Silences, part 1

The other night, on the PBS special on Zora Neale Hurston:

"There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside of you."

**************************************-- Zora Neale Hurston

To be continued.

Pumpkin bread for royalty

Before leaving the nest, I made a little recipe book for myself from my mother's recipes.  One of the fine recipes I took with me to college was for pumpkin bread.  I have no idea if it was hers alone or whether she got it from someone else.  I would not be surprised if it came from my Grandma Belle.  My version has only one tweak to it from the original: CHOCOLATE CHIPS!  We all know chocolate makes the world go 'round.  Since making this slight recipe adjustment, I have become known far and wide as the Pumpkin Bread Queen.  After all, Mark says they serve it in Heaven.  Alas, the Queen will share her recipe.


Pumpkin Bread For Royalty (Because It Has Chocolate Chips)

4 eggs
3 c. sugar
1 c. oil
2 c. pumpkin puree
2/3 c. water
3 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. chocolate chips

Mix eggs, sugar and oil in mixer on low.  Add water and pumpkin.  In separate bowl, sift dry ingredients together.  Slowly add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture.  Add chocolate chips.  Bake in greased/floured pans at 350F for about an hour.  (I do 30 minutes for mini-loaf pans.)

And if you are at all wondering about that awesome cutting board, it was made for me by Grandma Belle's big brother, Maurice, who is still alive and somewhere around 90 years old.  Love that man :)
Me with Great Uncle Maurice, Oct. '09

Mood Indigo



Cloud cover and rain surely are to blame for this mood I'm in today.  Now...I didn't say blue.  Indigo.  Its less emo to me.  Indigo is the color on the electromagnetic spectrum between 420 and 450 nm in wavelength.  Its a little blue, but its also a little purple -  plush and regal.  Its not blue-- it doesn't need a pick me up, its Indigo. All it needs is some rich and soulful Ella.





And while we're at it, how about some visual Indigo soul....

http://www.brighton.virtualmuseum.info/exhibitions/indigo.asp

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkgBQZT-ilIJw7Hl5RUJ8N-bMKVyGDt4HVNXp-0pWN7e1A1jKcOjlenSm221Is61BC-chOXPmwRxiIvqi_NthD_DzpBoh7Ot-sorPQgOLrBHthTAIQfIs-hwZPwDaQWNo7vesUc9xpGJC/s1600-h/etsy+absoluut+that+mood+indigo+pillow.jpg
http://www.globe-trotterltd.com/main.html

Toy Story 3 Movie Pictures

Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Rex, Slinky Dog, Hamm, Mr. Potato Head, Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl




Meet my Magical Friend and Mommy Entrepreneur, Kathy Dalton!

It am of the opinion that anyone who can de-stinkify a stinky baby is magical beyond description!  Meet Kathy, a dear friend  I met in college who has with her savvy, some mad entrepreneurial skillz, and a great team launched a great business and product I am happy to recommend!  

Its called a de-stinkifying baby-butt spray (or anything else that may need an olfactory lift.) Her product is everything I would hope it would be...made in the USA, made with all natural and organic ingredients, and even comes in 100% recyclable packaging!  AND its pediatrician and dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, and of course, smells great.  


Try it out and let me know what you think!  You can purchase this great product online at http://www.littlestinkerusa.com/.  Watch for other upcoming products from this great company, such as Little Stinker Natural Nursing Balm.  


Go Kathy!  And hooray for good smells! 


(Become a fan of Little Stinker on Facebook or follow on Twitter!)

I Wanna Be Awesome and Don't Tell Me I'm Huge (I already know)

Here is some sharing of the heart that I so value in others and struggle mightily to do myself.  I am a bit inexperienced at it, so go easy.  ;)


Just like everyone else, I wanna be awesome.  I think there are varying degrees of this sentiment... To me, it means I want to 1. See Goal  2. Attempt goal and  3. Achieve some respectable semblance of said goal.  Here is my current goal.


1.  Produce J&S baby number 4.
2.  Attempted last year sometime (hehe)
3.  Baby will debut on, around, but likely before, May 16th.


Great!  Well on the way!  Its just that this whole incubation thing is super tough for me.  I have a hunch this is pretty universal for all preggos.  We want to do a lot (even though the above goal IS a lot!)  We are used to doing a lot.  (Previous kids, hobbies, work, goals.) And alas, there comes a point in pregnancy when we just cannot do a lot.  (Except for baking cookies and sweet bread which only exacerbates the problem!  Come on by if you want some cookies.)


Trust me, there is no shortage of things to do.  I have an enormous mess right here of unfinished projects from that quilt to these piles of keepsakes to be put in books, cleaning etc... PLUS I guess this is my year to be in charge of our production of Handel's Messiah, which is big this time cuz its the 25th year!  I was asked to direct the stake choir in April and also to perform at a local event in May.  Guess what! I'm just a girl who can't say no!  Oh yeah, and I already have three boys.  And though I do have anxiety about these things with another baby coming, I seem to love having a full plate.


Speaking of full, here is my real beef of the day.


Tell me how you would take this:

"Hey Stacey!  You're due any time now, right!?"
"No.  Not until May 16th."
"OH!" (walks away with a stunned face)


I take it as an innocent comment that stings a bit.  Me and my full bellied self hear this almost every time I go out in public lately!  Trust me, I am not a hater and I have even heard myself say similar things to women.  But seriously, the frequency that I am hearing this is starting to make me not want to do anything or see anyone.  But lonely is not a fun option either.


This last Sunday, I did something I have never done before.  I asked to be released from a church calling.  I have been conducting the sacrament meeting music for almost three years now.  Since my burgeoning belly has arrived, I have received MANY comments, both welcome and unwelcome.  The latter has been very frequent lately and I am having a tough time keeping it together.  I don't want to be on weekly display for my ward any more as I grow this baby.  


So.  Reader.  (singular.  hey sis!)  Lets be aware of this type of thing.  Ogling someone's belly and declaring that they look ready to pop or any version of the comment is likely to make that person go home and cry.  


I need a cookie.  


Note:  Since writing this post, I decided to forgo directing the stake choir this year.  Something about standing with my backside to hundreds of people while nine-months pregnant just doesn't sit well...

Photos From How To Train Your Dragon




Look hair styles

Short hair styles are now on all the models. They went from long hair in the 90's and early 2000's to these slightly modified 1980's type styles. Maybe you like hair styles with bangs. I love them. There is definitely something new here. Look at the color approaches that are used in these styles. Sure, we did colors in the 1980's, but it was blue or something. Now the short styles are often coupled with awesome hair color mixes of blond and brown. Some highlights of red are also used frequently. It's just so awesome how these women look!


http://imagesme.net/beautyhairstyles/kellie-pickler-hair-style-at-CMA-music-festival1.jpg

http://www.curly-hair-styles-magazine.com/images/curly-short-43.jpg

http://www.hairdohairstyles.com/images/Short_Hairstyle30.jpg

http://www.hji.co.uk/hjimages/images/qhs10/hji/medium/2006-short-bob.jpg

good she hair style

When we talk of short hairstyles for black women, Hally Berry is one Celebrity that first comes to mind. She has short thick hair.
There are certain hair types which are renowned for holding short hair beautifully. Thin and fine hair for example is able to pull off short hair as it seems to fill out the shorter it gets and therefore giving the impression of thicker and better looking hair.

http://www.hairstylestalk.com/images/black-hair-style.jpg

http://www.shorthairstylecuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/red-bob-hair.jpg

http://hairstyles.free-beauty-tips.glam.com/images/short21.jpg

Best hair style

This year it is time to go short. And no we are not talking about the skirts at all! Leave aside the skirts or the hemline of the dresses, this autumn it is time to sport a short yet stunning hairstyle.

Yes, short looks are back again. And if you are one of those fashion conscious divas, it is high time that you visit your hairstylist and get yourself a short yet a sleek look.

It is well established that changing the hairstyle is one of the greatest way to get an image makeover. Be it showing off a new wardrobe or highlighting your weight loss, getting a real short hairstyle will surely set it off by adding a new verve and vibrancy to y

http://www.catbirdseat.org/catbirdseat/22.jpg

http://www.hairdohairstyles.com/images/Short_Hairstyle44.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g63/emoheadbanger924/keira-knightley-short-hair-photos-0.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOpy0zAkzkjmscGWxyDCo-j8OuXgVUvKAbhvlPhD-UWM1zIkXUL9-ytBU-4cHGxXgetr6GEuXyDDVcNPltvIIUucsJpxlX3EuqOJULD9C18gBr4KmfDBHXq-MvmehjFwH4kzI5XHczNWJ/s400/2006-short-hair-style-pictures-11.jpg

sunday hair style

If you are looking to change your hair style and go from long to short, you need to be careful as not all styles go with specific face shapes. When you are looking for a short hair style, there is no turning back. You cannot change it again until it grows out so you have to be sure you are not picking the wrong style. Here are a few helpful tips for each face shape and what style of short hair will fit you best.Round faces are probably the most difficult for short hair to work with. If you have a round face, you want to try to elongate the look and that is very difficult with short hair. Ideally, your hair should at the very least be slightly longer than your chin. That being the case, you may want to go with a longer bob look. You will however want to avoid a cut that is too straight or too curly. Try adding some soft waves just past your ear level for the best effect.
A square shaped face is best for the spiky look. You will want do downplay your jaw line and this cut will do that. You will want to avoid bobs and bangs at all costs because these styles of hair cuts will actually enhance the square shape of your face that you are trying to get away from.

http://www.shorthair-styles.org/pics/hairstyles1/ShortHairstyles2.jpg

http://www.imagecows.com/uploads/ba8a-Rihanna.jpg

New hit hair style woman

This prom take that short hair cut and give it some body. Stack it, blow it and you'll have a hair style that will litterally stand out.
Short hair styles are not just the 'new' look. They represent a broad variety of choices and how a particular style will look on you isn't always easy to know. A good place to start is our gallery, where we have over 150 photos of models featuring short hairstyles. Once you've found a few styles you like, you can give yourself a virtual makeover to be sure you've found the right one for you.

http://www.shorthair-styles.org/pics/hairstyles1/ShortHairstyles1.jpg

http://bringthebeauty.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/female-boyish-short-hair-style.217115146_std.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUh4TpDf_tDkHeqQndnV4Qdb36VEm8tX9xK1Wq6vJwQf33Upifdamz1d-w9fAhbR5rHEkaYdTW6jYVgRYmJonkVSGwDZeYPAYL1pandnznTUGUBhJS5TgVm4G-Tb_QvwvOUXS_5LULxo/s400/short_sedu_Hair.jpg

Asian short Hairstyles

Short hairstyles have been making a comeback with celebrities such as Rihanna and Posh Spice wearing it to great effect. Both of these celebrities have wear a different distinctive style.Rihanna's hairstyle can be considered as straight sleek while Posh Spice wears a unique kind of angular bob hairstyle known as the Posh Bob or “Pob” for short.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUMy9nihS8yD1GsvVhI7ud8xzdm2VCtuAsGWUd0dQWofVPEg3tW_8yrYFzeye0VnJDSbemQSs3WfqvGG-K2vxPhcH1XnLHCPD1XSR-Zo5I1lqLq1KAu-NDIUpnsZ3uWoRPlK-_nkMvv4/s1600/trendy+short+black+hairstyle.jpg

http://trendyshorthairstyles.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/trendy-short-hairstyle-330x497.jpg

Same cute short hairstyle

Short hairstyles have been making a comeback with celebrities such as Rihanna and Posh Spice wearing it to great effect. Both of these celebrities have wear a different distinctive style.
Rihanna's hairstyle can be considered as straight sleek while Posh Spice wears a unique kind of angular bob hairstyle known as the Posh Bob or “Pob” for short.


https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvJ_dVZwES8mx4CYXuzczAonqtonGe9YuYvfMFCSIrDrpV_O8TFZGwBGujjekZ7NwbqSYnfSSaInW6U0XiwancEBHE_3atXF3teP7da3DyDklw3Z15VqU46mb63rk1b8KcKk8Db8CIThX/s400/Rihanna+Short+Hair+-+Pixie+Cut.jpg

http://www.emo-styles.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/short-emo-hairstyle.jpg

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:OmRyysQuRejIaM:http://www.phijhe.com/wp-content/hairstyle/2009/02/cute-short-hairstyle.jpg

Ash Wednesday

Teach us to care and not to care
Teach us to sit still


**********T.S. Eliot, "Ash Wednesday"




For the full text of the poem, click here.

Where it's at...



I am so in love with this random piece that I saw it in one of my dreams recently.  How amazing would it look over my very rustic looking fireplace?  
Ohhhh yeah.

Every time I see it the same song pops into my head- " Beck's "Where It's At.

You can find this awesome sign at Urban Outfitters.

Lets put it this way. I have a crazy love for the melding of disparate worlds, for example this modern/vintage marquee sign over a slab of hewn timber. What seemingly non-coordinating things do you love?? I will post more examples when I can. :)