When Grandpa J opened his grocery store near the University of Utah in the 1940's you got more than a bag of groceries when you stopped in, a bit of humor and wisdom was tossed in for free.

Often there are endless chores that need doing on a daily basis. A wise person gave me this advise and I've tried to stitch or teach something or the like every day, something I will not have to do over!

You never know when your example in small things may be making a big impact.

With school beginning for many of us, "training" is or should be on our minds. If only all the students going off to school this fall knew the value of their education!

When you sail a boat, without the wind on the sail the boat goes no where. Opposition is something we would never seek after, but if you've lived very long you know that it does make us stronger.

Mary James was born in 1883 at a time when things were simple and

life went at a slow pace. Her words are still true today.

This quote hung on a poster in one of my sister-in-law's bedroom while she was growing up. Isn't it a lovely thought? Even a simple smile goes a long way.

My husband's father writes a monthy letter to his family

and this has been seen on many of the letters over the years.

Hopefully it is sinking it.

This gem comes from a brother-in-law at a 4th of July BBQ this last weekend.

It sure rang true to me!

Being gracious when someone is giving a compliment hasn’t always been my strong suit. A dear friend of mine gave me this advice years ago from her mother and I find magic in it’s simplicity.

Especially if the earnest conversation is with Tartlette, (the master of macrons) and other fabulous food bloggers! Stay tuned for some photos from our get together tonight!

Depending on where you come in the birth order of your family you may or may not agree with this statement. When I heard it from my niece who spent a summer under the Jordanian sun, I could see some truth in it. Certainly my youngest was showered with the most "sweets".

Oftentimes I have this overwhelming urge to "fix" everything. Over the recent past I've learned it's best to sit back and enjoy the ride because my wishes aren't necessarily the wishes of others.

For more on Harriet Beecher Stowe's writtings, read her House and Home Papers written in 1865. It is as timely now as it was yesterday.

What do you think makes a house a home?

Often we get down on ourselves as Mothers, but collectively from where I'm sitting mothers are doing the hard day in day out hard work of raising a family. Hats off to Mothers!

If you haven't heard about Woman's World Health Organzation ( www.wwhi.org ), take a minute to check it out. They are trying to take "care of the worlds' best resource, WOMEN. " If you'd rather view a video clip go here, I think you'll find it facinating. I bought one of WWHI necklaces, they are beautiful and would make a terrific Mother's Day gift.

A kind word or small action from a friend, neighbor or family member can make all the difference to someones day- and to a child it can be life changing. I love being part of that kind of change.

My husband and I spent the weekend with my parents setting up a town house retreat for them. It lent itself to great conversation. When I asked my folks about some quotes from my grandparents this one popped out immediately from both of their mouths.

This piece of advice is just as timely now as it was then.

I'd Like You to Meet The Napkin Lady

Does anyone else feel like we are in short supply of wisdom these days? We are certainly not lacking information, with a million voices tweeting and blogging and being televised into our homes, it's hard to know which message to listen to. I often wish I could just ask my grandma for a bit of her down-to-earth advice. Grandmas have time on their side. They have experience. Sometimes they even have a bit of flare.

The Napkin Lady was my grandmother's, and every April (in honor of Grandma Smith's birthday) she is on display. Isn't she lovely? Starting this April, I will be posting "A Note from The Napkin Lady" in an effort to remember the wisdom from the time of my grandmothers...and of course share it with you.