christmas time is the best time

- happy 80th birthday, grandpa t

- getting mommy hugs

- being snowed in

- a visit from santa

- family time

- winter walks
- snowmobiling

- babies

the happenings

this semester is over! [cue hallelujah chorus]

to celebrate, you can read about our girl's night up to temple square from these two buddies of mine: ahlin & sarah.  here are some of fritz's shots.

i love sweet potato fries!

currently i am up in snowy midway.  it's magical, for lack of a better word. we're hanging out with family, including this lovely cousin of mine and her two adorable twins.  [emmerson really likes me]

Christmas Countdown Finale pt 2

merry christmas everyone.







have a wonderful day. spread the love.

Christmas Countdown Finale pt 1

one day 'til christmas!

4.07

here's a bit of james taylor:

4.06

another classic. this week is full of classics.

4.05

go Elvis!

4.04

this is one of my favorites.

A Christmas Thought

here's a little thought for today:

there is enough rage and hate in this world. the only way to stop this is through love. you cannot fight fire with fire. you have to extinguish fire with water. so, extinguish rage with love.

"i heard the bells on christmas day
their old familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet the words repeat
of peace on earth, good will to men.

"i thought how, as the day had come,
the belfries of all christendom
had rolled along th'unbroken song
of peace on earth good will to men.

"and in despair i bowed my head:
'there is no peace on earth,' i said,
'for hate is storng and mocks the song
of peace on earth good will to men.'

then pealed the bells more loud and deap:
'God is not dead nor does He sleep;
the worng shall fail, the right prevail,
with peace on earth good will to men.'

till, ringing, singing, on its way,
the world revolved from night to day,
a voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
of peace on earth, good will to men!"

- Henry Wadsworth Longsfellow (one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs.)

photo from here.

4.03

thank you sufjan for putting these on your christmas album.

4.02

let's not forget how amazing these people were to be worthy to be Christ's parents. These songs really make me want to watch the Nativity, especially the second.

4.01 part 2

sorry, i just found this and couldn't wait to post it.

laugh your mouth off.... got it?

Week #4

one week to christmas! ONE WEEK!!!!

now we get down to what the real meaning of christmas is. what is it all about? Christ. As simple as that. This is "Back to the Basics."

A Little Bit of Magic

Yesterday, my mother and I went shopping down by Notting Hill. We were on this super charming street. Everything was so lovely, then at lunch in a darling store/cafe, it started snowing. It snowed huge, fluffy, white flakes of snow. It was so yummy. I immediately started kicking myself for not having Fritz with me. But my mom had her iPhone, so I snapped a couple of photos with that. (so sorry the quality is terrible.)





The highlight of the shopping trip was our stop in TOAST. I once said that my dream job would be to work at the London Anthropologie. I lied. My dream job is to work at TOAST. We walk in, and the are playing the Traveling Wilburies, then a little bit of Simon and Garfunkel, you know, my music. I was touching EVERYTHING, wishing that I could wear mustard and that my wallet would somehow be full of 100 quid notes. Alas, my wishes could not come true, and I had to sit there and watch my mom buy items that I have only dreamed of. Tears. Seriously, tears. However, my mom did get the TOAST cookbook for my stocking. The sales clerk told us that their office party cooked some of the things out of the book, and they were delicious. (How lovely is that? An office party with homemade flapjacks and some cool cocktail with Bailey's and champagne? Yum.)

3.07

dear santa:



x leslie

3.06

this song will make you cry. If it doesn't, you have no heart. i cry whenever i listen to it. no joke, i was on the tube, listening to it, and i had to wipe a tear away. some guy looked at me like i was crazy. it was great.

Christmas Thought

For a great quote on the Christmas season, go here.

thanks ahlin for sharing.

photo of my christmas tree taken by fritz

3.05

i just discovered this song, and i really like it, even if the singers have really odd hair...

share christmas!



ps: happy birthday ruthie dear!

A Christmas Thought

Last night was my church's Christmas Broadcast where the leaders and prophets gave little spiritual thoughts, thoughts to bring us closer to Christ this season. I had some great thoughts after these great messages. You can listen or view the broadcast, which I really recommend if you haven't already.

The central theme of the program was "Spread the Love." During this Christmas Season, we should be centered on spreading love, and trying to find Christ in our lives.

It can be so easy to be stressed or distracted by the commercial side of Christmas, or to be frustrated that others distress the meaning of Christmas with whatever. If you feel like this, President Monson's message will be the one for you.

He shared a beautiful story, that I call "The Story of Gate 67." It is such a sweet, touching story. I felt my entire body got chills, and I teared up- so much so that they spilled out. I won't re-tell it, because I wouldn't do it justice, just listen to President Monson's message.

I will paraphrase the strong message from the story. I hope it helps us all feel the Christmas Spirit this week: "Hostility and frustration can all disolve into a glow when there is an act of love among strangers."

Remember that, and spread the love.

ps: i know that a few days back, the link for the Crosby/Bowie song was messed up. it's all fixed now, so you can go back and listen to it. it is one of my favorite christmas songs, and bing is just so adorable!

3.04

"i wanna re-learn what i already know!"