"Perfection does not come in this life, but we exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and keep our covenants. President Monson has promised, “Your testimony, when constantly nourished, will keep you safe.” We push our spiritual roots deep, feasting daily on the words of Christ in the scriptures. We trust in the words of living prophets, placed before us to show us the way. We pray and pray and listen to the quiet voice of the Holy Ghost that leads us along and speaks peace to our soul. Whatever challenges arise, we never, never leave Him."

-Neil L. Andersen,

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.

"I am convinced that there is no simple formula or technique that would immediately allow you to master the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit. Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Were you to receive inspired guidance just for the asking, you would become weak and ever more dependent on them. They know that essential personal growth will come as you struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit."

-Richard G. Scott

Number Please...

"A grateful heart, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort—at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude. Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don’t get around to it. Someone has said that “feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."

-Thomas S. Monson

Let us move on, and step out boldly, though it be into the night, and we can scarcely see the way.

- Charles B. Newcomb

Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day.

~Robert Caspar Lintner

"The Lord does not expect that we do what we cannot achieve. The command to become perfect, as He is, encourages us to achieve the best of ourselves, to discover and develop the talents and attributes with which we are blessed by a loving Eternal Father, who invites us to realize our potential as children of God. He knows us; He knows of our capacities and our limitations. The invitation and challenge to become perfect, to achieve eternal life is for all mankind."

-Jorge F. Zeballos

There are always flowers for those who want to see them.
-Henri Matisse

french lady cameo - all vintage pieces

"Life offers you two precious gifts—one is time, the other freedom of choice, the freedom to buy with your time what you will. You are free to exchange your allotment of time for thrills. You may trade it for base desires. You may invest it in greed. . . . Yours is the freedom to choose. But these are no bargains, for in them you find no lasting satisfaction."

-Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Every day, every hour, every minute of your span of mortal years must sometime be accounted for. And it is in this life that you walk by faith and prove yourself able to choose good over evil, right over wrong, enduring happiness over mere amusement. And your eternal reward will be according to your choosing."
-D. Todd Christofferson

birdcage image on vintage carved "ivory" pendant...

Jason Reeves - Helium Hearts (Official Video)

sarah watching the ducks at the park....

i love her hair...i love her arms lifting in excitement...and i love that Sean wanted so badly to feed the ducks that day and i forgot the old bread - when we got near the lake he was ecstatic that someone had left a half eaten bag of cheezits! (the ducks were probably happy too)

paris necklace...re-purposed old earring

Five Little Pumpkins

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, Oh, my it's getting late!
The second one said, "There are witches in the air.
The third one said, "But we don't care.
The fourth one said, "Let's run, let's run!
The fifth one said, "Isn't Halloween fun?

Then Woooooo went the wind
And OUT went the lights.
And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

Joy in Every Step...little girl bracelet

"In truth, we “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We are all in need of mercy. In that last day when we are called to the judgment bar of God, do we not hope that our many imperfections will be forgiven? Do we not yearn to feel the Savior’s embrace? It seems only right and proper that we extend to others that which we so earnestly desire for ourselves."

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf,

the Bead Room has been revamped....

a sweet gifted high chair for my Bee Bear....love that
this is the first thing I see when I step down into the room.

entrance into bead room -
hanging - a sweet bird mobile Christi made me!
and a lovely very very old Victorian print of a husband
and wife
with their new baby that Royce bought me
 long ago...I think
I was expecting Ryan at that time.

Shelves from my childhood hold lots of memories from
my childhood, or my children's childhoods and
maybe even
those of a few friends...you know who you are!

art from Ryan and Sean from years ago...along with
 feathers
and wings and more favorite things!



ugly air conditioner tying to be hid



there's a bowl that belonged to my grandma filled
with shells from Walmart...
we never found shells that looked THAT good out here on
the central coast. And next to that, a
painting i won in a contest at the fair once. 
it's a pretend window out onto my beach.

the "scripture of the day" board....that one has been there for
a while.....it's
one i rely on alot.

beads, beads and more beads....but surprisingly, there's
 really never enough
beads....

Robin, the 2 tier tray isn't just for cookies
anymore.....make way for other treats!!

Laura Webster brought me tons of treasures from
her friend Angelica.
I love looking through them and finding ways to organize them.
i have noticed while
going through Angelica's collection
 that "bead people" tend to collect similar things...
odd things like tiny plastic toy seals, and broken earrings,
 tiny pieces of sea glass saved
in jars, bits of chains, etc.
 it has been a wonderful way to relax.

Caleen's art...one of the many pieces that are in
this room...love it.

more kids art...but mostly favorite cards people
 have sent me.
the colors inspire me and the love
makes me feel happy.

sunflowers remind me of someone i really
really love and miss....

this little bear is tired of summer too and
 can't wait to wear
her fur coats....soon, please be soon.

yes, vegetables and fruits even
 inspire me!!

Caleen again feeding my need for
the ocean...

very first bracelet i made about
8 years ago....aww.....

I am happy right here!!!  Thank you
Erika and Kellie!

melting chocolate...(another beaded project that i named after food....maybe i need to go to chef school.)

When nothing is sure, everything is possible.
- Margaret Drabble (1939-) English Novelist

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.
~Elizabeth Lawrence

I would love to....I'm WAITING.  Goodbye summer heat! Enough already!

"Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us—even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will. We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won’t, for He sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming."
-Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

sweet georgia peach necklace

vintage peach moonglow beads,

vintage flower beads,

silver plated heart charm

"Mirage" grey/pink pearl toggle necklace

The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring.
- Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish Dramatist and Poet

midnight bouquet

It is never too late to be what you might have been.
- George Eliot (1819-1880) English Novelist

"There is no tomorrow to remember if we don’t do something today, and to live most fully today, we must do that which is of greatest importance. Let us not procrastinate those things which matter most."

-Thomas S. Monson

it's crystal clear

clear flowers, briolettes and vintage acrylic round
with gold etched leaves