My Thanksgiving Wish to Everyone...

Family has visited and gone and the house is now quiet. Bellies are full- even Madeline got a taste of whipped cream (she loves it, by the way.) I was sitting in the living room reflecting when everything that I was thinking was meant for everyone, not just the people I spent today with.

This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for family and friends and for feeling love, comfort and warmth.

What I'm really thankful for though is for seeing the holiday spirit live on. For every news story of crime, abuse or neglect there are stories of hope and happiness and a sense of community. It warms my soul to see good being done. This good, not being performed for the recognition but purely from the point that it feels good and people want to do it.

My temper isn't the best. But despite all that can trigger some outrage, there is so much that makes me think of how blessed I am for all that I have. Not materialistically but emotionally and spiritually. I have a family, that despite typical family stuff, can come together quite well. The Matriarch is tiny but fierce. She's the glue that holds this family together. She ensures that the miles between all of us doesn't equate to a distance with our relationships.

I have a father that is such a hard worker. He's got the best sense of humor that I know. He's warm, caring and such an amazing listener. Even after a physically tiring day, if I'm not doing so well, he's there. He's gotten really good about being able to listen and help me rationalize things. Even though I'm 28, I still need my Daddy to help me understand that the world may not be pretty but there are still beautiful aspects of life, you just have to be open to seeing them.

Then there is my best friend, "K". K has managed to put up with my idiosyncrasies for 10 years now. For one individual, I couldn't have asked for anything more. The support and love are unwavering. The ups and downs have been there but to weather all that has happened is amazing. I can say so much more but I'll keep it short and sweet.

Last, but definitely not least, there are my friends. All have an uncanny ability to know when I'm just being quiet and know that it doesn't mean I'm moody. Who know that sometimes a hug is all I need, and sometimes, it's just the ability to listen. Give what you get, right? Well, I've got some awesome, loving friends.

Well, goodnight all. Happy Thanksgiving. May you be with those that you love. May you feel warmth, not just physically but spiritually.

Hugs,

A.

Chistmas Ornament Wreath- DIY

I'm really loving Pinterest lately. Where my creativity ends, it picks up the scraps and makes something amazing.

Matt & Becky have a really cute post on their blog for an Ornament Wreath. They used more colors and her rules are spot on. Follow them. I didn't and tried to do my own. I regret not using the larger ornaments. It would have gone so much faster. Really. Seriously- follow them.

Items needed:

Wreath form (I used molded plastic- available at Michael's)
Ornaments (I used plastic ones from Dollar Tree- I spent about $8 or $9 total for the tubes)
Wire Ribbon
Glue Gun

I decided to limit my wreath to 3 colors: Red, Gold and Silver. I'm happy I did, it will allow all of the colors around the house to blend smoothly. I can't wait to hang it up on December 1st!

And here is the finished product...I like it!

This was worth making to me. I spent a lot less than the local SoHo would charge (they like to put $70 price tags and I'm not crazy about any of 'em really) and it's light. Not bulky where I have to worry about the ribbon not holding it.

Hugs,
A.

UPDATE: 12/05/12

Lesson to self: when showing off a picture of something make sure that the picture on your blog is perfect. Empty spots poking through aren't cute. At. All.

Here is an updated picture:

so much better! whew...

Decorating for Fall- Family Initial

I've seen blogs where people do their family letter and decorate it, etc. etc. Well, I wanted in!!

SoHo is right here in town and this was the biggest letter they had and I was do determined to get it done so I bought it. Add some Dollar Tree garland and a hot glue gun, a picture hanger along with pure stubbornness and a little bit of time, and I succeeded.

If you are  unable to find leaves by themselves with no plastic spines, just do what I did, peel 'em off! It was mind numbing but for about a 14"-15" it took about 2 5' strings of garland so that I could keep covering it.



Start with this.



Do this.



End up with this.

Once you have a bunch of leaves, start layering. I started out by just doing one layer inside the lines. Then I did started working the edges. Keep layering! Don't stop. You'll know when you're done. I just did a fluffy edge to the "P".

I started the first layer like this.

Then worked around the edge.



It will look like this once the edges are done. Fill in those empty spots with more leaves.



Make it interesting with 'fluffy' ones.

Final step is to nail on the picture hanger on the back. A package at WalMart cost me $0.97. No complaints here.



And I'm done and it's up on the wall. It adds a touch of Fall without it looking like it's more Thanksgiving than Halloween.

All in all, I'd say this cost me $6.00. And the best part? I can use it again next year. 

Hope this finds you well,

Hugs,

A.