Behive Girl

The lovely Emily Martin created this beautiful painting and oh how I want it! She is such a marvelous artist; she really captures something mysterious and delicate about her subjects.

Sew You Think You Can Sew?

I LOVE this sewing room!!! I can't emphasize that enough. Envy. Total envy. But actually what's even cooler is designing your own. I don't have that kind of space, but I know one day I will - and I am taking notes from the above. Gorgeous. Especially that chair! And the green dresser, and the Mac computer! Yowza!

Mme. Chanel

Mme. Coco Chanel is one of my few female inspirations. Such class, such style, such beauty. Je veux qu'elle avait...

Not to mention that the brand itself is très magnifique! I wear Coco Chanel Mademoiselle.

Mme. Isabelle Boulay

Yet another lovely French singer. She's amazing!

Dose of: What The...?!

The Little Sparrow

I recently watched La Vie En Rose about Edith Piaf. I don't know if it was intentional, but her given nick-name, Piaf which means Sparrow originally came from The Little Sparrow, and her most beloved Catholic Saint was Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, The Little Flower. Interestingly (to me) she was the saint that I had chosen for my confirmation in the Catholic church when I was 16 years old. My patron saint, if you will.

What an incredible voice rooting in a life of such sorrow and tragedy. Oh my. Life is amazing like that though. For some odd reason, there are the times and the people in those times who cease not to enchant years and years after their prime.

Greensleeves

GREENSLEEVES (1580)

Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously.
For I have loved you well and long,
Delighting in your company.

Chorus:
Greensleeves was all my joy
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
And who but my lady greensleeves.

Your vows you've broken, like my heart,
Oh, why did you so enrapture me?
Now I remain in a world apart
But my heart remains in captivity.

chorus

I have been ready at your hand,
To grant whatever you would crave,
I have both wagered life and land,
Your love and good-will for to have.

chorus

If you intend thus to disdain,
It does the more enrapture me,
And even so, I still remain
A lover in captivity.

chorus

My men were clothed all in green,
And they did ever wait on thee;
All this was gallant to be seen,
And yet thou wouldst not love me.

chorus

Thou couldst desire no earthly thing,
but still thou hadst it readily.
Thy music still to play and sing;
And yet thou wouldst not love me.

chorus

Well, I will pray to God on high,
that thou my constancy mayst see,
And that yet once before I die,
Thou wilt vouchsafe to love me.

chorus

Ah, Greensleeves, now farewell, adieu,
To God I pray to prosper thee,
For I am still thy lover true,
Come once again and love me.

chorus

français deux - UPDATED

Today I start my Beginning French, part 2 evening class. I am SO excited! It's been a year since I completed part 1, but I think I will do fine. The cool thing is that I am basically taking the class for pleasure - I haven't really done that before. I mean, I am seriously kicking around the idea of studying French at university and ultimately becoming a French professor at a local JC or university, so the class is advancing me in that direction. But basically this is two birds with one stone: fun and functionality. Hey - how P.C.! I'm jazzed, though. The nice part is that it will be my one and only class so it will be my whole academic focus. I have one job that I will start next week, and have an interview for another today. But with the one today I am just going to be straight up with her (there's really no reason not to - I'd only be hurting myself) about the fact that I have another job (which means that it is my first priority in terms of scheduling) and a night class two days a week. If she is willing and able to work around that then I'm in business. I would love to be able to have two days a week off - preferably Tuesdays and Thursdays - the days I have my class so that I can study and go into the language lab without having to rush. Maybe that will work out - I'll have to talk that over with my boss from my first job.

Anyway, I am happy. I have something to look forward to for the rest of the year (French) that really doesn't cost all that much money (I will be using my elementary French book from the first class as this one is just an extension of that one - sweet!). I would love to take the bellydancing lessons, but I am more interested in saving my money for the potential move to SLC come next spring. We'll have to see how things go this year with the new custody arrangement, less money, me working two jobs, etc.. I figure we'll be able to decide with more clarity whether or not to move by the new year.

Oh yeah, and one more piece of good news? Come Saturday, autumn will be officially one month away. So one more lovely month to enjoy the warmth and prepare for fall. I don't mind the wait - it makes it really good!

Gotta go prod the daughter off to school now. More soon.

UPDATE:

Well, went to the class thinking the above to be true about it not costing any extra, but alas even though I have the main textbook, there was three additional texts that we needed to buy and because the class is only four units, I didn't qualify for financial aid (the min. being 6 units) so it would have been an additional $168 out-of-pocket expense just to take the class. I unfortunately can't afford that so it'll have to wait. I'm not too bummed, surprisingly. I can just focus on work and subsequently save for my big move. For that I am so very, very excited! Next year, less than a year, actually - the countdown is ON!

Movie Review

So I know I'm a good year late on getting around to finally seeing Emma Smith: My Story, but nonetheless, it was well worth the wait. What a lovely story, so elegantly and fairly told by Candlelight Media Group.

It's a must-see for members of the church, and a highly-recommended for those who simply love history. Excellent film. And what a remarkable woman!

Oh Me of Little Faith

What will be left when I've drawn my last breath
Besides the folks I've met and the folks who've known me
Will I discover a soul-saving love
Or just the dirt above and below me

I'm a doubting Thomas
I took a promise
But I do not feel safe
Oh me of little faith

Sometimes I pray for a slap in the face
Then I beg to be spared cause I'm a coward
If there's a master of death
I bet he's holding his breath
As I show the blind and tell the deaf about his power

I'm a doubting Thomas
I can't keep my promises
Cause I don't know what's safe
Oh me of little faith

Can I be used to help others find truth
When I'm scared I'll find proof that it's a lie
Can I be led down a trail dropping bread crumbs
That prove I'm not ready to die

Please give me time to decipher the signs
Please forgive me for time that I've wasted

I'm a doubting Thomas
I'll take your promise
You've always kept me safe
Oh me of little faith

~ Nickel Creek, Doubting Thomas

Could They Get Any Cuter?

I don't think so.

H to the 2 to the O

Pellegrino is my new favorite drink, and in fact has been what I've been using in place of any soda cravings as I've officially kicked soda (and beer, let's be honest) out of my life.

Ah, sparkling water...

Be Still My Soul

Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Ah yes, the Sweet Life

Once again, Sweet Life hosts a most marvelous giveaway, in which I have entered in hopes of winning the most charming apron. *fingers crossed*

Oh Me, Oh My!

Yet another awesome giveaway from Progressive Pioneer! Giving away some Emily Sparks goods! Check it out!!!

Faith