Quest

This is a punchbowl I found over Thanksgiving—now I am on a quest. If anyone runs across these glasses at a 2nd-hand store or vintage mall etc. buy them for me! (But only if there will be some way of getting them here without mailing.) I will totally pay you back. I only have nine, and need a lot more. Adam's family is big. If the glasses are over . . . say $1.50 each, I think that's getting a little up there. Oh, and the glass is milky, not a solid white.
Thanks friends!

International Blog In

Today is International Blog In day for those of us who want to get the word out about the CPSIA. It is something that has me upset and a lot of people worried.

What is the CPSIA?
In short, after a spate of imported children's products were found to contain lead, the United States Congress quickly drafted and passed the CPSIA, or the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act in August 2008. This law is slated to go into implementation on February 10, 2009.

Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in childrens products (ages 12 and under) mandates third party testing and certification (of EACH product part) and requires that each item be permanently labeled with a date and batch number.

Now, under the very important auspices of child safety, the CPSIA may have grave, unintended consequences.

What's the big deal?
1. It will become unlawful to make or sell anything intended for use by children 12 or under without a program to test goods for lead. Even if no items of their kind have EVER posed a lead risk. Even if the materials were sourced from the most conscientious supplier (one who already tests for lead and phthalates) and even if they're items toddlers will never put in their mouth such as dartboards or bicycle tires.

2. Testing is so costly thousands of small businesses will be forced to close. For example, I use five different materials to make my dolls. Each part will cost around $300 to test. That means one doll will cost me $1,500+ to produce. And when I need to buy more materials, I will have to test again—even if it comes from the exact same roll of fabric I used before. Can you afford a $1,500 doll?

3. The law is so poorly written it doesn't carefully define which items are to be tested. Anything a 12 year old or under might use? So . . . towels, light switches, books, quilts, chairs . . .? And the disclaimer, "not for children under 12", doesn't hold legal ground.

So what's going to happen February 10th?
Will the shelves in the stores be empty? Will the children's sections be taped off? I know a lot of handmade items and small shops will quietly disappear. And it will become illegal to custom create anything that a child 12 and under might use.

So we are calling for an amendment to the CPSIA. Please tell everyone about it. Blog about it. Email the information. Get the word out. And send a letter to those who can make a difference, the news, congress etc.

How do I get started?
Etsy has provided and action kit, full of detailed information, pre-written letters for your congressmen, and links.

Click here to download the Action Kit provided by Etsy. (After clicking, scroll down a bit for the PDF kit.)

'Till We Meet Again

My grandpa, George Clawson—my mom's dad—passed away this morning. And although, I have mixed feelings, which is usually the case when something momentous like this happens—part of me feels VERY excited for him. He has moved past the hardships of this life. After an operation on his knees about 4 years ago, he had a stroke which took most of his memory. Grandma has been taking wonderful care of him, and doing her best to fill in his memory gaps, but as the years have passed, his health and strength declined . . . and we all knew it was only a matter of time.

Grandpa was such a sweet, smart man. I remember how he read, studied, and loved the gospel. In fact, he and Grandma served FOUR missions. I remember fishing with grandpa when we were small, how he helped me pinch a worm in half. I remember his hot pink pajama bottoms and how loud he snored. I know how to do a Mauri war dance and we call our belly buttons "puku" because of him. I also inherited his toes. . . .

Now, he has simply moved on to the next phase, and I can only imagine the happiness that surrounds him . . . he gets to be with his family. So, farewell grandpa. We will miss you, and we are sad you aren't with us—but our joy for you is full. Until we meet again . . .

(photo taken 1991, just before leaving for a mission.)

Bunch of Bull

Not a herd, just a bunch. There's what . . . maybe eight longhorn here? Stampede! Adam and I went to the Stockyards just outside of Fort Worth last Saturday to have a look around. Everyday at 11:00 and 4:00 a cattle drive makes its way around the block.

Here's how it works . . .

I guess longhorn can be ridden. It sure was a sight to see this fella ridin' up on this here pony . . .
We stuck around and walked up and down the street, checkin' out the shops—ALL of them western wear, memorabilia, furniture etc. The shops you see below look as though they are made from what previously was an enormous holding yard for all kinds of live stock. There are even hidden/unused tunnels, and a train that runs right through the middle of the whole thing.
If you need a shot of cowboy, we've got the place for you.

A Bit of Vacation

We're back! We had a wonderful time in California for Christmas. Adam flew back to Texas for New Years while I stayed for another week. We had a good time for both holidays. Here are some photos from the trip:

The family at Christmas Eve Dinner

This year's tree (much better than ours . . .khee hee.)

Papa and Zuki

Adam and I had gone down the hill to do some Christmas shopping, and his ears never popped. We tried using an ear candle (which didn't work, but now his ear is nice and clean). It finally cleared up Christmas morning.

SUGAR COOKIES!!! I made a double batch and they were gone in two days. Yum Yum.

Dwynne gave mom three mini silverware sets from Ikea and wanted to throw a "mini" party a few days later using tiny finger foods. Grandpa was a good sport. He made sure to follow the rules . . . he used his little knife to cut his little food into tiny bites and then ate off his itty bitty fork the whole time!


We served mini: bagels, tartlets, ciche, dogs in a blanket, chocolate turtle cookies, and grapes. We set the table using all the mini dishware we could gather from around the house.

New Years we decided to have a fire and make hobo dinners (which turned out awesome.) We might have to make this a tradition. Later we dumped popcorn kernels into the fire to see if they would explode . . . but they sort of just hopped around.


The night before Natalie and Mo left, we had an un-birthday party for Zuki. Dwynne made the cupcakes (yum) and I, the birthday hat.

Zuki shares her treat with Nat and Mo.

We love being at home. Mom and Dad treat us all so well and feed us so good! Thank you for more fun memories!