Nussknacker

Nussknacker: According to German folklore, nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to your family and protect your home. The legend says that a nutcracker represents power and strength and serves like a trusty watch dog guarding your family from evil spirits and danger. A fierce protector, the nutcracker bares its teeth to the evil spirits and serves as the traditional messenger of good luck and goodwill.

If this is true, I'm in good hands for the holidays! 

 

 

It all started at the mall, in my teens, when I saw these three. 

I remember telling my mom "I want to start collecting nutcrackers." 

Those same three nutcrackers were under the tree on Christmas morning. 

I was ecstatic!

And then, Santa went all crazy and started leaving these on Christmas morning...

 ...real nutcrackers! The bagpipe player on the left was my first "real" nutcracker...yes, I cried like a baby. I remember my jaw dropped when I saw the price tag attached.

Year after year, I'd open my nutcracker on Christmas morning. I started recognizing the size of the box and would get the butterflies just imagining what nutcracker it would be. As I'd start opening, my family would tease "here come the tears."  I'd always cry with gratitude and excitement!!

After I got married, I was informed that the tradition wouldn't be able to continue, I totally understood! But the strangest thing now happens.  Every December, I get a knock at the door. No one is there, but a beautifully wrapped box, just the size of a nutcracker! Now that I have kiddies, there are oftentimes 3 beautifully wrapped boxes on the doorstep.

Maisy wanted her collection posted:

My nutcrackers all have a story. Here are a few:

One year our family had to give handmade presents. That year's nutcracker was 
"Cost-co Santa!"

Another year, shortly after my great grandpa passed away, my nutcracker was a total resemblance of him, down to the red cowboy hat, cowboy outfit, and horse.  I was shocked, and felt like this one was made especially for me. I love and miss my great grandpa. But I know he hangs out with us, especially in December!

This year was a treat...I'd never seen anything so authentic looking and unique as this yodeler from the high alps that dances and turns on top of a music box. 

So, a few days before Thanksgiving, we get the nutcrackers out. The kids get to spend a few days playing with them and then we decorate.

 

I'm thankful for parents who see the beauty in traditions. I had no idea how neat this collecting of nutcrackers would be, but my mom did. I love her.

Request from Mom...

This is Great Grandpa's end table that my momma inherited. She saw the desk I re-finished and wanted the same thing done for this. 

ORIGINALLY:

 CURRENTLY:

Usually if you find a piece of furniture in this condition, you paint it! Funny that I try to make it look like its had a rough life! It looks super great in my Mom and Dad's bedroom with their sea green walls and white washed wood floor. Too bad I don't have a picture of that! To see how this was done, scroll down to the desk. It's easy, really!

God Knows Us

I have been in awe of God's love for us. Over the past few weeks I have really come to understand some important truths about this existence. Over the past week, I have been amazed at how the Lord works in our lives in order to help each other in this part of our existence...life. I know we are all divinely connected and that he helps each of us through each other.  This week as I have been in close contact with a friend whose family is struggling. I am thankful for the Holy Ghost in my life. For the quiet promptings that he sends us so we can help lift and even share burdens that are placed on our brothers and sisters, because that is what we are. We are all God's children, who succeed and struggle together with love for one another, and with Jesus as our example and redeemer.

I wanted to share a couple of wonderful things that I am thankful for this week:

A Broken Vessel
Conference Talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Come, Come Ye Saints
Sung by the Tabernacle Choir in April, 2013 General Conference.

Great Grandpa's Desk

I inherited this desk years ago from an incredible cowboy, my Great Grandpa.  When he passed away, I got to have this desk, an old typewriter and one of his rodeo trophies.  This is the second time I have re-done the desk. About 17 years ago, I stripped it, re-stained it, then sealed it with wax. 

Recently, I decided it was time for another re-do. Half way thru my project (when I realized it would take several coats of paint to cover it), I remembered that I had wanted to use chalk paint on it! I had researched it a year ago and had forgotten.  So, I ran in the house and googled the homemade recipes that I had seen and I happened to have baking soda, so I used that recipe. Normally when using chalk paint, you don't have to sand or prime! I went the extra mile on this project!!


CHALK PAINT

...didn't buy Annie Sloan's, but I was happy with the results of my homemade chalk paint!

1 cup paint and 1/2 cup baking soda, mix and brush on.

 Didn't take a before pic! This is after sanding.

Rough texture of the chalk paint.

 Sand until smooth with fine sandpaper. Also sand edges for distressed look.

 Wipe on, wipe off dark stain. To show off any detail in the wood!

Wipe on, wipe off min wax to seal the deal.

 Re-attached hardware (which I spray painted).

Finished Desk!!!

Marmoleum Click

Can't wait for them to make all my favorites in the Click!! This stuff is amazing.

For any wanderers who are finding this site because you may be interested in Marmoleum...I want to share what I LOVE about it, in case it helps with your decision. I chose it not having seen it installed, and not having talked to anyone who had it installed.  The only blogs I found were from those who only had it in laundry rooms.  All I can say, is this product has exceeded my expectations and here is why:

1-The click (opposed to the sheet goods) already has a protective coating, unlike the sample you will most likely be looking at. The downside is there are only so many colors in the click. There are endless colors in the sheets or tiles. They are harder to install and take a trained installer to heat-weld the seams.
2-The finish is a matte looking finish, smooth to the touch. I had to put mats under my rugs so they don't slide. The kids have enjoyed sock-skating, and will eventually want to roller blade, but I'm not sure about that yet!
3- The installer said this is the best product he has installed for a long time...he installs floors every week.
4- He also said that the seam fits tighter than any other "click" product he has worked with. That is exactly what I wanted. In my mind, no seams=no dirt! It is hard to see the seems. The back is lined with cork, instead of putting a pad down underneath. The cork grips the sub floor and isn't moving anywhere. He had just repaired a laminate floor that pulled apart at the seam. He said that won't ever happen with this.
5- Cleaning is easy. Dust mop or vacuum and an occasional damp mop. 
6-I didn't want a set pattern. The click looks just like the sheet. Since this product is not a laminate, it all molds together like one big oil painting! 

So far, nothing has fallen or dinged the floor, so I'm not sure how that well be, but streaks from shoes come right off with a damp mop.

Great match to the existing bamboo.

Marmoleum

I want this stuff to cover every surface of my interior! But for now, I'll start with the floor!

I walked into a flooring store, looked over my options, wasn't satisfied with the million they offered. After 3 attempts to find exactly what fit my needs and style, they escorted me to the very back corner of the big showroom. Actually, it wasn't even the back corner of the main room, it was a side room that is used as an employee entryway to the warehouse!!!! 

And that is when I saw this beauty!

learn all about it here

Seriously, there were so many colors and options staring me down, I felt like it was Christmas. And then I realized how funny it was, this is basically linoleum but better and all natural and I was totally in love! I could choose anything (thank you insurance)...and I wanted MARMOLEUM!!!!!  I can't quit saying it!!! Marmoleum...

So, right now my lovely bamboo floor is gone (so bitter sweet), and my Marmoleum gets installed tomorrow!!

Life Savers

A few life savers over the past six months (and in random order, of course):

green smoothies
waking up early
prayer and scriptures
landmark, landmark, landmark
conference talks
mom
pandora radio
piano
eliptical
lance's compassion 
lives in the balance listening library
the explosive child by Dr. Greene
NAET: nambudripad's allergy elimination technique
melatonin
family foot massages
temple

Random August

Girls Camp. Boondocks. Bronson Reunion. Byron's 67th at Lagoon. Crazy Catapult. Cowabunga Bay. Sully. Zoo. Drive-in Movie. Connie's 67th. School. Oscarson Get-to-gether.

 Non-stop Crazy!!

 Water Games at Porcupine Dam

 Sully comes to stay

 Waiting to get pounded!

 Faking sleep before the movie even started!

 Mom's B-day cake with caramel icing...oh man!

 Zoo...

 Monkeys!

 All set for school...Fashion!

Diving off the board in Stansbury.

July Flew By...

wk 1, Fiddlin' for the 4th of July. Good job Maisy Daisy.
wk 2, Said goodbye to Tommy the Scottie Dog and bought bunnies.
wk 3, Xand goes to Robotics Camp. We see Lindsey Stirling in concert.
wk 4, Summer highlight: Moonpools reunion/benefit show in LA!

 Tommy!

 Bunnies

Robotics

Lindsey Concert

American Girl, LA

Sound Check

The Show

San Clemente

Summer has begun...welcome June!

Week one: lagoon everyday but one, and that day, the theater (Ephraim's Rescue).
Week two: camping, art show, backyard movie, annual trip to the SLC arts festival.
Week three (still to come): scout camp, cheer camp, 15 year anniversary, Goblin Valley and Slot Canyon.
And that wraps up the month of June!

Camping at Camperworld in Coalville, Utah:

RAW Art Show that Lance was in. Paper sculpture steampunk art:

And one of his motorcycle seats was there on the bike that another artist was showing in his exhibit: