Lifestyle
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Briarberry Delight of the Month: Flowers for June
I could only imagine Roses for June. they truly bring the wildness of summer. such a classic beauty. I love the visual richness of roses that comes from the way light interplays with the many layers of the flower petals creating brightness and deep shadowing in the same flower that never fails to draw my interest. And a fragrance that is recognizeable, complex, sweet, and fresh. These beauties came from the rose bush climbing my chimney. As soon as they bloom, their Scarlett Red is so dramatic that it attracts the attention of everyone walking by. Forever captivating, the beautiful rose, which is of course one of natures most humble…
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Delight of the Month: May Flowers
May is the month when my flower gardens start to come alive! After the early spring months show their bipolar side by being warm and inviting, to the sudden outburst of winter storms. Then beautiful May arrives and seems to make up its mind to be grounded in beauty and sunshine. It might be the prettiest month of the year in my southern Utah area. The Briarberry Delight of the Month Flowers for May include some of the flowers on display in my flower gardens. A fluffy pink Peony, a sophisticated, laced Iris, and a bunch of pastel Mums. Peonies are my favorite flowers and these are giant this year.…
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Delight of the Month: Easter Lillies
Vibrant and Beautiful, with a fragrance that can fill a room and a majestic bloom, it’s no wonder that Lillies are a trademark of Easter. Also, a bit of a fun fact: the specific type of lily we call the “Easter Lily” (Lilium longiflorum) is native to Japan, and it only became popular in the U.S. around World War I, thanks to an Oregon grower who started cultivating them when imports were cut off. There is an Easter Lily legend that says that after the Resurrection, when Mary Magdalene visited Jesus’ empty tomb, lilies were found blooming there as a sign of his victory over death. In this way, the…
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Last Supper Passover Charcuterie Board
Happy Easter to you! I hope that your celebration of this beautifully important day is full of Hope and Peace. Our household was such a bustle today. Years ago, when my kids were small, our family Easter celebrations revolved around teaching our kids about Jesus, agonizing over what to prepare for a beautiful family dinner, finding or making coordinating Easter clothes for the kids, and watching as the kids load their baskets with enormous amounts of booty from our epic family egg hunt. Luckily, not much has changed. I can still talk the girls into wearing some matching dresses, we’re still excitedly planning what to make for an Easter feast,…
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Delight of the Month: February Flowers
If someone asked me to describe the smell and colors of LOVE, my response would be a Red Rose. This year, this month, my husband Dave and I celebrated our 20 year wedding anniversary. We have shared a life filled with ups and downs, 3 beautiful children, several moves to find our home, careers, frustrations, joys, laughs, and always Love. I still remember the moment I knew Dave was proposing to me. I had followed a series of clues that took me to places we had gone as we were dating, with the final clue leading to Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City where we had first met. It was…
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Flower arrangement of the Month: January
This year I’ll be falling for FLOWERS! What I mean is, that after posting a cookie of the month each month in 2024, I found that I enjoyed this little challenge of sharing something in a bit different category than crochet each month so this year will be a year full of monthly flower arrangements. This is also the year of my 20th anniversary with my husband, Dave. Early into dating, Dave knew that he had a “girly girl” on his hands and that every occasion is a great one for flowers. He made it a point to spoil me frequently with bouquets including a GIANT bouquet of Red and…
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Exploring the Eastern Coast of Oahu
Our first day on Oahu, we discovered that one of the magical parts of a trip to Hawaii is in the beautiful drives all around the island. After landing in Honolulu and loading our luggage into our car, we made the drive along Highway 83 to the North Shore. With Jack Johnson playing and the windows rolled down, we breathed in the salty, misty air and felt the warmth of the island sun as we made our way along the winding, view filled highway roads. Coast lines and beaches, jungles and mountains, this drive enchanted us with our first views of Hawaii. We had dreamed of this and it truly…
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Merry Christmas!
One of the highlights of Christmas for me is to see the family pictures that my friends and family share as a Christmas card or an online update. For me, Christmas has always meant family, including the friends that we love so much that they become the family we choose for ourselves. This year, we hosted a Christmas morning pajama breakfast, followed by gift giving and stories shared around the Christmas tree. I also have felt more keenly aware this year of the friends and loved ones in my life who need my help and I hope I can always be responsive to the needs I see. This Christmas season…
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A beautiful Pearl
When grit becomes a beautiful Pearl, it’s time to celebrate!
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September Cookie of the Month: S’mores Bars
When the leaves are starting to rust and there’s a crisp and smoky scent in the air, the timing is perfect for a cozy campfire where friends and family gather around and share memories and stories in quiet tones that erupt into laughter. I will always cherish these campfire moments and the treat that so often brings everyone together. S’mores of course! I couldn’t really do a cookie of the month every month of the year without including one of everyone’s favorites. If you’re not a fan of S’mores yet. Come to my campfire and we’ll make you a believer. This version is actually a bar cookie so there’s no…
