Flower Headbands and Barrettes . . .

My Young Womens class was in charge of our activity last night and for weeks now the girls in YW have been asking me to teach them to make flower barrettes and headbands . . . so last night we finally got out the glue guns, ribbons, feathers, beads, and material and went to work!
I wish that I had brought my camera to take pictures of the girls creations . . . but it didn't happen . . . so all I have is what I made . . . before and after the activity.
The girls did a great job and we made (and cleaned up) quite a mess! I have plenty of leftover stuff if anyone feels inspired and wants to make something!
Some of the flowers I made are pretty big and will most likely end up as pins and who knows what else . . . . I love the headbands! The feathers are vavoom, vavoom . . . plus some of the headbands are animal print! It was way fun! Our YW rock!

Travel, Crafts, Goods, and Tunes . . .

We in the Liechty home finally succumbed to using the infamous ocean breeze blue paint and brown glaze to do a few projects with . . . a wreath wall hanging and 3 picture frames with the family proclamation, the articles of faith, and the ten virtues. So I guess we feel pretty hip . . . or something. Actually almost every time Toph comes home our walls and furniture have been changed somehow . . . poor guy . . . just can't keep up with his wife's crafts and "flips." We are trying to go through all of our "storage stuff" . . .that is the stuff at our home . . . not all the goods at my parents house still . . . we continually get rid of stuff, just about as fast as new comes in. Our office officially looks like an office now . . . as for the guest room (currently named "the mess") it is progressing.We managed a quick trip up to Logan last weekend for our nieces baptism and I was pretty pumped to have my Westlife CD arrive in the mail in time for our road trip. Toph was not as excited as I was to listen to their kickin' tunes, but I figured I more than made up for it listening to his choice of the AC/DC Iron Man 2 soundtrack . . . lovely dear, but the boy melted my heart playing Uncle Kracker's new CD . . . love the song "Smile!" Anywho we had a great trip! Thanks NLC! (Northern Liechty Clan) for the good times! Love you guys! AND if you haven't heard of Westlife check them out. They are from Ireland and I LOVE their tunes! (I am sure that my sisters will like them!)A few weeks ago Toph won an official world cup soccer ball online . . . along with a load of other goodies . . . including an Addidas gift card and a case of powerade . . . so that is pretty exciting for us lowly college kids! Other than that we look forward to Halloween and am loving this amazing fall weather. I promise to do a post this week on the Open Pantry kiddles . . . it will happen!

Day off = Cleaning and Crafting

I won't lie . . . I have been in my pajamas all day and it has been wonderful! It has been a while since I have had a day to get caught up with no outside demands for the day. I got SOOO much done! I have had all the Harry Potter movies going all day while I have worked and crafted and cleaned and decluttered and reorganized etc . . . and it has been SOOO nice! I have no idea why I hang on to some things . . . like boxes . . . as in boxes for picture frames, figurines, candles, all sorts of things . . . I had an entire closet FILLED with boxes and I finally got rid of them and am oogling the space left behind . . . I think I was saving them for when we move . . . but they were pointless for the most part . . . so Toph will be thrilled . . . also this week I made banana cupcakes with Nutella frosting . . . so my freezer is now filled with frosted goodness of the remaining cupcakes after sending a plate home with Chris' buddy for he and his roommates. . . so if you need a cupcake and have no nut allergies come on by anytime!
Also I got a little crafting done . . . a mirror that I LOVE and some letters that needed a little vamping . . . good day overall!
Nutella Frosting

1 small jar Nutella
1 stick Butter, softened
1/2 tsp Vanilla
4-5 cups Powder Sugar
2-3 Tbsp Milk

Fudgy Style

Melt the butter and beat together with the nutella, add vanilla, powder sugar and milk until desired consistency is reached. (This frosting thickens more as it cools, so hang back on the powder sugar a bit at first)

Buttercream Style

Cream together the butter and nutella, add the vanilla, powder sugar and milk until desired consistency is reached.

I can . . . therefore I am!

I need this sign in my house!!! This week I have been canning like crazy! I ordered a basket of veggies/fruit from bountiful baskets along with a case of mango's . . . thus there was a plethora of goods to utilize to make jams, salsa, jelly, etc from. Now added to our jars from last year are mango-raspberry jam, which I made with my Beehives this week (um, the best stuff ever!), mango jam, nectarine mustard, salsa, mango salsa, and cinnamon plum jelly. Stop by and take a jar or two!!! We also have apple butter, apple sauce, canned cherries (yeah no idea what I am going to do with them, but they are in my favorite jars and look nice . . .), strawberry-rhubarb jam, and I am sure that I have forgotten a thing or two. . . The peach butter I made last year went fast, as has the sweet onion jelly (although there is one still sitting patiently on my parents counter). I think I can handle another round or two. I want to make chow-chow and chili sauce still . . . but need good tomatoes . . . so we will see what else ends up in our pantry! Needless to say I LOVE canning!

Daymakers . . .

Reading "Undaunted" by Gerald Lund . . . and boom . . . my Great-Great-Great Grandfather (C.J) Christopher Jones Arthur is in it . . . as himself . . . he was made the bishop of Cedar City in 1877, became a Patriarch in 1893 and was the 4th Mayor of Cedar City . . . my grandmother in the picture is the lady seated with the child on her lap, Jane Condie Arthur.

The past few weeks I have been hit big time with the family history bug!

The other day I found my Great-Great-Great Grandpa Fredrickson's death certificate and was able to connect him to his parents (and a long line of ancestors already connected) and our family! The hard part will be finding all of the info from Denmark . . . it is a live and learn experience all the way and is so much fun to do! I LOVE finding more stories and info about our ancestors!!!

*Okay I had to add to this after my cousin Amy (congrats on expecting by the way!!!) commented about the above photo . . . SUU has quite a few pictures of Grandpa Arthur and of other Parry family members . . . I am going this week to see about getting copies . . . will be happy to share!

Summer is almost over . . . but we had fun!!!

Can it be that summer is almost over once again??? NOOOOO!!! We in the Liechty home are not ready to surrender to the demands of school (well I'm not . . . Toph is going year round and hasn't had the luxury of a break . . . sorry luv) and the gray, wet, cold, snowy, slippery days of winter! The little bits of stress seeping in caused me to have a craft attack today . . . as you can see . . .
We have had some great times this summer though . . . so I don't feel inclined to sit here whine but rather remember the awesome times that we have had . . .

Christensen Family Reunion:
Last weeks family reunion left me with only 1 misquito bite this year (!!!), no bears attacked us, we were thoroughly entertained by the Christensen clan and I even felt like I was 12 again when crashing through the woods at night playing "Ghosts in the Graveyard" with my awesome cousins!!! (How anyone escaped being gored by branches or running into trees is a miracle!) My faith in my mothers abilities on a 4 wheeler while climbing VERY steep, muddy, and rocky trails has shot sky high (and kudos to Erin too who followed us making things that turned my stomach in knots look easy to blaze over!)
Toph proved to be quite the clay pigeon thrower and we had fun shooting, fishing, chatting, riding horses (NOT ME!), fourwheelers, food, etc. We also talked about our family history and I was able to translate (hopefully correctly) some of my aunts geneology from German for her.
I know everyone wanted to see Grandma's before and after mountain glamour shots . . . so enjoy!

(Just a reminder . . . I still vote for the handcart trek next year peeps!) I have been doing geneology research and finding so many awesome stories and pictures of my ancestors . . . I am determined to keep searching and trace our lines as far back as I can . . . it is just awesome learning about your ancestors and feeling such a strong connection!!! I have started binders for each side of our fam and will share the info that I find as I go fam!
Today Toph and I went and saw "Dinner for Shmucks" . . . funny but it had some less than desirable stuff in it . . . When I got home I just felt like crafting . . . crafting . . . crafting . . . here are a few things . . .

This L is screaming for a little more love . . . we will see what I find this week . . .

Yeah I saw the pattern for this 3-D star wreath and had to make one . . . even though nothing in my house is blue like this . . . Bran if baby Dylan wants this for his nursery it is yours . . . this photo really doesn't do it justice . . . you are the only one I could think of with blue in a room in your house . . . anywho anyone else wants it . . . it is yours . . . it took me way to long to cut, fold, and glue these stars to rid myself of it . . . it really is cute!
The picture on the top of this entry was a plaque redo over a saying that I hated . . . I like it and the fact that it has one of my favorite engagement pics, red, and damask just makes it nearer and dearer to my heart. I have more crafts that I pulled out and have been working on . . . although many will only see the light of day again when they are eventually hung in our kids rooms . . . someday . . . anywho we are screaming to have one more event that will get us out of the house before we are tied down for the fall (for the most part) . . . Zion has free access next Saturday if anyone would be interested in a picnic!!! Let me know kiddles! Okay I need to finish my prepping for my YW lesson tomorrow . . . but I need to share a message that gave me a much needed boost this week . . . check it out here.

24th of July Parade . . . our ward float!

We had fun celebrating the 24th of July this year by gathering for breakfast with friends and family before settling in to watch the parade!
This year our Stake President wanted all of the wards to do a float . . . and ours rocked the house!I am ueber proud of the Young Men and Young Women who participated! You are all awesome!!! I was more than thrilled to cheer you on! We seriously have an awesome ward and the Young Women are just over the top amazing!

Girls Camp 2010

The folds of the American Flag

I found this on the net and thought that it was too good not to share . . . Happy Independence day!
-The first fold of the flag is a symbol of life.
-The second fold of the flag is a symbol of the people's belief in the eternal life.
-The third fold of the flag is made in honor and remembrance of the Veteran departing ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.
-The fourth fold of the flag represents the people's weaker nature. For as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him the people turn to in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
-The fifth fold of the flag is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decauter, “Our country, in dealing with the other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong."
-The sixth fold of the flag is for where people's hearts lie. It is with hearts that people pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
-The seventh fold of the flag is a tribute to the Armed Forces, for it is through them that the people protect the country and flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of the Republic.
-The eighth fold of the flag is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that people might see the light of day, and to honor one's mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
-The ninth fold of the flag is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion the character of the men and women who have made the country great molded.
-The tenth fold of the flag is a tribute to father, for he too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of the country since he or she was first born.
-The eleventh fold of the flag, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
-The twelfth fold of the flag, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
-Upon the thirteenth and final fold of the flag, the stars are uppermost in remembrance of the United States' national motto, “In God We Trust.”

Wanted: Spring

I went on a field trip with my Utah Geography class last week and we did a little exploring . . . here are a few pics . . . now if only the weather was like that today!!! Lund: I really like this picture!
Dinosaur tracks in the Parowan gap . . . Yes Utah is an exciting place kids!

Utah's Unique Mormon Culture

This is a video that I made for my education technology class . . . yes I know that my voice sounds drab la . . . la. . . la . . . I just wanted to get it done after working on it FOREVER!!! Anywho . . . after this much work I had to share . . .

Day makers . . .

Day Makers

-Walking across campus under an umbrella of pine trees glistening with raindrops
-The amazing smell right after it rains
-Mom and Erin coming up and hanging out (awesome!)
-Watching "Iron Eagle" and remembering what a great soundtrack it has
-My house smells like cake!!! (I am making a wedding cake)
-YW activity last night, making bracelets with my Beehives and listening to them go on and on about boys!!!
-Taking those boy crazy girls to the DQ afterwards
-The fact that it is not snowing right now!
-Getting pictures of the nieces and nephews texted to me
-Actually getting out of bed when my alarm went off today
-The way that Emma's cake base turned out! (Great idea Mom and Velv . . . it looks awesome!!!)
If anyone is desperately bored and needs to get away for a bit you are more than welcome to come by Thursday and hang out while I fondant and decorate 4 tiers of chocolately cake goodness . . .

Finals are OVER!!! Pillow re-vamp . . .

Sweet Caroline Finals are OVER!!! Bittersweet for me . . . especially since I was so pumped for my math test AND the front side of my 5x7 card proved useless . . . since the test covered basically everything that I was less than confidant about . . . anywho at this point I just want to graduate and be done with school! What I really want to do now is paint something . . . I am just in a crafty mood . . . happens when I get super stressed. Oh . . . day maker. . . Toph picked me up after my final and had a dozen roses, a cherry coke zero, peanut butter M&M's, and tropical Mike and Ikes waiting on the front seat. I have such a sweet hubby!!!So anywho I gave our living room throw pillows a makeover. They turned out fun and were a hayload of work (they are even cuter in person!!!) . . . but they calmed my nerves a bit and now I told Toph we need to go thrift store shopping and find something to paint red . . . yeah he is not too thrilled with the idea . . . but check this sight out and tell me that you are not inspired to re-vamp something!!! Tonight we went on a hot date and saw "Old Dogs" = FUNNY, chowed down at Chili's and watched Julie and Julia. Toph stayed awake through the whole thing!!! Miracle of miracles! Watch out because now I just want to cook! Fudge must be made sometime!

The COLD is coming!

It is supposed to get COLD here this week!!! As in enjoy the last "nice" day of sunshine and pleasant temps before the winter gray rolls in and brings with it slushy slippery sidewalks, piles of heavy wet snow, having to leave for anything 15 minutes earlier to make it on time and alive, and jeans that are muddy and soaked along the cuffs and up the legs! I believe that is what I just so look forward to each winter . . . . wet, dirty pant legs, no . . . no . . . correction= having wet dirty pant legs while trudging across campus sliding on ice and feeling like a wet dog while looking worse! Oh winter! Welcome again, come on in . . . bring on the gray!On a lighter note we did manage to make it up the mountain once more before the roads turn into slip and slides, and finally made it to the livestock parade for the first time and watched the sheep scamper down mainstreet! Quite exciting!

It makes me want to . . .

Okay kids! I was studying like crazy for a test tomorrow . . . needed a break and got hooked on watching a certain amazing interior decorating show . . . and then my brain started thinking faster (in this case yes this did happen) and I began imagining projects to do one day!

I get a little "to Wanda" in me sometimes and want to pull everything off my walls and rearrange everything, this usually happens when Toph is watching the game, or at midnight and I just get in the mood for a change . . . I am afraid that this may one day escalate when we own a home and Toph will come home to find me hacking tile off of our fireplace: to re tile/stone it, tearing up carpet: for tile or hardwood, moving furniture: to paint, or who knows what else!

Whenever I see all of the new styles and colors of tile, especially the little cubes that are all taped together waiting to become a kitchen back splash or surround a fireplace I especially want to do something! Some of the designs are kind of "edgy" . . . and it makes me want a black (or brown) and white cowhide looking chair, or to gather multi colored bottles, vases and jars and create an amazing shelf display . . . one day . . . until then I am content scouting out more pillows, having a red (yes I said red . . . oh yes edgy indeed) end table in my living room, and simply dreaming of the day when I put up multicolored metallic looking glass tiles as a kitchen back splash. (of course by then I am sure that a whole new image while spring up in my mind . . .) Until then I am sure that my husband will grimace a bit at the visions that I share and smile while hoping that my sanity returns soon! Just think Toph . . . we'll be like Sean Thornton and Mary Kate Danaher . . . only instead of planting roses we will be laying tile! What a dream!

What a week!

Is it really Tuesday?
This last week I was a bit too lazy on a few things and OCD about others . . . pretty normal I guess . . . I think I kicked my Hebrew Test in the tush yesterday . . . and made a super yummy chicken salad for dinner and had fun hanging out with Toph . . . so yes Monday was good . . . moving on to Tuesday . . . hit the alarm clock and had to rush to class after waking up late . . . I think one of the guys in my class never fully woke up this morning and was snoozing away on the second row for at least an hours worth of class! My Professor even commented on it . . . I would be mortified! He finally woke up when everyone was leaving! Why even come to class if you are going to be so disrespectful and why choose a seat up front to boot? Menschenskinder peeps! This shirt applies to the boy through and through!
Fall is definitely rolling in! The mountains look amazing and it is supposed to be FREEZING tomorrow! (fun, fun!) I decided to pull out our halloween decorations today and feel all festive now! (I am slacking this year on holiday decor . . . I took down my easter wreath only a month ago and am usually on the ball with holidays!) I LOVE Halloween! I love making spooky treats . . . pots of delish chili and drinking hot cider!
I just finished designing Ima-Lou's cake and will be tickled pink if I can pull it off! We will see! Everyone just have the best day ever!

Birthday cake and cookbook excitment!

Toph and I were super excited to bust away for a few days and head up to Nibley to celebrate Grandma Liechty's 80th birthday! It was super fun and I was super excited to make a birthday cake for such a spunky, sweet lady!It was fun to see family and chill with our northern clan a bit . . . including making a Sunday drive around the valley and visiting Martin Harris' grave site and the surrounding towns. We also finally made it to the famous Angie's for breakfast where Grandpa Brownie used to go everyday! Great food and great place kiddles! We recommend it! Most of you already have heard (most likely from my mom . . . ;) that I have the first recipe in the new Worldwide Ward Christmas Cookbook! It was a fun surprise since I had no idea that they had chosen one of my recipes! Heads up everyone you too can send in a recipe!!! Go for it! Hope everyone has a wonderful week! I loved the message below . . . check it out for a gospel hug!