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Illumination

ILLUMINATION- That which illuminates or gives light; brightness; splendor; joy- especially, intellectual light or knowledge.
My life Illuminations-

Take the Quiz Saw this on another site- tried it just for fun....everyone has to have one silly day.

Mom's Merriment....and a prize

We are not too far away from Mother's Day and the wonderful flowers of May. Oh how I love the Peony- this beauty is just about ready to pick- dare I do it- Yes!  and it's prefect for the picking- just opened enough- so it will have a long life inside. Plus if I add a little sugar to the water it will last longer.
Okay, so for the real reason for this post; Merriment and  a Prize!

Mom's Merriment- things that make my Mothers Day-

• scrapbook pages of love from Shannon
• Written Testimonies from my Boys
• someone else cooking my meals
• words of love

Shopping Merriment- let the merriment begin- if I happen to find-

• vintage Fabric
• vintage plates
• pink stemware depression glasses -no luck yet :{
• vintage frogs- see picture to the right-

Grammer Merriment- things that melt my heart-

• little fingers in my hand
• I love you more- okay you won
• sharing the sofa and a cuddle blanket
• Grammer can you come to our house- just turn left then right :} - I will leave a note on the door.
• Jokes
• Grammer I love you.

There I've shared some Merriment- now about the prize. You know I'm always looking for a reason to have a party- and a party wouldn't be a party without a little something to give away.
Let's have a Merriment party!  To join in all you did do is leave some Merriment  in the comments- It can be about being a Women/Mom- {  Women that nurture- that's a Mom} -
So leave a comment...even if you've been too shy to do so before......because your comment enters you in the drawing...what is it you say?  Something Fabulous from France-   Happy Mothers Day-
On Mothers Day- which is Sunday  May 11, I will draw from  the names on this posts , and announce the winner Monday morning.

Merriment and a Prize-   Quick tell your friends, there's a party on....Gee...all we are missing is the Cake-

In 10 years.....

Today- is exactly two months until Denver will be at the airport- heading towards us- and not away like in this picture.
A lot has happen in that time happy and sad- Sweet little Preston has come into our family-    My Mother passed away In Oct of 2006-  Libby was baptized-    Kent found the love of his life Becca and married her in the Temple. And Mason will have graduated from High School.  Plus lots and lots of everyday living.

So today I find myself thinking about Denver's return and how very excited I'm- can't even write this without crying-  Anyway-  I thought I would like to share some advice that I will be giving Denver- soon after his return- It actually came from Kent's Mission President- but I'm adopting it as my own :}

Denver if in 10 years you are............you know you were a successful missionary-

1. Married in the Temple and hold a current recommend
2. Hold a calling in the Church
3. Striving to gain knowledge
4. Still look and act like a missionary. {I hate it when a Missionary has been home for just a short time- and is letting his appearance slip- take your example from the Prophet}

Look to your Brothers- who have- Been there- Done that-  They are your prefect example.
All following the examples I gave above- You could slip a missionary badge on them right now- and they would be set to go- They are faithful.

Look to those who love you and are faithful- They are your example-




Happy coming Home- plan to be squished!  :}

Oh and one more thing to share with all you out there- You sure can Tell Denver is "my" son- Check out this picture Denver took-

Now tell me- how many guys do you know would stop to take a picture of a pretty flower?  I've taught him well.

salvaged beauty-

Some of my Most favorite pieces of furniture in my home are the ones I found "Homeless"
Left to be thrown away- or sitting next to the Dumpster.- this piece above was on it's way to the dump when it caught my eye- and I just couldn't let it go. After some cleaning- stripping the paint off the hardware etc. it turned into this lovely piece- Added bonus- after doing some major cleaning found a 1949 inspection date on back- score.

Pretty much the same story with these nesting tables- All I did was give them a good wash- and left them pretty much like that- I loved the hand painted detail- and the little imperfections give it character. On the bottom is written- CB- 3/25   I'm guessing that to be March 1925.

I found this panel as I was digging through a architectural salvage place in Berkley- I've used this in several different ways- before it was a window valance; it was the valance over the shower/tub- used as a valance with curtain behind- cute- I think I may have payed $5  for this.

No story behind this table- just that it was a mess, cleaned it up- painted it white and there you have it.

Once while we were helping some people move- they were planning to get rid of this table- I say no way- it's too cute- So I took it home , took off some old paint- and score, guess what I found?- Square nails! This thing is old- What era do you think it came from?{I'm guessing type B nail from 1820-1900} After cleaning it up- painted the bottom black and left the top as is-

Whenever I think of these pieces- it always makes me smile-
Plus there's a little moral in this story- In times when we feel beaten down-  Think we are worth nothing-  have given all that we can give, with nothing left- 
Just remember there is that one, He who loves us most, our Savior .... After we've done all that we can do- He has paid the price.... He will make up the difference.

{check out the link on the left- Reflections of Christ- Amazing things they can do with photography these days!}

Vintage Enamel

In my pantry are an assortment of enamel bowls- I love them- Things that I have done with them are-

• Old Fashion Girls Picnic- bowls as trays
• carrying fruit and veg- from the garden
• small bowl filled with soaps in the bathroom
• filled with lavender to scent the room
• filled with a kitchen gift to give away

I Love what they have done with these enamel bowls-
bellsofsuffolk.com

I have more  ideas that I will be sharing- Beginning in May- So check back.

Invitations are out...

It's a Lunch Date Party- Aren't these adorable- Heidi made these invitations for Carlee's Birthday party- under the wing, which is attached with a little orange brad- it says- " If you have one, bring an old book for a book exchange." on the back; Date-time & place.
Below step by step- Centerpieces for the party-





For complete down-loadable instructions click on paper Globes at Heatherbailey.typepad.com

Time Out

Heidi & I met up in Fresno to attend Time Out for Women- In the picture are two of Heidi's friends from her ward- Shirlee and Alma- {hope that is the way they spell their names.}
It was a very relaxing day- a little hard to sit still for that long-
but enjoyable. It's always fun to spend time with Heidi-

Notes from the day-

• Mary Ellen Edmunds- Two things that disturb peace- guilt and contention- Remember to Remember people who have made a difference in your life.
• Michael Wilcox-  "Tell me in Accents of wonder"- Mothers are the lens from which their children first see God.  What a Temple is- 1- Shade in which to take cover- 2. Fortify 3. Cover from rain and Storm.{metaphor}
• Emily Watts- The Gospel is not the insurance policy against pain- it is a resource to help with the pain.  Mother is the Core- take care of your Core.
• Dean Hughes- What is really important- Slow down- "Happy" self talk.
• Sharon Larsen- Stay awake there may be something important- you will need to know, that will make your life so much easier.  Ways to draw closer to your Heavenly Father- Forgiveness- how do we treat people- Trust- Let go of competition- Keep your covenants.
• Music by- Kenneth Cope- and Mercy River- Enjoyed both- Kenneth was Host and did most of the singing- which was great- His new Song- Father's Child is way touching. One of his quotes-        "I'm the best little mound of dirt I can be"  His last name Cope- means- mound of dirt.  

Emily Watts quoted from the book "The Uses of Adversity" by Carlfred Broderick- I may need to buy that book- had some great thoughts.

The Goods- The bag was a gift as we entered- I picked up a book "Peculiar-In a Good Way" and had Sister Edmunds sign it, and a CD by Hilary Weeks-  There you have it-  a delightful day- Thanks Heidi for taking a "time out" with me- {thanks Sam for taking on the kids}

Apron Strings....

Received these lovely aprons from my sister Pam. She can custom make one for you, click the link! Once in her site...Click on "Aprons on a String"  Carlee looked adorable in her little Apron....Plus she loved wearing it. Thanks Pam....
WE LOVE THEM! 

4... Days Delight...

1. These guys stood still long enough for me to take a picture.

2. Lunch for one- I know, I know- But this little Lilac was just calling out to me- and who says you can't have a mini party by yourself?

3. My man has Skills- not his real job- His "I can put any fire out job" Grrrr.

4. Melon sorbet- My home smells like a delightful tropical breeze. Thank you Bath and Body Works-

"It's all a Delight."