String Line Art

I'm teaching an art class to my older daughter and 10 other 7-10 year olds from one of the homeschooling groups here. We've been learning about line and edges and how to see them in order to draw more accurately. I've always been interested in string and hair and the shapes they make when they are wet and stuck on something. Small parts of them are so easy to move to put them just where you want them. I guess pencil is like that too a little but I like the way this works even better. I looked online for a lesson plan for a project for class like this and couldn't find one, so I thought I'd just look for some examples of finished work to show. I couldn't find any anywhere except one abstract piece. I decided to sit down and do a quick one myself of Lili tonight and here it is:

I really liked doing it. That would be a fun niche to get into wouldn't it? I was thinking we would make them on nice paper and then we could spray paint them gold. After that we could sort of burnish them with shoe polish or something to make them pop. Fuuuunnn.

I'm excited for tomorrow. It can't be worse than last week- I'll have to tell about that sometime.

Unity

President Eyring spoke about increasing Unity today. I have been thinking about this a lot lately because of the wonderful unity I feel within the homeschool groups I am part of and the contrasting situation I find in my neighborhood and ward. My concerns here aren't necessarily divisions or contentions but a simple lack of knowing and loving one another. We live in the middle of Provo, a large university city, with many students coming and going.
When we lived in Mapleton in a ward with many more families it was so much easier to feel that unity. That was, of course, really nice. However, I'm determined that for whatever time we're here that we can build a kind of unity greater than what we have now. I'm excited that the Relief Society has just announced a yahoo group. I think that will be really helpful. Heavenly Father will provide a way.

General Conference Oct 2008

Today was the first day of the LDS 178th Semiannual General Conference. It was excellent, of course. I have been working on a lot of little things, as usual, and also as usual the speakers spoke directly to some of those things. I am so grateful to the Lord and his tender mercies in being aware of me and sending messages that will strengthen me in my life. President Thomas S Monson actually mentioned that "Heavenly Father is mindful of each one of us" in his opening address.

A few brief thoughts from today:
President Monson also announced 5 new temples! Including those under construction now there will be 145 temples when these 5 are done!
Elder L Tom Perry taught us to live "A Simplified Life."
Sister Allred reminded us that "when you save a woman, you save generations." And, "This is the Lord's work- he will help us do it."
Elder Oaks reminded us about appropriate behavior for our commemoration of the sacrament.
President Uchtdorf spoke of Hope. He said that even in adversity we can have Joy in the Hope of Christ. -In the midst of winter I found within an invincible summer.
Elder Joseph B Wirthlin taught us how to avoid anger and resentment in adversity. His mother taught him "Come what may, and Love it!" He said "Put your trust in the Lord, do your best, and leave the rest to the Lord."
Elder Holland spoke of angels- heavenly and earthly angels. He testified that Heavenlt Father never leaves us alone. He encouraged us to be angels to others as we pray for angels ourselves.
Elder Lawrence Corbridge told us to Remember! Everyone can do it. Life is difficult but we can choose to receive his help and it will be easier. Keep on the path- don't quit and you will make it.
Elder Christofferson spoke of becoming a Zion people. He said we must strive for unity, godliness, and charity. The building up of Zion should be our greatest object.
Elder Bednar reminded us to ask in faith and to be grateful.

There were a couple others that I have notes for but I didn't catch their names so I will add them later. I also have lots to think about and write about these topics. I felt impressed today that keeping a journal was important and blogging is a great way to do that for me. I am going to try to do it often.

Brown and Sticky

One of Tom's favorite jokes for a while was "What is brown and sticky?" When you hang out with scouts a lot like he does I'm sure you get some pretty funny answers. One day Tom decided to ask Lili and Kate this great joke. Kate, thinking she knew the obvious answer, said, "the floor?" So, I've decided that I can laugh at her little truisms and try and learn something too. Yes the floor is brown and usually sticky but someday I won't have that problem anymore and maybe I'll just miss it a little.

I know you're dying to know. The answer is: a stick.

Fresh whole wheat bread. Just like my mother used to make.

I finally got around to trying to find a good whole wheat bread recipe and thanks to my friend Jennie I found the perfect one. I asked Mama for hers once but she had changed her recipe over the years to one that had come with her breadmaker and it wasn't the same as I remembered. This one is as close to what I remember as I'm going to get. Even my husband thought it was excellent! This was my first time make bread totally from scratch- meaning I even ground my own flour! The bread wasn't even done and I had this feeling of total satisfaction. It is very peaceful to know that I have a bunch of wheat that I can use to make yummy things even if times get tough. A little closer to being really prepared.

"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear." D&C 38:30

Making Faces

A little while ago, Kate and Grace were making faces with Tom. They all tried to make sad faces but I guess the girls didn't find Tom's very convincing. Tom replied to the girls that he doesn't have much practice so that is probably why he couldn't do it very well. In all her 5-year-old wisdom, Kate responded "Maybe you should try making an angry face."