Even though the snow is still falling here in Missouri, spring green is starting to arrive at our house in our St. Patrick’s Day decorations. The first is the adorable leprechaun cottage pictured above. Originally an unfinished wood birdhouse, I painted and decorated it to look like an old Irish cottage with moss on the roof and stones around the door and base. Inside there is a secret: a few little bits of sticks and moss from the Blarney Castle in Ireland, that’s right that Blarney Castle.

Look at the quaint tree sweaters at the Blarney Castle, but I digress…

This charming hurricane lamp gets dressed for the season.

My Mom’s pencil tree gets a makeover. The stained glass – style arched frame has the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ young women and men’s theme icon of “Look unto Christ.” Each of the LDS young women in our ward made these last week.

This Della Robbia-style wreath has our initial.

St. Patrick was a Christian missionary who taught and converted the inhabitants of Ireland, setting the tone for the hospitality and faith for which the Irish have been known for centuries. Here is an article I wrote for Family Today.

St. Patrick overcame tragedy and served so faithfully that Ireland still celebrates his great life.

By Pamela Layton McMurtry

Did you know that St. Patrick wasn’t Irish?

Patrick was born Maewyn Succat, around 385 A.D in Britain. His father belonged to a Roman family of high rank and was a government official in Gaul or Britain. His mother was a near relative of the patron of Gaul, St. Martin of Tours.

Maewyn grew up without faith even though his parents tried to teach him the gospel of Christ. When he was 16 years old, he was working on his family’s estate when he was kidnapped by fierce Irish pirates who took him to Ireland and sold him to a wealthy Druid. For six years as he labored as a slave, tending sheep and living outdoors, he learned the language and ways of the Celtic pagans. Living in lonely solitude, he began to pray and repent of his youthful follies and his faith in God and love for Him grew.

One night he had a dream in which he was told to fast and prepare to escape, a ship was waiting for him; he fled and secretly journeyed 200 miles to the coast. A runaway slave, he would have been killed if he was discovered. He said later that God directed his journey, showing him the way to go. When he arrived at the coast and prepared to board the ship, the captain refused to take him. He went a short distance away and prayed that the captain would change his mind. The sailors called after him, telling him to hurry back.

During the voyage, the ship wrecked and the crew and passengers were stranded in a deserted place. After four weeks, they were starving and began to be ill. The captain asked him why he did not pray to his God to help them. Maewyn asked the Lord for help; a herd of pigs appeared, providing the men with much-needed food. The captain kept Maewyn as a slave for several more years. One night he heard a voice that told him he would be free in two months, and he was. He now knew what he wanted to do with his life. He went to France to study Christianity at Tours, the monastery of his relative, St. Martin. He was ordained a bishop and given the Latin name “Patricus,” meaning “Noble” or “Father.” He finally arrived home and his family was overjoyed to see him, but Patrick had a strong prompting that he should travel to Ireland and teach the message of Christ to the pagan people there.

Returning to Ireland, he began to teach the people in their own tongue. As he served the people in meekness and love, they began to love him and listen to his message. He traveled among the pagans, converting the chieftains and tribes. He built churches and Christian schools. One story tells how he met the Druids as they gathered at Tara for a demonic conference one Easter. He withstood their magic and curses and held off an attack by the Arch-Druid leader who was killed. He taught the convened Druids twice. At first, the Irish chiefs resisted him and opposed his work, but because of his love for God and kindness toward all men and persistence, they began to believe in him and his faith. He served for more than 30 years in Ireland. Almost all the Druid chiefs and their followers became Christians.

When Patrick died on March 17th, in the fifth century, there was great mourning throughout the land. The Irish people made the day a commemoration of the great Christian missionary, Patrick. And even today, 15 centuries later, his life and work are celebrated throughout many nations around the world.

DID YOU KNOW?

That you can read St. Patrick’s own autobiography and testimony? “The Confessio of Saint Patrick” was written in Latin and later translated into English.

That St. Patrick’s color was blue?

That the authentic Irish meal for St. Patrick’s Day was boiled bacon and potatoes? Corned beef was a dish that Irish immigrants from the Potato Famine era in the 1840s started eating after they settled in New York. They were very poor and could only afford inexpensive cuts of beef. After saving money for several days they would, maybe once a week, purchase a piece of meat. Because there were no refrigerators yet, they learned to brine the beef in a salted liquid and spices to make it last for a few meals, which is where corned beef came from.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY IDEAS FOR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS

SHAMROCK SERVICE

Before St. Patrick’s Day, talk to your family about service. Explain that St. Patrick used the symbol of the shamrock to teach about the Godhead. It also is said to represent faith, hope and charity – if there is a fourth leaf it represents luck. To honor the tradition, pass out paper shamrocks or stickers and invite your family to do secret acts of service for each other. When a kind deed is done, leave a shamrock to mark the spot. The recipient can write a brief description of the service. Place the shamrocks on the table for decorations for your holiday dinner.

LILTING MUSIC

Nothing brings the Emerald Isles feeling like Irish music. Download music or CDs can be purchased at music, party or craft stores, or checked out from the library. Can you dance a jig?

MAGIC AT THE MOVIES

For Irish-style entertainment, these movies can’t be beat! Disney’s “Darby O’Gill and the Little People;” Sayle’s “The Secret of Roan Inish;” and “Riverdance.” Don’t forget the TV travel shows featuring tours of Ireland.

IT’S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

Tint everything green with food coloring: green milk, green eggs, cookies, even green bread for sandwiches. Yes, it’s gross, but the kids get a kick out of it! A not-so-bad treat… green sherbet in lemon-lime soda.

WEARIN’ O THE GREEN

Yes, St. Patrick’s color was blue, but today’s celebration calls for the green of Catholic Northern Ireland, or orange of Protestant Southern Ireland. Invite everyone to wear something green or orange to dinner. Decorate the house with pots of flowers, tied bunches of dried herbs, flowers or wheat with green ribbons to create a festive air.

READ ALL ABOUT IT

For a fun and enlightening time, read books with your children about leprechauns, St. Patrick and Ireland. Teaching them about other cultures helps them learn to appreciate and love people who are different from themselves.

MYSTERIOUS TREASURES

Leave a plate of green treats on the doorstep of a neighbor or friend; with a note from an anonymous friendly leprechaun. Ding-dong-ditch if you are fast enough!

AN IRISH BLESSING FOR YOUR HOME

May the road rise up to meet you

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face

May rains fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again,

May God keep you in the hollow of His hand.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day and Erin go Braugh (Ireland Forever!)

Additional Old Irish Legends

            One fascinating old story/legend goes back to Israel in about 600 B.C.  Zedekiah’s kingdom was about to fall to a Babylonian invasion. The legend says that the Prophet Jeremiah was the grandfather of Zedekiah’s wife.  To save their lives, he smuggled the two Israeli princesses, the Ark of the Covenant and other important religious artifacts including Jacob’s stone pillow out of the country. They first escaped to Egypt, to the place Joseph and Mary would go to protect the Christ child from Herod, a place called Tephanes, “the palace of the Jew’s daughter” or “the house of the old prophet”. When Babylon invaded Egypt, they sailed with members of the tribe of Dan on ships to Spain for refuge, where the younger daughter married into the family of the reigning house. 

            Jeremiah and the remaining princess eventually settled in Ireland, where he is still remembered in songs and traditions as Ollamh Fodhia “The Old Prophet.” In Ireland, the high king Eochaidh fell in love with the princess Tamar Tephi “Beautiful Palm”. After accepting the religion of Ollamh Fodhia, service to God under the Law of Moses, the king married her, bringing the blood of the House of Israel to royal families that would rule Europe; the Tudors, Stewarts and King George. Eochaidh went on to conquer southern Scotland and when he and his queen died, they were buried at Tara in Ireland, where legends abound.  One of the many stories about the disposition of the Ark of the Covenant is that it was supposedly buried at Tara in Ireland.

How Irish Monks Saved Civilization

            An entertaining book by Thomas Cahill describes how literate Irish Catholic monks spent years transcribing the tomes that contained the history of Europe, the writings of Plato and the philosophers then hid the books in monasteries, keeping them safe from invasions and book burnings through the Dark Ages.

The Stone of Destiny (The Stone of Scone)

            The Stone of Scone, was taken by the English from a Scottish castle and placed in their coronation throne where it remained for centuries, unfortunately representing English domination. The legend is that this stone was the one that the Patriarch Father Jacob was resting on when he had his marvelous dream of angels ascending and descending from heaven on a ladder. It was recently returned to Scotland as a sign of good will.

Mustard-glazed Corned Beef Brisket

This our annual must-have entree for St. Patrick’s Day and although corned beef was an Irish immigrants in America dish, we still love it.

Glazed Corned Beef

This is so tasty, you won’t recognize the corned beef!

            Preheat oven to 350°. Place fat side up in a baking pan

1 corned beef brisket, rinsed.

            Cover with foil, bake for 2 1/2 hours or until fork-tender. Drain, score meat with a knife,

stud with

whole cloves

            Baste with

ginger ale

            Brush on glaze, return to oven and bake for 30 – 40 minutes uncovered.

            remove, let cool for 15 minutes, slice across the grain

Glaze  

            1/2 C prepared mustard

            1/2 C + 2 TBSP brown sugar

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Spring holidays collide! And yes, that is snow outside.

One of my favorite hymns is “Earth With Her 10,000 Flowers,” written in the 19th Century by Thomas R. Taylor. It’s soothing, swelling melody with a charming lyrical testimony reminds me of the LOVE of our Creator and Father In Heaven for His children.

Earth with her ten thousand flowers,

Air, with all its beams and showers,

Heaven’s infinite expanse;

Ocean’s resplendant countenance—

All around, and all above,

Hath this record—God is love.

Sounds among the vales and hills,

In the woods and by the rills,

Of the breeze and of the bird,

By the gentle murmur stir’d—

Sacred songs, beneath, above,

Have one Chorus—God is love.

All the hopes that sweetly start,

From the fountain of the heart;

All the bliss that ever comes,

To our earthly—human homes—

All the voices from above,

Sweetly whisper—God is love.

Over the years, I have published holiday blogs to inspire and educate. Valentine’s Day for us goes way back to our great…great grandfather Henry VII and his beloved queen, Elizabeth of York – and to modern times with sister get-togethers to honor our sweet Little Mama. We have celebrated LOVE many different ways, all the while remembering that LOVE is universal. As we rush closer to the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I want to say that the more LOVE we have, the better the world will be. “LOVE one another.”

Here are a few articles and photos from my posts, brought to you with LOVE.

ONLY LOVE

Rilke wrote in his Letters to a Young Poet, 

“…only love can touch and hold them and be fair to them…”


Mothers, and fathers may wonder if our efforts to provide meaning and enrichment to our children has value or merit. The hours and the resources we spend to give them experiences that demonstrate our love, is it all worth it? There are those who will not or cannot sacrifice for their family, what does a lack of enrichment mean to a child? I read an article by a mother who doesn’t “do” leprechauns or elves or Valentine boxes. It is a sad thing to be child in that environment. 

I believe that every act of kindness and love is counted in heaven and in the heart and that it helps build a defense against the cruelty of an indifferent and competitive world.

A person’s value is not counted like the dollars in a bank account, nor is it related to worldly wealth, in his letters Rilke writes:

“For the creative artist there is no poverty—nothing is insignificant or unimportant. Even if you were in a prison whose walls would shut out from your senses the sounds of the outer world, would you not then still have your childhood, this precious wealth, this treasure house of memories? Direct your attention to that. Attempt to resurrect these sunken sensations of a distant past. You will gain assuredness. Your aloneness will expand and will become your home, greeting you like the quiet dawn. Outer tumult will pass it by from afar.”

Criticism fails to “touch a work of art.”

So go ahead and bake those heart-shaped sugar cookies and read one more bedtime story. You are filling the treasury of your child’s soul and building a defense against the “outer tumult (that) will pass from afar.”

I hope you caught Kim Power Stilson’s and my tips for Valentine’s Day on her broadcast on BYU SiriusXM Radio 143.  Here’s the show from Friday, February 12:

http://www.byuradio.org/episode/c231d626-2149-4946-a08c-c8d8cf448148/the-kim-power-stilson-show-valentine-s-day

Happy Valentine’s Day

Here’s a cute Valentine for your littles. Sew a tic tac toe game on a scrap of felt, use buttons for Os and small squares of felt with Xs sewn or drawn with a permanent marker.  Glue a small heart in the center square. 

When You Give a Gift, Do You Speak the Love Language of Your Sweetheart (and loved ones)? Here Are Some Ideas to Share Your Love in Ways He or She or they Will Love.

By Pamela Layton McMurtry

I love the love. I revel in the red hearts and luscious flowers; the beauty of sweeping romantic gestures that define Valentine’s Day. Before you rush out to buy those long-stemmed, red roses or sew that monogrammed bathrobe – although I am certainly not discouraging the practice – you might take a moment to assess whether that act of kindness will speak of your love to your love.

In his book, The Five Love Languages, author Gary Chapman, PhD. describes languages that speak to the heart. He says that many genuine acts of love and kindness go unappreciated, because the message didn’t translate to fill the needs of the recipient. The five primary love languages, according to Dr. Chapman, are:

1. Acts of service
2. Physical touch
3. Words of affirmation
4. Quality time
5. Receiving gifts

All are valuable and helpful, but have you heard of the Platinum Rule? It states, “Do unto others as they would like to have done unto them.” In other words, give them what they want. It seems most people have two primary love languages. Many women have appreciated being taken to a nice dinner, but what they were hungry for was quality time with their loved one, or kind words without biting sarcasm, dismissive comments or unnecessary judgments.

And a husband might appreciate an elaborately prepared handmade gift, but what really says love might be a massage or positive feedback on a project. See if you can identify the love languages of your spouse, partner, friends and children. Ask them what makes them feel loved.

Here are a few ideas for Valentine gifts to show your love.

Acts of service

• Paint that bathroom that’s been waiting too long.
• Give him or her a night off to do something with friends or just some “me time.”
• Share a good meal.
• Take over one of his or her chores.

Physical touch

• Get a massage book and give a good massage to help your loved one de-stress.
• Hold hands as you walk together.
• A hand on the shoulder, a pat on the back, a long hug (my teen says wrestling.)
• Wash their hair. Many women feel calm when their heads are touched.

Words of affirmation

“Seek in every way to be infused with light…
Words matter because words lodge in our cells and in our souls and even in the walls of our homes.” Wendy Watson Nelson

• Kind words or a sincere compliment lift the spirit.
• Withhold criticism.
• Words of encouragement give strength and courage.
• Read poetry, the art of poetry carries the words to the soul.
• Help with family history or listen to a story from their past that has meaning to them.

Quality time

• Find something you both enjoy doing for a win-win. A walk through a park, a concert, gazing at the stars – enjoy a hobby together.
• Visit someone who is lonely or ill.
• Visit a temple, church or synagogue together.
• Turn off the phones, get away for a night or a few. Check out for a time – the world will continue to spin, guaranteed.

Receiving gifts

• A new dress or pair of shoes.
• An original poem or song you wrote.
• Flowers; the color and scent really do uplift the spirit and help promote healing and cheer.
• Cheese. OK, chocolate, but cheese has more mood-elevating properties than chocolate.
• A wonderful book, something to make life easier, more pleasant or a novelty to promote dopamine, the neurotransmitter that gives a feeling of well-being.

It’s apparent that showing love doesn’t have to cost a great deal of money, but an investment of time and thought.

Love heals and cheers and is the answer to the world’s ills. Make sure the love you share is the love they need. Share the love this season and make your world a bit of heaven on earth.

Cinnamon Crunch Popcorn

Oh yes you do!

Did you ever get up one day and say, “We need Cinnamon Crunch Popcorn?” Well it happened today, so I whipped up a batch and thought you might like some too. Just in case… here’s a recipe from my friend Sue Allred.

Cinnamon Crunch Popcorn

    Preheat oven to 250 degrees, lightly butter a large roasting pan.
    Pop in a microwave oven

4 bags extra butter microwave popcorn (should yield 16 C)

    Remove unpopped kernels and place in the buttered roasting pan.
    In a large saucepan combine

1/2 C butter 
1 C sugar
5 oz. cinnamon candies like Brach’s Imperials (R)
1/4 C light corn syrup
1/2 tsp salt

    Cook over medium high heat, stirring frequently until candies melt, about 5 minutes. Pour over popcorn, stir to coat. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Let cool, store in an airtight container. You’re welcome.

Look what we discovered! A healthy treat for Valentine’s Day.

Snapdragon apples! They smell like Bazooka bubblegum. I kid you not. 😉 Yum.

You don’t need a contractor’s license to build this house – just directions and a lot of candy! The instructions are in A Christmas Handbook, you bring the candy.

Our launch was a success! Friends and fans of A Christmas Handbook had fun at our boutique launch.

The house was dressed in winter finery.

As guests entered, they were greeted by an Advent calendar made of felt stockings.

Refreshments were made from recipes in A Christmas Handbook. Favorites included Mixed Nut English Toffee, Pecan Sandies, Peppermint Crunch Cheesecake, Krisp Kringle cinnamon popcorn, Walker’s Shortbread (R) and Utah Truffles (R).

Friendly retro-style decorations adorned the refreshment area.

In the demonstration room, there were crafts and gift projects from A Christmas Handbook. There were also thrifty gifties from thrift shops.

2 guests at the launch won A Christmas Handbook as door prizes! We had a fun afternoon, and copies of A Christmas Handbook went home with many friends.

Book launch! Save the Date: November 9th from 1 – 4 p.m. Come enjoy treats, fun and prizes!

A Christmas Handbook was just awarded an Author to Watch designation by Richard Paul Evan’s Author Ready group. What makes A Christmas Handbook special and why does it stand out from other Christmas planning books?

Engaging Christmas celebrations – we all want our get-togethers to be special and memorable; with a touch of the traditional and something novel added to keep it fresh.  Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of the Savior of the World, a time deserving of our best efforts. As a caterer, event and ward activities planner in Fallbrook, Newport Beach and Carlsbad, CA and Kaysville, UT, I’ve had the pleasure of creating meals and activities for groups from family-sized to several hundred participants. In my role as wife and mother, I’ve created Christmas activities and memories for my family for nearly 50 years.

A Christmas Handbook has 9 full party plans, over 90 recipes, 45 craft and gift patterns, including the toddler busy book shown above. There are activities that you can follow or change and personalize as needed. These are the party themes:

A Little Lambie Baby Shower – in honor of the birth of the Lamb of God and our Good Shepherd, this is a lamb-themed shower where guests bring baby gifts to be given to shelters or families in need. This can also be used with children’s nativity programs, Evening in Bethlehem ward and family parties, women’s group activities and other charitable events.

St. Nicholas Eve Dinner – Our youngest son was born on St. Nicholas Eve. As we started having birthday parties for him, we incorporated the tradition of leaving our shoes out to receive a small treat. This is a fun way to enjoy a little pre-Christmas activity to take the edge off waiting and to learn about the ancient Christian tradition and charity of St. Nicholas. Also fun for families that want to have a Santa-themed party if they are saving Christmas Eve for a Christ-centered activity.

The Party that Wasn’t invites people to forego an activity and instead donate the party funds to a family in need or charity.

The Nutcracker Party features the iconic story and ballet that are so popular during the holidays. Exploring Tchaikovsky’s fantasy world is a great way for little ones to learn about music and art while having fun.

Frosty’s Cozy Winter Party features a retro version of the good-natured snowman. With food and fun, this party can even carry over to January after Christmas quiets down and as the gray of winter wears on.

Merry and Bright is a vintage party for mid-century holiday and Santa fans. With old-school refreshments, music and merriment, this step back in time is a colorful reminder of the good times we spent with parents, friends, grandparents and family long ago.

Paint with Pals – here is another creative activity for Moms and others who need a night to relax and unwind. Snacks, chats and art make for a welcome diversion.

Christmas Ornament-Making and Exchange parties are perennial favorites. From July to November, this activity is a way to prep for Christmas before the busyness of the holiday season catches up to us. Who knows – you might find inspiration for your next Christmas theme.

Christmas Villains – an antidote to the sweetness of holiday themes, this party features famous baddies. Green foods and a not-so-fun game give a nice variation to ugly sweater parties. The premise is fun, especially for pro-antagonist types.

The book features:

“The Birth” used by permission of the Richard Macneil Studios Ltd.

The Light of the World, a Christmas Eve family or other occasion program for family, church or women’s groups featuring prophetic Old Testament scripture and sing-along Christmas carols about the birth of the Savior.

Mrs. Claus Movie Night, a talent show, activities and games such as Santa’s Naughty and Nice game, Santa Bowl, Santa’s Secret Sack and a scavenger hunt. Also, an extensive family history activity based on pioneers and western settlements that was created for Pioneer Day, but the heritage ideas could be adapted for holiday get-togethers.

Sweetness and Light, a medieval party with authentic games and activities that our ancestors of that era enjoyed. Included is a nativity play from the Middle Ages.

Stories and traditions of Christmas from Great Britain, France and Germany for a jumping off point for planning international Christmas activities. Also, the memoir of an American soldier who spent Christmas in a war zone in a foreign land.

Recipes to make and decorate cookies. And lots of handmade treats to enjoy and share.also festive dinners and easy meals for busy December.

A Christmas Handbook provides readers with ideas for Christmas fun all year round, with projects that take a lot of time, to things women can get together and make in one evening, to simple gifts and ways to make a holiday budget stretch. The patterns for the wool felt heirloom advent calendar miniature stockings below is included.

“Author Pam McMurtry is a member of Author Ready, an author’s group mentored by 46 x best-selling author Richard Paul Evans, whose first book was also self-published. She was a guest on multiple Broadcasts as the “Holiday Diva” on BYU SiriusXM Radio 143. Her A Harvest and Halloween Handbook won a “Hot New Picks in Design” Award from Amazon Kindle and she helped with or had 60 articles published in The Deseret News, U.S. News and World Report, Parents and other media. She holds a B.F.A. with a drawing and painting/art teaching emphasis from the University of Utah. “

A Christmas Handbook eBook is now available on Amazon.com.

Click here for A Harvest and Halloween Handbook.

Autumn and Halloween are fun times to get creative and crafty. Here are a few favorite quick and inexpensive ways to help you jumpstart your creativity! They are all included in my A Harvest and Halloween Handbook 2, available on Amazon.

Paper fans and cut outs

Instead of carving a pumpkin, paint one!

Host a Wonderland Tea Party using mismatched fun stuff!

Button bouquet made with buttons, wire and glue

Grab a stick of charcoal and piece of paper and create a monochromatic sketch for your Halloween decor. By eliminating color, you focus on the value (light and dark) qualities making it simpler to learn drawing techniques.

Create costumes using inexpensive material and clothing you already own.

Rag garlands are a fun way to add color and texture to your decorating. You can buy fabric, use up your stash or even cut up old tablecloths, costumes and decor. Cut or tear strips and tie to a rope or heavy twine.

Turn thrift store treasures into autumn decor and party games like this Halloween-themed fairy doll house that can be used to hold the prized from a scavenger hunt.

Haunted farmhouse beanbag game, using recycled boxes and cans – it’s super inexpensive and fun to make!

Showcase past Halloweens by creating a family tree, made from gathered branches, fall leaves and photo ornaments that you create with scrapbook paper and copies of favorite photos.

No need to wait until Christmas to enjoy your family heritage foods. Here we highlight our Scottish roots with a Macbeth-style feast. No I didn’t attempt haggis for this, no one makes it like Scottish chefs!

Do something nice for neighbors or the community. These treats were sent to deployed soldiers (some of which were probably trick-or-treating just a few Halloweens previously.)

Silly old cats can be used for a beanbag knock off game, placed in a basket or as shelf sitters keeping an eye on things. The first set of cats I made were all black. I like the variety here.

Add lunch box jokes for your littles!

Don’t forget healthy treats – these Cuties make great snacks, party food and trick or treat handouts.

And here are a few ways I’ve used my Halloween stash to decorate my house this year. When we moved to Missouri last autumn, I gave my daughter Heather a carful of Halloween decor to take back to California. I have a bigger house and less stuff now so I’m stretching…

I’ve had this cloche for 15 years (how is that possible?) This Halloween it’s outfitted with the cutest resin Jack in a nest surrounded by ceramic balls with old type letters. A black bow adds a fun finish.

This autumn fireplace mantelscape features one of my art school studio paintings, thrifted iron candlesticks and lots of saved foliage, some of it over 25 years old!

I love this funky collage in a metal basket hanging in the ladies’ room. The garland was from Michael’s and the plaque was from Hobby Lobby when they used to sell Halloween things 😉

Another centerpiece with a folk art figure and vintage-style candles with pumpkins, eucalyptus and dried botanicals. When real pumpkins hit the market, the faux ones will get swapped out.

An Americana crow perches on the primitive pumpkin. They are a fun contrast to the more formal beaded table scarf on our new coffee table.

This wreath is made of old garlands attached to a wire frame and adorned with ornaments, thrift store stars and picks

The entertainment center got some repurposed fall foliage.

A basket of autumn enhances the fireplace. I might add Halloween items, but maybe not – this can stay just the way it is until Thanksgiving.

Here’s another metal basket made into a crazy collage with a retro pumpkin and doll house things.

An old urn is the base for this decor which can’t be outside – rain will melt it! It’s a work in progress…

My favorite Christmas wreath got a gothic makeover with this glittery spiky garland, complete with bats and spiders. It reminds me of an old church grave yard.

A Christmas pencil tree does double duty as a display for autumn and Halloween things.

Remember to download your A Harvest and Halloween Handbook 2 from Amazon and enjoy the amazing recipes, fun Halloween activities and autumn celebrations – all while saving money and letting your creative spirit soar!

I am so excited to announce the near completion of my new book! I’m tying up a few loose ends to have it ready for publication soon. Stay tuned for updates for Create a Christ-Centered Christmas; a Christmas Handbook by Pamela Layton McMurtry.

As the weather begins to cool ever so slightly here in the Midwest and pumpkin spice products are beginning to fill the shelves of stores everywhere, I want to remind you that A Harvest and Halloween Handbook Second Edition is ready to download any time you want it.

Like a party in a book, A Harvest and Halloween Handbook 2 will make you giddy with inspiration – there are great recipes to try, games and activities for your family and friends and wonderful ways to show gratitude for the blessings of the harvest and the beauty of autumn. Sidestep the macabre and enjoy the fall season with warmth and celebration.

Here are a few of my favorite projects from A Harvest and Halloween Handbook 2

Host an evening in a Sukkah for Feast of the Tabernacles/Sukkot, or if you’re not Jewish, build a beautiful structure to enjoy balmy autumn evenings (before it gets too cold!)

Enjoy a Wonderland tea party with your family and friends! The upside-down whimsy of Alice’s world provides a perfect spot to land to enjoy the fantasy of fall.

You simply must join us for tea!

After you finish your tea – win a treat at the cake walk!

The giant playing cards are from Hobby Lobby 😉

Or try your hand at tossing beanbags to knock silly old cats off a wall.

Create a bubblegum necklace! Go on a treasure hunt to find treats hidden in a fairytale fantasy Halloween dollhouse.

Imagine the fun and adventures your A Harvest and Halloween Handbook 2 will inspire.

Oh LaLa! Pumpkin pie cake!

Chewy old-fashioned popcorn balls!

Create cool costumes using things you already have!

Then play more games!

Before the beauty of autumn fades into the splendor of winter, download your A Harvest and Handbook 2 and have a ball! Or a tea, or a carnival…whatever works for you 🙂

Happy Augtober everyone!

Did I mention there are 32 coloring pages included in A Harvest and Halloween Handbook 2? Check out a few here!

Fishing booths are a popular carnival and party activity!

Don’t forget to reserve your bounce house 😉

Download your A Harvest and Halloween Handbook 2 today!

If you visit any retail store or shop online, you know that Halloween merch is already filling the shelves.

Which reminds me to let you know that there’s a whole treasure chest of ideas, recipes, games with inexpensive materials, new themes, and lots of wonderful stuff to entertain you while you entertain your littles. This award-winning eBook shares everything you need to create your happiest Halloween while sidestepping the dark and creepy stuff (no one’s got time for that.) Here’s the link to Amazon and it is also available on BN.com.

https://www.amazon.com/Harvest-Halloween-Handbook-Second-Artisan-ebook/dp/B0BFG5Y9HR

Just like a Costco sample, tempting you to buy, here are a few tasty morsels you will find in A Harvest and Halloween Handbook Second Edition:

Isn’t this a fun cover? I took the photo at the Garden Park LDS chapel in Salt Lake City. I’ve hosted lots of autumn and Halloween church carnivals through the years. Having a party at a holy place, to me, means making sure that your activities are appropriate for the venue. Hence the focus on harvest and autumn, while avoiding evil and creepy stuff. We’ve had lots of fun and made sweet memories.

Here’s an inexpensive carnival game made with lumber scraps and stuffed cats. You knock the cats off the fence with beanbags to win a prize.

Here’s another fun and free game. Collect your Halloween containers (or borrow some), toss pennies into them to win treats.

A lollipop ring toss made with pegboard and painting with acrylic paints. Use glow bracelets to ring a lollipop to win it!

A candy jar guessing game – the winners take them home. Use jars you already have or pick up a few at a charity thrift store. Adults can play too!

This festive entry was made with a sheet, a scarecrow, some repurposed decor and lights. Great for photo booths.

How is that for fun? Ready to download your A Harvest and Halloween Handbook yet? Here a few more photos to help you hit that buy button…

An Alice in Wonderland tea party with recipes, decor and games like…

A Treat Walk – sweets for the sweets! Use giant cards from Hobby Lobby or make your own for this musical game.

Pin the tail on the cat…

Buggy croquet and more!

Here’s a fun craft, add a rag border to dress up a throw or a wreath.

Or make a wall hanging quilt out of festive fabric.

You could even repurpose a doll house for a fairy Halloween party, a decoration or a children’s scavenger hunt game.

Here’s a tasty treat – old-fashioned popcorn balls, the recipe is included!

Plus coloring pages…

No need to wait – download yours today!

Happy Halloween!

Parley Street in Nauvoo, Illinois marked the beginning terminus of the Trail of Hope and the start of a 1,300 mile (on foot) trek by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to safety in the Rocky Mountains in 1846. Religious persecution and political conflict had led to the untimely assassination of their prophet and leader Joseph Smith Jr.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2011-03-0001-joseph-smith-the-prophet-of-the-restoration?lang=eng

A barely literate farm boy, Joseph had prayed earnestly to know which of the Christian churches was the true one established by Jesus Christ during His mortal ministry. To his astonishment, in 1820 Joseph experienced a divine visit from both The Father and The Son, who explained that all of the sects of the day had strayed from the original and true Church.

In time Joseph would be taught how to restore and organize Christ’s church and kingdom on the earth. Over the succeeding years, Joseph was visited by angels and resurrected beings who instructed him and gave him the keys and authority to restore the priesthood, the power of God, to the earth once again. In 1830, after having translated an ancient American historical record from gold plates buried in the hillside in New York, The Book of Mormon, named for the ancient American prophet, was printed and available to read. This history was a compilation of almost 1,000 years of the story of a branch of the House of Israel, one who had been led away from Jerusalem just before it fell in the days of King Zedekiah.

Mormon’s son Moroni had been tasked with keeping the record safe just before his people were wiped out in a genocide in the 4th Century. The resurrected Moroni, also known as the Guardian Angel of the Americas, visited Joseph many times giving him instruction and guidance in preparation for restoring God’s church and priesthood to the earth before Christ’s second coming.

In the 19th Century, the Church of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth along with the divine keys of the priesthood and the power and authority to gather Israel before Christ’s Second Coming. The reconstructed town of Nauvoo, Illinois gives a powerful lesson about obedience, temerity, loyalty and reliance on the Lord through good times and bad. The beautifully rebuilt Nauvoo Temple stands as a witness to the reality of eternal families and shows the love of God by a band of refugees that had not reached the end of the trail of discipleship but only the beginning. Next, our family’s history and experience in Nauvoo.