DO NOT

by any means think that I am getting "Cutesy" or "Kitcheny". Not happening. I just could not resist this very easy idea. WAY big hit! The "owl" in me just couldn't resist I guess, for all you Chi Omega fans out there!

Castle Park

Over in Kaysville on Nichol's Drive is an amazing place known as Castle Park. Kate and Johnny spent a little time with Gramma this last UEA weekend, and we spent a very fun afternoon over there. We also colored, played Candyland, did puzzles, jumped on the tramp (with Maddie), watered pansies, ate popcorn, and fell asleep watching movies.

"Delighted"---Quilted Fish--Riley Blake

Jenn and I were invited to a "fabric show". My first one ever! I didn't even know such events took place. We went out to Noah's in South Salt Lake which is a great venue for such a party. We saw everything you could imagine made out of fabric. Dollhouses, guitars, banners, and even some beautiful quilts. My cute cousin, Patty's daughter Jana, knows someone that designs for Riley Blake. Riley Blake happens to be a very cute fabric line. So we got to meet Jana, which was awesome in and of itself. We received these cute little swatches as favors. The fabric was gorgeous! "Delighted" is the name of the line. I am sure that I feel a project coming on. I will keep you posted. Anyway, we really had a ball! Thanks, Patty and Jana!!

MAGNET BOARDS

I haven't been busy blogging, but I have been busy!! This was a lot bigger job than I ever expected. Even though it is VERY active, I think I like the idea of all of these smiling faces on the wall as I sit here at the computer. We'll see if I get used to it. Organizing "our old office" into "our new office" was a lot bigger physical and emotional drain than I ever expected, but I think we are happy with how it all came together.

Happy Birthday Gramma Llama!

G - Go go go! Gramma is ALWAYS on the go, and always doing things for others.
R - Rick rack stitch and many more...gramma is always working on a project for a grandchild or ward baby shower gift.
A - Accident prone...at least with the car. Never her fault, though!
M - Mediator. Will NOT talk bad about anyone.
M - Mom. Best mom anyone could ever have. Really.
A - Always picks up her phone. Even when she probably shouldn't. Always willing to listen, even if she has 10 million other things going on. Which she always does.

Happy Birthday, Gramma Horse, Gramma Llama, Gramma Pickle, Gramma quilt, and many more! We all love you and miss you so much. We are so blessed to have you in our lives and hope you have a happy birthday!!

Sailboats

Last fall we were excited to finally buy our very own brand new matching bedroom set. It was something we had never done before, and we were SO thrilled about it. The set we chose was one that Bill fell in love with. I am not sure that I would have picked it without him, but I thought at the time that he liked it so much that I just couldn't resist. Of course, I love it now, and wouldn't change it for any other set in the world. At that time we didn't take the time to decorate the walls with pictures. Bill painted, which was pretty amazing in and of itself. Something I will always feel guilty about driving him to do. Anyway, we got new lamps and tables and such, but no pictures. After I lost My Guy from this world, I really wanted to find a great sailboat print to put on the wall with the biggest space. When Bill was a young man, he sailed from Hawaii to the Mainland in a sailboat with a couple of other guys. It took them about thirty days. I am sure it was an awesome experience, and he was always thrilled to talk about it. We share a great love of the ocean. It is just one of those amazing bonds we have. We loved to just sit at the pier in Lahaina and watch the boats. Well, I gave up trying to find one and just decided to wait until one presented itself. Well, one did. Actually fourteen did!!! Jeff and I were going through some stuff downstairs, and I found a box full of Sailboat prints. They are not just any old sailboat prints. They are VERY OLD PanAmerican MENU COVERS!! Bill used to work for the airlines. He bought/saved?? them, I am sure, because they might have some resale value. They are reproductions of authentic Currier & Ives prints. I had no idea they were there. Jenn knew about them because she said Bill had wanted her to try to sell them on EBay. They are AMAZING. Only about half of them are perfect, but no problem. I only need 5 to frame and put above our bed. What a treasure!! Thanks Babe.

Maddie is growing very attached to John's quilt......

Can't Wait til Spring

Can't wait til Spring when there will be tulips popping up, pansies, Forget Me Knots, and Hydrangea! Thank you Jonah, Brooke, Josh, Jeff, and Eli. I couldn't have done it without you!

Kung Fu Spencer

Adventure Aquarium, Conference, BANANAGRAMS, movies, chips, licorice, "Blue Bloods", more Conference, the doctor, school, Karate, Barnes and Noble, Pottery Barn, sleeping in, staying up late, and just being together. Thanks Tracie and Spencer! I had a ball!

"Same Kind of Different as Me"

Recently a dear friend gave me a thank you in the form of this book and a sweet card. Strangely enough the card included a "pressed pansy". Funny that she did this. I have never received a note with a pressed flower in it, let alone a PANSY! I don't believe she reads my blog, so I have no idea why she thought to include a pansy. Just a coincidence I guess, but such a sweet one, and I LOVED it! Anyone it is also odd that she gave me this book, because there is a woman that dies from cancer. I guess I thought it might be a hard one to tackle at this point in my journey. But nevertheless, I took it on the airplane, and ended up being unable to put it down. It is a very uplifting true story about three people. Ron and Deborah Hall and their friend Denver Moore. Ron is a very wealthy art dealer, Deborah loves to help the homeless, and Denver is homeless. The story is told by Ron and Denver alternating chapters to tell how their lives came together. They all had an incredible influence for good upon each other. The passages where Ron describes how he felt after Deborah passes away were especially comforting to me. If anyone wants to know how I feel, just read pages 134, and 202-03. I will spare you the tears (and me) of quoting them here. I really enjoyed it. There are amazing spiritual experiences throughout. It also gives you an inside view of what the homeless endure.