When Dane was getting ready to leave–for Lithuania…

he was quite determined to take all his precious belongings with him.

Strangely enough, no matter how he rearranged things–these particular gems just wouldn’t fit in the suitcase.

He comes home in a couple of months—at last, at last!

Isn’t he in for a surprise when he sees…

just how grown-up the little gooney-birds have become? Not to mention the sweet pea that he’s never even met!

I’m chanting…

June 10th…June 10th…June 10th…

“Porter” by Elspeth Young

Our dear friend and neighbor, Susette…

oh, I can hardly say the words…

lost her son–Porter, just 18, in a tragic hiking accident Friday afternoon.

Our hearts ache for the family of this wonderful boy.

Please, please, take a moment to send your thoughts and prayers–that they may find comfort at this very difficult time.

Susette, Mark, Kali, Cooper, Jordan…and Porter–

please know of our love and tears for your sorrow—my sweet friends. We pray that you will feel Heavenly Father’s comforting arms around you all.

So much love,

Launi and family

]]> http://www.graciousrain.com/2010/03/08/too-soon/feed/ 4 http://www.graciousrain.com/2010/03/08/too-soon/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/graciousrain/~3/B5wqh_xbiow/ http://www.graciousrain.com/2010/03/08/gum-wrapper-chains/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:05:06 +0000 Launi http://www.graciousrain.com/?p=837

Did you know that the world’s most amazing gum wrapper chain is 11 miles long? Yeah, it’s true. It would actually take you several hours to walk the length of that thing. That’s just nuts!

Do you remember making gum wrapper chains as a kid? Dang they were cool. Kids used them for bookmarks or wall hangings or even belts, bracelets and rings.

We’ve made them out of regular gum wrappers, Starburst, Life Saver and Mamba wrappers. Obviously, a lot of different things work. If you don’t already know how to make them–I’ll show you step by step.

Everyone needs “mad skills” like this.

Heh…

Cut the wrapper in half, long ways.

Fold up each edge about half way…

then fold in half again to form a long, skinny strip.

Now fold the long strip in half.

Now fold each end in half, to meet in the middle.

It should look about like this.

Now fold a million little “prongs” just like this.

Fit the two prongs of one piece into the slots of the other piece.

Push it all the way through until it can’t go any more.  It should look about like this.

Now take another “V” and slide it through the one you just fit in place…

and on…

and on and on…

Now try one yourself.

If you have any trouble–email me.

I’ll help you.

:]

Happy National Crochet Week!

March 8-14

]]> http://www.graciousrain.com/2010/03/08/gum-wrapper-chains/feed/ 10 http://www.graciousrain.com/2010/03/08/gum-wrapper-chains/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/graciousrain/~3/-Ttcgx_sXpo/ http://www.graciousrain.com/2010/03/07/tender-mercies-2/#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 07:01:36 +0000 Launi http://www.graciousrain.com/?p=12749

“The Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ…The Lord’s tender mercies do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Faithfulness, obedience, and humility invite tender mercies into our lives, and it is often the Lord’s timing that enables us to recognize and treasure these important blessings.”

~Elder David A. Bednar

A single photo – no words – capturing a simple, special, extraordinary moment that I would like to pause, savor and remember.

If you’re inspired to do so—as I was, by SouleMama, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to see.

Happy Weekend, my dah-lings!

Being the pirate loving mateys that we are…

we gathered the crew and headed back to one of our favorite places—

Pirate Island!  It’s mystical…

it’s magical…

and just so dang piratey!

The deckhands love the food…

especially the plank-sized portions.

However, some of the knaves go a little…

overboard...

with the pizza.

No really.

They pillage and plunder…

they rifle and loot.

It’s a sad, sad story all right.

But this particular swabbie? Oh, she truly can’t help it.

It’s not her fault.

After all…

Her great-grampa was a pirate.

]]> http://www.graciousrain.com/2010/03/05/pirate-genes/feed/ 14 http://www.graciousrain.com/2010/03/05/pirate-genes/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/graciousrain/~3/_l2YrcNP0Gg/ http://www.graciousrain.com/2010/03/04/basket-case-baby/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:02:52 +0000 Launi http://www.graciousrain.com/?p=12561 When I was a kid, I used to fantasize about finding a baby in a basket, on the door step.

Not an old beat up basket like this one–holding baby April–but a pretty little wicker one. Of course the baby would have a note attached to it reading, “Please look after my baby,” or something mysterious like that. In my child mind, the baby would, of course, be mine to have and name and play with forever–like a doll.

Back then, it was a magical, romantic thought–finding a baby on the porch that for some weird reason you could just keep. But nowadays, to imagine such a thing is just downright creepy. I mean, really–where were the “Child Protective Services” back then?

I know, I know…they didn’t exist.

At any rate, there must be some kind of compact, feel good, choo-choo train kind of relationship that many moms have with babies in baskets.  Not just to sleep–but you know, where you plop them in this funny little place and tow them around the carpet for awhile.

And for the baby it’s instant Disneyland.

Oooh-oooh! The doorbell just rang…

I’ll go see–maybe it’s a stray baby or something.

I mean, you never know.

a genuine—-Leprechaun!!

I snuck up behind him and slammed a jar over his little green self and now he’s mine!

Pretty dang sure he owes me a pot of gold, or a wish or something…can’t remember how it goes.

If you haven’t seen any of these little fellows in your hedges yet, don’t feel bad. You can get your own Lucky Leprechaun real easy and totally in time for St. Patrick’s Day. Just click HERE to go to one of my favorite places and make your own luck.

This guy is the perfect little friend to have around—to keep you from getting pinched.

And if he’s got a pot of gold hidden somewhere–you can bet, I’m gonna find it.

Wish me luck.

:]

]]> http://www.graciousrain.com/2010/03/03/look-what-i-found/feed/ 6 http://www.graciousrain.com/2010/03/03/look-what-i-found/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/graciousrain/~3/Dyf79HYuQ_g/ http://www.graciousrain.com/2010/03/02/12702/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:02:38 +0000 Launi http://www.graciousrain.com/?p=12702

The other day, we had surprise visitors from a faraway land.

Lily-chan sang and danced for us…

and Beckham-lin shared his ancient words of wisdom.

Even Chompy was impressed with their command of the language.

In one bonding moment, our guest let the bald kid try on his cap.

With ambassadors like these, peace and goodwill have a sporting chance…

at least in these parts.

Live long and prosper.

Happy Birthday~~ Dr. Seuss!