It's here!

The first trailer for New Moon!

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer


November cannot get here fast enough.

Easter Celebration

We had another wonderful Easter celebration this year!


While Scott was working his magic in the kitchen, I was in charge of setting the table...




Some of the daffodils from the front yard made a lovely bouquet for the table.


Dan and Melinda came over and shared in our feast. It was absolutely delicious, as always! And the best part was spending time together and all the fun conversation we always have. We love them so much and are grateful to have them as our "extended family."


Scott and I had a lot of fun being creative together this year - with decorating our springtime flower cupcakes for dessert...




...and dying eggs - one of my favorite traditions from my childhood.

My family had a little custom where each of us would decorate an egg for each member of the family. We would write the person's name on it with the wax crayon and decorate it in a way we thought they would like. I made one for Scott (can you tell which one?) but I forgot to tell him about the tradition, so he didn't do one with my name on it. :(


But I picked out my favorite egg that he decorated and we decided that one could be "mine." :)


Isn't it gorgeous? My cute husband is so talented!

I think it's so perfect that Easter is in the springtime. What better time of year to remember the gift of the resurrection and the atonement, when we are surrounded by the beauty of spring flowers, newborn animals and budding leaves. Everything feels fresh and new. What beautiful blessings the Savior gives us.

Hope you had a beautiful, colorful Easter!

Signs of Life

I love this time of year!

Signs of life are all around...





Newborn lambs are wobbling about at Carriage Hill...
So pure and sweet...aren't they precious?



Wildflowers are blossoming at the base of a tree...


The magnolia trees are blooming gloriously...


Buds and baby leaves begin to adorn the trees and bushes...


Daffodils are spreading sunshine in my front yard...
And I am happy!

Yummy Lemonade

Nancy nominated me for the Lemonade Award. I feel so special! And thirsty!

Now I get to pick some friends to nominate who's blogs I find refreshing and delicious...



Michele is one of my good friends who first encouraged me to start my own blog. Her humorous take on all the crazy things that happen when you have 5 of the cutest kids ever is refreshing and sweet. It's also awesome that her kids' blog nicknames are inspired by Star Trek!

Sarah C is one of the sweetest, most positive people I know, and her blog reflects that. She is always doing fun things with her adorable family and has the most infectious smile. Her blog is all privatey, but if you're lucky, she might invite you to see it!

Megan is the cutest little prego mommy-to be and she's also saving the world by using cloth diapers, raising chickens in her backyard and planting a square-foot-garden. She and her husband, Brian, are really into "backyard sustainability." And I just love watching her little belly grow!

Kasmira at What I Wore Today has an awesome blog that I check daily. She's a down-to-earth, real girl who loves fashion and inspiring others. She has inspired me to be more creative with my own wardrobe and have fun with clothes. She rocks!

Liz at Mabel's House is a kindred spirit. She loves her little dog Mabel as much as I love Teddy. She has a passion for beautifying her home and worries about those little fine lines that (she thinks) are starting to pop up. She is a great example of creativity, humor and faith. Her recent post on her feelings after losing a dear friend touched my heart. She's just an awesome girl.

Now I'm off to make a pitcher of ice-cold lemonade....YUM!

Ode To Spring

The first breath of sunny spring air,
Makes me want to chop off all my hair.
My neck, covered all winter long
Sings a joyous liberation song
Upon feeling a warm, balmy breeze.

But if the temp falls again, I might freeze.

Still Wildlife

Last week we had a business trip... We drove from Ohio to Johnstown, PA. Along the way, we stopped to stretch our legs at Cabela's in Wheeling, WV. If you've never been, it's a huge outdoor outfitter store that is filled with camping, hunting and outdoor gear...



And lots and lots of taxidermied animals.


It's kinda like visiting the zoo. Except that none of the animals move. Which is a little sad. But also a very interesting experience because you have the opportunity to really appreciate the beauty of these magnificent animals up close. Way closer than you would get in real life. Way closer than I'm sure you would want to get in real life!


We actually spotted quite a few familiar-looking faces...

We saw the polar bear from Lost.
Ahhhhh!!! Scary! Look how huge it is! Save me, Sawyer!

We saw Mr. Beaver from The Chronicles of Narnia.
We saw Jacob from the Twilight series! (Unfortunately, Edward was nowhere to be found.)
We saw Bullwinkle. Scott made a rare photo appearance because he couldn't resist saying "Hey, Rocky! Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat!"Yes, the rabbit is emerging from an orange hunting cap. Cabela's doesn't really carry formal wear such as top hats, and Scott left his at home.)

We saw Horton...I'm not sure that he's hearing much of anything these days though, much less a Who. But he is gorgeous and massive and it's amazing to stand next to him.
We saw Sabor (from Tarzan.) Wouldn't want to meet her in a dark alley. But you've got to admit, she's got style!
And we saw Bambi. Lots of Bambi's.
Also................ they had a shooting gallery!OK, I know I'm totally exposing my inner hick here, but I do enjoy shooting a rifle. I got a taste for it in college out west and I'm actually a pretty good shot. I am very proud of the fact that I beat Scott at the shooting gallery!! (In his defense, we're not sure his gun was working properly. Riiiiight.)

So, the next time you get an itch to inspect a polar bear up close or to shoot at tin cans that whistle and spin when you hit them, I recommend Cabela's!

Handmade Love

Scott and I decided this year to start a new tradition of having a handmade theme for our Valentine's Day gifts to each other.

We were in Maryland over Valentine's week. Scott went to some of my favorite local shops there and made this beautiful gift basket for me!


It included a gorgeous dark red, long-stemmed rose, sparkling apple cider and other goodies from McCutcheon's, a box of hand-selected chocolates from Olympia Candy Kitchen (all dark chocolate and no nuts - just what I like!), and a selection of gemstone focus beads from Potomac Bead Company for my jewelry-making projects! He picked them all out himself - aren't they gorgeous? I can't wait to play with them!

I loved everything, and was so impressed with the time and effort he put into thinking about what I would like, hand-selecting everything, and arranging it all so cute in a little basket. He really knows how to make things special.

His gift from me was these little covered soaps that I made.


Those big, manly hands of his have a hard time holding on to slippery bars of soap in the shower, so I thought washcloth covers would help make the soap bars non-slip and sudsy. He says he loves them. I had fun making them for him.

I'm so grateful to be married to my sweet, wonderful Valentine!