What do steamers and birds have to do with one another??

Clues:

Upcoming Performance

Theater Wardrobe Room

Me


Answer:
The Nightingale

Whistles

Sometimes while working as a social worker for the state of Texas

I used to think that Toll Booth Operator might be my ideal job.

You wouldn't take your work home with you

You probably wouldn't worry about your clients (I still might have...)

No long-term relationships

Everyone going through the booth is fairly compliant

Not as many tears (theirs or mine)

No going into sketchy neighborhoods

All of that folding and counting of $$

I could get a lot of thinking done

How hard could it be - really?!

You are probably catching on...

But now I'm thinking

(after watching the crossing guards every morning)

that I would like a job with a whistle...

E and I brainstormed some possibilities

crossing guard

police person

coach

p.e. teacher

band major

dog trainer

gem miner

government or corporate corruption exposer

*bonus points if you can explain the last two!

Cookies and Purses

Cookies

and

Purses

Can anyone have too many of either??

April Cookie of the Month

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

*finished with ribbon and "thank-you" card...

Sunday Fireside

Guess who is going to be a

handcart pioneer?

One clue:

She looks darling in bloomers :)

Saturday is a Special Day...

Quick trip back from PA. The pictures are on someone else's camera. I will post a few asap!

Greatful for:

GPS

Fast Pass

Sonic

Family

Not necessarily in that order!

Dance

Quick trip to UC for a

UCDC Dance Concert!

Loved it!

Miss it!

Love her!

Miss her!

California Rolls

pic from What's Cooking America

I don't have a picture of my own...

but I learned how to make California Rolls today!

Not only did I learn how but I also made some myself.

It was fun and they were so very tasty.

Next time I will take my camera....

thanks, Y!

Earth Day

Favorite Place on Earth

it truly is zion...

Scholastic Book Fairs

What isn't to love about

Scholastic Book Fairs?

Yes, I am on the committee again and

I've been hit with a small wave of nostalgia because

this is probably my last book fair.

Honestly not sure whether to be

happy

or

sad!

My list of responsibilities includes

posters

publicity

backpack info.

getting lots of random info. from random teachers/staff

opening/closing

etc.

Fortunately it is not for a few more weeks...

Mystery Monday

About to finish this book by one of my

favorite mystery writers...

P.D. James!

She is fantastic...

Nothing better on a

rainy,

cloudy,

foggy,

miserable,

Monday!

Serving on Sunday

I spent this afternoon/evening at the LDS Barlow Center (great Georgetown location) preparing food for mission presidents from the NE region. Someone mentioned that they were there from as far north as Maine, as far south as Virginia and as far west as Indiana. Fortunately I wasn't in charge - just provided helpful willing hands.

Rice and Creole Shrimp

Spinach/Strawberry Salad

Rolls

Desserts (including our yummy Texas Ice-Box Cake)

Honestly, I really don't mind being told what to do!

Saturday from A - Z

Jenny Oaks Baker




Saturday began with

A

for authors, Maureen and Scott Proctor (Women's Conference)

and ended with

Z

for sweet Zola

in between...

J

for Jenny Oaks Baker (Violin performance @ Women's Conf.)

K

for Kim

O

for Opera Camp (Em)

S

for a Stake Dance (Em)

T
for Tabasco's

V
for Vietnamese Banh Mi

The Menagerie Grows...

A couple more animals to add to my

Advent

Calendar

Parade!

Shepherds, Angels and Sheep, Oh, My!

Instead of working on my ever lengthening to-do list, I have been having fun

tracing,

wonder-undering

cutting

sorting

cutting some more

ironing

and

applique-ing

these felt squares for the Christmas Advent calendar I am making.

Purchased - Needles and Pins

Pattern - Plum Creek Collectibles

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!