My Etsy

Do you have a dream career? If money were not an object, what you would spend all day doing? You might think that my dream would be to own a successful photography business, and that's true. I do so love photography. But real fun, for me, is stationery.

Not the scrapbooking, card-making variety of stationery, because I'm no good at that, but the brands like Crane's, and Kate's Paperie and ... hello? Mine!



So please check out my new Etsy store. But cut me some slack. I'm new to Etsy, so my store isn't very polished or fancy or stocked up yet. If you have advice or feedback or suggestions, I would totally love to hear those things. Or you could just go shopping. Or make a special request.

Blogworld, you are all my very best friends.

In. Flu. Enza.

Nate has been sick for almost a week now with a fever, chills, cough, upset tummy, and good old exhaustion. Why is it that I always wait until he's almost better to get him to the doctor? Nate's pediatrician said he's at the "tail end" of the flu, and should be back up to full speed in a day or two. At least his fever seems to be gone.

As long as I was posting a picture of how sweet Nate looks when he's asleep, I thought I'd share a couple of furries, too. Please note that the indulgent mom allows the menagerie to nap on her bed. Don't all kids, dogs, and cats look sweet when they're sleeping?

Charlie

Emme

Can't See the House for the Trees

When I am describing where we live to people in our neighborhood, they figure it out as soon as I say, "You can't see our house because of the trees," or I know they've figured out which house we're in when they say, "Oh! You're in the house with all the trees!"

They are lovely with the snow, though, don't you think?

Free Rice

Check out this addictive site. It will make you feel smart, you'll flashback to your high school days studying for the SAT, and you'll be doing some good. Thanks, Ty, for the fun link.

Free Rice

One friend, who shall remain nameless, played until he or she had acquired over 5,000 grains of rice, then said,

"So? When do I get my rice?"

Another Peek

My Etsy store is almost ready!

Any guesses as to what kind of flowers these are? A hint for you: I used to have a dog who had the same name as these.

Happy Singles' Awareness Day

Valentine's Day takes on a whole new meaning when you don't have a Valentine. Who knew? Brent suggested the alternate title for the day, which I thought was rather fitting this year.

Fortunately, despite the change in (ahem) companionship, we had a really delightful day, beginning with my choice to (gasp!) completely skip the kids' parties at school. I can't remember a year when I haven't had to plan at least part, but usually all of, the event. It was great to just sit home and eat these:

Heidi sent these, my most favorite of all chocolates, and I haven't shared even one with the kids. Vosges makes these incredibly unique and fantastic chocolates, and the box included unusual chocolate pairings that included curry, wasabi, paprika, and other flavors you'd never think would be so amazing. I allow myself to partake of two each day, but keep them well hidden from the kids.

Another package arrived from Kathleen, who hosted a contest on her blog. That woman can do anything! All the items were gorgeous and it was a great surprise. I am totally inspired to have a contest soon ... stay tuned, my friends.

My night out with the girlfriends fell through when the babysitter got strep, but that was all right, because I was secretly hankering to see The Spiderwick Chronicles with the boys. We all enjoyed it, even though Nate said it was a little scary and Ro was a little ticked that the movie wasn't completely true to the books.

What am I forgetting? Oh, yes ... the gift of flowers. What Valentine's Day would be complete without a fragrant bouquet?

Charlie picked these out all by himself. He is such a good dog.

What the ... ?

I may have mentioned Market Square once or twice since we've been living in Utah, since it is a place to find amazing bargains, if you're a good, brave, and persistent shopper. In addition to the many fabulous treasures to be discovered there, you are also guaranteed to see many other interesting items that you wouldn't take home for free, and usually, some colorful characters as well.

But this one stumped me.


Theories, anyone?

Spring Preview

I adore lilacs. I especially love the really rich, dark purple ones. I tried to find those in Texas, but could only find the wimpy little lavender ones. Still, I tried in vain to grow them at our house there, but failed. I think I took this lilac picture the very day I planted the lilac tree, as it died very shortly thereafter. As soon as possible, I plan to plant several big lilac trees (or are they bushes?) around our house here.

A couple of years ago, I painstakingly dug up many lilac shoots from my mom's house in Utah, packed them well in big buckets and drove them home to Texas. Not long after I got to Texas, I realized that I had tenderly transplanted weeds. It was a great disappointment.

This image is one in a series that will be featured on my new line of note cards, which will be available soon, but I thought I'd give you a sneak peek.

There are Worse Things

Kids love field trips. Don't they? Mine do. I always did, too, even though we didn't have Ziploc bags then and my field trip sack lunch sandwiches always got squished because they were wrapped in tinfoil.

That reminds me of a story ... my brilliant mother has this interesting ability to always see things in a new light. In Relief Society recently, the women were asked, "What do you see as the greatest gift we've been given in this century?" Her reply? "Ziploc bags." Probably not the answer the instructor was looking for, but downright true, if you ask me.

Last week, Ro's fifth grade class went to Kingsbury Hall to see the Peking Acrobats. The pre-field trip note instructed us that the kids were to wear their "almost best" clothes for the occasion. I did allow Ro to wear jeans, because he freaked when I tried to get him to wear khakis to school. Paired with a button-down shirt, wool Gap sweater, and combed hair, he looked downright handsome when he left that morning.

That evening, he animatedly described all his favorite parts of the show, but as a mother, I wanted to know if other adults recognized how nice my son looked for the event.

"Did your teacher tell you how nicely you were dressed? Were the other kids dressed up, too?" I asked.

"Nope," said Ro. "Just one girl had on a poofy dress, but everyone else was normal."

"How about the chaperones? Did they admire your nice sweater and say how good you look in your glasses?" I persisted.

"Nope," said Ro.

"Did the other kids say something like, 'Wow, Chris, you really look good today?'"

"Mom," said Ro, "the closest I got to a comment was this one kid told me I looked like a total nerd."

Fortunately, it didn't seem to bother Christopher at all. And you know, there are worse things in life than being a nerd.

Call Me a Sinner, if you Must

On weekdays, our family really doesn't have much trouble getting up and out by 8:30, but somehow, on a Sunday, it's much more difficult to roust ourselves out of bed, organize Sacrament Meeting entertainment, and make ourselves beautiful for church.

The boys and I are all celebrating the return of 1:00 church in 2008. Hooray for sleeping in! Hooray for the Sunday morning paper! Hooray for brunch out with our favorite cousins!

It's true. I confess that I love Sunday brunch. James, Mardee, Ben, and Jocelyn have four-wheel drive and brave spirits that took us to the Porcupine Grill for a delightful Sunday brunch with the kiddos.

I know. The Sabbath Day was not kept so holy on this day. But the boys were dressed handsomely, they were well fed, and we arrived at church on time. Plus, we enjoyed some very quality family time.

Keeper of the Locks

Introducing my friend George, who also happens to be the World's Best Hairdresser. As it happens, I am hair impaired: that is, I wasn't one of those girls who owned one of those giant Barbie heads of hair who grew up practicing braiding and curling and styling. I have always been kind of a wash & go kind of gal instead.

But these days, I rather like having nice hair, but if I didn't have serious assistance, instruction, and maintenance, I would be an utter failure in the hairstyling arena of life. Thank goodness for George, who leads, guides, and walks beside me throughout my hair struggles. He is always willing to fit me in, he always offers me chocolate, and his two dogs are the frosting on the cake of the hairdressing visit.

Lily

I am of the opinion that any business that has animals within the establishment is automatically superior to those other fur-free shops. I mean, is there anything better than having a cat follow you around while you are shopping for books? Or a snuggly little Shiba Inu who sits in your lap while your color is processing and you're stuck under the dryer?

Sasha

Sometimes, I call George and beg him to fit me in (he always does), and tell him I am desperate, and my hair looks atrocious, but actually, I just like to hang out with him and his dogs and listen to him tell me how fabulous my hair looks. Even if Brent has just told me I look like Striperella.