Spirituality and An Innocent Nature

This morning on Marta Writes, Marta posted about a leaf gathering trip with her little boy. She says,

"we worked together collecting leaves the other afternoon. benji works energetically at whatever task is at hand. i now see what is meant when the scriptures urge us to become like a little child; full hearted and fully present. complete and true. loving and wholly trusting. forgiving and forgetting. cheerful and ever optimistic. good to the core. i am striving to become more childlike. having one as my sidekick helps me see life's important details more clearly."

I didn't get far beyond that paragraph because I started to contemplate and see something very clearly in my brain...It is so wonderful to watch young children because they are exactly as she describes. It's so wonderful to have them so willing a trusting and loving. I LOVE the early to middle childhood stages of development.

And then they grow in to teenagers.

Oh my land. Have you been around teenagers? Tried to work with them? Raise them? Do ya remember being one like it was yesterday? How many of us look back and remember our know-it-all status?

It occurs to me that as adults, we spiritually possess either the willing nature of a child or the reluctant attitude of a teenager. Our learning is enhanced when we are open, trusting and full of love for the Savior. We all have experience with this. We all most likely have those profound moments because we have also been in that teenage place -- I can do it myself. I already know that. I want to do it my way. I don't have to follow those rules. I'll get around to it. Stubborn, independent, rebellious, procrastinating, prideful. I think being a mature adult has a lot to do with recognizing the humility needed for us to learn and progress, and allowing that humility to be present.

I love these 'lightbulb moments' in my life that inspire me do just a little bit better.

The Veil Is Thin

This last week has been a bit of a slumper for me. I slip into a low mood now and then, and it's always frustrating. I attribute it to genetics and hormones, and I try to deal the best that I can. It's not quite depression, but during this period, I don't care about much and have little energy. I know that it will eventually pass and that I'll have tons of productive energy, so I try to endure and have patience. Today I was feeling kind of low and not really looking forward to another low day. I took a nap, drug myself to voice lessons, and then I started to perk up.

I wanted to get to the store to buy flour so that I could whip up a better batch of cupcakes.

I wanted to make homemade chocolate chip cookies for my girls' lunches.

I wanted to make egg salad for lunch. Ooo, and add some diced up dill pickles.

While contemplating (and being profusely thankful for my change in mood and energy), I realized that all of the things that I was wanting to do were things my mom did. She was an extraordinary baker and her cookies were divine. She also loved pickles in her egg salad.

I suddenly wondered if my mom knew I was having a hard time? Could the veil between this life and the next be that thin? Could she be helping me out? She knew depression, and although she wasn't able to do much nurturing during her turn here, I couldn't help thinking that I was being nurtured in a time of need.

This might sound nutty, but I know that there are tender mercies bestowed by the Lord in our lives every day. Why not this? Whatever it was, I am full of gratitude for the energy I felt today...for remembering my mom...and for the similar talents I inherited that enabled me to create some pretty yummy creations this afternoon.

Me and my mom at Disneyland, 1969

Golden Vanilla Cupcakes

We actually did break out the cupcake recipes on Sunday. Heather whipped up the Golden Vanilla Cupcakes. They were looking good...

until we tasted them. The consistency was biscuit-like and tasted more of egg than sugar. Heather and I decided right then and there that we are THROUGH with our Cupcake Deck. I keep pushing another week here and another week there, but I haven't had a scrumptious cupcake from that book in WEEKS. Enough!

This little yummy was waiting patiently on my shelf. I bought it a few weeks ago at Sam's. I cracked it open today and went right to the vanilla cupcakes. Heather wanted vanilla, so vanilla it was! I whipped them up while she was at school.


As you can see, they are a bit fluffier than the duds from Sunday. Quite yummy too. I made a batch of frosting, also from the Celebrating Cupcakes. Tomorrow I will take a bite with the frosting, and deliver a few. I feel much better now. I cannot bear to give away anymore less than worthy delectables! Oooo, and isn't that cake stand marvelous??? Thank you LeAnn!!!

Photographing Architecture

Heather's friend, Grace, had a photography assignment this past weekend. She invited Heather to go along on the photo shoot. Heather took her own camera, and I thought she did some good work. Too bad the CF card wasn't pushed in all the way. She was only able to take about 15 photos which was unfortunate. I chose a few of my favorites, all from a local high school. Can't wait to see how Grace's assignment comes out!

Costume Time

My girls usually decide well before October what they will be for Halloween. I came across these cute photos from when they were little. Look how cute...

And then, when Heather was old enough to choose, everything became "undead". It's been that way ever since. Last year, she was the servant of Hades. It wouldn't be funny except that she's the sweetest thing ever, and a total fraidy cat. This was her 3rd grade vampire year.

Do you have your costumes picked out yet?

Maria V. Snyder

My first ever book signing back in May of 2008 was for Stephanie Meyer's, The Host. Since it was my first signing, I didn't know what to expect, and I believed that the crowd of 1,000 or so (screaming) fans was normal.

When I attended my second book signing for Shannon Hale I expected long entry lines, no photos, a book signing limit, just a second to say hi, etc. I was pleasantly surprised at that signing to sit in the first row, have a photo taken, get all my books signed, and have a few minutes to chat (gush) with the author (squeee!).

On Saturday, my friend, Sheryl, and I drove down to San Diego to meet Maria V. Snyder. Her Study Series, Glass Series and newer YA novel, Inside Out, have been some of my absolute favorite stories. I hoped for the Shannon Hale type experience, and we were not disappointed. Maria is one of my favorite authors who I have gotten to chat with a couple of times on-line and through email. I didn't know she was coming to CA, and we were so excited to meet her.

The book store was small, and the gathering intimate. Maria spoke about her work for several minutes, and then we each had a few moments with her while she signed our books. She is very down-to-earth and, as many authors are, very appreciative of her fans.

A bonus for the day was the six hours of uninterrupted "girl time" with my friend, Sheryl. We had so much fun. As soon as I got home, I put my newly signed copies of my books back on my shelf. I guess this means I'll need some more lender copies. These copies have been moved to "treasure" status (tee-hee).

Disneyland With Friends

Disneyland is always a blast, but with a friend it's double the fun. My friend, Michelle, and I took Caleb and Heather on Friday afternoon to spend the evening at Disneyland. It was tons of fun. Jenna and Kelly joined us later, and the fun continued. We're so glad when fun evenings like these are possible!