PETER BEATON STRAW HATS 

Darcy Creech owner

I've been snooping around for years, trying to find a summer hat that I will look good in. I discovered this darling shop on Nantucket. They are custom so I'm hoping they have one big enough for my head.  Now which one shall I buy?
508-228-8456

Peter Beaton got its start in 1989 when Darcy Creech wore a brimmed hat decorated with flowers to a party. Not only did she receive multiple compliments but people wanted one just like it. Completely inexperienced, her aunt told her about trade shows. There, the tradesmen connected her with the straw importers and they helped her locate her first hat blocker. Soon she was making hats for re-sale in department stores. She sent one to Hillary Clinton as a gift and to her surprise she was asked to make her a hat for the inauguration.

Six years later, while she and her seven year old son were visiting Nantucket, he suggested they move to the island. She packed up her life in Connecticut and did just that, opening her store and naming the business after him.

"Peter Beaton"

This is the handsome fellow for whom the store is named




Within four years Darcy had taken her passion and created a successful business, opening her doors in the Spring of 1996.

Because they design and make their own hats they promise...

Darcy Creech

"When you come to the store you are getting a personalized

experience, as each hat is custom fitted and custom trimmed, and comes in its own signature hat box to carry it in."

  


I love the label on their rain boots...

"Leave a trail worth following"

BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER   
The village and the model

Nestled in Gloucestershire, England is the small village of Bourton-on-the-Water. Its built along a slow moving river and is known for its outstanding natural beauty, drawing thousands of tourist each year.

In the mid 1930s five craftsmen began construction on a model that would replicate the village It was produced in a one-ninth scale and depicts the heart of the beautiful Cotswold area. This perfect reproduction took five years in the making and was opened for the Coronation of King George VI in 1937

The model sits by the running River Windrush as does the real village and includes the stone bridges for which Bourton is famous. 

Of special interest are the replicas of the two churches. They are accurate in every detail and if you get close you can hear music.

The model village is famous for their bonsai trees but recently they have added miniature deciduous and evergreen trees. 

As one who loves both architecture and miniatures, this was a delightful find. I swore I would never fly over the Atlantic Ocean again but I just might change my mind.  This I want to see in person!

TODAY IS GRADUATION! 

My youngest son is graduating with his Bachelors and his Master from

Brigham Young University

BYU Library

It's been five years of school with an LDS mission to the Philippines tucked in the middle, along with the marriage to his sweetheart and the birth of their first child. He's worked almost full time, used multiple scholarships, completed an internship with Microsoft and maintained a 3.90 GPA.

WAY TO GO MORGAN!

Congratulations!

 LIFE BEGAN IN A GARDEN...

  

The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the birds for mirth,

One is nearer God's Heart in a garden,

Than anywhere else on earth

Dorothy Frances Blomfield Gurney

Frances Gurney was born October 4, 1858 outside London to parents who were both Anglican priests. When she married, she and her husband converted to Catholicism. 

Deeply religious, she spent her life writing poetry and hymns. Her best known poem (above) is entitled "God's Garden." It was inspired by Lord Ronald Gower's exquisite garden at Hammerfield Penshurst. 
 

AN ENGLISH GARDEN

FRANCES GURNEY

A handwritten copy of her poem (circa 1925) was discovered in a book on the Church of England's Liberal Evangelicals in 2010. These little lines have been copied, engraved and written on walls in gardens all over the world. 

 

I am looking forward to my annual "family yard work day" when all my children and grandchildren come to help. I just can't do it myself anymore. We will be planting some flowering cherry trees, some Oklahoma Redbuds and hopefully getting the veggies in the ground. It is such a reality check to grow your own food.  I love it!

Even as I'm typing, there is a pretty big storm howling outside and the heater just kicked on. Spring is so unpredictable!

I'M CRAZY FOR BORDER PRINTS!

I love this border print dress from Nordstrom. I would pair it with a light weight 3/4 sleeve black jacket and it would be perfect for summer. 

NORDSTROM.COM



Found this gorgeous skirt at Dillards. Keep it dressy with a soft orange underpinning and a well tailored jacket in beige. Throw in some gold bling and WOW! 

I see she's wearing her "kate" pumps. 

DILLARDS.COM








Also from Dillards, a perfect cool sleeveless blouse or underpinning. Wear it with white pants or your favorite pair of dark wash jeans. DILLARDS.COM



It's getting warmer... a reason to shop!

..

THE ELIMINATION DIET

FOOD is a very controversial subject. We can't live without it but pretty much it is killing us. Getting older has its perks but physically, I would say its all down hill.  I heard about this diet that made a lot of sense to me. It's not about weight loss, its about helping your body to feel better.

Step 1 - Eliminate ALL these food items for three weeks.  I know, you just might starve to death but try it anyway.

SUGAR - this is a "no-brainer"... its lethal!

WHEAT - this is the "biggie"

DAIRY - that yogurt you're eating might not really be helping

CORN - read your labels, corn syrup is in everything

roasted tomatoes

Step 2 - After the three weeks, add one thing back at a time. If you don't experience any adverse symptoms you get to keep it in your diet.   That's pretty simple. Basically you are looking for food allergies and sensitivities.                                                                 

  cauliflower soup

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             This begs the question... what can you eat? Lots of fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, rice and rice products (there are some really good rice crackers out there) quinoa or lentils. Check out your local health food store, they can help you find items without wheat or gluten.  

My daughter in law makes a berry smoothie with a handful of kale and spinach.  It is yummy!  I have also found some really good recipes by doing a search on pinterest.

There are many kinds of flours for baking but to make this work I would just keep it "simple" for the first three weeks. If you do turn out to be gluten intolerant there is a fabulous cookbook called AGAINST ALL GRAIN!  

This is the "bible" for anyone who struggles with wheat.

Here's to an interesting week of eating and not eating... good luck! (I'm going to need it.)

THE HOPE OF SPRING 

When the crocus pop their little heads out of the nearly frozen ground it is the first sign of Spring. What a thrill to see the world awakening and to have hope for sunnier skies and better days. How appropriate that is when we consider the real reason we celebrate Easter.

The savior of the world, even Jesus Christ, brings the ultimate hope for our lives and gives all of us "second chances."  Because of Him we can forgive each other and try again, we can look forward to being re-united with our departed loved ones and we can feel the "peace" that only his love brings.

I am just a tiny speck in this vast universe and so are you, but somehow we matter enough that he sacrificed all for us. As I look forward this Spring I intend to be a little kinder, a little softer and to love my fellow man more fully.

HAPPY EASTER

"Even the slightest blade of grass bears witness that there is no death."   Walt Whitman

www.lds.org