Family History Albums

Cartoon by Cathy Guisewite

More than ever, we are OBSESSED with getting that "great shot" of ourselves for today's photo albums--Facebook and Selfies! With all these great photos floating around, hopefully we're doing a good job of providing the story behind the photo...the who, what, where, when and how of the person pictured. "Our posterity has a right to know their roots without scrounging for them" (Elaine Cannon)

Providing "the rest of the story" is keeping our genealogy up-to-date!  As Ethel Jackson Price once explained, "Anyone can leave money to their children, grandchildren, etc.  But we are the only ones who can leave them our memories, and they are truly worth more than money."

I have scrapbooked for the last twenty years and the following scrapbook resources have remained on my shelf:

Scrapbooking with Memory Makers
This is literally the best scrapbooking book that I have found and I have looked at a lot of them. I have gotten so many good ideas for pages in my albums, such as creative ideas for all the leftover photos. (ISBN 0883639289) 

Family History Scrapbooking by Becky Higgins

Everything you need to know to get started (and be really organized) with family history scrapping. (ISBN 1933516623)

Timeless Treasures by Emilie Barnes
This is a charming little book that I kept (and I don't keep many) because of all the great family history ideas such as having everyone outline their hands on a sheet used as a Thanksgiving or Christmas Day tablecloth and then later embroidering this or turning it into a one-of-a-kind quilt. (ISBN 1565074289)

I found most of these books at my local used bookstore and I'm sure they can be purchased online for even less!  Remember to take time to do something meaningful with all of those photos, even if it's just a caption to go with each photograph on your phone.  And remember to leave your phone's password with someone you trust so the phone can be opened and pictures retrieved in the event of your passing.

If you are going to write about your days, you had better be doing something to write about. ~Caroline Eyring Miner

Joyful Quotes

The excursion is the same when you go looking for your sorrow as when you go looking for your joy.  ~Eudora Welty

Happiness comes from noticing and enjoying the little things in life.  I've counted at least 1,000 things to be happy about.  ~Barbara Ann Kipfer

Though Christ was called a "man of sorrows," that description refers to His bearing of our sorrows.  It does not describe His day-to-day bearing.  ~Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004) Even as I Am (1982), 103

Because our choices have so much to do with our happiness, the phrase "men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25) could be considered an expectation.  Why would the Lord expect us to be happy?  Because He has borne our sorrow that we might have joy, and He blesses us when we are obedient.  The Savior atoned for our sins that we might be happy.  (Lynn G. Robbins, "True Beauty," New Era, Nov. 2008, 30-33)

The Christian Sunday should be a festival, gathering up all the life of the week and offering it to God in worship and then spending the day in a way which most truly promotes joy and  happiness and refreshment for oneself and for other people.  ~Olive Wyon

Our Father in Heaven expects all of His children to choose the right, which is the only way to lasting happiness and inner beauty.  We read in For the Strength of Youth that "wrong choices delay your progression and lead to heartache and misery.  Right choices lead to happiness and eternal life."  (Hugh W. Pinnock, "Beginning Again," Ensign, May 1982, 12)

I would like to have you smile because after all we must keep a sense of humor whatever comes.  I think of all the people in the world we should be the happiest.  We have the greatest and most joyous message in the world.  I think when we get on the other side, someone will meet us with a smile (unless we go to the wrong place and then someone will grin), so let us be happy.  But let our happiness be genuine--let it come from within.  ~Hugh B. Brown, (The Abundant Life [1965], 83)

We are surrounded by people who "have it all" and yet have nothing--no joy.  And there are just as many who have nothing, yet live in joy.  ~Laurel Bailey

One should not seek happiness, but rather happy people.  ~Coco Chanel

The hands of those I meet are dumbly eloquent to me.  The touch of some hands is an impertinence.  I have met people so empty of joy that when I clasped their frosty fingertips, it seemed as if I were shaking hands with a northeast storm.  Others there are whose hands have sunbeams in them, so that their grasp warms my heart.  ~Helen Keller

When you walk into a room, you either add to the room or take away from the room. ~unknown

Unhappiness is bad for the health.  ~Anna Greenwood

Happiness and peace are found when we are in harmony with ourselves, with God, and with our fellowmen.  ~Barbara W. Winder

The greatest determiner of human happiness is whether or not we have someone to love and confide in.  ~Dr. Joyce Brothers

To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with. ~Mark Twain

Many people think happiness is attained through self-gratification.  But it is really only gained by fidelity to a worthy cause.  ~Helen Keller

President Brigham Young said, "There is not a man or woman on this earth, whose peace is made with God, and who are associated with holy beings, and seeking after holy principles, but their countenances are lit up with a lamp of divine cheerfulness." (Quoted in "The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength")

If you want to be happy ... BE.  ~Leo Tolstoy

Oh, stop whining!  ~Paula Witteman

~President Gordon B. Hinkley

October Traditions: Autumn Days

"Pumpkins are fun to decorate, fun to cook, and fun to eat--and even vegetable-snubbing children agree.  Even adults who eat plenty of vegetables should consider eating more pumpkin, for it couldn't be more nutritious, and might even help curb your appetite."

Here is an excellent recipe for Relief Society Visiting Teaching this fall:

Really Good Pumpkin Bread (Gift-giving)

3 c. sugar

1 c. oil

4 eggs

1 (16-oz.) can pumpkin

1 t. baking powder

2 t. baking soda

2/3 c. water

3-1/2 c. flour

2 t. salt

1 t. cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice

1/2 c. chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts)

Cream together sugar and oil.  Add eggs and pumpkin.  Mix well.  Add dry ingredients along with water.  Pour into well-greased and floured loaf pans (or 4-5 mini loaf pans).  Sprinkle nuts along center top of batter.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour.  Let stand 10 min.  remove from pans and cool.  Yield:  4 mini loaves.

Tip for a craft that most people enjoy in October--CARVING PUMPKINS!  Rub a little petroleum jelly on the cuts to keep the carved pumpkin better preserved.

Advice from A Tree:

Stand tall.

Act naturally.

Enjoy the view.

Settle down.

Make your self useful.

Change your look for the season.  

Smell good.

Sink deep roots.

You never look stupid by staying quiet.

Learn to bend.

Take what comes and make the best of it.  

Drink plenty of water.

Recycle.

Be yourself.

Take the winter off.

Wind Gives Speech To Trees.  ~Helen Aoki Kaneko

Pillowcase face, 

Old straw hat

Worn-out jeans, 

Imagine that...

Flannel shirt, 

Stuffed with hay

Make a scarecrow, 

On an autumn day.

Measuring Up...Sabbath Quotes

Sabbath
In the 19th century, England and France decided to observe the Sabbath only every 21 days in order that they might have time to build up their war-torn countries.  After a trial period, however, a careful check showed that they had accomplished less total work than when they had rested every seventh day as prescribed by the Lord.

The Sabbath to us is also an appropriate opportunity to visit nearby relatives or friends, provided the conduct of such visits is in keeping with the spirit of the day. If we emphasize such visiting the other six days of the week, we can guard against our Sundays being regularly absorbed by that activity.

Orson Scott Card, "Sunday Meetings: A Preparation for Work," Ensign, Jan. 1978:

“It’s possible to be so active in the Church that you forget to be active in the gospel.” But perhaps a better way to think about it is this: The meetings that we attend are for our preparation. Attending meetings should only be a small portion of our Church activity. Meetings are where we learn how to be active.

"Gospel activity is just as much in our homes, among our friends, at work, in the community, among strangers, or alone in prayer, as it is in a meeting!

"The Church provides many opportunities for activity: home teachers and visiting teachers have splendid opportunities to serve others; teachers can uplift, inspire, and renew the faith of their students; quorum leaders can organize their brethren in good works.

"But if we stop there, feeling satisfied that our attendance record means that we are sufficiently active, then in a sense we are like the servant who hid his talent in the earth. The Church provides us with a certain number of opportunities—but we have a responsibility to improve on that, to magnify those opportunities.

"If all our good works are within the walls of the meetinghouse, then are we letting our light shine before men?

"If we, like the Levite and the priest, are so intent on our Church business that we miss opportunities for charity to strangers, are we loving our neighbor as ourselves? “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:2.)

"A paraphrase: And though I attend all my meetings faithfully, and fulfill all my callings, and make a home teaching visit during the first week of the month; and though in all ways I am an active Church member, yet if I do not spend time in love and service for others, then I am not yet a Saint, for I do not yet love the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength; and I do not love my neighbor as myself.

"Let the Sabbath be a day for taking stock. (How active have we been during the week in serving the Lord and his children?)

"Let the Sabbath be a day for attending meetings, sharing with others our spirit, our understanding of how to serve the Lord.

"And then let us use the other six days of each week as Christ did: in bringing joy to everyone we can, “I was an hungred,” said the Lord, “and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: “Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” (Matt. 25:35–36.)

"We are surrounded by those in need, both spiritually and physically. To be active in the Church, we must take the time from our busy schedules to fill those needs. For the gifts we offer to those around us, we also offer to our Savior."

Measuring Up: Integrity Quotes
Measuring Up: Improvement Quotes
Measuring Up: Time and Preparation
Measuring Up: Testimony Quotes
Measuring Up: Service and Empathy Quotes

Measuring Up...Service and Empathy Quotes

Service

Are we not sometimes like Naaman, looking for big or important things to do and bypassing simple things which we could do?  ~Elder Rex D. Pinegar, (Ensign, Nov. 1994, 80)

We don't need a bishop's assignment to be kind.  We don't need to sign up to be thoughtful.  ~Chieko N. Okazaki

Now, do not get me wrong.  I am not here to say that if you pay an honest tithing you will realize your dream of a fine house, a Rolls Royce, and a condominium in Hawaii.  The Lord will open the windows of heaven according to our need, and not according to our greed.  If we are paying tithing to get rich, we are doing it for the wrong reason.  The basic purpose for tithing is to provide the Church with the means needed to carry on His work.  ~President Gordon B. Hinkley, (Ensign, May 1982, 40)


Shame on you if your house is dusted, and a neighbor needs help.

Empathy

If I make errors [in judging people,] I want them to be on the side of mercy.  ~Hugh B. Brown

In my relationships with others who sometimes annoy or offend me, I will abide by the advice of a carpenter friend who says, "it's always wise to measure twice before sawing once."  


If I had known what trouble you were bearing;
What griefs were in the silence of your face;
I would have been more gentle, and more caring,
And tried to give you gladness for a space. ~Mary Carolyn Davies



Measuring Up: Integrity Quotes
Measuring Up: Improvement Quotes
Measuring Up: Time and Preparation
Measuring Up: Testimony Quotes
Measuring Up: Sabbath Quotes

Measuring Up...Testimony Quotes

Some people succumb to the taunt [of the crowd] because thy are not converted enough to their own beliefs of right to give them power they need.  ~Caroline Eyring Miner

Rebellious people are those who either have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ or have not understood it.  Receptive people think the gospel is true--but their actions lag behind.  Righteous people know Christ and practice what he preached.  ~Elaine Cannon

Seek for a testimony, as you would...for a diamond concealed.  If someone told you by digging long enough in a certain spot you would find a diamond of unmeasured wealth, do you think you would begrudge time or strength, or means spent to obtain that treasure?  Then I will tell you that if you will dig in the depths of your own hearts you will find, with the aid of the Spirit of the Lord, the pearl of great price, the testimony of the truth of this work.  ~Zina D.H. Young

Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes.  We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings.  We labor to get a higher percentage of our young men on missions.  We strive to improve the number of these marrying in the temple.  All of these are commendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom.  But when individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come.  Testimonies will increase.  Commitment will be strengthened.  Families will be fortified.  Personal revelation will flow.  ~President Ezra Taft Benson, (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson,[1988], 44)

Latter-day Saint women must be strong and immovable in their faith.  They can and should excel in living and sharing their testimonies of the Lord Jesus Christ and His restored gospel.  We do this as we:

1. Make and keep covenants with Him.
2. Are worthy and worship in His temples. 
3. Study His doctrine in the scriptures and the words of prophets.
4. Qualify for, recognize, and follow the Holy Ghost.
5. Share and defend His gospel.
6. Participate in sincere personal and family prayer.
7. Have family home evening.
8. Live principles of self-reliance and provident living.

Measuring Up: Integrity Quotes
Measuring Up: Improvement Quotes
Measuring Up: Time and Preparation
Measuring Up: Service and Empathy Quotes
Measuring Up: Sabbath Quotes

Measuring Up...Time and Preparation

Time

To everything there is a season...Yes, a season to be young and doing the inimitable things of youth and a time to be relishing in the richness and understanding that maturity brings.  But some people's timing is off.  They marry when they're supposed to be having fun and have "fun" when they're supposed to be married...They learn to cook after they're married and study the scriptures when they arrive in the mission field...or learn to behave properly after they've been embarrassed in a social situation...or value gospel principles after they've suffered the pangs of repentance.  Personal timing should be clocked because there is a time to every purpose under the heaven.  ~Elaine Cannon


Material objectives consume too much of our attention.  The struggle for what we need or for more than we need exhausts our time and energy.  We pursue pleasure or entertainment, or become overinvolved in associations or civic matters.  Of course, people need recreation, need to be achieving, need to contribute; but if these come at the cost of friendship with Christ, the price is much too high.

'For my people have committed two evils,' said the Lord to Israel; 'they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.' (Jer. 2:13)

The substitutions we fashion to take the place of God in our lives truly hold no water.  To the measure we thus refuse the 'living water,' we miss the joy we could have.  ~Elder Marion D. Hanks, (Ensign, July 1972, 105). 


These are essential things which must be done before nonessential things.  These are simple, indispensable practices that almost seem mundane.  ...No one can do these things for us--these are personal practices and habits that set us apart as strong and immovable for that which is correct.  ~Julie B. Beck Relief Society general president, ("What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best:  Stand Strong and Immovable," Ensign, 11/07)

Preparation

Some of the brethren...approached [President Wilford Woodruff] and ... inquired of him as to when he felt the end would be--when would be the coming of the Master?  These, I think, are not his exact words, but they convey the spirit of his reported reply:  'I would live as if it were to be tomorrow--but I am still planting cherry trees!'  I think we may well take this as a page for our own book and live as if the end might be tomorrow--and still plant cherry trees!  In worrying about things that are beyond our reach, we should not overlook our opportunities with our own families and friends; in worrying about possible eventualities we should not neglect the things that need to be done here and now, and that are within our reach.  ~Elder Richard L. Evans, (Conference Report, Apr. 1950, 105-6)



Measuring Up: Integrity Quotes
Measuring Up: Improvement Quotes
Measuring Up: Testimony Quotes
Measuring Up: Service and Empathy Quotes
Measuring Up: Sabbath Quotes

Measuring Up...Improvement Quotes

Take a hard look at those things which we needlessly, foolishly turn into burdens when they were meant to be blessings.  ~Elaine Cannon

What's the difference between ignorance and arrogance?  I don't know and I don't care.

Those who resist correction, resist perfection. ~President Snow

Too frequently we strive to live as good a life as our peers, when we should be striving to live like the Savior.  (Dr. Jae R. Ballif, physics professor at Brigham Young University)

Elder Marion D. Hanks, Assistant to the Council of the Twelve, said of the Apostle Paul:  "The Lord called him to the ministry, not because of what he had done (or hadn't done), but because of what he was going to be able to do."  (Eastern Atlantic States Mission leadership seminar, summer 1968.)

I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away.  If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.  ~Spencer W. Kimball, (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, [1982], 135).

Elder Harold B. Lee reminded us that a certain amount of spiritual preparation is necessary
before we can receive divine communications.  He said, "The Lord will bring us his blessings to that extent that we have diligence in keeping his commandments.  Each of you, in other words, must stand on your own feet if you will receive the great blessings which the Almighty has in store for you...Stand upon your own feet, so the Lord can speak to you.  In humility be prepared to say with Paul, 'Lord, what wilt thou have me do?'  And with dauntless courage say with the boy Samuel, 'Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth.'  Be humble, be prayerful and the Lord will take you by the hand, as it were, and give you answer to your prayers."  ("But Arise and Stand upon Thy Feet"--and I Will Speak with Thee, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, Provo, 7 Feb. 1956, pp. 7, 11.)

The way of the gospel is a simple way.  Some of the requirements may appear to you as elementary and unnecessary.  Do not spurn them.  Humble yourselves and walk in obedience.  I promise that the results that follow will be marvelous to behold and satisfying to experience.  ~Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, (Ensign, Nov. 1976, 96)

If you want praise more than instruction -- you may get neither.  ~Henry B. Eyring


Measuring Up: Integrity Quotes
Measuring Up: Time and Preparation
Measuring Up: Testimony Quotes
Measuring Up: Service and Empathy Quotes
Measuring Up: Sabbath Quotes

Measuring Up...Integrity Quotes

If we were to be arrested for being Christians, I wonder if there would be enough evidence to convict us?  ~Choose You This Day, N. Elden Tanner

Conversion must mean more than just being a "card carrying" member of the Church with a tithing receipt..."  ~Harold B. Lee, "The Iron Rod," Ensign 6/71


Members of the church need to influence more than we are influenced.  We should work to stem the tide of sin and evil instead of passively being swept along by it.  We each need to solve the problem rather than avoid or ignore it.  ~Elder M. Russell Ballard


An eternal bond doesn't just happen as a result of sealing covenants we make in the temple.  How we conduct ourselves in this life will determine what we will be in all the eternities to come.  To receive the blessings of the sealing that our Heavenly Father has given to us, we have to keep the commandments and conduct ourselves in such a way that our families will want to live with us in the eternities.  ~Elder Robert D. Hales, ("The Eternal Family," Ensign, 11/96)

There's right and there's wrong.  You got to do one or the other.  ~John Wayne

Measuring Up: Improvement Quotes
Measuring Up: Time and Preparation
Measuring Up: Testimony Quotes
Measuring Up: Service and Empathy Quotes
Measuring Up: Sabbath Quotes

Family Albums

Elaine Cannon, former general Young Women president, said, "Our posterity has a right to know their roots without scrounging for them."  That's why I am dedicated to making sure I leave my own information so that my descendants won't have to work so hard to find out about me or our family and ancestors.  I consider it keeping my genealogy up-to-date! Here are my scrapbooking and family history posts, etc.

by Cathy Guisewite

Posts

Touch of Class Graduation Layouts

Baby Album Page Layouts

Photo Capturing Your Pet

Photo Preservation Tips

Recipe Album Layout

Holiday Photo Tips

Fast, Beautiful Album Pages

Be Organized And Do Fast Pages

Family Vacation Layouts and Journaling

Heritage Albums
Journaling and Merger Layouts

Page Layouts with Hearts, Stars and Circles
Scrapbook Layout: The Balance Game
Fast, Beautiful Album Pages

Family History Posts

Country Girl
Not Your Grandma's Journal

Ensign Classic Issue on Family History (Jan. 1977)

Do You Know Your Family? (FHE)

Family Reunion Calendars (FHE)
A Book of Remembrance
Book of Remembrance: A Sacred Family Record
Book of Remembrance FAQs
Kid-Sized Personal Histories (FHE)

Family History Quotes

Anyone can leave money to their children, grandchildren, etc.  But we are the only ones who can leave them our memories, and they are truly worth more than money. ~Ethel Jackson Price

If you are going to write about your days, you had better be doing something to write about. ~Caroline Eyring Miner

Three Best Family History Books
Scrapbooking with Memory Makers
This is literally the best scrapbooking book that I have found and I have looked at a lot of them.  I have gotten so many good ideas for pages in my albums, such as creative ideas for all the leftover photos.  (ISBN 0883639289)  
Family History Scrapbooking by Becky Higgins
Everything you need to know to get started (and be really organized) with family history scrapping. (ISBN 1933516623)
Timeless Treasures by Emilie Barnes
This is a charming little book that I kept (and I don't keep many) because of all the great family history ideas such as having everyone outline their hands on a sheet used as a Thanksgiving or Christmas Day tablecloth and then later embroidering this or turning it into a one-of-a-kind quilt.


Traditions

Stake/Ward-Branch/Home Visitor's Guest Book:  “The Lord has called a modern prophet, President Spencer W. Kimball. It is a great privilege to live at the same time as President Kimball. I remember when I was in Oklahoma with a man whose father had been a stake president there for about fourteen years. The stake president kept a visitor’s guest book for General Authorities and other special guests to sign. It was a pretty thick book, as I recall, and it had the signatures of Joseph Fielding Smith, Matthew Cowley, Adam S. Bennion, and other great leaders. There was space for the date and the person’s name, position, and hobby. Under one entry in 1954 I read these words: ‘Name—Spencer W. Kimball; position—Apostle; Hobby—I love people.’ I kept turning the pages, and I saw that President Kimball had revisited the stake ten years later. Except for the date, everything was the same, including ‘Hobby—I love people.’ I think when the prophet loves us so much, we can love him and pray for him too.”  ~Vaughn J. Featherstone, Friend, Aug-Sep 1984

In the Eye of the Beholder

Audrey Hepburn's Beauty Secrets

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. 

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, 
revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, 
you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, 
one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

There truly is nothing more beautiful than a wonderful personality.  I have met physically attractive people who quickly became unattractive after becoming better acquainted.  Adversely, I have met people who were physically plain or downright unattractive and through their own personal magnetism, became quite beautiful or handsome whichever the case might be.

We want you to live lives of spiritual maturity and fulfillment, free of unrealistic comparisons.  ~Elaine L. Jack, former general Young Women's president

Though disturbing to me, I have found that many extremely unattractive people can be quite vain!  They put on the "trappings" of style, wealth, or whatever makes them more impressive to others and then tend to be much more sensitive to and punitive about the way other people look.  

The gospel assures you that your value is not dependent on your looks or material possessions.  ~Elaine L. Jack

I have often commented (privately of course) that there are many overweight people who would be stunning if they slimmed down; at the same time, there are many slim people who are just never going to be considered physically beautiful due to what nature gave them to work with.  Amazingly, some of these same unendowed people seem to feel superior because at least they are not overweight!  So it seems hardly right that undeniably physically (shall I dare say it?) ugly people should put down other people for being too fat, too drab, doesn't wear makeup or go to the stylist or tanning beds every week....I mean--LOOK IN THE MIRROR!!!

In Mary Webb's Precious Bane...what is finally evolved in us is more than the fairy-tale longing that our inner beauty will be seen so clearly it will make us beautiful before the world; it is the longing to be known and loved for all our blemishes, our warts and wens and contradictions, to be "let in" whole.  ~Erika Duncan

Now this may sound pretty offensive to some folks, and if so, I apologize.  My point is that we cannot depend on our looks through life.  There has got to be more to us than that.  We should certainly make the most of our looks, but I personally don't think significantly changing those looks with phony hair color, a mask of makeup, material "stuff," and even surgery is the way to go.  When we die and go to Heaven, we will be our perfected selves.  I think this means that we won't need glasses, hopefully our teeth will be straight, we will have our natural hair color, and I am pretty sure there will be NO MAKEUP!  I believe we will wear modest clothing like what we wear in the temple.  And we will be as thin as God wants us!!!

Dear Lord, who made the face of me not all that I would have it be, not really homely, only plain, but strong and patient in the main.  Yet one, a man apart, who found me fair and gave his heart.  Now Lord, that I have grown more sage...into middle age.  I only ask, as face grows lined of countenance, it be described as kind; that wrinkles by my eyes will show a little humor as I go; that I may view my humble scene with glance of one content, serene, through grateful, shining eyes that see the blessings you have given me.  ~Ruth Perry

If we have changed our looks from a natural, neat and clean appearance to something that looks radically different from the way God made us, how will we recognize each other when we get to the "other side?"  Some women I know have NEVER let their husbands see them without makeup and are actually proud of this fact.  I feel so bad for them.  How must it be to look in the mirror and not love yourself?  

Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful. ~Sophia Loren

We should be grateful for what we have been endowed with and work on other things that are not just skin deep, like a wonderful, cheerful, loving personality, and our character and intelligence--all of which matters in the world beyond.

Beautiful faces are those that wear--

It matters little if dark or fair--

Whole-souled honesty printed there.

~Ellen P. Allerton

Other Pearls of Wisdom on Beauty:

We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart?

An ugly voice repels me where an ugly face would not.  ~Agatha Christie

Our girls have need of such an example of graciousness, elegance, refinement, and spirituality.  ~Maria Dougall


The ideal necklace, the  most universally becoming piece of jewelry ever created...is a string of pearls.  Every woman should own a single strand pearl necklace, and a second one of three or five strands...Like roses in a vase, an odd number is more elegant than an even one.  ~Genevieve Antoine Dariaux


I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year's fashions.  ~Lillian Hellman


When it comes to clothes, you can't have everything you want, but you can want everything you have.  ~Francie Herridge


The face you have when you are forty is exactly what you deserve.  ~Helena Rubenstein

Homemade beauty products that make the most of God's Creation:


Visit my other post for Spa-rific Bath Mixes to Give.


Lavender-Chamomile Facial Steam Mix
1 c. dried chamomile
1 c. dried lavender flowers
Combine chamomile and lavender in a mixing bowl and mix well.  Pour into decorative 1-pint container with tight-fitting lid.  Attach gift tag with raffia or ribbon.
Tip:  Buy dried lavender flowers at arts and crafts store.  For dried chamomile, use chamomile tea bags.  It will take 40 to 50 tea bags to equal 1 cup.
Tag:  Pour 1/2 c. Lavender-Chamomile Facial Steam Mix into knee-high stocking; knot and set aside.  Bring 1 quart water to boil in medium saucepan; remove from heat and place on hot pad.  Place stocking in water and steep 5 min.  Lean face 6-8 inches above saucepan.  Use a towel to make a tent over head and saucepan.  Steam for 10 min., then pat dry and moisturize face well.


Exotic Body Powder
1-1/2 c. cornstarch
1/2 c. baking soda
1/4 t. cloves
1/4 t. ground ginger
1/4 t. sandalwood soap fragrance
Process all ingredients together in a blender or food processor until very finely ground.  Pour into decorative 1-pint container, preferably one with a shaker top.  Attach gift tag with raffia or ribbon.  Tip:  Buy soap fragrances at arts and crafts stores.  Yield:  2 c.