Mormon Myths Dispelled

Our church schedule has changed and all I can say is AMEN!
Instead of 1pm to 4pm we will meet from 11am to 2pm.
What a difference a few hours makes.
I am in heaven.

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Everyone simply must watch this video.
I found it through Facebook and this company also does videos on other topics.
It is very informative and fun!
And it could make you a genius amoung your friends...



I am DYING to know
for you non-LDS bloggies out there....
did you learn anything new?

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these invites...

were recently received by a handful of our friends and their families.
today we welcome them into our home for
Lunch in a Pumpkin,
Games,
Treats,
and Pumpkin Carving
let the Halloween excitement begin!

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Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl

...made her appearance at the Church Trunk-or-Treat
last night to rave reviews and a Mommy tired of
hunching over the sewing machine.
why do I make these costumes by hand again?
a great time was had by all, despite the fact that
multiple people referred to little Evangeline as a Cowboy.

(I think everyone should be required to own a television
and to watch more than is good for them.)





Pictures of Miss Ella's costume to coming soon.

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this is what i am doing...

all day today.


because the church's trunk-or-treat is tonight
at 6:00 pm.
and a little redhead wants to be
jessie the yodeling cowgirl for halloween.



why do i always procrastinate?

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72 hour sale

Hey Utah Family Members!

Just wanted to give the heads up that Southwest Airlines is having a 72 hour sale where flights from SLC to Philadelphia are just $100!

Many of you have mentioned wanting to visit...so I just thought I would throw it out there. We have enough space in our Townhome to house you, so no hotel fees.

Think about it! Authentic Philly Cheesesteakes, just hours away from NYC, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and you could see tons of Amish people! Spring Break would be so lovely in the beautiful East Coast...wouldn't you say?

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Craft of the Month

This month's craft of the month is this
Chic Halloween Glitter Wreath.


I really like it because it is chic and not too cutesty, but also not terrifying like other Halloween decorations....my kids cannot tolerate that. Also, using the Plaid brand Extreme glitter means eliminating some steps and having a finished product that doesn't shed glitter each time you brush by it.

Supply List

one 18" Grapevine wreath (like this one from JoAnns) $3.99
one can black spray paint (ColorPlace brand at WalMart) $0.98
one maple leaf garland (like this one from JoAnns) $4.00
one jar Plaid Extreme Glitter in black
one jar Plaid Extreme Glitter in purple
(available at Ben Franklin Crafts or A.C. Moore) around $6.00 each
one black crow decoration (I got mine at Dollar Tree) $1.00
hot glue gun
scissors
two sponge paint brushes


Instructions

1. Lay down newspaper in a well ventilated area. Coat wreath with light coats of black spray paint until completely covered. Allow to dry.


2. Lay garland on newspapers and coat back side with black spray paint. Allow to dry. I used this quick-drying spray paint which dries in 10 minutes.


3. Once leaves are dry pop in a dvd (I chose Xanadu...because nothing gets your craft mojo going like roller-skating Greek muses).


Coat the top of leaves with purple Extreme Glitter on 2/3rd of the leaves and black Extreme Glitter on remaining 1/3rd and allow to dry.


4. Cut leaves from vine and then separate leaves from each other (if needed). You need to leave some stem on each leaf.


5. Use hot glue gun to attach leaves directly to wreath. Put hot glue onto stem and stick it well into the branch tangles of the wreath.


Hint: I laid down my wreath, started with the larger leaves and glued them in while imagining a clock face, starting at 12 o'clock, then 6, then 3, then 9 and continuing to fill in the gaps systematically so your leaves are spread evenly around the wreath. Then fill in gaps with smaller leaves.

4. Use hot glue gun to attach crow into wreath, tucking the legs in to wreath branches. I got this crow at the Dollar Store, so if you plan on making this wreath this year, head to your dollar store before the end of October to snag one.


5. Hang on front door or on wall above fireplace.






Your finished wreath should cost around $20, but can be used year after year. This is a primary reason I used Extreme Glitter by Plaid. You get all of the sparkle of glitter, with none of the shedding. I just can't handle the thought of pulling this out and having a spray of purple and black glitter all over myself, my carpet, my doormat and my visitors. Plaid offers the Extreme Glitter in many colors and it eliminates a step since it is opaque paint with glitter inside.

I hope you enjoy making your own Halloween Glitter Wreath.

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sadly, i don't suck

our vacuum broke last week and
there is nothing
more gross than a dirty carpet.
i feel icky just typing it.

so we need you recommendations for a good vacuum.
here are the criteria...

- must suck well
- bagless
- not too heavy
- hose attachment
- around $100

I know it's a tall order...especially that last part, but as it is we'll probably be saving up for a month or two to get it...the crappy car fund has officially been bumped down by the new vacuum fund. LOL!




Not sure what we'll do until then....
do people actually borrow vacuums from their friends?

So, please please please tell me
if you have a vacuum you love.

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I really LOVE my children....I swear!

Recently there was a casting call for a professional photo shoot in Utah that required little red-headed girls. Emily Foley called me to lament my not living there anymore, since little red-headed girls seem to be our specialty. She then mentioned that she had been searching recent posts on my blog for pictures of my girls and hadn't seen any in a while. I went straight to my blog and slowly went backwards and (gasp....the horror!) there were not any decent pictures of my children for quite a few weeks.

So to dispel any rumors about my deep love for my children and to show you all just how darn cute they are...here are some pictures I snapped of them this past week.


Ella - 4.5 years old.
Ella has been dabbling in the dramatic lately. Every time a camera lifts it's an opportunity to pose like a model. Last week she said to me matter-of-factly, "I should be the leader in a kid's band because I'm waaaaaay great at songs." and she is becoming extremely social. Asking to have friends over and planning imaginary parties for herself and her school classmates.




Evangeline - 2.5 years old.
Evangeline has been a girl of extremes lately....especially when waking from naps. She could either leap out of bed with a smile on her face or arise grumpy and melancholy. I suppose it's the age. She is very independent and likes to exert her will, but always retains her softness and tender heart. The sheer amount of freely given hugs, kisses and snuggles coming from this kid could heal the world.


Oh, how I adore these little people!

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Man v. Food

What are you doing today?
Church?
Family time?
Spending time outdoors?

Well, forget all that stuff...and set down in front of your television.
Turn to The Travel Channel and do not move all day.
Why?

Man v. Food

Seriously, The Travel Channel cannot boast too many cool shows...okay, they have NO cool shows...until now. Man v. Food has a cool, regular guy host who travels the country performing various restaurant food challenges. He's not a trained chef or a professional eating contestant...just a guy who loves food. The very first episode we saw made the Hubs and I laugh out loud multiple times. And we were SOLD.

Today is a Man v. Food marathon on the Travel Channel. You gotta watch it! And here's a little preview to tempt you.

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Photo Shoot News

I had a scheduled photo shoot this morning with the Call family. It was all grey skies and sprinkling rain this morning so we decided to go indoors, but at the last minute, the heavens calmed and we headed to an amazing abandoned house for some outdoor shots.

Look at this beautiful little girl. I always shoot the youngest child's shots first so that we have them in the bag for when their patience meter runs out.


For more photos from this shoot visit the Gallery E blog.

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Nainy in Sweden

I have recently helped my Mom (we call her Nainy) set up a blog so she can chronicle her life on the working farm in Sweden. I am very much enjoying reading it and seeing the pictures from her life. Here is her recent entry about this photo...she's the cute tiny lady in the midst of that gorgeous garden. By the way, she lives in a village called Eden and the title of her post was "Garden of Eden".



In the village of Eden there were originally ten farms. Most were dairy farms, some also had sheep and other animals. Now, we are the only working dairy farm here. Only one generation ago the village was alive with families, children and activities. There was a school, a store, even a small cafe, all of which are now vacant.

Although it was a farming community, kitchen gardens were rare. Each farm had a root cellar (källarbuden - shell-arr-boo-din) which was used for storing potatoes, perhaps a few carrots or turnips, but nothing more. There simply was not enough time when much of the farm work was still done by hand, to tend a garden.

On our farm we have a large vegetable garden measuring 15x30 meters (48x98 ft.), with scores of black and red currant bushes (you can see some of them covered with the blue netting behind the garden to keep the birds away) and 31 mature rhubarb plants. There are gooseberry bushes and over 1200 strawberry plants. Out on the fägata (fair-gotta), the common pathway that was used by multiple farms for taking cows back and forth for grazing, there are wild raspberries. In the surrounding forests, free for the picking, are lingonberries, hjortron (grows one berry on each plant - that's why they are called "Norrland Gold" - looks like a small peach colored raspberry), and wild blueberries. Along the roads in the village you can often see small wild berries growing.


Isn't that so fun?!!
Wanna read more about my mom's adventures in Sweden?
Read her new blog here.
http://roots-in-sweden.blogspot.com/

C'mon....give a SHOUT OUT TO MY MOM!

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coming soon!

Yes, the new header claims I am a Crafty Minx
and soon you'll see a lot more of my Minx-osity
here on the blog.

Introducing the Craft of the Month!

Each month I will highlight a craft I am doing and show step-by-step
instructions and supply lists so you can do it too!
Sometimes the craft will be from someone else's genius...
and sometimes it will be of my own creation!
Freebie patterns and materials will be included whenever possible.
Because EVERYBODY loves FREE!



October's Craft of the Month hits next week!

And I'll give you a little hint:
it is going to be glittery, spooky and chic.

Who's excited?

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spending each moment...

.
relaxing and enjoying family time...



and taking advantage of the final warm-ish days before the real cold of Autumn sets in...


life. is. good.

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wordless wednesday

.
.

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UNDER CONSTRUCTION

today and tomorrow...
things will be changing on this blog.
again and again and again...
until i like it.

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These are mailing out...

to 100 mailboxes in Lancaster County this week.


(front of postcard)



(back of postcard)


I am soooo excited!

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Today I am inspired by...

my friend, Emilee.

I have known Emilee for around 11 years.
We met in the Missionary Training Center as we prepared to serve 18 month missions for our church. We were friends immediately.


Emilee has always had a biting, sarcastic whit which makes her a fun friend...as long as you are on her good side and are not easily offended. Thank goodness I have always maintained those two things!!!

Emilee and her wonderful husband Darryl had trouble conceiving and finally tuned to IVF. They found out they were pregnant with two baby girls. Soon after they were given the news that one of the babies had serious medical complications. The prognosis was not too good and I felt so much compassion for my friend as she and her husband dealt with the news.

Both babies arrived safely. Adorable little Eden and Georgia. Doctors informed Emilee and Darryl that Georgia was likely to live less than six months. There have been countless medical tests, operations, fears, heartbreaks and small triumphs for this little family as they moved forward with courage and strength.

This week the little girls reached six months.

I am so inspired by this family's faith and commitment. And my friend Emilee has taken this situation head on and relied on the help of others, sought for spiritual guidance and become a wonderful Mommy. And I am so proud of her!

And are these not the most beautiful and adorable babies in the entire world? Eden is on the left and Georgis is on the right. I can't wait to meet them someday when we visit Utah next.



Who are YOU inspired by today?

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Happy Blogaversary!

Happy 5 years bloggity blog!



Here are some of my favorite blog moments...

Scaring Children...One Sweet Fable at a Time (Nov 2006)
Matel Upholds "Doodie" to Customers! (Mar 2007)
When only swear words will do... (Jun 2007)
Fireworks For Jesus (Aug 07)
one of these "results" is not like the other... (Jan 08)
Why I married him... (Feb 08)
The well dries up (Jul 09)
a letter to Martha Stewart (July 09)

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recently...

I am obsessed with these apples from Stoudt's Farms. They are a local orchard and they cross bred this apple. It is HANDS DOWN the best apple I have ever tasted! I am converting all of my friends....GO #10!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Having one car often means getting up before the sun, loading the girls into the car and dropping Matt off at work. Not even the gorgeous Pennsylvania skies can make me like this ritual.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Ella mentioned she was building a tower recently. I had no idea she was stacking these cups so high! She ended up making the tower taller than she is.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Matt has been hard at work and doing very well at his job. The Doctors really seem to appreciate the work he is doing and the changes he is implementing to make their practice run more smoothly. We are so proud of our hubby/daddy!

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