What I've been doing.

Where to start?  It's been so long.

Summer end is always so busy as we try to savor each and every last minute with our loved ones before they're whisked off to school again.

It's filled with garden tomatoes with salt and fresh corn on the cob.

It's filled with last hurrahs with extended families.

And as if that's not enough, we have to add on to our never-ending list of summer projects, brand new ones for Fall.

And I guess that's why I haven't written for so long.

So to catch up, tonight will be a bit extensive.

As I look back at Labor Day Weekend, which was just a few weeks ago, I'm kind of in awe that to me it was still summer.

 May I just mention that when we pulled up to talk to the camp hosts in Heber Valley Girls Camp (for our Johnson family camp out), Easton immediately rolled down his window and said to the couple, "Hey!  Look at my funny face!"  Then he pulled his mouth into a contorted shape.  He then grabbed his pail and said, "Look at my funny hat!"  You know, I've come to love these times even though Easton usually embarrasses me.  I really can't imagine my life without him in the spotlight, because ever since he has been with us, that is where he has been.  I suppose he always will.

Aren't Grandparents wonderful??

Although, Tate would probably say Kita is in the running too.

Megan, Sadie, and I spent about an hour looking through pictures and laughing as we reminisced.  I love my sister-in-laws!

This was probably the highlight of Easton's day.

Tate's first lawn mowing experience.  He's growing up much too fast.

  

And with the end of Labor Day, summer seemed to fade away.

We've enjoyed some splendid weather, but still I could feel Autumn just over the brink of the horizon.

And with a zest that is completely out of character for me, I bought some little orange pumpkins and began decorating for the ensuing Fall. (Visit this link to see my September interior decorating photos).

(And this link too for the reasons why Fall has been so much better for me this year).

Thoughts of Autumn brought me a thousand and one ideas for new projects and passions that I've been pouring my whole self into...hence, the lack of posting this month. 

(Visit this link for a glimpse of some of the things I've been doing and am planning to do.)

But, even with all of the grand ideas and schemes I still had time to snap a few pictures here and there:

And now Fall is officially here I think.  And surprisingly, I'm welcoming the change with open arms and an open heart.  It's going to be a great Autumn...I can just feel it.

September Projects

This month I have been busy at work starting and finishing so many creations.  In the two posts below, you can see the progress on my quilts and a fun fireproof date night.

During this month my mind has seemed to be doing a lot of "feeling."  You see, I get these impressions pretty often about a new project I need to start or a new talent to develop.  Last month I made a special Christmas surprise for grandparents...but in case they decide to read this, I won't tell you too many details.  Just know it involves one of my greatest passions--videography.

Then I've been working on Tate's birthday movie...which still has a lot of work left before completion.  I'll probably buckle down and finish that up in November.

I've also been decorating for Fall (see this post for pictures), planning Christmas gifts (definitely the early stages at this point), and working on my newest and most exciting hobby:  photography.

I've decided to pursue this in hopes to create beautiful portraits of my own children every year.  I've been taking a few photography courses and planning all the gear I will need...including a brand new professional amateur camera!  I have a blog all ready to launch with a beautiful banner created by a graphic designer...can you tell I'm excited?

Well, once I've saved up enough for the camera, I will launch my new hobby business and let you know!  While the reason I've taken up photography is to benefit my little family, I am more than happy to offer my services to anyone who would like pictures done...portraits of family, newborn, children, even bridals and engagements.  Let me know if you are interested. 

And now in closing, may I just say this:  

Creating is about finding your inner passions, turning them into talents, and then blessing the lives of others with your good works.

 Just feel first.  Move then to the creating phase.  And the inspiration part will naturally follow.

Happy Creating!

Fireproof Date Night

As I was contemplating what to do for our weekly date night last Tuesday, I had some ideas begin to grow in my mind until they became a reality last Friday night.  This date could be customizable to anyone...it just takes a little creativity.

I decided that we would begin the night with some "Love Tasks" to earn some prizes.
I wrote down a whole bunch of tasks for both of us to complete.  Some of them were silly, some romantic.  If you want the whole list, leave a comment and I'll post again.

I glued them onto some random sheets of scrapbook paper and laminated them...this would be a super fun group date night!

Then I put the four prizes under some towels:

And I let my sweetie pick a prize for every three tasks completed well.
(For your info: two of the towels are hiding new shirts for Patrick, one of the towels had a box of bakery donuts, and the last towel was holding the movie Fireproof, which we ended our date night watching.) {I would highly recommend this movie.  It is about stengthening our marriages through the Lord.}

As part of our tasks, we had to commit to doing something from each of the Five Love Languages (a book we love by Gary Chapman).  I cut out 5 pairs of scrapbook squares and we wrote our commitments on them.  We didn't let each other see them.  Every month for the next 5 months, we will choose one, read it, and perform our commitment for each other.  I'm really excited for this!!

The last task wasn't a part of the task cards.  This one was a spouses scavenger hunt I created:

If you can't read the items, here they are:
Find something they love
Something they like
Something they just tolerate
and something they dislike
Find something they made
Something they bought
Something they found
And something they got...from you as a gift.

We each had ten minutes to locate everything on the list and put it in a grocery sack for sharing.

Here are some of my favorites:

Something we loved.

Things we made (I chose the boys for Patrick and Patrick chose the ribbon to represent making our house into a home...)
The picture of us represents what Patrick found....ME!

And this is Scarftot. (Yes, Easton named him).  He lost him for a long long time and was quite sad.  But earlier this particular morning I had found him in the dryer! Patrick chose him to represent something I had found. :)

And last, but not least, something we gave each other.

Ironically, we both chose the wedding present we had purchased for each each other.  It was kind of a precious moment when we realized that.

Autumn 2010

I have already gone through 2 re-decorating escapades this month...usually it's every season, but September this year has been a month of many changes I guess.

Here is Phase 1 of my Autumn Decorating this year (sometime towards the beginning of September).  Actually, I'm quite surprised that I even considered pulling out some Fall decor this early.  I am such a summer person and usually hate to see it end...but somehow, this year has been different.  And special.  And so much better. (Visit this link to find out why.)

And now for my mid-September decor changes:

Can you see that beautiful old record player that I found for $20??  The original damask fabric is still covering the speakers in perfect condition.  I painted and distressed it to a vintage French cottage style. 

Someday my sweetie will try and find a way to connect our iPod to the speakers so we can have a new sound system!

My Very Own Autumn

Last month at this time I was completely and utterly dreading Autumn...not because I dislike the beautiful leaves and crisp air, but simply because I am a summer girl who loves warmth and sunshine...not to mention how awful it is to look ahead apprehensively for a stressfully busy Christmas season and then even worse, the winter blues that descend upon me with a terrific crash in January.

So I've pondered a lot on what I can do about my seasonal mood swings and I determined to ask my dear, sweet friend Savanah for some wisdom in this regard.

With her usual insight, she replied with some ideas that changed my whole outlook on the months of September, October, November, and December.

1.  Try to find things that are beautiful amidst the dreary winter.  Like watch the sunrise make the freshly fallen snow sparkle.  Or wear a black pair of gloves and catch the snowflakes on them.  The black makes it so that you can see each individual snowflake beautifully and you can admire their each unique shape.  I find that when we make a conscious effort to look for the good in everything then we find it.  So make it a goal to each day find one thing new that you can enjoy about winter.

2.  Make a goal for the end of each month.  Have something exciting and fun to look forward to.  Like a pedicure or lunch out with your grandma or something.  If you have something fun to look forward to, than the months won't seem to drag on too slowly.

3.  Try wearing bright colors.  Even when everyone else is wearing the seasons dark and drab color scheme, try wearing spring colors to lift your spirits.  You could also try adding bright colors to your home decor for the winter season to try and brighten your home.

4.  Learn something new.  I thought that a fun hobby would be to learn to crochet cute winter hats.  My mom made some last winter that had an adorable flower on the side, they were so stylish for a homemade hat.  Those might be fun to learn to make in order to lighten up a winter day!

5.  Make memorable winter moments.  Make a snowman with your boys or curl up in a big blanket with a cup of hot chocolate, warm popcorn, an old movie and your little family.

And finally....today I found a wonderful idea in the Ensign.  There was an article about a mom who memorized "The Living Christ" and then tried to help her family memorize it.  I know that our kids are too young for that just yet, but what if you tried to work on memorizing a part of it each day.  It will uplift your spirits, invite the Holy Ghost into your home and no doubt prepare you for the Christmas season.  Before you know it, winter will be half over and you won't even have had time to think about it!!

And so because of her inspiration, my Autumn has become something different this year.  It's not just a time to notice the dropping temperatures or dread the foreboding winter.

It's a time of change.  And of preparation.

It's a time to settle down and make home a comfortable haven for soon wintry days.

It's a time to put away the summer and put on the fall...including soft sweaters. (Of course, I'm going to continue wearing summer colors on occasion. ;)

It's a time to stop and pause and look how far this year has taken me...and how far I still have to go in order to reach my goals and become the person I want to be before the end of December.

It's a time to recommit to pushed aside projects and procrastinated ideas.

It's a time to make apple pie and pumpkin spice bread.

And cinnamon rolls...we had those last night.

And last week when the boys and I drove down to my Mom's, I glanced off to my right to see a little bunch of fiery red trees clustered on the side of a mountain.

It was a sign to me that Autumn is officially here...and surprisingly, that thought did not make me cringe or even sigh.

I smiled.

When winter comes along, I will be ready with Savanah's tricks up my sleeve.

"Come what may, and love it!" as Elder Wirthlin would say.

I guess my goal for September can be checked off.

I am LOVING Autumn.

Cuddling Quilt {Episode 2}

Time to pull out my scrumptious sewing machine given me by my mother for my college graduation.

I began today the fun part.  (And the long tedious never-ending part).

It's time to sew!!

Here are my completed 4 nine square blocks completed all by myself!  Only 56 more to go!!

These quilts are going to be beautiful!!

Who We Are.

As we travel on the path of discipleship, we encounter attacks from the adversary who desperately wants to pull us down.

But truly what we need to remember is this:  

We are spiritual beings having a mortal experience. 

I like to remind myself of this fact when I feel so "lost."  

It's no wonder I don't fit in among the world.  

No wonder I feel like I never have enough time.  

No wonder my heart wants to do so many good works but my body fails in strength.  

No wonder I love to decorate my home in pure white...it feels more like heaven.  

No wonder I feel so peaceful, safe, and at home in the temple.  

No wonder I love beautiful, uplifting music that focuses my mind on the Savior.  

No wonder I am frustrated with myself when I do not live up to my or my Heavenly Father's expectations.  

No wonder I feel like a stranger here.  

This is not my home.  

This is my school.  

And someday if I pass all the tests, I will, through the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ, be permitted to reenter my real Home
and finally feel like I belong.
Forever.

Where I Am.

Today I'm feeling the need to take a small break...to look at this year...how far I've come...and how far I still need to go.  I feel tired and exhausted for really no reason at all.  Fall time is hastening on and I finally realized that I'm ready for it to come.  Summer has long been my most favorite time of year and this year I dreaded even the thought of Fall...which meant winter was on its way.  But last week something changed for the better.  I found a few Autumn pieces to display in my home and then a few more and a few more.  Until I found myself surrounded by Autumn decor and I was happy. 

And then there was yesterday.  I happened upon the steal of the century with a $20 beautiful record player.  The record player is long gone, but the piece is stunning and I can't wait to paint it all white.

And therefore, today with summer lingering and autumn forthcoming, I feel the need to stop. Sit. And reflect upon this year.  I have learned much.  I have grown much.  But I need to reflect and remember in order to make the best possible use out of the rest of this year.  I have a little less than 4 months.  I want to make them spectacular...like the grand finale to an already grand year.  But how can I do this unless I first stop and ponder upon where this year has taken me and where I still need to traverse.  Perhaps this poem by Robert Frost sums it up best:


Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.


The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.