4/15

Although our lives no longer revolve around 4/15 like they once did... this day doesn't come or go without at least some reflection - often humorous, sometimes serious and occasionally stressful!

Here's to surviving another one :)

The real post should come on 10/15!

That is the real deadline deadline - for the extending extenders.

You will not be surprised to find out that....

I spent today putting together a quick photo book of our Spring Break fun. Collecting the photos from three different cameras in two different states took some doing but once everything was together it wasn't too much effort to

sort,

organize,

upload/download,

determine layouts,

pages,

covers,

and

text.

Numerous phone calls and emails back and forth made the day complete!

Unfortunately the coupon code that should have made the book free didn't work - so I'm working on a plan B at the moment.

I'm so glad that there isn't a rule that all of the sheets and towels used by company have to be sorted, washed, dried and folded before you can enjoy the photo memories! I would much rather relieve last week than do laundry...

The End

General Conference was savored.

Company was welcomed.

Sight-seeing and shopping enjoyed.


Company is now gone.

Easter has been celebrated.
Sleeping in is over.
School begins tomorrow.

Spring Break '09 is officially over...

Happy Easter

The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice. ~Henry Knox Sherrill

Cousins

Our house is too quiet.

We did laugh for a quite a few minutes when we

found one of our balls in the neighbors yard.

How could that have gotten there??

We lost 8 but fortunately gained 1 (from PA) for the Easter Weekend!

Love the cousins picture...

Friday Fhoning...

Just in case Big Brother is listening in on my phone calls and can't figure out why my most frequently called numbers (cell/home/car) haven't been called this week... it is because we have been sitting next to each other...

on the Metro

in the car

at the restaurant(s)

on the couch

at the kitchen table

I think you get the picture.

Sadly, I am back to calling...

Terrific Thursday

No pictures of the day - my camera batteries went to Gettysburg with Em and a Suburban full of adults and kids (mostly kids - and adults who really are kids at heart).

As soon as the Gettysburg bus departed we went to the...

Offray Ribbon Outlet

Someone who will remain nameless was out-of-control!

Great Stuff by Paul

Had a great conversation with Paul!

Needles and Pins (Quilt Shop)

Great shop - great purchases including the fabulous felt Advent Calendar below!

Wonderful Wednesday

We were fed today - body and soul!

Gadsby's Tavern (body)

Torpedo Factory Art Center (soul)

Guapo's and Kristi (body and soul)

Hi Ho Cherries O

thanks Kristi...

Spring - what's not to love!

DC Day

...that is Kate in the white shirt with one of the little guys, John to the left...

While visting the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, we noticed some general hubbub (extra policemen, camera men, sound guys, etc. and realized we were sight-seeing along with the

Gosselins from John & Kate + 8

I've got to be honest... I'd take sight-seeing with Cristin + 7 any day!

Spring Break Round II

As exciting as waiting for this....

Only different.

I'm counting down the hours until:

Laughing

Fun

Sight-seeing

Cousins

Eating-out

Heart-to-Hearts

Remembering

BYU jokes (oops - no BYU, no Twilight, no politics, right)?!

Did I mention laughing...

Conference Weekend

I heart

General Conference!

I would love to some day attend

at the Conference Center.

Until then, I will enjoy it from the

comfort of my home, where I am surrounded by

reminders of why the gospel is so important to me!

Book Group/Ouch!

It is good to believe in something.

It is good to be able to express your beliefs.

It is good to be open to the views of others.

It would be nice if they were open to yours.

Seriously Too Funny!

I have been following the posts of TAMN on her blog, Seriously, so blessed! for a while now and would have to say that she is possibly the most entertaining LDS Mommy Blogger I have ever read. Her ability to poke fun at us (LDS Moms/Bloggers) and some of our cultural peculiarities is, as the English say, spot-on!

She will make you laugh out loud.

Mahler's Third

Emily's Children's Chorus of Washington performance

with the National Symphony Orchestra (last fall)

is being replayed on http://www.weta.org/ tonight! (9:00 pm edt)

Gustav MahlerSymphony #3

National Symphony Orchestra

The University of Maryland Concert Choir (Edward Maclary, Director)

Children’s Chorus Of Washington (Joan Gregoryk, Music Director)

Birgit Remmert (mezzo-soprano)

Iván Fischer (conductor)

It was/is amazing!

Enjoy

Lessons: To Teach and To Learn

I'm not particularly a fan of panhandling - sadly something I am seeing more and more of in this economy and this area. Instead of giving money to everyone that I see, I usually try to give money or help to organizations that assist the homeless or seek to deal with the causes of homelessness (the United Way, area homeless shelters, etc.). Generally I choose not to give to individuals, however occasionally when moved upon I will give someone a couple of dollars.

I had one of those moments this afternoon. I had just been working on a New Testament Seminary lesson when I was approached by a man seeking money for a gallon of gas. My guess is that he wasn't really trying to get money for gasoline and for a split-second I found myself trying to put together an excuse.

Suddenly I felt a shift inside (physical, spiritual, emotional? I'm not sure) and I found myself reaching into my purse and giving him enough for a little more than a gallon of gas. It was an interesting exchange. We had a brief conversation, I looked him in the eye and wished him well. He looked me in the eye, thanked me and hoped for better times.

I know all of the arguments about not giving - I'm guessing the money didn't go to gas - but I choose not to judge. I don't know what will happen the next time I am approached - maybe I will choose not to give but today it just felt right.

How else could I teach my lesson

tomorrow morning about

Charity?

Cookie of the Month

March Cookie of the Month

"Orange" you excited that the fourth quarter has begun?!

Orange and White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Enjoy!

No school today so they will be delivered tomorrow -

in mini-brown paper sacks tied with orange ribbon (of course)!

Find the recipe here...

YUMMY!

Saturday Concert - Amazing

Pic of Craig and Em after

the Chanticlear concert on Saturday evening.

Wondrous Free

It was fabulous - see them here.

We have loved them for years but this is

the first time that it has worked out

to see them in concert.

Post-Party

Post Party Pic

What is better than a Twilight party?

Ice cream cake for breakfast, of course!

Twilight

I realize I am late in posting anything regarding the

Twilight phenomenon, however in light of the fact that

there is a Twilight party at our house tonight I decided to

toss my two cents into the mix.

I first became aware of Twilight when my niece couldn't put it down a couple of summers ago. After noticing it, it seemed to be everywhere and I was amazed at the number of women who seemed to be under the Cullen spell. I decided to read it (one of my book groups also read it in an effort to figure out what all of the fuss was about). I decided after reading it that it could be discussed on several levels:

1. writing style: I am not a fan. It seemed to me to be somewhat forced, overly trite and amateur.
2. audience: Although written as teen lit(?) I was intrigued by the number of women who were caught up in the series. This would make an interesting psychological/sociological discussion.
3. analysis: Whenever I try to analyze Twilight my daughters remind me that it is just entertainment and that I needn't analyze it. But since this is my blog I will briefly mention four points (I have more...) a) I was not a fan of the main character. Her complete and total submissiveness rankled my feminist sensibilities and made it difficult for me to read. I certainly do not want her to be a role model for any young women that I know. b) Although lauded by many because it is "clean" (in comparison to so much that is currently being published) the sexual angst, tension, and drama was overly emphasized and overwrought in my opinion. c) I'm still shaking my head over the entire baseball scene.... really what was that about? d) It is always amazing to me when we romanticize things like stalking - because it is soooo romantic? Yikes!
4. disclaimer: I know, I know it is only a book. And, no I haven't read any of the others.
   
   

Okay, so back to tonight. There is a movie viewing at our house - I have opinions on the movie as well - the first being that it really felt more like a made-for-TV-movie than anything destined for the big screen. However the company that I saw it with made it completely enjoyable in spite of its flaws (mostly the awful sequences in the forest - climbing trees, running, etc.) - but perhaps that will be another post.

All I know is that I have a house full of teen girls excited

for a night out that includes the movie, pizza, and a

Team Jacob ice cream cake.

I "Heart" Dewey!

This man is the reason I find myself at

the middle school media center once a week.

I enjoy making order out of chaos,

surrounded by books and quiet.

(Melville Dewey)

Chanticleer

objects on blog may appear smaller

than they really are...


Just got our tickets in the mail today for their concert!

CHANTICLEER

we can hardly wait

Book Groups

"The Other Book Group" is discussing Ender's Game this month

while "The Book Group" is reading the English translation

of The Elegance of the Hedgehog.

Both great books - Both great book groups.

Update: Regarding yesterdays post - the Post still carries one crossword puzzle

(but I would like them to go back to carrying two)!

Sad News

It seems like you can't even look at a newspaper
today without a horrible article catching your eye.
The economy, financial problems, crime, unemployment, housing, etc.
So much negative and discouraging news.


I keep thinking that the worst has to be over.
I really thought I had seen it all.

And then today a headline in the Washington Post
stopped me in my tracks...

"The Tribune crossword puzzle has been discontinued by its provider."
now that is just too much...

Hope

pic is from '07 - not in bloom yet but soon?!

As spring has officially begun it seems appropriate that

today a lesson at church focused on...

Cultivating Hope

Hope is a gift of the Spirit. It is a hope that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power of His Resurrection, we shall be raised unto life eternal and this because of our faith in the Savior. This kind of hope is both a principle of promise as well as a commandment, and, as with all commandments, we have the responsibility to make it an active part of our lives and overcome the temptation to lose hope. Hope in our Heavenly Father’s merciful plan of happiness leads to peace, mercy, rejoicing, and gladness. The hope of salvation is like a protective helmet; it is the foundation of our faith and an anchor to our souls. Elder Uchtdorf

Food and Friends

Clydes

Enjoyed dinner at an Adirondack Lodge and didn't

even need to travel to New York!

Good Food

Good Company

Good!

Game Over

usu 57 - marquette 58

The dance ended before we were ready to go home :(

Sad, but still Aggie Proud!

Aggie Proud!

First Robins of the Year!

It has been a week of cloudy weather ....

but today we finally saw the sun and I am happy to

report that our Robins have returned.

I'm not sure if they are the same ones year after year

but I like to think that they are.

I borrowed the pic from nps.gov because I

couldn't get a decent picture -

between the birds flying off,

my lack of camera skills,

lighting/shadow,

etc.

it just wasn't going to happen...

Happy Spring?!

Yarn Store

pic from Plymouth Yarn

Happy Feet Yarn

It makes more than just your feet happy!

Tonight I explored* a new yarn shop - located very (very) close to home

(good thing my sweetheart doesn't read my blog)!

*looked at

touched

caressed

thought about

talked about

enjoyed

made plans to return

...did I mention it is close to my home?

The Creative Life

pic from Amazon

I Love this book!

Living the Creative Life:
Ideas and inspiration from

working artists

I am certainly not a working artist -

but I have found that when I am engaged

in creating or a creative endeavor

I feel more engaged in all

aspects of my life.

check it out...

a little (very little) book humor...

Claudine Hellmuth is one of the highlighted artists...

I fell in love with her work after my sis showed it to me!

Roadshow

Em performed in our ward roadshow last night - she did a

great job singing "Popular" from the musical Wicked!

She played a cool kid who eventually learned that the

most important thing is to be friends with everyone!

She was also part of the script committee and we hosted

the cast party at our house after the performance...

so she was involved from beginning to end!

Be Yourself

pic from Because Films Inspire


I have a fun desk calendar sitting on my
kitchen desk with great quotes
for and mostly by women (Hey, Girlfriend).

This is one of many favorites - by Judy Garland...

Always
be a first-rate
version of yourself,
instead of a second-rate version
of somebody else.

...discuss among yourselves!

Kodaly

Emily had a chance to participate in a CCW concert today as

part of the National Conference for OAKE (see above).

I got to attend the concert as a chaperone

(which basically meant figuring out the

maze-like conference center

at the Mariott Wardman)

in an effort to help choristers

find the

restrooms,

elevators,

practice room,

ballroom

and parents/rides

afterward!

It was a great concert and seemed

well-received by the conference participants.

It's Cookie Time!

Here

While enjoying a Girl Scout cookie (or two!)

I am reliving/missing my days as the
Troop Cookie Mom...

Over the years we have:
sold
loved
eaten
ordered

delivered
consumed
and
reordered
Girl Scout Cookies!


Make sure you do the same...

DGW - Know About It!

Had a great time last night

at the DC screening for

Darius Goes West

Pictures to follow...

The nephew of good friends of ours is in the crew.


You will Laugh

You will Cry

You will Become Aware
Click Here

Create

I'm running to a meeting and not tech savvy

enough to put this video on my blog....

Try here

It is a short video based on Elder Uchtdorf's talk.

CREATE!

Why, Oh Why....?

Why must we change the clocks forward every spring?

It is a rhetorical question.

I don't really care what the answer is.

I just dislike it greatly.

4:45 a.m. comes so very early...

...the pic is from www.napier.govt.nz

It is a war memorial sundial.

Sunday Times

banner from Times Online

Church

Sausage & Spaetzle German Linner

(Lunch/Dinner)

Pleasant Walk

Gorgeous Weather

Tarts Perfected

Banana Bread

Lighter Later

Tabascos

Is it necessarily a bad thing when you eat at a favorite restaurant and the manager not only remembers the last time you were there but also makes a reference to something that you said the last time you were there?

I like to think that it says a lot about their customer service and not necessarily anything about the frequency of our visits?!

We "Heart" Tabascos!

Giving

http://www.redcross.org/

Sadly, the Red Cross did not

want my blood today.

My iron level was low.

Maybe that is why I have been
craving liver and onions?!

Route 44 and Spring Break (Round 1)

pic http://www.sonic.com/

Would you drive 3 1/2 hours (1 way) for this?

I would

and

I did

and

I added vanilla

and

Cara!

What Smells So Yummy?

This is the sight that I came home to after my weekend get-away in PA. Better than the sight was the wonderful aroma of cinnamon, apples and pear filling the house. Although not a huge fan of fruit per se - this not only smelled delicious but tasted the same.

He doesn't just shovel snow... he also cooks!

Finally Finished

A view of the Baltic Sea, near the Sea Bridge in Palanga, Lithuania.

I finished my scrapblog.com album of our Summer '07 Baltic Cruise. I semi-finished it back in January but hadn't had it printed yet. The impetus to get it finished came in the form of a 25% off coupon - made especially worthwhile because I needed to order 2 books (one for the family and one for Cara).

I am so happy to have it finished.

I finally had to force myself to stop tweaking.

I think it is possible to tweak forever.

Can't wait to see the finished product - sorry for a semi-repost.

I should give out prizes if you can spot the differences!

See it here ...

Snow Day!

Official Snow Measurement!

I'm happy to report a snow storm that didn't involve Craig being out-of-town. Please note for the record however that he was scheduled to leave town today and be gone for the week. My general observation - that he is always out-of-town when it snows - still stands. Fortunately (for me, my back, and my frozen toes) his trip was cancelled.

Thanks for shoveling :)

Collegeville Collage

Weekend Collage

I obviously need help with my picniking resizing skills...

3 Things I Love About Collegeville, PA

1

Quaint Looking On-Campus Housing

2

Great Traffic Signage

The sign between the lights reads

WAIT

FOR

GREEN

What were my other options?

3

Knitting Sculpture

As soon as I saw this I wanted to go to school here - but already having

2 degrees to my name and being unable to commute,

I sent my DD (dear daughter) instead!