Temple Bookends

When we went to the Nauvoo Pageant last summer, I was moved to hear Pres. Hinckley's voice at the end of it.  This is what he said, "Today, facing west, on the high bluff overlooking the city of Nauvoo, thence across the Mississippi, and over the plains of Iowa, there stands Joseph’s temple, a magnificent house of God. Here in theSalt Lake Valley, facing east to that beautiful temple in Nauvoo, stands Brigham’s temple, the Salt Lake Temple. They look toward one another as bookends between which there are volumes that speak of the suffering, the sorrow, the sacrifice, even the deaths of thousands who made the long journey from the Mississippi River to the valley of the Great Salt Lake."

The Nauvoo Mercantile & Gallery offers this framed version with pictures of the temples.

Aquarius Constellation Necklace

I looked through a number of Victoria magazines when I was visiting my mom and found some great ideas!  I love this constellation necklace by Beaucoup Designs.

Benjamin West - Ascension

One piece at the BYU Museum of Art that caught my eye was Ascension by Benjamin West.  The composition reminded me of his Nativity piece that we saw at Petworth.

Joseph Alleman - Day's End

I hope that you will all have a very merry Christmas!  Here's a beautiful new piece by Joe, called Day's End.

Boise Fry Company

On our way home from Utah after Thanksgiving we stopped in Boise for lunch.  We found the Boise Fry Company, and it was amazing.  We had bison burgers and homemade sodas - mine is blood orange.  I got golden fries and sampled spicy fry sauce and ketchup and blueberry ketchup.  Yum!

Innkeeper Key

I borrowed an idea from my sister and made Innkeeper key ornaments for my Beehives and included this quote by Neal A. Maxwell: Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!  The key says "Let Him In," and I added a picture of an empty manger.  The quote comes from a talk called "Settle This in Your Hearts."  It is a really great talk about discipleship and consecration, and you can find it here.

 

Edward Lear - Nuneham

The BYU Museum of Art was also having an exhibit of British art from the Berger Collection when we were there.  I loved this painting by Edward Lear, titled Nuneham.

Zipper Pouch

I've been madly sewing zipper pouches lately.  I made this one for my husband's gift exchange at work.  (He works with all ladies...)  I'm including a cute washcloth, some lotion and soap that I made, and some Burt's Bees lip balm.  Fun!  I found the zipper pouch tutorial here.

Lion House Rolls

I picked up a mix for Lion House rolls when I was in Utah and then made them after we returned home.  They turned out amazing.  There's nothing better than soft, buttery rolls straight from the oven!

The History of Joseph Smith by His Mother

I recently finished reading The History of Joseph Smith by His Mother.  It was very interesting to me.  I felt like it was important to read firsthand accounts of some of the events that shaped the early days of the Church.  The things that the Saints endured are almost unimaginable.  Lucy Mack had a great personality - I'm sure that helped her through all of their hardships.

American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell

While we were in Utah for Thanksgiving, we visited the Norman Rockwell exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art.  It was really great.  I loved the faces especially.

Faribault Mill Cup Sleeve

I noticed this stocking stuffer idea in the latest Country Living magazine and thought that it was fun.  Faribault Mill makes wool cup sleeves out of blanket remnants.  They would definitely dress up your next hot chocolate or steamer!  (And they have free shipping right now...)

Louis Comfort Tiffany - Field of Lilies

One of the first gifts that my husband gave me when we were dating was this beautiful Louis Comfort Tiffany replica glass panel.  He found it at the Art Institute of Chicago, and I have loved it.  Apparently the Field of Lilies window was designed for an installation at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.  The chapel that it adorned has been reassembled at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art.  Now that I know where it is, I may have to go visit it!

Starbucks Vanilla Brulee Hot Cocoa

Do you have snow at your house?  Is it starting to feel like Christmas?  I was given a packet of Starbucks Vanilla Brulee Hot Cocoa the other day, and it was delicious!

Alfred Lambourne - Adam-Ondi-Ahman

I was able to spend some time in Utah during the week of Thanksgiving, and it was really nice.  My sisters and I took my mom on a lovely date to Temple Square.  We visited the newly remodeled Church History Museum.  One painting that I think is quite fascinating is Adam-Ondi-Ahman by Alfred Lambourne.  It doesn't look very much like the area for which it's named, but it makes me a little sentimental for Missouri.

Hawaii

The Church is celebrating 150 years in Hawaii.  Coincidentally, my aunt is on her way to the MTC today to prepare for serving a mission at the Polynesian Cultural Center for the next year and a half.  I'm excited for her!  {And I just realized that I've made 1500 posts on this blog.  Whoa.}

Liberty in Fashion

To celebrate 140 years of Liberty, the Fashion and Textile Museum in London is staging an exhibit through the end of February titled "Liberty in Fashion."  It looks like they'll also have some really great classes to go along with the exhibit.  I think that we should all celebrate the 140th anniversary by getting or giving some Liberty fabric for Christmas!

Graze

I do not want to sound like a salesman - that is never my intention on this blog - but I have something to share!  I recently discovered Graze, a company that sends you awesome (nutritious) snacks through the mail.  The thing that drew me in was the fact that they have flapjacks!  If you've ever been to England, you know that they are NOT pancakes.  They're delicious, soft, chewy, oaty granola bar things.  Anyway, with Graze, you tell them a bit about what you like and don't like and then they send you some snacks.  You can do a 4-pack or 8-pack box and get it weekly or every other week or once a month.  You can also order larger bags with some of your favorites.  If you use the following Graze coupon code, you'll get your 1st and 5th free: ANNET9H4B

A Way with Words

Do you listen to the NPR show "A Way with Words?"  I never have, but while we were in Phoenix we heard Martha Barnette (one of the hosts) speak, and it was sooo interesting.  The program is all about language.  I think I may have to start listening!

Midnight Planetarium Watch

I recently saw an ad in a magazine for Van Cleef and Arpels' Midnight Planetarium Watch.  If I were ever to spend $198,000 on a watch, this would be it.  (Haha...)  The date is indicated around the outside with the months in French.  The planets on the face revolve around the sun in real time (according to their genuine rate of rotation).  Interesting and beautiful.

Dean Mitchell

One painting that I noticed at the Phoenix Art Museum was by Dean Mitchell.  It was a watercolor that reminded me a bit of my brother-in-law Joe's work.  So I asked if he had heard of Mitchell, and apparently his work has influenced Joe, and they are both represented by the same gallery.

The Fractured Prune

Also in Phoenix we discovered The Fractured Prune.  It's a doughnut place that is pretty fantastic.  When we ordered our treats, we felt like they were expensive and took a long time - but when we got them we understood why...  They make them hot when you order, and the flavors and toppings are tasty.  I had one with honey glaze, cinnamon sugar, and mini chocolate chips.  Yum!

Thorne Rooms at the Phoenix Art Museum

My husband had a conference in Phoenix last weekend.  Although I had spent most of my life in Utah, I had never been to Phoenix!  We took advantage of a break to go to the Phoenix Art Museum.  They don't have many famous pieces, but they do have 20 of the Thorne Miniature Rooms (Chicago has 68).  They were fun to see.

The Year of Magical Thinking

My friend gave me a copy of Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking after my father's death earlier this year.  I didn't know who Didion was before reading it.  It's a memoir that she wrote about the year following her husband's sudden death.  There are many aspects of Didion's life to which I cannot relate - but I think that anyone who has experienced grief can relate to the grief of another (even if it manifests in different ways - grief is unique to each of us).

Secret Squirrel Cake

Have you been watching The Great British Baking Show?  I think my favorite thing so far this season has been Frances' secret squirrel cake (of course!).  The finale will be this weekend on PBS.

Adele

I can't officially say that I'm an Adele fan - I don't own any of her music.  But every time I hear her, I really love her voice.  I'm sure you've heard her new single - who hasn't?  So good.

Jailhouse Rock

We got sucked into watching Jailhouse Rock on TCM the other day, and it was so great.  It doesn't get any better than Elvis in the '50s.

L'epice Spice Kitchen

A week and a half ago we were down in Richland and had lunch at L'epice Spice Kitchen.  It was so delicious!  Here's a photo of my quiche.  Tony had a rosemary waffle with bbq pulled pork on top.  Yum!

Jim Tunell Photography

The other vendor who piqued my interest at the craft fair was Jim Tunell and his compelling photography.  I loved his images of the West.  Check them out at indianscowboys.com.

Rusty Birds

Last weekend there was a craft fair here in Wenatchee.  I bought one thing, and it was this cute little bunny plant stake.  We have missed our little bunnies since we moved here from the Midwest.  Rusty Birds has lots of cute plant stakes, birds to mount, and even squirrels!

Indianapolis Temple

The Indianapolis Temple recently opened, and from what I can see online, it looks so beautiful.  The murals were done by Michael Albrechtsen.  (He's my favorite.)  The main design motif is the blossom of a tulip poplar tree.  I love the designs and the colors.

Jax Kelly

When my mom and sister were here we visited Tumbleweed, one of the fun shops here in Wenatchee.  I picked up a pair of Jax Kelly earrings.  They look like these gold-dipped studs but with turquoise as the stones.  And don't you love this necklace?  It's a slice of amethyst!

Caldrea Glass Hand Soap

I really love the fragrances from Caldrea, and now their hand soap is available in beautiful, refillable glass bottles.  This one is Black Coriander Lime.

Gustave Caillebotte

My husband has some business in Washington, D.C., coming up, so we thought we'd see what's going on at the National Gallery.  They are having an exhibit of works by Gustave Caillebotte.  They have Paris Street, Rainy Day on loan from the Art Institute of Chicago, and I liked The Boulevard Seen from Above (below).

Curly Girl Design

My mom and sister were in town over the weekend, and it was so fun!  We loved visiting Pickle Papers.  I discovered a cute line called Curly Girl Design.  Isn't this card so great?

Plaid!

If you've been to Target lately, you might have noticed some plaid.  It has taken over the store!  I think it's so fun.  It's on everything from mouthwash to mixing bowls.  Don't you love plaid?

Ryan Adams 1989

Have you heard that Ryan Adams did a cover of Taylor Swift's entire 1989 album?  It's pretty great.  I especially liked Bad Blood.  You can listen to the whole thing on YouTube (below).

The First Phone Call from Heaven

My husband's dad tends to buy books and then hand them off to us.  I have to admit that I haven't read very many of them... but I did read Mitch Albom's The First Phone Call from Heaven.  I like him as a writer.  His stories are interesting (and it's a quick read).

Liberty Art Fabrics: Lotta

I just bought a piece of this lovely Liberty fabric from LibertyCharms.  It's a new design for this season called Lotta.  I love the little critters and the folksy feel.  Apparently the Finnish designer researched the BBC's production of Pride and Prejudice for this print.  It's also available in other colorways - see them on Liberty's site here.

All the Light We Cannot See

On our 2000-mile move to Washington I was driving alone in my car - so I thought an audiobook would help.  I listened to All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.  This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was so fascinating.  It's set during World War II and has an interesting and complex story line.  There were some bad words that I wasn't prepared for and a couple of crude scenes (having to do with the war), so I'm not sure if I would recommend it to everyone.  The writing is superb, though, and the language and structure of the book are really absorbing.

Emily Winfield Martin

One of the discoveries that I made at Pickle Papers was Emily Winfield Martin.  My niece loves things that she calls "whimsy," and Emily Winfield Martin seems to be an expert.  She is a lovely illustrator.  You can find her prints and postcards in her Etsy shop: The Black Apple.  And you can read her blog here.  (I really love this print - it makes me miss my Illinois bunnies and squirrels!)

Pickle Papers

I've been venturing out a bit in my new town and found a really lovely shop in the historic downtown called Pickle Papers.  They have all sorts of cards and journals and wrapping paper and everything paper-related.  You can see some of their goodies on their blog here (like this gift wrap from Rifle).

Breadline Cafe

The college where my husband is working has a little satellite campus in Omak, WA.  It's a tiny town, but it has a fabulous restaurant: the Breadline Cafe.  I snapped this photo when we were there for lunch one day.  They bake all of their own breads and have delicious sandwiches and potato salad, etc.  And it's such a cute place.

Queen Bee Blouse

My new town has a Target, thank goodness.  When I was there the other day I noticed this lovely green blouse with a queen bee print.  How fun!  The fabric and neckline made it a little too pajama-ish for my taste, but I love the fabric design and color.