[the perfect playtime]

our new favorite too hot to play outside, too windy or rainy day activity

this four hour afternoon movement had them captivated.

i had a sneaky suspicion the kids would dig these ikea beads...  dang, for under $10 i scored a big jar of colorful plastic macaroni and pattern trays!  put 'em all up to the table, and let them create!

their fine motor skills will flourish in a snap :)

melt creations with an iron on low for around 2 min and tah-dah! 

[keeping it rEaL]

so i read this post last night and it really got me thinking...
do i come across "full of myself"?  or phony, like i'm portraying "a perfect life"?  i hope not.  i know i don't (have the perfect life) and i really don't pretend to... i've just wanted to keep things positive and uplifting here on brightsides - because this blog is for me and it helps me focus on all the good things i have in my life.  when i have a bad day and think i'm a real looser housekeeper, mom or friend, i try and re-shift my thinking; and as cheesy as it may sound, just look on the bright side :)


like this posts says, it's so easy to read our favorite blogs and compare ourselves to them and wish we could be like them, dress like them, eat like them, have the perfect house like them, create like them...
we don't see everything and we all need to remember that no person or family is perfect!


katy's post was great though, because it's so true!  very spot on!
i do believe though that people just want to share what they are excited about, stuff that makes 'em tick, things that make them go "ooh!"
everybody wants to show their best sides, things they are proud of and every human being loves appreciation and approval!
who doesn't love a compliment?
i say give it to them!  make them feel good!  help them feel validated!
and if you think they are just blogging for attention, sadly, they must really need it.  show them a little love! 


as women, let us not compare, let us lift each other up! we all have different circumstances, talents and interests.  we can learn a lot from each other!

[that little line]

the dash

i read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend,

he referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning... to the end.

he noted that the first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears,

but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.

for that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth and now only those who love her know what that little line is worth.

for it matters not how much we own; the cars... the house... the cash

what matters is how we live and love...

and how we spend our dash.

so think about this long and hard; are there things you'd like to change?

for you never know how much time is left that can be rearranged.

if we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real...

and always try to understand the way that people feel.

and be less quick to anger and show our appreciation more

and love the people in our lives...

like we've never loved before.

if we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile...

remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

so when your eulogy is being read...

with your life's actions to rehash...

would you be proud of the things they say...

about how you spent your dash?

by linda ellis

i loved this!  our sunday school teacher read this to us a couple weeks ago and i thought you may enjoy it too!


more beach pics here

[on top of spaghetti]

i find summertime cooking to be very enjoyable and incredibly bothersome at the same time.

grilling and get-togethers appeal greatly, while mundane week night mayhems are just a nuisance. inspired by my husband and his gentle nudges to get me "back in the kitchen" i decided i'd like to come up with

a summer cuisine to please

*pleasing me with simplicity on hot busy evenings, and please my family with hearty flavor & nutritiousness.

what are your favorite summer dishes?

i would love any recipes or ideas you may have to share with me and my readers.

salads, marinades, bbq & squashes are just to name a few...

please e-mail me or leave me a comment with your recipes and i will add them to my menu and try them out, photograph and share with you all!

thank you & bon appétit!

(above: whole wheat spaghetti & meatballs packaged for leftovers and my kid's half-eaten salads)

[renewed]

i am filled with extreme pride & joy today.

i haven't done one darn thing; just finally relaxing, hanging out, licking popsicles with the kids, and enjoying the fruits of our labors.

on saturday, our oldest was baptized and confirmed a member of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!

we are so proud of her and her very important decision! she was so excited! we were all excited!
the wonderful speakers and music set a very special tone to the program.
as tears streamed down my face, the spirit filled my heart. lulu beamed as she came up out of the water all clean and pure.
i know the Lord is so pleased with her.
what a wonderful day! friends and family gathered to share this special occasion with us; and finally after many days of slaving away in our yard, we were all able to enjoy it.
the weather was perfect, the food superb, and the company unforgettable!

i must share this fabulous party idea with you because these party rye sandwiches were a hit!
everybody adored them! not only was the presentation fabulous, but they tasted amazing too! i ordered the large party rye bread and bowl only from
leslie's french pastries (my friend pétra's dad's bakery in holladay) and made approx 50 small ham & swiss sandwiches that fit perfectly into this huge rye bowl.

go stop in today or place an order for your next party!

take note: they make the most incredible, best ever eclairs too! sam has yet to find one that he loves more. and he's an eclair snob, sampling them at every bakery and none compare :) i've been tempted to make a blog just about sam's eclair quest. lol!
check out out their video

everyone brought such delicious food! thank you so much for sharing!

also loving these beautiful salmon & yellow dahlias that are cheering up our backyard!

life is very bright today! i hope yours is too!

[california usa: part II]

"we could spend a month here!" i shouted as we cruised down the coast. luscious greens, incredible views, shops, shops and more shops, sand, water, and bicycles.
i want to be a beach bum! here are a few of our favorite views.

i am still sorting through the 2000+ pictures we took on our trip.
we've been extremely busy around here! this last weekend has been all yard work for us. we figure we put in approx 100 man hours in 2 1/2 days. thanks to wonderful friends and family, we got a ton done! i'm so red, sore and pooped...
but it sure feels great to accomplish so much! i can't wait to really start enjoying it!
i hope you all had a wonderful memorial day.