Wreaths and Dried Fruit

I feel an onset of a chest cold kicking in but we aren't going to talk about it because I'm in denial. Partly because it's so close to the holidays and simply ... I don't want it! At least the house is all festive with all our handmade goods. 

Last weekend I went to my mothers house and gathered all the woodland items I could find. Pine cones, sticks, pine tree branches, grapevine... really an over abundance of items. The kids played while we made wreaths and drank hot cocoa. It was a really great way to spend the day. Funny thing is the window wreath with the bird was made twice, 

When leaving my moms, I packed the Jeep very carefully and got the kids all buckled. The wreath made it home all safe and sound - I joked about putting a bird on it, which I promptly did when I got home. Dear hubby helped me hang it on our door - all was well. The next day on the way home from a family outing the door closed and the wreath was bumped swiftly causing it to fall into pieces. Less than 24 hours was the first ones total time alive. We put the pieces on the table, I didn't have the heart to tackle putting it back together right then. A couple of days later, with the help from my instagram picture, I managed to hot glue it all back together. A true Christmas miracle!

This year we decided to celebrate both Yule and Christmas. The kids are excited to learn new traditions, as well as celebrating with the ones we already established. We dried fruit and strung it up in the windows, as natural sun catchers. Lavender, that was the last of our gardens harvest and this years Thanksgiving centerpiece, was mixed with mint and dried fruit to make a potpourri. We've complied a nice mix of songs to play on the night of winter solstice. There are gifts ready to be wrapped and put under the tree for Christmas, The kids have already made Christmas cookies and open their advent calendars full of chocolate every morning. The mischief filled Elf is back in our house - he even scanned himself with my printer for the kids to find. 

What tradition are you planning this year? Any new or old favorites? I love how everyone celebrates a little different this time of year ...but it's still all about the same thing. Spending time with family, loved ones, and bringing joy to others. 

Bits of Fall

Our fall has been filled with goodness. On Halloween night it drizzled rain and was chilly but that didn't stop our light up stick figure and super girl. Odyn's costume was such a big hit - he even would stop and pose for people including a police man who drove by and a pizza delivery person. Our town is wonderful and filled with such kind hearted people. The police were even handing out candy to the little ones. We walked all over the neighborhood, until little hands were too cold and too wet to go any longer. Damien was determined to just stay home this year, so he handed out candy with my mom. 

There has been such a chill in the air lately. We lit our fireplace last night for the first time this year. I'm a true believer that fall doesn't end until after Thanksgiving, even though there are Christmas and winter decorations everwhere. My pumpkins are still out and I painted leaves to make a Thanksgiving garland. 

My making ideas have been over flowing lately. I've started a cross stitch, that I plan on framing and hanging in the dining room. There has been more and more art pieces being hung up around the house. Right now, there is a pottery wheel hanging out in my dining room corner - it's too cold to work out in the garage. My pottery collection is growing and growing and with it my skill. The other night in class I made my biggest bowl to date. While we save to get the kiln up and running, I'm starting to clean out unwanted fabric to put in the shop, plan out the studio space in the garage, and work on a new online space. Such exciting things to come in the months ahead.

In Full Bloom

The rose garden at the park is in full bloom. A sweet smell of roses is drafting down the road, especially with all the rain we have been getting. This weekend dear hubby and I made window boxes for the house. We filled them to the brim with hanging petunias in purple and white, and also some hanging vines. Hubby got a rickety ladder out of the basement and carefully, while I pleaded for him to not get hurt, put the window boxes on the thick stone ledges. Today we noticed bees and a hummingbird visiting the new flowers.                      

We also planted some more herbs and a white peony bush that I can't wait to bloom big frothy ruffled flowers. Onyx the cat is loving the catnip plant, maybe just a little too much - he's currently sleeping it off on the couch. 

There was also some more wallpaper stripping - Ugh it's one project that I wouldn't mind ending. We only have the downstairs hallway and our room left. It's the hardest paper of all. Thick, shiny, and doesn't like to peel off easily even with water/fabric softener mixture. Paint swatches have been hung up just in anticipation. A deep dark navy blue for just one wall of our bedroom - called Midnight. Tuxedo Tie, Lunar Eclipse, Belle Grove White, and Snowday are just a couple other colors we like for other rooms. 

My back is starting to feel better, and I am really grateful. I've always known that I like to keep busy, but I never realized how much until I was stuck to the couch for a couple days. Honestly I can say I am not a television person. But with all that thinking time, there was a lot of planning. Crafty things that I just can't wait to start. 

The Baskets Are Filled

We were woken up today by the little one opening the door exclaiming "HE CAME! THE EASTER BUNNY CAME!!" They have quickly opened up their baskets and showed each other the goodies they've gotten.

Last night I colored some eggs in pretty hues of blue - sky, teal, aqua, turquoise, royal. Sketching on them while watching Ghost Whisperer on Netflix. One year I would love to do some Pysanka eggs like these ones. 

Hope everyone is having a lovely Easter - we are now off the the in-laws to have a feast.