Around the House: Halloween Decorations

My boys love Halloween. What's not to love? There's candy till you puke, dressing up and staying up late. If you're under 12, it's like a dream come true. Here's what I don't like... all the scary things associated with Halloween that are mystical: vampires, witches, ghosts, zombies, etc. So, I try to stick to decorating with things that are real and kinda scary: jack-o-lanterns, spiders, snakes, bats, crows and owls.

Outside:

Entryway:

Halloween is so much fun. I hope you're having as much fun decorating as we are. On wednesday I'll show you how I made the owl "art" using things around the house, as well as some other crafty ideas using stuff from your recycle bin. xo

Whooo's There?

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I found that little paper plate owl on Pinterest and couldn't wait to make it with my littles. Glue, paper plates, scissors, construction paper and paint... easy peasy.

I decided to make a frou frou one for myself adding coffee filters for "feathers". It turned out a little too frou frou for my personal taste - but she is cute.

Bonus: take the tops of the plate that you cut off the owl's body, snip a bit more and BAM... instant Halloween moustache! Simply paint black and hot glue a kabob stick to the back side. 

Bah ha ha ha... I love fun, silly crafts.

Around the House: 4th of July

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Happy 4th of July everyone! We're celebrating with friends and family at my sister's lakehouse, trying our best to stay cool. Nothing fancy, just lots of low maintenance fun.   

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Thanks to all the men and women serving our country, preserving the freedom that so many fought for over the years. I  never realized how great a sacrifice it truly was until watching John Adams. After visiting my friends in  San Diego, I now know that huge sacrifice continues today. Thank you! xo

Easter Sunday

It means everything. xo

Weekly Challenge: Decorate for Easter Already!

This week I finally got around to decorating for Easter.  Part of me thinks this is a good thing because I don't want the boys to think this holiday is all about bunnies and candy. The other part of me wishes I had taken more time to pour into them the importance of Easter and what it really means. Oh teachable moments are all around.  This weekend we will make Resurrection Rolls and have a flashlight Easter egg hunt. 

When I was growing up, my Mom would make a Easter Bunny cake with fresh coconut every year.  She used two round cake pans and created the bunny from them. She dyed coconut green and poured it all around the bunny, adding jellybeans for more color.  This was one of my favorite traditions.  To honor that (and her) without the sugar, my youngest little and I made a bunny for the boys door. It's so easy.

 grab two paper plates, cutting one as seen above

 color the ears and bow from the cut plate

 create your bunny face on the remaining plate (we hotglued pom poms for eyes)

 last, glue on the ears and the bow - add whiskers if you like. (I think this would make a great mask too - just cut out the eyes and add ribbon/elastic to the sides!)

I finally made a banner for our front porch.  It reads, "He is Risen." I have it facing backwards now and will flip it Easter Sunday.

The boys and I also made little Easter gifts for their friends on our block. This little craft is so easy and just came to me one morning while I was getting out of the shower. I think it turned out great.

Materials:
Empty soap boxes
Scissors
Cotton Balls
Tape
Glue
Brown craft paper (or brown paper sacks)
Green construction paper - run through the shredder
Candy
Pen

 cut end flaps off one end of box

 "wrap" box leaving the open end unwrapped

hotglue cotton ball for bunny tail

 stuff shredded paper and candy into box opening

 write message on box! we used this as an opportunity to share the Easter story with our friends.

Hoppy Easter peeps. I pray yours is filled with lots of love, grace, remembrance, family and friends. xo

Around the House: Easter Brunch

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If I were hosting an Easter brunch (and I were a lot more Martha Stewart-y) then it would look a little something like this...

floral branches in the entryway & kitchen

cross tree centerpiece

games

favors

Oh, and I'd wear this...with a lot less attitude.

dress

Happy Monday peeps. (pardon the pun! ha ha ha) xo

Around the House: Injecting Christmas Cheer

More and more decorations are finding their way out of boxes and into their "spots." And all my Christmas candles are doing a fine job of tricking me into thinking we have a real tree and my guys don't have allergies! I love the scent of pine - not Pine-Sol, but evergreen pine. Yum.

Possibly my most favorite addition this year - the tree stump via SHIH.  Thanks for the tip Alli!

I love what others are doing this holiday season too and can't wait to put some new decor and traditions into the mix. If you're looking for some new ideas, stop by Smile and Wave. Rachel's hosting some amazing bloggers and their inspiring traditions in a little series called Home for the Holidays.

Do you have a favorite holiday tradition or decor? xo

A"door"nment

One of my favorite things to put up this time of year is my wreath. I made it a few years ago with some left-over fleece and Target ornaments. Before hanging it this year, I saw the following and thought, "yay, it still works for this year." Which is a good thing, because I love it.

colorful

cream

Add the two wreaths together and you get:

I hope you're having fun dressing your home for the holidays. Now that Thanksgiving has passed, I can start talking about and posting about Christmas. I have so much to do and share!

What's your favorite item to put up this holiday season? xo