Sweet Nothings

BJ's Cherries

There are so many wonderful blogs to read out here in cyberspace. I try to limit the ones I read because honestly, I could sit at this computer all day long. But time and good sense and balance all negate that idea so I try to be selective. Every once in awhile I change it up a little and add a new one to my list and today I want to share a great one with you. This blog is written by a really lovely lady named Jean...she goes by BJ.

There are so many things I love about her blog here are just a few. Her blog is so colorful. She changes things up often and her music is different just about everyday. She keeps her music thingy at the top of her blog sidebar for easy access if you want to switch hers off and listen to your own music. But I rarely do on her blog because I love to see how her music fits her posts so I turn mine off instead while visiting.

BJ loves to set a pretty table and enjoys cooking and posts a lot of fun recipes. I have decided I am a recipe junky...I love to read them and save them. Now I just have to get to actually making the delectable offerings I find on the internet one of these days. {{Retirement...26 more days!}}

BJ also has a very generous offer on her blog that allows you the use of anything you want from her blog. How often do we see that around the blogsphere? I have never seen it actually and I find it so refreshing and kind. And she takes lovely photos like these that just make me happy!

I loved this post yesterday about hanging out her linens in the bright sunshine. She takes the simple things and makes them special and she is a really fun lady! So stop on over for a visit with BJ. You'll be glad you did! You'll find her here!

Ahh, Cherries~It must be spring!

BJ has perfected the art of homemaking with a flair!

Thank you for the lovely photos and inspiration, BJ!

I ♥ Photo Mosiacs & Easter Eye Candy

I discovered this lovely blog by Cindy while surfing the blogshere (Thanks Nellie!) Everything on her blog is scrumptious including this lovely mosaic she made! Wow! I love it and have added her to my blogroll! Stop by and enjoy! Some people just get it! Cindy is one of them!

Now This is Exciting!

If you visit my blog on a regular basis you know that my life has been crazy for the past six months. Well, probably longer~ but I have let those stresses slip away! Well, today I will be done with the Stake Women's Conference presentation that has been nestling in my mind for months now. All seems to be ready, and my new blog on beginning blogging is officially launching today.

magicmemorymaking.blogspot.com This blog is still small but it is an attempt to help people interested in beginning to blog their life stories or special interest blogs get started. It is an electronic handout for my presentation. There is a button on my blog sidebar featuring this lovely blogger:


By clicking on it you will be taken directly to the blog anytime you want. So I am excited to be at least at a resting point on this project, although it will be ongoing, if interest persists in the idea. Especially if bloggers comment/ask questions and it becomes interactive.

So bathroom done...Check
Project done............Check
Tax Prep..................Next Up
Breathe....................After That!

So all those things are great but here is my really big exciting news!

The response from all of you on the bathroom post has overwhelmed me. Thank you so much for all your sweet comments. You are truly my friends. When you work so hard on something it is nice to have people love it! You are all welcome to come over, lock the door and have a nice relaxing bath whenever you want! In fact the guest room is nearby so stay awhile!

And this is the really really exciting thing for me...

Melissa Michaels from The Inspired Room linked to my post on her blog!! If you follow the link and scroll down to #6 you will see it! This is a big deal to me because I adore her blog, her decorating and design sense is over the top impeccable, and she has a huge following and I am stunned that she would do this! It is very humbling and exciting. She is the publishing editor I have worked under at Blissfully Domestic (my post for them on Guest Rooms to further entice you to come for a visit.)

This has made for a really lovely way to start the day!
If you see a big flash of light..it is me grinning!

Itty Bitty Soap Works

My sweet friend, Caroline Craven, has started her own company! If you are looking for something awesome to give a friend or family member look no further! Caroline has created some beautiful, healthy, handmade soaps that sound good enough to eat and she is selling them online here. I am sure their scent is divine and cannot wait until my package arrives. Seriously, I went through her list and had to stop when I had already purchased 5 bars and wasn't to the end yet. She has some wonderful Christmas scents that cannot be resisted! They would make fabulous stocking stuffers too! I can just see a big apothecary jar full of these beautiful soaps in my "coming soon" new bathroom!


I have posted this link as a permanent fixture on my blog so I can go back anytime I want and order more. Their appeal will be all year long for me! While she is working on a button, it will be at the bottom of my blog. You'll see her Itty Bitty Soap Works logo, you can't miss it...don't you just love the name of her company? Her lovely creations will be coming to you from Idaho! Place an order soon and please tell her I sent you! Enjoy and pamper yourself and others with Caroline's Vegan Soaps today.

I highly recommend them!

Geraniums in Cement

I saw this fun photo on this new blog I am really enjoying about the city of Edinburgh. Margaret said that this photo has apparently been floating around the Internet but I had not seen and just love it. I am not sure where this photo was taken.

I ♥ and adore this picture!

This just says so much to me about women and how we love flowers and how we create good environments to lift our spirits even when surround by cement. I just love these little old ladies amidst their beloved geraniums, whomever they are. It makes me long for Europe and the simple pleasures of life. It speaks volumes about finding joy in just simply being a woman. We all love beauty and the joy of friends gathering together to chat about the day. Although you cannot enlarge it I bet that if we could do a close-up examination of the photo...they are wearing 'sensible shoes.' Don't you think? European women are so amazing! They seem to know how to just BE! I find it pretty refreshing actually!

We have a particular love for Edinburgh because our daughter was a missionary there, and then returned to live there with her husband, Lowell, and also become a mother. Little Piper was born in Scotland so we have made a few trips to Edinburgh. We would love to serve a mission there someday if we could choose. You should check out Margaret's view of of Edinburgh @ the link posted above. It is great! What a beautiful and exciting city!

(IN)Courage

There is a wonderful new site called (In)Courage that I am thoroughly enjoying and it is so inspiring I wanted to share it with you today. This is what their header on the blog looks like and I am sharing it because I think their slogan sums up beautifully what the blog to designed to do.

Take Hope To Heart

This blog is written by a group of Christian women who share many of the same experiences we all have as we struggle through our daily lives trying to do it all and be all things to all people. One of the things I love about this site is that they publish just one article a day giving you time to read it and think about the lessons within. All the posts I have read focus on encouragement and real issues faced by real women.

One of my favorite blog authors as I have shared numerous times is Melissa Michaels from The Inspired Room. This is Melissa's article today on (In)Courage. I found it so timely and inspiring and above all encouraging. Try it, you'll like it!

My New Blog

I have started a blog for and about the Special Kids we call our grandkids! It is kind of an experiment and another attempt at trying to keep the family close from a distance. It is an open blog and you are welcome to read it if you like and comments are welcome too. Maybe this will give some other grandparents some ideas too. Also any ideas you have of things to include would be appreciated. It is always a challenge when states and continents divide you but I am trying to find the way.

The Blog is called Gramma and You and can be found here. Feedback welcome and appreciated.