Happy Fourth of July !

Happy Fourth of July~ Independence Day! I am jetting off to Vermont tonight. The land of Maple Syrup, Green Mountains, Cabot Cheese, Lake Champlain, Church Street ,notches rather than canyons and Ben & Jerry's Ice cream. It is truly a charming place. Catching the red eye with the kids. I will be posting here and there about our adventures and of course we will have our Fun Free Friday Giveaways too so be sure to check in often. Don't forget to enter to win a copy of our July Book Club read Comfort Food. I will try to post this week's winner of the Fun Free Fridays Giveaway and the new giveaway from JFK in the morning Have a great Fourth!

Mothers in May * Truly a Treasure

{Bethany W. submitted by Becky W. ~ her sister}

"There are a few mothers that I could have chosen but, I chose my sister Bethany. What makes her a great mother is her ability to be just as excited for her 8th baby that is on the way as she was for her first. She is kind hearted and has a gentle spirit. She shows unfailing patience and love. She has 7 kids and is pregnant with her eighth. She runs a farm. She home schools 6 of those kids. She is the Gospel Doctrine teacher at church. While she goes to one ward with all her children her husband is the Branch President of another. She reads her scriptures. She also makes most of the family meals from scratch as well as grows and takes care of a huge garden with her husband and family. Bethany harvests, cans, and freezes what she grows. She helps her husband butcher animals. She ran the Art merit badge for the Boy Scouts and helps her oldest son earn other merit badges. She helps renovate her home. Does all this and runs the household like most mothers. She reads, and goes for walks. She helps her husband run a sugar bush in the late winter, early spring. She is very busy and still has a smile on her face most of the time. She is rarely angry, and always welcomes the family. I love her and I think she deserves a little something special. "

Becky W.

Bethany will receive a beautiful jewelry set from Bounjour Belle as a lovely gift. Be sure to stop by Bonjour Belle at the University Mall in Orem Utah to see their complete collection. Bonjour Belle will soon have their online stop ready for everyone outside The Valley.

Mothers in May * Happy Mother's Day

{ Rose S. submitted by Jane M~ her daughter }

"My mother grew up as one of eight children in rural Canada. Farm life was tough work in those days, and the six girls, of "sturdy German stock," were expected to do their share. Imagine the culture shock when Mom, with my one-year-old sister and infant brother, moved with her husband across the ocean to India to work as missionaries. Another sister arrived in India, followed by a new sister in what was then East Pakistan, and finally me in Bangladesh. Mom and Dad have continued to work in exotic locations, including New York City, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. They finally retired a couple of years ago and moved to Vancouver Island, BC, hoping to enjoy their twelve grandchildren more frequently. Shortly after their retirement and move back to our continent, I discovered I was pregnant with my first baby. And then hubby and I decided to move across the world with their newest grand baby to Mozambique. Rather than expressing regret that we were moving away so soon after they moved back, Mom encouraged us to go, recognizing the calling. I love this photo of Mom with her five sisters and mother, dressed in beautiful Indian saris. My Grandma (far right), a true Canadian pioneer, is still alive and well in her nineties. This photo represents the meeting of two cultures and a mother who followed her calling across the ocean, instilling that same calling into her own children. I want to pass that on to my baby, too."

Jane M.

Rose will receive a lovely gift from American Crafts which includes their new Spring & Summer line:

A Cloth album – Leaf color

All 12 patterns from our Spring & Summer paper line

A package of Spring & Summer patterned chipboard

A package of Spring & Summer Minimark rubons.

You too can get these pretty scrap booking supplies for your mom click here to find a local store. Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Sweet Crafty Creations * May Baskets & May Poles

{Image Via Tuesdays Frog}

{Image via Martha Stewart.com}

It is the first of May or May Day. There are a few May Day festivities I remember from my childhood. One of them is making May Flower Baskets. These two examples above are very easy to make. The first is made by using pretty paper that is shaped into a cone with a piece of ribbon for the handle. The lower one is made from recycled food cans. Place some pretty flowers from your garden in your baskets then hang them on your friend's family's & neighbor's door and enjoy May. Tradition has it that you ring the door bell then run. If you are caught you must kiss the one who answers the door. Another fun May Day traditions is the May Pole. When I was in middle school we attached long ribbons to the flag pole. The girls did a "dance" around the pole weaving over and under each other around the pole. Enjoy sharing some pretty flowers and weaving some ribbon around the May Pole. Happy May everyone!

Mothers in May

Just a reminder-Don't forget to enter a wonderful mom in your life for our Moms in May feature. Each of our moms that are chosen will be spotlighted and will receive a lovely gift from our Moms In May sponsors including a scrapbook and a load of scrap booking supplies from American Crafts! You have until Thursday May 1st to send in your entry!

Sweet Crafty Creations * Tote-Shopping Bags * Earth Day

Cut large rectangular piece of fabric to desired size. Fold each end about 1/2 inch iron flat and then again about 2-3 inches iron flat.

Cut 2 strips of material for handles to the desired length. Iron in half. Sew each strip on raw edges then finish with zigzag. Turn inside out. Iron so seam is in middle. Zigzag ends.

Pin inside-out together to form the body of the tote. Sew together then zigzag to prevent fraying. Back stitch on corners to strengthen. Sew on handle straps into the inside along top. Iron seams flat.

This is Sha's finished bag. Didn't she do a great job?!

This year for Earth Day we made some tote-shopping bags. We made them from some scrap canvas material we already had in our fabric collection. All three of the children made one for themselves. We will be using ours for shopping bags as well as bags to carry our books to and from the library. They are quite simple, easy to make and a great starter project for learning to sew. Happy Earth Day!








{A few links for Earth Day}

earthday.gov

earthdayWikipedia

earthdaynetwork

Mother's in May * Entries Wanted

This May Sweet Life in the Valley will be featuring a Mother every Thursday. We are asking our readers to tell us about the Mothers in their lives. We all have mothers some of us are mothers and some of us have know amazing mothers who have touched our lives in some way. Every Mother chosen will be featured and will be given a gift from one of our Mother's Day~Mother's in May Truly a Treasure sponsors. I can not wait to hear your stories and what makes these Mothers so great.

{ To Enter a Well Deserved Mother to be Featured }

~ Send me an email with Mother as the subject to sweetlifeinthevalley@gmail.com


~ Tell us more about that wonderful Mother in your life What makes her so great?


~ Include the name & address of the Mother you are entering-open to anyone is the U.S


~If possible send us a picture of this special Mother


~ You have until May 1st 2008 to enter this giveaway

Happy Easter From Our Family to You!

{Photos by me click to enlarge}

Happy Easter to everyone! We had a great Easter Saturday filled with family, kite flying, bubble blowing, side walk chalk drawing & tons of wonderful foods. I love Easter Sundays at church. I always look forward to holiday Sundays so I can sing the special hymns. Singing is my favorite part of church. Another special thing happen today the Easter bunny brought my brother & sister-in law a baby boy for Easter. Kingston David- he was 6lb2oz 20 inches long and as sweet as can be. I hope you all had a blessed and wonderful Easter holiday.

From Our Book Shelf * Happy Spring !

Spring roared in like a lion today here in our Sweet Valley with big gusts of wind & some rain but now it is skies of blue with fluffy white clouds sitting on the mountain tops & birds singing in the trees. On our book shelf we have at least fifty Little Golden Books. Some are newer but most are older books with the vintage 1940-60's illustrations like these three above. Home for a Bunny & Baby Farm Animals are illustrated by Garth Williams a wonderful children's book illustrator of that vintage era. The Fuzzy Duckling illustrated by Alice & Martin Provensen both Caldecott Medal winners. A sweet Little Golden Book is a perfect addition to your little one's Easter basket. These classic books are still in publication so hop on over to your local book store. Happy Spring!

Happenin in the Valley * Easter Bunny

Ms. Nicole over at the Flower Basket Boutique sent me this announcement today. They are having an Easter Egg Hunt, Face Painting & a visit from the Easter Bunny. Head on over with your little ones for some Easter Saturday fun. Be sure to pick up your KinderEggs & Flowers for Easter while you are there too. I am sure it will all be done with style since it is at the Flower Basket Boutique. Or purchase a flower botanical inspired painting by Clint Atwater(my brother). Now available to purchase at the Flower Basket Boutique.

{The Flower Basket Boutique}
http://www.provoflowerbasket.com/
409 North University Avenue
Provo, Utah 84601
theflowerbasket_provo@yahoo.com
801-375-8096

More Green Things for Saint Patrick's Day

{Local Green on Etsy}

Newborn Baby Slippers by Kelly Mccaleb HandmadeReusable Shopping "SAC" by Freshly Picked
Children's Green Mini Bracelet by Sparkle & Chic

Here are a few more green things for Saint Patrick's Day-Enjoy!

Find of the Week * Saint Patrick's Day

{Ann Taylor & Saint Patrick's Day Green}

Clover Shoes

&

Clover Bags!

Most of my childhood years were spent in the Chicago suburbs. In Chicago Saint Patrick's Day is a big deal. They have a big parade and they even dye the Chicago River green! If you happen to be in the Chicago area today go check it out. For all of the rest of us I found these beautiful green shoes & bag from Ann Taylor. The color is very fitting for Saint Patrick's Day "Clover". I love the patent-leather and the green for spring! Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Remember to be green & Recycle Reuse Reduce!

Find of the Week * The Flower Basket Boutique

{Easter at The Flower Basket}

I visited The Flower Basket Boutique this weekend while on the Provo Gallery Stroll. This flower shop & boutique has some beautiful things. They have such pretty clothes & hot jeans as well as fun spring time hats. Do you remember the V Chocolates we gave away for Valentines Day? Well they carry V Chocolates & they are all 20% off right now.

They also have a great supply of those fun Kinder Eggs from Europe. The chocolate eggs with the toy inside just for Easter. Since they are a flower shop they aslo have some gorgeous long stem tulips in for Easter.

{The Flower Basket Boutique}

http://www.provoflowerbasket.com/

409 North University Avenue

Provo, Utah 84601

theflowerbasket_provo@yahoo.com

801-375-8096

Sweet Crafty Creations * Yarn Pom Pom Animals & Flowers

{images via Martha Stewart}

Pom Pom animals are an oldie but goodie craft that children of all ages can make. The directions to make these cute little Pom Pom Creatures can be found here on Martha Stewart.com Tip for making your yarn pom poms- no need to go buy a pom pom maker just cut out a rectangular piece of card board to match the size of the pom pom you want to make. You can also make pom poms to attach to socks, zippers, hats & even top at gift with one! I also love these Yarn Flowers Martha had in her crafts found here at Martha Stewart.com Make one for your daughters hair for Easter, top her Easter shoes or accent an Easter hat. Happy Easter crafting.

Other Stuff * Easter Dresses

{Easter Dresses}

I am on the hunt for a pretty Easter dress for my daughter ‘cause every girl needs a new Easter dress. I found these beautiful dresses by Little Girl Pearl on Etsy. They are too small for Sha' but I wanted to share them with you because they are too good not to pass along to someone with a little girl. If anyone happens to come across something wonderful in a girl’s size 16 or women’s size 1/xs let me know.

Holidays * Happy Valentine's Day * Quote

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! I just wanted to let everyone know I appreciate all the love that is sent my way via emails. Even though I do not have the time to respond to everyone I do read them all and they do mean a lot to me. Enjoy your day of sharing love.

April

{Here is a thought about love from Shakespeare}

Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds,

Or Bends with the remover to remove.

O, no! It is an ever-fixed mark,

That looks on tempests and is never shaken.

It is the star to every wandering bark,

whose worth's unknown,

although his height be taken.
-- William Shakespeare

{The winners of our "Valentine's Day is not just for Lover's" Givaway are

Reisa O. ~Pizzeria Seven Tweleve and Jody S. ~ V Chocolates. Enjoy ladies!}

Other Stuff * Valentine's Day Party

{Valentine's Day Party Ideas}

I am always on the look out for fun classroom party ideas for the holidays. These two are easy, require almost no preparation, are great for preschool through high school aged kids and the everyone will love them!

{Heart-A- Stack}

Pass out a large handful of conversation hearts to each child. Use the small hearts for older children and large hearts for the younger children. Time them for 30- 60 seconds depending on age. Who ever stackes the most hearts wins.

{Hide a Hug & a Kiss}

Buy a couple of bags of Hersery's Hugs and Kisses and hide them around the classroom. Have the kids race to find them for a Valentine Treat. Have a few extra on hand in case someone doesn't find any.

Fun Free Fridays * Valentine's Day Giveaway

Valentine’s Day is not just for Lovers! So in the spirit of love I am giving away two wonderful prizes. The first is a huge heart full of yummy chocolates from V Chocolates. The Large Heart Collection includes caramels, truffles and almond toffee. There are two layers of assorted Light and Dark Belgian Chocolate Caramels, Assortment of truffles that include chocolate, mint, and hazelnut, and a pound of V Chocolates signature Almond Toffee. Wowie Wow all chocolate lovers this is for you! Our next item to giveaway is a $20 Gift Certificate to the New Pizzeria Seven Twelve in Orem. A good eats in the Valley for sure. They have a wonderful menu including panini, luscious salads & brickoven cooked pizzas.

{To Enter to Win a Heart full of Chocolates from V Chocolates}


~ Send me an email with V Chocolates as the subject to sweetlifeinthevalley@gmail.com


~ Answer the question of the week: WHos is the master chocolatier who creates these wonderful chocolates? Hint look on V Chocolates About V.


~ Include your name & address-open to anyone is the U.S.


~ You have until midnight Wednesday February 13th to enter this giveaway

{Location}

320 South State Street Suite 147

Orem, Utah 84058

801.623.6712

Inside the new Midtown Village in Orem- Yes they are the first ones open there!

{To Enter to a $20 gift certificate to Pizzeria Seven Twelve}

~ Send me an email with Pizzeria Seven Twelve as the subject to sweetlifeinthevalley@gmail.com



~ Answer the question of the week: Look over the menu & tell me -what you would order?



~ Include your name & address-open to anyone is the U.S.-this is a pickup only prize so please be able to pick up the gift
certificates in the next two weeks if you enter.



~ You have until midnight Wednesday February 13th to enter this giveaway.

{click on menu to view larger}

{Congratulations to our winner of a beanie from Teeny Weeny Beeny Alicia A. & thanks to ramdom.org for helping us choose our winner}

Holidays * Chinese New Year

{Chinese New Year * Year of the Rat}

Happy Chinese New Year! Eat some good Chinese food, light some sparklers & if you happen to live in a city with celebrations have some fun. The Rat(earth) is know as the protector and bringer of prosperity, wealth, charm, and order. I wish you all of these blessings in the coming year.
April

Sweet Crafty Creations * Sentimental Valentine's Day Wheel

{Sentimental Valentine's Day Wheel * Via Martha Stewart}

This Sentimental Valentine's Day Wheel from Martha Stewart is so sweet. You can down load the template for it here. It include fun vintage images along wit something sweet to say about your Valentine. I thought it would be fun to take this idea & create one that is specially color, images & sayings wise for someone you love. For example you could make one for you children with things you think are special about them in their favorite color or make one for your Grandma letting her know what you think is special about her. It can be simple & straight from the template or you can go crazy creating all sorts of fun Valentine's Day Wheels. Have fun!
April