moss in a box and a view

Ok, so who knew that a box, rocks, moss, people, and animals could entertain kids for hours?!?! 

In a normal household these moss boxes can be used with deer and other sweet creatures as centerpieces for the holidays....but.... for us it's all about play because that moss would never stay in that box!  

And here is the view into our garden room...

 We got a little tree and put him in our red ice bucket.
Some branches, berries, pinecones, and stumps from the yard add a bit of the garden to the vignette.

And big colored lights will always have a home at our house!

Happy making, baking and growing today!!!

And a very Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you!!!

Partying with...

Cozy Little House
Stone Cottage Adventures
Wonderful At Home

crafting with kids

We have been crafting here quite a bit this month.  The majority of November has been spent in and out of doctors offices.  Besides our little walks and romps out back, I have been trying to keep the beans entertained through crafts inside.

A successful day for me as of late is...getting fresh bedding on all of their beds, making a warm meal (mainly soup), keeping them all hydrated and happy through little activities, and bundling each one up at night with extra blankets.  

Every year we make fall leaves so this year I thought we could turn them into ornaments for the window...

 Some of my wall art...

And we had fun turning styrofoam balls into "Frosty"  The beans rolled little cones in glue and then dipped them in green sprinkles to make the trees.  And in the sugar jar they went.  I wouldn't be surprised if some cars end up in there!

Wishing you all a very healthy and happy weekend!

Linking up with...
Alderberry Hill

winter planters

I try to find any little excuse to get out in the garden this time of year even if nothing is growing.  So when I heard that the greens were in at my local nursery, I zipped on over.

Typically I just cut from my own garden but I like going to see all the inspiration...again anything to get me around plants!!! This year I did walk out with a bundle of Blue Coned Cedar branches to add to my boxwood pots by the front door.  I just stuck them in around the boxwood and I cut some branches from my red twig dogwood out back and I'm done! 

(Would you believe they wanted 13 bucks for branches!!!!)

 (Please excuse the porch...I haven't gotten around to sweeping with my second bean down with pneumonia!)

A little winter planting!  

I hope all is well where you are. 

  

My thoughts and prayers are with all the families impacted by the tornadoes on Sunday.

Simple Holiday Art

Well, the bulbs are planted, the leaves are raked, and most of my pots are put away.  

I'll be working on a winter vignette in the garden when the holiday greens are in but until then I've been making some art for the house after the beans go to sleep.

This is a quick piece for a Thanksgiving vignette which can easily transition into Christmas.

Super simple! 

Here is what you need...

~a metallic pen

~a ruler

~thick weighted paper (I used watercolor paper)

~and a shape...here I used a leaf shape but any will do...snowflake, tree, ornament 

1. Simply make a line at the top of your paper with your pen
2. Trace your shape on your line until you have made a full row
3. Continue this process down the page
4. Add lines in the center of your shape that accent your "shape" (I placed the ruler in the center of the leaf to create lines on both sides)
5. And lastly define each shape with your pen by thickening up your lines

The overall repetition of the simple shapes makes the composition work for me.  I have a love for pattern and printmaking but without an adequate studio, decided to create the "print" look with pen.

Happy making, baking, and growing friends!!!

linking with... The Winthrop Chronicles, Jennifer Rizzo, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, Liz Marie Blog, Wonderful at Home, The Shabby Nest

our thankful dinners

It is upon us.  And with the hustle and bustle life moves fast.  November can get lost in December's glory.   In a society that pushes the next thing, it is easy to get swept along in the tide.

"Being Thankful"

Sometimes being thankful requires a bit of stillness.  Just to be, to reflect and to watch.  Our home moves and shakes just like the next.  To practice thankfulness with our kids we have started to use dinner time as a time to be still and talk about what being thankful means.   We thought the act of writing our thankful ideas together and hanging them from the light would make it more tangible for the beans.  

Inspired by Alla and Mu-Hsien from their outstanding blog On The Same Page. Here is what we have set out on the table with our food.  A basket filled with pinecones that are wrapped with string and a paper tag.  And a pen for easy writing.  It is a learning experience for me as well to take life a bit slower and to cherish the beauty of November.

linking with my friend Kaara for her 30 days of being thankful series

I am thankful for all of you!  You inspire me everyday through your passions!

Christmas Crafting

I know I know, it's not even Thanksgiving but when it's a rainy dark day you have to keep busy inside!

Garden clean up will have to wait, so in the meantime, here are a few projects that i have started making for Christmas.  I reused the stems from the mushrooms I made to make Christmas trees.

I used some trimmings to pin on the cones 

And here are some colorful trees for Christmas...

In keeping with a vintage theme this year I started to paint some pictures inspired by old Christmas cards...

almost done with this one

What are you making today??  

Wherever you are I hope it's a great day!!!