Happy Holidays!

Photo Credit: Jamie Duke

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

We hope this holiday season finds you happy, healthy, and loved. (And possibly with a pack of Trader Joe’s assorted Joe-Joes because they are heavenly.) I had the opportunity to spend time with so many of you this year and that did so much good for my heart. Thank you for making 2015 so special.

This year Danny reignited his love for singing and performed in various settings throughout the year. (Recordings and autographs available upon request.) To my delight, he braved a real loop-da-loop roller coaster and relinquished his childhood moniker, Mr. Fears. He enjoys teaching Gospel Essentials at our church and treating me to the likes of One Direction and Taylor Swift in concert. You may also mistake him for a model these days as he is looking very trim due to his new bike/train commute. 

Finally putting my art history degree to use (!!!), I accepted a new position as an Elementary Art Specialist at a local charter school and I’m thoroughly convinced that I have the best job in the world. I’m wrapping up my first year of teaching the three-turning-four-year-olds at our church and enjoy being a part of our neighborhood book club. 

We are grateful for each one of you near and far; your love for us means the world. May God bless you this season and always!

All our love,

Sarah and Danny 

Sunday Favorites

Hello friends!

How was your week? Mine included a Broadway Night at our neighborhood farmhouse, lots of Disney music, parent/teacher conferences, finishing The Uglies and starting Wonder (which by the way, I love so far) and the return of Once Upon a Time! (!!!)

I want to make Lauren Conrad's Salted Caramel Apple Bars! And speaking of treats ... Danny, wanna make these Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls for conference weekend again?

If you need a pick-me-up, check out last night's General Women's Conference. It will seriously give you all kinds of comfort, edification, and hope. I always feel better after hearing the loving and inpsiring words of my church leaders. I loved President Uchtdorf's talk on how we can find joy throughout our life.

Did you see the blood moon tonight? The Guardian has some really cool pictures of it around the world.

See you next week! xo.
SD


Image from Tumblr

Sunday Favorites

My favorite lines in "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" and notes from Sacrament Meeting. 

Today Danny and I sang "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" with our ward choir. It's one of my favorite hymns AND this morning I learned that the tune has slightly changed over time. Danny shared the original version (like what John Taylor would have sung to comfort the Prophet Joseph in Carthage Jail) with me this morning. I love this version by BYU Vocal Point sung in Carthage Jail.

I recently learned about this thing called The Brain Dance from dance specialists at a professional development conference. Here it is in action. It's the perfect pick me up when you've been sitting for a long time and want to stimulate your brain through moving your body! Perfect for kids!

We LOVE Anna Kendrick in this house! Have you seen her in the new Kate Spade #missadventure ads? Hilarious (and beautiful!)

I love the desktop backgrounds Bri at DESIGNLOVEFEST posted this week! That watercolor map! (insert heart eye emoji here.)

I want to make this One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta! And these Garlic Herb Roasted Sweet Potatoes!

I just caught up with Fresh Off the Boat tonight and I cannot wait for it to come back on Tuesday! One of my favorite comedies of the last few years.

That's all, folks!

xo,
SD

Sunday Favorites

Cooking with the Dukes is back! And, more importantly, I posted the perfect autumnal smoothie recipe. I made it this week and, boy, is it good!

Speaking of Autumn, do you have any good playlists? I like this one from Songza: Music for a Woodland Clearing.

I just finished reading Paper Towns and now I'm dying to see the movie! (I think Cara Delevingne will make the perfect Margo Roth Spiegelman and I'm basing that on the fact that I love her.) Next up on my booklist: The Uglies.

Today I made fourteen lbs of air dry clay for an art project. Great recipe for kids ... super easy and quick! (Recipe makes 2 lbs.)

The Mindy Project comes to Hulu this week!!! Also, I cannot wait to get her new book.

We've had so many people support my sister's GoFundMe campaign for her son, Mark, who's battling leukemia, in the last week! Thank you for your donations, well wishes, and prayers!

As September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month (Go gold!), I want to share Adriene's Third Chakra Yoga - Go Gold practice! (I'll be doing it tomorrow ... join me!) I love that the third chakra is associated with the color yellow and warrior energy ... perfect for supporting our #WarriorMark!

Have a beautiful week!

xo
SD

#WarriorMark

For the past year my sweet five year old nephew, Mark, has been fighting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It's difficult to put into words how dear this little boy is to me and the special bond we have. Needless to say, his battle has been a true trial for our family, yet we are so grateful for his tenacity and his body's ability to fight back. He is our little warrior!

 

My sister, Allie, is a single mother of two and a warrior, herself. I'm so proud of the mother and woman she has fought to become in spite of hardship. This is a battle no one should have to endure alone. So, in her behalf, we reach out to you to help in this time of need to contribute to a GoFundMe in order to help pay a mountain of medical bills. 

If you want to donate, please go to: www.gofundme.com/warriormark

Any donation helps immensely! Thank you for all your love, prayers, and support!

I love you Allie, Mark and Ivory! #WarriorMark

Sunday Favorites

Dear friends,

How are you? I've missed this little corner of the internet! So, I thought I'd start a weekend series where I post some of my latest favorite finds ...

Danny made this One Pot Chicken and Potatoes for dinner tonight with a spinach, pear, blue cheese and walnut salad. So yummy! For dessert we had Shutterbean's heavenly Cherry Pie Crumble Bars that I made last week. (They're quick and freeze well!)

My book club read Edenbrooke this month. If you are a Jane Austen fangirl like me you will adore this story - it has that same sort of feel. We're reading Wonder next. Have you read it? I've heard awesome things about it!

Any list of mine wouldn't be complete without a few songs. This song is my current jam. And this one, too! One more. (If you want to see my other favorites, check out my playlist!)

Have you seen Suits? Danny and I are in the second season and obsessed.

This weekend I did this Power Yoga with Adriene and it was like dessert for my mind, body, and soul. It ended with me doing cartwheels in my basement.

Have a wonderful week!

xo,
SD

P.S. I put some blonde in the ends of my hair for the Summer! I'm loving this two-toned look. :)

2014: A Year in Review

January: I turned twenty-four! We celebrated by iceskating downtown and dining at the Melting Pot. 

February: My favorite little buddy, Mark, turned four! He's as bright as ever, possesses the heart of a lion, and gives the best hugs. :)

March: Danny and I celebrated our second anniversary! We spent the weekend in Midway. 

April: I flew out to southern California to spend my Spring Break with Ahlin and Leslie! We relaxed on the beach, spent a day at Disneyland, and talked a lot about boys. 

May: I started my English Teaching program at the U! I'm also taking prerequisite classes for a Masters of Education. 

June: Jess and Quinn had their cute baby boy, Aiden! We are so thrilled to have another nephew. (First grandchild on the Duke side!) Later that month my baby sister, Hannah, married Kip! They make an adorable couple and are the most fashionable pair I know. 

July: Danny and I flew out to Washington D.C. and travelled up to New York and Boston. Our itinerary included: spending quality time with old friends, going to my first Liverpool, Manchester United, and Red Sox games, attending a Kooks concert, and lastly, tasting everything in sight. 

August: We packed up our apartment and ate lots of ice-cream to beat the heat!

September: We moved into our first home! We love our quaint and cozy new neighborhood.

October: Danny and I dressed up as young Corey & Topanga ... and sweet Ivory was born! She's our first niece. :)

November: We had Friendsgiving with my old roommates! I am so thankful for these girls and the love and support I feel every time I'm with them. The next week we hosted Thanksgiving with my family. I love having space for dinner parties! :) 

December: We decked our halls (Danny hung Christmas lights!), braved the crowds at Temple Square, and ate lots of candy cane kisses and caramels.

This past year has been one of the best and hardest years of my life. More than ever, I am so thankful for the love of my Savior, Jesus Christ, and the ways in which he comforts me, strengthens me, and helps me be a better person each day. His love makes my joys sweeter and eases my burdens. 

I'm grateful for the fresh start and hope that the new year brings and I can't wait to see what adventures 2015 holds! Happy New Year, dear friends!

Love,

SMD