keeping memories…

 We have had such full calendars with amazing memory making moments. I got to take an afternoon and organize and scrapbook the last several months…

I love reliving each event as I look through the photos…

It just makes scents…😉

 During these Fall months, I have my candles constantly lit. For the last few years, this one from Target is my favorite:

The problem is there is always wax left over, so each time I get to the bottom and it no longer lights, I melt it down to make a small candle with the remnants. This time I used a glass holder my sister had made for me in her glass blowing class. Projects like this make me SO happy!

thrifting and estate sales...

 I have been having fun visiting local estate sales in our area and found some fun and interesting stuff that have been fun to add to our home. 

The book is from 1909 for nursing students and was fascinating to look through.  It's been added to my collection of old books.  The metal vase is currently holding clippings from our yard and the cutting board was sanded and resealed and on our shelf ready for use.  

The green sweater was hand made and I think I can use it.

I also found this wooden plant stand that needed some love and I enjoyed fixing it:

Sanding and staining wood is so satisfying...

Now he found a home on my desk...

The hunt is very fun!  Also the fact that everything came up to about $10 is pretty fun too!

Heading into a holiday weekend...

 This weekend we have a swim meet and church activities, and we are excited for 4th of July holiday traditions.  I decided to decorate, just a little bit, and I feel ready for all the fun!

This Star came from the dollar spot at Target:

My favorite stain:

Excited for the weekend ahead and all that we get to celebrate as a family!

when thrift finds are better than you thought...

 Generally, On Wednesdays, when Eden gets out earlier than Ryder, Eden and I will swing by a thrift shop that is by her school.  Sometimes we walk out empty handed, but sometimes, we find great deals on all sorts of things.  Awhile ago, I found this wooden tray in a thick cherry red finish for $2:

So I got it home and sanded it and applied my favorite stain:

Once it dried, it was all ready to be layered onto our book shelf:

It's fun when you thrift something and your plan for it turns out even better than I could have thought.

things that feel life giving...

When the kids are in school, or there is down time, I find that I want to craft and create. It gives me such joy. Sometimes its photos, or scrapbooking, or painting something to change it up. I just talk to Jesus, I play my music and just enjoy the time. This recent project was so quick but so fun.

I found this wood tray while thrifting for a couple bucks:

Someone had gotten creative with crayons....

 I sanded it off....

 Then put oil on it:

 I can't wait to use it during the holiday season entertaining!

Until it gets used, it is hanging out with our books:

A succulent centerpiece...

Years ago, Kit made me my white handled box and ever since, it has stayed on my dining room table.  I have played around with how I have used it for decoration.

Recently, Eden helped me make a succulent arrangement...

 We used the lichen from the cabin...

 She helped me decide where each one should go and we absolutely love it!

It's fun to have a little change, with the added bonus that w had so much fun doing it together...❤︎

more unicorn goodness...

Eden got this unicorn pillow decoration set for her birthday and Eden had so much fun putting it together!

It was such a fun project for her and really easy to do!

 The finished product!

Art

Eden received the coolest art set for her birthday:

 She is so serious about her crafting time!❤︎

She had the BEST time with it.  It came with several images to paint and she is excited to do more!

Valentines...

Tomorrow is the kiddos Valentines Day parties.  We have been having fun putting together the valentines that they will hand out at school...

Eden loves to craft hers.  She made hers with her Mia and Papa:

 This year it was all about colored paper and stickers... especially glitter princess stickers.  She also got to use the corner cutter to round the edges...

You can see her valentines cards last year here.

This year we went with the "Awesome Sauce" theme for Ryder:

Condiment packets for the win!

You can see our valentines ideas for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade too!  We have so much fun coming up with a new idea each year...❤︎ He was also given the assignment to make a mailbox for his Valentines Party:

 We went with black duck tape and sports themed paper from our crafting stash: 

Their Mia and Papa will be in their class parties tomorrow, which makes their class parties even more special!❤︎