p.s. That is a Birthday Cake Oreo. Sprinkles on the inside = happiness. Happy 100th Birthday Oreo! May you have many, many more.
Secret Ingredient
September 1, 2012 1 Comment
Love these sisterly fun times, so I’m capturing and preserving them.
Autumn & Katey made “strawberry jam” together. They combined raspberry & strawberry yogurts, frosted sugar cookie pudding, lemon juice, fresh strawberries & a “secret ingredient”. They had so much fun & claimed it was super yummy.
My favorite part? The cute ribbon packaging.
{credits}
Such fun, silly girls:
Jam mustaches:
That secret ingredient? Raisins.
And perhaps a little sisterly love.
Story Stones
September 1, 2012 3 Comments
{credits}
Love the idea of these! This is my first set – all about schooling and exploring. Inspired by story stones over at red bird crafts.
Turn over one random stone at a time to make “mystery stories”.
Place in a row to make a story. What’s happening here?
Take turns selecting stones and telling the next part of the story.
Use to prompt memories for family history storytelling and capturing.
So many possibilities. Even more ideas here.
Now, what for my next set? Fairytales? Carnival? Recipes? Wouldn’t it be fun to make a music note set? Draw a staff in the dirt and write a song with stones.
If you see someone gathering rocks everywhere they go – that would be me.
Please say hi. 🙂
Oh snap
August 28, 2012 Leave a Comment
I feel that there is a combination of talents in this world that are uniquely mine. Ones that help define me as a person. Three of those talents are: pulling out splinters, tying water balloons and snapping green beans.
I don’t have the best technique when it comes to snapping beans. This I know. I also know that my grandma told me for years that I was good at snapping beans when I’d spend a week at her house in the fall harvesting and preserving. I believed her. Still do. Perhaps that should also be included in my talent list.
Mommy and Me Journals
August 11, 2012 3 Comments
I found about this idea for capturing everyday from my good friend Mindy: Mommy and Me Journals.
{credits: here}
These are journals to ask questions and draw pictures in. We take turns. Child asks a question. Then they place it on my pillow. I answer their question and ask them one and put on their pillow. They answer my question and then ask me a new one and put it on my pillow. Back and forth – as often as wanted. So. Very. Wonderful.
Mindy’s cute journals are here. | A post about them is here – on Purdue Avenue. | More about this sweet concept here.
The journal above is Autumn’s. She’s a talker and this is just perfect for her. The little question book on the back was made with her in mind – she likes lots of ideas to pick from.
Sometimes Autumn uses the booklet for ideas – and sometimes not. You are welcome to download our questions by clicking on the image above. The directions for folding/cutting/making the sweet little books is on Elsie’s blog. My book is made based on a template by Mandi (thanks for making it easy girl!). If you’d like to make your own – head to her blog and download the evidence field book from the sidebar. The photoshop template is in there.
Inspiration is everywhere when it comes to questions. Autumn recently discovered the “English Roses” book series. This one has tons of questions that the girls answer and then blank ones to answer in the back. We used some of the ideas above. I also found some fun questions in our Cranium game: What would we talk about at the beach? How many feet could I fling a spoonful of mashed potatoes? If you were packing a picnic basket, you’d be sure to put ________ in it. I also like the idea of just asking back and forth with whatever comes.
Katey saw us having so much fun and wanted a journal of her own. She started by drawing a picture. We draw pictures back and forth and leave them on the pillows too. The first picture is of a mommy with her hands over her head. I was told she was saying “What are you two doing not in bed?” This is guaranteed to be interesting…
Autumn’s journal always has a quick turn-around. It is so fun to discover and share with her. Without this journal I might not know that the person she would most like to meet is a poor man so that she could give him money (so sweet!) or that her favorite thing to do at dance class is dance. 😉 She has learned all about my BFF from high school (that she is named after – middle name) and I now know that she prefers a different color of nail polish on her fingers than her toes. I accidentally messed up on one of my questions and just ran with it: If you were on a desserted island, what three desserts would you search for first? 😉 We use the journal to make plans, design dresses, talk about favorite songs and she heard all about my first date with her daddy. We have named constellations, talked about her future family (she’s planning on 100 children), drawn self-portraits and I learned that the thing she daydreams about the most is ice cream. I am excited to see how the conversations change over time.
My current fav:
Me: What qualities do you want in your future husband?
Autumn: Advencrich and tikalich (adventurous and ticklish)
Olympic Gold
August 4, 2012 3 Comments
Meet my amazing, sweet, beautiful, giggly, new mama, fun-lovin’ sister Christina:
She’s on the right. 😉
Recently we went on a road trip/family reunion together. It was pure gold. I loved having her riding shot gun and we talked and talked and talked for a few days. Loved it. On our last day together we visited our hometown and took some sister photos by the train station. We might have been excited about the Olympics coming up and our photo shoot shifted.
Synchronized swimming anyone? We need more people on our team.
Shot put is one of my favorites. Christina – well, she’s a good sport.
Did you see Reese Hoffa win the bronze last night? Ah-mazing!
I find it interesting to hear what people say/yell/grunt when throwing. What would you scream? For me it’s a toss up between plum and sprinkle. 😉
If there was an event for dancing – we would so tie for gold and share that podium.
Perhaps in the future – doesn’t hurt to dream big. And these moves aren’t going anywhere.
What we do for R & R – M&Ms photo shoot
July 12, 2012 6 Comments
Caleb and I headed out to the treehouse for some fun self-portraits – timer style.
When asked what he wanted to do for the next photo he said – “Eat candy!” {He has the best ideas.}
So we did.
Thankfully I had a sharing-size bag of M&Ms waiting from my birthday (Thank you PTA. 😉 )
He wasn’t too sure about the sharing part.
We finally figured it out though.
One for me:
Eight for him:
Repeat.
Further proof of smiles that come when sharing that melt-in-your-mouth goodness:
Spark
July 4, 2012 2 Comments
A favorite phrase from the scriptures for me has always been: Spark of Freedom.
It seems to me equivalent to a mustard seed of faith. Just a bit – a spark. That is all that needs to be there to start with – and so much can come from that. A desire = a spark.
At this time in the Book of Mormon, Moroni (chief captain of the Nephite armies) writes a fairly scathing letter to Pahoran – the chief judge and governor of the land – and wants to know why the government is being neglectful of the men he is in charge of. He tells them what’s what and then makes this promise:
“I will come unto you, and if there be any among you that has a desire for freedom, yea, if there be even a spark of freedom remaining, behold I will stir up insurrections among you, even until those who have desires to usurp power and authority shall become extinct.”
Yea, behold I do not fear your power nor your authority, but it is my God whom I fear…” (Alma 60:27-28)
What an example of no-fear leading. Now, thankfully, Pahoran was still steadfast in liberty and explains to Moroni about the insurrection in the land – the rebellion of the king-men. He explains his position:
“I, Pahoran, do not seek for power, save only to retain my judgment-seat that I may preserve the rights and the liberty of my people. My soul standeth fast in that liberty in the which God hath made us free.” (Alma 61:9)
Together they devise a plan to take back their land. Pahoran also asks Moroni to build up the other leaders in the army. “See that ye strengthen Lehi and Teancum in the Lord; tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them, yea, and also all those who stand fast in that liberty wherewith God hath made them free.” (Alma 61:22)
Pahoran ends his epistle by calling Moroni brother.
I love Pahoran’s care and concern for them all and that he doesn’t take offense at Moroni’s letter. Calmly and boldly explains and asks for what is needed. He bears his testimony in so many ways in that one epistle. What would our land be like with such leaders? Love Pahoran’s promise too – “Tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them, yea, and also ALL those who stand fast in that liberty wherewith God hath made them free.”
That’s us. Deliverance will come… one way or another… we need to stand fast in that liberty.
Now for one of the cutest things I have EVER heard.
Caleb adored the fireworks at the family reunion last year. Completely and fully loved. My sister Anna (she’s on the left)
captured his cuteness visually:
And Jim Bob caught the audio:
May there be many “works” for you today. And as you’re watching the works – think about that spark of freedom within you.
Happy Independence Day all!
Seeking Virtue
July 1, 2012 Leave a Comment
Birthday time for me is a time of reflection (well, and a little celebration) :). It’s perfect that my birthday falls half-way through the year. I like to take a few moments to see how my beginning of the year goals are going. While visiting the Church Art Museum last year this quilt spoke to my heart:
My current scripture study is about treasure. I decided this quilt is the perfect treasure map for me here and now.
The title is “Angel’s Portion: Seeking Virtue”. Angel’s Portion meaning big – this quilt is beautiful and pulls me right in. The story quilt shows seven ladies – “each shown in an active pursuit of virtue”. I love the “active pursuit” part. It takes effort to become more virtuous and to seek after virtuous things – ideas, talents, and gifts. True treasures.
A tender mercy is the fact that this quilt is in the Ensign for June – my birthday month and a perfect reminder to check in. {front view of the quilt | full article in the Ensign}
In the article it says “Each of these women possesses a trait that can be shared with others to bless humanity: sentinel, scholar, gardener, nurturer, caregiver, musician, and home builder. The artist explains that these women “honor those who pursue and use talents to bless humanity.'” Is there any better way to live?
Here is a list of the goals I’m working on in these areas:
- Sentinel – Work on leadership qualities: magnify calling, love those I serve, pray for those I teach and visit.
- Scholar – Learn more about Teaching Self Government – and apply in my home. Study photography.
- Gardener – Help with the Heritage Gardens. Grow a garden – especially herbs.
- Nurturer – Tell stories! Especially family history ones and stories from my childhood. Consistant interviews with my children. Pizza dough tossing and doodling/sketching skills.
- Caregiver – Monthly FHE service. Look for opportunities.
- Musician – Teach children piano, guitar, drums – what each is interested in and keep up and learn musical talents in those areas. Also accept opportunities as presented to play flute and sing.
- Home Builder – Hang family photos and temple pictures throughout our home. Paint living room and dining room. Proverbs 14:1 ” Every wise woman buildeth her house.” (A lot of the previous goals fit into building our home.)
Some are coming together better than others – all with room to improve.
I want my goals to focus on seeking virtue and using skills to love and bless my family. I’m thankful for a quote that jumped out to me while reading President Monson’s talk from General Conference. It wraps my thoughts into a nice package. A birthday package even. “There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save.”
Summertime Food, part 1
June 19, 2012 2 Comments
Piccadilly chips (or lovingly called piccadillies around these parts) are a local delicacy. Kinda like a mix between tator tots and fries – these beauties are bite-sized fried mashed potatoes.
They are sold at the small fast food restaurants in the area and are made at a manufacturing plant about 20 miles from where we live. Condiments vary by location. Most common are tarter sauce and fry sauce.
Unique and delicious. We just had to share these with Brendan while he was here. Three big servings for our family.
