Friends w/ Skillz

Aren't these great?


These bracelets were made by my freshman roommate and dear friend's little sister (who somehow became allowed to grow up, get married and have a baby - geesh).

When I first met Britta, she was the cutest 12 year old ever who baked amazing bread and came to visit us at college. She has not gotten any less cute or talented as she's matured into a wonderful missionary, student, wife and mother.

If you're impressed with Britta's mad skillz - check out her store here. Get them cheap while you still can. I'm pretty sure her creations will be hot commodities. :-)

You can also follow her fun craft blog here.

Shad Planking Redeux

Astute readers will remember my post a year ago on the annual Shad Planking and my first experience with it. It's hard to believe it's been a year already, but last week it came again.

Instead of one long day, I spent 3 long days on it this year (one to load up thousands of signs, one to put them up and one to defend them and manage volunteers). Other differences this year: two ticks, more Home Depot runs, and actually getting to eat at the "famous" Virginia Diner. Aside from the tiredness, it was a blast to be out in the sticks with the rest of the staff.

This video sums the whole thing up the best. Bonus points if you watch for the BOLLING signs and stickers along the way. :-)

Best News of 2009 - So Far

Giddy. That's what this news made me. Absolutely giddy. Sequels rarely live up to the originals, but if this one comes close, it may end up being my favorite movie ever.

http://www.nightatthemuseummovie.com/ (watch the trailer)

Night at the Museum meets my second most favorite place on earth (The Smithsonian)!

Who wants to see it at an IMAX theatre with me?

Wishing for Easter to Last One More Day

The last two days have been glorious. I spent 9 solid hours on Saturday scrubbing the kitchen, bathroom, living room and doing 5 loads of laundry. While there is work to be done in the apartment (and my car) still, spring cleaning is definitely good for the soul. Thoughts of rebirth and fresh starts are sure easier to focus on in a newly cleaned space.

Because of my travel schedule and being out of town each of the last several weekends, I opted to stay in Richmond for Easter. I hoped my family would come for the day, but Baby Sis had to work, so they stayed in L-Burg. Being with them would have been ideal, but I made the best out of the day.

First off, I awoke to my Easter Basket from the Easter Bunny. He knows me nearly better than I do ;-). Dove dark chocolate bunny, dark chocolate/almond eggs, malted milk eggs and Starburst jellybeans - all wrapped up in my 1912 antique china that has been waiting for a special occasion to be used. Thanks, Bunny!


Next, I enjoyed my usual Sunday church services. I always look forward to singing, "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" on Easter and was excited to have "All Creatures of Our God and King" as the closing hymn. It was good to see my friends in the Branch that I've been missing while traveling.

I know I spend a great deal of blog space extolling the virtues of my neighborhood, but how can I not do it again when the big "Easter on Parade" annual event happens a block away? I ventured out to experience the festivities.

Crowd shot of Richmonders milling about the "Easter on Parade"

There were street perfomersAnd fun dancers (these with scarves doing what appeared to be an

Eastern European dance - reminded me of BYU Folk Dancers)

These ones had flowing colorful ribbons flowing from their costumes,

yet the dance was with sticks and pretty manly.

And musicians in several locations along Monument Ave.

Most homes along the route decorated their house or yard in Easter themes.

I snapped only a few. Some were so creative.

The parade is known for two things, though. 1). Dogs in costume (I didn't get any photos of these) and 2). Decorated hats. I somehow felt bad taking pictures of people's hats. I didn't want them to think I was making fun of them. I guess the whole point of doing it is to get attention, so I don't know why it bothered me. Anyway, here are a couple of the gems I did manage to snap while the owners were unaware:

(You can't tell from the picture, but those are all Peeps on the underside)

After the parade, I came home to make my Easter Dinner. While preparing and cooking, I loaded up great talks on the Resurrection. I love byub.org!

Since it was just me for dinner, I got to have my favorites. Voila! Peppercorn pork tenderloin, potato, artichoke, strawberries and topped off with sparkling pear cider. Following the lead of the Easter Bunny, I also used china I don't normally break out.

I hope your weekend was as good as mine!!

An Apostle's Easter Thoughts on Christ

Separation Anxiety

I dropped Teddy off this morning to have a little "snip snip" procedure done. Since the day he came home with me, he has been at my side, on my lap, curled at my feet or trotting back to me every moment I'm home. I think my heart broke a little leaving him there in his carrier. I'm worried he'll think I left him, and heaven knows the most scared and in pain he's ever been is about to happen. Poor little guy.

While he's on my mind, I thought I'd do a little recap of our time together.

(The first time they could relax near each other. Look how little he still was)

(Drinking out of the kitchen sink. He loves water in motion: very low interest in bowls of water.

He likes things that drip, flow and sprinkle.)

(Always keeps his eyes shut if I use a flash)

(All grown up and more comfortable with each other)

(Just little 'Ol Teddy Roosevelt (formerly Humphrey Bogart and Rhett Butler))

(Soaking up the sun in the backyard last weekend)