Trailblazers

   Sometimes I see myself like the Dad's girlfriend in "The Parent Trap".  I'm not hateful like her, but when it comes to nature (remember when they took her camping?!) I am one big weenie.  Today I decided to buck up and suggest a nature hike.  Hey, if I can bring my camera along I can do almost anything.  Off we went, and I am so glad we did...

   My two little trailblazers.  Mandy is always up for an adventure and trying new things.  Katie just wants to be with her big sister.:-)

  Look ladies!  Leaves are falling!  Get out your pumpkins and decorate!:-)

   I loved this lonely little red mushroom.

   After the hike, it felt so good to put our toes in the water!  Of course, some toes are cuter than others.  That's one reason why I am the family photographer.:-)

   We will all sleep well tonight.  Hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend, too.

Fall Decorating Continued....

   Decorating is still going on at my house!  It's just so fun!  Today I put together a ton of ribbons to make a swag for the living room mantle.  I adore ribbons and I think the swag is a nice addition to the room.  Can you believe there are no pumpkins here??

Oh, here is one!  I bought this scarecrow years ago when Jeff and I were first married.  He was on the clearance table and leaned a bit (he still needs to be propped up) but I just thought he needed to be a part of our home.:-)

   Another pumpkin!  This one is from my Mom.:-)
   Look, there are some more.  Don't they just make you happy?  Chubby lumps of love is what I call them....  Have you started your Fall decorating yet?

Giggling Girls

   Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous and we spent the afternoon with some of our best home school buddies.  It was part play day, part curriculum sale.  Katie and Arianna spent their time swinging, playing on the bars and giggling and Mandy and Maria spent their time doing typical pre-teen stuff (Don't you remember those days?  So fun.  I'm sure the topic of boys came up at some point.:-) ) I got to visit with my fantastic and fun friend, Sue, and we all had a wonderful time!

I Admit It...

   I admit it.  I am addicted to reality TV.  "The Mole" just ended and, boy, was I surprised at who the mole was!  Now I have set my sights on the new season of  "The Amazing Race" and "Survivor"!  The shows are completely mindless and that's why I like them.  They are the perfect way to escape from life's craziness for an hour.:-) 

If you had your choice, which show would you be a contestant on?  There is no way I could make it on "Survivor" with the spiders, nasty drinking water, the challenges and the lack of basic necessities.  And, oh yeah, no food.  I would be begging for them to kick me off.  I could try "The Amazing Race", although Jeff has told me we would have to quit if there was a sky diving challenge.  My bags would be packed, Sweetie.:-) 

   "Survivor" starts on September 25th and "The Amazing Race" starts on September 28th.  Pop some popcorn and join the party.:-)

Firefly Hill Designs

   Here is one more lovely Etsy seller that I wanted to tell you about.  Annie at Firefly Hill (Don't you adore that name?  I can just see children catching fireflies on a warm summer night) makes the yummiest purses and belts!  Look at the amazing fabrics!  You must stop by her shop and take a peek...  

Filling up my Wish List...

   It's almost September and the flurry of Fall activities are in motion!  Are you ready for Christmas?  My amazing friend, Robin, is certainly putting me in the mood for it!  She is currently hosting a "Stocking Swap"!  Doesn't that sound like fun?!  I was the first person to sign up and I knew you did not want to miss out!:-)  

   Robin is also getting ready for the opening of her new Etsy shop!  The grand opening for "Kindred Crows" (love the name!) will be next Monday...

   My new wonderful friend, Heidi, has just filled her Etsy shop with the most gorgeous items for Christmas!  I am in LOVE with her beautiful quilted table runners- they have tiny jingle bells on them!

   She also makes lovely Christmas ornaments and quilts....  Stop by and start your Christmas list!
   Another lovely friend, Summer, just opened her Etsy store this week!  She is such a talented artist and her pictures always make me smile!  Stop by and you'll be smiling, too!
   If you don't have atleast one joxlette for your wardrobe, you are missing out.  Joy, another fabulous friend, is currently making Fall joxlettes (fabric buttons/pins that add so much to your clothes, purse, shoes, etc!) to fill her shop!  She is also starting to make fun family stationery!  Stop by for one of a kind gift ideas!

Sensational Swaps!

   The girls and I have been receiving the most lovely packages in the mail!  Katie's swap partner, Isabella, sent her some glittery treasures from the Kid's Summer Swap.  Take a look!

   Gorgeous sparkly crown and door sign with Katie's initial on it!

   Littlest Pet Shop school supplies, Bratz Baby Dolls, sweet puppy journal, and Katie's new favorite game "Peanut Butter and Jelly"....

   Isabella's Mom, the lovely Genevieve, also sent me a hostess gift!  Inside was beautiful lace, vintage millinery, "Wish" tickets, and the yummiest smelling vanilla bath gel from Victoria's Secret!  Thanks so much, Isabella and Genevieve!

   Then look what arrived next!  Kitty, who is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet, sent me the MOST magical and thoughtful magic wand!  It absolutely took my breath away!  On it were wishes for "Health", "Content" and "Peace".:-)  The loveliest touch.

   She also included wands for my girls!  Mandy and Katie were thrilled!  I was so touched by her kindness...  Thank you so much, Kitty!

Slowly Getting it Together

   I am slowly but surely getting our house ready for Fall.  I am loving the rich Fall colors!  Please come in and tell me what you think!:-)

   Picture from Mandy's 9th birthday party.  We hosted a mystery party and all the girls dressed up.  Here is Mandy "toasting" the camera with sparkling apple cider.

   Katie (age 4) and her pink "My Little Pony".

   I got this twig basket at a yard sale for 50 cents- love it!

   Some of my "whimsical" pumpkins.  The pumpkin on the left has the most gorgeous jewel tone colors.

  Katie on our trip to Mount Vernon (age 4) in a pumpkin frame.

   Our dining room table centerpiece- for now.:-)

   The other half of the table...

   I love the colors in this picture...

   Yes, seashells even in the Fall!

   Thanks for stopping by!  Please come back soon to see what's new!:-)

Decorated Blackboard

     I have gotten so many wonderful ideas from my creative blogging friends, so I thought I would share one of my ideas with you!  Perhaps you have seen something like this before, but maybe not...

    I bought a blackboard at Hobby Lobby and decided to embellish it with flowers, ivy and glass baubles!  All you need it your handy dandy glue gun, a ton of flowers and greenery and some of those round glass things with the flat sides.  You know, people sometimes put them in fish bowls?:-)  Everything can be purchased at Wal Mart and it works as a blackboard/wall art.:-)

Art Classes and our Pumpkin Nursery

   Yesterday was the first day of art classes.  My girls were able to visit with friends, chat and create "masterpieces".:-)  Their art will be saved for an art show at the end of the year.  Isn't that the greatest idea?  Each child will feel an incredible sense of accomplishment seeing their creations on display.  I can't wait.:-)

Arrianna, Teagan, and Katie have such fun together!
   Mandy and Machaela are having a wonderful time getting to know each other.  In fact, they have planned an art exchange for their next meeting!  
   These are the first pumpkins harvested from our "pumpkin nursery"!  We have little babies popping up every day!

History is Never Boring

      As a child, I never enjoyed history.  Too many dates to memorize and boring facts that seemed to have no meaning in my life.  Perhaps it was the textbooks, the teacher?  I'm not sure.  Anyway, as an adult I have become fascinated with history.  The book pictured above is what I use for home schooling.  It is amazing!  Even if you don't home school it is worth reading.  You will be amazed at what you have forgotten and/or what you never learned before.  

   We are currently studying Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, Ferdinand and Isabelle (King and Queen of Spain who funded Columbus' expedition) and the Spanish Inquisition.   We are reading To The Edge of the World to go along with our studies.  It is fiction based on fact.  The main character is a young boy named Mateo that loses his parents to the Plague and must seek his fortune at the age of 14.  He ends up becoming a cabin boy with Ferdinand Magellan as his captain.  It is quite an adventure and we are all enjoying it.

   By the way, did you know that Katherine of Aragon (King Henry VIII's first wife) was Ferdinand and Isabella's (King and Queen of Spain) daughter?  This was news to me.  This brings me to the book that I am enjoying- just for me.:-)

   Have any of you read this book?  It is keeping me up way too late at night.  My images of King Henry VIII were never like this!  Yes, he was young at one time, too.  Too bad he was such a selfish jerk!  Friends, I am learning that history is never boring...

Smile Award!

My fabulous friend, Robin, gave me this amazing "Smile Award"!  Thanks so much, Robin, you make me smile ALL the time!:-)  Robin is one of the most creative, caring and fun people that I have ever met- as well as one of my best friends.:-)  She is busy working on her new Etsy shop and it is going to be INCREDIBLE!

The Smile Award's rules are:

1. The recipient must link back to the award's creator (on the award)

2. You must post these rules of you receive the award.

3. You must choose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.

4. You must fit the characteristics of a recipient (see below).

5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.

6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.

7. You must thank your giver.

Characteristics of the Smile Award:

1. Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times-- we are all human.)

2. Must love one another.

3. Must make mistakes.

4. Must learn from others.

5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world.

6. Must love life.

7. Must love kids.

I consider each and every person that comments on my blog to be a friend and I truly care about all of you.  It's amazing how much of an impression you have made on my life!  I would like to give this award to all of you, as you all make me smile!:-)