Our Roadshow

"Every member in Utah liked Sundays a lot
But the Nursery leader, Sister Grinch, did not!

For she hated Sundays! The whole weekend season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason. . ."


Back in October our Stake had a roadshow. Our ward's was awesome. Matt was asked to do the scenery. Right now it is in our playroom awaiting some down-sizing. I think it turned out brilliantly and wanted to share it with you.

The show was about Sister Grinch, the grouchy nursery leader who tried to cancel Sunday. To read the whole great script, written by our talented neighbor Lisa Elzey, click here.

Wood stack art

Amazing, isn't it.


Via Studio G

Brooke and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir!

Last Sunday for us Utahans and this coming Sunday for everyone else (no snide comment inserted) I was/will be on Music and the Spoken Word with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Fortunately, I wasn't music-ing or spoken word-ing. I was just the model for the painting shown during the spoken word part. Fancy.

My friend Amy does many of the paintings for Music and the Spoken Word. You can see some of her work on Amy's Art.

Below I've included the good word that accompanied my sweet mug.

"In today’s world of mass production, handmade items are more meaningful than ever. Beyond being well-crafted, original workmanship, they can be manifestations of love, personal evidence of our care and concern.

"Think how heartwarming original drawings and less-than-perfect handwriting on a homemade card can be. Smell rolls fresh out of the oven, rather than in packages that preserve their shelf life; feel the warmth of a quilt that’s been pieced together one square at a time, hour after hour, day by day; touch the smooth finish on a handmade toy car, and you feel a connection with the person who made it. In every stitch, in every cut, in every shaping of such handiwork, is a little bit of its creator.

"A newly married woman found extra meaning in a handmade wedding gift, a blanket that had been crocheted by her elderly friend.

"Fingering the loops of yarn, the bride counted 108 blue and white squares and smiled at the thought of her friend resting the blanket across her feeble knees as she crocheted. The blanket was more than a warm covering to the young woman; it was a tangible reminder of her friend’s love.

"Whether a hand-sewn blanket or a handwritten note, such homemade items are filled with the human touch. Their mass-produced counterparts, though sometimes just as beautiful, don’t represent the same kind of time, effort, and care. Just as “the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament [showeth] his handywork,” our creations can tell of our love for those most dear to us. Sometimes, generations later, a family member or friend might still enjoy the work of our hands and think of the person who cared enough to make it."

Well, what do you think? Can I pass for a newly married woman with my 5 child body? Probably not in real life, but in the wonderful world of artistic impression and really good imagination, maybe.

The Bearded Roman

The Artist's Sister by Adolf von Menzel

I wanted to share a different and interesting blog that I occasionally visit for a bit of culture and art education.


It describes itself thus:

Bearded Roman is a blog about fine art in the classical tradition, with a special emphasis on nineteenth-century painting. It is maintained by art historian Micah Christensen, who currently lives in London.

Sarah Jane Studios - Etsy

I think these prints are absolutely adorable. They would be perfect in a little girl's nursery or bedroom, like mine!






Get them, very affordably, here.

Butterfly letters

I think the butterflies are trying to tell us something. I'm just not sure what it is yet. This poster is all pictures of butterfly wings. Awesome don't you think?


Via Design Mom

Children's art

Yeondoo Jung, a Korean artist, turned children's pictures into enchanting photographs. See them here.


Via How About Orange

Springville Museum of Art

Delish spinach and beef salad, scrumptious cheesecakes, hot and sweaty dancing to a live band, fine performing arts all in the shadow of great new art from Utah artists. What a fabulous anniversary. The Art Ball at the Springville Museum of Art is a annual event celebrating art. What a fabulous night!

My friend, Amy Hintze, entered a drawing and was accepted to the show. So we decided that we would spend a lovely night and go see her work. It was awesome. Her picture was lovely in person. There were so many beautiful pieces there. My favorite piece was actually a statue that is part of their permanent collection.
It is by Avard Tennyson Fairbanks. He has also done many church statues you may have seen. It is nude, which I generally don't endorse, but don't catagorically deny either. This figure was beautiful. It was touching. I'm sure I wouldn't have understood it before I had given birth and nursed my own four children. It is a sacred feeling for me. It connects me to God, we nourish a spirit together. This figure embodied that feeling for me. I loved it. You should check it out next time you are near Springville, Utah. I mean it.