Snowy Days

That's my sweet little Doll Bear loving her some snow! (She must get that from Danny. He loves the snow--even driving in it! Silly boy.) I'm glad they can appreciate it. As for me, I'm counting down till Spring. As far as I'm concerned, nothing good comes of a snowy day. (yesterday proved that to be true) Okay, well... the snow IS really pretty and it DOES make my husband and puppy happy, so those are good things. Oh, and it makes for a some pretty beautiful photos too, but other than that...

As for yesterday's no good snowy bad day, boy oh boy did I develop a spectacular allergic reaction! The other night my eyes were bothering me and my face felt unusually sore and tender. I woke up yeterday morning with my eyes swollen shut. My face was so swollen I hardly recognized myself. I gotta say, it wasn't a pretty sight to behold. I tried to take a benadryl and stay inside, (not wanting to face the public) but it only got worse as the day went on. After a nice trip to the doctor and a lovely shot in the you-know-where, a lot of the swelling has gone down. Now I'm just sporting some fancy red racoon eyes. Hoping it all clears up soon, and that I can figure out the cause. As for now, the doctor took me off my new Fibromyalgia medication, thinking it may have been the culprit. Hoping I can find a medication that my body doesn't reject one of these days!

I blame the snow;)

L

Confessions of a Perfectionist

• Standing up for myself is painfully difficult, and in the rare moments that I do... I spend hours rethinking what I said and worrying about it. "I should have..." "I shouldn't have..." (this happened yesterday)
• Trying to learn that sometimes DONE is better than PERFECT. I have piles of "unfinished" projects and it's time to commit to the "final touches" and call them complete.
• Lately I've had a hard time giving myself credit for the things that I do well. Time to stop comparing myself to everyone else and celebrate my own strengths.
• Appearances can be deceiving. Learning that if it looks perfect on the outside, I probably don't know the whole story.
• Antidotes I'm finding to perfectionism: honesty, faith, confidence, unselfishness, forgiveness, gratitude, etc.
• Publishing vulnerable posts like is very uncomfortable. Select All and Delete= very tempting.

I'm curious, what do you do to fight perfectionsim? Any insights you have on this matter that you'd like to share?

L

Life from the Passenger Seat: Wildlife

When viewing life from the passenger seat I'm always on the lookout for something beautiful. I don't know if you know this about me, but I'm pretty much a huge fan of spotting creatures in wildlife. Seeing a bird of prey is always a happy occasion... one which generally evokes a spontaneous dance and victory cheer! True. It seriously makes my day! Sunday drive and a bird of prey= a very happy Lynley.

L

Dining Out

I love the social aspects of dining out-- I enjoy the atmosphere, the social gathering, the lights, the decor, etc. I could, however, do without the food. I could do without paying extra (GF food is always pricer than the regular menu items) to be sick--without fail... every single time. No matter how "gluten free friendly" a restruant is, most meals out just don't work for me. I've accepted it, and I'm really not complaining here, just stating the facts. There are many health and financial perks in avoiding eating out. I've learned to love simple healthy food. I love trying new recipes, and making things that even "normal" people "actually" enjoy;)

We enjoyed a lovely evening out with Danny's family over the weekend. The food tasted very good and I appreciated the efforts of the restraunt staff to make it gluten free; nevertheless, it still wasn't a dining out success in terms of health. While everyone else was busy eating and enjoying their meals, I decided to snap some photographs of the lovely dining scene. I may no longer be able to eat the bread and pasta, but I can still appreciate their asthetic value!

I love these black and whites... That first shot of the water glasses and menus takes me right back to a quaint little italian bistro we visted in Paris. (Those were very happy dining days.) I love the crowded feeling of the glasses and condiments on the table; they so perfectly depict the story of a large family gathering to dine together.

The shot with the bread and butter actually evokes a lot of emotions for me. Interesting how very tied to our emotions food can be. Just last night while watching a favorite local television show, The Food Nanny, I cried listening to the host talk about baking bread with her mother and grandmother. Tears. Serious tears. Interestingly enough, it's not the food itself that I miss anymore, it actually runs a lot deeper than that. I suppose in part, feeling excluded from the traditional family meal has brought about a loss of sharing and connectedness. I guess that's why I enjoy cooking and sharing the food that I can eat with others. It gives me back some of those moments that celiac took away.

For the most part, it's really just best for me to avoid eating out, but now and than it's nice to remember that feeling of holding a menu in my hands, being waited upon, and enjoying the company of friends and family in a lovely dining setting away from home.

Evidenlty, blogging these photos was also rather theraputic;)

L

Lucky To Have Him

Well aren't we just cute?! I took some family pictures over the weekend for the Johnsons while Danny's sister was in town. After lots of group shots, I asked Danny's mom to snap a few pictures of us--I'm so glad I thought to ask, because I just love them! I'm feeling pretty good about keeping my resolution to take more pictures of us together!

I'm so proud of my Danny who is now the newest member of our ward bishopric. He's simply wonderful and so willing to serve others. (Turns out being the wife of a member of the bishopric means lots of cold dinners, and sitting alone on Sundays... but I'm certain it will also bring many blessings into our family!) I'm sure proud of my Danny! I'm very lucky to have him.

L

This is What Carefree Looks Like

Carefree:

Adjective: free from anxiety or responsibility; without worry
Synonyms: happy-go-lucky, lighthearted, jaunty

Miss M. was busy twirling and singing when I snapped this picture. She's such a happy, carefree, sweet little girl! I sure love her!

I'm busy working away on lots of projects and excited to share new ideas, new pages, and a new scrapbooking blog soon... Can't wait to share!

L

This is What Happy Looks Like...

Dawning his Christmas sweater and a great big smile, Mr. Lincoln wishes you a Happy President's Day! Isn't he just the cutest?! His smile always brightens my day. Cute little bug!

L

Old School

If I'm not mistaken, the Romney bumper sticker on that little vintage wagon is a classic from the late 1960's when George Romney was running for office. And with a closer look I realized the sticker on the front says "Happiness is Family Home Evening." This is just good stuff.

Busy working in my little studio today... Can't wait to share some pics!

L

Truth, Love, and Service

Evidently it's time to take my sleeping pill, becuase it's midnight and I'm posting a new print here on my blog! I could make these all day! I just had to share... I love this talk by President Monson. Such simple worthy goals that will truly bring so much peace and happiness!

Perhaps tomorrow I'll photograph and share some of the over 50 scrapbooking pages I've been working on...

Okay, time to go to bed.
L

Road Trip

Dear Disneyland,

I think it's time Danny and I make plans to meet you... We've heard so many lovely things about you. I could use a little of your sunshine and magic right about now! Hope to see you soon...

Love,
L

Happy Valentine's Day

Here's another little Valentines Print I designed. Sweet and simple. I think this is the one I'll print up and frame. It matches our living room quite nicely!

While at BYU I studied Marriage Family and Human Development. So many times I felt strong impressions that this major was MOST important for me and my family. While sometimes I wish I had graduated with a more marketable degree, I have never questioned the value of the education I recieved. I believe in family. I believe Satan is determined to destroy our families. I believe in hope for our families through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe the atonement can heal our homes and families. Here are a few of my favorite thoughts on love and marriage... I would love if you took a moment today and watched each of these little messages. They are all so beautiful and inspiring.

Lastly, for those still waiting for the opprotunity of marriage and companionship, a video from my favorite talk by Elder Holland, "Good Things to Come," as a beautiful reminder that blessings await you. (also, a very hopeful message to married couples too.)

Happy Valentines Day!

Valentines Printable

Just a quick little Valentines Day printable I created for the Valentines book I've been making Danny. Everyday since the first of February the "Valentines Fairy" has come to leave a special little valentine/note for him. Tomorrow I'll put all 14 days together in a little mini album to give him. (no surprise to ruin here since he's been getting these little love notes all month long...) I'll have a couple more little printables available tomorrow too. Feel free to print it off and share it with someone special. I've also been planning on creating some prints for different holidays and replacing them in a frame I got at the thrift store.

L

Sunday Best: Self-Timer

Just a few more of us in our Sunday best. This time we used the old self-timer. I've loved this red garage door behind a neighborhood store for some time--if I wasn't so creeped out by the strange people I see coming and going there, I'd use it as a backdrop more often. It's really time to print a whole bunch of photos, document them, and make room on the hard drive for new ones.

L

Sunday Best

You know how I said I wanted more pictures of Danny and I together? Well... we had a sneaky idea to get more photos of us... I take pictures for the ward directory on Sundays, so I figure if we just ask someone to take one of us now and then, we'll have a little collection of photos in no time!! I think I'll make a little album out of them as we add to the collection...

L

Life From the Passenger Seat: Under Construction

Sometimes life from the passenger seat looks a bit like this: ROAD CLOSED, STOP, WORK ZONE, DETOUR AHEAD; in other words: stop, wait, slow down, turn around, or take another path entirely. While a detour along the road to a determined destination may be inconvenient for a moment, the detours in life are much more painful and harrowing. It can be so painful to wait, stop, or turn around when all we really want is to move forward. These trials test our faith and challenge us to become more like our Savior, enduring moments of soul-wrenching heartache and sorrow.

Today my heart is hurting so much for a dear friend who is struggling with a heartbreaking loss. I wish there was more I could do to comfort and support my friend in her pain. I'm aware of so many wonderful friends and family members who are going through very difficult trials. Furthermore, a line in the hymn "Lord I Would Follow Thee" reminds us that often we don't even know the trials so many around us are facing. "In the quiet heart is hidden, sorrow that the eye can't see." Some trials are visible, giving others an idea of what you might be going through, but so many are tucked away within our quiet hearts. Throughout these times of trial I've been gaining such a stronger testimony of prayer, temple attendance, and scripture study. I know miracles happen everyday, and I continue to pray for them in the lives of those I love, and in my own quiet struggles.

The road is not always easy and the way is not always clearly paved before us (at least we cannot see it with our natural eyes) but I know that the Lord loves us, and has a plan of happiness for each of his children.

"Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, 

the design of your God concerning those things which shall come 

hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the 

day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory;

the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand."

Pressing forward with faith, praying for those I love, and continuing to hope in better and brighter days.
L

Forget Me Not

I've mentioned it before, but I think President Uchtdorf's talk Forget Me Not may have been just for me. While going through photos getting ready to put them on my hard-drive, I came across this picture that I took at Girls camp. One of the Young Women had pointed out the little purple flowers and said that I needed to take a picture of them. I remember seeing the delicate blossoms and thinking how they were so small and unassuming-- I loved that about them! I was excited that one of my young women had pointed them out, knowing I'd appreciate their beauty!

This photo has spoken to me for some time, and suddenly I see why... All this time I've loved those sweet little purple flowers, without even knowing that they were the very forget-me-nots from the talk I've been reading over and over, and drawing inspiration from these last few months! It was a tender mercy, a moment of realization. A perfect depiction of the very principles taught by President Uchtdorf. Those little flowers were tucked away--almost hidden from view in the campsite--but noticed and appreciated. Again, there they were, tucked away in my photo catalog, appreciated for their beauty, but waiting for the moment I'd see them for what they really were. Not just a lovely little flower, but a sweet reminder of God's love. A tender reminder that just like those little flowers, I too have not been forgotten.

Quoting President Uchtdorf:

First, forget not to be patient with yourself.

Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself.

In the meantime, be thankful for all the small successes in your home, your family relationships, your education and livelihood, your Church participation and personal improvement. Like the forget-me-nots, these successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him. If you consider success to be only the most perfect rose or dazzling orchid, you may miss some of life’s sweetest experiences.

Second, forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.

How can we tell the difference for our own situation? We can ask ourselves, “Am I committing my time and energies to the things that matter most?” There are so many good things to do, but we can’t do all of them. Our Heavenly Father is most pleased when we sacrifice something good for something far greater with an eternal perspective. Sometimes, that may even mean nurturing small but beautiful forget-me-not flowers instead of a large garden of exotic blooms.

Third, forget not to be happy now.

There is nothing wrong with righteous yearnings—we hope and seek after things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.”⁴ The problem comes when we put our happiness on hold as we wait for some future event—our golden ticket—to appear.

This is not to say that we should abandon hope or temper our goals. Never stop striving for the best that is within you. Never stop hoping for all of the righteous desires of your heart. But don’t close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day’s ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life.

Fourth, forget not the “why” of the gospel.

Sometimes, in the routine of our lives, we unintentionally overlook a vital aspect of the gospel of Jesus Christ, much as one might overlook a beautiful, delicate forget-me-not. 

When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet.

Fifth, forget not that the Lord loves you.

Sisters, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.


Sisters, there is something inspiring and sublime about the little forget-me-not flower. I hope it will be a symbol of the little things that make your lives joyful and sweet. Please never forget that you must be patient and compassionate with yourselves, that some sacrifices are better than others, that you need not wait for a golden ticket to be happy. Please never forget that the “why” of the gospel of Jesus Christ will inspire and uplift you. And never forget that your Heavenly Father knows, loves, and cherishes you.


With Love,
L

I Kind of Love This...

I kind of love this photo... The silhouetted father and children fishing at sunset--it just makes me so happy! I'm no fisherman (fisherwoman?) but I love the idea of the little family spending the afternoon together at the lake. I also love the composition of the three trees offset by the three fishermen. It was one of those--in the right place, at the right time, with my camera in hand moments... I love when that happens!

L

Life From the Passenger Seat: Sugar House

Back in October, Danny and I had to make a quick trip up to Sugar House-- a little city with lots of character. The homes are older, but are being renovated, updated, and brought back to life. I had a bit of time to explore the artsy neighborhood while Danny was working. There were so many colorful little homes with charming details --I was especially taken with the porch decorated with bunting made from vintage scarves. I even found some writing on the bricks of an old home. (10 Points if you remember the 1990's PBS television show Ghostwriter, and think that perhaps those words were clues in solving a mystery. Okay, maybe that was just me.) I snapped a few shots of the house number 6-22 because that's my birthday, so obviously those are lucky numbers.

Two things photography has taught me:
I like to explore.
I always find something interesting, noteworthy, and beautiful when I look a little closer.

L

Black and White

Just a few of my favorite black and white shots from 2011. While I love color, there's something about the contrast of black and white that really appeals to me. It's hard to choose, but I think the El Salvadoran fisherman is my favorite.

These days:

I've been doing lots of scrapbooking and even have a fun little business opportunity in the works. Can't wait to show you what I've been up to...

I've been studying up on photography and graphic design.

I've been trying to get over another round of infections, and an annoyingly numb right arm and hand. I have some new tests and appointments coming up and I'm hoping they can get to the bottom of things.

I've been learning a lot about patience, hope, and faith.

I've been dreaming of Springtime, Disneyland, and the beach.

I've been feeling so blessed and grateful for my Danny and Dolly.

L