Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Happy Monday, ya'll!
I'm pooped. Seems counterintuitive, right? I should be well rested after the weekend. But a couple fabulous weekends in a row can really take it out of a girl!
The weekend started out right, when mom and I had some girl time at sushi. LOVE it! I could eat sushi everyday and be completely fine with it. Seriously.
Saturday was spent down south in Spanish Fork, UT at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple for the Holi festival (also called the Colors Festival). The festival is intended to celebrate the coming of spring, and also the downfall of Krishna deity Holika. While I am not Krishna myself, I respect them and am excited that they invite the public to be part of such a fun spring celebration.
Essentially, at a certain pre-determined time, chalk/cornstarch powder in many colors is thrown. For a moment, you're immersed in rainbow cloud. When the dust settles, you have become a rainbow yourself. Quite the experience! While not for everyone, especially young children and our older friends, it's something worth checking out if you've got a sense of adventure. And patience, lots of it. It took us 4 hours to do a 1 1/2 hr drive because of traffic. Also, they started charging this year so the line was outrageous, which was frustrating since we had taken the time the weekend before to drive down and buy our color and admission wristbands. I don't think you should have to wait in line if you pre-paid, but I'm sure they'll work out the kinks.
But my most favorite part was Sunday. I LOVE being excited to go to church again. Our Relief Society lesson focused on time management, and priorities. Girl, was the lesson made for me or what?! I am what I like to call a "leisurely" girl. I don't like to be rushed, like at all. I take my time getting ready in the morning. I dilly dally. I'm late to quite a bit, which is something I'm working on. The lesson emphasized that we need to prioritize our schedules, and make time for sacred things. Our lives are busy, but we should never be too busy to do those things the Lord has asked of us. I must admit that my scripture reading is somewhat lax these days, as is my Temple attendance.
The class teacher mentioned that when she sat down and actually wrote down her schedule, she found she had a lot more free time than she thought. She had us write down our current schedules, then write down our hopeful schedule. I found that I have way more free time than I thought, including working and studying. Remember the time I don't Zumba because I don't have time? That's a lie. So, this week, I am committed to re-prioritizing. I'm committed to making sure I am putting the Lord first in my life.
What can you change in your week to put the Lord first?
I'm pooped. Seems counterintuitive, right? I should be well rested after the weekend. But a couple fabulous weekends in a row can really take it out of a girl!
The weekend started out right, when mom and I had some girl time at sushi. LOVE it! I could eat sushi everyday and be completely fine with it. Seriously.
Saturday was spent down south in Spanish Fork, UT at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple for the Holi festival (also called the Colors Festival). The festival is intended to celebrate the coming of spring, and also the downfall of Krishna deity Holika. While I am not Krishna myself, I respect them and am excited that they invite the public to be part of such a fun spring celebration.
Essentially, at a certain pre-determined time, chalk/cornstarch powder in many colors is thrown. For a moment, you're immersed in rainbow cloud. When the dust settles, you have become a rainbow yourself. Quite the experience! While not for everyone, especially young children and our older friends, it's something worth checking out if you've got a sense of adventure. And patience, lots of it. It took us 4 hours to do a 1 1/2 hr drive because of traffic. Also, they started charging this year so the line was outrageous, which was frustrating since we had taken the time the weekend before to drive down and buy our color and admission wristbands. I don't think you should have to wait in line if you pre-paid, but I'm sure they'll work out the kinks.
But my most favorite part was Sunday. I LOVE being excited to go to church again. Our Relief Society lesson focused on time management, and priorities. Girl, was the lesson made for me or what?! I am what I like to call a "leisurely" girl. I don't like to be rushed, like at all. I take my time getting ready in the morning. I dilly dally. I'm late to quite a bit, which is something I'm working on. The lesson emphasized that we need to prioritize our schedules, and make time for sacred things. Our lives are busy, but we should never be too busy to do those things the Lord has asked of us. I must admit that my scripture reading is somewhat lax these days, as is my Temple attendance.
The class teacher mentioned that when she sat down and actually wrote down her schedule, she found she had a lot more free time than she thought. She had us write down our current schedules, then write down our hopeful schedule. I found that I have way more free time than I thought, including working and studying. Remember the time I don't Zumba because I don't have time? That's a lie. So, this week, I am committed to re-prioritizing. I'm committed to making sure I am putting the Lord first in my life.
What can you change in your week to put the Lord first?
Friday, March 23, 2012
Blues Friday
Ok, honestly, does it get any better than Miss Etta James, Miss Chaka Kahn, and Mr B.B King?? I wish I was more than 4 years old when this show happened. I would've stood in line all night to go. Can you imagine? Here's to a soulful Friday!!
On a side note, this reminds me of the time I went to Memphis and that old man kept calling me "Snowflake" and telling me I don't know anything about the blues... Cracks me up, everytime.
On a side note, this reminds me of the time I went to Memphis and that old man kept calling me "Snowflake" and telling me I don't know anything about the blues... Cracks me up, everytime.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
In the Summer of 2010 I had the fabulous opportunity to visit some areas of Washington State I had never been to. My grandmother had passed away the previous May, and we went as a family to bury her with my grandpa.
My dad had grown up in the rural areas of Washington, and so it was fun to be with him as he relived some of those memories and showed us around. Growing up a Utah girl, I've always had a soft spot for the country. I love rolling hills of crops, quaint farmhouses, and the smell of fresh air and manure. I'm sure you're wrinkling your nose, but there's just something about being in open country that is just so soothing for your soul. I treasure the memories we made on that trip, as it was the last roadtrip our family was able to go on (minus my brother and sister in law, whom live across the country and were not able to go).
I fell in love with the tiny town of Waitsburg, Washington. It lies on a stretch of highway between Walla Walla, Washington and Dayton, Washington, with Walla Walla being the bigger of the two. Don't blink, or you might miss it. It's gorgeous!
Seriously, how can you resist this?
{Via}
I told you, GORGEOUS! Now don't get me wrong, I love city livin'. I love having access to diverse cultural events and art museums. I love downtown sushi nights and film festivals in stilettos. But again, there is just something unlike the country. I would love, love, love to have a little farmhouse on two acres to grow my carrots and cabbage and have some chickens. It would need to have a side house, of course, so I could have my art studio out there to house my creative space.
Doesn't that sound like heaven??
My dad had grown up in the rural areas of Washington, and so it was fun to be with him as he relived some of those memories and showed us around. Growing up a Utah girl, I've always had a soft spot for the country. I love rolling hills of crops, quaint farmhouses, and the smell of fresh air and manure. I'm sure you're wrinkling your nose, but there's just something about being in open country that is just so soothing for your soul. I treasure the memories we made on that trip, as it was the last roadtrip our family was able to go on (minus my brother and sister in law, whom live across the country and were not able to go).
I fell in love with the tiny town of Waitsburg, Washington. It lies on a stretch of highway between Walla Walla, Washington and Dayton, Washington, with Walla Walla being the bigger of the two. Don't blink, or you might miss it. It's gorgeous!
Seriously, how can you resist this?
I told you, GORGEOUS! Now don't get me wrong, I love city livin'. I love having access to diverse cultural events and art museums. I love downtown sushi nights and film festivals in stilettos. But again, there is just something unlike the country. I would love, love, love to have a little farmhouse on two acres to grow my carrots and cabbage and have some chickens. It would need to have a side house, of course, so I could have my art studio out there to house my creative space.
Doesn't that sound like heaven??
Monday, March 19, 2012
12 Days of Easter
Happy Monday!!
So, late last week I was hanging out with my best friend Pinterest and saw a pin my cute cousin Summer posted about an activity called the "12 Days of Easter". Since I've been looking for ways to focus my life more on Christ and our Heavenly Father, this caught my eye.
The instructions were listed in a blog post here, over on the Family Volley blog. It is an Easter activity intended to help children learn the meaning of Easter, but I'm pretty sure it could be adapted to help us adults get back to basics. Maybe I'll spring this on my mom....OR I could do it like the 12 days of Christmas for my visiting teaching ladies..the possibilities are endless!
So, without further adieu, I give you the 12 Days of Easter.
Via
The 12 Days of Easter.
Day 1
Matthew 26:26-27, 39
(A piece of bread or a sacrament cup)
Day 2
Matthew 26: 14-15
Zechariah 11:12-14
(3 Dimes to represent the 30 pieces of silver)
Day 3
Matthew 27:1-2
(Knotted Twine)
Day 4
Matthew 27:15, 17, 21, 24-26
(Chunk of Hand Soap)
Day 5
Matthew 27:28-30
Mark 15:16-17
(Square of red or purple fabric)
Day 6
Matthew 27:31-32
(Small Nail)
Day 7
Matthew 27:35
(Dice-representing casting lots)
Day 8
Matthew 27:50-51, 54
(Crushed Rocks)
Day 9
Matthew 27:57-60
(Strips of White Cloth)
Day 10
Matthew 27:60, 62-66
(Small Flat Stone)
Day 11
Mark 16:1, 2-6
(Bay Leaf or other Herb)
Day 12
Matthew 28:5-6
(Empty because HE IS RISEN!)
Materials12 Plastic Easter Eggs
Permanent Marker
12 Small Strips of Paper (12 more optional)
(Small items listed below)
What to do
1. With your permanent marker, write the numbers 1-12 on each of the plastic eggs.
2. Prepare your strips of paper.
*12 of the strips will have scripture references on them, listed below.
*The other 12 will have a very short explanation of the scripture. You don't have to include this, but I am putting them in for our 6 year old who is all about reading right now.
3. Round up your small items (listed in parentheses).
What a great idea, right? As mentioned above, I think this is a good way to get back to basics if you don't have kids, and is a great teaching tool if you do! And what better way to really remember the meaning of Easter this year?
Let me know if any of you do this, I'd love to hear how it turns out.
So, late last week I was hanging out with my best friend Pinterest and saw a pin my cute cousin Summer posted about an activity called the "12 Days of Easter". Since I've been looking for ways to focus my life more on Christ and our Heavenly Father, this caught my eye.
The instructions were listed in a blog post here, over on the Family Volley blog. It is an Easter activity intended to help children learn the meaning of Easter, but I'm pretty sure it could be adapted to help us adults get back to basics. Maybe I'll spring this on my mom....OR I could do it like the 12 days of Christmas for my visiting teaching ladies..the possibilities are endless!
So, without further adieu, I give you the 12 Days of Easter.
The 12 Days of Easter.
Day 1
Matthew 26:26-27, 39
(A piece of bread or a sacrament cup)
Day 2
Matthew 26: 14-15
Zechariah 11:12-14
(3 Dimes to represent the 30 pieces of silver)
Day 3
Matthew 27:1-2
(Knotted Twine)
Day 4
Matthew 27:15, 17, 21, 24-26
(Chunk of Hand Soap)
Day 5
Matthew 27:28-30
Mark 15:16-17
(Square of red or purple fabric)
Day 6
Matthew 27:31-32
(Small Nail)
Day 7
Matthew 27:35
(Dice-representing casting lots)
Day 8
Matthew 27:50-51, 54
(Crushed Rocks)
Day 9
Matthew 27:57-60
(Strips of White Cloth)
Day 10
Matthew 27:60, 62-66
(Small Flat Stone)
Day 11
Mark 16:1, 2-6
(Bay Leaf or other Herb)
Day 12
Matthew 28:5-6
(Empty because HE IS RISEN!)
Materials12 Plastic Easter Eggs
Permanent Marker
12 Small Strips of Paper (12 more optional)
(Small items listed below)
What to do
1. With your permanent marker, write the numbers 1-12 on each of the plastic eggs.
2. Prepare your strips of paper.
*12 of the strips will have scripture references on them, listed below.
*The other 12 will have a very short explanation of the scripture. You don't have to include this, but I am putting them in for our 6 year old who is all about reading right now.
3. Round up your small items (listed in parentheses).
What a great idea, right? As mentioned above, I think this is a good way to get back to basics if you don't have kids, and is a great teaching tool if you do! And what better way to really remember the meaning of Easter this year?
Let me know if any of you do this, I'd love to hear how it turns out.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Friday Fun Day
Woo! This warm weather has me itchin' for spring something fierce!! I'm torn, though. I really, really ADORE spring, but.....I hate summer. I hate being sweaty, and I don't love seeing all the "Duck" skirts, as my parents call them. Duck skirts. You know, they're so short they're an inch below your "quack"! Anyway, they're gross.
Anyhoo, as I mentioned, this weather has got me feelin' spring. And what's the best about Spring?! Skirts!! Not business skirts. Fun, floofy, spring skirts! I've been on the prowl for awhile looking for some new ones, and they are seriously lacking in the big girl area. They're all gnarly looking, or have weird tiers. Not into it.
Then, magically delicious, I remembered this tutorial from the super cute blog Freshly Picked. I saw awhile back. My cute friend Nadja over at My Koo Kloset made this super cute basic black skirt based on this tutorial. Nadja is studying fashion design and makes most of her clothes. Super jealous of her skill. I can sew, but I usually get frustrated with the machine and throw a fit, so I tend to avoid it. However, with the current "skirtuation", desperate times call for desperate sewing. But, this tutorial is so well written and basic that I think I have a fighting chance.
Here's a quickie pic of the finished skirt from Freshly Picked:
Adorable, right? It has POCKETS!!!
I can't wait to try it so I can sashay around town in it with a super cute cardigan. I love cardigans. I think I have an addiction....
I'll keep everyone updated on how it goes.....
Anyhoo, as I mentioned, this weather has got me feelin' spring. And what's the best about Spring?! Skirts!! Not business skirts. Fun, floofy, spring skirts! I've been on the prowl for awhile looking for some new ones, and they are seriously lacking in the big girl area. They're all gnarly looking, or have weird tiers. Not into it.
Then, magically delicious, I remembered this tutorial from the super cute blog Freshly Picked. I saw awhile back. My cute friend Nadja over at My Koo Kloset made this super cute basic black skirt based on this tutorial. Nadja is studying fashion design and makes most of her clothes. Super jealous of her skill. I can sew, but I usually get frustrated with the machine and throw a fit, so I tend to avoid it. However, with the current "skirtuation", desperate times call for desperate sewing. But, this tutorial is so well written and basic that I think I have a fighting chance.
Here's a quickie pic of the finished skirt from Freshly Picked:
I can't wait to try it so I can sashay around town in it with a super cute cardigan. I love cardigans. I think I have an addiction....
I'll keep everyone updated on how it goes.....
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Service
So, I was going to post Recent Update #2, since the original was getting mega long and I wanted to tell the story of a harrowing experience I had two Sundays ago. It involved a canyon road, being trapped, and, in all seriousness, thinking I was going to die.
BUT....
This is so much more uplifting!!
Drum Roll, please. I am pleased to introduce to you....Craft Hope.
Craft Hope is a non profit group that got its start in 2009 in a little town outside Austin, TX. It's a collaberative project that allows crafters of all ages and ability levels to craft for a cause.
Projects are numbered and typically run for about a month. During the month, you may send the requested handmade goods to the address provided for distribution to various charities. Their most recent project, The Littlest Warriors, focused on bags for little ones who are headed into the hospital for an extended stay. Such a hard time for parents, and I imagine that having activities to help take the littles mind off of upcoming unpleasantries without having one more thing to plan would be a huge help. The deadline was March 12th for this project, but the info stated that another project would be coming soon. I so hope one does. Between church activities and woking full time along with full time school, I don't have as much time to serve others as I would like.
Their website was having some trouble at the time of this post, although we're assured that it will be fixed shortly. In the meantime, Craft Hope can be found on Facebook here. Bonus: You don't have to be on Facebook to view the pages. Since I'm off FB for the time being (too much time wasted!), I was worried that I couldn't participate. But I was still able to view the "Notes" section, which had all the addresses and info I needed.
What a neat way to combine two of my most favorite things in the world. Crafting, and Service for others!!
BUT....
This is so much more uplifting!!
Drum Roll, please. I am pleased to introduce to you....Craft Hope.
Projects are numbered and typically run for about a month. During the month, you may send the requested handmade goods to the address provided for distribution to various charities. Their most recent project, The Littlest Warriors, focused on bags for little ones who are headed into the hospital for an extended stay. Such a hard time for parents, and I imagine that having activities to help take the littles mind off of upcoming unpleasantries without having one more thing to plan would be a huge help. The deadline was March 12th for this project, but the info stated that another project would be coming soon. I so hope one does. Between church activities and woking full time along with full time school, I don't have as much time to serve others as I would like.
Their website was having some trouble at the time of this post, although we're assured that it will be fixed shortly. In the meantime, Craft Hope can be found on Facebook here. Bonus: You don't have to be on Facebook to view the pages. Since I'm off FB for the time being (too much time wasted!), I was worried that I couldn't participate. But I was still able to view the "Notes" section, which had all the addresses and info I needed.
What a neat way to combine two of my most favorite things in the world. Crafting, and Service for others!!
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