Art: "The Colors of Patriotism" by Gaynell Parker
Since Friday is the 4th, I decided we need to focus a little on patriotism and how we show our colors.If you're anything like me, you're very patriotic. I love decorating the house in red, white and blue! Our next expense is going to be putting in a flag pole so that we can fly the flag while our son is gone to basic training.
But even before we afford that, we hang all the stuff we can find up. What about you? There is some that is tasteful, and there is stuff that is -- well, tacky. While I guess it could be said that tacky is still patriotic, I think it needs to be thought out a little. -- Read More
Books: "The First Year by Crystal Liechty" by Alison Palmer
Okay, first I have to say that I love the cover of The First Year by Crystal Liechty. If for no other reason, I would have bought this book just to have a copy of that picture. It’s just very cute. Oh, and the story isn’t half bad either.How many of us can relate to those little nagging feelings that crop up every once in a while saying, “Oh man! Why did I ever marry this guy?”
Fortunately for most of us, these moments are gradually replaced with more moments when we say, “Wow, what an awesome guy I married!” That’s what marriage is all about—learning about each other and how to work together to make you spouse and family the best they can be. Love is a gradual process over years of wanting that love to grow. That’s the message of The First Year. -- Read More
Home & Family: "Our Choices: Positive or Negative" by Muriel Sluyter
Americans spend their time, energy, and freedoms in many ways. The possibilities are endless. A young man can help an old lady cross a street, or knock her down and steal her purse. He can wear a t-shirt that says "Jesus Loves You," guaranteeing a trip to the principal’s office, courtesy of ACLU lawsuits. Or he can wear a shirt that says, "Bush Is A Terrorist," which the ACLU will vehemently defend as free speech.
He can go to the polls and vote his conscience, or plan to "shut this city down!" when other people gather to do the same. He can go to college and earn an honest degree, or binge drink, march in protests, and cheat his way through college. -- Read More
Jewelry: "Get Flash on the 4th" by Nichole Giles
When I was a kid, I loved doing fireworks around Independence Day. Now that I’m an adult, well, fireworks are still a lot of fun. With advances in technology—or whatever you call the chemicals that make things glow—today’s kids have a lot more fun options for flashing fun celebrations.
Take, for example, light-flashing jewelry. It comes in almost every form you can think of, from sticks to earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pins…last year, I even got a light-flashing-refillable drink mug with an on and off switch. (By the way, that mug is my still my favorite. The batteries are even replaceable!) -- Read More
LDS Department Store/Gardening & Landscaping: "Lavendar: It's Not Just a Sweet Smell" by Heather Justesen
Every summer my family takes a trip to It’s that time of year again, and lavender plants are popping into bloom. Mine have begun their annual show and I’m making plans for those tiny purple flowers.
Lavender is a woody perennial that will grow in almost any kind of soil, as long as it is drains well, and it can handle anything from high-moisture areas to Xeriscaping. It prefers full sun and though one source I read said it only handles temperatures to about 0 F or -15 C, It grows fine in my area, where it often gets below zero for part of the winter. -- Read More
LDS Department Store/Preparedness: "Flea Markets and Personal Preparedness" by Barbara Salsbury
Lavender is a woody perennial that will grow in almost any kind of soil, as long as it is drains well, and it can handle anything from high-moisture areas to Xeriscaping. It prefers full sun and though one source I read said it only handles temperatures to about 0 F or -15 C, It grows fine in my area, where it often gets below zero for part of the winter. -- Read More
LDS Department Store/Preparedness: "Flea Markets and Personal Preparedness" by Barbara Salsbury
You've got to be kidding! Do you think you read the title right? Flea markets associated with home storage, let alone food storage?
Well of all people I love a good flea market. In fact I really love a really good flea market, the kind I could find every Saturday morining when we lived in the Bay Area in California. This means the thrill of the hunt is a number one priority for me. I am a bargain hunter's bargain hunter! When I find a super deal I have learned how to control my exuberance - until I get to the end of the aisle and then the victory dance is a non-describable display. Unless someone is there who knows me and then the automatic comment is, "There goes Barbara again". -- Read More
LDS Outlets/Dutch Oven:"Independent Thinking" by Keith Fisher
Big doings are planned in most families this weekend. It’s Independence Day, and the Fisher clan is going camping. Yes, I’ll bring my Dutch ovens, and yes I’ll be cooking for the masses.
Since we started celebrating the birth of our country, many traditions have crept into our culture. Not the least of these, is mans desire to cook and eat outdoors. There’s just something about stepping outside, firing up the grill, and burning something beyond recognition. Ah yes, the taste of charcoal in the afternoon. -- Read More
LDS Outlets/Humor: "A Muse-ing" by C.L. Beck
In mythology, there are only she-muses. That’s not too bad for the women of the world, but I’m sorry to tell you this, guys—it looks like you’re stuck with a gal for your inspiration. Probably a gal who primps, colors her hair and wears fingernail polish named “Who Needs a Prince?”
Even though there are no he-muses mentioned in mythology, I’m certain they exist. They appear right after inspiration strikes and before the writer/artist/musician has a chance to even get one word, drawing, or musical note down on paper. The he-muses are the cause for delayed manuscripts, funky artwork, and music that falls flat in all the wrong places. -- Read More
Missionary: "Church Service Missions" by Rebecca Talley
"For those [youth honorably excused from full-time missionary labors] . . . , bishops may . . . identify appropriate local opportunities for Church or community service for a specified period of time (usually 6 to 24 months)." First Presidency letter, Jan. 30, 2004
For one reason or another, some young men or young women who desire to serve a mission may not be able to serve a full-time mission. For these young people, or others with a desire to serve, Church-Service missions give them the opportunity to serve without the complications of leaving home. -- Read More
New Neighbors: "Hidden Treasures" by Cheri Crane
One of my favorite things to do when I'm traveling is to look for hidden treasures. I like to explore and take lots of pictures. In fact, 98% of the pictures that I share on this blog are shots I've taken with my trusty digital camera.Today I thought I'd share some of the treasures I've found recently while exploring. The picture you see above is of Dry Creek, located just south of Afton, Wyoming. My husband and I drove over Saturday night and this canyon caught my eye. My mother grew up in Star Valley, so this area has always seemed like home. I'm familiar with a lot of the region, but I had never been near this particular canyon, so we drove down Dry Creek Road for a look around. -- Read More
Scrapbooking: "A Shot in the Dark" by Kim Thompson
The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays to scrapbook. All those fun red, white, and blue stickers, and stars and stripes papers make me feel patriotic. I also love dressing my kids up in red, white, and blue so they look festive and match the scrapbook pages.Have you ever considered trying to capture pictures of the fireworks for your scrapbook? They make awesome pictures, but can sometimes be hard to photograph.
One of the most important things to remember is to choose a good location. Make sure you have a clear view of the fireworks. And also make sure you know which way the wind is blowing. . . -- Read More
Services: "Stephanie Abney introduce you to Carol Otis Hurst" by Liz Adair
My guest blogger today is Stephanie Abney. She posted this introduction to Carol Hurst on the ANWA Founder and Friends web site, and I asked for permission to copy that posting here. She gave it to me, so here goes:
Stephanie says: I’d like to share a ‘gold mine’ with you… a wealth of information. If you have kids, or grandkids, or love kids (whether or not they’re yours) or if you love books, then you definitely need to know about Carol Otis Hurst. And if you happen to love kids’ books then it is imperative you know about Carol. -- Read More
Sports & Recreation: "Happy 4th of July" by Rachelle Christensen
Independence Day is the holiday which I equate most with recreation. Everything about this holiday rotates around celebrating outdoors.
I grew up in a small farming community and it was always tradition to get up early and go to the flag-raising ceremony. I loved singing the patriotic songs and as I grew older and learned more of the significance of our flag and our freedom, I enjoyed it even more. Watching those red and white stripes rise high into the clear blue sky brought a surge of pride and joy to my heart. I still feel so lucky and blessed to live in the land of the free, the home of the brave. -- Read More
Sports & Recreation/Movies: "New Television Series" by Linda Scanlan
The summer television season is about to begin. There are new shows appearing, like "In Plain Sight". Some will not reappear, like "New Amsterdam". And some are returning favorites, like "Monk".
Television can be our friend if we control it and not be controlled by the television choices. We choose what will watched and what won't be watched. "Monk and "Psyche" continue to be a favorite Friday night viewing on USA for our household. -- Read More
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