holidays
Halloween Built-Ins
I have been waiting for days for the light to be bright enough to take pictures of the little makeover our built-ins received for Halloween. Have I mentioned patience is not one of my virtues? At the rate I was going it was going to be Easter before I showed you the Halloween shelves. And, well, that wouldn’t be quite right would it? So instead of grainy and dim, let’s call these photos moody and Halloween-esque. 🙂 Decorating mainly with stuff I already had forced me to get creative – especially since I don’t own an abundance of seasonal decorating items. Me and clutter are not friends. If you’ve known me for…
Halloween Ceramic Crocks
I had an epiphany tonight while sitting on the floor with a skein of yarn in one hand and a hot glue gun in the other. It struck me that I do indeed have an approach or methodology to decorating my home. I call it Hail Mary Decorating. That’s right, folks. Hail Mary Decorating. It is the not-at-all scientific way of throwing something together, setting it up on a wish and a prayer and hoping that it works. Sometimes it does. Other times? Not so much. I’m sure someone at HGTV just dropped everything to call me about this decorating methodology. While I sit here waiting for the call to go through, let’s…
Halloween Book Covers
Fair warning! If you say BOO to Halloween or cute black kittens, just step away from the computer now. The following images may be disturbing. See? I told you. The horror! A cute black kitten with a bright pink stuffed animal collar. It’s the least offensive thing she’s been dressed up in. So far. The cat’s name? Salsa. That’s definitely an omen. An omen that mommy is a pushover. Anyway, let’s get back to the point of this post! It’s now October and I’m doing a little bit of Halloween decorating. I didn’t do this sort of thing before I had kids, but they LOVE this holiday. What’s not to love…
Paper Pumpkins
Human beings are full of contradictions. Okay, me. I’m full of contradictions. For instance, decorating with pumpkins makes me immensely happy. Smelling pumpkin-y things? Can’t get enough. Eat pumpkin-flavored food? Gag me now. I’m super mature for my age too. These paper pumpkins fall into the “can’t get enough” category. I made this orange pumpkin a couple of years ago. He’s a little banged up and misshapen, but we all get that way from time to time. This paper pumpkin craft is easy and cheap – my two requirements for crafting. Here’s what you need: paper, scissors and a glue gun. I’ve done this craft with tape, but the glue…
Horseshoe Pumpkin
Did I mention my current horseshoe obsession? Earlier this month I made a gold good luck horseshoe after being inspired by the September 2015 issue of Better Homes and Gardens. After that project, I saw the Dutchess County Fairgrounds post this inspirational picture on Facebook and I knew I had to make a horseshoe pumpkin similar to the one they posted. (I don’t know who to give proper credit to for that idea.) A friend messaged me and said, “hey, I have a whole crate of horseshoes. You can have them.” Well, as you can imagine, I calmly replied freaked out and said, “YES!” She wasn’t joking, there was a bunch! I…
Patriotic Table
Last week at Target… That’s how all of my good stories start. So, last week at Target, I picked up some vinyl placemats. I have no intention of using them as placemats, but that’s a story for another day. Before I embark on my little placemat project, I thought I’d use them as a table runner to help get us in the mood for the 4th of July. I also bought myself roses for the first time in my life. They are from Trader Joe’s. I pretty much use whatever excuse I can to go to Trader Joe’s because a $5 bouquet of flowers really floats my boat. Red roses signify love, which…
Patriotic Manicure and Pedicure
You’re never too old to have fun with your fingernail polish. That’s a motto to live by – mark my words. The 4th of July is the perfect time to get patriotic with your fingers and toes! Plus, I knew you wanted to see pictures of my feet. Start by painting your toenails a bright, happy, patriotic red! Next, you’ll need a dark blue nail polish. Paint a tiny rectangle in the upper left hand corner of each big toe. If it turns out more like a square or a parallelogram – no worries. People shouldn’t be looking that closely at your toes anyway. On your remaining toes, paint the tips blue. Now, we’re…
Memorial Day
To all who have served our country far and wide. To those who have stood by their side. To the souls who have ultimately died. Your sacrifice is held with great national pride. Let’s all take a moment on this Memorial Day to remember the happiness and freedoms we enjoy in the United States of America came at a great cost – one we should never take for granted. Share this:
A Simple, Yet Fun Birthday Tradition
My children are 3 years and 23 hours apart. One day I was at Chuck E. Cheese celebrating my daughter turning 3 and the next day I was told if I left the doctor’s office to go home, I needed to carry blankets in the car. Since they were being all melodramatic about it, I decided to go to the hospital. Turns out I really was having a baby that day. We’re long past the diaper and pacifier stage. This week, these two turned 5 and 8. Photo Credit: Meg Davidson Photography I haven’t quite figured out the “best” way to celebrate birthdays that are one day apart. It seems we just go…
Easy DIY Necklace for Mother’s Day – Kid Craft
My son’s preschool does a super sweet event each spring called Muffins for Mom. Or was is Muffins with Mom? Prepositions aside, the important thing is there were muffins and moms in one classroom with their kids. And all was right with the world. It’s a good thing this event is so sweet and heartfelt because I admit to having a hard time taking anything seriously when I am sitting on an itty bitty chair 12 inches off the ground. I’m just saying. Even the Leader of the Free World would feel a little ridiculous. I set my discomfort aside because after the kids sang a special song, it was…