A VERY COMFORTABLE SPOT

If I can remember correctly we are suppose to blog about a cozy spot that we love. I am so excited to visit everyone. Everybody is so amazingly talented.
Mine might not be what you expect but believe me when I tell you that this truly is a most comfortable and comforting spot for me. The foundation that I serve with is called Todos Los Ninos, this means All the children. We recently helped build a new orphanage in Cuenca Ecuador. The first time I traveled to Ecuador my purpose was to see how I could help the children that would be living in the new orphanage. There were about 10 children that had been placed in our new orphanage "Los Pequnetos", and 40 more would be welcome. We had rented a couple of rooms in one of the other orphanages while the new building was built.
During my stay I visited 8 different orphanages and I visited about 300 children. All of them had brown eyes and dark hair. All of them were as in need as the 10 that had been placed in Los Pequnetos.
My vision changed, I no longer wanted to prepare for only the new orphanage, but I wanted to help ALL the children. When I go back to Ecuador I feel at home. The homes of the children are far from beautiful but the children are all very beautiful and they turn me into jelly and they touch me as nothing else can. With the help of volunteers, both living there and helping, and donations, these children are being taken care of. If you wish to help, contact me.
The picture below was taken in the plane while I was looking out the window at a volcano that had blown a couple days before. My camera didn't pick up the steam coming out of the mountain.

ECRU AND LACE

Hi,I have a new blog in process of being put together. This blog will be used to showcase my homemade gifts for sale. You can expect to see Vintage bookmarks, Vintage coasters, Vintage table runners, Vintage table cloths and napkins, and maybe some Vintage quilts, oh and Vintage bags. I'm very excited and I hope you will check back.

The URL is cindy-ecru-n-lace.blogspot.com. You have my permission to put this on your side bar.

SOMEWHERE IN TIME

Have you ever wanted something so bad, but didn't know how to get it? I'm not talking about anything as simple as, oh, a car or cloths, a vacation, a new house, money or fame. I'm talking about something that has the possibility of being eternal or long lasting. What I'm talking about is being able to touch another's life, become friends, make a difference, have an everlasting effect, give and show love in it's greatest form, charity, or the pure Love of Christ.

My Brother and his wife were blessed with a very special daughter, well, they have 3 of them actually, but the one that I am talking about right now died 8 months ago, her name is Brooke. A distance and busy families have kept us apart. I often felt very sad that we couldn't or didn't get together more. I always had more love for them then they ever new, but for some reason, the few times we saw each other didn't allow us to really share our lives. I've always wished for more.

While attending Brooke's funeral I felt, for the first time, the closeness, I knew that she and I were suppose to have, but never did. Our hearts touched for a moment in time.

A song had been recorded and played while things were getting ready. Concerto #2 Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Rachmaninoff. I immediately recognized this to be a magical moment, a moment that was mine and Brooke's. A moment unlike anything we'd ever shared. I closed my eyes in hopes of keeping this gift for as long as the giver would let me. I felt a softness come into my arms! Nothing needed to be said because everything that was ever needed was felt between both of us at that very moment. We just listened and felt the warmth of love cross between us as the power in this music healed our souls and gave us a hope for a better day.

It's amazing how our lives parallel with each other, and we don't even know it. I will never forget this, and a part of Brooke will be with me for the rest of my life and I hope a part of me will be with her.

I have the rest of my life to live and it will be dedicated in sharing the love that I feel for my family and friends.

TWO WOLVES

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grand son thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simpy replied, "The one you feed".

I want to thank all of the wonderful women in my blogging world. Your all so talented and so amazing, I wish I could be around you more. I appreciate the GOOD choices you have made that have put you in the beautiful worlds you live in.

Keep up the good things you do, we all need people like you.

OGDENS FARMERS MARKET

My week-end with Kacie ended at the Farmers Market in Ogden on Saturday. She was so excited to be with her Papa John, forget that I'm in the car now. The market was held at the city park and up and down historic 24th street. Wow, was it packed. My daughter-in-law owns a beauty salon on 24th. It's so cool, it's called "ONYX". If your ever in Ogden, go there, tell her I sent you, her name is Kylie. There were hundreds of booths with things for sale. I bought a charming necklace and a very cool watch that will go with the purse I'm going to get at "Just a Bed of Roses". Of coarse I bought Kacie a darling bracelet and a perfect purple flower for her hair.

We didn't stay to long because the temperature was approaching 100. Now I'm home in my cool house. I'm happy.

Enjoying a hot summer day

What a treat for me to be collecting so many friends who are all so talented. I love every body's blogs and shops. I enjoy spending some time this summer visiting some very beautiful shops. I bought these darling cups and saucers at "Lavender house" in South Jordan. They were the hit of our tea party.

Sometimes a Thank You is very appreciated. While shopping in "Just a bed of Roses" the other day, I found this simple note card with a fancy high heal. I can't wear them but now I can send them with a lovely note of Thanks. I also picked up my first Somerset Life Magazine. I'm excited to read it.

This is a great summer!

FANCY NANCY WEEKEND

Miss Kacie Jo Parke - 6 years old - blond hair, blue eyes - very dainty - smart (like her grandma) - very fancy.

What a thrill for me to get to spend special time with my granddaughter. Kacie loves the book "Fancy Nancy", she is collecting them. Uncle Dallin took her to the book store Thursday and bought her the new Fancy Nancy Tea Party book. In it she had recipes (with recipe cards), decorations, and instructions about having a Fancy tea party.

We decided to have a tea party and I wanted to make her, her first recipe box (fancy of course). We went to Roberts, we bought a box, fancy scrapbook paper, and stickers and jewels. Kacie loves to cook and she is trying to keep recipes of the things she cooks. She also loves to dress fancy. She wore her Twirly Girl Skirt and several fancy pieces of jewelry, along with some black heels.

A fruit tart, a chocolate cream puff and fresh made lemonade complete the tea.

MABY I'M NOT

I haven't had very much luck today. The site I was looking at was tooo plane. This background is one that I used, AND LOVED, for a long time this last year.

I'M ON TO SOMETHING

Ok, I love this background. It's called Raspberry Kiss. This blog spot has allot of unique backgrounds. I could change often but still remain me. (What ever that means).

Please leave a comment and tell me what you think.

HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP

I AM TRYING TO FIND ME A NEW BOARDER FOR MY BLOG. I AM VERY CAREFUL FINDING THE PERFECT ONE FOR ME AND I DO LIKE CHANGE. I KNOW THAT I COULD HAVE ONE CREATED FOR ME, AND THERE IS A COST, BUT I PROBEBLY WOULD NOT WANT TO CHANGE IT.

I HAVE USED "THE CUTEST BLOG ON THE BLOCK" FOR TWO YEARS. I BELIEVE WE'VE COME TO AN END. I JUST FOUND "DELIGHTFUL DOTS" AND I'M TRYING THEM OUT.

I THINK I'LL HAVE A CONTEST: IF YOU KNOW OF ANOTHER PROGRAM WITH FREE BOARDERS - PLEASE COMMENT ON MY BLOG AND LEAVE THEIR NAMES. THE ONE THAT SHARES A SITE WITH ME, THAT I FIND SOMETHING FROM, WILL BE THE WINNER. THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE SOMETHING FROM MY SEWING/CRAFT ROOM.

LET'S GIVE THIS UNTIL AUGUST 1, 2009

GLOBAL SUN OVEN

My neighbor and friend is such a creative cook. She realy believes in the term "Provident Living". She have become a dealer for the Global Sun Oven. It cooks cakes, cookies, roasts, vegtables, everything in a special box, using the heat raze from the sun. It's amazing. It would be great for the summer months when it's so hot in the kitchen. You can do a slow cook thing outside using the sun and keep the heat out of the house. To find out more you can check out sunovenlady@live.com.

STAYCATION

We have just had the most wonderful three days. Maxwell came to my door first, I opened it and there was the cutest little blond haired, blue eye, biggest smile, arms opened, little 4 year old ever. He was so exited to come to the staycation and he wanted to give me a great big hug. NEXT was the little 18 month old blond haired, blue eyed, big smile, arms stretched out wide girl. She wanted a hug from grandmacinny. And then, of course my Jackson, a very handsome blond haired, blue eyed 8 year old young man. He pushed past me, while of course touching my shoulder, with a serious look in his eyes, bringing in some gear, grunting. And that's how it is!

Mom JoDell and her best (adopted) sister Haley, who by the way, both gave me a hug and brought gear in.

We spent the next 3 1/2 hours at the "Farm Country" at Thanksgiving point. Pictures were taken with my daughters camera, I forgot to take mine.

Lunch at Appleebees.

Craft time: We all made a very sparkley and shinny personalized book mark with jewels and grow grain ribbon. Jackson even liked it!

Naps and tramp.

Material girls, where we found the perfect skirt and dress patterns for the girls. Material of Course.

Then dinner with Papa at "Sweet Home Chicago Pizza" in the District.

The new Harry Potter game, with treats, then bed. Only grandma was down two hrs earlier then everybody.

NEXT DAY

Chocolate chip pancakes with fresh strawberries and whip cream and crispy bacon and juice.

Two hours of new fun at the new park in Day Break. While grandmacinny and Mia took a nap.

Sandwiches, salads, pickles, nuts, Choc. Chip cookies, and Chips were put in the cooler on ice and we went to Herriman on a picnic with Great Grandma and Grandpa Jarrett. They have a beautiful park across the street. Then we played for a couple hours at the splash pond, at the park, behind Great Grandma and Grandpa's.

Home for naps, grandma and Mia.

We wanted to stay home for dinner and eat all the left over pizza and stuffed bread sticks, homemade chocolate malts, Harry Potter movies, conversation's and confusion.

LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!

NEXT DAY

Big slid at Burger King. French sticks and syrup and play play play. That's the only picture I took.

I sent JoDell and Hayley to the nursery. They came home with three good size perrennial Black Eyed Susans. They planted them in my garden while I played ball with Mia and Max.

My cup is filled. Having Haley with us made it much nicer. She was the children's first babysitter and has been there for 9 years. They love her. And so do I.

Thank you all for coming!

LIBERTY DAY'S 2009

I forgot my camera!!! All I have to show for our whole day up in Liberty at the 4th of July celebration is this little pillow I bought. However, I did sleep for 14 solid hours Saturday night and Sunday.

We had a most amazing day! Over 2000,00 people came throughout the day. It began Friday evening with a rodeo, then Saturday morning a great breakfast were we served 1000 people or so. A children's parade, of course. About 20 different booths, and 7 or 8 competitive activities.

Lunch was served. People came and went all day. Then from 2:00 to 6:00 a dutch oven meal was prepared for 250 prepaid people. Wow, was it good. Smith and Edwards donated 20 or so very nice gifts that were raffled off. The proceeds all going to the upkeep of the Liberty Park. A 4 wheeler was donated for the raffle with the proceeds to go to Todos Los Ninos, to be used for the orphanage in Ecuador. $800,00 was needed and it was reached by 9:00 p.m. There were several women competing for the quilt that I had made. It was really fun. The women that won had boughten allot of tickets.

Things were cleared off under the Bowery and the dis jockey's prepared for the dance. It was sooooo fun. The little girls are the first ones to start dancing, then a few older girls, then a couple of small boys, then dads, then moms, then the teenagers. I bet there were 500 people at the end of the dance. It was the most united activity of families and people, one girl in a wheel chair was having the time of her life.

From there everyone finds a place on the park grass lawn to settle down in, for the fireworks, It is so cool, 2000 or so people. Not one Police Officer. No need! A special tribute to our hero's in the service and the national anthem and BOOM, it's begun. My John and I had our chairs up close this year for 30 minutes of the most beautiful color and sparkle ever.

It's now 10:45pm. After all the hugs and thanks we left for home, getting home at 12:00. Which brings me to the 14hrs of sleep.

Our celebration was to honor the men and women who fought for our freedom of Liberty. We reverence their lives and examples.

Todos Los Ninos (All the Children)

Four years ago a wonderful opportunity passed my way and I grabed hold with every thing I had. I became a member of a foundation called Todos Los Ninos (All the Children). This foundation was established by my friends Mike and Julie Rhodes of Liberty Utah. They, along with their family had served with Orphanage Support Services (OSSO) and their volunteer program. The Rhodes family traveled to Cuenca Ecuador to serve for 3months, in the many orphanages there. They later felt like there was something else they needed to do. They ask me to help.

Orphanage Support Service (Dr Rex Head), Todos Los Ninos and The Morrell Family Charity were going to build an orphanage.

I organized groups made up of eagle scouts, girl scouts, young women, wards, stakes, schools, and individuals from all over. We were going to gather new items that would be used in the new orphanages for 50 children. It was the most wonderful 3 years of my life. Over 10,000 items were hand packed and carried to ecuador. I traveled three times there myself to deliver things and furnish the Orphange. A large room in the orphanage is designated the store room.

The first picture is Julie Rhodes, Mike Rhodes, Dr Rex Head.
The second picture is The Morrell Family Charity standing by the painting done by Dale Parson.
The third picture is the open house, you are looking at the volunteers and children and the staff mothers that work 24-7 with the children. 1/2 of the new orphanage is in the background.
The fourth picture is me holding a quilt in the store room.

Every once and awhile I will post more of this great service, but if you would like to talk to me about it, call me, 801-553-9145.

A NEW HOBBY

I've just picked up a new hobby. I'm making it my first give away. It goes to Julie Marie at Idyllhours.blogspot.com. I love your blog and thank you for visiting mine.

Cindy