Launi

April 4, 2011March 13, 2025

Springtime Ruffle Hat

I know, I know. The Springtime thing is a bit elusive around these parts (more on that later)–

but by-dang, we’re going to be dressed and ready for it when it does show up. Lily and Chompy have both needed a new girlie hat and this pretty little thing certainly worked just perfectly.

So the Springtime Ruffle Hat from Annie’s Attic became my busy fingers crochet project while we watched General Conference on TV. I used my standard–Peaches and Cream cotton in white and by the time all four sessions were over…

Lily’s was finished.

Now, I know full well that both little ladies could end up wearing these pretty Easter hats in another Utah snowstorm…

~sigh…

but we’ll hope for the best.

A bit of chanting couldn’t hurt either.

Spr-ing…Spr-ing…Spr-ing..

April 3, 2011June 18, 2026

{ What Love Is }

The joys come from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is.”

-Henry B. Eyring

691

April 2, 2011June 18, 2026

Pond Watching

This moment…

A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, memorable moment.

A moment I want to pause, savor and keep close to my heart.

If you are inspired to do the same–leave us a link in the comments.

Happy Conference weekend everyone.

692

April 1, 2011June 18, 2026

A Whale’s Gratitude–For Real

I rarely post stories like this because I like to be responsible enough to credit the author. Someone sent me this awhile back and sadly, we have no idea who wrote the original article. If it is you–please let me know and I’ll be happy to credit you with this fabulous piece. Today–April Fools Day felt like the perfect time to tell a wonderful story that unlike many things you’ll hear today–is actually true. It’s a good reminder to all of us that showing love and gratitude is one of the most important things we can do in this life.

*****

…The Whale… If you read a recent front page story of the San Francisco Chronicle, you would have read about a female humpback whale who had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farallon Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her. They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.

When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed them gently around as she was thanking them.

Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth said her eyes were following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.

May you, and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you. And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.

I pass this on to you, my friends, in the same spirit.

It’s a good life

693

Happy Birthday Emily!

March 31, 2011June 16, 2026

“One Thousand” Day

Although you may not know it–

today is a holiday.

This day–March 31, 2011 marks my 1000th post on Gracious Rain.

That, my friends is a lot of writing.

In the time it has taken to write those 1000 posts we have had 1,391,123 total views.

That, my friends is a lot of reading.

To thank you all for your kind attention over the years—we’ve decided that a giveaway is in order. But not just any giveaway— a One Thousand Day Giveaway!! No, no–not for the thousand dollar bill–but better! :}

The winner of this sweet little giveaway will receive:

1. “One Thousand Gifts: A Dare To Live Fully Right Where You Are” the best selling book by Ann Voskamp

2. “Candy Galore” 1000 piece puzzle by Springbok

3. 1000 pieces of something that I love—and I bet you’ll love them too. Trust me on this.

Now, then– all you have to do to enter this One Thousand Day giveaway is to tell us, in the comment section, something that you are thankful for. We’ll add each one to our Gratitude List and Quote Rotator.

Enter as often as you’d like–no limit! However–each entry must be a separate comment. Winner will be drawn next week on Friday, April 8 at 10:00 am.

Good luck my dah-lings and thanks so much for reading Gracious Rain.

We are grateful for you!