Post 100

Hard to believe... I've made it to my 100th post!

I've been thinking long and hard about what to write about on this momentous occasion.  As you know, I'm still recovering these days, so unfortunately I don't have any big ideas or tutorials ready to share.  I've been saving a post about my wedding quilt, which I made 6 years ago, but I think that's more appropriate for my anniversary.  Personal stories have been sneaking into my posts a bit too much lately, anyway (not on purpose, but it just so happens that my personal life is a subject I'm well-versed in.)

So... how to celebrate?

It occurred to me that one of the best ways to celebrate LwYH's 100th post would be to salute the blogs that inspire me.  There are many, of course (some I follow more faithfully than others), and some of them you yourself may have visited on occasion.  I've decided to put only my top five favorites to save your eyes.

5.  Oh Happy Day!

*  This delightful little blog is run by the lovely and talented Jordan, originally from San Fransisco and currently living in Paris.  Her blog is so fresh and fun - full of party ideas, fashion suggestions, and all-around creativity.  I am constantly scouring her blog for new ideas.  I also love the occasional photographs of Paris.  (This is my personal favorite.)

4.  Strawberry Chic

*  I love the ideas that Andrea shares on this blog.  I've actually used some in my blog before (her diy cake stands were perfect for my cake decorating party last summer.)  She shares many different ideas for home decor, diy projects, thrifty shopping, and party planning (of course!)

3.  Amy Atlas Designs

*  Amy Atlas is the creator of the universally popular "candy bar" that many of us have seen and enjoyed at parties in the past few years.  She shares photographs from event planners all over the world, as well as giving helpful party-planning advice periodically.  Because there are so many creative people connected to the blog, she often posts several times per day (which means that I often miss some of her posts).  But I have definitely been inspired by her blog many times!

2.  Such Pretty Things

*  Jessica's beautiful blog was the reason I was inspired to start my own.  She is so creative, and constantly drawn to make lovely things lovelier.  She has shared so many charming things, including her own party ideas, vintage collections, and shopping adventures, and I have used her tutorials more times than I can count. 

And, my number one favorite blog...

1.  Posie Gets Cozy

*  We should all have an Alicia in our life.  Alicia and (sometimes) her husband Andy post here, showing us glimpses of their domestic adventure, taking us on walks, sharing moments of their romance and beauty through her wonderful photography.  She's the kind of person you wish lived next door to you, though, through her blog, it almost feels like she does.  I always feel my day is complete if Alicia has shared a bit of hers. 

I'd like to thank the wonderful ladies who faithfully post on these blogs... you are an inspiration to me.  If you are reading this, make time to check these out.  They really are terrific!

Happy 100th Post to me.  :-)

~ Sarah

Festival of Ice, 2012

Well, I have successfully survived my first big event since my illness a couple of months ago.  I have to admit, I was dreading it in a way... I really didn't have faith in my ability to physically pull it off.  But with the help of my fabulous husband, we did it!!

Our town does an annual Festival of Ice, and the entire community comes together to participate.  The theme this year was 'Frozen Games,' (a salute to the Olymics) with a London twist.  Our church participates by sponsoring a "warming center," a free event where families can enjoy games, hot chocolate, coffee, popcorn, snacks, face-painting, and crafts.  We don't go half-way with our decorating, either (the part I'm involved with.) 

At each game station, children earned 'medals' made from chocolate coins and crepe paper, so we set up a photo corner for them to show their prizes off.  Using a photo I found on the internet (hurrah for Google!!), Jayson and I painted an impression of Big Ben.  {Fortunately, it photographs much better than it actually looks in person.}  My father-in-law made the gold/silver/bronze stand, and we had additional medals on hand as props for the photos.

  

Elsewhere in the Warming Center, we had a 'torch' (made from a stovepipe, paint can, fan, angel food cake pan, and crepe paper), Olympic rings (made from hula hoops and spray paint) {both made by Jayson} ...

And, what has become our signature Warming Center decoration, hundreds of helium balloons dotting our ceiling. 

Strangely, I forgot to take any photographs of the ice sculptures, which is a shame because some of them were very cool.  There was even an ice torch, which was lit for a short time.

All-in-all, a successful event!  On to the next.  :-)

~ Sarah

Converstion Hearts

Well, it has been nearly four weeks since I even thought about posting here, and almost two months since I actually posted something useful (last two were Instagram posts, if you can remember that far back.)  I would like to say I'm back, but I can't make any promises as to how consistently, since I'm still unwell (still?! yes, still.)  I'm thankful for modern medicine and old-fashioned prayer (though my new medicine has me dozing off in odd {and frequently embarassing, though funny} places...)  Simple tasks are still exhausting me, but I'm approaching things with more gusto.  And I'm eating again, which is helping immensely.  Can't express how thankful I am for Jayson, who has been waiting on me hand-and-foot, and for my job, which has let me work part-time indefinitely until I'm well enough for full-time again.  Also thankful for some very dear friends and family (you know who you are) who have stepped up to take care of things I couldn't.  I am on the road to recovery and will be myself again before long.  :-)

Well, as Maxine says, a very heartwarming thing happens in the middle of February every year: all the candy goes on clearance.  I'm a candy-lover, myself, and my husband is a bargain-lover.  Which means that we have a brand new stash of candy that would put Willy Wonka to shame. 

My personal favorites are the conversation hearts because of the things they put on them.  (Nothing says romance quite like "Tweet Me.")  They also remind me of a sweet/corny/silly thing I did for my wedding.  Around this time six years ago, my mother purchased pounds and pounds of candy hearts, literally tens of thousands, and together, we spent hours over several days pulling out all the hearts that said 'Marry Me.'  On my wedding day, I had my brother-in-law give several gifts to my soon-to-be-husband, including the box of special conversation hearts.  {Insert 'awww' here.} 

It wasn't until we returned from our honeymoon that I found out he hadn't even opened the box.  I was horrified.  (It's hilarious now... but that night, I felt like bursting into tears.)

And every year since then, he pulls out the 'Marry Me' hearts for me.  :-)  (I think it's his way of telling me he's still sorry.)

What are your Valentine's memories?

~ Sarah