grown up going to school everyday with Israel Finch. He knows this kid. He remembers, surely what Israel had done to his teacher. Now Finch has tried to rape his girlfriend. He's vandalized Davy's home and kidnapped his sister. "They pulled her out of the house, Ted. Her own home. Threatened her, put their hands on her." And the law, Ted Pullet to be exact, sits in the Land's kitchen drinking coffee with shaking hands and passes this off as just a "those boys were both playing-- kicking around -- had meant no harm." Pullet is afraid of Israel Finch and he's not going to do anything. Israel Finch will be back. Davy knows this and so he decides that rather than wait, wonder and be surprised.. risking further damage to Swede, he'll just make an appointment. I believe in military speak this is called, "preparing the battlefield." And so he vandalized Israel's car and lay in his bed with the Winchester waiting because he knows Israel will come and Tommy will follow. They don't have to, no one is forcing them.. but Davy knows they will come. They come with a bat and they enter the home and when the lights come on I think that Israel had half a seconds decision, but he doesn't make the wise one, "he lifted the bat, the knothead, and Davy fired..."

Many of you know my own story about living in a condominium that was invaded by meth cooks. At a certain point, we considered purchasing a hand gun. I was home alone most of the day. I distinctly remember C asking me, "Tiffany, if someone breaks in here, can you point a gun at them and then shoot until it's empty?"

So why if I can defend Davy, why does his father, Jeremiah, decide to help the law to retrieve Davy? I read over pages 245 and 246 a number of times and Jeremiah doesn't come right out and say, but he does lead Reuben to believe that Davy is in the wrong. Was it that Davy shot Tommy as he was crawling away from the scene?
"'... and while he messed thus Tommy Basca's last moment reappeared to me, and the bafflement in his face as he scrambled bellywise over the floor.
"Okay," I said.
"What?"
"Davy did a wrong thing."'

But as I've told you before, I, Tiffany, don't have a problem justifying Davy's actions. If someone were to break into my home.. the instructions were to empty the gun. And, I would have.

But Jeremiah, still speaking to Reuban, says, "If you like Mr. Andreeson better as an enemy, then keep him one. Maybe that's your job as a boy-- as a brother. My job is different... Because I'm the dad. I have to heed the Lord's instructions." And I don't know, but maybe that just changes everything.

Davy is not a witness. He does not see the miracles that justify his father's action. His father has also acted violently and his face has shown with light. Without faith, Davy is blind to his father's miracles and to his authority? He's curious though. And, later he asks Reuben to relate to him the story of how Jeremiah exchanges his life for Reuben's. "'Breathe," Davy said. 'Let's see you breathe."' Our decisions in life are good informed by conscience and by morality, they are better informed by hope and informed by faith. "... Then I breath deeply, and certainty enters into me like light, like a piece of science, and a curious music seems to hum inside my fingers."

*** Note: I will be posting some questions in the comments section. If you want to participate by answering one of those.. Please do! :) If you want to participate by having me link to your own review.. also let me know it the comments. I hoped you liked the book!

***** Note #2... Book Club at Circe's next time... The Glass Castle May 26th.. can't wait. :)

Circe's Review
Janice's Review
Michelle's Review

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. :)