"Scenes from Grandma's and Beyond(ce)" a weekend update

(These two photos are from another hot South Jordan tour spot- my favorite and first softball diamonds).
 Greetings world, happy new week. I'm here to report another successful weekend. Friday was mild in fun, being sick and all, but I did have a fabulous visit from a few girlfriends that night. Saturday morning I was packed up and ready to go with a smile on my face and the hope in my heart that "yes, today you are going to have a great day." My first stop was B's cheer competition at Bingham. This little beauty is a firecracker and seeing her run around the  mat (is that what them cheer people call it?) is probably one of the greatest forms of entertainment out there. I got to snuggle the Squish and we took selfies and played with Hello Kitty.


 

   

we are hams. she is a uber ham. I just try to match it.

 Then it was Auntie Meggie to try her hand on errand running with two Rugrats. We stopped at another childhood tour hotspot, Ream's grocery store, for candy. The we went to the Fabric Center so I could get the supplies for my next sewing construction class project (a skirt!). 

 Next was the round-a-bout way to Chick-Fil-A and Target (seriously, I went around a roundabout like 15 times). Seeing the Quirroph (spelling wrong, Oaker) Temple was a peaceful, lovely surprise!

The remaining time was spent with older brother Mike at Applebee's for dinner, then I went back to Target solo, and then I headed up to the Hartshorn's. Grandparent are the ultimate best.

I got to sleep in a large, snuggly bed. I woke up to my beautiful grandmother telling me (in other words) that it was church hookie day. I slept until 10:30, Grandma Bea made me bacon and eggs for breakfast and a tamale pie for lunch. Then my genius grandfather Leon R. Hartshorn gave us a Sunday School-esque lesson on the Doctrine and Covenants. I could hear Grandpa teach all day long.
Oh, and I forgot to mention. Grandma gave me her fancy pajamas that arrived in the mail (for her) the day before. They are glorious. 

Grandma is a curator of beautiful things. 

These are a few of her paintings:

 and the rest of the photos are snapshots of the living and dining room! This home is near unto being a temple- so peaceful, beautiful, and full of love.

grandma's floral couch for the win

The Allen clan shrine in the basement:

 I found some long lost family photos!

another definition of relationship. love you sis... warily. 

I still think my brother is the coolest.

go niners. boo. 

 and then, with the traditional honk of the horn and wave, I was off to SUPER-BOWL PARTY!

 I went to my good, new friend Bayley's house and had a ball.
Literally, Ben taught me how to play pool and I watched lots of football. Oh, and I ate good food and lots of chocolate. and jello, it's Mormon country.

This is team Dragon-Megan. It rhymes if you say it aloud with a Southern Alberta Dialect.

BEYONCE! D'sC REUNION! SINGLE LADIES!
POOOOWER SUUURGE

LOVE YOU BAYBAYBAY! 

This weekend was greater than great. School has come. Fare thee well.

Love,
MM

It's Frye-Day!

"Gotta get down on Frye-day.."

Today was only Thursday, but my Christmas present came in the mail and it was happy holidays for me. Here are some artsy shots.

gittin' my package

familiar church carpet that floors my room

Today, was also a day for rejoicing because I came across a flyer for the London Fall 2013 study abroad and made up my mind to apply! Today was the last day to do so, so I made it just in time. It has been my goal and dream for a long time, so I hope the odds are in my favor.

Trig calls, so I'll leave you with these two photos to show that even if you are feeling crappy, this world is still beautiful. 

Peace out January. Peace the crap out.

Love,
MM

DRDCT!

(That title is my acronym for Dreams Really Do Come True!.)

Today started off like a usual Wednesday, complete with snow, geography, lunch, a nap, and philosophy. 

BUT THEN!

I headed to the Orem Public Library to hear C. Jane speak about blogging. It truly was a dream and a wish come true. I started reading her blog in 2008 just as she was taking over for NieNie. I've admired her talent, tenacity, and business strategies (hello Rooftop Concert Series?). So Courtney Kendrick, I hope I see you again and we can continue our lovely chat!

{ Lately I have been thinking about this blog and my blogging in general, and the gears are really turning. I'll be sure to keep you posted. }

As I was exiting the library, I happened upon the sale section. $1.00 later I came out with the eclectic mix of a Richard Simmons VHS (yes, I have a TV with VHS) and a sweet edition of the Holy Bible. 

After the library visit, I pit stopped at Good Earth again for some replenishment, and then onto the holy grail otherwise know as Target.

I try to keep complaints to a minimum,  but seriously spring, come to me, come to me.

 It's late, the early morning calls, but January 30th, 2013, you have done your duty. I am content. 

Love,
MM

Dear World

Hello. I have little to say about today except I finally found some joy in sewing and trigonometry, so I'll let some pretty pictures do all the talking. 

{I'm being completely lame by not posting the original source (they all come from a Pinterest board of mine) since it takes a journey to do so. Hopefully I stay out of trouble!}

This painting by Brian Kershisnik I discovered while reading this blog today changed my day. I now have it as my desktop as a reminder that I am never alone, and angels are there to bear me up if I ask. I'm just so grateful to know my family, and know of my ancestors, so I can try to live my life to honor their legacy.

and check out my newly-refaced tumblr for more fun. Here's a sneak glimpse:

Lotsa extra love,

MM

P.S. This embroidery is my current favorite.

It's nice,

when life fits together.
{Disclaimer- I'm going to combine two post ideas into one long post. Gear up! Commit to reading!}

Ever wondered how to make a bad moment from taking over your day? 
Here's what I did:

I had a doctor's appointment last Friday at 11. I ran out of time to eat breakfast, and my appointment was one that involved emotional input, so I was past my limit when the pharmacist was gettin' cranky with me. I fumed to my car, but then I remembered that food from Guru's always makes me feel better.

I'm always there on the off times; this bustling crowd through me off.

Next, I went and got some groceries at the local Good Earth Natural Foods. The nice cashier helped me out (except he forgot to run my Puffins cereal coupon, he said he'd get it next time. 
(Never fear, he's a fresh coconut drinking ReturnedMissionary). 

On this note, I thought I'd interrupt this train of thought with another. 
People fascinate me. Talking with people and finding common ground is a new found constant hobby of mine. I've been trying to conjure up a perfect major/minor for myself and I think I have done it!
In between a library visit/Jamba juice visit, I went to the Fine Arts and Communications office in the HFAC. Intrigued?
I am now a Pre-Communications (Journalism) Major and a Theater Arts Studies Minor. 
Three cheers for life planning!
And, turns out my beloved friend Katelyn has the same major.
I love when the pieces of the puzzle we call life fit together.

and we are back!
After my delicious gourmet groceries were purchased, I thought a cupcake would also do me some good. I went into Sweet Tooth Fairy but alas, they were out of gluten free cupcakes. But, they did have a cookie and cream sucker so I was satisfied. (remember this? a week ago?)

I also made a pit stop at Quilted Bear. Nothing can calm the soul like a visit to a childhood hotspot. (My mom was a 90's crafter, I am loud and proud!) I picked up some fresh caramels and ended up with 8 half-off prints that range from a portrait of Doris Day and favorite Norman Rockwell prints and my 1957 Cadillac.  

clev

I may have purchased this and it's now on my mini-fridge.

 I returned to only remember it was time for cleaning checks. Nicely enough, I had time to vacuum and put up my new art.

Friday the 25th night, it was the long (well, three weeks) awaited Kid History premiere!

{What's Kid History you ask? Watch these three, my personal favorites!)

These blurs are You-tube celebs and their mother who spurred the webseries by raising sons who could tell great stories about their childhood.

and this is me! with them! my friends, and I, with them! (and the lovely ladies from Cute Girls Hairstyles)

So Saturday (sick day) 

and Sunday (church! parties!) happened, 

then Monday, today. 

Hello world!

Our winter is gorgeous! When the suffocating inversion is departed!

I was walking across Brigham Square when the comforting thought came to me:

"Hey, whenever I'm having a bad time, I can just remember that at least I'm not in Canada in the winter no mo'!"

theater nerdz. This is my friend Josh from Maine. a rockstar.

 (I filled my in between class time by exploring the exhibit in the Joseph F. Smith Building (JFSB).)

THIS IS SERIOUSLY OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOMS OF MY LEARNING! pinch me.

This is my very first checked out library book. (A 1924 atlas that is too rad for words. My bulging knapsack I trekked across campus proved my commitment).

And that my friends, is the end for today.

V, thank you for your presence. Even though I am a 1000 miles away, I can still blog for your posterity. 

MuchoLove,
Megan Marie