Halloween Babies

Click here for the cutest baby costumes ev-er!

(Thank you, Tom.)

For Brothers--More from the Farwest Jazz Choir 2008

More great music from the Farwest Jazz Choir. That's our boy (the trombone-playing singing drummer) on the first male solo.

Now that these pictures are public, I expect some serious crushation to go round the world. (I just wish I had a picture of the third brother in that groovy tuxedo. That is one thrift store buy that gave us laughs for years. Note the bare feet on Mr GQ.)


The Allan Brothers 1980-2008 from A Girl Called Dallan on Vimeo.

A Tribute to a Wonderful Grandpa

I'm Glad There is You from A Girl Called Dallan on Vimeo.

Thank you to Our Favorite Trombone-Playing Jazz Singer and the Farwest Jazz Choir 2008 for the beautiful music. You continue to amaze us.

Thank you to Kate and Emily and Chris for the lovely photographs (and Dale for the goofy one).

Be Sure to Read This

There is a beautiful, touching, heartwarming, sad, hopeful, endearing account of Christian and Stephanie Nielson and their exemplary families at this link today.

Be sure to read it.

Be sure to have tissues nearby when you do.

Iceland / Reyjavik

Iceland / Reyjavik - Tour: Beautiful Church ...... Island / Reykjavik - Rundreise: Hübsche Kirche ( 1.264☺26 )
Originally uploaded by Juergen Kurlvink

A church for your Sunday.

Thank you to Juergen Kurlvink for sharing this photograph on Flickr.

A Quick Video Collage of Some of My Favorite People

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

A big thank you to Emily Wood and to Coldplay!

Old Warden Bedfordshire

OLD WARDEN BEDFORDSHIRE
Originally uploaded by petercowham

Thank you to petercowham for sharing this photograph on Flickr.

The caption:
"Old Warden is [a] beautiful village with its beautiful thatched little cottages and the Shuttlworth Estate with the Swiss gardens and the vintage airplanes and museum."

Loverly, dontcha think?

One reason I want to live in a small home is because so many live in so much less than I. It is difficult for me to still my conscience when I live in a palace compared to most of the rest of my brothers and sisters in the world. It seems only right that I ought to live more simply, and by doing so have more means to share. Our home pulls so much cash, even at under 2,000 square feet.

I am so encouraged by the efforts of others to provide homes to those who have so very little. Here is one example. To read more click on this link.



Thank you to Tiny House Design for posting about this inspiring organization.

"Does Your Church Support Political Candidates?"

Here is the answer from a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Ballard:

Mildew Buster

1957 Clorox Advertisement
Originally uploaded by Roadsidepictures

I am really no fan of chlorine bleach, but, living here in Western Washington, nothing else that I have ever found will kill the persistent mold and mildew which are inevitable house-filthing enemies in this climate.

Today I discovered a great trick. The underside of our toilet seats (gross, I know--sorry) are the worst sites for the black spotting of mold and mildew. Today I dotted all the spots with a Clorox Bleach Pen. When I came back after a few hours (which may have been more time than was needed as I forgot about it) I was able to wipe the stuff away with a damp cloth.

Presto! No more black spots!

My thanks to Roadsidepictures for sharing this great old advertisement on Flickr.

Empingham,Rutland

Empingham,Rutland
Originally uploaded by kev747

A church for your Sunday.

Thank you to kev747 for the photograph.

Let's Have Some Laughs for a Change!

Senators Obama and McKain were both very funny at the recent Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner. Watch and see.





(Thank you, Chris.)

A New Blog for the Cruising Trombonist

Our favorite trombone player has his own blog now. See it at StanKenton.blogspot.com.

Picture by Scott Allan.

House in Borensberg

House in Borensberg
Originally uploaded by Köttbullekvist

From Southern Sweden. So cute.

Thank you to Kottbullekvist for the photograph. Found on Flickr.

Newtown Linford

Newtown Linford
Originally uploaded by kev747

Thank you to kev747 for the picture.

Old School House Cottage

Old School House Cottage
Originally uploaded by stanleymoss

From Hilderstone, Staffordshire.

Thank you to stanleymoss for sharing this photograph on flickr.

Tumbleweed--Lusby

Nicola Cabin

From The Wilderness Cabin Company.
You like? See more pictures and read about this house at the Tiny House Blog.

Uley

Uley
Originally uploaded by flash of light

A church, and a village, for your Sunday.

(Click on the picture for an enlarged version.)

Thank you to flash of light for sharing this photograph on flickr.

Doors

Check out today's post at "The Inspired Room" for some gorgeous entry doors.

October Kitchen Views

Thank you to FarmBoy for providing this beauty in our kitchen. It is such a blessing to me to be able to see such sights first thing on an October morning.

The Obama Family

Please take 15 minutes to watch this video and get an idea why I love the Obamas.

Farmers Delight

Farmers Delight
Originally uploaded by JK FARMS

When you have a few minutes for a great read, I recommend you visit this post today at "How Many Miles from Babylon." There you will find a great essay about blackberry jam and cast iron water pumps and gardens and the current economic crisis. If you like "CloudCover Cottage," then I am confident that you will like what you read there.

Thank you to SansAuto for linking to this post at his own blog and to JK FARMS for sharing the picture of the pump on Flickr.

The Original Wind Power

Sailing along dutch Kinderdijk
Originally uploaded by Bēn

"Sailing Along Dutch Kinderdijk" by Ben.

Ports Report

Us and Them
Originally uploaded by kuyman

I asked our favorite trombone player to write about his schedule. Here is what he shared:

Sunday is LA, Monday is at sea, tuesday is Cabo, wednesday is Mazatlan, Thursday is Puerto Vallarta, and the rest are sea days. I play in what is called in the production band. We play for the singers and dancers in the stage shows. We also play for the Welcome and farewell shows. We generally do two 45 minutes sets with a 45 minutes break. The are anywhere from 7 to 10. We also do a big band show on friday after our production show. That's from about 10 to 12. We generally do the same things in each port, yeah. There isn't exactly a lot to do. I usually try to get something good to eat, and spend some time in the sun, or use the internet.

Sounds fun, don't you think?

Thank you to kuyman for sharing this photograph on Flickr.

Red and Turquoise Girly Quilt

This one's beauty is courtesy of the Portobello Road Collection, the Strawberry Lemonade Collection, and Bella Solids in Robins Egg and Christmas Red. (All purchases from the Fat Quarter Shop.)

Cottage by Rob Crusoe

Originally uploaded by Rob Crusoe

Thank you to Rob Crusoe for sharing this picture on Flickr. So pretty.

Pachamama

Anne Etchegoyen - Pachamama from Smog Films on Vimeo.

Please leave a comment if you can translate any of this. I just think it is so beautiful. (Click on the links to see a better-quality version.)

Dartmoor--So Beautiful

Oooh. Another lovely British blog. Visit Lily's House today for a trip to Dartmoor.

Quilt Inspiration for Thursday

I'm in love with this quilt at A Quilt is Nice. See what you think.

Irish Window

Irish Window
Originally uploaded by yveerin

"Typical Irish cottage window, Donegal." Thank you to yveerin for the picture and caption.

Mothers Doing What Mothers Do

This is such a sweet story.



Thank you, Robin, for sharing this.