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!!!