BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

So tell the truth - how many of you thought this would be a pregnancy announcement? Well - I'll have to twist my husband's arm a little more to get him to agree to that one! But this is the beginning of something very exciting...at least I think it is!

SO HERE IT IS!

Ribbon Blossoms Chic Boutique is now LIVE! And we’re celebrating with an Awesome Giveaway! If you have been following my blog, you know that I have a small business with my friend Tanielle, making and selling hair bows and other girly accessories. Until now we have been selling our items at craft shows and our local boutique mall. We also have had a few of our items listed on Daisy Craft, an online site for handmade items. But now, TODAY…we have our very own WEBSITE!!!

Please celebrate with us by entering our Fabulous Girly Giveaway! Now don’t run away if you are not a mother of girls…this prize will make a wonderful baby gift or birthday gift for someone you love! Are you ready? Are you dying to know what it is?

The winner of this giveaway will have their choice between 2 fabulous gift bundles! Each valued at over $50.00!

Our Girly Girl Bundle includes: 1 pink and brown Bow Holder, personalized with your girly girl’s name (I.e. “Melissa’s Bows), 2 Hair Flowers - 1 white and 1 white with pink polka dots, 1 hot pink Alexys Bow, 1 Chocolate Strawberry Korker Set, and last but definitely not least 1 Raspberries and Cream Fluffy Tutu!

Our Baby Girl Bundle includes: 1 Pink Delight Bitty Baby Bracelet, 1 Pink Leopard Bitty Baby Bow Set, 1 White Bitty Bling Band, 1 Pink and Brown Flower Bitty Bib, 1 Bitty Belchers burp cloth set, and the finishing touch - 1 Chocolate Strawberry Petite Pouf Tutu!

As if that weren't enough - we aren't just looking out for your little girlies in this giveaway - we want to pamper mom! So as a bonus we are also including this fabulous pedicure package. Includes 2 fun nail polish colors, 1 double sided pedicure tool with 4 different foot pampering functions, creamy pumice foot scrub, and 2 pairs of comfy socks to warm those pampered toesies. All bundled in an adorable mini tote! Over a $20.00 value!

Now, I know you’re asking yourselves, “Ooh what must I do to win this fabulous prize?” Well it’s just this simple:

You receive 1 entry for checking out our new website, http://www.ribbonblossoms.com/ then coming back to let us know which item you’re just dying to have!

You receive an additional entry for visiting my partner’s blog and making a comment on her post as well. (no need to come back here to comment about that).

You receive 3 additional entries for posting about this giveaway on your blog. Come back and let me know that you did.

You receive 5 more entries if you put our button on your sidebar! Again come back and let me know that you did.

Want to know how to get 7 additional entries on top of these? Sign up to host an online Bow Party that will take place sometime before March 31. Go here to learn about online bow parties.

Email ribbonblossoms@aol.com if you are interested and we will send you all the info you need, and place your additional 7 entries.

Giveaway ends Friday, March 13 at 11:59 pm! (MST)

Thank you Channa for all your work in helping us get our site up! We love you!

JUST ONE MORE DAY 'TIL MY BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

huntin' for ladybugs

Was browsing through my pictures and came across these. I long for summer!

This little monkey LOVES lookin' for bugs!

Don't you wish this was you?


Don't forget...come back on Friday for my exciting news!

You Decide

So Tanielle passed along this picture Tag: I think she may regret it!

Rules: 1. Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures. 2. Go to the 6th Folder and then pick the 6th Picture. 3. Post it on your bloggy and tell the story that goes with the picture. 4. Tag 5 other glorious peoples to do the same thing and leave a comment on their bloggy tellin’ about it.

Well, my 6th folder only has 4 pictures. Does that mean I post the 4th picture? Or do I go to the next folder which does have more than 6 pictures, and get the 6th picture from there?

My 6th folder: Hubby decided to start a folder with some carpet cleaning pics (we own a carpet cleaning business) with the intent of keeping a sort of portfolio. He ended up keeping the photos somehwere else, so this folder is left with 4 pictures. Here's number 4:

My next folder HA HA - so funny. So I love to embarrass my dear friend T (I know clever code name). For her birthday I decided she needed a video montage of hot guys. I set about collecting some nice pictures from google, and put them all in this folder - here's number 6:

Jensen Ackles

So which one should be my photo tag pic? You decide...tell me, which would YOU rather look at?

I tag: Clayton and Tiffany, Stephanie (private blog), Emily, Island Girl, and Cheryl!

Friend Makin' Mondays!

Today's task is to share 10 of your favorite things:

1. my ipod. It's awsome not to have to "pick" a c.d. - but just put ipod on "shuffle" and hear a great combo of ALL the albums I love!

2. Mustangs. I do love the animal - but I'm talkin' about the car! My first and favorite car was a Mustang. sigh.

3. Cute shoes - especially high heels!

4. Spring flowers - the sight of them just makes me happy, they feel all "new" and young - kind of like I'd like to feel again!

5. Mountains. I don't know what I'd do if I had to move away from my mountains.

6. These:

Thanks a lot to Tanielle for introducing me to them - now I can never eat regular popcorn again!

7. Good books. Is there anything better than curling up in your favorite chair with a good book?

8. Temples. Beautiful buildings, where beautiful work is done.

9. My husband. He won't let me post a picture - even though he's really cute - I think! He works so hard to provide for our family and makes it so I can stay home with our children.

10. My Kiddos - they make me laugh, cry, yell and generally feel the greatest sense of accomplishment.

If you want to play along with Friend Makin' Mondays - go over to Kasey's to read the rules and link up!

I have some exciting news...I can't wait to tell you all. I'll make my big announcement on Friday - so be sure to check back!!

Welcome, Welcome Sabbath Morning.

This is not how I felt this morning. For some reason, even after my exhausting week - I was unable to sleep last night. I had all sorts of thoughts and ideas running around in my head about Ribbon Blossoms, and what to do to help it grow and be successful, and my body was beat but my mind was wired. So - unable to sleep, I ended up watching TV and getting caught up on all my wonderful bloggy friends posts that I had been neglecting the past few days - until 2 am!

So when morning rolled around - I did not welcome it! I tried to justify sleeping longer and then I would hurry really fast to make it to church on time. That was until Cowgirl came in and said "Mom! Remember I have to be to church early for choir practice!" Crap. Daddy was already at the church for meetings so he couldn't take her - which meant I needed to have everyone ready early so we could all go over and take her to choir practice.

Up I jumped and whirled around and we all got ready and out to the car. As we pulled into the church I realized I wasn't sure if I had unplugged the curling irons. So we dropped Cowgirl off at the door and away way we went - back home so my son (Bookworm) could run in and check the curling irons. Of course they were already unplugged.

Back to the church we went. Well, as you have probably surmised by now - at this point I am not feeling the spirit. I'm not grumpy or anything - just out of breath, so to speak.

We walk into the chapel, which is empty except for the choir - up on the stand practicing. We wave at Daddy (he sings in the choir also) and Cowgirl, and take a seat. Can I just say, that despite the nuisance of getting everyone ready 45 minutes early - this time in the chapel, with just our little family in the benches - having the choir all to ourselves, like our own little private concert, was one of the best Sunday mornings I can ever remember.

I know without the music, you can't get the full effect. But I wanted to share the words to the number they were rehearsing and later sang for Sacrament Meeting. If you know the song you know how beautiful it is. It is called In This Very Room. Here are the words:

In this very room there's quite enough love for one like me, And in this very room there's quite enough joy for one like me, And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom, For Jesus, Lord Jesus ... is in this very room.
And in this very room there's quite enough love for all of us, And in this very room there's quite enough joy for all of us, And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom, For Jesus, Lord Jesus ... is in this very room.
In this very room there's quite enough love for all the world, And in this very room there's quite enough joy for all the world, And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom, For Jesus, Lord Jesus ... is in this very room.

I love that song. And the choir did a beautiful job, and the spirit filled the chapel and my heart. And that's what I hope to leave with everyone today. I know that our Savior truly is the source of all the love, joy, hope and power that can overcome and pull us through any trial that we are called to endure. All we need to do is invite Him in and lean on Him and trust in Him. I am so grateful for this knowledge and the comfort it brings to my soul. I love Sundays, and no matter how chaotic my morning is, I always leave church feeling uplifted, and renewed for the week ahead.

I hope you all had a beautiful Sunday and have a wonderful week this week.

There's chips on my treadmill

So here I am. I'm sitting in the middle of my living room floor. "Why?" you ask? Well, because.

It's because I am exhausted. Today Ribbon Blossoms had a booth in a boutique held at a local historic farm. Do you know what that means? That means that for the last month I have been anticipating all the unanswered questions, such as "How will we stage our booth? Will there be a good turnout? Will we make our booth fee back? What items should we showcase? Which things should we concentrate on making the most of? For the last month I have been anticipating everything I need to do to prepare, and not let my business partner down, and then, suddenly it was 4 days 'til the show and I had wasted a month thinking about all that I needed to do, and now only had 4 days to finish!!

So, reminiscent of my high school days, and true to form, I spent the last 4 nights CRAMMING! Yes my friends, I have pulled all-nighters most of this week, sewing, cutting, gluing, fake-swearing when the hot glue landed on the most painful of spots (the cuticle - it hurts like a ...well - you know), then real swearing when my 2 year-old tripped on the hot glue gun cord and almost pulled the smokin' hot thing down on her trouble-making self! Sometimes, when you fake-swear too much, then when something really scares the poop out of you , like picturing your beautiful 2 year old with glue-gun blisters down the side of her chubby little face, well - sometimes the real thing just slips out. I should really quit fake-swearing so much.

Anyway, when you cram - well lets just say you ignore everything else. Common phrases this week were, "I don't know what's for dinner, why don't you fix yourselves sandwiches - again." or, "I don't care what you do, just as long as you get along, and keep your little sister away so she doesn't get hurt", and my favorite, and most shameful, "what? You don't have any clean uniforms for school? (kiddos go to a charter school), well do you have one that looks clean and doesn't smell?"

So here I sit, surveying what used to be my home. The only word that comes to mind is - "tornado". Yes, couch pillows strewn about, toys scattered everywhere, ribbon scraps littering the floor, all my boxes of supplies and tools stacked carelessly everywhere since I had to hurry and clear them off the work table which had to become my booth table, and my favorite...there's chips on my treadmill.

Yes, chips. Not a bag of chips sitting on the treadmill, but chips, crumbled and broken, scattered across, and I'm sure stuck under the belt. Don't ask me how - I don't remember anyone eating chips in the front room (aka, my workstation during boutique weeks - so I can watch TV).

Do you think chips in the belt will void my warranty?

We will miss you.

Thoughts and prayers for the Miller family. Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller passed away today due to complications of diabetes. He will be greatly missed.

I can't believe it!

Seriously, I can't believe it! I have been given an award! Julie over at Tattered Threads and Willing Hands was so sweet to choose me as one of her recipients for the Sisterhood Award. I've been following her blog for some time, and I LOVE reading her posts! She has the cutest ideas, and wonderful, genuine thoughts on all sorts of things.

It is now my task to pass this award along to some blogging sisters who show a great attitude or gratitude!

Here goes:

1 - Tanielle from The Polka Dot Daisy - my dear friend and business partner who first introduced me to what a "blog" was! I really look up to this talented, funny chick!

2 - Gramee at The View From Gramee's Porch - Such fun to read - with thoughtful, inspiring posts, and a loving, warm personality that shines in her writing!

3 - Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick- The very first fellow blogger I EVER contacted. She was so sweet to respond and give little ol' me some tips on blogging and leave me one of my very first comments from someone other than the people I know in person! And her decor ideas are FAB!

4-Stephanie at A Daily Scoop - Her posts are so uplifting, and she shares her testimony of our Lord so eloquently and willingly, I leave her blog wanting to be a better person/mother/wife/homemaker!

5 - The Masked Mommy - I don't know her true identity! But this super hero is tackling so many of the same goals as I am - and she blogs about it with such wit - I smile whenever I read her posts, or get a comment from her on my blog!

6 - Mother Hood from The Refining Fires of Motherhood - This girl puts family first! I love reading of her experiences in motherhood, and can relate so often to what she says!

7 - Sue from The Great Balancing Act - Here's a mother who doesn't just talk about making a difference, but acts on it. Her blog is beautiful and touching, and she is involved in a good cause.

8 - Molly over at A Bit O' Shine - I've just discoverd her blog - but thoroughly enjoy reading her. She is funny, and adorable - she has left me some wonderful comments, and I love her ideas and beautiful creations!

9 - Karen from Karen's Korner - I love this woman's outlook on life, love and friendship. Her posts always warm my heart.

10 - Sare from The Hrebicek's - She makes me laugh! Her rockin', bubbly, fun personality rings in every word of her posts and comments - and she says "Oh my sake!", have you ever heard a better exclamation?

I had a really hard time narrowing this down - there are so many other fabulous women who I follow, and gain ideas, inspiration, tips and laughter from - I love you all and am so glad I found this wonderful new world of fabulous friends called blogging!

Now here are the rules:

Put the logo on your blog or post. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude! Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Progress Report

I haven't given an update for awhile on my goals, but it's not because I haven't been working!

I have increased from walking for an hour on my treadmill to jogging for 20 minutes and walking for 40 (in intervals). I am down 15 lbs!!

I have some before and after pics for ya. This is my spice cupboard - another spot people just shove anything and everything, after they've shoved the pantry so full that nothing else will fit!

Digging around looking for what I needed always caused a mini avalanche!

Found these nifty little baskets and tote at Big Lots for $1!!!

I labeled the tops of my spices so I can just get the basket down,

look at the tops, and find what I need!

Food Storage: I won't show everything, but we are making progress. I have recently purchased a year's supply of chili for my family - on sale at Smith's for 50 cents! Also got a 6 month's supply of Miracle Whip, a variety of salad dressings, and 40 cans of Chef Boyardee (also for 50 cents)! I know the latter isn't the healthiest can on the shelf - but it 's good for food storage, and acceptable for the occasional quick lunch. Add that to what I already had, and we are getting there!

Yay me!

I hope you are all having a fabulous week - and don't forget to vote in my Better Boy Band poll (upper right of blog), and use the comments link to tell me why you voted the way you did!

I love you all!!

How to Be a Mean Mother

So today over at SITS, the featured blog is Straight From the Heart. She has a post titled "I'm a Mean Mother...and Proud of it!" Go over to SITS to check it out.

Anyway, I enjoyed her post and it reminded me of a poem I love - so I decided to share it today! There's kind of a funny story behind me coming across this poem. Several years back as hubby and I were shopping on a weekend get-away, we came across a framed copy of this poem, and decided it was a perfect Mother's Day gift for my mom. On Mothers day, as I watched my mom open her gift, she read it and thanked me, but with a funny little twinkle in her eye. I then proceded to open my gift from her and my dad (I know why should THEY give ME a gift for Mother's day, right?), guess what they gave me? YUP, a framed copy of the same poem!!

How to Be a Mean Mother

A mean mother never allows candy or sweets

to take the place of a well balanced meal.

A mean mother insists on knowing where her

children are at all times, who their friends are

and what they do.

A mean mother breaks the child labor law

by making her children work - washing dishes,

making beds, learning to cook and doing other

cruel and unpleasant chores.

A mean mother makes life miserable for

offspring by insisting that they always tell the truth.

A mean mother has teenagers who are

wiser and more sensible.

A mean mother can smile with secret delight

and pride when she hears her grandchildren

call their parents "mean".

What the world needs now are more Mean Mothers!

Author Unknown

Friend Makin' Monday!

It's that time again. Go over to Kasey's to link up and play along!

This week's task:

Today we will be doing a game that I am calling the this OR that game.Please pick the one that you prefer (it doesn't necessarily have to be what you have just what you would prefer):

1. jog or walk: jog

2. coffee or tea: neither

3. pepsi or coca cola: definitely Coke.

4. flats or heels: I love high heels!

5. fries or onion rings: depends on the restaurant.

6. cats or dogs: dogs

7. skim or whole: um..neither! skim - too skimpy, whole - too creamy!

8. small purses or large: large

9. van or suv: van

10. winter or summer: summer - right now, but at the end of the summer I'll be jonesin' for winter!!

11. 1 piece bathing suit or 2: 1!!!

12. sit down restaurant or fast food: sit down

13. McDonalds or Burger King: Mickey D's all the way!

14. White Gold or Yellow: White

15. Fish or Chicken: Again, depends on the place! Or my mood!

16. Edward or Jacob: Can't I pick Angel? Okay, okay - Edward for Bella, but I think Jacob sounds hotter!

17. Pizza or Burger: Burger

18. apple or orange: orange

19. Spend or save: Spend, but I'm working on becoming a saver!

20. 1 story or 2 story house: 1 story

Please vote in the Better Boy Band poll in the upper right of my blog - and make sure to leave a comment!!

It's not just another day off from school.

Think of them today, and be grateful.

Better Boy Band?

Ahh....Valentines day. Remember the song Valentine Girl? If you're in your 30's I bet you do! Remember who sang it? Did you love them? Did you hate them?

I'll admit it. I'm a fan of the Boy Band. There's something mighty attractive about a group of young men with nice voices harmonizing for our listening pleasure. Most of them aren't too bad to look at either!!

So my question to you is this: Who's the Better Boy Band?

New Kids on the Block

or

The Backstreet Boys?

I wanna know what you think. Leave me a comment - take the poll (upper right corner of blog)! Let's discuss this all too important topic. I'll tell you what I think after you all tell me what you think!

Recipe of the Week 2/14/09

I thought we definitely needed a sweet treat for our Valentines Day recipe of the week. Don't you agree?

My Aunt Darla makes fabulous brownies. I have to give the recipe out whenever I take them anywhere. I hope she doesn't mind me sharing!!

Darla's Delicious Brownies
3 sticks margarine - melted
3/4 C cocoa
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
3 C sugar
2 1/4 C four
6 eggs - slightly beaten

1 small jar marshmallow cream
1 can chocolate frosting

In large mixing bowl mix first 4 ingredients until smooth.
Add add sugar, flour, and eggs and stir until well mixed.
Optional - add some chopped nuts if you like!
Pour into lightly greased jelly roll pan and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
Let cool, then frost with marshmallow cream.
Allow cream to set, 1 hour or more, then frost with chocolate frosting.

YUM!

Diorama Fun!!

So Cowgirl had to make a diorama for school. They are learning about arctic animals, and each student had an animal that they were to research, write a paper, and build a diorama of the animal in it's habitat.

Havin' fun with the paint!
Ooh...look at that concentration!

Her animal was the Harp seal - she made him out of cotton balls sprayed with my fabric stiffner.

She had to include a food source, so she made the fish in the mouth out of aluminum foil.

She also had to include a predator, Mr. Polar Bear was also made out of cotton balls.

She used a piece of my scrapbook paper that looks like water for the ocean, and mod-podged it with glossy mod-podge.

The ice and mountains are made from white craft foam coated with mod podge and glitter. The 3D mountains are plain white paper saturated with mod podge (are ya catching a theme here?), sprinkled with glitter, then molded into mountain shapes and allowed to dry.

She was so proud - she did it all herself!!

Lined clippie tutorial

I admit it... I like "over the top" kinds of hair accessories for my girls. The bigger, the fuller, the fluffier - the better! Yes, I'm the mother whose baby girl has that daisy on the top of her head that is actually bigger than said baby's head. Whose 5 year old resembles Minnie Mouse, or maybe even Princess Leah when I put her hair in 2 pigails. Yep, I'm that mom you all secretly make fun of behind your hands!

I know that I have some allies out there, I just know it. But I know there are others who prefer a more understated look. This tutorial is for you!

You will need: a glue gun, a lighter, scissors, alligator clips, ruler or measuring tape and 3/8" ribbon in color and design you like!

Cut a length of ribbon approximately 4 5/8"

Seal your ribbon ends with a lighter.
On the wrong side of the ribbon, glue from about 3/4" in, to the end of the ribbon.

Then pinch open your clip, and press ribbon onto the underneath side of the top prong.

Next, glue from the tip of the top prong to the end of the clip, where you pinch it.

Fold ribbon over the tip, and press down along the length of the clip. The right side of your ribbon will be showing now.

Now glue along the remainder of the ribbon on the wrong side, leaving a tiny bit at the end unglued. This keeps the glue from squishing out the end when you press it down!

With your thumb, press ribbon into the back "v" that is formed by the ends of the prongs.

Now fold the remainder of your ribbon under, and press firmly into place on the under side of the bottom prong.

You can embellish your clippies with cute buttons, or brads, fun flowers - or just leave them plain. They are adorable either way!

If you make some - make sure to send me some pics!!

Congratulations!!

Congratulations to Composing Hallelujas for winning the tutu and pixie wings set on the Daisy Craft giveway over at Tip Junkie!

Ribbon Blossoms also has an adorable Bitty Baby Bundle donated as a prize in the Leelou Blogs baby shower giveaway.

Go check it out, and while you're there, learn about the 2 little miracles who are the honorees of this little celebration.

Friend Makin' Monday

Kasey over at All That is Good has set up this fun "getting to know your fellow bloggers" activity. I decided I want to get to know all of you, and I'm just sure you feel the same way about me! To play along, go here.

This week's answers:

1) My favorite book is: Too many to name. Off the top of my head - The Book of Mormon, The Lottery Rose, I love David McCullough's work, The Barrington Family Saga Series, One in Thine Hand... I could go on and on.

2) I drive a: minivan - woo hoo!

3) My favorite type of food to eat is: I seriously have to pick just one? Anything spicey.

4) My favorite dessert is: cheescake from Cheesecake Factory.


5) My favorite movie is: chick flick: Just Like Heaven, when I'm in the mood for some action (not that kind - get your minds out of the gutter!) I love the National Treasures, and anything Harrison Ford.

6) When I go to Starbucks I get a: I don't drink coffee - hence, no Starbucks!

7) My favorite vegetable is: I like fresh picked peas.

8) My favorite thing to wear is: P.J. bottoms and a comfy T-shirt.

9) My favorite color is: Wow. Pink? Or maybe Red...Yellow...Bright Green, anything bright and happy.

10) I decorate my house in this style: hmm, well I have to say my house doesn't really have a "style" It's the way the house came, mixed with all the hand-me down furniture I have inherited these past 13 years of marriage! But I'm working on developing a style! Stay tuned to see it emerge!

11) Right now I am reading: A Quiet Promise by Anita Stansfield

12) If I could vacation anywhere I would go to: New York. I'd love to do the city, shopping, Broadway, etc. I'd also like to go visit the upstate church historical sights.

A Child's Faith

I wanted to share a sweet story with you all this Sabbath Day. I am continually amazed at the ability children have to teach us valuable lessons that we sometimes forget, or at least forget to think about, as we get older and get busy with our lives.

The other day I was told that there was a charter school that was on lock-down because of a shooting. It was in the neighborhood where my children's charter school is located. My heart sank. We live in a decent area, in a state with a relatively low crime rate. However this is the kind of thing that you hear about, and dread the thought that it might someday happen at your school. With a knot in my stomach I turned on the news, and was quickly relieved to learn that the incident had actually taken place a little ways away, near a high school in the area, and that the students involved had been taken into custody. At this time there was one injury, but no casualties. Our school, as well as some other elementary schools in the area had been placed on lockdown as a precaution until the suspects were taken into custody.

When I picked my kids up that afternoon, I was anxious to see what they had thought of the whole experience. I innocently asked "How was school today? Did anything interesting happen?" Of course they both told me all about it. I asked if it was scary. They both said that it was, and even a couple students were crying.

Then my 8 year old, who was recently baptized, told me that as she and the other students were huddled under the desks, she closed her eyes and said a prayer, asking Heavenly Father to keep them safe. Tears came to my eyes. I asked her if she had said her prayer in her head or out loud. She told me in her head, but that when she opened her eyes, some kids asked her what she had her eyes closed for. When I asked her what she told them, she told me in that sweet, matter of fact way she has, " I told them I was scared, so I said a little prayer".

She didn't hesitate to do what we had always taught her to do whenever she was in need of comfort. She was in a classroom full of students, unashamed to close her eyes and implore her Heavenly Father for help on behalf of herself and her fellow students. She had no doubt that He was listening. I have no doubt either. What wonderful examples our children are for us!

A child's faith is so complete, so pure and sure. This is the kind of faith I want. This is the kind of faith that carries us through the trials large or small that we all encounter throughout our lives. Sadly, the day after the incident, it was reported that the victim had passed away from his injuries. I pray for both his family, and also the young man responsible, and his family. I pray their faith will be strong, and carry them through.

I have been touched and inspired as I have come to know the stories of some wonderful women, through reading their blogs. I have been uplifted by their faith and their testimonies of the peace and comfort the gospel brings. Hearing of the comforting spirit they have been touched by during the most trying experiences of their lives, helps build my faith and strengthens my knowledge that "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me" (Phillipians 4:13).

I am grateful to these women, and to my little cowgirl for helping me remember. And I am especially grateful to my Savior, for His great plan of happiness, and the comfort this knowledge brings me - every day.

Recipe of the Week 2/7/09

Honey Mustard - another find from allrecipes.com

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

whisk together and...voila! Tastes better than a restaurant. We like it on chicken, but would be good for a salad dressing too!

Friendship

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you about my wonderful friend. Tanielle is my friend and business partner. She is the craziest (said with love), craftiest, most organized person I know. A couple years back she told me she wanted to start making and selling hairbows. As I was looking around online, researching what other sellers were doing for pricing, shipping, etc. I saw some really cute things and thought "I want to make bows!" I asked her if she wanted a partner and Ribbon Blossoms was born! We have had so much fun, even if we haven't yet achieved wealth unmeasured! You can visit her adorable blog here.

5 things I love most about her:

1. She is such a good mother. I always feel like I am telling my kids "not now" whenever I am in the middle of something and they interrupt. I have witnessed so many times where she stops what she is doing to listen to what they have to say, or look at what they want to show her. Lucky kids...I want to be more like that.

2. She is SO creative and crafty. She just has a knack for knowing what will look good, and doing it! Her house has proof of her magic touch on every surface and in every corner!

3. She is super organized! She really has a place for everything in her home!

4. This goes hand in hand with above, but she is a cleaning machine! She makes it a priority to keep her house clean and I think it is so importent to make your home a haven and a sanctuary for your family. It really is much more enjoyable to be in a clean home - she is my inspiration for working harder to keep order in my home!

5. She is so stinkin' FUNNY. Whenever we are together we laugh our guts out. I mean seriously - to the point it's painful, and you have to keep your legs crossed to keep from peeing your pants!

Thanks for the laughter, the fun, and the good example of motherhood and homemaking that you set for me! See you soon - like later today! :)

The Secret is in the Sauce: February Giveaway: Bedroom Bliss

The Secret is in the Sauce: February Giveaway: Bedroom Bliss

Don't forget...

Go here to enter the Daisy Craft giveaway at Tip Junkie where I'm giving away this:

and these:

Visit our store here.