Friday's Joys

from watters.com

10 joyful things in my life:

1. Sleeping in on Friday morning (hence, the time of this post).

2. A week filled with love, which included roses and chocolate covered strawberries.
The best.

3. Blue Bell's Banana Pudding Ice Cream
I was surprised that it even had the vanilla wafers in it.
Love southern banana pudding.

4. Evening drives that Kevin is so kind to take me on.

5. A clean kitchen.

6. The joy of baking (I totally got into a baking mood this week).

7. Kevin quietly sneaking around the house, cleaning it while I got some
much needed extra sleep.

8. Waffle week on Rachel Ray. I'm definitely going to be making these.

9. Hershey's Bliss Hot Chocolate in the mornings.

10. Dairy Queen hot fudge sundae.

Hope you don't mind the list of sweets,
it was just that kind of week.

from mochatini.org

10 joyful things around the web:

1. Do what you love, love what you do.

2. Surround yourself with goodness.

3. Sweet new book about food and family.

4. With swimsuits in the stores around here,
I'm totally crushing on this one.

5. Keynote address from Alt Summit. If you haven't watched it, you should.

6. Neglected dog bought on Craig List turns into Westminister Champ
after given some TLC from the new owner.

7. If you're ever in Phoenix, you must visit the Desert Botanical Garden.

8. Did you know there's one of these in Tucson?
Best pizza place EVER.

9. 15 Most Romantic Places to kiss around the world.

10. Don't hope, decide!

Happy weekend friends!
We're off to explore in Phoenix again.

Friday's Joys

           Photo by Henry Fetchman found on Garden Design     

10 joyful things in my life:

1. I am almost finished with my second week of grad school!

2. I love great customer service.

I went to Target and bought some velcro strips to hang pictures up.
I saw they were on sale and picked up some extras. When I got to the cash
register, it said different. Not wanting to make a fuss, I bought them anyway.
Still, I didn't want to feel taken advantage of, I headed over to customer service.
The sweet lady there asked me what price I saw them for and gave it to me right there.

I'll be headed back.


3. With that said, we are finally starting to hang pictures up around our house.
It really does make our rental feel like a home.


4. I'm eating Tagalong's while I write this post. It is Girl Scout cookie season
and I'm going to be stocking up.

5. My mom mailed me my cookbooks this week. So happy to have them back
and I can't wait to share some of my favorites with you.

My cookbooks are the homemade kind filled with tried and true recipes from women all
over the neighborhood that I grew up in. Priceless.

6. Oreos with yellow filling. Bright, cheery and yummy with milk.
Plus, they were on sale.

7. I'm addicted to Arizona's sunny warm days.
Sandals in February? Never happened in my life before now.

8. I attended an Alt Channel online class taught by Nicole Blach.
I plan on taking my next class from Justin Hackworth.
You should join too! The Alt classes are only $15 a class.
Trust me, it's worth it.

9. Ready for the weekend. My dad is going to be in Phoenix singing with the choir.
Can't wait!

10. Now heading out to the Tucson Farmer's Market. Here's to keeping my goal of more
fresh food and less processed.

Photo by Celine from Bonjour
10 joyful things around the web:

1. 24 pretties that you can make for your daughter for Valentine's Day.

2. DIY heart elbow patch, so sweet.

3. Gorgeous pink and gold Valentine's Day Party.

4. 5 tips on how to create blog posts that inspire others.

5. My new favorite beauty product, rosebud salve.
Did you know that it not only helps dry lips but blemishes and diaper rash too?
So amazing.

6. He gives us hope and a future.

7. E Tells Tales has a new lovely blog design.

8. Swooning over this striped dress.

9. Beautiful bokeh picture that makes me want spring to start.

10. Last minute easy Valentine's surprise for your man.

Happy Weekend Lovelies!
~Lis

Friday's Joys

On my list of joys:

+This little blog of ours is going to be having a little makeover next week.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can figure out all the html and 

remember what I learned in my web design classes.

It makes me all excited to share with you a new clean look.

Plus, update all the pages that are now outdated.

+It's Kevin's Friday off and we're heading up to Phoenix for a day trip.

+I'm excited to do this project for family and friends.

We've already picked out all the songs and they're fun and cheesy.

More on that to come.

+We're having some friends over for the weekend and I'm excited

to be making this, this, and this.

Now for around the web:

+Above all remember this:

You can buy it here.

+With the sun out here, it's time to start buying some bright spring clothes.
Loving this polka dotted dress, yellow dress and casual dress.

(I have a thing for dresses, I put one on and I automatically feel dressed up).

+I love this journal.

+Our roots really do make a difference.

+Ah, sweet honesty about motherhood.

+I love it when people create their home as a haven with children.

Alright, I'm off to go live life!

Have a wonderful weekend lovelies!
Hugs and kisses!


Poster from Laura Winslow Photography via Lil Blue Boo
and yes, it's a printable for download!

Friday's Joys

Readers, 
I decided to share what I sent out to my family and friends over
the holidays. So many of them replied asking that I place it where they
can share it with their friends too. I thought our Friday's Joys
would be a good idea since it's a big list of joys for me.
Have a wonderful weekend and see you back here on
Sunday for The Simple Things!

Dear Friends and Family,

As it has been my mother's tradition for as long as I can remember to send holiday cards out, I've decided to send my own quick e-version and not skip out on it this year.

During December, it was my last semester at the University of Utah and the busiest finals I've ever experienced. December flew by too quickly. I had a steady diet of macaroni and cheese and tomato soup with a few hours of sleep along with lots of studying and working. So you'll have to excuse me for sending an e-mail this year even though I am a big supporter of sending mail. I enjoyed so many of your cards and family pictures. There just was not enough hours in the day!

2011 was hardest year of my life with four family members passing away including my grandfather, but along with hardships come many blessings. My husband Kevin received a wonderful job offer in Tucson, AZ and in May we moved to a sweet little community of Rancho Sahuarita just south of Tucson. My favorite part is the warm weather and easy access to swimming pools, running trails, and the gym.

Then in early June, Kevin and I separated and I decided that it was best if I let him work out his issues. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do by far and headed home again to Salt Lake. 

Despite my challenges, I have decided that I am the luckiest girl ever! Why?

+I came home to my loving family. 

+I have three sweet nieces. Katelyn (6), Madeline (11 months), Aiden (2)

+Aiden sometimes woke me up in the morning with "Weesa!" Followed by "JUMP!" Meaning jump on the bed, which made me laugh every single time.

+I had the amazing opportunity to nanny cute Paislee (18 months) on the days I didn't have class. We had adventures all over Salt Lake together and could be regularly found at the library downtown.

+My heart melted every time Paislee would say, "Sa, Sa, SAA!!!" Love that girl.

+On my hardest days, someone would always call, visit, write, send a text, e-mail, etc. 

to make sure that I was okay.

+People came out of the woodworks for me. Literally. I saw friends, family, teachers, 

professors-from every stage of my life, some that I hadn't seen in years.

+I made some amazing new friends.

+I had the opportunity to serve other women who were in my same

 situation, sometimes their situations were even worse than mine.

+I volunteered at Washington Elementary as a tutor for first graders, it was wonderful 

helping them improve their reading skills.

+I accomplished several things that I've always wanted to do such as run a 5K and 10K.

+I finally decorated and donated a Christmas tree to Festival of Trees. 

What a wonderful project to help Primary Children's Hospital.

My tree "Star of Light"

+I tutored three great junior high kids. Two of them are from Haiti and I loved listening to their stories.

+I finally (yes, finally it only took seven years with a three year break) graduated with a 

B.A. in Mass Communication.

+I took a Portuguese class and and remembered how much I love Brazil.

+I have continued learning more about photography and it's definitely a favorite hobby.

+My blog has grown a lot this year. 

+I receive weekly e-mails from my younger brother Mark a.k.a Buddy who is serving his mission in the Philippines. He comes home in April and I am counting down the days.

+I have learned to stand up for myself and express what I believe.

Now, for 2012? What's next, you might ask?

I hope to become the best me!

+There will always be more coming as far as blogging goes.

+Kevin has made significant progress and I have moved back

to Tucson to work things out. I don't believe in throwing away a marriage.

We'll see what happens and I know it will work out for the best.

+I am going to start a Master's Degree in New Media Journalism.

+I hope to still have so many amazing opportunities to give and serve those around me.

May you and your family have a blessed New Year! 

Don't forget how much I appreciate you and everything that you have done for me.

Much love always,

Lis

"She turned her cant's into cans,

and her dreams into plans."

~She

P.S. I happen to love giant balloons along with a fabulous friend who loves to take 

pictures and so for my 26th birthday, we did just that. 

Friday's Joys

Let's start off with sweet baby Wrigley!
Isn't he adorable?
This picture was taken by my amazing friend Dani.

We're to the END of finals! Wahoo! 

I'm beginning to feel exhausted and wanting to start celebrating Christmas.

The photos from this week were from last minute photo shoots for my final art project.

I'm really happy how they turned out. They look even better in print.

Tip: When taking Christmas tree pictures, make sure to open 

your ISO to about 1600 or as far as it can open.

It will turn out a bit grainy but it makes the picture look like an illustration out of a book.

Last year, I did this little service project. I'm still continuing it but in a simpler way.

More to come on Monday.

Still the question remains in my thoughts,

"What shall I give to the babe in the manger?"

This week around the web:

A new magazine about Seeing the Everyday.

I'm going to eventually subscribe to this. 

A wonderful blog I happened to stumble upon.

I love the simple easy designs and felt inspired.

Definitely adding My Life as a Sugar Lander to my Google Reader!

A sweet post on Motherhood.

Now that it's the end of finals,

I'm heading here for some celebratory treats.

My professor and I were talking the other day about Christmas Cameras.

We agreed that this, this, and this would be lovely to find under the tree.

48 hour sale on sweaters and jackets at Anthro. 

Yes, please!

My mother's favorite version of The First Noel.

You can get a glimpse of my dad singing in the choir.

Hope you have a wonderful December weekend!

What are some of your plans?

Me? I'm getting together with some friends for a gift exchange later tonight

and a neighborhood Christmas party. I hope to bring this along. It looks so good.

Merry Christmas!
And just one more sweet picture of Wrigley.

A special thank you to Dani Jensen Photography. 
Linking up with E Tells Tales.

Friday's Joys

Friends, it has definitely been quite the week.

Kevin drove all the way back to Arizona on Tuesday, only to find out because we switched

cars, he was locked out. Poor guy.

Then Wednesday night, there was a terrible wind storm across Davis County, Utah. We were without power in the cold all day yesterday. Luckily, my parents have two cozy fireplaces and we hung out in the living room all morning and afternoon by the warm fire. It was actually nice to have the TV off and a little funny that my two-year-old niece Aiden, couldn't figure out why the remote wouldn't work. She kept screaming, "ELMO!" But then found out how fun it was to just play with her toys.

We were blessed that everyone was safe even though so many friends lost trees, swings sets and fences.
Luckily, those can all be replaced.

Finals are now in full swing and I'm slightly panicked.

I'm grateful that it's my last semester and that they'll be over in less than a week.

Now for the best part:

There are so many great things going on around the web.

It's just that time of year and I keep singing the Christmas Waltz.

The world is definitely falling in love (see photo above) and every song you hear seems to say,

"Merry Christmas!!!"

Let's start out with these cute mother/daughter outfit from Kayce Hughes.

My blogging friend Elizabeth has started a new shop called Iviebaby.

This Puppy Dog Plushie is to die for. 

I love the idea of displaying your holiday cards and Kirsty is the best.

Some amazing photographs of Cuba. 

This Equestrian outfit is dreamy.

Sweet Christmas Card templates. Did I mention that they're free?

Don't forget that Festival of Trees is going on this weekend!

My tree is at aisle E in the front. 

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Photo by Haley Sheffield and pinned by Danyelle
Seeing it makes me want to do a Holiday Photo shoot! 
Maybe my family will do one with me this weekend. 

Friday's Joys

I've decided that on Fridays, I'd like to make a list of JOY from the week

with some links as well that made me smile. 

She's trying to be all sneaky thinking I'm not looking.

Let's start off with this girl. She now calls me Sa. 

All I hear is "Sa, Sa, SAAA!!!"

So cute.

I am officially over the stomach flu and my family

is too. It's now gone through all eight of us.

Sigh of relief.

It's definitely time to get my craft on.

Festival of Trees is coming up the day after Thanksgiving.

Inspiration here, here and here.

I LOVE this gratitude garland. 

Thanksgiving always reminds me how lucky I am.

Classy dress.

My sister-in-law and I laughed for hours over this post.

We're going to be trying to take photos of her daughter
next week with this idea in mind.

Tonight, it's going to snow again.
Looking forward to peace and quiet, I love watching it fall.
Snow can be so magical early in the season.

I'm thankful for this time of year.
Holiday season helps put things into perspective
and it makes me grateful for what I have.

"I found the cocoa!"

"Hmmm, that taste's good."

Happy Friday lovelies!!!