Sacred Places

My friend Deanne is in grad school for photography at SCAD (Savannah College for Art and Design). She was working on a photo assignment which required taking pictures of people in their sacred places outside of houses of worship or other religious buildings.

I started to think about what were my sacred places outside of my house of worship. The first thing that came to mind was in the delivery room where my son was born. That moment when I held him for the first time was certainly sacred. It's hard to put it into words. When he was very little I would watch those tv shows with women going into labor. I think I wanted to recreate that feeling. It's one of the most sacred moments of my life.

When I continued thinking about sacred places I also thought about the sun. Oh how I love sunshine. There is something very settling and energizing to me about the sun. Walking around outside on a bright sunny day is one of my favorite ways to ponder and think and speak to God. My friend asked if she could take my picture with the sun. So on an autumn day we went to a park by her home and took pictures of the sun on me coming through the trees. I'm glad I could help her on her assignment.

(photographer Deanne Andrus. She sent this picture to me right after the shoot so there isn't any editing on this pic.)

Now that our thoughts have turned to Christmas another sun comes to mind. The son of God, our Savior Jesus Christ. A babe laying in a manger in a stable is a sacred place to many Christians. I attended a Nativities display at an LDS church which had a room full of nativity scenes from around the world. I was overcome with a feeling of joy and humility for a child who was brought into this world in such lowly conditions but who has triumphantly overcome the world.

I hope this Christmas season to turn my thoughts to Christ and remember one of the most sacred events this world has beheld.

Feeling good about crafting

Months ago I was thinking it would be fun to get some friends together and make something for someone in need in our community. A great thought but I never got around to it. I became quite busy with the felt play house.

Yesterday I was looking at the website Made when I came across a new book called Craft Hope.
It's a book with lots of creative crafts that can all be given away to someone in need. The part I find really neat about this book is that at the end of each craft is a charity or organization that is in need of this object.

(Craft Hope by Jade Sims)

I'm in love!

I haven't bought the book but would definitely be interested in organizing a group of people that would be interested in crafting for a cause. I think it would make for a great church activity or a great way to get together with some friends or a great way to connect with friends via the web.

If you click here you can find more pictures and information from the website Made. I also learned Craft Hope has a website with projects to do on a continuous basis.

I'd be interested to know if anyone has any interest in doing a project together. Let me know!

My first garden

Sometimes I assume that I'll be a natural at gardening. Fairly presumptuous-I know. I'm equating the love of the outdoors to measure up to mad gardening skills. I decided to start my first garden with plants that grow easily. I've found myself calling my mom many times asking questions about watering, pot sizes, etc.

It's exciting to watch a plant grow from a tiny seed and so annoying to see that some bug is munching on my basil! Grr.

I'm growing two types of tomatoes, green bell pepper, and several herbs: oregano, basil, cilantro, chives.

I look forward to having a yard someday. There is something so rewarding about being outside soaking up the sun and enjoying God's beautiful earth.

The Family History Project

There is something really special about learning about your ancestors. I'm always fascinated to learn as much as I can about these people. However, a lot of time we only have limited information like birth, marriage and death. I always want to know so much more. Life is more than dates and places it's, likes and dislikes, standards of living, world events and personal events. That's where my family history project comes in.
My husband and I came up with 52 questions for our parents. One question to answer a week. The questions range from first car, to parental advice. Week One question is "What was your favorite subject in high school and why?"

Hopefully we will gain some great insight and memories from our parents that we can share with our children and future generations.

I was interviewing my grandma and asking her questions about motherhood. I asked her about her mother's personality. My grandma was the youngest of 11. She told me her mother worried a lot. I asked why and she said because she had 5 sons fighting in the war. It took me a second to soak that in. I still can't comprehend what my great grandma must have been feeling. It gave me a new respect for a great grandmother I have never met.

UPDATE: The project is finished and I've had a few people ask for the questions.  In the end I had 42 different questions and a handful of short answer questions as well.  I turned the responses into a book with lots of pictures.  
Here are the questions: 

1. As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
2. What activities did you like to do as a child? 

3. What chores did you have as a child?

4. What are some qualities you love about your mom? 

5. What are some things you learned from your dad?

6. Who are your siblings?

7. Describe what you remember your parents looking like when you were a child.

8. Describe your childhood home.

9. What were some of your favorite foods your mom would make for you?

10. What was your favorite school subject?

11. What are some of your favorite vacations?

12. What was your favorite room in your home growing up and what is your favorite room now?

13. What are your favorite books?

14. What are your favorite holidays and why?

15. Have you had a favorite age? Why? What age do you think you looked your best?

16. What modern day appliances are you most grateful for? Why?

17. What car did you drive growing up?  What did you like and dislike about it?

18. Who was your best friend as a child and what did you do together?

19. What was the first thing that attracted you to your spouse?

20. What kind of music did you listen to in high school? College? Now? Any particular songs bring back memories?

21. Why did you pick the college you attended?

22. What ridiculous things did you do with your college roommates?

23. What are you afraid of? Did you have any fears as a child?

24. What skills would you like to learn?

25. If you could visit a time in history where would you go?

26. What world event has been the most historic in your lifetime?  Where were you? Can you remember where you were or what you were doing during any other historic event?

27. What have been some of your past Halloween costumes?

28. What pets have you had?

29. What was one of your favorite fashion trends or clothing items growing up? What fashion trend or article of clothing do you think, “what was I thinking!”

30. How do you know the church is true?

31. Do you have a particular experience where your testimony was strengthened or gained? What events have led to your beliefs?

32. What was the most difficult and rewarding things about your children?  My Dad said this was a loaded question.  J This question could also be something like “How are each of your children different?  What qualities make them unique?”

33. What fun activities did you do with your children?

34. What has parenting taught you? What advice do you have? What would you have done differently?

35. What were some of your first jobs?

36. What different jobs have you held?

37. What has been the most difficult occupational decision you have had to make?

38. What did you do on your first date with mom (or dad)?

39. What are the differences about being a grandparent compared to being a parent?

40. What are some accomplishments you are proud of? (ie Work, home, school, family, sports, hobbies, religious) Big or small.  

41. What makes you happy?

42. Words of Wisdom for your posterity?

Lightening Round Questions (I put these responses at the beginning of the books.)

Favorite color
Favorite animal

Professional Sports Team
Favorite home cooked dinner

Favorite fast food
Best restaurant
Favorite dessert
Favorite TV show growing up
Favorite TV show now
Dream Vacation
If you had a $1000 shopping spree what one store/place would you spend it?
Guilty pleasure
Favorite band
Favorite dance song
Favorite rock song
Favorite awesome song
Favorite scripture
Favorite temple
Favorite car
Favorite feature on yourself
Favorite website
Favorite sport to watch
Favorite sport to play
Favorite game to play with the family

Favorite thing to do in your free time

If I were to do this project again I might add some other questions that might provoke some more stories like: Describe a time you were overcome with happiness.  What was one of your most embarrassing moments? Share a time in your life where you felt sad. Can you think of a story in your youth when you learned a valuable life lesson. Share a favorite moment you had with each of your children. What’s a funny story from your childhood?  Share a memorable date night you had with mom/dad. 

My dad and I  on the farm in Idaho. 

Baby Shower Word Game

We all have played those baby shower games. I'm not sure why they always have to be cheesy but they usually are. I was planning a baby shower and I made up a baby shower game that is just a combination of games I like to play. Word games.

Instructions:

Have different letters written down on different pieces of paper in front of the group.

Ask the guest of honor to select a letter.

On the back of the letter, write a word that starts with that letter. An example would be R is for baby registry or P is for popular baby names.

Give all the guests 1 minute to write down as many objects or things they can think of associated with that word or phrase the word is in.

When time is up each guest reads off what they wrote. If someone else in the group wrote down the same word they each get one point. If several people get the same word each of them still get one point and no additional points.

If you wrote down something that nobody else has than you don't get any points.

The object of the game is to get the most points by writing down words you think other people will think of.

Here are some ideas:

P is for Pregnancy symptoms

D is for objects in a Diaper bag

M is for milestones

F is for first baby Foods

H is for household Hazards when baby starts to walk or crawl

S is for getting baby to Sleep techniques

B is for things associated with Bath time

I is for baby Items you will go back to the store for time and time again.

C is for pregnant women food Cravings.

You could use this concept for bridal showers or general topics as well.

In the details

Here is some of the details from my wedding that I had a part of creating.

Guest Book- I used our pictures from our engagement photo shoot to make our guest book more interesting for the guests and for us later on.
Centerpiece- I originally wanted gardenias in each bowl for the table centerpieces but the price was $75 for 3 gardenias. We have a gardenia bush in our yard but the flowers hadn't bloomed yet. My colors were apple green and lemon yellow. I went for a much cheaper alternative by using lemons and limes and added a candle and curly willow to go around each bowl. I thought it was a fun, whimsical alternative.
While planning my wedding I decided I wanted pictures of my parents, grandparents as well as my in laws and their parents wedding pictures. I'm grateful for these weddings which ultimately brought me to my own. On the opposite side I had a bridal picture of my maternal grandma, my mom and myself. This detail of my wedding was one of my favorites. A wedding day happens once but the family that surrounds you is eternal.

My own piece of virtual space

I love to make things. I like to imagine new ideas. I wanted a place to put all of my creations and so this blog was born. This is a place to post original ideas, show off copy cat crafts, and display store bought projects. This is a place to share my ideas and thoughts that nag me all day to be written down. In the movie "The Secret Garden," Mary asks for "a bit of earth". This was her own solace and place to grow. That's what I want here. I'm far from the best in my endeavors but collectively I'm proud to have these makings and musings that make me who I am.