It's You

I've debated posting this, but decided I'll just do it. Morgan and I saw "Music & Lyrics" and while I actually wouldn't recommend it for various reasons, I did very much enjoy the music from it. Especially this song:



I don't know if this song makes much sense without having seen the movie. But I think it's one of the sweetest, most romantic songs I've heard. My husband has heard me say this many times and endured listening to the song even more.

When we were engaged, he wrote me a really wonderful song. We put a few of the lyrics on a bookmark as a keepsake at one of our open houses. "You are the verse that I write. You are the song that I sing." He surprised me again this month with another song he had written while I was away working. He said he wrote it in the style of one of my favorite songs. [see above] Here's part of it:

Have you ever stood still and watched the clouds roll by?
Or closed your eyes and listened to the rain?
Have you ever been embraced by a summer breeze?
Or seen the perfect sunset end the perfect day?
Well, I have, and I do, and it's you.

Great Music

Last night, someone asked us to send them a list of good classical music. Oh, boy! Oh, boy! Well, we took about an hour and put together some of our favorite pieces. It was not at all comprehensive, but we had a lot of fun putting it together. I thought I would post a piece right now that is one of my all-time favorites.



Just so you appreciate this performance a little more (or at least understand my appreciate, I suppose), the men's portion of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir recorded a version of this piece (Wagner's "The Pilgrim's Chorus" from Tannhaeuser, in case it doesn't show) several decades ago. My dad loved that recording and when I was introduced, I loved it too. My husband and I found another recording that had an orchestra behind it (how it was originally written) instead of an organ (MoTab's version). The singing was lower quality, but we loved the strings! So we longed for the day when the Mormon Tabernacle Choir would get together with the Orchestra on Temple Square. Then we found this! We were so excited!

My friend over at Austen Knows Best found the coolest quiz. I think most of your know I LOVE the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. Here's my results.

Which Betsy-Tacy character are you? Your Result: Tacy Kelly Tacy, though bashful with people she doesn't know well, can be just as merry as Betsy and the others in the Crowd. Remember the Irish Colleen and the brogue accent? Tacy is a true friend who both sympathizes with and understands Betsy whether she is sad, happy, obsessed with a certain boy, etc. Although Tacy doesn't lose her heart easily, when she does it's for keeps (Harry Kerr!)
Betsy Ray
Emily Webster
Carney Sibley
Tib Muller
Julia Ray
Irma Biscay
Winona Root
Which Betsy-Tacy character are you? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

It's not terribly accurate, but Tacy was always my favorite character, much as I love Betsy. If you've read Betsy and want to take the quiz... Here it is.

A great favorite

I know I've already shared this, but it's been quite awhile and there's so much to learn from it. Having had a couple of really hard days, I turned back to this this morning and was reminded of what's really important. There is so much wisdom and comfort in these few minutes of advice, spoken in Elder Busche's calm and beautiful voice. Please enjoy again and again.

Male and Female

Morgan and I read Genesis 1:27 at the beginning of this week. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he them; male and female created he them." (In Moses 2:27, we get a slight clarification: "And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them.") But the part I want to focus on in "male and female created he them."

One of the books I've been reading (in this case, rereading) this week is Dr. Laura's "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands." Now, I've heard all sorts of reactions to this book, but mine are almost completely positive. I first read the book when I was a newlywed and thought, "Well, duh. I know all this." It's been a really good experience reading the book again this week to remind and motivate myself to be a better wife. Dr. Laura brings out a very important point. Males and females are different and should act/be treated thus.

It discourages me to hear women talk of their husbands in degrading terms as happens all to often. Dr. Laura proclaims that if a woman will take responsibility and treat her husband well, like a man, he will respond like the good man he is (barring of course the exceptions of abuse, addiction and adultery). Let me encourage all wives to read/reread this book, even if you're a good wife. It won't hurt to hear man's praises sung, as well they should be. I found it inspiring and motivational even though I was thinking I was being a great wife. I found ways I could improve and make my husband happier which, in turn, makes me happier.



To happy marriage - we can do it!

A couple of giveaways...

Today seems to be the day for giveaways. Not by me. But I'll give you a chance by posting their blogs here.

First, Serene from Serene Designs is giving away either some really cute blocks or a fondue set. (You get to pick which you'd prefer.)

Second, The Pioneer Woman is giving away money to your charity of choice for Haitian disaster victims. She is donating 10 cents for everyone who comments to be a part of her drawing.

Check it out.

Just some silliness

So I've noticed that my eyes water more when I'm not wearing my glasses than when I am wearing them. Is it because my vision is blurry so my body is trying to do something to correct the blurriness? Or is it because usually my glasses are only off in the morning and eyes just water more in the morning?

This makes me laugh.