Lovely West Elm to Share

I love the site and store  West Elm.  I often wonder over to search and dream.  Well I just looked at the Easter stuff and their decorative pillows and this is what I turned up.

Easter Egg Ornaments Made in Austria

 These eggs are just so lovely.  The fact that they are made in Austria, thrills me to my core.

This is a beautiful tradition.  I love this part of Kersten's Heritage.

Scandinavian Tree Tea Towel

 I love the colors.  I love that they are Scandinavian to remind us of Kersten's mission.

Just Delightful.

Emboridered Birds of Paradise Pillow cover

 I have a vision for my front room and family room that keeps evolving.

these colors would work in either one.  And I am OBSESSED with birds.

The reason why would take a whole post.

David Stark Twig Topiary

I ADORE this topiary Tree.  And it would look so lovely with my eggs hanging from it.

I love the little birds. The white branches.  

This is my favorite of the bunch.

Paper Mache Bird

My bird obsession coming in play again.  

I love the spindly legs and the words written all over it

All such lovely things.  Just had to share.

Front Room Wall

Before Kersten and I got married and we talked about our hopes, dreams and desires,  I told him that some day I really wanted a library in my house.   When I moved all my boxes of just books into our tiny apartment,  he commented that he knew I wanted a library but what he did not realize was that I wanted one right now. 

Now my dream is coming a bit more real.  We got book shelves to cover an entire wall in our front room.  It may not be all walls covered in books but it is so much closer.   Every time I walk into my house my heart fills a bit more with joy.  Seeing all those books.  My kids beg me to read to them all day.  I have seen them reading more than asking to watch tv.  Oh,  I just love it

St Patrick's Day

We spent a couple days before St Patrick's day building a trap

for the silly Leprechaun that turns our milk green.

Noah also made one for school.  It is a bed. 

I think it sure looks inviting.

Even a stuffed animal to cuddle with.

Sofia also made a bed to put in our family trap.

That sneaky leprechaun snuck passed us and got our milk green.

It sure made crackers and milk yummy.

He left green footprints all over our trap and right to our fridge.

Louie the Leprechaun at Noah's class got away also.

Noah was convinced they would get him.

He left a note saying "hee hee hee, you can't catch me"

We were a bit sad.

I have been trying to catch leprechauns my whole life and still have not got one.

I was lucky enough to teach Sofia's neighborhood preschool class that day.

we made Shamrock people.

Ate gold coins.

drank green milk

read leprechaun stories.

Talked about green and wore crowns and hats

Very fun and memorable.

Head Wound Girl

This is a letter I received in my email today from my husband.   It made me laugh really hard

Dearest Bride and Woman of my Dreams,

Today you experienced a smack on the head from a falling hard hat (Ironic).   The bump that has now formed on your head is a direct result of my carelessness when putting away my belongings.   While I did not intentionally set out to cause you pain; I do feel responsible for this mishap. 

You recently professed to love me with all of your heart.  I believe your confession of love.  But I know that your head can tell your heart what to do.  I hope my thoughtlessness doesn’t cause you to change your heart.

As recompense for my careless act, I propose to do the following:

1.       Hold you and tell you that everything will be alright

2.       Clean the dishes

3.       Make dinner

4.       Serve you as my queen

5.       Let you take a swing at my head with the aforementioned hard hat.

I hope these actions will demonstrate my love and commitment for you.   Remember, if you love someone set them free… but if you really love them, you can forgive them after sustaining a head-wound that they caused.

In conclusion; I am sorry for indirectly inflicting a head injury on you.  I beg you to forgive me. 

Your eternally devoted (if not a bit careless) Husband,

Kersten

 P.S.   On the bright side; between Sofia hitting you on the head with a frying pain and enduring a falling hard-hat we now know you have a sturdy melon.  Rest assured, I will never intentionally test the structural integrity of your skull, but it has to be comforting  to know that you could hold your own in a head-butting contest.

Dangerous Tangled

Who knew that Tangled could be so dangerous?

I just got hit in the head with a frying pan.
It snuck up on me from behind.
You see Sofia was Rapunzel
and I was Flynn Rider.
I was just not informed of my role in this game.
We had a disscussion on how we can pretend but not really hit people with frying pans

Conversation with Noah

Photo by Al Thelin

Conversation after a particularly emotional, fit throwing day with Sofia.  I watched my son try so hard to help her be happy and finally just give up and go play by himself in his room. 

Mom:  Hey, Noah,  I want to tell you that I am really happy how you always try to get along with your sister and play with her.  You are both really lucky to have each other.

Noah:  (in an exasperated tone)  Yeah,  I know,  I just did not realize it was going to be so hard.

Mom:  Do you mean having a sister?

Noah:  Yeah,  It is really hard work

My son learning one of life's most important lessons that relationships take work and are not always easy.  But they are worth it and are what makes life rich. 

Opa Rolf

Rolf Gunther Flurer

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Rolf Gunther Flurer returned to his heavenly home on Friday, December 17th, 2010.  Rolf was born in Köln, Germany on March 12th, 1930 to Josef Friedrich Flurer and Lydia Klein.  He was sealed to his sweetheart, Christel Auguste Flurer in the Salt Lake Temple.  Rolf filled his life with laughter and love for his family.  He was immensely generous with his time, resources and support.  Rolf enjoyed spending time with his family, spoiling his grandkids and great grandkids, gardening, swimming, cooking and camping.

Rolf is survived by his bride, Christel Flurer, his children; Heinz Flurer (Monika), Joe Flurer (Deanne), Judith Wilkins (Larry), Tim Orton (Ruth), 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.



His death was unexpected in that he was not very ill but he was getting older. When I first told Noah about what happened his reaction was "Who killed my Opa?  I will get him".  I kept explaining that no one killed him until finally exasperated he exclaimed "Mom,  I'm playing a game."  He guarded the coffin, patroling back and forth looking for bad guys.  He even checked for bombs around the perimeter and underneath the coffin.  He also helped remind me of what it was about.  I told him that he could talk to Opa and he would still hear him.  And he said "Mom,  I am still talking to him all the time.  He is just in heaven."  

I will never forget Opa's mischievous smile,  his claim that he was always "miserable",  His hilarious comments and jokes.  His flirty ways.  His generous nature and the love and interest he had for all those around him.  We will miss you greatly.  The greatest tribute today at his funeral was after the graveside service all the grandkids did the chicken dance.  I know you approved.  And you are laughing, joking and enjoying the celebration of your arrival on the other side.  I am so grateful for the knowledge that our family relationships go beyond this earth.  We will be together again