“New Year’s eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights.”

~Hamilton Wright Mabie

It’s been sooo long since we’ve done a giveaway and here we are in the middle of our preparations for Breaking Dawn that we thought–why not kill two birds with one stone? Hmmm?

So my dears–if you and a friend would like to come to our Breaking Dawn Premiere and pre-show party AND you’ll be in Orem, Utah on November 17, 2011–here’s your chance to win two tickets to both the party AND the early 10pm movie.

That’s right! The “powers-that-be” at the University Mall Cinemark have approved a pre-midnight show for our Gracious Rain theater, so not only will we walk right in–without waiting in line, but we’ll do it 2 hours early!! How cool is THAT?!

To enter, make a comment below telling me your favorite thing about the Gracious Rain blog. Simple–yes?

We’d love to have you with us ~ so, go enter!! You know you want to.

We’ll announce the winner on Monday October 3rd, 2011.

Good luck everyone!!

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We tried to be very stalwart this year and plant our garden–as usual…but something strange is going on here. I mean, really–it’s mid August and we’ve gotten exactly 4 cherry tomatoes so far. Four–and you’re looking at two of them.

I planted the ever-bearing type of strawberries…but I think the robins frightened the plants enough that they stopped producing. Oh, wait–that only happens with cows and chickens. Sorry.

Or I suppose it could be all those weeds causing the problem…but I doubt it.  :}

The parsley came up nicely–along with the orchard grass…in the weed free grow box. Ha ha.

And what–may I ask–is this lettuce-y thing growing in the onions? We didn’t even plant lettuce!

The peas are nice, but they’ve been in the ground for a month now and the pea pods are still scrawny. Is it the dirt? Is it the heat? Is it the moon?

Or is it…just…

me?

I’m hoping it will all perk up soon–but I’ll take any advice I can get. In the meantime, I guess I’ll try more water…and keeping my fingers crossed.

Perhaps some chanting too.  “Growww-growww-growww.”

That should do it.

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When I was a little girl, growing up in L.A. there was a small shop down the street that all the kids called the Japanese store. It was a tiny place but just perfect if you wanted to spend the change in your pocket…or your milk money.

On the left side of the counter there always seemed to be a box of chocolate “Ice Cubes” for 5 cents each. But on the right side, at two for a nickle–was the good stuff…the White Rabbit candy. Incredibly cool. Haven’t tasted it in a hundred years.

So when April’s Jacob came back from a trip to the Orient, we were pretty happy with the present he brought us. Here’s why…

After unwrapping each piece, you find a second wrapper–made of rice paper–that you just eat. No, really. It melts in your mouth and then you get to the actual candy. It’s kind of a cream taffy that tastes a lot like–well, cream. So dang good.

So tasty in fact, that we gobbled them up in like 12 minutes.

Pretty sure Miss Chompy ate like 400 of them. So it’s actually her fault that I had to get online and…

buy a bit more. It seems that I have a possession problem.

As therapy–I’ll do a quick little giveaway for one of my precious bags. I should be more generous but I’m not cured yet…so it’s one bag. Sometimes I break out in hives when I share too much. Baby steps, folks…baby steps.

Leave a comment and I’ll announce the winner of the stupendous White Rabbit candy on Friday August 5th at 10am…if there’s any left that is.

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Happy Birthday Maude!!

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Sure am missing this particular not so “little person.” Feeling rather lucky to have him in our lives.  :]

I’ve been asked by several people about the Crocheted Leprechaun Hat and Beard–from last year– so I thought I’d give you a close-up.

I’m working on the pattern–which is an profound struggle for me–but it’s coming along.

Thanks for your patience my friends.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone. Go eat some Lucky Charms…or corned beef…or green eggs and ham. Whatever…

Winner!!

Maude!!

Maude says:

Hi faithful readers of my mom’s blog!

I (April) have hijacked Gracious Rain for a day or so, so that we can do something fun for my mom. Her birthday is tomorrow, and so, naturally, I decided to make her think her blog is broken.

For a good cause.

I’ve blocked her from seeing this, so that we can pull off a super fun plan.

If you have ever read a post here and loved it, or it made you smile, or you’ve made a yummy treat or dinner because of something here—would you please, please, please make a comment on tomorrow’s post wishing my mom a happy birthday? It would really, REALLY, REALLY make her day.

I thought about asking people who want to to email me with stories about my mom, or pictures of her growing up, or whatever, and certainly you still can (april 7 marie at hotmail dot com) and I will post them throughout the day Monday…but if you only have a little time, just make a comment. If you have more time, but no stories or pictures, make comments on other posts you’ve enjoyed, share this blog with your friends, tweet about it, facebook about it, whatever. Those cute buttons at the bottom of the post make it really easy.

My mom works so hard on this blog, and I just want her to know how much we all look forward to hearing from her every morning, and I want her to be successful. To be able to share her blog with anyone who would love it. It takes a crazy amount of dedication to post on a daily blog. A LOT! So, my friends, just a little favor, if you don’t mind. I’d appreciate it.

Here’s to birthday surprises, and many more Gracious Rain-y birthdays for the lovely Launi.

Mwa!

April

Cultivate a diligent desire to know that God lives. This desire leads us to ponder on the things of heaven—to let the evidence of God all around us touch our hearts.”

- Elder Robert D. Hales