Ashley Evanson

Poll: What's Your Favorite Patriotic Hymn?

By Ashley Evanson

July 02, 2019 05:13 PM MDT

This poll was published on LDS Living in 2011 and on June 28, 2016.

1 Min Read

How to Cope with Losing a Spouse: Advice from Those Who Have Been There

By Ashley Evanson

February 24, 2017 10:06 PM MST

When you lose a spouse, you wonder, How can life possibly go on? How am I supposed to get through this? How am I even supposed to get out of bed? It’s hard, but you can do it—even if “doing it” means making it to the grocery store in your pajamas. Be patient. Time doesn’t make things entirely better, but it does make them easier. Here’s some advice on how to cope with your new life or how to treat someone who has recently lost a spouse, from widows and widowers who have already been there.

8 Min Read

Hilarious Photos of What Motherhood Is Really Like

Fun

Motherhood Pics That Will Make You Laugh & Cringe at the Same Time

By Ashley Evanson

April 30, 2015 09:00 AM MDT

My two girls seem to be quite skilled at driving me crazy and destroying everything they touch, but what kid isn't? I started posting pictures of what motherhood is REALLY like just so I could go back later and laugh, which I do, much, much later. Here's a little taste of what being a mom is all about:

2 Min Read

From the Church

LDS Church unveils website on same-sex attraction

By Ashley Evanson

December 06, 2012 05:41 PM MST

In an effort to increase love and understanding for Mormons who experience same-sex attraction, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched a new website, Mormonsandgays.org. It features videos of real-life experiences from those who either have same-sex attraction or are close to someone who does, and counsel from several church leaders.

1 Min Read

{Poll} Exercise: You Can Do It!

By Ashley Evanson

September 20, 2012 04:10 AM MDT

I think it's safe to assume that most of us would rather eat cupcakes than run a marathon (I know, there are people out there who would disagree, and we should gang up on them). But we've been commanded to keep our bodies healthy, which means *sigh* exercise.

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Did the LDS Church Officially 'OK' Caffeine?

By Ashley Evanson

August 31, 2012 03:50 PM MDT

Did the Church just make an (un)official announcement saying it's okay to drink caffeine?

1 Min Read

{Food Dish} Cool Treats

By Ashley Evanson

August 23, 2012 04:03 AM MDT

Orange Creamsicles, photo from Oven Love

1 Min Read

{Lifestyle} Back-to-School Ideas

By Ashley Evanson

August 16, 2012 04:04 AM MDT

Photo from It Is What It Is

1 Min Read

Meet the Sweet Tooth Fairy

By Ashley Evanson

July 03, 2012 04:11 AM MDT

What’s it like baking 1,000 cupcakes in only two hours for celebrity rock stars? Piece of cake. Well, at least it was for LDS businesswoman and cupcake extraordinaire Megan Faulkner Brown. Brown is the founder of The Sweet Tooth Fairy gourmet bakeshops, as well as winner of Food Network’s TV show Cupcake Wars.

6 Min Read

{Lifestyle} Ultimate Guide: Knee-length Skirts

By Ashley Evanson

June 28, 2012 04:07 AM MDT

Photo from Forever 21

1 Min Read

{Food Dish} A Manly Menu: Father's Day Food

By Ashley Evanson

June 14, 2012 04:18 AM MDT

Photo from Recipe Girl

1 Min Read

{Poll} Family Size

By Ashley Evanson

May 24, 2012 04:03 AM MDT

I recently ran across a study about family size in the United States that says the average household size has gone from 3.67 in 1930 down to 2.62 in 2000, but is now going back up. Interesting. I suspect some of that has to do with young adults moving back in with their parents due to economic circumstances, but not entirely.

1 Min Read

{Lifestyle} Mother's Day Gift Ideas

By Ashley Evanson

May 10, 2012 04:09 AM MDT

Every year I'm in a panic Saturday night before Mother's Day because I've procastinated getting her a present yet again. This year I'm thinking about it three days ahead of time--a new record! I usually like to combine a store-bought gift with something homemade or a type of service. I found these beautiful items and clever ideas that would make great Mother's Day presents and thought I'd share. What do you like to get your mom?

1 Min Read

{Food Dish} Muffin Tin Meals

By Ashley Evanson

April 26, 2012 05:25 AM MDT

Photo from Can You Stay for Dinner?

1 Min Read

{Lifestyle} Ultimate Guide: Knee-length Shorts

By Ashley Evanson

April 19, 2012 04:03 AM MDT

Photo from DownEast Basics--Heart Throb Shorts $44.99

1 Min Read

{Food Dish} Food Tricks in the Kitchen

By Ashley Evanson

April 13, 2012 04:47 AM MDT

Check out these creative tips that make cooking a little bit easier, prettier, and tastier.

1 Min Read

{Lifestyle} Roundup: Forget Me Not

By Ashley Evanson

April 05, 2012 04:22 AM MDT

Photo from Deseret Book

1 Min Read

{Lifestyle} General Conference Activities for Kids

By Ashley Evanson

March 30, 2012 04:10 AM MDT

Photo from Sugar Doodle.

1 Min Read

{LDSL Blog} What City Creek Will Do for the Church

By Ashley Evanson

March 29, 2012 04:32 AM MDT

The LDS Church’s for-profit firm City Creek Reserve is behind the construction of the $2 billion mixed-use shopping space that spans two city blocks just across the street from Temple Square. And what’s amazing is that the Church paid for City Creek with cash, not using a dime of member tithing money. A lot of members, including LDS Living readers, are in support of the shopping center, but I’ve also read comments questioning the Church’s use of money. Some think the Church should be using the money to build temples, and others have even called City Creek “great and spacious.” But I don’t see it that way at all.

1 Min Read

{Lifestyle} Vogue & Virtue: Modest Prom Dresses

By Ashley Evanson

March 15, 2012 04:05 AM MDT

Photo from Twirl Prom.

1 Min Read

{Poll} Birthing Methods

By Ashley Evanson

March 08, 2012 05:07 AM MST

We Mormons are in the business of baby birthing. It's not uncommon for a Mormon mom to give birth five, six, seven(?!) times in her life. It's a pretty big deal. There is no right or wrong way to have a baby, just different ones; and with all the moms out there, I'm curious to know which methods are most popular. For me, I got an epidural before I even got my ice chips. Let's just say I'm a big baby. My personal philosophy (personal, ladies, not for everyone) is I would never ask to have a root canal natural, so I surely am not going to ask to have a baby natural. But I really respect women who do. Truly. That is some serious willpower. I also chose to go the traditional, Western medicine route with an O.B. and in a big, fancy hospital. But I've read that midwives and even home births are increasing in popularity among women in the United States.

1 Min Read

{Lifestyle} Modest Fashion Roundup

By Ashley Evanson

February 24, 2012 05:48 AM MST

I realize that modesty is interpreted slightly different for everyone. Some of these outfits might need an undershirt or slip extender, but in general, I found these ensembles to be both modest and fashionable. Here are a few of my favorite finds this week:

1 Min Read

{Poll} What's Your Home or Visiting Teaching Style?

By Ashley Evanson

February 16, 2012 05:11 AM MST

We've become curious about how home and visiting teaching play out in real life. For me, I call it good when my visiting teachers come over and sit at the kitchen counter while I cook Sunday dinner and we chat about work, kids, school, and life. Sometimes they share a quick message, sometimes they don't, but I always feel loved. It's funny, on the Sundays they come over, the whole family gathers in the kitchen to be involved because the informality of it makes it fun.

1 Min Read

{Poll} Waiting for Missionaries

By Ashley Evanson

February 12, 2012 05:04 AM MST

I’m no exception; I sent a boy off on his mission with great intentions to wait for him. But I didn’t. I wrote him his whole mission, but got married just a few weeks before he came home. (Something we’re both glad about because we’re happily married to other people.) Then there’s the other side of the story. My sister was dating a great guy who was ready to marry her when she told him she was going on a mission. He sent her off (sadly, I’m sure), and told her he would wait. And he did. They’ve now been married for a year.

1 Min Read