Mady Sunshine

rest in peace...

2012-01-11T13:16:00.001-07:00

Officer Jared Francom

There is no

greater calling than to

serve your fellow men.

There is no greater

contribution than to

help the weak.

There is no greater

satisfaction than to

have done it well.

~Walter Reuther~

prioritize...

2012-01-10T18:46:00.000-07:00

hello sweet friend...

i'm sorry i have been away for so long.

i got caught up in my new adventure

and it's taken all of my attention away from

the place i share my heart.

but, i have missed being here

and felt like it was time to come

back and visit.

it's 2012...a beautiful thing.

a year empty and full of possibilities.

i am so happy to see 2011 go.

a year full of family heartbreak

and stress and things that took

our focus and strength away from

those who really matter.

our little family.

our 3 girls and 1 son-in-law

to be...

prioritize is our word of the new year.

our focus will be set squarely

on family, home, faith,

financial security, and healthy living.

seems like a lot but we'll just take it

one day at a time.

every morning is a new opportunity

to refocus and renew our

chance to strive for more.

i'm so excited to be started on this

little journey with my better half

and our family.

thank you for still being here

for me, for not giving up on me.

you are kind of like my giving tree..

just here for me when i need you

and never really asking anything

in return.

xo,

i am a mormon...

2011-11-05T16:14:00.000-06:00

i have another video for you...

i LOVE this.

it joins two great things...

creating and being a mormon!!

you HAVE to watch this...

2011-11-03T15:47:00.000-06:00

that little kid in the red and pajamas and his little brother...

i am hunting them down to marry my girls!

seriously, how cute are they??

DAD YOU'RE UGLY!

that will forever pop into my head randomly.

kind of like charlie bit my toe.

hope you laughed right out loud!

big smile,

sparkity, spark, spark, spark

2011-11-02T13:52:00.001-06:00

i would've posted about this earlier but i lost my camera.

then i found it, i left it at dear lizzy at the after party.

YAY!

warning: i am a horrible photographer and my camera...

well it's a dear little point and shoot that i love but it doesn't

take the best of photos.

so, about *SPARK*.

m.az.ing.

seriously, just overwhelming.

picture a room full of creative, excited, beautiful inside and out, women.

everyone just seemed to glow.

i love to be a part of things that make women feel special.

heck, i love to feel special myself.

*wink and a smile*

and, let me tell you sisters, those ladies know how to make a girl feel special.

i so didn't know what to expect and i went all on my own and

dangit i was so nervous to go by myself.

but, you know what? it didn't last long...the women there

were so warm and welcoming and excited to meet new friends.

i LOVE signs...

and there were some of the coolest i've seen all over the place.

and they had inspirational quotes...i LOVE them more than signs.

that's a lot of love.

*smile*

then there was the decorations inside...swoon.

this was our centerpiece and every table had something different and adorable!

bring in the goodies...

i forgot my camera the first day and got so carried away by what was going on the

second day that i didn't get as many pictures as i would have liked to of all the swag

that we got! it seemed like every time we turned around there was something

awesome coming our way. we were treated like queens i tell ya.

and then there were the classes...

LOVED EVERY ONE OF THEM!

i got to actually meet and talk to women

that i have admired so much on line.

made me a little star struck.

i didn't get a picture of kathe holden who is

just as nice as can be and who taught

us how to make a sweet little nest necklace...

i also didn't get a picture of christy tomlinson,

who i adore. i have taken her classes online

and stalked her a little...

she is such a genuinely good person.

she is the reason that i love mixed media,

and one of the people who have inspired me to

art journal...and art journaling has opened up

a part of me that i didn't know was there.

so, that should tell you how much i adore

this sweet, talented, amazing, lady.

oh and there was donna downey...

i think i kinda have a girl crush on her now.

she is so funky and such an incredible teacher.

and FUNNY!

we also took a junk journal class from jen jensen.

i was just kind of in awe of her. her talent...well it blew me away.

i could've spent all day creating away with her.

this is one of the scrapbooks that she made for

her little girl for her 6th birthday. it was a circus

theme and this is made from a dictionary she cut in half

with her husband's chop saw!

SO COOL!!!

i'm not kidding you....this thing was just incredibly cool.

there was a class with april meeker learning how to carve your own stamp.

i will definately be giving that some more of my time.

and she is the other girl crush i took away...amazing lady and so talented.

she is also my personal style hero. coolest dresses and boots.

now, i have a confession, i wanted to take my friend kristen to explore

a couple of places and so we skipped class a couple of times.

we missed a class with the incredibly sweet and talented amy tangerine

and with emily falconbridge. i'm tellin ya something right now...

emily falconbridge looks exactly like i dreamed of looking back in my

hippie days...she rocks dreads like no-one i've ever seen!

i love rhonna farrer...love, love, love her!

she is a bundle of pure joy and it radiates from her.

she talked to me for quite a while and gave me some

great advice about my new blog...stay true to who you are.

she is just awesome.

margie is hilarious and the brains and brawn behind it all

and she is just super cool...super.cool.

she is all about building up women...

us supporting one another...

creating from the heart...

all of the things i adore in a woman.

(i am starting to sound a little like i'm gay...

'not that there's anything wrong with that'...seinfeld.)

i also was so lucky to be a part of the marketplace.

i am used to a 10x10 booth and so i had to rearrange my

plans a few days before and i was so nervous about

it but it turned out great!

and my friend, kristin from faded prairie had an amazing booth, as usual!

that girl can style a space like no-one i've ever seen.

she is having an amazingly generous *spark* give-away today on her blog...

you are sooo gonna want to go enter that.

i also need to mention a talented, talented jewelry maker

that i met, made fast friends with, and was up until 2 am talking to.

that's the latest i've been out for i don't know how long!

her name is canela, she is so genuine and kind and i just love her.

her jewelry is beautiful...you should go and look at it and meet her here...

and she has donated a necklace to faded prairie's give-away that is just so cool.

well, friends.

i would wish for everyone to be able to *spark* next year.

it was just inspiring.

i can't wait to go to number 4. can't.wait.

don't forget to go visit dandelion farm girl today and

enter our give-away of all things good.

*big smile*

xo,

introducing dandelion farm girl...

2011-10-31T08:00:00.001-06:00

a while ago i told ya'll i was working on a new project...

that new project is finally ready to go.

i'm so excited. and nervous. and excited.

i've been working with an amazing little blog designer

and she has held my hand the whole way.

and now, we are live.

will you go check it out?

please.

and let me know what you think?

please feel free to grab a button while your there.

*wink and a smile*

and like us on facebook...

that would be great!

sooo here you go.

click on that name and it will take you right over.

Dandelion Farm Girl

i am so excited!!!

2011-10-29T17:00:00.000-06:00

so i just got my first paycheck that was more than 20 hrs.

i've been wanting something for a long time but wouldn't

let myself buy one...

then i made good money off of my booth at *SPARK*

(i will be showing pictures of that soon, soon, soon)

and got a paycheck and sooo i totally spoiled myself a little.

*BIG SMILE*

how beautiful is that bad boy??

he looks sooo pretty on my porch table.

i'm.in.love.

my dear friend jeannette texted me yesterday and told me

the lanterns were on sale at hobby lobby for 50% off.

i couldn't wait till the man left for work today so i could sneak off.

then i found this beauty and the glass was cracked so they gave me

and additional 10% off!!!!!! YAY ME!!!

anyways, i had to share with someone who could appreciate it...

maya and peyton have no excitement about these things

and the man probably won't notice (i hope) for awhile.

*big smile*

happy saturday!!

i'm a sparkin it baby...

2011-10-21T00:35:00.001-06:00

i'm nervous.

really nervous.

i am doing some completely different stuff for their market.

i am going to a place with lots of women...

have i ever mentioned that women scare me a little??

they do.

especially pretty women who wear blingy jeans

and guess what? i'm thinkin there are going to be lots

of blingy jean wearing women at spark.

plus there are lots of very cool women there

who i admire...that makes me even more nervous.

so, wish me luck!

i know it's going to be fabulous and once i get

over not really knowing anyone i will be ok....

i hope.

*sideways smile with a little bit of eeek.*

hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

can't wait to show you pictures!!

update: everyone is super friendly and only one pair of blingy jeans who was a sweetheart from nebraska....all that nervous for nothin! what a great day...spending time with awesome women and learning fun new things!

free fall printables and a fun blog...

2011-10-13T13:45:00.000-06:00

i just wanted to pass this cool *blog post* along to all of you.
this lady has an awesome blog and went to all this trouble and
here i am letting her do all the work!
*wink and a smile*
hope you are all fabulous!!
xo,

perfect mixture...

2011-10-11T09:03:00.000-06:00

there is a kid on my bus who is a perfect mixture of these two...

he likes to sit up front.

he talks really loud.

i have heard some extremely interesting

things come out of this kid's mouth.

WOW.

i don't know whether to be frightened or intrigued

by the thoughts he has swirling around!

let's just hope he works for the good of the world.

*wink and a smile*

jr. high kids are some of the most fun to watch

people there are....seriously.

hope you are having a great day!

motherhood...

2011-10-01T13:02:00.000-06:00

i'm pretty sure you have all read this in some email or saw it on another blog

but i needed to read it today and thought maybe someone else did too so i wanted

to share it with you.

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of

response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while
I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm
thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'

Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking,
or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the
corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The
invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing
more! Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this??

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being.
I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to
answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order,
'Right around 5:30, please.'

Some days I'm a crystal ball; 'Where's my other sock?, Where's
my phone?, What's for dinner?'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and
the eyes that studied history, music and literature -but now,
they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen
again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!?

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the
return of a friend from England . She had just gotten back from
a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she
stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all
put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry
for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when she turned to me
with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you
this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe .
I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her
inscription:'With admiration for the greatness of what you are
building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devoured - the book. And I
would discover what would become for me, four life-changing
truths, after which I could pattern my work: 1) No one can say
who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their
names. 2) These builders gave their whole lives for a work they
would never see finished. 3) They made great sacrifices and
expected no credit. 4) The passion of their building was fueled
by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A story of legend in the book told of a rich man who came to
visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a
workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was
puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time
carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof,
No one will ever see it And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It
was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you. I see
the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.

No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no
cupcake you've baked, no Cub Scout meeting, no last minute
errand is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are
building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it
will become.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great
builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they
will never see finished, to work on something that their name
will never be on.
The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals
could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few
people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the
friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom
gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then
she hand bastes a turkey for 3 hours and presses all the linens
for the table.' That would mean I'd built a monument to myself.
I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is
anything more to say to his friend, he'd say, 'You're going to love
it there...'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen
if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that
the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at
the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of
invisible mothers.

here's to being an invisible woman!
xo,

a phone call...

2011-09-29T17:29:00.001-06:00

today i got a special phone call from a dear friend.

we chatted for a minute and she told me that she had been

thinking about me a lot lately and wanted to call.

she just wanted to tell me some very nice things she thought about me.

she went out of her way to reach out to me and help me feel special.

this girl is amazing. a great mom, a supportive wife, strong in her faith...

really the kind of woman i wish i could be more like and she

called to say nice things to me.

the thing i loved most about this whole conversation was this,

she listened to her heart and her heart told her to call a friend

and make her feel good about herself.

she listened.

she acted on it.

i love that...i want to be more like that.

i'm going to be more like that.

thank you sweet girl for, yet again, being a good example

of what a good woman is supposed to be like.

you inspired me to want to be better.

seems like you do that a lot.

*wink and a smile*

FOLK Give-Away...

2011-09-28T09:56:00.000-06:00

i am giving away a copy of FOLK magazine
over on the Fallow Field Farm blog.
go on over and enter to win!

xo,

bus driver...

2011-09-27T21:03:00.001-06:00

i have been a substitute school bus
driver for just about 3 yrs.
i've loved being a sub because
i have had control over when
i work...very flexible job.
throughout these 3 yrs i have been
offered runs every year
and i have politely turned them
down because i wanted to
get the littlest one in 1st grade
before i took a full time run.
well, money is tight. a little too tight.
last week i went in to talk to my supervisor because i was
going to tell her that if a junior high or high school run opened
up i would take it. those are earlier runs which allow me to
be here when the girls go to school and be here when they get home.
that is really important to me and it's something i won't compromise on.
she was out of town for the week so i figured i would go in and talk to
her sometime this week. this morning she called me because she had a
junior high run open up and just wanted to try and see if i would take it.
i never told her i was looking for a route. cool, huh?
the scary thing is that the lady who was driving these junior high maniacs
quit because she couldn't handle them.
yeah, that scares the crap out of me! i'll just have to show them who's the woman. ha ha ha ha
wish me luck and i'll let you know how it goes.
we may spend some quality time on the side of the road tomorrow.

**ok...so it turns out that the driver who quit is very sensitive to noise.
now, maybe it's just me, but isn't being a bus driver the LAST thing this
lady should do as a job?? kids are noisy and these kids aren't even the
worst i've had on my bus. they are actually good kids who haven't given
me a lick of trouble. whew....thank goodness!

*big smile*

heyyy there...

2011-09-26T22:44:00.000-06:00

how're ya doin?

how's that for some utahoo for you?? ha ha.

i just posted the first few pictures of the marketplace over

there on the fallow field farm blog.

wanna see em?

bounce on over there...we'd love to have you visit.

*big smile*

xo,

the poster...

2011-09-09T20:42:00.001-06:00

isn't it the CUTEST?!

thank you to my awesomely

talented little niece megan!!

you are all coming, right??

look at all that fun stuff and

there's more that isn't even

on there!!

it's gonna be tons of fun,

i promise!!

humanitarian project...

2011-09-03T15:03:00.000-06:00

big d's little brother and sister recently deployed to Iraq.

She for the first time and him for his second round.

I received an email from his sweet wife that I will share with you.

Here is something you may not know...

not all soldiers have families who send them things.

They may not get any care packages or even letters

for the year that they are deployed.

So if you are willing and want to help here is your chance!

Bring your goods to the show.

We will have a place set up for you to donate items

and we will also collect any monetary donations.

Thank you for your help!

Support our troops!!

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to let you know about a humanitarian project I am

doing for Eric's unit, in case you were interested in helping.

I am gathering toiletries and treats to send over.

Some of the men in the unit are on bases where they have

closed the PX and they are unable to get these

things unless they are sent to them.

Here is a list of items I am collecting:

shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash,

razors, Q-tips, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.

Also, I am going to send over non-melting treats for

the soldiers to put in their packs. Finally, I am also

in need of money to ship the items over.

If you can help in any way it would be GREATLY appreciated.

I am planning on shipping the majority of it over

in October, but if you have stuff lying around,

I want to send over a small shipment ASAP

so Eric can get it out to the guys that need it!

Thanks so much!

xo,

we've been...

2011-09-02T17:10:00.001-06:00

gone, gone, gone and now we're home.
isn't coming home from vacation weird?
dave and i both woke up this morning kind of anxious
because after a week of nothing we knew that we had
to come home and dig in to get ready for the show.
the next couple of weeks are going to be CRAZY!
then we mellowed out and then we hit provo and it
started all over again.
when we pulled into the drive the little ones
were just coming home from school...
and then i was just plain old happy to be home.
there is nothing like a peyton hug when you haven't
had one for a few days!

xo,

help...

2011-08-22T08:00:00.000-06:00

this picture is my sweet friend mindy's daughter.

when i asked mindy if i could steal it from her

she sent it in an email and the name on

the file was change. the funny thing is...this picture

was something that i was using for a big

change in my life. hmmm.

i am on the edge of a new venture...

it's something i have been thinking about

and planning for a few months and

am more excited about then anything!

but i am not ready to launch yet.

here's where you come in.

i need all of you, my favorite peeps,

to give me some help.

so, if you are a lurker who usually doesn't comment,

i really need you to comment today, or tomorrow, or next week...

just sometime, on this post.

pretty please.

don't make me beg, it isn't pretty.

so, out with it already, right?

i need each and every one of you to

think real hard about what or who inspires you.

not like your mom or your church leader or your

amazing big sisters...you get the point.

i need you to think about what blogs, what stores,

what books, what inspirational gals online,

inspire you to create. whether

it is painting or art journaling or photography or

jewelry or sewing, gift wrapping or giving, decorating

your house, or whatever!

just what makes you want to go right out

and make something, create something,

take a most fabulous picture, sew a quilt,

or write the book of your heart.

then, i need you to comment here and let me know.

i am looking for things on the www mostly but if there

is a favorite store that gives that creativity inside you

a spark then let me know about that too.

if you have any questions then please let me know.

you guys are the bomb.com!

xo,

saturday mornings...

2011-08-20T10:59:00.000-06:00

here's the deal...

my husband works every other saturday morning.

on the saturday mornings he's home he tries real

hard to get me to do stuff around the house.

on the saturday mornings he's not home i try

real hard to get myself to do stuff around the house.

here's what i usually end up doing for at least an hour

every saturday morning. catching up on all the blogs

that i haven't read for the whole week. so, i surf.

surfing is good for the soul.

*big smile*

i go to the farm chicks and serena

makes me want to be a better house keeper.

i visit heather bullard and she makes me

want to decorate my house simply and beautifully.

i go visit my friends and family to see how life is going for them.

i visit meg at whatever and she makes me feel better about

being a mama. kasey b makes me laugh....

the list goes on and on.

i have been on pioneer woman hiatus for a while cuz

she just makes me jealous. i know that it's an ugly trait.

*another big smile and let's throw a wink in there*

but this morning i gave in to the urge and clicked on

over there and there she is all happy and funny and cute

just doin her thang...so i clicked around and found a link

to another blog....i said surfing remember...and i just

had to share it with my friends.

it'll make ya laugh.

the broom and i

so, now, i suppose i'm off to clean...

hope you are enjoying your morning!!

xo,

have you ever wondered why i don't use capital

letters on my blog?

if you have, the reason is this:

my shift key on my keyboard on the left side

has been broken for a year or so.

why, for the love of pete, do i not get a new one you ask?

because i'd rather spend my money on fabric, or paper,

or paint, or garage sale finds, or clothing for the little ones, or

pepsi, or sunflower seeds, or a movie...

you get the point.

just droppin in to say...

2011-08-17T01:45:00.000-06:00

hello!

went to lake powell last week...

it deserves a post.

little miss maya turns 8 this week.

she'll get her own tribute.

but right now

i am tired...it's way too late.

but i wanted to say hi to everyone.

so...hi everyone!

xo,

hair cut...

2011-08-06T16:16:00.000-06:00

ok.

so you know when you have long hair

and then you decide one day at 5pm that you

want your hair cut short because you are going

to lake powell and it would be nice to have short hair.

so you call someone to see if they can get you in

the next day and sure enough they can!

so you go and you cut a lot off of your hair

and then you go...holy @#$! what did i just do?

yeah, had that experience this week.

urghh.

impulsiveness is a curse sometimes.

before:

after:

it's just hair, it's just hair, it's just hair...

it'll grow back, it'll grow back, it'll grow back...

remember that line in 'steel magnolia's' where

julia roberts says to dolly parton

'just make it look like a football helmet on top of her head'

just call me helmet head for a while.

did i already say urghhh?

i mean it.

hope you are having a good hair day.

*big smile with a little bit of a lump*

xo,

duct tape shoes...

2011-08-03T12:17:00.000-06:00

we have the cutest new neighbors.

they are an awesome family and

i think the two little ones wish at

times that they actually belonged

to that awesome family.

they instantly got

two big sisters and two big brothers.

the little one has adopted one of

those sisters as her personal

beauty consultant.

that cute girl paints her toenails

almost daily, does her hair, and

makes her duct tape shoes!!

i had to share those shoes

because they are too darn cute.

thank you cute little girl...

my cute little girls think you are

the bomb.com!

i have a dream...

2011-08-02T13:40:00.000-06:00

ok...you got me...i have many, many dreams!

but this one is a BIG one and one i've had it for a long time.

every since i read about *sisters on the fly*

picture from sisters on the fly website...click on their name above and it will take you there.

i want to be an owner of a oh so cute vintage trailer.

i want to decorate it and ~LOVE~ it and bring it

back to its original glory plus a little!

here are a few i have found around the blogosphere

that make me drool...and one i saw in person at

*the farm chicks* show. it belonged to the girl who

sold me one of my favorites gifts ever...

the *perfect shade of green* cooler.

i thought i would share some pictures that i have found...

first up is audree

you have to go visit *the fancy farmgirl*

beware:

you will want to read her blog...all of it.

and look at all her gorgeous photos.

look at her chicken coop because it is prettier than a lot of houses.

seriously.

here is miss montana...

i got to visit her in person and

she is full of spunk and personality!

that's my favorite part of her...haha!

picture from sisters on the fly website

and i would proudly own any of these little *beauties*

how saweet is that little set-up?!?!

i really love this little ~cowgirl paradise~

there are just a few little treasures i found this morning

while wasting huge amounts of time on the computer.

*BIG SMILE*

you can follow my pinterest board where i like to collect all my dreams.

i'm thinkin as soon as i can get the little ones off to college

or wherever their *dreams* take them, i am buyin me a dream!!

did you hear that big d?

he has to be on board because i'm thinkin i'm gonna need his help.

*wink*

happy tuesday...

can you believe it is august freakin 2nd???

CRAZY!!

xo,

the marketplace...

2011-07-31T13:50:00.000-06:00

the last couple of years about this time

it seems like life has hit a rough patch.

there has been a lot of stress...

family stuff, money...yada yada yada.

my little bi-polar issue starts to rear

it's head in a most unpleasant way.

my husband's first words are this...

maybe you shouldn't do the show.

i think this may be his way of trying

to get out of it...not sure.

the thing is this...

i LOVE doing it!

it is on my things that make me happy list.

it is such a great place to throw all

the creative manicness that comes

with these little episodes.

and it gives me something amazing

to look forward to.

i am sooo excited to decorate

the yard and maybe finish a project.

to dig out all of the stuff for my booth.

since he is on hiatus, maybe permanently,

from craft shows i have to do at least one!!

so, people who read my blog,

make sure to set september 17th aside.

i have some fabulous ideas this year

and can't wait to share them with you!!

i also want to share this with you because

this kid makes my heart happy.

specially when she sings...

she makes up her own songs and sings

about everything and anything.

turn up your volume and listen

to the next taylor swift.

*big smile*

what is missing is her walking down the hallway

and saying to me...

'yes! i am emboressed'.

happy sunday!
xo,

an irish blessing...

2011-07-28T08:15:00.002-06:00

melinda smith photography

May God give you... For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer.

xo,

my new creative love...

2011-07-26T10:43:00.000-06:00

so.

i have wanted to do collage art for a long time now.

i love it how they mix all kinds of good stuff together

and come up with something cool...love it.

i was so excited when i started soul restoration...

there that is again, sorry but it's been a huge part of everything lately for me.

bear with me.

reminds me of a story...my parents sent me away to one of those

wilderness camps a week before my 18th birthday

and when dave and i first got married it seemed like i said every day at least

twice...when i was in the desert. there was this one time at band camp.

it got so him and mady made fun of me on a

regular basis about that. please don't make fun of me for saying...'hey i learned

this one thing in soul restoration'. it might be around for a while and soon i

hope to take the 2nd round so then it will start all over again! bwahhha

just love me.

back to the subject at hand...where was i?

oh yeah, collage art.

when i started soul restoration

she taught me about art journaling.

oh my fit made in heaven.

i love journaling...it has been an

outlet for me since i was 8.

i could get all my teenage angst out on

pages of a book and writing became

something to keep me sane sometimes.

i have journals for the two

oldest girls...peytie's is coming!

i had a journal so full of sadness and grief

that i tore it apart and burned it when

the big guy and i got married...but it was still

something that helped me through hard times.

it was kind of cathartic to watch that baby burn,

knowing that time of life was OVER!

so back again to the subject at hand.

i have been art journaling up a storm!

i LOVE it!!!

it's like that wall that you had in your room when

you were 14 that had all the esprit ads and pictures of madonna

and marc jacob ads with that girl with the long straight hair.

she was wayyy before her time back in the 80's,

i also had tickets and love notes

and funny pictures that friends had drawn me.

my dad let me have that wall in my room at his house when i was

in jr. high. me and my friend had a blast making that wall.

anywho...art journaling is a lot like that.

a great big collage of art, ephemera, and journaling.

every person is going to do it differently

but that is what makes it awesome!

that is what makes art awesome.

we all have our own interpretations and most all of them are

beautiful in their own way.

so i wanted to share a little of my art journaling with you.

the other crazy thing is this...

i haven't created anything just for me for i don't

know how long.

i never make anything without thinking of selling it

or feeling guilty if i am not going to make money from it.

it's kept me from being truly creative and it's kept

me from making things just for the sheer fun of it!!

no more, my friends, no more.

this is my happy journal...a place to fill with all the happy thoughts!

and to go to remind me of what my happy thoughts are

when i need a gentle reminder.

*smile*

every page doesn't have to be elaborate...just a little gesso and some paint

and i had the perfect place for a list of happiness.

i just mod podged things that make me smile on the inside...

there's lots more room to add more!

a page ready to be filled...yay!

then when i can't get all the paints and goodies out

i can still journal.

i found some old music that i have had since i was four and

attended the peppermint house preschool.

it is safe and sound in a journal and somewhere that

i can see it instead of being stuffed

in a box in the garage. it's also a great place to

gather my truths from brave girls club,

graphics from some of the ladies who inspire

me and all kinds of little goods.

i have even cut out pictures the girls have

made and mod podged those in..

i'm tellin ya girls...it's been a ball!

i've used dave's old electrical books that he has had sitting around

forever, glued the pages together so they are a little thicker

and painted and mod podged and written and had so much fun.

it makes me feel like my creativity is still alive in there!

so there you go...show and tell.

*big Smile*

soul restoration started again today...

you know i'm going to say it...

go sign up!!!!

you are so worth it!

xo,

some time with friends...

2011-07-25T18:06:00.000-06:00

i started blog stalking vanessa christenson

a few years ago. from her blog i found

the apron girls. the apron girls is a blog

made up of a group of women who share all

sorts of good things with one another.

we give each other advice & recipes.

offer support and are just there when you need

another woman to talk to. i became an apron girl

and met some of the most incredible women i have

ever met. they are my friends i go to when

i need advice or a shoulder to cry on or someone

to just vent to. the other day i got to spend some

time with two of them. vanessa is moving to iowa

with her adorable little family and wanted our friend mindy

to take pictures of them before they set out to make

their new home on the prairie. mindy is an amazing

photographer and i got to be her location scout because

she isn't from out this way. it was sooo fun!!

she shared a couple of the photos with me and

i had to share them with you!!

this is my gorgeous friend and her sweet little girl.

and this is the breathtakingly beautiful little valley that i live in...

am i lucky or what?

mindy captured it just perfectly.

she is a talented woman, and i loved getting to spend some

time with these two amazing women!

thanks girls.

you can find vanessa here.

you can find the talented melinda smith here.

xo,

i am not...

2011-07-24T17:04:00.000-06:00

a person who faith comes easily to.

this is the definition of faith...

faith (fth)
n.
1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. .
3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: .
4. often Faith Christianity The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.
5. The body of dogma of a religion.
6. A set of principles or beliefs.

i'm not sure why exactly i am this way.

there has been situations in my life that have

made it difficult to believe in and trust people.

you certainly have to prove to me that you are

worthy of those things in order for me to

give them to you. as i get older i find

that there are more people that i do trust,

i think i am getting better at seeing what

people are all about and what their intentions are.

i also have a problem with loyalty.

i consider it one of my greatest faults really.

and the funny thing is...

it says so at the chinese restaurant we always

eat at on the little paper menu that describes

what animal that you are.

that's weird, huh?

reading that is what made me see that in myself.

but for the last 8 months i have been really

struggling with faith in religion and god.

i will think it's there solid, faith,

but then something

comes along and the doubts creep back in.

i am an analyzer.

i analyze everything and everyone.

i am also a thinker.

i think, think, think until my head hurts.

about everything.

worry and think.

it drives me a little batty sometimes.

i envy my sisters and my husband

who never waver in their faith in our

religion. never ever.

they never give it a second thought.

it is just part of who they are.

i remember when i started doubting god.

i was in the fourth grade.

my family was in the happiest

place they had ever been.

things were going awesome

in my 9 yr old brain.

my parents were together,

we went to church,

my brothers had just gotten home

from missions for our church.

we were living right according

to the standards we were taught.

then, it seemed like out of nowhere to me at the time,

my parents were getting divorced.

i didn't expect it.

when i remember it it seems like

it came from way out in left field and

i didn't see it till it hit me in the head.

maybe because i was so little,

i don't know.

i found out later what happened

but i didn't see it then.

hell, i didn't see it until someone told me the truth

when i was much, much older.

and then it made sense.

the thing is this...

i prayed and prayed and prayed

that my parents wouldn't really

get divorced.

it happened anyways and

i didn't understand at the time

that sometimes god answers our prayers

but it isn't always the way you want

them to be answered.

so that is when the seed of doubt was planted.

i struggled and struggled with that from

then on...still struggling.

i married a returned missionary thinking

that would be the miracle cure to my doubts.

turns out just because someone is a returned

missionary doesn't mean they are going

to be strong in their religion.

my faith had to come from me and me alone.

urghhhh!

so here i am...

nearly 40 yrs old and still struggling.

i emailed my brother a few months ago.

he is also a thinker.

he doesn't push his belief onto others

and i knew that i could ask him a question

and get a neutral response.

the other people i would normally talk

to are either so faithful that they don't

quite understand how i can't be or

they are completely anti-mormon.

i just needed someone who could give me

something different, i didn't know what for sure.

i just knew it had to be something different.

so i asked him...i can't even remember what

for sure now.

his answer was this...i am not

the right person to talk

to about religion but i am so proud of you

for questioning things.

that's not word for word but pretty close.

now, you have to know this,

i have been dying for the approval

of my brothers for as long as

i can remember.

they are intelligent and lived outside

of utah and i have always

wanted them to think that i wasn't just some

hick from utah.

so to hear this from him was

monumental to me.

no-one else would have given me

that response and for some

reason that response gave me peace.

that is was ok for me to think differently

than those around me.

it was ok for me to question.

then came more thinking along those lines.

i will probably never be full of faith.

i don't know that i have that in me.

it's not just part of my nature.

but i like that about myself.

it's not necessarily a bad trait.

i have to learn things for myself.

my oldest is the same...it's hard to see sometimes

as a mom but i know those lessons will come

in their own time with her too.

the last 8 months i have also

been blessed with an amazing amount

of women online who are full of faith.

women from all different religions

that are connected with one great faith.

faith in heavenly father and jesus christ.

it has been a great inspiration for me.

after taking soul restoration

(which is starting tuesday again!)

i had a peace in me that i am not sure

i have ever felt.

things came into perspective.

the people in my life, my faith, my family,

the things that matter most to me.

i have grown immensely.

i still have a long way to go

and i know with my bi-polar that i will

never be completely 'fixed' emotionally but

i am starting to see things clearly and

have been able to know when things

are bi-polar and when things are me.

i have always wondered do i say

'i am bi-polar or i have bi-polar"

i am definately not defined by bi-polar.

it is one of the trials i will deal with in life.

it has brought me and my husband

compassion for those who suffer from it.

in his line of work i can't tell you how

much my struggles have helped him

help other people who are suffering.

so, back to the subject.

for some reason i had a peace after

working through 'soul restoration'.

i didn't have any more faith but knew

that it was something that i had to work

out for myself.

it didn't make me a bad person...

it just was something that was

a part of me.

one little part in a million others.

i decided that i would go back to church

as long as it was something that

i wanted in my life.

not because i felt guilty not taking my girls,

not because it was embarrassing to be

one of the only ones

on our block who didn't attend church on sunday.

not because i didn't want to let other people down.

i would go because it was something

that would help my life be better.

it has to be about me.

i know that sounds so selfish but here is the way i look at it...

if i go for any of those other reasons my faith will not grow.

i won't believe because someone else expects that from me.

i will not grow if i go for someone else.

i will only take in what is offered to me there if

i am open to receiving it.

i am that kind of person.

if you feed me something i don't want...

it'll come right back out or not sink in at all.

so...i sat out for awhile.

i let myself be ok with sitting out for awhile.

no guilt, no shame, just pondering.

i have read so many women over the last little while

talk about their amazing faith.

hopefully someday i will know without a doubt

that it's all true.

i do know this right now.

i will go because i want to go.

i will go because i feel like even if i will never

feel like it's all true without a doubt it

makes my life and the life of my family better.

i want the very best for my family and if

my girls can have the opportunity to feel

absolute faith then i want

them to have that chance.

i want for them what i can't have.

isn't that what being a mother is all about?

thanks for letting me ramble.

if you made it all the way to the end

of this long ole thing you love me

and i thank you for that!!

xo,

the view from my couch...

2011-07-24T08:00:00.001-06:00

i am so lucky...

i have one of the most beautiful couch views ever!

hope your sunday is fabulous!

xo,

this conversation...

2011-07-21T14:54:00.000-06:00

warms this mama's heart.

have a beautiful sunshiney day!

xo,

marge's clam dip...

2011-07-20T20:30:00.000-06:00

my brother-in-law's mother was named marge.

she lived in a very cool old house

on fraternity row in salt lake.

she had lots of awesome old treasures...

wonder if part of my love for all

things old comes from marge's house?!?

hmmm.

she also was an amazing cook.

lately big d has been

craving her clam dip.

i've been making it almost

every.damn.day.

have i ever mentioned that

when he starts to craving

something he will eat it until

he can no longer

stand the sight of it??

sometimes that takes

a very, very, long time.

i will never be able to eat

at panda express again.

seriously.

it is delightfully delicious though.

some ruffles with ridges,

clam dip,

and an ice cold pepsi

are a good thing.

it's a good summer lunch.

*smile*

i wanted to share the recipe with you.

hopefully it isn't a family secret...

is it ginny?

if so, sorry.

Marge Winters' Clam Dip

1 carton sour cream

3 gr. onions, finely diced

2 cans clams, rinsed and drained well

dash or two of tobasco

salt and pepper to taste

lemon juice to taste

make sure to taste with a chip though

because the chips are salty...you may not

want more salt.

happy dipping!

xo,

seeing...

2011-07-12T12:05:00.002-06:00

i love melody ross.

she is the original brave girl.

the one who came up with

~soul restoration~.

which restored my soul...

with my help, of course.

*big smile*

she had this quote on her blog

and i wanted to share it with

all my girls because i

love, love, love it.

she gets it.

she gets what being a

woman is all about.

I think one of the most loving things you can do for another

human being is to truly "SEE" them...I am not talking about

noticing their hair or their funky new shoes...I am talking about

really SEEing who she is...what she is about...

what she yearns for...what scares her...what she is made of...

what she is gifted at....what she is learning...

what she has already learned....how absolutely

heartbreakingly brilliant her spirit is.....

~melody ross

can you imagine how amazing

you would feel if you really tried to see people

for all of those things?

i know i would be a much

better person.

i think i'll try it.

xo,

grilled turkey sammies...

2011-07-08T11:15:00.000-06:00

the other day i got to

spend a couple of hours

with one of my favorite people.

she is also one of the vendors at

*fallow field farm*

and makes the most adorable

hats you've ever seen.

you'll have to come see them

when you come to the show on

september 17, 2011.

(sorry about the plug there)

*smile*

anyways i got off course

there for a moment, sorry.

we went to a lovely little

spot on main street

in pleasant grove,

a neighboring town.

it's called

~simply splendid~

and it is that.

my friend, dana, owns it

and she is adorable.

i got the yummiest sandwich!

and because i can't go eat there

everyday i made one for

myself at home.

it's not quite as good

because i can't visit with

a friend under a chandelier

outside on a quaint

small town main street

but it is tasty.

so here's how you

make it...

sliced turkey breast, i use the mesquite and it's good

muenster cheese

sliced apple...like a fuji or gala...sliced thin

mayo and mustard blended together

some kind of yummy whole wheat or seven grain bread

a little butter and a hot skillet

assemble all of your sandwich goods on that yummy bread

and grill on both sides....easy peasy and so so good.

if you can...

go visit dana

and try out some

of their yummy

goods.

and if you can't...

then whip up

one up for yourself!

have a very happy

summer day!!

xo,

a hand full of fingers...

2011-07-05T13:19:00.001-06:00

this many years ago

a little princess came into the world

for the sole purpose of stealing our hearts.

she goes by many names...

peytie poop

princess pete with smelly feet

baby peyton

and texas

but mainly she's just my baby girl.

she reminds me frequently

that she will always be my baby girl.

it was a rocky beginning...

life was a little hard for the first little bit,

both for her and us.

but my life would never

have been complete

without the princess.

she is sassy but sweet.

funny, silly, thoughtful,

beautiful, cuddly and shy.

happy birthday little mama.

you are my sunshine.

loa...

2011-06-27T20:07:00.001-06:00

for some reason i am drawn to a certain place.
i always meet women from there i love.
i think it is one of the prettiest places there is.
it's small town at it's best...
everything seems a little bit slower there.
slower is better in my book.
i got to go for a visit this past weekend and meet
one of my sweet *match.com* friends.
she was a part of a backyard boutique that got it's
inspiration from *fallow field farm marketplace*.
it was awesome!
i met some very cool women who i hope will come
be vendors for me!!
i also bought some treasures...
wanna see?
good, cuz i'm showin em to ya anyways.
*big smile*

i saw this and knew right off it was coming home with me...
i told the man we should hang it in our room cuz that's what i say when i see him. ha.
he didn't go for that...maybe.
actually i've been looking for a sign that said yum for the kitchen.

i bought this little pillow from the same amazing lady.

pretty, isn't she? love that bling!

she had so many things i could've brought home but i had to pace myself.

this lady makes super cool metal picture holders...

i saw this and knew right where it would go.

the littlest ladies room on my favorite garage sale find of the season.

i'll share that later.

i was so excited to find this!

i've been searching for just the right size basket for the bathroom

and poof! there it was.

the super cool lady who had the boutique had it for a steal.

yay!!

and last but not least...

my friend from faded prairie had too many cool things to choose from.

this bucket had just the perfect shade of green to match my coolers

and fits just right in the kitchen.

and that little chicken feeder?

i still have some thoughts floatin around about that.

this is kristin's awesome space...

i was a big dufus and forgot to take pictures.

so bummed because the yard was gorgeous and there were some cool booths.

i always do that, i swear.

not to mention that we drove down to torrey, utah

where i could have taken a million pictures.

that place is god's country and it is breathtakingly beautiful.

and they have a mean burger joint.

on the way out of town we saw this guy and bid him a fond farewell...

can't wait to see him again next year!

xo,

letting loose...

2011-06-23T00:15:00.000-06:00

photo by melinda smith

i am working my way through

soul restoration with the brave girls.

i would recommend that any woman

in the world do this online class.

it has been an amazing little journey so far.

it's made me think in ways

i haven't allowed myself to think before.

about the people in my life and who

should and shouldn't be

allowed into my soul house.

have you ever just stopped

and given a real deep thought to

who you have in your life?

what they bring to it...good or bad?

negative or positive?

do they suck the life right out of you?

or do they make you want

to be a better you.

do they encourage you

to live your hopes and dreams?

that is the biggest thing

i have learned from this class.

i don't have to allow just anyone in.

i get to choose.

that's a powerful thing.

it's been an amazing eye opener for me.

i get to choose.

and i get to be picky.

i only have to truly let in those people

who love me and want the very best for me.

amazing, really.

what are your thoughts on that?

xo,

bountiful baskets...

2011-06-19T15:15:00.000-06:00

image is from fabulous and frugal

i just realized what my last post was about.
*chuckle*
this post is about bountiful baskets...polar opposites.

so, apparently i am late coming to the party with this but
if you are also lame and didn't know about them no
worries, mate. i am here to educate.
(that totally rhymed!)

bountiful baskets is a co-op organization that is run
by volunteers. you can buy a basket each week for
$16 or if you want organic $26. they are all over
the states of utah, arizona, and i think california.
the whole idea is to bring cheap produce to you by
buying from the growers ourselves and cutting out
the middle man. sounds good, eh?

i did my first basket on saturday and wish i would
have taken a picture but i never think about these things.
i got a head of cabbage, bananas, 2 containers of black berries,
apples, cucumbers, celery, spinach, romaine, a cantaloupe, tomatoes,
and colorful little peppers, oh and plums. it was awesome!
i was worried about how i would use certain things because
cabbage isn't generally something i cook with a lot. but the
cool thing is that it will make me use things i wouldn't usually think of.

so it is cool and rainy today and i was wondering what i should
make for dinner because the man is at work..nice way to spend father's day...
and i decided that a nice pot of veggie soup would hit the spot for
me and the little ones. guess what? that cabbage fit in perfectly
with the rest of the yummy veggies in there. and i used some of
the celery in there too. added some fresh herbs from the garden. yum.
goodness in a crockpot. and added bonus, my little veggie lover has
been munching on the raw cabbage!

so, i just wanted to let you know about my new great find.
i'm excited about it and love to share things i'm excited about!!

happy father's day and sunday!
xo,

marci

question...

2011-06-13T10:38:00.000-06:00

does letting my daughter

eat doritos with

cheese melted on them

for breakfast

make me a bad mother?

oh and i wanted to share something i found while searching for a doritos image...

surfers are yummy....

don't tell big d i said that ok?

it's our secret.;D

it's the little things...

2011-06-10T11:00:00.000-06:00

a little somethin to welcome a little girlie to her room...

xo,

eggs...

2011-06-09T15:26:00.000-06:00

as my gramma dodge

used to say...

'aren't those just gargeous?'

xo,

marci

can i tell you something?

2011-06-07T23:34:00.002-06:00

sorry about the super sucky picture
i was trying to hurry and get one before the man boxed it up.

i've been making a special order

for a lady in tennessee tonight.

i love the www and the fact

that someone in cumberland gap, tn

can order a picture from someone in

lindon, ut. isn't it just cool?

when i am working i think...

random things mostly.

and this is what i was thinking

about tonight...

i have been selling things i've

made for almost 10 yrs now.

i started at craft shows...i don't even know

how many i've done but it's been a few.

*big smile*

i've sold goods at quilted bear in

midvale & ogden, utah and mesa, arizona.

my things have been sold at a shop in st. george

and my favorite little shop,

scrooge & marley's in lehi, utah

i've had an online shop for about 4 yrs now.

there are people from australia, canada, and norway

as well as from sea to shining sea who have

things that i have handmade in their homes.

women have trusted me with creating treasures

for their homes...just trusted my creativity.

but, do you know what?

every time i receive an order i am a little surprised.

every time someone buys something at a show

i get a little bit of a thrill.

and a little bit of a 'really?'.

you really like what i do enough to pay

your good hard earned money for it?

it amazes me.

it makes me feel honored that people

want something that i made in their home.

isn't that just the coolest thing?

i always envy the women who just

have the confidence to know that they

have a talent that other people would

love to pay money for.

i envy the 'i am the shiz and i know it'

attitude that some women just have.

they just know that what they do is the best.

but, i also love that i can appreciate

every sale. whether it is 1 dollar or 500.

i appreciate and get excited over every single one.

is that silly or what?

if it is...i am soo ok with that!

xo,

ahh miss maya...

2011-06-01T17:37:00.000-06:00

you win the

'brought a smile to my face'

award today.

i love my girls.

a lot.

somedays i feel like such a failure

as a mom and then i see

something like this and it makes

me think that i might be doin ok.

thank goodness for

things like this!

xo,

miss mindy smith come on down!...

2011-06-01T09:35:00.001-06:00

photo by melinda smith photography

mindy!

you won $25 to spend

at mady sunshine.

or any old way you want.

i do special orders, you know.

give-away...

2011-05-27T08:24:00.001-06:00

hey there everyone!

happy friday!!!

hop on over to *SPARK*

and try to win a $50 gift certificate

to my little *online shop*.

and to up the anty...

if you comment here too

then i will kick in another

$25 gift certificate to the shop.

if you blog or facebook about it then come

here to add another comment

and tell me.

add me to your favorites, add another comment.

you know the drill.

so that means you have three chances to win!

comment there....$50.

comment here...$25.

comment both...chance at $75.

WOOHOO!

i will draw a name on sunday at some point.

make sure to leave an email address.

XO,

maya got...

2011-05-23T17:59:00.000-06:00

GLASSES!

they are pink and a little sassy...

just perfect for a little sassy girl!

xo,

Mady Sunshine

rest in peace...

prioritize...

i am a mormon...

you HAVE to watch this...

*sparkity, spark, spark, spark*

introducing *dandelion farm girl*...

i am so excited!!!

i'm a *sparkin* it baby...

free fall printables and a fun blog...

perfect mixture...

motherhood...

a phone call...

FOLK *Give-Away*...

bus driver...

heyyy there...

the poster...

humanitarian project...

we've been...

help...

saturday mornings...

just droppin in to say...

hair cut...

duct tape shoes...

i have a dream...

the marketplace...

an irish blessing...

my new creative love...

some time with friends...

i am not...

the view from my couch...

this conversation...

marge's clam dip...

seeing...

grilled turkey sammies...

a hand full of fingers...

loa...

letting loose...

bountiful baskets...

question...

it's the little things...

eggs...

can i tell you something?

ahh miss maya...

miss mindy smith come on down!...

give-away...

maya got...

sparkity, spark, spark, spark

introducing dandelion farm girl...

i'm a sparkin it baby...

FOLK Give-Away...