Photo courtesy of Stephanie Dorr It has been an interesting few weeks. Recently, we returned home from welcoming our granddaughter back from her LDS mission in California. Most of our family was able to come to spend time with Ashley as she adjusted to civilian life. We then spent a few days with daughter Laurel and Easter week with our other daughter Heather before heading back to Missouri so Newell could join his family in Ohio to witness the totality of the solar eclipse on April 8. Photo by NASA The weekend after Easter we fed our spirits and minds by watching the General Conference of t ..read more

As Easter once again approaches, I’d like to share a few thoughts about our need for a Savior. We have been taught by ancient and modern prophets about our purpose on earth, we are here to prepare to meet God and with Him enjoy eternal life. Do we always get everything right? Never make a mistake? Not me, I’ve made my share and then some but in the Doctrine and Covenants section 64, starting in verse 2, the Lord tells us,” For verily I say unto you, I will that ye should overcome the world; wherefore I will have compassion on you.” In verse 7, “…I say unto you, I the Lord forgive sins unto th ..read more

To truly understand the accomplishments of Saint Patrick and the early Irish Christian converts, one should read Cahill’s How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland’s Heroic Role From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe . It has been a few years since I read it and I admit, its time to read it again. We visited Ireland a few years ago and found the people to be the kindest and most hospitable group we encountered in our European experience. Our family has extensive Irish roots, going back to the O’Neils of 9th Century Ireland. And then there is the legend ..read more

Do you feel love in the air? At the McMurtry’s home, February means celebrating Valentine’s Day and our wedding anniversary. This year for our anniversary, we are visiting the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum in Kansas City. The museum has one the foremost collections of Monet in the world. We may also walk around the zoo for a little fresh air and sunshine and enjoy Kansas City’s legendary original barbecue at Arthur Bryant’s. We have a tradition of touring art museums for our anniversary; from the Getty in Los Angeles, Utah Museum of Fine Art, Brigham Young University’s Art Musem to the San Diego ..read more

Planning a church adult dinner doesn’t have to be super-stressful. We are here to help. My daughter and her husband were asked to plan dinners and activities for their church congregation. The original date for an adult dinner in December was postponed because a special guest came into town to visit. Along with the new post-holiday date, the decor and menu were changed. Here are some of the ideas and recipes we used to entertain about 70 guests, and 5 take-outs in late January (we were told to plan for 80.) My Christmas book will contain full shopping lists, recipes and decor information. GE ..read more

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Day! Dr. King was a pastor and warrior for equal justice and rights under the law. We honor his work and legacy in fighting for freedom and the equal protection that all Americans are granted under the U.S. Constitution, especially the Thirteenth Amendment. This is America, the Land of the Free, where all citizens are declared equal and all have the opportunity to make their dreams and wishes come true through hard work and diligence. One of my favorite Hollywood treatments of the Equal Rights Movement of the 1960s is Hidden Figures, which is currently available ..read more

A Nativity painting by American artist N.C. Wyeth Our wish to you this Christmas season is for peace, prosperity and joy. Thank you for sharing the season with us and we sincerely hope you find spiritual enlightenment and little ways to increase your happiness. Our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shared this video about the birth of Christ, we hope you will take a few minutes and remember His beautiful life and that He is the Reason for the Season. Best wishes! Newell and Pam McMurtry ..read more

Christmas comes to Missouri. McMurtry Creative Media has relocated to the beautiful state of Missouri; it is home and we are grateful. Almost settled in, we are preparing to celebrate our favorite holiday – Christmas. A Christmas Handicraft Handbook: Thinking of You is well under way and nearly complete. Filled with sweet and special ideas for gift-giving, decorating, entertaining family and friends and focusing on the Savior, it has been a joy to work on these many years. A few new additions to the manuscript and illustrations this year include this beautiful print purchased at Hobby Lobby ..read more

Ancient Israel celebrated the Feast of the Tabernacles for a week every fall. Many scholars believe that America’s Thanksgiving evolved from this holiday. Today the Feast of the Tabernacles or Sukkot, is observed by many Jewish people with rituals that include the building of a Sukkah and living in it, or at least having dinner in it for a week during Sukkot. The celebration of blessings of the harvest has been a tradition for many cultures. Learn more about the ancient and modern practices and ways Christians can enjoy the festivities of the harvest without the dark pagan traditions that hav ..read more

Kiddos learn best when they are having fun, one way to beat the summer heat is with these entertaining and educational Pioneer Day activities. The settling of the West in America in the 19th Century was an exhausting, daunting task. My ancestors were among thousands of pioneers who braved the elements, hostile animals, and natives to carve out communities in the West. Last summer I created Pioneer kits with supplies and instructions for celebrating the hardy souls who settled the West. This year, I collected all of the instructions, patterns and recipes to help you make the best Pioneer Day ..read more