Mormon Life - Valentine's Day tag

Elder Patrick Kearon of the Seventy speaks of love on Valentine's Day

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:18:00 -0700

source: news.byu.edu

“Happy Valentine’s Day!” Elder Patrick Kearon, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, wished students as he began Tuesday’s devotional. And then he spoke to them about messages of love.

When he was 10 years old, Elder Kearon went to boarding school in England while his parents lived in Saudi Arabia. Each week, he anxiously looked forward to a letter his mother would send, full of love, reassurance and advice.

What is romance, really?

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:13:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: A little something for Valentine's Day... I am known to be a romantic. I love Jane Austen movies and books with happy endings. In fact, I somehow ended up in the business of romance. In the Mormon book world, I’m called the queen of romance, and I’ve been touted as the number one best-selling LDS romance author for about 15 years now.

The truth is that I am definitely a romantic. I won’t deny it. However, I’m not especially fond of romance novels. I set out to contradict a lot of the stereotypes of romance novels — at least the kind that most people think of when they hear the term. I prefer to call it “relationship fiction,” but there’s no such section in any bookstore.

{Single Saints} Confronting Cupid: For Singles on Valentine's Day

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:03:00 -0700

by Ryan Kunz
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: I've heard Valentine's Day also called Singles Awareness Day (or, more appropriately, SAD). It doesn't have to be all doom and gloom for the single, though, no matter what Cupid says.

My original intention in writing this blog was to make a list of things you could do if you’re single in Valentine’s Day to take your mind off your lack of a lover. I meant to suggest that should you find yourself bereft of a boyfriend or girlfriend on this auspicious day, you could bake cookies with your roommates, learn to play the bagpipes, or use the time to finalize your zombie apocalypse preparedness plans. My suggestions were ridiculous—and then I realized it’s because the entire concept is ridiculous.

My suggestions were designed with the idea in mind that if you’re single on Valentine’s Day, you’re missing out—like you’re locked in your room while all your friends are in the middle of a pool party, forced to find ways to entertain yourself in lieu of real fun. Of course we all want someone; we all want companionship and love and babies and chocolates and cuddling and cute little “his/hers” bracelets. But we don’t have to feel excluded. That stuff will come. For now, just have fun.

That’s the message I decided to go with. If you’re single on Valentine’s, there’s no reason to mope. If you have the desire to gather your roommates and watch all of Lost while drowning in assorted treats of dubious nutritional value on this special day, go on ahead. But don’t do it because you’re single and depressed. Do it because you’re enjoying life.

We can remind ourselves on Valentine’s that our Facebook status perpetually lists us as single, but we shouldn’t dwell on it. It’ll all work out in the end. There’s nothing wrong with being single, and you know it. Have a good Valentine’s Day, and don’t treat your activities like consolation prizes. Maybe you’d rather be dating right now, but until then, live your life. Don’t stare out the window while morosely watching Cupid spread his arrows. Pick up an errant arrow and shove it right up Cupid’s cherubic nose.

The One Thing Men Wish Wives Knew but Can't Tell

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:07:00 -0700

by Connie Sokol
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: In time for Valentine's Day, find out the thing men most wish their wives knew - and find ways to show him a little bit more of the same Christian heart.

In Shaunti Feldhahn’s book For Women Only, the author asked 400 Christian men, ages 21 to 75, in a national survey what they wished their wives knew, but couldn't tell them. They could have said anything, and did—more understanding, respect, sex, and taking care of herself. But even when a man could have finally had the ultimate say, the number one thing he wished his wife knew was this: how much he loved her.

Coming in double the percentage over any other response, I was amazed. Though men had real concerns, this was their biggest. In a similar survey to women, I’m guessing it could have been a laundry list of “You shoulds” fighting for the number one spot. So what can we do this month to show our husbands a little bit of the same Christian heart? Maybe taking a look at the lower items on the survey might help.

Make an effort to look your best. Keeping up with the schedules of many children, never mind with the effects of having borne them, sometimes we women are guilty of saying, “Well, we’re married for eternity, so he’ll just have to deal with it.” Yes, our husbands love us, but they’re men, and what says love to them is trying to look our best. No need to be a Victoria Secret model. One man said, “We need to see that you care about keeping our attention on you—and off other women. It helps if I see my wife purposefully working toward staying in shape.” Note: working toward. None of the men felt a woman had to be a skinny-minny. If a woman did her hair and makeup and she looked confident and comfortable in her own skin, they felt proud to be with her.

Understand his major conflict: provide for the family--and spend more time with them. As women, it can be difficult to appreciate the daily struggle this is for a man. As one surveyor said, “I feel confused. You want me home more, yet you want a new house, nice things, income, etc. I feel like I am pushing two big rocks uphill.” It’s similar to women wanting to look good but also bear and raise children—it’s a give and take. So the more we can comfort, appreciate, and specifically thank him, the more he can spend energy on being efficient and creative in how to approach the problem, rather than feel guilty and resentful. A few times I wrote cards to my husband thanking him for all he did to balance the “rocks.” One day I noticed he had kept those cards in his office, and he keeps nothing! This said volumes to me about how much he needed that validation.

Make yourself available for intimacy. For women, this is likely the most difficult. One Christian author said: “I felt what I did all day was meet other people’s needs . . . by the end of the day I wanted my pillow and a magazine. But God prompted me: Are the ‘needs’ you meet for your husband the needs he wants met? If the kitchen floor needed mopping, he didn’t say a word . . . I soon realized I regularly said ‘no’ to the one thing he asked of me. I’d been so focused on what I wanted to get done and what my children needed, I’d cut my hubby out of the picture” (Today’s Christian Woman, March/April 2002). Physical intimacy is love to men, not abstract need-filling as women sometimes think. To put it in simple terms, imagine being told to go without chocolate—for days, even weeks—when you really, really need it. So this week, perhaps make yourself more available and let him know you love him in the way he needs to feel it.

Consider what you would have put in that survey—the one thing you wish your husband knew—I know I have. Reflect on the goodness of good men, and what you can do to show love to your good man this coming month.

Connie Sokol is a mother of six—expecting her seventh—and a presenter, former TV and radio host, and author of several books, including Faithful, Fit & Fabulous. For tips, columns, and books, visit www.8basics.com.

Valentine's Day and the history of the Salt Lake Temple

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:32:00 -0700

source: MormonTimes.com

It’s Feb. 14, 1853, in Salt Lake City. The Saints have been in the valley now for nearly six years and have worked hard to establish the city.

It had been nearly six years since President Brigham Young — just four days after arriving in the valley — put his cane in the ground on July 28, 1947, and said, “Here we will build a temple for our God.”

The initial knee-jerk reaction was, “No,” said Susan Easton Black at BYU’s Campus Education Week. “Why? They said ‘everywhere we’ve built temples, we’ve been persecuted.’”

The Saints had left the temple in Kirtland, Ohio, and only the cornerstones had been laid for a temple in Far West, Mo., but many more had been planned there. As the pioneers walked down Parley Street in Nauvoo, Ill., they gave one last look to the temple before crossing the Mississippi River.

“But I can see it right before my eyes,” President Young said on the day he put his cane into the ground. There were six towers — three for the Melchizedek Priesthood and three for the Aaronic Priesthood.

And he also made a promise: “This one will stand through the millennium.”

{Lifestyle} Fab Five Friday: All You Need Is Love

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:06:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Five of my favorite things to make Valentine's Day awesome.

Photo from Hello, Lucky.1. Can someone please send me one of these valentine cards from Hello Lucky?

Photo from Just a Taste.2. I’ll just have one or twelve of these marshmallow pops from Just a Taste. Great FHE dessert for V-Day.

Photo from Catch My Party.3. FREE! Valentine’s Day party printables from Catch My Party. Share the love.

Photo from Sweetest Occasion.
4. These DIY cupcake toppers from the Sweetest Occasion are easy enough for even the domestically disabled, like me. Yet another fun FHE idea.

Photo from How About Orange.5. More FREE stuff! Download the Lovedrops font from Font Space.

--
Ashley Evanson is the Online Editor at LDS Living. She is a self-proclaimed foodie and loves looking at design blogs, wishing she could be as hip as the people she reads about. Her favorite color is light tan.

{Lifestyle} I Heart Valentine's Day Party

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:01:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: This Valentine's Day dessert table is perfect for FHE.

Why is it that LDS women are so amazing at throwing parties? Maybe it’s the years of planning family get togethers and Enrichment night? Regardless of how we perfected these “party skills,” hosting is undeniably in our blood.

Photo from Hostess with the Mostess.

Photo from Hostess with the Mostess.
Speaking of parties, is this not THE cutest Valentine’s Day theme party from the Hostess with the Mostess blog? I want to copy and paste myself into these pictures. From the sugar-sprinkled cupcakes to the red- and white-striped straws, this party is probably the most adorable thing I have ever seen. Hosting a get together like this is just what I need to forget my winter blues.

Also, a scaled-down version of this party would make a great dessert table for FHE (Valentine’s Day is on a Monday this year). Read the post here to learn how to re-create this Valentine spectacular.

--

Ashley Evanson is the Online Editor at LDS Living. She is a self-proclaimed foodie and loves looking at design blogs, wishing she could be as hip as the people she reads about. Her favorite color is light tan.

Weekend Craft: 'I Love You' Card

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 00:02:00 -0700

by Oh My Crafts
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Looking for a card that really expresses how you feel about your Valentine? This homemade card is just what you need. This folding card made from a file folder has four different tags to express your sentiments. The best part is that it truly stands on its own and will be a treasured keepsake! And, as Nat King Cole expressed it, “Love was made for me and you.”

Supplies Needed:

File Folder: 1/3 tab on top
Paper trimmer, ruler, scissors, cricut pick, score-it board
Bo Bunny: Crush Paper Pack
Bazzill Cardstock: red, 2 shades of pink, white and black
Tim Holtz: ink dabber, rubber stamps: From the Heart, Garment District,
Floral tattoo, blending foam, glossy accents
Ink: Jenni Bowlin, fountain pen
Adhesive: Glue Glider Pro – Perma Tac, foam squares
Glitter ritz, glitter magnet, Be Creative Tape
Embellishments: Bazzill: Clear Button, Prima: Black and Clear Flower Center,
Basic Grey: Opaline Pearls and Bling It
Ribbon: ribbon scraps

(Use coupon code LDS10 to get 10% off supplies needed.)

See photo gallery for a list measurements.

Scoring: All measurements are approximate depending up the file folder used. They are not all alike.

   1. Fold bottom half of file folder up to be even with the bottom of the tab. The pocket should be approximately 3 ¾”. Use Score-it board to make a straight even score across the lower third of the folder. Keep folder folded when scoring. Do not glue pocket together at this time.
   2. Follow chart in photo gallery to make scores. Make the measurement from the upper tab edge. Fold after each score.
   3. When finished scoring and folding, the lower tab should be 3/8” shy of the right side.
   4. Using the blending tool and foam pad, ink black over all edges and folds. (This darkens the manila folder in case it shows through at the edges.) Ink both sides of folder.

Papers:

   1. Decide all paper combinations first before cutting and gluing for the front and backsides. Lay out on table in the chosen order.
   2. Start with the front cover side of the folder. (This is the side without the pocket.) Follow the chart from the photo gallery and trim paper according to measurements. Ink edges with black ink.
   3. After preparing the four papers for the cover side, adhere paper with Glue Glider Pro. Trim excess paper off tabs and on the top and bottom, if needed.
   4. Starting with panel 5a, cut each of the eight panels for the inside of the card. Set each panel in place and check the color/size combinations. They should alternate with a solid and print on each panel and then the opposite combination on the next panel.
   5. Ink edges.
   6. Adhere each of the top panels and trim off excess around tab.
   7. Adhere each bottom panel and trim of excess around tab.

Tags:

   1. Using four different printed papers, cut the base 3 x 7 ¼”, ink edges with black ink.
   2. Trim coordinating solid cardstock 2 ¾ x 6 ¾”, ink edges with black ink.
   3. Adhere to tag base. Punch hole in top of tag when decorated and finish with ribbon.

Embellishment:

   1. Cut two 13” strips of sheer ribbon for ties of card.
   2. If using any brads on pockets, adhere them at this point before gluing pockets down.
   3. For any of the sticker medallions, mount on coordinating cardstock. In some cases, the stickers may be mounted on more than one color of cardstock. Trim around sticker with scissors and mount with foam squares.
   4. Run strips of glue down each of the folds and along edges. Insert ties above and below tabs. Glue with a strong glue at ribbon. Fold up pocket and press together. Weigh down and let dry.

Weekend Craft: Charm Tree

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:02:00 -0700

by Oh My Crafts
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: This lovely charm tree speaks Valentine's Day without overdoing the hearts! Each charm is made from double-sided paper, so no matter how you look at the tree, there is always an interesting view. Scraps of ribbon and paper are used to make the charms, a few embellishments for the charms, and voila! You have your very own charm tree. After the holiday, change out the ribbon for a long velvet piece and use a charm as a necklace.

Supplies Needed:

Doodlebug Tree or any small white tree
Echopark Paper: Be Mine Collection, coordinating solids
Inkssentials: inking tool
Ranger Alcolhol Ink: Pink Sherbet
Tim Holtz Ideology: facets (2 packages), baubles, chain clips, adornments
Paper piercer
Adhesive: Glossy Accents, Glue Glide Pro, permanent and repositionable
Embossing Folder: Sizzix, Valentine #2, Damask Set
Jenni Bowlin: Stick Candy
Scissors
General craft: scrap ribbon, tissue paper
Small needle nose pliers
Embossing machine: Big Shot or Cuttlebug

(Use coupon code LDS10 to get 10% off supplies needed at ohmycrafts.com.)

Charms:

   1. Choose half of the facet charms to give a slight pink color to by inking with alcohol ink. (Place a few drops of ink on the felt applicator and lightly dab up/down until the desired color is achieved. Note: you may see some small bubbles or streaks – this is normal.) Set aside to dry – they dry almost instantly depending upon how much ink is used.
   2. Choose a different pattern of paper for each charm. We even used some of the stickers and placed them on a scrap of paper to take care of the sticky part.
   3. Trace around facet with a pencil. Trim from paper, cutting just inside of the line.
   4. Using Glossy Accents, draw a line of glue around the paper backing about a 1/8” in from the outer edge. (Make sure you place the glue on the right side of the paper that you want to show through the facet.) Place facet over paper and lightly smooth around the glue. Set aside to dry for about 30 minutes.
   5. When the paper is dry, use piercer to punch hole.
   6. Repeat steps 2-5 for each charm.
   7. If adding a bauble or adornment to any of the charms, insert a chain clip onto the bauble so it will be ready for the ribbon hanger.
   8. Open a jump ring and thread through the facet and bauble; close with pliers.
   9. Cut a 9 ½” piece of ribbon and thread through charm; place on tree.

Base:

   1. Cut 4 squares of dark gray solid coordinating paper 4 ¾ x 4 ¾”, set aside.
   2. Cut 4 squares of dark pink solid coordinating paper 4 ¼ x 4 ¼”.
   3. Center the pink square in between the damask embossing folder and emboss. Repeat with all squares. Using permanent adhesive, adhere the pink square to the dark gray squares.
   4. Place repositionable adhesive on the backside of the gray square and attach to base of tree. (By using repositionable adhesive, you can easily remove squares and decorate the tree for another holiday.)

Top:

   1. Cut 2 squares 2 x 3” of dark pink paper.
   2. Insert one piece of paper into heart embossing folder and emboss. Flip over embossing folder and insert second sheet of paper and emboss. (By flipping over the embossing folder you will be able to put the hearts together and have them fit properly.)
   3. Line up both hearts so they fit together. Trim around heart through both layers.
   4. Glue the outer edges together so that a hole is left in the middle to place over tree trunk. Ink edges of heart with stamp pad.

Weekend Craft: Valentine Coaster and Placemat

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:03:00 -0700

by Oh My Crafts
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: It's the finishing touches that make the party perfect. These Valentine-themed coasters do just that. Plus, they are so easy to make, you will find yourself making matching coasters for every party. The clear stencil material tops the paper/matte board providing a waterproof surface and makes the coaster look professional. If you can layer a sandwich, you can make these coasters and placemats!

Supplies Needed:

Die Cutting Machine: Sizzix Big Shot or Big Shot Express, Cuttlebug, Grand Calibur (must be able to cut thick dies), or Big Shot Pro (if making placemat)
Sizzix Bigz Clear Die: Circle, scallop
Sizzix Big Shot Pro Die: Heart, ribbon or Circle, ribbon (for placemat)
Little Sizzles: Matte board
Adhesive: Sizzix Adhesive sheets (1 sheet cut 6 x 12 if not using Big Shot Pro)
Doodlebug: Sweet Love Paper Collection– 1 sheet cut 6 x12 inches – makes 3 coasters from half a sheet
Cricut Accessories: Stencil material

(Use coupon code LDS10 to get 10% off supplies needed.)

Coasters:

1. Cut matte board, paper, stencil, and adhesive 6 x 12 inches.
2. Apply adhesive to matte board, then layer paper on top of adhesive.
3. Remove liner from stencil and layer on top of paper.
4. With all layers together, make the cutting sandwich with Sizzix circle scallop die and cut.
5. Repeat cutting process until desired numbers of coasters are made.

Placemats: Big Shot Pro machine required

1. Repeat preparing the matte board as above – use 12 x 12 size materials.
2. With all layers together, make the cutting sandwich with Sizzix heart ribbon die or circle ribbon die and cut. Roll through twice to make sure all of the scallops are cut.
3. One placemat per sheet.