St. Patrick's Day Tea Tags

Hey friends! Long time no see. I have been really busy this year and have really slacked off on blogging.
This year at school, I am the Faculty Social Committee co-chair. I was on the committee last year and had a lot of fun throwing a Mardi Gras luncheon (with help from my southern-grown grandma and mom). This year, as chair, I designated months to each member and have helped here and there with different activities. One of our fantastic members (and amazing school speech pathologist) got a new job :( and therefore left the month of March available for a Social Committee activity. With Parent Teacher Conferences being the second week of the year, I was feeling overwhelmed with the idea of a luncheon or activity, so I settled on a cute St. Patrick's Day gift!
I came up with this idea and looked all over the internet for a free printable (I really didn't want to have to think about it or put much work into it) but came up with nada! Lia Griffith's Mother's Day Tea Tags inspired me and I used resources I had to create my own St. Patrick's version! Luckily I had my awesome sister over to help me put them together - which was the hardest part!
I wanted to share the printable tag with you which is available by clicking the download at the end of this post. I printed onto white, trimmed, folded, and used a stapler to attach them to purchased tea bag tags! Because I didn't want to handle the tea bags excessively, I cut off a corner and pulled out a tag; then I placed one tea bag into a portable mug (from the Dollar Store) and voila! A cute, cheap, and unique St. PatTEAs day gift!
Enjoy!

 

 

click below for fonts and clip art used in this printable!

frenchy-french macarons

I don't remember when I first tasted a French macaron, but I know that when it happened, it was love at first taste. Whenever I stumble upon a bakery or treats shop that sells macarons, I'll buy at least one to try (it's really a bummer to get one that looks so pretty and tastes like the freezer because it's been shipped from somewhere else). One of the best macarons I've ever had was at Le Panier in Seattle (I mentioned it in my trip to Alaska). I forever dream about "le pistache macaron" and have yet to find another as tasty. Because of this sad but true fate, one of the goals I made on my conquer 25 list was  learn to make French macarons. 
It was so much fun to go to Caroline Drake's free demo class at a beauuuutiful model home for Destination Homes. That woman is pure talent. It was so fun to hang out with my Momma and to see the pro in action (since so many macaron recipes seem about as scary as making homemade candy). I think I might be able to actually make some macarons of my own!

temples

One of the most significant and spiritual things members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints get to do is attend the temple. In the temple we are taught, we make covenants, and we are promised blessings. We receive ordinances that enable us to live in the presence of God someday. I have always loved seeing temples in different places, but it's only been the last few years I've been able to go INSIDE temples (unfortunately the last few years have also been my least traveled years). So I made it a goal on my conquer 25 list to go to three temples I've never been to. This was a fairly simple goal to reach, since I live in a state where you can find a temple in nearly every city. Each of these temples I had visited or driven by a number of times, but never been inside. They were each so beautiful and unique, even the new ones (with some similarities) have their own special touches: Bountiful, Brigham City, Oquirrh Mountain, Mount Timpanogos, and Logan. Now my goal is to visit all of the Utah temples! 
To learn more about temples, you can visit the church website here. 

 

 

books

The first item on my conquer 25 list was to read three new books. It was the first thing that popped into my head because I really love to read. I have a hard time reading on a regular basis because when I do read, I tend to immerse myself into a book and read it all in a day or two (which requires full empty days... something most of us are short on). 

So without further ado; here are the three books I read this year with a sort of wannabe review for each, so that you'll wanna read them too.

My mom recommended (somewhat forced) The Night Circus upon me after her book club read it together. Thankfully they did or I would have missed out on a truly unique and intriguing story!

The Night Circus, written by Erin Morgenstern, is the story of a competition of sorts between two young people, which takes place over several years in an unusual circus called Le Cirque De Reves. It is only open at night and suddenly appears and then disappears in towns across the world with no warning.

Celia and Marco, the two people involved in the competition, were selected as young children with little choice in the matter and almost no indication of the competition, it’s purpose, or how it would end. They are each taught separately by their mentors (who are the ones who are truly competing) until they are around 18, when they are each instrumental in the creation of the circus, which becomes the venue for their competition unbeknownst to everyone else involved.

What I loved so much about this book was it’s ability to take me into another world. I felt as though I was there despite the fact that many of the things described were unimaginable. I read this book over the course of two days. It was a book that I was glad to read during the summer, because I truly couldn't put it down.

If you’re a fan of magic, illusion and mystery then I highly recommend picking up the Night Circus. Even if you don’t think you’ll like it, you might be surprised.

Looking for Alaska was a book that I grabbed after reading The Fault in Our Stars (both written by John Green) because I needed something to take on my trip to Alaska (coincidence). It was a good read for the trip because the flow of the book leads to easy stopping and starting points and it wasn't too long.
 Looking for Alaska is about Miles, who is a first time student at an Alabama boarding school. After making new friends at this boarding school (a few enemies too) we travel through Miles' ups and downs of making friends, growing up, falling in love, doubting, everything we all did in high school. There is an abundance of smoking, drinking, and a good bit of sex talk. The book is divided into two sections: before and after. The first heading is “one hundred thirty six days before,” so you know that the book is building up to a "Great Something".
I have to say I did like this book. I feel that John Green was able to capture young peoples emotions, uncertainties, and fumbling relationships with a certain accuracy. What I loved most about this book was Miles' obsession with last words – the final words someone says before they die and he collects them in his head. For some reason, the thought of people's last words made me curious and excited.
If you're looking for a well-written sob story, I'd say this book is for you! It's tagged as a young adult novel but be aware there is a good deal of language and sex throughout the story.

I picked up The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo on a whim at Barnes and Noble before the school year started, thinking it might be a good read aloud book. Despite it being made into a movie, I didn't know much about it and didn't expect I would love it so much.
The Tale of Despereaux begins with the birth of our hero, Despereaux: a small, big-eared mouse who lives in a castle where soup and rats are prohibited. Despereaux isn't a normal mouse: he  loves reading, listening to music, and dreams that he will be a knight in a shining armor one day. One evening, drawn to the music the king his playing for his daughter, Despereaux comes near the king and Princess Pea. He also speaks to the Princess, and promptly falls in love with her. When the Council of mice learns that he has broken the rules and spoken to a human being, they decree that he shall be sent to death: he is to be consigned to the dungeons where the evil rats will eat him alive.
In the dungeons we also meet a rat who doesn't fit in with the other rats. Chiaroscuro, nicknamed Roscuro, is a rat who craves the colour and light he is denied.
We also meet a slow, dense girl, Miggery Sow. Her mother's dead, and her father cares so little about her that he sells her to another man in exchange for a red tablecloth, a hen, and some cigarettes. Miggery Sow is slapped by her "owner" so many times that she develops cauliflower ears and loses most of her hearing. Her dream, however, is to become a princess.
The three characters paths become highly dependent upon each other and the end of the story is deliciously intertwined.
Beautifully written, this book is about love and hate, light and darkness, good and evil.
If you are looking for a fun, creative, and heartwarming story (that you can very well share with children) I would highly recommend The Tale of Despereaux. My only problem with this story was that my 3rd graders loved it so much that it was hard to find follow up read alouds that they found as intriguing.

2014

The days leading up the New Years Eve and New Year's Day itself was a time of reflection for me. Many people on social media, friends, and family expressed how wonderful the year 2013 was. While we had so many wonderful opportunities to play, travel, and love - this year was a tougher one for me emotionally, physically, and mentally on many levels. For that reason, I can't wait for 2014! I think it will be another year of big changes but I am excited for what life has in store. 

Our New Year's Eve was great! I reached my goal of making really good New Years Eve plans in advance and following through. I guess to some people they might not be really good plans, but they were to me! I wouldn't call it a party because it was too relaxed for that title but it was exactly how I wanted our night to be. Our closest friends and family came over to eat yummy food and play games; then of course we rang in 2014 with Martinelli's, kisses, and banging pots and pans.  

On New Years Eve, we printed out goal sheets for the girls to do. I really liked these sheets because they helped to narrow down my goals to wants, needs, shares, and successes. The best part was picking a word for the year. My word for 2014 is optimistic. I plan to continue with my conquer 25 until August 2nd and even reach a couple more goals too. Just a sample of what my goal sheet looks like:

I want to take a photoshop class.
I need to stay positive and remember God loves me, no matter what.  
I will share a love of learning with my students. 
I will succeed in making a healthy, delicious meal at least once a week.

littles

Rafe is a big brother!
Berkley Rae was born on December 9th. She looks just like her brother with a little added sweetness. We love her so much. It is so fun to hold her and see her little stretches and smiles, she is just an added highlight to our life!

Rafe is such a sweet nephew and we love him to pieces. There are lots of days when Steen asks what I want to do and I suggest hanging out with our nephew over going to dinner or seeing a movie. He thinks I'm silly but will sometimes humor me. Because Berkley had just been born and Rafe's birthday and Christmas fell in December, we thought it would be fun to take Rafe on a little date as a combined holiday present. We took him to Build-A-Bear and had a great time. He made a polar bear (though it was almost a rainbow bear) whom he named Chuck. He also picked out the ensemble for Chuck which made Grandpa Bill very giddy (see the Harley shirt). I love these little kiddos!

Christmas 2013

This Christmas season was so much fun! So much in fact, that I forgot to take many pictures (I do have at least one from each event). It was one of the first Christmas' that was truly free of daily distractions where I could focus on what was most important. I was blessed to get two full weeks off of work for the winter break!
My mom hosted our 3rd annual "Musser Family" Christmas party which was especially fun this year since my Grandpa Tom was in town. She had a brilliant idea to split us into teams for a grocery shopping competition where all the food purchased went to families in need. It was so much fun and a great feeling to spread love and holiday cheer. We also played the candy bar game (yum) and ate a delicious dinner.

We went to an Ugly Sweater Party with my friends from school which was a great time. I am so blessed to work with amazing people that make the good days great and the tough days bearable.

Christmas Eve was spent with Todd's family for a Christmas dinner and then the Gustafson's for a movie night! Of course, we also got our cute Christmas pajamas from J which is one of my favorite traditions.
Christmas day was a merry day spent with both families. We started out at the Green home for Christmas breakfast and opening presents from Santa and family. Then we went to the Sumsion's for more breakfast and more opening presents with family. We had a few hours to rest then had two dinners; one with my family at J's and one with Steen's family at Grandma Kathryn's.

The day after Christmas we were able to spend the evening with friends for our annual gift exchange! It was great to have everyone together for a special exchange this year. Joe was in town from LA, the Hubbard's were in town from Hawaii, and it was the last time we would be with the Jones' before they left for Texas. We had too much fun eating, sharing gifts, and playing Mafia. Things will keep changing as our families grow and move so it was nice to be together for Christmas.

 We wrapped up our holiday season by going to Grandpa Gus and Alice's house for dinner, gifts, and singing carols. The food and company were both great and we loved spending time with family we don't see very often.

We got so many goodies for Christmas but some favorites were: shoes, clothes, XBOX one, Photoshop, mini Bose speaker, and more! Even though the presents were great the best part was being with family and friends and remembering the true meaning of Christmas. This is one of my favorite videos to watch to get me into the Christmas spirit (and even though it isn't Christmas time anymore, you should watch it for warm fuzzies).

photography

11. Learn more about photography and put it to use.

This is an ongoing goal and one that I will be more able to focus on when I am not in the middle of a school year. However, I have been slowly learning more about taking and editing photos (more than I learned in my two semesters of photography classes, that is) and trying to apply them. This post covers the last three projects I took on; all different subjects and completely different shoots which made each one a challenge. Now I understand why photographers pick one focus (just families, just newborns, just portraits) because all require a refined set of skills. However, trying each is part of my learning process so here is a little sneak peek of what I've been up to. 

Dr. Romney Black, DDS and Staff

 Potter Family

My beautiful new niece Berkley

book of mormon 365

8. Read the Book of Mormon all the way through.

I have not yet reached this goal but I am going to blog about it now because I probably won't reach it by 26. I WILL REACH IT THIS YEAR. I will read the Book of Mormon all the way through and this time I will do it in a timely manner. So there is some vigor for your day. 

Something that has really helped me so far is using social media. I am one of those people who always says, "I don't have time to read scriptures, do fhe, etc." but then somehow I make time to check Instagram ten bazillion times a day. I am so grateful to whoever used Instagram as a platform to share the gospel and build testimonies because seriously how smart is this?! 

BofM365 is an Instagram profile that anyone can follow. Everyday, a new set of scriptures is posted with an accompanying thought. After reading and pondering the scriptures, followers can like and comment on the post. This has been a huge help to me because it reminds me everyday, multiple times a day (however many times I check Instagram) to read my scriptures. And guess what? I haven't missed a day yet! Thank youuuuuu BofM365! 

 

PS: You can join me on this journey! To read online or for a FREE copy of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, go to http://Mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon