Thirsty Thursday- Simple Coke and Vodka

Ever have that week when every morning, you wake up convinced it's Friday?  That's been me for the past 2 days!  To put it bluntly, it sucks!  At least it's Thursday.  I can see the weekend...which is a whole lotta cleaning!  But for tonight, I am going to enjoy Thirsty Thursday.   

I am keeping it simple today-vodka and Coke (really a Coke, not a Dr. Pepper).  This is my husband's "go to" drink.  He puts more Vodka in his than I like.  He's 6 ft 4 and holds his alcohol better.  Take your favorite cup and pour an entire can of Coke.  Mason jars work great.  I bought a great cup at Kirkland's yesterday that held an entire can.  

Then add your vodka.  I bought vanilla vodka last week so we've been using that.  You could use cherry flavored vodka instead.  I add about 3 tablespoons of vodka since I don't like for my drinks to taste like alcohol.  Stir or shake to mix the coke and vodka together.  Then sit back and enjoy!!

Keep truckin' friends...Friday is almost here!!!

Hugs y'all!

Melissa

Texas Tuesday- Bluebonnets in the Spring

             

This is the best time of the year.  Easter has passed so that means spring is officially here.  The color blue is beginning to line our little country roads and big state highways.  I love it.  After feeling inspired by the beautiful drive this morning, I decided to dedicate today's post to bluebonnets!  Don't worry...I fought the urge to pull over and take selfie in a field of them this morning.

There are several family friendly festivals going on in the coming weeks.  I also found a map that combines bluebonnet sightings and wine tours!!!  Just click the links below for more info.

1.  Chappell Hill Bluebonnet Festival: April 11&12, 2015

2.  Ennis Bluebonnet Trail: April 1-30, 2015

3.   Ennis Bluebonnet Trail Festival: April 18&19, 2015

4.  Burnet Bluebonnet Festival: April 10-12, 2015

I also found a great website that reports bluebonnet sightings.  Go check out www.bluebonnetlove.com to report sightings near you or to find that great spot for pictures.  

Last but not least...  Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail

Wishing you all luck as you head out to find the perfect spot for bluebonnet pictures!

Hugs y'all!

Melissa

Thirsty Thursday- Vodka and Jellybeans

                   

I have certain candies I hoard around particular holidays.  Halloween is candy corn and those marshmellow creme pumpkins.  Christmas is chocolate covered cherries ( don't you DARE eat the chocolate and leave the cherry!).  Easter is jelly beans.  One year, I bought a bag of all black jelly beans...talk about heaven!  My husband says that's just gross but I don't even care.  Any fellow black jelly bean lovers out there?

Jelly beans are yummy.  They are even better in vodka.  For best results, use 1 color of jelly beans.  This recipe is easy and flexible.  You can use regular vodka, vanilla, marshmellow flavored or cake flavored vodka.  Soak 1/4 cup of jelly beans in a 1/2 of vodka for 2 days.  Strain the vodka after 48 hours into a mason jar (or a martini glass).  Stir in 2oz of chilled ginger ale.  If you are using a mason jar, just put the lid on and give it a few good shakes to mix the vodka and ginger ale.  

You have plenty of time to soak your jelly beans!  Start soaking by Friday and you will have the perfect cocktail by the time the eggs are hunted on Sunday!!

Happy Easter!!!

Hugs y'all!

Melissa

Wonder Woman Wednesday: Am I the Only One? Technology vs Paper Calendar

                   

I consider myself a person of this decade.  I have Facebook and Instagram.  I overload my Pinterest boards with pins I will never do.  I can navigate my computer, phone and IPad...all at the same time if needed.  I don't have Twitter because I think it might be overload on social media.  I don't snapchat or Vine because I think I am a little too old for those.  But there's one thing I prefer to do "old school."  No, I don't churn my own butter! (But I like the idea!).   I have an actual, real life paper calendar that I keep my weekly appointments in.  I have to take a pen/pencil and HANDWRITE my appointments in every week! (Gasp!!).   No schedule goes into my phone.  Not one appointment.  I have attempted to be tech savvy and keep things on my phone calendar.  I don't like it.  Want to know why?

1.  I'm a visual person.  I like to see my entire week at one glance.  When I can see Monday thru Friday's work schedule, I can easily find my open slots to add more clients or a meeting quickly. 

2.  My days are not always the same.  I am in different places everyday and clients aren't always the same.  So I need to have a quick reference in the mornings.  This also where I tend to keep my "to do" list.

3.  As a private speech therapist, I do all my own billing.  It's much easier to check off a client after I have billed them.  For private pay clients, it's easy to write a check number next to the sessions they've paid for.   I keep notes in my weekly calendar about client visits and things to try for the next time.

4.  I actually like the feel of my appointment book.  I like actually taking a pen to write in appointments.  While I am on the phone, I can still look at my calendar to schedule things.  I like looking back on Friday and seeing everything I accomplished that week.

5.  Since I document so much in my calendars, I keep them for a time period.  They go up in a cabinet so they are out of the way.  I keep them for at least 5 years.  

Everyone has their way of keeping themselves on track for the day.  I realize lots use the calendar in their phone.  Maybe one day I will convert.  But for right now, I am happy with my pencil and paper.

Hugs y'all,

Melissa

Mom Monday-Easter Activities that say "Fun Mom!"

Easter's coming!!!  That means spring is coming!  Yes, I maybe a tad excited about warm weather.

Back to Easter... It's such a fun holiday.  Getting together with family, cooking out, dressing up in the cutest spring dresses...  There's also some really fun activities for kids too.  

One of my favorite books is "The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick."  Such a cute story about the old lady swallowing cute things to make a great Easter basket.

                   

I love this next activity.  It's simple and requires very few materials.  It calls for colored tape but you could easily use any WASHI tape you have laying around.  

Kids love jokes!!!  At least my 8 year old does!  So what kid wouldn't love to find a joke in his lunch box?!  One joke a day in the lunchbox and you are immediately the coolest mom!

http://childhood101.com/2015/03/easter-jokes-for-kids/

This sweet little craft is something that could be treasured forever.  Moms love art work with their kiddos' hands.  Very easy and few materials needed.  

http://funhandprintartblog.com/2011/04/handprint-peeking-bunny-craft-start.html

Have fun mamas!!!

Hugs y'all!

Melissa

Friday Find-Shutters to Picture Displays

                   

I have been working on projects for my daughter's room lately.  She decided she wanted to keep the paneling up in her room.  I can't stand it but whatever...it's her room.  We came up with idea of a dark, girly lodge theme for her room.  She wanted lavendar and bright turquoise but I added the brown, cream and touches of gold.  It's not finished but I was able to get her picture displays done.  Red loves to have pictures in her room.  She taped them to her closet door until now.

Here's what I started with:

Two ugly little shutters... They were singles so there were no hinges for me to take off. I found these little guys at an antique shop in my hometown.  I had looked at them a few months ago but had no idea what to do with them.  But then I figured it out!!!

I used Rustoleum's spray paint in Seaside to change the look of these shutters.  Each one got at least 2 coats.  Then I took strips of 3 inch ribbon ( I used ribbon with wired edges but it's not necessary) and hot glued the edges to the back of the shutter.  It created a hanger.  

Now to attach pictures.  I covered simple clothespins in WASHI tape that my daughter chose.  In order to clip the clothespins, we had to open the shutters slightly.  

Here's the finished project:

My daughter is loving these.  I made 2 for her.  Pretty easy little afternoon project, right?  Plus it looks so much more organized than taped to her closet door.

Have fun DIYing!!

Hugs y'all,

Melissa

Thirsty Thursday- Agua Loca

Seriously?!  After several days of nice 80 degree days, I woke up to a brisk, windy 52 degree day.  I was just sitting on my porch last night enjoying the weather.  Now I would get blown off my porch!  I realize that the north is way colder and still covered in snow.  But I live in Texas for a reason!  I don't do cold.

Well, if I can't change today's crappy weather, then I can at least drink like it's warm outside.  I found this great and simple drink on Miss Information's blog The combo of coconut and pineapple will make you think you are on an exotic beach somewhere far away.  It's pretty easy to make.  

Here's what you need:

Ice

3 oz pineapple juice

2 oz coconut rum

Maraschino cherries for garnish (optional)

Recipe: 

Fill a glass with ice.

Add pineapple juice and rum; stir.

Garnish with a cherry.

Enjoy.

                          

Go check out her page to get the recipe to make a larger serving size.

Hugs y'all,

Melissa

Wonder Woman Wednesday- Kitchen Challenge...the last leg!

                 

I am combining two weeks into one post today!  Last week, with my kids on spring break, I didn't get as much as I should have done.  Surprise, surprise!!  If you remember, last week's challenge was supposed to be organizing the pantry.  Here's a few tips for tackling that area!

1.  Clean out!  Get rid of expired foods.  If you stocked up on canned veggies 6 months to 1 year ago in the hopes of healthier eating, donate some or all of it! Be honest with yourself about what you actually need in there.  

2.  Take note of your space!  If you have a shoebox size pantry, obviously you can't buy EVERYTHING in bulk.  Some people use their basements for storing bulk.  In Texas, we don't have basements.  So unless you have a larger extra space, keep the size of your pantry in mind.  Crammed pantries don't stay tidy for long!

3.  Categorize!!!  Group cans together, keeping each type together.  For example, I buy Rotel in bulk.  All my canned foods can go on one shelf but, the Rotel stays together on that shelf.  That way I know when I am out (which rarely happens!) by just glancing in the pantry.  

4.  Use baskets, bins, jars!  Keep them cheap though.  I love dollar store containers.  Make sure your containers fit on the shelves.  Nothing worse than buying great baskets that don't fit!!!  Keep your pasta in one, oatmeal in another, bags of rice,etc.  Make sure to label everything!!

Now that your pantry is tidy, let's get to cleaning!  Everyone has their preference on cleaning supplies.  I like to pull everything off my counters in sections to throughly clean the counters.  I bleach my sink and let my self-cleaning oven do it's thing.  Whatever your method is, get to it!  Then stand back and enjoy the smell of a clean kitchen!  Don't forget to mop the floor!

               

                      That's my clean kitchen!  Hoping it lasts through the week!

Hugs y'all,

Melissa

 

Thirsty Thursday- March Madness Sangria

I am sure I am in the minority on this but...I am a chick who loves March Madness.  I love to watch basketball but I am not a big watcher of regular college season.  Add the pressure of "win or go home," great "Cinderella" stories, and the "little guy" stories...you've got my attention.  After the first few games, my Texas teams are gone.  No Baylor, no Texas, no SMU...just like that.  

What to know what can ease the pain?  Sangria!!! More specifically, game day sangria!

                

                               www.thecookierookie.com/game day-sangria/

I found this great recipe and thought it might be the way to drown my sorrows!!  Hopefully the Texas Women will win tomorrow and it can be my celebratory drink!  So cheers to your team!

Hugs y'all, 

Melissa

Mom Monday- Lucky One

St. Patrick's Day is a great time to talk about being lucky with your kids.  With shamrocks everywhere, it's an easy topic to bring up.  Today, I am bringing you a fun idea to do with the kids.  Talk about ways you feel lucky.  Things like great kids, roof over your head, food on the table,etc are good starting points.  These are ideas that will get the kiddos thinking.  Cut out a shamrock from a sheet of green construction paper for each of your kiddos (and yourself!).  Write "I Am Lucky Because" at the top.  Then have your kiddos write all the reasons they are lucky.  When they are finished, tape the shamrocks to the fridge!

Hugs y'all!!

Melissa

Thirsty Thursday- Eat, Drink & Be Irish

I love how we take other countries' holidays and celebrate like they are our own.  St. Patrick's Day is my most favorite Irish holiday.  I don't know any other Irish holidays so it wins by default.  Anyways, it seems like we take our favorite green holiday as prime time to get a little tipsy.  So I have brought you some fun drinks to help you celebrate your inner Irish!

The Tipsy Leprechaun 

The Ginger Hooley

                

Green Sangria

                  

May you have the luck of the Irish!

Hugs y'all!

Melissa

   

Fashion Friday-Leprechaun or Irish Cutie?

Let's face it.  Too much of a good thing can be bad.  So can too much of one color.  I have to come to keep you from looking like a leprechaun next week!  Seriously, no one wants that look.  It's not flattering to look like a little bald man in a green suit.

1.  Use complimentary colors.  

      I love green with navy!  A good Kelly green looks pulled together when paired with navy.  Purple is another great choice.  Muted lime green seems more adult when paired with chocolate brown.  Deep greens like emerald will pop with tan or camel.

2. Use it small doses!

     That means add green accessories to compliment an outfit.  Scarves, necklaces, earrings, bracelets or shoes are easy to add.  Keep it to 3 pieces.  

3.  Go Big!

      Quite a contradiction to tip 2!  I have two pieces in my closet I love!!!  I found a great pair of skinny jeans that are an awesome green!  I also have a dress from a "pin up" online clothing shop that is a spectacular shade of green!  (I'm wearing it in my picture on the "About Me" page).  The key is I add a neutral color when I wear either item.  If you have colored jeans, pair them with a solid top like black, white, or denim.  You can't beat a good button up shirt. Add simple neutral flats and you will look adorable!

4.  Commitment Issues?

      Still not sure?  Nail polish is the scaredy cat's best option.  Check out Monday's post to help you!

5.  Golden Girl.

      I'm not saying you should look like a pot of gold!  But accessorize with small amounts of gold.  A simple necklace looks flattering against a green top.  It makes both the necklace and the shirt pop without being overwhelming.  

Hugs y'all!

Melissa

Wonder Woman Wednesday: Operation Fridge Clean Up

Have ever you opened the fridge and a herd of eggs came flying at you?  Splat!!  On the floor are your freshly bought eggs...  You get mad.  You may yell.  Then you start purging anything that might even be close to expiring!  Oh, this only happens to me?

                    

Chaos in my house drives me crazy.  A messy fridge has become a new pet peeve of mine.  Water bottles everywhere...applesauce forgotten about...10 bags of grated cheese because I forget I what I have so I buy a new bag every time...  Now everything has a place.  

Everyone has a different way of setting up their fridge so I won't go through all my shelves.  But, here's some helpful hints-dollar store plastic bins!  The big red one holds at least 14 small water bottles.  When my daughter's basketball team comes over, I can take the whole bin out and place on the table with a little ice over them.  In one of my crisper drawers, there are 2 small bins (not pictured).  One holds all my cheeses, grated or sliced.  Now I know what I have and what I need.  The other small bin holds my garlic cloves and onion.  Cokes go on the drink rack and tada!

Having the bins also makes it easier to know when things are out.  I can glance in the fridge and know what needs to go on the grocery list.  Life instantly made easier!!!

Remember March is the kitchen organization challenge.  So your task for this week is your fridge!  Clean it, empty it, stock and organize it!  Make it smell purdy and (in my case) replace the light bulb!

Happy Organizing!

Hugs y'all!

Melissa 

 

To Do Tuesday- Dollar Tree St. Patty's Wreath

Anyone else like being creative?  Anyone else feel that wreaths are terribly overpriced?  Ever see a wreath and think, "I could do that with my eyes closed!"?  Well, you are in luck my friends!!  Today's tutorial takes a dollar store foam wreath, 2 feather boas, and 1/2 a package of glittery shamrocks.  For a whopping total of $4, you can make this wreath.  So here it goes!

Take one of the feather boas and hot glue one end of it the wreath form.  As you wrap it, add a dot of glue every so often.  This will make sure the boa stays where you want it.  Once it's completely wrap ( should cover half of your wreath), glue the end down.  You will wrap your second one just like the first.  I overlap just a bit to make sure there is complete coverage. 

           

Easy so far right?  Now, take your package of glittery foam shamrocks and hot glue wherever your heart desires!!!  I left room on my mine for a piece of ribbon.

                       

 

Drum roll please... Here is the finished product!!!

                       

 

Mama Monday- Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Everyone loves a good birthday party!  Why not throw one of the most loved authors a birthday shindig?!  I absolutely love Dr. Seuss!  Since I work with kids, I tend to know more about children's literature than I do about adult literature.  Plus, I love the messages kids' books deliver and the artwork!  Yes, apparently I'm the grown up who "reads" books for the pictures.

I worked to gather my most favorite ideas to go with Seuss books.  His books lend themselves to soooooo many fun activities!!!  Some are just for fun while some take an advantage of a learning opportunity!!

"Cat in the Hat"

This book is great for a word family activity!  Cut out a hat shape from white construction paper.  Cut a few red strips to make the red stripes.  On each stripe, have the kiddo write a word that ends with "-at" such as bat, mat, rat, sat, etc.

For older kids, cut out the hat shape and red stripes just like in the first activity.  On each stripe, have your child write a word that describes the cat such as tricky, pesky, messy,etc.  The pictured hat below has words that all begin with "s."

"One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish"

Snack time anyone?  Break out the colored goldfish crackers or gummy fish!!  Your child can sort the fish by color.  Once they are sorted, work on counting!!  Count how many are in each group.  Older kids can work on adding and subtracting.  Add groups together.  Talk about which color has more or less.

"My Many Colored Days"

This is a great one for feelings and moods!!!  After reading it, have your child talk about what makes them happy, sad, mad, excited, etc.  Ask them how they are feeling right now and what color goes with that feeling.  Then give them paint, crayons or markers in that color with a large piece of blank paper.  They can draw, finger paint or whatever their little heart desires!

"Green Eggs and Ham"

Seriously, isn't this everyone's favorite?  You can make green eggs for breakfast.  But I don't like eggs so I came up with fun things.  Make a matching game!  Cut out egg whites and green yolks like below. 

Write addition facts (or other math facts)on the egg whites and the answer on the yolk.  Or write opposites on each piece ("big" on the egg white and "little" on the yolk).  The possibilities are endless!!

So have fun with the kids today!  Make it wacky and whimsical just like Dr. Seuss!

Hugs y'all!

Melissa

Wonder Woman Wednesday-Countdown to 2015!

Happy New Year's Eve!!!  Can you believe how fast the year has went by?  It seems like just yesterday I was planning our NYE 2013...slighly depressing isn't it? The good thing is if 2014 wasn't your year, then 2015 has to be!!!!

Do you have any plans yet for the big night?  I am simple when it comes to ending a year.  I prefer to be home (in my pjs), hanging out with the kids and hubs, and maybe watching a little college footlball or  a movie.  Last year, I came up with activities for us to do every hour.  I had a white paper sack for each hour with things needed for the activity.  Some were big ones like making homemade pretzels (prep work was done earlier in the day), some were small like wearing mustaches or glow necklaces for the hour to take silly pictures.  We ended the night at midnight with a toast. The kids had sparkling cider in their wine glasses.  They thought that was fun. The  pictures we took at each hour I made into a short video using an app on my phone.  This year I plan to do the same but I am working on different activities.

Here's a sample of what our night looked like  1 year ago today:

           

To keep it low key and simple, keep these tips in mind:

1. Include things you will already be doing.  For example, make 7pm a sit down family dinner and talk about your year as a family.

2.  If you do crafts, keep them simple.  I bought 2 of those peel and stick penguin foam craft packets in the dollar bin at Target last year.

3.  Do things your family will enjoy.  Little man got new board games this year for Christmas so we are having a game time at some point in our evening.  The kids like to help me in the kitchen decorate cookies so that is another activity for us.   Plus we will need dessert after the homemade chili that is on the menu!

4.  Don't make it stressful.  I sat our sacks on the bar so we could see them.  The time was marked on each one.  Set an alarm on your phone if you are afraid you will forget.  Don't worry, the kids did not forget!

Lots of people think that just because you stay home on NYE that it has to be boring.  You could a similar countdown even if it is all adults!  Gear your activities toward who will be with you that night.  Most importantly, be safe if you do leave the house.  Wishing everyone a great nght and an even better 2015!!!!

 

Make It Monday-Simple Thanksgiving Tablescape

Let's face it...Thanksgiving is coming in hot and fast! The holidays are coming whether you are ready or not!  Family is coming whether you ready or not.  Kids are about to be out of school for an ENTIRE week whether you are ready or not...you get the point.

The table tends to be the focus of Thanksgiving, right?   You and your loved ones are all gathered around, blessing the fabulous meal before you.  Then you tend to linger around the table after dinner (unless you're a guy who goes straight for the football on TV). Even though you are completely stuffed, you keep managing to find room for another dinner roll...or a bite of pie...or a second helping of dressing. Why not make the table the focal point?  It's easy to decorate and takes very little time with these helpful ideas I am about to give you.  You could go elaborate with your centerpiece.  We don't do elaborate tablescapes because my kids (AKA the husband) like to rearrange it when I am not looking.  It drives my OCD a little crazy but I have learned to deal with it.  Plus my son is like Pig Pen from Charlie Brown...dirt and mess just follow him.  He can a have sandwich and somehow my 6 person rectangular  black kitchen table is covered in crumbs.  But he's cute...  Our everyday table is also our formal dining table.  It sits smack in the middle of the kitchen.  Usually by Wednesday, it is covered in school permission slips, homework, graded papers,etc.  Needless to say that would be another reason for a simple tablescape.  Here's my tablescape that I created for Thanksgiving.

           

                   

Now for a few tips on how to create your simple but pretty table.

1.  Low Maintenance Runner:  I made this runner.  I bought a 1 1/2 yard of this cute fabric of cream and sand chevron.  It looked slightly gold in the store but when I got it home, I realized it was a tan color. Oh well!  The fabric is cotton so when little man gets peanut butter on it, it will wash fine.  With a little ironing, it will be good as new.

2.  Candles:  I love candles on the table.  Whether they are battery powered or not,  I love them.  These two orange ones came from JoAnn's after Halloween.  I scored a deal and got them both for about $4!

3.  Fresh Flowers:  There is just something about having fresh flowers in the house.  I like to keep them on the table in the kitchen, the sofa table in the sitting room and the coffee table in the living room.  Luckily I have 3 rose bushes so I can usually keep fresh flowers around.  I chose white roses for Thanksgiving because it went with my scheme better.  White roses are just so clean and simple.

4.  Mason Jars:  Gotta love mason jars!! Add some fresh flowers and it makes the perfect low-fuss vase!

5.  Filler pieces:  To finish out my table (and still make things functional), I added gold salt and pepper shakers.  They are the cutest owls that I found at Home Goods back in September.  I even bought an extra pair that I gave away in my first blog giveaway!  Lastly, I found this sweet little sign at Kirklands back in September (or maybe August!) that reads "sweeter than pumpkin pie."  When I bought it, I wasn't sure what I would do with it.  I think it finishes out my "low fuss" Thanksgiving table just fine.

Here's proof you don't need to spend a ton of money to make your table pretty.  We left the entire set up on the table all month long.  We were still able to enjoy our Sunday breakfasts because we could still see each other.  Our conversations were not distracted by huge flower arrangements or pieces that were not "kid proof."

Hugs y'all,

LSG

Wonder Woman Wednesday-The Grateful Jar

It's two weeks before Thanksgiving which usually means our Facebook feeds are filled with people doing the "30 days of Thankfulness" or whatever it is called.  Obviously, I am not doing it.  Not  because I am not thankful or grateful for the people and oppurtunities in my life.  I don't feel it is necessary to plaster it all over social media.  If you are grateful/thankful, you tell those people to their face.  You do little things like bake some cookies and deliver them.  You send them a card just thanking them for being them. Don't get me wrong.  I am not judging the people that are participating in it.  I am not saying they are thankful for their parents, grandparents, spouses or kids.  I just believe the spoken word speaks louder than sitting behind the computer and typing the same message.

 

That being said, I have come up with a creative way to display your thankfulnes year round!  I have seen many ideas for a Thankful tree or a Grateful tree.  We have a chalkboard wall that was perfect for this idea. I may still do it for the next couple of weeks.  But I really want something that can be used year round.  So I came up with the "Grateful Jar."  Take a plain old mason jar, decorate it how ever you want, get the kids in on it...whatever!  Throughout the year, write things that made you grateful/thankful at that moment.  If your hubby got up with the baby at 2 in morning, write how grateful you are on a slip of paper.  If your 8 year old son FINALLY picked up all his Legos without being asked (purely hypothetical!!), write it your gratefulness down on a slip of paper.  If your 13 year old daughter contained her annoyance for her little brother long enough to help him complete a task (again HYPOTHETICAL), write how much you appreciated that on your slip of paper.  You get the idea, right? Each time you write a grateful moment down, put that slip of paper in the jar.  The point is to have a year of grateful moments that you can share on Thanksgiving night, New Year's Eve or whenever you feel the need. By doing it this way, you are showing your thankfulness year round for your loved ones, not just in the month of November.

Here's a picture of ours.  We are starting ours today afterschool.

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!

Hugs y'all!

LSG

I partied at www.theturquoisehome.com, www.tatertotsandjello.com, and www.eatitandsayyum.com

To Do Tuesday-Fall Bucket List

Welcome to another new feature called "To Do Tuesday."  I thought every so often I would bring you some FUN "to do" lists!  We get so bogged down with the not so fun stuff of holidays that we often forget to do the fun stuff!

Today I am bringing you a Fall Bucket List.  When I made plans to write this blog back in late October, we had temps in the low 80's.  But today our temps dipped 40 degrees and it feels more like winter.  Oh well, that's Texas for you!  Since it is technically not winter yet, I will carry on with my fall list of fun things to do!  We just might need to bundle up a bit more.

After Halloween, it feels like everyone goes into Christmas overdrive.  Stores have the Christmas decor up and pushing their black Friday sales already!!  But what about the rest of fall?  What about Thanksgiving? This is the time of year to really enjoy the things around you...little things around you.  Leaves changing color, cooler temps that allow for a night around the fire pit, and "awesomely" ( yes I may have made that word up) cozy sweaters are just a few of those things.  The list I made contains things you could do AFTER Halloween has passed.  It will help pass the time for those that go into Christmas mode on November 1st.  Sorry it is not in a cute download but you could easily type this up or write it out on a chalkboard!

FALL BUCKET LIST:

1. Make homemade apple cider

2.  Make a pumpkin dessert-pie, fudge, french toast, bread, etc.

3.  Buy (or make) a new cozy sweater.  If you can knit, more power to you!!

4.  Go on a leaf hunt with the kids.  Bring the leaves you find home and make a craft.  Talk about the different shapes, what trees they came from and the colors.

5.  Pick pecans!!! Then make a yummy dessert!

6.  Go on a hayride.

7.  Builld a fire outside-either a bonfire or in your small fire pit.  Then roast marshmellows for s'mores!

8. TAILGATE!!  Hello, this is prime football weather!!

9.  Clean out toys, clothes, etc now and donate to a shelter.

10.  Make a grateful jar.  Each day add something you are grateful for.  (Tomorrow's blog will have ours.)

Our family has already checked off a few of these.  Last  Friday, the kiddos spent the afternoon at Nana's picking AND cracking pecans.  I might try to steal some before my mom uses them all!

                 

I was hoping to make this list family oriented and kid friendly for the most part.  We get so busy (and I use that term loosely because we are not that "busy" to spend time with family) and don't appreciate the little things in life.  This list is meant to slow you down and make you appreciate little things.

Happy Fall Y'all!

Hugs y'all,
LSG

Make It Monday-Well, Hello Fall!!

Welcome to the very first Make It Monday on the blog!!  At least one Monday a month, I plan on bringing a completely easy and fun DIY project.

Today I wanted to share my DIY fall wreath. I sadly had to take down my Halloween wreath November 1st.  My door just looked plain and that just can't happen.  Unacceptable!  I "shopped" my house first to find "wreath making materials."  I found an empty 8x10 frame in my daughter's room (she wasn't using it!).  It was pink so I got out my handy dandy gold spray paint.  Our  french doors are painted "heartthrob red" so the gold complimented nicely.  I found some small pumpkins at the dollar store (which was one buy 1 get one 50%-after Halloween sale score!).  I got 3 but only used 2 for the wreath.  One came in a metallic  orange color which was not bad.  The other was a metallic lime green...not the look I was going for...yes, it got gold spray paint too!  Hobby Lobby had their "fall decor" 50% off (or maybe 40%, I don't remember) and I NEEDED a vine of leaves to go around my frame.  Once all I got all the goodies home, I glued them to my frame.  It looked cute but it was missing something.  Then it hit me...MONOGRAM!! I added a cute little "W" (painted in red) to the bottom corner of the wreath.  I used some orange glittery ribbon I had bought on sale to make the hanger.  I LOVE IT!!!  I am not sure why I have never used a frame before...but I may never go back to a round wreath again!!  For less than $10, I have a wreath that is personalized and adorable!!  It accents my door beautifully.  I did not take any "before" pictures but here is my "after" picture that I took this morning before walking out the door.

       

There you have it!  An easy wreath that can go up in September with your fall decorations and come down in November after Thanksgiving!

Happy Crafting!!

Hugs y'all,

LSG 

Today I partied at www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com