Reasons Why Today is Special

Today is special because the view through the three-story glass atrium at work, of the whole valley in one sweeping vista, was crystal clear and pristine in amazing shades of blue and white and gray.

Today is special because I had a great talk with my roommate Cassaundra about some of the challenges we've faced or are facing and it made me feel closer to her and also refreshed my soul.

Today is special because I got to play miniature golf in the church with my friends Jamie and Mary and Chad and we all enjoyed each other's company.

Today is special because after our Relief Society lesson on service, taken from President Monson's conference talk in October, I'm reinstating my service journal to keep a daily record of things I do for others.

Today is special because it's bubble wrap appreciation day.

Today is special because all days are special and full of wonderful things, but today is extra special because a new temple was announced today for Payson, Utah, making the first temple between Provo and Manti.

Making a house a home

I've been eager to get the last touches done in my new room so it really feels complete. I spent a good chunk of the day today on some muslin curtains- I didn't even have to buy the material. My mother bequeathed a huge plastic tub of fabric from her basement to me a couple of months ago, so when I decided I wanted muslin curtains I went digging through the tub in case there was something in there that would work. Lo and behold, there was! just enough nice white muslin to complete the curtains. They were a little smaller than I would have liked and I'm still contemplating if I want to add a nice blue strip near the bottom or not, but I was very pleased by what the curtains did for the ambiance of the room. My predecessor, Meagan, is a nurse who sometimes works nights and sleeps all day, so there were thick black curtains covering the windows when I moved in. I rather like the white muslin better, methinks.

Here's a taste of what my almost completed room looks like. The only thing missing is a very long bed ruffle to cover the boxes under my bed, but I didn't have enough muslin for that and I didn't feel like using any of the crazy floral prints in the tub o' fabric. I'm rather pleased with the general effect- it feels nice and open and friendly and it feels like it fits my personality, too:






Outside of my cozy room, my favorite feature of the house is the built-in planter boxes, which are currently holding some of my paperwhite flowers. I just planted some wild tulip bulbs in there today, so hopefully the timing will work out nicely and the tulips will be looking good when the paperwhites are done blooming:



These things just started blooming today and it's been an excellent mid-winter pick-me-up for all of us already.



I also like how my bookcase looks nestled in the upstairs living room next to the fireplace.



We are very much an open-door kind of place- you should stop by!

The Amazon is calling my name . . .

Brazil. Late Summer/Early Autumn. Hiking through the rainforest. Boating down the Amazon. Who's in?

Family Photo!

This is the group that I celebrated the holidays with. My entire immediate-but-quickly-extending family. I'm pretty lucky to have such a great group of people to be related to- and good-looking, I might add. (Also, Michael, I would like to point out that this picture provides clear evidence that you need to grow a couple more inches before you're taller than me- but I have no doubt you'll achieve that this year, never fear.)