2/14/14

I think I've mentioned before that valentine's day is not my favorite.

I did, however, want to share a few fun things we did on this day. We remembered our teachers with homemade bouquets, and we made super chocolatey and super delicious cookies.

 

Recycled jars and fresh flowers from Trader Joe's (duh!).

Recipe from one of my new fave's, The Pioneer Woman.

 If you haven't already, check out her website and peruse one of her cookbooks.

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halloween

Decorating for Halloween was not something I did before we had children.
But now, I have one little boy who loves this holiday, which has made it fun to incorporate some spooky into the everyday decor around here. Hope you enjoy the photos.

Halloween at the old house-

- my mom found this vintage store sign, $4 -

- halloween mantel - handmade garland with pine cones from the yard -

- windows 1 and 2 - a different view than a year ago -

- garage sale find, $2 - the sweet lady said her kids played with them when they were little -

- festive and free bird - the owner of a local gift shop gave him to me -

- terrarium pumpkin patch - these pumpkins sprouted up in all of my indoor plants - find them here -

- all set - we hosted a happy hour last saturday for our neighbors -

- the old house dining room, halloween table -

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in the details:

yes, that's a new rug in the dining room - but, we have since decided to switch it with

the more traditional rug that was in our family room

check out rugsusa.com

most of the halloween decor, i have collected over the years - please ask about anything you see!

the 4th

We learned last week that the fourth of July is a big deal here.

Flags and banners still hang respectfully from most of the old houses in the old neighborhood. We displayed ours as well. The flag was given to us by the previous owner. His son told us he thought it should stay with the house. And we are happy to have it.

I think I previously mentioned the July 4th block party tradition. Well, it was a great time. We met new folks and chatted with our neighbors. The kids together decorated their bikes and Koko's wagon, then paraded up and down the hill for much of the morning. The t-shirts were a hit and cute I think.

We spent the rest of the day with our friends at a nearby lake. We feel so blessed to have met this family, and they graciously included us in their own family fourth tradition. It was great to swim, visit and eat.
Doesn't food (especially chip and dippy stuff) always taste better at the lake.

We drove home just after sunset and watched explosions of fireworks in every direction.
The neighbors warned us it would be loud in the old neighborhood, but we were not prepared for smoke-filled air seen in the light of the street lamps. You know how you smell the evening campfire on you the next day? Well, same thing here. It sounded like a war-zone, but that's okay. We pulled up to the old house just in time to sit on the front steps and watch the fireworks display.

- koko won best float! -

- E got an honorable mention -

- this was such a fun craft to do with the kids -

 

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Hope all you dear friends and readers had a fun 4th.

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in the details:

america t-shirts - fabric paint, letter stencils purchased from craft store

we supplied white hanes t-shirts - i had the brushes and made my own flag stencil

hearty

I do not love February 14.
I do, however, love making my kids happy. Last night before I went to bed, I set everything out
to make coffee cake- Grandma S's recipe of course. I did not sleep well, which is not unusual for me lately, so I did not make it out of bed by 6:45. I walked straight from bed, down the steps, through the kitchen, opened the coffee jar and took a big sniff of Vienna beans. It worked, and I had enough time for baking.
It was a good morning and the coffee cake was yummy.

I spent the afternoon helping with E's friendship party at school. I like the new friendship title.

In the evening, I met a friend for coffee at my fave local coffee shop. It was nice to chat and I am thankful for her friendship. Lloyd and I did not celebrate, but he did give me a small gift with a card that said,

"happy i love my wife day."

- our hearty cake -

I never thought to decorate for February 14 until we had kids. Kids get so excited on this day.

We kept it simple with vintage cards, homemade hearty, felt garland and a little love.

in the details:

LOVE decal - found it on etsy

hearty felt garland - red felt and fine red glitter from any fabric store, twine

Christmas at the old house

We moved to a new city, into the old house, only five months ago. I have moved many times before, but this time hurt. I carry around a pit in my stomach everyday.

I ache to go back to our warm and sunny home.

I want to feel the sun stinging my bare shoulders.

For now we are here, and we are trying to make it work. Part of our commitment with this move, was to live in and improve an old house.

I think we did improve the old house for the Christmas season. Vintage decor, lots of sparkling cinnamon candles, holiday happy hour for the neighbors, an eight-hour baking day with the kids and Christmas music playing until we (not even the kids) couldn't stand it anymore.

I think the old house improved Christmas for us this year, too.

Have you heard Barenaked Ladies version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen? It is amazing.

 

My vintage stuff looked great in the old house. Some is not old, like the centerpiece.
You can find the cute trees and penguin here.