Kids' Taxidermy

My sister, Annie, and I did this fun project yesterday for her boys' room.

We used foam core, some thin batting, a graphic dish towel, and this cute stuffed animal trophy head. We also thought about using these initials of the boys' names instead of the animals.

It took about 30 minutes to cut and notch the corners of the foam core, then staple the batting and towel around it.

This one goes over Miles' bed. We made another one to go over the baby's crib but didn't have the animal head for that one yet. Baby boy is due in May. Annie is one chic pregnant mama, isn't she?

Locks of Love

Sicily has been growing out her hair for a long time to donate to Locks of Love. Finally we had the 10-inch requirement.
I cut it. Don't look too close when you see her.


And if you were wondering what Jason would look like with a ponytail, here he is is with the sheared locks.

P.S.
I had to add this after my cousin, Emma (from Sweden), commented that with a ponytail, Jason is a dead ringer for Anders Borg, the Minister of Finance in Sweden.

Jane Eyre

I am eagerly awaiting the release of Jane Eyre. It comes out March 11. I just read this book again a couple of months ago. It is very romantic.

The movie looks awfully juicy. But if you'll read it again yourself, you'll be suprised by how juicy the book is also.

It may take a few weeks longer to make it to Logan. Anyone want to join me?

Music Man

Ethan (far left) has his last performance of Music Man tonight at the Ellen Eccles Theater. He has had so much fun doing it, and we are proud to bust watching him.

What's Your Color?

I just got my new issue of House Beautiful yesterday.

I guess you've heard that pink is the new "it" color.

They say look in your closet to see what colors you feel comfortable with.

Guess what? No pink in my closet.

I could do something like these pink curtains. Subtle.

I like this too.

Ahhh! Now this is more like it!

Guess what's in my closet? Blue.

Sleeping Beauties

Piper and Sicily just started sleeping in the same bed a few weeks ago. It's been a bit rocky, but they love to cuddle together and end up sleeping like this every night. I had to go in and and sneak a picture.

iLove

These are the cute valentines for Sicily's 2nd grade class. Yeah, it's a little early, but Sicily was enthused.


We found the directions and printables here.


I love that she made them all by herself.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

I just finished this book. Barbara Kingsolver is a great author; her Poisonwood Bible is one of my top-ten favorite books.

It is part memoir, part food expose. She tells of the year her family spent living on their farm in Virginia, eating only locally produced food. They had a few cheat items, like coffee and vanilla. But they gave up foods such as bananas during the year because they always come from South America.

Barbara and her family

I few ideas from the book that are practical for my family:

1. Make your own food from fresh ingredients. Eat as little processed food as possible.

2. Get your family involved in preparing food.

3. Support local farmers. This supports your community's economy and cuts down on the fossil fuels used to transport and process foods. Better yet, grow some of your own food.


Loved the book. It includes lots of great storytelling, lots of humor. I really liked the ongoing narration of raising heirloom turkeys, which included "turkey sex." [I got your attention there, didn't I?]

These are veggies from my garden last fall. I would like to try eating as a locavore, maybe for a week. September would be a great month to try. Does that sound crazy?

Dalton's Eleventh

Today is Dalton's 11th birthday. He is a great kid. I am lucky to be his mom.

He got the presents he asked for: a USC hat and a fuzzy sweatshirt.

For his birthday dinner, he asked for ham and bean soup ("Use ham with the bone in, Mom, because it tastes better that way."), homemade rolls, caesar salad, and dirt cups for dessert. He's got good taste, doesn't he?

I Love Church

This week in Sunday School we were talking about the baptism of Jesus Christ. Our teacher, Brother Jacobs, talked about how much the Savior loved John the Baptist.

Then he asked, "Who else did Jesus have this special love for?"

"Me!" blurted Karen McLeod with a smile. Karen is a bubbly 60-ish woman in our ward who just lost her husband a couple of months ago after a long illness.

We all laughed. Brother Jacobs said had been looking for the answer "Isaiah." But, of course, her answer was perfect.