Never.

Last to leave the church

Jessie the blushing bride

It was fun to be invited to Jessie's bridal shower.  She's marrying her freshman year boyfriend.  She was all smiles and it was fun to hear "their story".

We could have used this sign on Rubio Avenue

Red train - inside and out

Bee Anxiously Engaged (RS Birthday dinner)

Thank you to the best enrichment counselor/leader/committee for another great Relief Society birthday dinner.  We had honey chicken, rice, carrots, salad and a cake contest with doubled as dessert.  We learned about indexing and everyone got some wheat grass to take home.  I think there were about 45 women there and it was a wonderful night.  I love being part of the Relief Society and it's a pleasure to serve as the RSP.

One month...

It's this time of year that I tell my fellow New Englanders that in one month it will be green.  For reals.  I promise!

I'm sure I rocked his world when he was 13 months old and I was born.  My world was rocked 17 years ago tonight when Robes (Robert) was diagnosed with a brain tumor (in his words he "hopped on the BT Express").  He lived only 18 months.  Today I made a Kiva loan to Robert's Group in Kenya to purchase seed for a farm, ordered fish tacos for dinner (he would have enjoyed them) and am going to eat some Red Vines (one of his favorite treats).  I miss him every day.

FHE at Woodmans

Belated St. Patrick's Day dinner

Yum.  #thankyoukeenans

Technically it's Spring

Happy Birthday, Grandma Pitchforth

She would be 116 today!  I got my love of baking from her.

Supposedly it's Spring

Old drink, new label

My TED talk

Tonight I met my nephew Ian's friend Ted and we had dinner at the Shake Shack in Harvard Square.  It was his first time to Boston.  It was really fun to meet him.

Hello?

There's a lot of love in this photo

Brooklyn's baptism day

Late Winter or early Spring?

Happy Birthday to a pair of my favorite twins

Lisa on the left; Carrie on the right.  "Twins."

Shooting with film

I've been wanting to dust off my film camera and start using it now and then.  Tonight I'm looking through photos to find something to post tomorrow (actually--a photo of Katy's twin sisters) and found this photo and it reminded me how much I like film.

Recipe Swap: white chocolate

I made Bunny Bait for the Recipe Swap.  Made with Christmas M&M's.

Friday night at the movies

I went to see Non-Stop with two friends Friday night.  I thought the movie was good.  What's not to like: 1 hour and 50 minutes of Liam Neeson with Lupita and Lady Mary as awesome flight attendants?!?  It's suspenseful and good.

Visiting the sick

I visited a friend in the hospital tonight; it was nice to see her smile.

Sunday night visitors

It was fun to see my friend Valerie, her husband Scott (he took the photo) and Rachel (she was born in Boston and is their oldest of 4).  Valerie is my sister-in-law's sister-in-law's sister (Kim's brother is married to Valerie's sister).  We all enjoyed catching up while eating delicious strawberry shortcake (I made a homemade angel food cake).

Relief Society day

To celebrate the birthday of the Relief Society, I asked six sisters to speak in Sacrament Meeting about "what Relief Society means to me".  I spoke first for one minute giving some quick comments about the Relief Society and outlining the program. There was some concern that the meeting would run over (not from me) but everyone stayed within their time limit (3-4 minutes) and we ended with 10 minutes to spare.  Or so I thought.  The member of the bishopric who was conducting asked if I'd get back up and share some additional thoughts.  I slowly stood up from my seat and spoke spontaneously for about 6 minutes.  Not my favorite thing…

During the third hour we had our traditional (we've done it once--it's a tradition!) Visiting Teaching Conference.  We had most of the women in the ward in one room (a rarity) and it was a really nice meeting.  I spoke, the Visiting Teaching Coordinator spoke and then three women shared their thoughts about Visiting Teaching.  We had cookies, fruit cups, and cute little water bottles with a thought taped on them: "If monthly visits aren't possible, please don't do nothing.  Be creative and find a way to connect with each sister." --Sister Parkin

It was a really wonderful day and I am happy that I could share it with all my [Relief Society] sisters.

Looks like Summer

I bought these at Wilson Farms today for strawberry shortcake tomorrow.

Guys & Dolls

Tonight I went to the middle school production of Guys & Dolls. There was one guy and one doll from my ward in the play.  #maren #ethan

Screen time

Glitter and Glue

I finished this book on my lunch break today.  I loved it.  Loved it.  I hope Kelly Corrigan keeps writing and publishing!  It was such a treat to hear her speak on Saturday.  She's really funny and smart and inspiring.  She said at the end of her talk that we need to keep reading real books (not on a hand-held device).  I agree with her.  I'm trying to read more books this year than I've ever read.  So far I've finished 5 and I've got plenty more waiting in the wings (and pinned).

Waiting for Spring

Student study spot

#MIT

My buddies moved...

…but not too far away.  I visited them in their new home last night and took dinner (pizza).

Kelly Corrigan

I went to hear Kelly Corrigan speak at the Wellesley Free Library today and she was fantastic!  I'm really enjoying her latest book Glitter and Glue.

Fiber time

Bran muffin mix: some for me; some for a friend.