OCTOBER HOME

Halloween decorations at our house are not terribly frightening. We are a house of lightweights. Large spiders on the wall may bring a start... crows in the bushes might make us pause a little too long. And that's where it ends.

We like happy ghosts... smiling cats.... I do kinda like some creepy things. So I adopt in a skeleton when I can. As my kids get older our Halloween style will surely evolve, but honestly we've never really enjoyed body parts in the yard.

This is what we are, Halloween Ninnies. So our Halloween decorations lean toward the simple, modern and friendly. This year, this is how it is.

HALLOWEEN NECKLACE CRAFT

Getting a jump on Halloween Crafting!

At first I made these with my daughters, aged 6 and 4. My six year old was able to tie knots and load the cello tubes. My 4 year old needed more help. With that trial, I decided to do these for the 1st grade Halloween Party craft.

THE REALITY: I actually needed a few more adults to help the kids as this was a SPEED craft session. I had 6 kids every 3 minutes! It was crazy. Their little fingers just couldn't go fast enough. So I don't really recommend it for school projects unless you've got time and helpers.

But for something fun to do with your kids at home, or Halloween gifts for neighbor friends and/or kids, this is super cute and so fun. My girls loved to wear these all around town as Halloween approached.

SUPPLIES
2"x10" Clear Cello Tubes - 3 per necklace (for a child size. For a larger head, use 4)
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
1/4" Ribbon
String
Fun Halloween Bits & Candies (I try to use more toys than candy... here. here. and here)
Pencil

PROCESS
1. Hot Glue two cello tubes closed ends together and tie a 1/4" thick ribbon around that glued spot to hide it. Tie it in a knot.
2. Load one of the tube sides and tie off each section with string. Repeat until near the end, and hot glue the opening closed.
3. Repeat the same process for the other side of the tube.
4. Glue a third cello tube to one of the glued ends. Again, tie a 1/4" ribbon over the glued portion.
Load the third tube with each section tied off with string.
5. Connect the third tube end to create a closed necklace that can fit over head. If you need to keep going with a fourth tube, keep going. We only needed 3.

*Any rubber rats, or erasers may stick a bit and that's why I have a pencil on the supply list. Use the eraser end of a pencil to shove things in.

Happy October Everybody!

THE YEAR OF THE TOMATO

My MIL cans tomatoes every year.... Her garden is A-MAZE-ing...the envy of everyone within a 20-mile radius. She has about a dozen tomato plants. This year that produced enough tomatoes for THREE rounds of canning. She usually can handle that much canning, but she broke her foot at the end of summer and has had to give up some of her produce. I was lucky enough to join in the fun this year.

On her second round of canning, we picked a few buckets of tomatoes, scalded, peeled, cut, boiled, and canned 17 jars all for my little family. This tomato sauce is the best start for soups, spaghetti and countless Mexican and Italian dishes throughout the year. I feel so lucky I could burst.

If I had space, patience and a gift for canning I would do this for myself every year in my own backyard but I don't. I just glory in these little moments that happen every so often.

SEAHORSE PARTY

Could she ask for anything harder than seahorses? I sweated for a moment then took it to the vast array of options in the ocean theme. I couldn't deny her little five-year-old heart because she has another two parties coming to her... if we're comparing to her sister, that is.

She loves blues, greens, and yellows, so I started with that color palette but made the yellow a florescent yellow. She also loves Friends With You so her dad designed a cute invite with that in mind.

For food, I was keeping it simple with candies in fish bowls, cookies and cake. I had some Target plates on hand that were perfect, and I made skewers with pom poms on the end for the grapes. It was important to have something seahorse, and cookies seemed doable... but this was my first try with royal icing. I managed ok, but I've got to practice that one to make it a true skill. But they're cute. I also used my grandma's cookie recipe which in hindsight I wouldn't do again because they're softer, not great for decorating. The jello cups were easy enough. And I made a triple layer cake. That actually turned out ok. Let me just say this... with baking, I usually PURCHASE, for sanity sake, but I wanted something specific, so I just did it. and made some cake stands with vintage ice cream glasses and clear plates.

The activity was a treasure hunt with the party favor at the end. Eating, playing with gel balls, fishing and unwrapping presents were all built into the clues so that the end could be back to play time. Honestly, the biggest hit was the pool of gel balls. They would've been happy with just that.

SCHOOL LUNCH NOTES

I sure like the idea of notes in lunch boxes. My daughter requests them, actually. But I like them, because it's a little bit of home in their day.

I made enough for the first week... I'll probably make more later and post them. We love Friends With You in our house, so I made the colors bright and the illustrations simple to fit that style.

I'll just print, cut and write a little note on the back and put one on the top of her lunch each day. So far, the jokes have been a huge hit!

GIFTING WITH GRANOLA

My SIL is my all-things-food-go-to. I turn to her for party menu planning as well as recipes that I know are amazing because I've sampled them first hand. She has taken a journey with food that I really admire. I hope to adopt some of her kitchen habits, like shopping locally and not wasting left overs but turning them into another meal. Every recipe she's ever given me has empowered me to cook more and shop better.

Over some years, she has mastered granola and has since passed on a recipe to me. I'm going to share... brace yourself... it's delish.

I like it because it's healthier than store bought granola. You can eat it by the handfulls but alas, just like any other snack food, there is sugar (by way of maple syrup) so... you know... moderation and control.

GRANOLA
Preheat Oven 300º

In a large bowl combine the following (DRY INGREDIENTS):
4 cups Rolled Oats (not Quick Cooking)
1/2 - 1 cup Nuts (Peanuts, Almonds, or Pecans. I used Peanuts and Almonds)
1/2 cup Sunflower Seeds
1/2 cup Pumpkin Seeds
1/4 cup Flax Seeds
2 Tbs. Chia Seeds
1 tsp. Salt

In a smaller bowl combine the following (WET INGREDIENTS):
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup Maple Syrup
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine and coat all of the ingredients and lay out on parchment paper on a backing pan. Split into two pans to maintain a thin layer of granola. (if needed)

Bake for up to 45 minutes. **Check and Stir at 20 minutes.

At 40 minutes add 1/2 -1 cup ocoonut (large and unsweetened) so that it gets toasted lightly.

At 45 minutes, take the pan out of the oven and let cool completely before puting it in an airtight container.

I recently made a batch and set some asside for a new neighbor gift. I'm also including a mason jar label. You can print and cut it out and slap it on some kraft paper and put it on the top of the jar with a little ribbon... it's free to you, and it makes me happy to share.

For more recipes, you can see my recipe board on Pinterest.
Also, you can see more on the Jam Printables here.

S'MORES PARTY FAVOR

More on the outdoor baby shower...
I put together some simple Smore's party favors for all of us chocolate lovers.

SUPPLIES
Trader Joe's S'mashing S'mores
Kraft Bags (approx. 5"x7" no gusset)
Unbleached Parchment Paper
Washi Tape
Free Printable Labels printed on Sticker Paper

PROCESS
1. Cut the bakers paper to approx. 8x8 squares
2. Place two smore's onto the sheet in the middle, wrap, and seal it with washi tape.
*Note, washi tape doesn't stick well to parchment paper because of the waxy coating. Place the little package inside the bag tape down to keep it in place.
3. Repeat to make two more mini packages, and add them to the bag.
4. Fold the bag flap down with the jagged side in front and seal with a printed sticker label.
*You can seal it with whatever you'd like. I made mine and included them below. Print on 8.5"x11" sticker paper and cut. Or cut sticker paper down to a shape you like and write on it.

Happy Camping!

CAMPER PARTY PLACE SETTING DIY

These are easy as all get out. I used them for my girlfriends baby shower a few months back. They would be cute for any occasion from Thanksgiving to Father's Day to an outdoors BBQ party.

SUPPLIES

Birch Disk Slices - 1.5"-2.5"

Skewers - Cut to about 4" to 6" tall

Hot Glue Gun & Sticks

Name Card - You could hand write these. Mine are .5"x2.5"

Moss

Washi Tape

PROCESS

1. Place a glue dot at the end of a skewer flat and stick it to the center of a Birch Disk.

2. Hot Glue the name card to the top of the skewer and place a small piece of washi tape over the top of the stick to the back of the name card. I used map washi tape so that the backside would retain some decorative element.

3. Hot glue some moss around the base of the skewer.

So so easy.

BOOK CLUB SPREAD FOR ORPHAN TRAIN

Last month I hosted our book, Orphan Train.

It was a lovely and entertaining read, but a little divided, in most of our opinion. I think we all connected to (Neev, Dorothy) Vivian's story as she was the child passed from one bad situation to a worse one, and so on... But none of us seemed to connect to the modern day character, Molly. I still recommend it, mostly because being drawn to historical fiction, I ended up learning about the many trials and circumstances of these children during the depression era... a lost bit of American History.















































THE SPREAD
Because Vivian is originally from Ireland, I wanted to serve a few things Irish... bangers and mash came to mind, cabbage, and soda bread. Links below were a starting ground for what I made. I altered them all slightly.
Cheese Boards
Roasted Potatoes, Purple Cabbage, and Sausage
Kale, Grapes & Broccoli Salad
Soda Bread Muffins
Chocolate Cake Muffins with Ice Cream, Blackberries and Mint Garnish

Styling was based on the idea of traveling. I have so many vintage bits of randomness, I have an old leather suitcase, several old cameras, my grandmothers painted vases, old keys and cigar boxes. All of those together with some flowers from Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and our neighbors yard. I used my gold flatware, and cut glass goblets and some grey plates from Crate & Barrel. I had some tweed fabric on hand for the table covering and a burlap tablecloth. All serving dishes were either wood, vintage transferware china or grey stoneware. Overall, it was a warm and textural setting.

I also set up some vintage blankets outside for dessert.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER

I'm waiting for the perfect meal planning app.

One that enables me to input family recipes, add recipes from online and create a grocery list (like Yummly), one that has a weekly meal schedule and allows people to share our favorite recipes. Until this happens, I will continue to use Pinterest, Yummly and Grocery IQ along with my little weekly planner.

I print this out every Sunday and plan for the coming week. That way I can do my grocery shopping with a plan in mind. It cuts down on picky eaters evening arguements (my number one reason for doing this) and curbs the grocery bill (my number two reason for doing this.)

I'm sharing. Because it works for me. I hope it works for you too.
xoxo

PASTEL RAINBOW DASH PARTY

More Rainbow Dash Party! There seems to be a neverending supply of DIY information from this party. I think I was making things two months in advance. Silly me.

Overall, I had made:
Pinãta
Fringe Wall
Colored Glass Trays & Vases
Fringe Skewers
Marshmallow Twist Skewers
Sewn Rainbow Ceiling Drops
Washi Tape Rainbow Wall
Rainbow Pony Ears and Tutu for our Birthday Girl (and her sister ;)
Pastel Rainbow Straw Wreath

Party Favors Included:
Beaded Bracelets for each guest (beads. beads. beads. beads)
Ribbon Dancing Rings (ribbon. rings)
Ribbon Barretts
Plastic Pony
Gel Pens
Candy Necklace
Mini Slinky

All of the things I made were really pretty easy, I just did them over a long period of time.

HAPPY DAY OF INDEPENDENCE!

This is what our home looks like this time of year...
kind of a simplified country situation.




















































THE CONTENTS
— I cut out a large United States from a box. Keeping the lines kind of angular makes it easy to cut. I punched holes in the corners and strung it to the wall using washi tape. I didn't try to hide the tape, it's very much a part of the scene, although I did crop it out of the photo ;)
— I bought several Dollar Store flags and cut them into triangles and sewed them into a garland.
— I already had a few large white feathers that I use for EVERYTHING... from Valentine's to Princess parties, baby showers and even Christmas. I mixed those with babies breath, white flowers and flags in a large mason jar.
— I use this wood box for a lot of parties and events too. It's a good propping tool to have on hand. — The doilies are vintage, I've collected them over the years.
— The cherries are in a lovely vintage silver bowl.
— The mason jars are filled with candies and handed out to the kids SPARINGLY. Ya, right.

All in all, I spent under $15 and it was all on the flowers, cherries and candy. Not too bad!

Happy Fourth of July friends!
xoxo

PIÑATA DIY FOR A PASTEL RAINBOW DASH PARTY

If you've been with me a while, you'll remember my daughter's Pastel Rainbow Dash Party (You can see more here, here, here, and here). I actually still have a few things to post from that party, nearly a year later!

I had made a piñata for the first time. I just found it in my basement, I can't bring myself to toss it despite the fact that it's smashed up... it was my first... it was a lot of work *Sigh* It might be time to exercise some non-horder qualities.

But before I do, I want to be sure it's documented. This is what it looked like as part of the decor and then in action. It took two rounds of smashings (four and five year old kids aren't too intense).

I had asked a friend that makes piñatas often for a few tips and then I started in. It took about three hours (split up between a couple of days).

SUPPLIES
Crepe Paper in Pastel Rainbow Colors - Cut into 4" Strips (or Fringe Crepe Paper)
Fringe Scissors (one of my favorite tools)
Cardboard - Large pieces
Masking Tape
Xacto Knife
Steel Ruler
Hot Glue Gun
Scissors
Cutting Mat
Newspaper
Rope

PROCESS
1. Draw and cut out a flat version of what you want your piñata to be on newspaper. I wanted a NUMBER FOUR. Any counter shapes need to be fairly large so that they don't appear filled in once created in cardboard. This will be your template.
2. Trace around the template onto a large piece of cardboard. Flip the template over and trace around it again onto another area of the cardboard. This will be the front and back of your piñata.
3. Cut a strip of cardboard the thickness that you want it to be. I wanted it to be able to stand on a table on its own so I cut 4" wide strips. You don't need it to be one continuous piece that goes around the entire thing, but you do need it to be as few as possible so look for larger areas of your cardboard piece to cut from. See the top two photos below for a reference.
4. Tape the 4" piece to the backside piece. Going all the way around to the starting point. You'll want masking tape to be about an inch apart. You don't want your piñata to break apart too easily or to be so sturdy that kids can't bust into it, so there's a happy medium here.
5. At the top of the piñata punch a hole and knot a rope through so that it can hang. THIS needs to be sturdy. Mine broke at one point. So you might want the layer the cardboard here or something to reinforce this area.
6. Cut one area in the 4" piece so that you can insert candy. OR if you prefer to add candy now, before closing it off, do so now. Keep in mind that it will be in there while applying tissue all around the piñata.
7. Place the topside piece on top and start taping in the same way as the backside piece.
8. Now you have your full cardboard pinata with a rope attached and either an opening or candy already inserted. NICE!
9. On the bottom, flap, corners and counter shape areas hot glue flat strips of crepe paper to cover up the cardboard. This doesn't need to be fringed here, just flat. Make it the same color as your first fringed row. Mine was pink. See the bottom left photo below. I call this the Base Color.*
10. Using fringe scissors or regular scissors, cut fringe in each color. (you can also purchase pre-cut fringed crepe paper — I just didn't find the right colors I needed so I cut mine all by hand).
11. Starting with the same color as your base cover color (mine is pink) hot glue the fringed crepe paper around the piñata in rows. My rainbow was pink, peach, yellow, seafoam green, baby blue and lavendar... back to pink and so forth.
12. Repeat this all the way up the piñata.
13. * Before you reach a counter shape area (the opening of the "4") or a flap, make sure you apply a layer of flat crepe paper in your base color. This way, you'll never see any cardboard poking through.
14. Keep adding rows of fringed crepe paper all the way up to the top until all of the cardboard is completely covered.

HOORAY FOR SUMMER!

Finishing school this year was kindof a big deal. So I thought it might be fun to offer up a little backyard surprise when the kids came home on their last day.

Just a few things, like fresh bubbles, chalk and colorful beach balls. I had also happened upon a Lilly Pulitzer beach towel at Target... way after the big launch and scramble so I considered myself one lucky duck and snatched it up. We needed more towels for the backyard anyway so it was a perfect colorful addition.

Summer is now officially HERE!

FREE PRINTABLE
Print this out at 100% on cardstock and use a straw or skewer for a summer sign.

Some more fun colorful summer goods!!!

THANK YOU TEACHERS!

The school year is wrapping up and it's time to say THANK YOU to our dear teachers that love and support our kids for nine months of the year. My first grader really went through a mighty transition. I've got to hand it to her (and her teachers!) for surviving many lost teeth, full-day school, real homework, and Spanish. I'm not sure I fully understand how these teachers do what they do, but they do it well and I'm a grateful mom. My preschooler has had her own challenges and her teachers have guided her with such thoughtfulness.

This year, I utilized my excessive amounts of mason jars and filled them with salted caramel chocolates (my favorite forbidden treat). And oops... I (over)bought a 5 lb bag... oh fret. Holy Yummy Balls.

SUPPLIES
Mason Jars
Kraft Paper
Sticker Paper
Fiskers Punch or Scissors
Twine
Candy

PROCESS
1. Clean and dry jar completely then fill it with whatever treat you'd like.
2. Use the top of the lid to trace circles on kraft paper and cut out the circles.
3. Insert the kraft circles on top of the insert lid, and screw on the outer lid.
4. Print the printable labels and tags onto sticker paper, or kraft or regular paper.
5. Cut out as instructed on the printable.
6. Affix the label to the top and wrap twine around the neck of the jar.

Happy Almost Summer!
xoxo

WELL HELLO, CAMPER

A girlfriend is having a baby boy and loves the great outdoors so a camper shower is in order.

At first, I wanted to have an outdoor, blanket dinner with strung lights, a long wood plank of a table and lanterns. I still want to do that, but the weather has been iffy so I'll save that for a warm summer night to come.

Instead, I stuck with stoneware dishes, gold flatware, flax linens, fir, pinecones, golden tin cans, vintage camping lanterns and mountain oil paintings. I was able to use several things from my Thanksgiving decoration stash, like the feather garland and pinecone garlands. I already had a burlap runner. I made some place setting labels, party favors and a few more simple decorations and called it good.

Below is my party plan that I worked from. I'll post some photos and DIY soon.

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU

The awaited day... May 4th. Everyone from über geek that is dressing up as a Stormtrooper, to the casual fan, has something to say about Star Wars.

Like so many others that grew up in the 70s, experienced the real Star Wars IV A New Hope... that movie changed e v e r y t h i n g. It changed the way I played with friends, my interest in boys, my sense of humor. I was seven and in love.

I went from playing with Barbies to collecting trading cards, running around the forrest with friends waving long sticks around, I had a poster on my wall of Han, my best friend had Luke on her wall. I'd make Chewbacca sounds with my school desk to get a laugh, I'd repeat lines from the movie, which was most likely the start of my childhood career in quoting movie lines... it was and still is deeply rooted in me. I suppose it sounds as if I should be dressing up on May 4th. I don't go that far. But I do have a fond appreciation for Star Wars geeks. Because honestly, I'm not that far off.

I kinda feel sorry for those people that are so young that all they know is Star Wars I, II, and III. Revenge of the Sith, Attack of the Clones and Phantom Menace are just embarrassing compared to what we experienced in the 70s. And you can bet your boots, I'm eagerly awaiting a redemption in VII, The Force Awakens. But before then, I'll watch them all... because, you know... it's important to be refreshed and ready.

LITTLE J HEADBAND DESIGN

Once Upon a Time... I had a lovely job at a small studio called Axiom. I met my husband there. I met the best boss in the world there. I met lots of fabulously talented people there. I made wonderful friends there. We were like a little family.

When one of them started her own company, I was excited to help in any way possible. She needed a logo, she needed packaging.

Those things, I can do.

Little J Headbands are so versatile. They work with both short and long hair. The scarf is quite cozy, and there's no need to take it off after you take off your coat... it becomes part of your outfit. Super!





































Packaged in a clear box with a blind embossed kraft lid and. Logo and directions in black. The boxes stack on the shelf and have been selling like hot little cakes! Yay for LittleJ!!!