Happiness

Happiness

Monday, March 24, 2014

Yesterday in Relief Society our teacher had each of us express something that made us happy. It didn't have to be anything large or extravagant, but something that could easily be overlooked by others. This made me think about all the things in this world that bring a smile to my face or that makes me realize how I blessed I really am.

• Finding a gorgeous fabric
• A new tube of toothpaste
• Finishing an amazing book
• The Golden Hour, especially if I have my camera on me
• New stamps in my passport
• A new haircut
• The first signs of spring
• A glorious hike
• Warm weather and an open sunroof 
• Clean sheets
• Laying on the warm cement after a swim
• The sound of waves crashing on the shore
• Beautiful typography 
• The last bowl of cereal in the bag
• The first time I see my family when I get off the plane for break
• The smell of baked goods at Aunt Kris's house
• When a movie quote perfectly fits a situation
• Quotes of any kind really 
• Long road trips

My list could go on and on. There's so much to smile about in this world! Make your own list :) You'll be smiling for days. 

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crafting

crafting

Monday, March 17, 2014

I love my sewing machine. I wish I had more time to spend using it, but I can't just make zillions of pillows for myself. I would run out of room...and fabric. To fill my creative void, I made heating pads this Saturday. Heating pads are so useful. Achey back? Heating pack. Cold toes? Heating pack. Don't want to get into bed because your sheets are cold? Heating pack. 

I didn't want to make just one so I made one for each of my roommates too. They're so easy! Here's what you'll need:

• 1/2 yard of fabric (this makes five)
• 5 cups of rice (for one)
• Dried herbs (I used spearmint and lavender) 

First, cut the fabric into five long rectangles of equal width. Take one strip, fold it in half (hamburger-style) and iron a line into the fabric. This will make cutting the fabric so much easier. After cutting the fabric, place the two pieces together so the 'right' sides are facing each other. Sew these pieces together, leaving a small space on one side open to fill with the rice and herbs. Trim the extra fabric off the sides to remove some of the bulk. Turn this 'pillow' inside-out.

You're now ready to fill with rice! I mixed the herbs and rice together in my Pyrex glass before I put into my bag. A little bit of the herbs go a long way. I used a small spoonful of each and it's still pretty potent, so air on the light side. Fill the bag up about 3/4 of the way. After you're finished filling the bag, take a needle and thread and hand sew the small opening closed and you're done! Microwave anywhere from 3-5 minutes and you're good to go!

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worry

worry

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Worry me,

Worry my,

Worry, worry, worry,

...why?

comments: 2

oslo bound

oslo bound

Thursday, March 13, 2014

It's official! I am going to Oslo! This whole trip to Oxford didn't seem real until I had actually bought a plane ticket. It just finally hit me yesterday: I am going to Europe! The first stop is going to be Norway. 

Just as with Amsterdam, I have been researching like crazy! I think that is all I did yesterday after I finished up all my "to-do" list things. There is so much in this city!! I love art and Oslo is just filled with little galleries and museums. There is a whole park of sculptures that you're allowed to climb all over. I've just started compiling a short list, but here's what I've got so far:

• National Gallery 
• Vigelandsparken
• Det Kongelige Slott (the Royal Palace)
• Oslo Cathedral (I'm a sucker for churches)
• Sognsvann Lake
• The Viking Ship Museum
• Oscarhall Summer Palace
• Botanical Garden
• Frank Znort Quartet 
• Oslo Theatre Museum 

Any other suggestions?

---

Oslo Link Love:

Amazing National Geographic article here.

 Great blog posts here and here.

Catchall post here.

comments: 0

pretty paper

pretty paper

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

I am a sucker for pretty things: pretty pictures, pretty linens, pretty clothes, pretty music. You name it and I love it. This love extends to pretty paper. I love stationary of all sorts: illustrated, embossed, white, colorful. I have more journals than I can count, each with a different feel. 

With my upcoming trip I feel the 'need' to get a new journal. Maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to buy more pretty paper, but then you can never have enough. Here are some options--tell me what you think!

comments: 2