seasons doings...

It has been cold here in Chicago.  And when I say cold I mean COLD!  With the holidays in front of us here are some of this seasons doings...

~Christmas touches have been added around the house....I got these great brass candlesticks from this Etsy Shop
~I've been picking up evergreen branches from around the neighborhood to use for my winter planters (more on that in another post)
~Planning out this years Advent calendar activities
~Prepping for Thanksgiving.  I'll definitely be setting these up for the kids' table this year....

source here

and making these for dessert...

source here

~Working on Christmas lists and Christmas cards....

What are you working on for the season?

Have a wonderful weekend friends!  

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!

getting ready

Thankful place settings for the kiddos

A little project that the kids and I worked on.  We Sewed and painted some Trader Joe's bags to make pouches for our markers and silverware.  And we made Pilgrim hats for the big day!

Happy Thanksgiving!