Genealogy Work

I recently decided to get involved more fully with my genealogy. It's something our Church not only recommends but encourages us mightily to do. Even our young men and women, with their technological skills far exceeding most of their parents and most certainly their grandparents (present company excluded—ME!), are being asked, encouraged and instructed to do some genealogy. Since I have genealogists on both sides of my family they've done a great deal of it for me, so all I have to do is get it into my own genealogy program on my Mac.

My father's side of my family doesn't want to give me anything because I'm LDS, but one cousin in Wyoming has been more than willing to share. He's been a sweetheart and sent me a lot of stuff. My problem has been finding a genealogy program for Mac that will sync with newFamilySearch. So I've been testing out 2 genealogy software programs, both Mac programs. I'm liking one over the other much better because it's got a beautiful, elegant interface and is much more user-friendly. Remember, I'm new at this so user-friendly is important. Plus the owner has given me a key to use free for 30 days to see if it is compatible with newFamilySearch. And he's available to help me with questions about syncing with the Church.

So I joined their forum to chat with other users. Immediately I get slammed for doing temple work for my ancestors. I never in my life experienced any prejudice before joining the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints—LDS or Mormon Church are common names for it. In the forum I suggested an option that would be beneficial to members of the Church. (Every programmer likes and welcomes ideas for improvements to their software applications. I've even been asked to be a Beta tester for Apple!! But I refused since I didn't think Apple was ready for me and my humor.) Immediately 2 women objected to it. I was going to respond but I decided to take the high road and not get into a contentious argument on a forum. I did receive a post, and subsequently an email, from one woman who lives in Israel and she wants to go forward without rancor and I agree with her. She and I are of "like mind" on this issue and I'm hoping to become her friend in all this. It's about doing genealogy after all, not causing contention. I've been involved with many forums and have never had a problem until now. But it was not nice. I'm just going to continue as if nothing happened as I seek their help with working on my own genealogy. And besides, I'm a very positive and not a nasty person. ;-)
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So now let's look at some beautiful photos.

I think this little tree could be used for Easter or Valentine's Day or a birthday party just as well as Christmas. I think it's darling.

The view, bloggers, just look at that view!

This could quite possibly be that cabin in the Catskills but I don't know. No matter, it's still gorgeous.

Quite cute for storing kitchen stuff but it could also be a place for craft supplies.

Dream...I like the idea of a beautiful sheet behind the headboard.

I found this little dress on etsy but when I went back to purchase one for Miss Caroline, I could not find it. I was so disappointed. I searched and searched there but nothing came up even remotely as cute as these little dresses. And yes, I checked my history. Just couldn't find it.

Cute bathroom probably somewhere in England.

Aren't these adorable? Probably Cath Kidston but I don't know.

Yeah, yeah, we all want one of these. I know, I know.

This looks like a loft in a big city from the view out the window. Otherwise, I'd say it was in Texas.

We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart.
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I Saw These Fantastic Cakes!

Sitting here helping direct people to the department they want to help them with their family history gives me some time to surf and blog. I found the most gorgeous cakes to show you. Some are so amazing I couldn't believe they were actually cakes. Here are just some I'll share with you today.

I found this one absolutely stunning. It's the kind I'd like if I ever ordered one.

Can you even believe this is a cake and entirely edible? The whole thing, even the flower!!!

Almost majestic.

Stunningly elegant.

Yep, this is all edible also.

The amount of time and detail in this one must have taken a very long time.

I can't remember what kind of cake this is but I'm thinking pumpkin caramel.

Yeah, it is a pumpkin cake. Darling, huh?! Oh, the pomegranate and cinnamon are just for color. It had nothing to do with the ingredients of the cake. Can we say 'photo shoots'??

There are several more to come later. I don't want to give you too much of a sugar high all at once. ;-)
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Castles, Cottages and Roses for Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Welcome to Cielo's Show Off Your Cottage Monday. I like participating but these are not photos of my cottage, a very humble home in Idaho, but filled with love. I'll try and get some vignettes from around my home for next week but I'm redoing the office and that's taking a bit of time at the moment. I just thought I'd show you some people's castles and cottages. Click on the logo below to visit other participants. Enjoy.

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When we went to Ireland in the mid-80s I saw enough castles to last me a lifetime. Ireland is FULL of castles. I love them, but they are very, very cold inside. Ireland is a rather cool country and very rainy. It's a relatively small country with 6 million people. California has about 15,000,000 people alone, so you can imagine how small it is. But it's a very beautiful and friendly country. You would not enjoy living in those castles though.

Isn't this cute? What a clever idea for a party.

Not a castle but a rather delightful home of someone.

"Someone's" castle.

Each woman's and man's home is their castle. Tiny but adorable.

A tropical castle.

Staircase to a castle bedroom? :-) Sure looks majestic to me.

Two of the most gorgeous bottles I've ever seen. I just had to share this with you.

Castle on the water. What a view.
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No one wants advice - only corroboration.
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Coffee Filter Pompoms

Do you ever get caught up in what you should do, what you are expected to do, what you want to do and whirl about until you're just sobbing? That was me the other night.

I'm not sure why; maybe it was just melancholy. Hubs had to go out to a meeting and I was crafting for the first time in a very long time. When crafting I usually think a lot about life, not particularly about the craft I'm doing. So the sobs just hit me...BOOM!

You would think at my age life would be uneventful and easy but it rarely is for anyone actually, at any time. We're all pulled in several different directions at any given time in our lives. I'm the same as you, blogger chicks.

So after painting these little hanging lanterns I decided to put some coffee filters that I had dyed pink—various shades of pink—to some use. I have several hundred of them hanging in the craft room on a string. And it took a LOT of coffee filter! I still have a lot left though so I'll be making a tutorial on the roses I make from them to send to a woman who wants to learn. I'll post it on here at some point so you can make them also. They are easy, trust me.

Here I am just starting to glue them to the lantern.


It doesn't look like I've put many more on in this photo but I have. It's "filter" intensive; believe me.

Looking more like what I'm wanting in this photo.

Here is the completed lantern. Since I dyed these with red food coloring and the filters are very absorbent, there are many different shades of pink. Plus these are the round scalloped filters but when subjected to the dye water they aren't ruffled anymore. Next time I'll use them straight from the package, white and scalloped. It will definitely be a different effect but this is what I had at the moment and it is acceptable to me.

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Birdhouses, Roses and a Very Loving Friend

Well, I had to call this post something and it does have roses and a birdhouse or two in it. ;-)

A friend came over the other day and we talked and got to know each other better, and I learned she had a Down's Syndrome sister. I have another friend who has a Down's Syndrome child and there's a story in that.

Several years ago when she was pregnant with her 4th child, they suspected she was carrying a child with Down's. I'd never seen her so devastated and bleak because she was naturally a very upbeat and happy person. She was a very close friend and when I talked to her that day she just wanted to be left alone to grieve with her family. I also grieved for her. Her husband was totally devastated. But when "K" was born she wasn't Down's. Now, if anyone could have handled it, she could have. She is the most loving mother I have ever encountered in my life. She loves being a wife and mother. She was relieved though.

Then a few years later when she was pregnant with her 5th child, a girl, she was told that that child was definitely Down's. I think the Lord prepared her for it with the 4th child. "J" is Down's but not severely and can function well and goes to school. But she has blessed that family significantly. I know my friend would never have aborted that child or any child for that matter. We don't believe in abortion in our Church.

Before I joined the Church and became a Christian I believed everyone should make the choice for themselves but I don't know what I would have done if I had been presented with that situation. I still don't know what I would have done then, but I know that now there is no way I could abort a child. I have a family member who did make the decision and she told me at the time,"Don't ever believe it doesn't hurt." I never criticized her decision. I just know I could not kill a baby. But when I see the joy and blessings "J" has brought to my friend's family it tugs at my heart knowing there are people like that—loving, kind and faithful that in the next life the child will be without Down's. Just remembering the story makes me blubber like a...well, like a child, to actually know someone with that much love in their heart. To know this woman is to actually see Christ-like love in action. It is a privilege to call her a good friend.
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These little metal red and white polka items just make me smile, especially with some red roses and pink flowers tucked in the coffee pot.

I am still hoping to have a porch swing someday.

I've never seen a turquoise roof and wonder where this might be.

Hubby and I were at Albertsons store the other night to pick up a prescription and when we walked into the store it smelled of hyacinths, lilacs and roses. I was tempted to buy one of their pots of hyacinths but I didn't. I just may go back and buy some.

Just another beautiful spot to relax and dream.

Sigh...

See, there is another birdhouse in the background here.

French, oh yeah, definitely French!

And 2 more birdhouses here. ;-)

We are all gifted; that is our inheritance.
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