For America

I've lived in Australia for several months and my parents lived in England. From our experience talking to the actual citizens of these nations the overwhelming conclusion we came to is that national health care is NOT A GOOD THING.

When a nation turns to the government to provide health care taxes skyrocket and the quality of health care goes down the toilet!

Isn't it great the we live in the United States of America?! I can believe what I want and you can believe what you want. We can agree to disagree. Comments will not be allowed for this post.

Here is a great website that will give you access to your government officials. All you do is click on US Senate, scroll down to your state, click on your senators email and write him or her a letter. To save time I suggest you write one email sharing your feelings, copy it, and then paste it into emails to each person representing you in Washington. You can write to the President, vice president, and your rep in the US house of representatives.

Please pray for our country.

T-Shirt Embellishment #2

I found a shirt almost exactly like this one at Kohls last week for $1.98. Having been scoping out some super cute tees like these at JCrew

I decided to add a little embellishment. I went a little more formal then these free form examples- but the technique is the same. First, I went to the one store in our town that carries silk ribbons and they only had very narrow stuff. I purchased one package and also some wider part polyester ribbon (but the silk looks best and if you are patient enough to order some you can get it in fairly wide widths).

I'm not patient. Whatever ribbon you select- just make sure that the front and back of the ribbon are the same (no "right" side) this makes the stitching much easier. Grab some matching thread from your stash and a few beads. This doesn't have to be done in a monochromatic color scheme- so, feel free to branch out.


Gather, fold, twist and pin into place a few layers at a time. Turn any raw edges under. Hand stitch in place by catching the edge of the ribbon every fourth of an inch or so. There isn't a right way to do this- just go for whatever look you like. You can even machine stitch it if you want (I did in a few places). I put a slightly lighter ribbon in the center of the big flower. You can stitch a few beads on if you like and then, drum roll please :o), you end up with a jazzed up shirt, much cheaper then the original inspiration.

I used Bucilla Burgandy, 7mm, variegated 100% silk ribbon, Mill Hill Antique Glass Beads #03049 and at Hobby Lobby in the sewing section I found a wine colored, 1/2 inch ribbon (FX brand).

This is so easy- you've gotta try it!

Thrifted Lantern

I found this lantern at a thrift store in San Antonio. I love the wavy, bubbly, makes-it-look-old glass! I didn't love the up close look of sponge painted brown on black. It needed a little tender loving care so I cleaned out the cobwebs, washed it well and covered the glass with masking tape (that was a pain) and gave it a coat of Krylon's oil rubbed bronze metallic paint. Now it is ready for an evening picnic and a home on the front porch.

Copy Cat Earrings

Fossil has some adorable playful earrings for $24.



I decided to raid my beads and jewelry findings stash and came up with a copy for free (less than $2 per pair if you need to buy the stuff).

Where do you get your inspiration?

Awesome Free Printables

Have you checked out the SUPER COOL Living Locurto blog? These pictures are from her blog. She shares a gazillion free printables and they are so modern/retro/cool!!!


She creates and links to a great variety of printables, from party stuff to organizing- go visit!

Miracle Baby

Last week my daughter and her husband were away from home when she went into labor. They didn't know which hospital to go to so they said a prayer asking for guidance and picked a set of "hospital this way" signs to follow. God is good. He led them to a wonderful hospital. The staff were very helpful and kind. They were not able to stop the labor and so little Brody was born about 6 1/2 weeks early. He weighed 4 lbs.11 oz. and is 18 inches long. He was breach so they did a C section and found that he was badly tangled in the umbilical cord. This little man has made rapid progress and only needs help eating. What a miracle!


I am well aware for some the miracle is that their precious little one is taken back to live with our Heavenly Father and I truly believe that is a miracle too. I hope that this quote might offer some comfort:

The Lord takes many away even in infancy, that they may escape...the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again.

- Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

I'm grateful that little Brody is part of our family. I feel that he has some important things to do during his life. I can't wait to be with him so that I can do some loving and snuggling!

Goodbye Lazy Summer Days

School starts here on Monday. I'm looking forward to the routine of things. I'm going to miss the relaxing, go-with-the-flow days. If you ever have a friend or loved one go to Guatemala ask them to bring you back a hammock! They are the best! This spot gets great morning and early evening shade. It's the perfect spot for a nap, a snuggle or a good book.