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.

That hat

See the love

I love Stickygrams!

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Blue sky, fresh air, lunch with a good friend

Does this count as a missionary moment?

I went to dinner in downtown Boston with friends Saturday night.  After dinner some of the group danced (not me).  The music was REALLY loud (I know…duh…it was a club…).  When we got up to leave a woman yelled to me, "What are you celebrating?"  I yelled back "just a fun night going to dinner."  She then yelled, "Where do you know each other from?"  I yelled back "CHURCH!"  She yelled "what church?"  I yelled "THE MORMON CHURCH."  "What?"  I yelled LOUDER, "THE MORMON CHURCH."  Again she yelled "what?".  I yelled even LOUDER, "THE MORMON CHURCH!"  She looked at me puzzled and yelled, "I thought you said MORMON!"  I yelled back, "I DID!"

Sisters, sisters

The ball got stuck

Ian's basketball game

What I'm reading

Throwback Thursday

Guess which one of us had a perm?

From the camera card

More snow...

Computer desktop photo

I took this photo in Maine many springs ago.  #thinkgreen #thinkspring #nomoresnow

Churchsicles

Lunch buddy

We enjoyed lunch at Chick-Fil-A and a bit of mall shopping.

It's Valentine's Day

Heart garland

I made a garland of felt hearts and photos for my friend and each of her two boys.  Valentine's Day tomorrow is the third anniversary of her husband Mat's death from cancer.

Heart felt project

Tonight I am Mary Poppins

Annabelle

I met the newest baby in the ward tonight.  She was born last Monday and weighed in at 9 pounds 1 ounce.  Those cheeks!

Megan's baptism day

Pardon the blurry photo, bad lighting, and basketball hoop.  Megan was very excited about her baptism and her dress was beautiful (her mom bought it when Megan was two years old).

My newest friend

I met Melissa Bradford tonight.  She spoke as part of our Stake Relief Society "Women's Speaker Series" and shared excerpts from her book Global Mom.  Her talk was inspiring.  I heard about Melissa (a friend-of-a-friend) back in 2007 when her oldest son Parker passed away and was happy to finally meet her.  I gave her some valentine photo cards and she gave me Swiss chocolate.

Throwback Thursday: it's Girl Scout cookie time

Snow pants

The bus! The bus! The bus!

It's a winter wonderland in Boston.  The bus driver said, "If I could work from home today, I would."  One of the passengers mumbled, "We're essential."

EP = Essential Personnel

Seen on my morning walk to the subway station

You are never too old for a stuffed animal

Right?

Long live the Wreath Making Party

I went with Elizabeth to get HC (hot chocolate)

She walks!

Spreading a little February cheer