My Carolina Jasmine....like sunshine in a blossom...

"Just living is not enough...One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."

-Hans Christian Andersen

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow."

-Helen Keller

Thank you!

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

-Marcel Proust

The Color of Butterfly Wings...

Whenever I hear the song of a bird Or look at the blue, blue sky, Whenever I feel the rain on my face Or the wind as it rushes by, Whenever I touch a velvet rose Or walk by our lilac tree, I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world Heav’nly Father created for me.
He gave me my eyes that I might see The color of butterfly wings. He gave me my ears that I might hear The magical sound of things. He gave me my life, my mind, my heart: I thank him rev’rently For all his creations, of which I’m a part. Yes, I know Heav’nly Father loves me.

"We should not underestimate or overlook the power of the Lord’s tender mercies. The simpleness, the sweetness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubled times in which we do now and will yet live. When words cannot provide the solace we need or express the joy we feel, when it is simply futile to attempt to explain that which is unexplainable, when logic and reason cannot yield adequate understanding about the injustices and inequities of life, when mortal experience and evaluation are insufficient to produce a desired outcome, and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, truly we are blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord and made mighty even unto the power of deliverance."
--David A. Bednar

Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven
for?

-- Robert Browning

St. Patrick's Bracelet

SOLD - Thank You Lassie!!!!

"Our Heavenly Father loves each one of us and understands that this process of climbing higher takes preparation, time, and commitment. He understands that we will make mistakes at times, that we will stumble, that we will become discouraged and perhaps even wish to give up and say to ourselves it is not worth the struggle. We know it is worth the effort, for the prize, which is eternal life, is “the greatest of all the gifts of God.” And to qualify, we must take one step after another and keep going to gain the spiritual heights we aspire to reach."
--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Sarah's Blessing Day!

Little Sarah was blessed yesterday in church...and luckily I snapped one photo before the battery on my camera died. The lights and shadows and the background were obviously not well considered,but the subjects were perfect. Sweet blessing for another wonderous baby. It will be a joy to watch her grow!

Remember this the next time you get that vacuum cleaner or that feather duster out....

Nothing will sustain you more potently than the power to recognize in your hum drum routine, as perhaps it may be thought, the true poetry of life.

- Sir William Osler (1849-1919) Canadian Physician

Camellias....ahhh....it's that time of year....

I honestly forget until this time of year how much I love Camelias. I think they are my favorite flower. My friends brought these to me today....I love them. Thank you!!! In the Language of Flowers, Camelias represent Perfection. These definitely do say PERFECTION.

Thank you friends...I do not take for granted that you are out there for me!

Valentine Apron

Christi made me the cutest apron last year...it has cherries on it. Then, for my birthday she made me one with Santa on it - since it was Christmastime. Then I sprung my rather selfish request on her - an apron for ALL SEASONS...and she complied. She dropped my new Valentine one off yesterday. I feel the need to make her some sugar cookies or something...brownies maybe....YOU choose Christi (maybe a dessert for all seasons)!! Thank you!!! I love it!

First things first...

Today, before I mix my blueberry, banana, orange and grape juice concoction that some wize old Dr. somewhere says is "good for my brain" - i'm heading into the bead room to add a new treasure created for me, by my dear friend Caleen. She's an amazing artist.

She takes scraps of vintage wallpapers, pieces of old tinsel, old vintage jewelry, lace, and whips them together into brand new works of visual art with new life. Oh! and let's not forget the glitter and the crystals! She's good at adding the sparkles to each piece...but she's best at adding sparkle to my life and to the lives of others.

I know how she's touched the lives of those around her. She's a kind and good hearted person who is truly filled with love, and is an example of Jesus Christ to everyone around her. We all love her so much. I truly do. I am blessed to have called her my friend these many years and will strive to be deserving of her friendship for ever more.

She's a treasure on the inside and out. And Caleen...THANK YOU for this. This is hanging here right in the middle of my inspiration board!

A lovely Snow Fairy....

Always a treasure hiding under the ice...

I told you in my previous post about Royce and his love for the snow. I don't love it. I love the look of it, and I love to watch it from a window - preferably from inside a warm car or room - but I don't like the after-effects of it...never good...always wet, always cold to the bone.

I love this picture by Mary Engelbreit. The moment is warm and dry and for me captures that perfect moment after a particularly long storm when one finds that there are rewards still waiting. That's how I feel after this long month - waiting on the tests from the doctor.

I've felt cold and I've felt worried and sometimes chilled to the bone, but I've also felt warm beyond all description. No matter what...it will all be okay. Thank you to my friends and family who make me feel it will be alright. I can do anything through Christ who gives me strength. And He has given me the greatest friends so already, I'm ahead of the game. Thank you all for your constant care and encouragement.

It's all good!

I've Been Tagged - Things about my Husband

This is the youngest photo I could find of Royce at the moment and of course, it means it's "young" of me too! Accentuated by the fact that I'm wearing pigtails (this was a Halloween Party - I didn't always dress like this!!!) - I look completely like a child! I'm amazed that I was ever so young and thin! Anyway...this post isn't about me.....it is about the nicest man I know!

here goes:
5 of Royce's Favorite Things:
1. Football games on t.v. - I'm sure he has a favorite team...I should know that, but I don't right now.
2. Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve
3. Snow
4. Spending time with me and his family.
5. Working in the yard....he has a gift of gardening.

5 things on his TO DO list:
1. travel to Washington D.C.
2. travel the church history sites
3. travel to England with me - and Italy
4. build Sean a treehouse
5. build a river rock fountain in our backyard

5 Favorite Snacks:
1. sunflower seeds
2. potato chips
3. Raisinettes
4. Hershey's with Almonds bars
5. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

5 Facts you might not know about him:
1. every time he's gone somewhere on a business trip he meets someone famous - Rudy Guiliani,
Ken Starr, Chuck Norris (not kidding) - we have pictures to prove it.
2. he saved a lady from a burning house once (again, not kidding)
3. he would sit through any chick flick just for me.
4. he'd sit through Twilight just for me - twice.
5. he is so nice - he sees the good in everyone. I can't say I've met a nicer person...ever.

5 Quirky Things:
1. he hates touching money because of the germs.
2. he wears socks around the house in summer because he still gets cold when it's an oven outside!
3. he HAS TO work on the yard - it's compulsive - like how some women have to clean house, he has to have a clean yard.
4. he will only use an edger on the lawn not a weed wacker to trim the edges
5. he used to drive up to get a load of fresh snow from the mountains on Christmas morning every year so the kids could have snow to play in after opening their Christmas presents. I know he'd still do it if I let him.

five people I tag: Caleen, Christi, Lori, Britten, Stella

Ah yes, Nothing like a little Neal A. Maxwell to bring us back to what we really need to focus on.....He is wonderful...

"To be cheerful when others are in despair, to keep the faith when others falter, to be true even when we feel forsaken—all of these are deeply desired outcomes during the deliberate, divine tutorials which God gives to us—because He loves us. These learning experiences must not be misread as divine indifference. Instead, such tutorials are a part of the divine unfolding."
-Neal A. Maxwell

Woodland Faerie

Soft moss a downy pillow makes, and green leaves spread a tent,Where Faerie fold may rest and sleep until their night is spent.The bluebird sings a lullaby, the firefly gives a light,The twinkling stars are candles bright, Sleep, Faeries all, Good Night.
~Elizabeth T. Dillingham, "A Faery Song"

This one is a little hard to tell what is going on...but there are 3 separate stretch bracelets each with a chain and charm portion at the bottom. Lots of semi precious stones, crystals and faceted briolettes. There's even a silver faerie charm and some tinkling faerie chimes.

The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
-- Jack London

I found a "trust" Fairy!!! Who'd have thought!

I've been tagged by Susan...i saw it...I'm just too "in a fog" to think of anything :)

Into the Twilight...heehee...

SOLD - Thank You!!!

Victorian Romance

SOLD - Thank You!

If George Washington could TRUST...then so can I!!!

George Washington advised, "We should never despair, our situation before has been unpromising and has changed for the better, so I trust, it will again. If new difficulties arise, we must only put forth new exertions and proportion our efforts to the exigency of the times."

On Safari

SOLD - Thank You!!!

Aye...a little Irish blessing to go along with my word for 2009..."Trust"

"May the friendships you make be those which endure and all of your gray clouds be small ones for sure. And trusting in Him to Whom we all pray, may a song fill your heart every step of the way.” (Thanks to all my sweetpea friends who help chase away all those gray clouds!)

My Playlist had a bad song on it!!!

I just want to apologize if anyone heard an offensive song on my playlist! I saw the song and thought, "what is that?" so i listened to it and I'd never heard it in my life. Sadly, it was filled with horrible language. I don't know how this happened. It makes me wonder who hacked in and added it to my list. Now I feel like you're all thinking, "yeah right..." haha.

Thank you to Royce for my newest bead room addition....

Pegboard!!! and hooks!!!! and so many of my favorite things!

In the final analysis there is no solution to man's progress but the day's honest work, the day's honest decisions, the day's generous utterances and the day's good deed.
- Clare Booth Luce

"Though we cannot understand “the meaning of all things,” we do “know that God loveth his children” because He has said, “Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Heavenly Father is able to accomplish these two great goals—the immortality and eternal life of man—because He is a God of creation and compassion. Creating and being compassionate are two objectives that contribute to our Heavenly Father’s perfect happiness. Creating and being compassionate are two activities that we as His spirit children can and should emulate."
--Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The best portion of a good man's life is the little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.
- William Wordsworth (1770-1850) English poet

My Word for 2009 - TRUST

After reading and being inspired by Caleen's post of a few days ago, I've decided that my word for this coming year will be TRUST. One of my most favorite scriptures has always been: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

The bag that started it all...

I have had, for the past 20 years a strong attraction to handbags....mostly vintage Victorian and also mesh bags from the 1920's. This very intense and very unexplainable addiction led to the creation of my own beaded bag about 8 years ago. I crocheted the bag and then handstitched hundreds (more like thousands) of little beads into flowers and leaves....little did I know at the time that there were already beads shaped like flowers and leaves out there in bead stores across the land. Carpel Tunnel Syndrome led me to the end of my beaded bag career and hence the premade flower and leaf beads became my favorite obsession instead. Long live beads!!! It's crazy, but i love the little things!!! Can't get enough of them! This comes as no new shock to those that know me....you already KNOW I love beads.

My new Bead Room...

I finally have a little bead room...it's in a tiny room in our garage that we've tried to use as kids bedrooms in the past, but mainly it has been an exercise and junk room. Well, it's a bead room now and I've been having a good time pulling out some of my most favorite and inspiring things and placing them in my new space. Hopefully all of this will spur some creativity on my part as I have been in a slump for a couple of months now. What you don't see in the picture is the elliptical machine off to the side of the room that keeps calling my name. I am trying to become reacquainted with it...but something else usually distracts me, like hanging paper lanterns or searching down the old raggedy ann doll that my mom made for me long ago.

As you can see, the room is well stocked and I've even got a pretend oven for cooking my pretend snacks....and a pretend sink to do my pretend dish washing. I'm counting on this little space to help me in many different ways - jump start some creativity, inspire physical exercise and provide me with an every now and then needed escape from this house where I'm now the only female. (it's obvious, huh? i miss my girls!)

Snowball Fight!

Whispers of the Sea

In a Royal Garden

12 Rules to Live By - Robert Louis Stevenson

Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.
Make the best of circumstances. No one has everything and everyone has something of sorrow.
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Don’t let criticism worry you. You can’t please everybody.
Don’t let your neighbors set your standards; be yourself.
Do things you enjoy doing but stay out of debt.
Don’t borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than actual ones.
Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish enmities and grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.
Have many interests. If you can’t travel, read about places.
Don’t hold post-mortems or spend time brooding over sorrows and mistakes.
Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.
Keep busy at something. A very busy person never has time to be unhappy.

"How can we give to the Lord? What shall we give to him? Every kind word to our own, every help given them, is as a gift to God, whose chief concern is the welfare of his children. Every gentle deed to our neighbor, every kindness to the poor and suffering, is a gift to the Lord, before whom all mankind are equal. Every conformity to the Lord's plan of salvation--and this is of first importance--is a direct gift to God, for thereby we fit ourselves more nearly for our divinely planned destiny."
--John A. Widtsoe

Is it just me, or is it rather cathartic imagining this giant pair of scissors lopping off the old year....?

This little article really expounds on my previous post - the quote down below that is going to be my new motto....

"William Henry Channing's Symphony"by Arthur Brisbane(an editorial from the Hearst Newspapers, ca. 1920)
THE THOUGHT--
To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common--this is my symphony.
WILLIAM HENRY CHANNING.
TO LIVE CONTENT WITH SMALL MEANS.
This means to realize to the full the possibilities of life. Contentment means ABSENCE OF WORRY. It is only when free from worry that the brain can act normally, up to its highest standard. The man content with small means does his best work, devotes his energies to that which is worth while, and not to acquiring that which has no value.
TO SEEK ELEGANCE RATHER THAN LUXURY.
The difference between elegance and luxury is the difference between the thin, graceful deer, browsing on the scanty but sufficient forest pasture, and the fat swine revelling in plentiful garbage.
REFINEMENT RATHER THAN FASHION.
The difference between refinement and fashion is the difference between brains and clothing, the difference between an Emerson or a Huxley and a Beau Brummel or other worthless but elaborately decked carcass.
TO BE WORTHY, NOT RESPECTABLE.
In other words, to be like Henry George, and not like the owner of a trust.
WEALTHY, NOT RICH.
The man who has a good wife and good children, enough to take care of them, but not enough to spoil them, is WEALTHY. He is happier than the man who is RICH enough to be worried, rich enough to make it certain that his children will be ruined by extravagance, and perhaps live to be ashamed of him.
TO LISTEN TO STARS AND BIRDS, BABES AND SAGES, WITH OPEN HEART.
This means to enjoy the noblest gifts that God has given to man. He is happy who takes more pleasure in a beautiful sunset than in the sight of a flunky with powdered hair, artificial calves and lofty manners, handing him something indigestible on a plate of gold.
TO STUDY HARD; TO THINK QUIETLY, ACT FRANKLY, TALK GENTLY.
To exercise in this way the brain that is given to us is to lead the life of a MAN, a life of self-control, a life that is worth while, that leads to something and helps forward the improvement of the race.
In the words which we have quoted at the top of this column William Henry Channing has given a recipe for wise living. ----
WHO WAS CHANNING?
He was a good man, and a wise man. He was one of the most eloquent clergymen ever born in this country, and as sincere a friend of individual man and of the race in general as ever lived.
He was an enthusiast and an optimist--admirable combination.
He was born in 1810, and died in 1884. His biography has been written by Octavius B. Frothingham.
Channing saw the world through generous, charitable eyes.
He was an ardent admirer of Charles Fourier, and appreciated the philosophy and social law-giving of that gigantic intellect.
The quotation we print above is an index to his whole character, just as one flower tells the story of the beautiful garden in which it grew.
Channing, unlike many sayers of fine things, was personally as fine as the things he said. He was worthy even of his own best thoughts, and that can be said for few fine thinkers.
Admire him. Read some of his sermons and other writings if you have the chance.
Source: "William Henry Channing's Symphony" by Arthur Brisbane (an editorial from the Hearst Newspapers, ca. 1920)

I finally got to hold Baby Sarah today!!!!

My mom's nativity that i love and i liked the pic of the happy boys in the background...so sweet.

Leslie made a popcorn cake inspired by Emeril...it was wonderful!!!

and...Leslie also made these fabulous little brownie pop treats...so good. I know i've gained 10 pounds just today!

My first time getting to hold Baby Sarah...so wonderful!!!

We had a nice Christmas together! One of the highlights for me was that I'm finally over my cold and cough and could actually hold Sarah. She is precious and wonderful.

Merry Christmas to all my sweet friends...and here's to the Happiest New Year Ever!!!

I want to make this my new motto for 2009! Thanks Mom for sending me this good quote!

"To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich, to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart, to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never, in a word to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common, this is to be my symphony."

~ William Henry Channing

I'm in the Pink!!!!

THANK YOU DEAR FRIEND ROBIN! I FEEL WONDERFUL ALREADY!!!!

Baby Sarah Anne Budge

SARAH ANNE BUDGE - born Dec 10, 2008

"Let us remember, too, that greatness is not always a matter of the scale of one’s life, but of the quality of one’s life. True greatness is not always tied to the scope of our tasks, but to the quality of how we carry out our tasks whatever they are. In that attitude, let us give our time, ourselves, and our talents to the things that really matter now, things which will still matter a thousand years from now."
--Spencer W. Kimball

"Part of the purpose for telling the story of Christmas is to remind us that Christmas doesn't come from a store. Indeed, however delightful we feel about it, even as children, each year it 'means a little bit more.' And no matter how many times we read the biblical account of that evening in Bethlehem, we always come away with a thought—or two—we haven’t had before....

"I, like you, need to remember the very plain scene, even the poverty, of a night devoid of tinsel or wrapping or goods of this world. Only when we see that sacred, unadorned child of our devotion—the Babe of Bethlehem—will we know why... the giving of gifts is so appropriate"
~Jeffrey R. Holland

"Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God. During His earthly ministry, He taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick. He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. To us He has said, 'Come, follow me.'"As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others"
~Thomas S. Monson

Leslie's new hair cut....she's donating her cut off pony tail to Locks of Love....this was her goal for years!

I love it Leslie! looks cute on you!!!

Ashley's Winter Formal jewelry

Sold to Ashley...thank you!!

I am thankful that mine do!!! Thank you friends!

Our friends should be companions who inspire us, who help us rise to our best.
-Joseph B. Wirthlin

One day in retrospect the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.
-- Sigmund Freud

"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."
--Joseph B. Wirthlin

Lucky Number 7 - I got tagged!!!

I need to share 7 random and/or weird facts about myself.And then tag 7 people.

1. I hate snakes more than anything in the entire world.

2. I failed my driver's test 2 times before i finally got my license.

3. I have seen Elton John in concert 4 times.

4. I always wanted to work at Disneyland and be a character like Snow White....i still want to!

5. I have always wanted to learn to fly an airplane.

6. I have always wanted to open a bakery/candy shop.

7. I have a very serious addiction to purses and handbags. I don't buy as many as I'd like, but I always have to look through them at the store. My family moans when they see me spot a purse selection because they know I will be there a while.

i don't know where the list of people i tagged went! now i don't remember who i tagged in the first place! let's just say, Robin, Allyson, Susan, Stella, Gill, Britten, Krysta
oh and everyone says they aren't weird facts, but if i told you the weird facts, you'd probably be scared of me. hah....like the fact that if i could, i would wear a fairy costume every day, and glitter all over my face, and glittery false eyelashes...and i would also be a Celtic singer. hahaha. see...i've definitely got an alter ego.

8 Things - I've Been Tagged by Ally

8 things I did yesterday: saw my sweet baby grandsons, went to a baby shower, went to a baptism for my nephew, ate dinner at taco bell, fell asleep on the couch, worked on some jewelry, did laundry
8 things I look forward to: the birth of my newest grandbabe..a girl!, school starting tomorrow, making some NEW jewelry, Christmas shopping, decorating my Christmas tree tomorrow night, cold weather, seeing Christmas lights in the neighborhoods.
8 restaurants I like: Sweet Tomatoes, Tahoe Joe's, Outback Steakhouse, Japanese Steakhouse, Taco Bell, In -n-Out, Corner Cafe, Victoria Rose Cottage
8 things on my wish list: Victoria Rose Cottage High tea, some Chanel perfume (Coco or Chance), an organized home, healthy and happy family, more time with Royce, snow, chocolate pie from Marie Calendar's
8 TV shows I like to watch: The Mentalist, Life, lots of HGTV shows,
8 people to tag with 8 things: Stella, Caleen, Lauren.....that's all i can think of that haven't been tagged already! See? I read your blog Allyson! :) I am happy for the purple laptop!!!

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

"May we be found among those who give our thanks to our Heavenly Father. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed."

~President Thomas S. Monson