Granny Chic Movie of the Week...

Of all of my favorite old time movie actressess, Jean Arthur is dear to my heart. Smart and funny, she could play every emotion and was darn cute in the bargain. She had a thirty year career and played in dozens of films another of which is the classic, You Can't Take it With You, with James Stewart.

We watched The More the Merrier for the first time over the weekend and it was an instant new favorite.

Jean Arthur plays an attractive, single professional living in Washington D.C. during a severe housing shortage. She decides it is her patriotic duty to rent out half of her apartment to an aging millionaire who makes himself a marvelous roomate by deciding that she is a cute girl who should be married. The millionaire, played by a darling Charles Coburn, decides to rent out half of his half of the apartment to a handsome military officer on his way to fight in North Africa.

Don't miss this one, it's so fun!

The History of the Tabernacle at Temple Square...

Little c and I spent Saturday photographing more flowers and a friend at the Temple Square Gardens. We then went over to the Museum of Church History & Art on 45 North West Temple. There is currently an exhibit about the history of the LDS Tabernacle that is really amazing. Don't miss the pieces of the dedicatory prayer that are in lettering on the walls. Very beautiful.

Random thoughts about The Crucible...

Last evening, I attended my sister's school prodution of The Crucible. Arthur Miller wrote this play as a protest against McCarthyism. Naming names and making lists is dangerous to any society. Under the fifth amendment which guarantees due process to the accused several things are required to convict someone, "the presumption of innocence until proved guilty, trial by jury, representation by counsel, the right to present witnesses and evidence to establish one's innocence, and the right to cross-examine one's accusers..." While this was the standard set forth by wise Founding Fathers, it has not been always followed in these United States. The internment of Japanese Americans during WW11 is one very sad and ugly example. Franklin Roosevelt is credited with saying, "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself." How often is that true?
There are still so many societies in our world that live under the politics of fear. Earlier this year I read James Michener's book, The Bridge At Andau, and I still think about it everyday. It is a powerful book that shows how a society of fear comes to be. It is quite ironic how the power structure of communism (the theme of McCarthy's Red Scare) is based on this same naming of names that is so terrifying in The Crucible. In a way, McCarthy was participating in exactly the thing he feared.
I have often felt that the High School curriculum is very harsh and I worry that we turn children off to literature because they are asked to read Lord of the Flies, The Crucible, Crime and Punishment & Heart of Darkness all rather dark and depressing. However, last night as I watched these High School kids perform The Crucible, I thought it would truly be a great thing if these kids learned the lessons of The Crucible now.
For me those lessons are these... Due process is a sacred gift. It is inconvenient and painful when you are the one who is wronged because it would be nice, believe me, to point a finger at someone and have them sent away. Liberty costs, and it is a price worth paying. Secondly, we need to be involved and informed about those that we elect and appoint to rule over us. We need wise judges in the land. Lastly, and most importantly, we need to have charity for all.

Dear Jackie, you and your class were absolutely fabulous! Many, many congratulations! Your big sister is very, very proud!

Granny Chic... Cute of the Week...

This little bag is not my colors at all, which is a huge disappointment because I would buy if it were. April Cornell's new site is up and running and she has lovely offerings in muted earth tones for spring/summer. I love the shape of this "Poetry Bag" ... very Granny Chic... Anyway, everyone who loves sage and salmon should hop right over there, you find lots of things you'll like.

Colby's Kettle Corn...

Made in Salt Lake City... and very delish! And, I found out that it's healthy. Amazing because it doesn't taste healthy at all, it tastes like butter and sugar my two favorites!

My Grandfather's Blessings...

I had the blessing of hearing Rachel Naomi Remen speak at my brother-in-law's white coat ceremony as he graduated medical school and took an oath to become a healer. Her message was so beautiful I was thrilled to hear that she had written a book and I would be able to recapture some of the beauty of her words and message. That book was Kitchen Table Wisdom. It is a wonderful book. If you haven't, read it. I love this book, My Grandfather's Blessings, so much as well. In the epilogue, she visits the story of the Brother of Jared, my personal favorite Book of Mormon story. Just a little background for those of you who don't know the story. The Brother of Jared is commanded by the Lord to build some boats and take his people to a new land across many great waters. As I read the description of the boats, I always imagine that they look sort of like flying saucers; they are discs that have no windows. They have a hole in the top for air, that is all. They are without light. Knowing how terrifying it would be for his people, he does not want them to cross these waters without the comfort of light. I am leaving so much out, but eventually the Brother of Jared goes to the Lord and asks him to touch the stones that he places before him. The Lord touches the stones and they shine brightly. These shining stones will give the people not a view of where they are going, not a map, or a compass, but light. He gives them light enough to know they are loved and the assurance that they travel in his care.
Rachel Remen says this, "In the course of any lifetime there are times when one has to sail into the unknown without map or compass. These can be times of despair and terror; they can also be times of discovery. Having accompanied many people as they deal with the unknown, I find that the most moving part of the Mormon exodus story is a single line. Despite the challenges and great difficulties of this sea journey, 'the wind always blows in the direction of the promised land.' I have seen many people spread their sails and catch this wind. There is a grace in life that can be trusted. In our struggle toward freedom we are neither abandoned nor alone."

Pink Staws... My favorite affordable luxury...

Photo by T. Christian Skobbe of Oslo, Norway

Did you know that historians credit the Egyptians with the first use of the drinking straw? Apparently, they were trying to avoid sediment in their beer. Then, in the late 1800's a man named Marvin Stone modified a paper cigarette holder in order to be able to sip right through to the end of his mint julip while he still has some ice left in his cup. I didn't realize until today that this whole thing was so inebriated. Lovely. Mr. Stone even improved on his original design, a winding strip of paper, by using sturdier paper and coating it with paraffin wax.

I, myself, adore these brightly colored plastic numbers, stone cold sober as I am and always have been, I can enjoy the bright colors without anxiety. My situation is that I crave ice, but I do not crave frozen teeth. For a dollar, I can enjoy 100 lovely ice-cold whatevers teeth-pain free. Plus, if you are being really good and trying to get your eight glasses of water in, a brightly colored straw helps it to be more of a party and less of a chore.

Tell me, what is your favorite affordable luxury?

Michael Buble...

This is coming out May 1rst!

Slippers for people who like pink and people who like brown...

One pair for me & one pair for Jenni. See them here.

Once there was this cute little guy in my neighborhood and he was wearing this beautiful bright bluebird-egg-blue shirt. He looked so cute and so I told him that he looked very handsome and that I liked the color of his shirt very much. He said, "No, you like pink." It's that obvious. :)

What did I say?

I think that I said this very day that the film The Five Pennies ought to have an audio CD. The music is wonderful. Sometimes wishes are REAl fishes.

The story of the photo & the rest of the quote...

Thanks for the kind comments about the picture. They are a difficulty for me. My sisters are fairly photogenic. One in particular, I have never seen a bad photo of her. I have a terrible time. I never look happy in pictures because I'm not. I hate having my picture taken except by little c who lights up my life and I forget, just a little, how much I hate being photographed and be just a bit happy for half a second while she snaps it, which is why I let you all see the above photo.

I also thought I would include the rest of the quote from above. Van Gogh is someone who was very wise when he wasn't being nuts, but I think that has to do with lead poisoning complicated by depression and heat stroke. That's my own personal theory anyway. At heart, he was very wise and he said some of the most lovely things. This is one of my faves.

Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and what is done in love is done well. Vincent Van Gogh

Mitford...

Sadly, I am coming to the end of this series. I will go into mourning when I have finished the last book.

Jan Karon said that she wrote these books so that her readers would have an extended family. Well, I have family out my ears, I'm from Utah... hello?!? However, I would adopt a few of these characters into my real family if it were possible. I am, ofcourse, reading these books on tape and John McDonough has done a wonderful job bringing these characters to life. He is brilliant! Father Timothy Cavanagh has become like a favorite friend that I look forward to hearing from everyday as I paint my little boxes. He is the kind of friend who will come when needed, who never pries, is seldom snippy and always forgiving. He loves Wordsworth, flowers, big slobbery dogs, and little children... a really great guy, just the kind of guy you would choose to befriend or befamily. And, there is something he often says that even as I think of it puts a tiny catch in my throat and that is ... "All things will be well and very well." May all things be well and very well with you.... Read these ... or listen... listening is better.

Daffodils...

Joy...

Break forth into Joy, sing together... for the Lord hath comforted his people... Mosiah 16:30

Granny Chic.. Movie of the Week...

The Five Pennies with Danny Kay and Louis Armstrong is an amazing film that doesn't miss a beat. The music is so bright, fun and beautiful, there really ought to be a cd to go along with it. The movie is loosely based on the life of Red Nichols a brilliant cornet player who left his home in Ogden, Utah to play his dixie-land jazz all over the country. Red actually dubbed the cornet in for this film himself. Danny Kaye is an entertainer like no other. It is difficult not to watch Danny Kaye and think that we have traded actual talent for just young, thin & pretty, because you just don't see anyone like him around anymore... one the greats!

The Gardens At Temple Square...

Little c and I packed up the cameras and went down to see all the pretty flowers today and all the brides... oh my... I must have seen 15 brides.. It was so much fun. I saw this dress that was so pretty. It was gathered up in the back and it looked like it could have been in Pride and Prejudice. We had a really great time and stopped for German Chocolate cookies at Parson's....Mmmmm. Sunshine, flowers, and cookies...an unbeatable combination!

Butchart Gardens...

When I went over to my parents home a few days ago, my dad gave me The Butchart Gardens 2007 Calendar. It is so beautiful and so dangerous to look at. Now I find myself dreaming of getting back to those beautiful gardens contantly. C and I went on our honeymoon trip to BC especially to visit these gardens and I have visited there on two other occasions, but now I want to visit again. Bristish Columbia is one of that most beautiful places I have ever traveled to and now I have this wonderful resource which is Lilli's blog that has so many fun ideas for places to shop and to visit. (The image above is from the Butchart Gardens site.) If you are looking for a wonderful place to visit... think of these gardens and you won't be sorry... the rose gardens are blooming in June....

Where else can you travel to visit an amazing garden?

Eastery Things...

I love Easter colors. I love eggs, chicks and bunnies.
I love spring flowers. I painted this box in 2004. I gave one like it to Alexandra Stoddard to celebrate what was then her new book, Things I Want My Daughters to Know, which is still a favorite. It has yellow daffodils on the cover.
I made these eggs last spring and Emily reminded me of them in this post.
Little c's candy from Nammy.
I like this cute bucket and bunny that I picked up yesterday at Sur La Table.

Island of the Blue Dolphins...

Cousin Blake recently recommended this book on his blog and C also mentioned that it had been one he liked as a kid, so I got it from the library on tape for little c to listen to.

Classics are usually classic for a reason and this book is no exception. I really enjoyed reading it because I just finished reading Robinson Crusoe several weeks ago and it was fun to compare the two. Little c loves historys and historical fiction and so it was a big hit. She insisted on listening to the entire book in one sitting.

My good friend Michelle first encouraged me to check out books on tape, a practice that has changed my life. I love to be able to paint, do laundry or whatever and still be reading. Some of the tapes that I have checked out from the library have had such excellent readers that it gives the book a whole new dimension. A Tale of Two Cities has long been a favorite book, but listening to it on tape last summer was an expansive experience almost like the difference between reading a Shakespeare play and seeing one performed on the stage. The actor did such an excellent job making each character a unique voice. However, the most impressive thing about listening to books on tape is the added amount of concentration and increased vocabulary that it gives to a child.

The Miraculous Journey...

I got this book at the library, but If we hadn't just finished it, and if I had known how good it would be, I would have picked one up for the Easter basket. This book is the story of Edward Tulane, a proud and spoiled, china rabbit who goes on a miraculous journey to find that love is the most important possession in life and that to learn to love others is what life is about. Kate DiCamillo's writing is very fine indeed and adults will enjoy The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane every bit as much as their children.