So I'll introduce this post with a disclaimer!
IF YOU ARE IN DENIAL ABOUT FALL APPROACHING
STOP READING NOW!!
I love fall, not just because it brings me closer to the birth
of this amazing baby I'm growing!
I love frosty evenings and cuddling up with hot chocolate and
toast for late night snack, fuzzy pj's, cold sheets, frosted windows
and a myriad of other fun fall things,
not to mention the colors and the baking.
(Oh and preparing for all the lovely holidays!! Christmas especially!)
I have had a bit of time to think about some upcomming holidays
and even make some plans!!
So here's my two triumphs and a fail!!
One about each of the upcoming holidays!
Triumph #1 Thanksgiving board!!
So . . . We happen to be incredibly spoiled to live close to both
my parents and shanes parents and step parents
which means holidays can be a bit of a stretch
with all the people dying to have our cute little family to dinner!!
Last year I even made sure that I had a dinner with just our family.
After all the meals that we attended last year I was concerned
that the meaning of this holiday was just not there for the kiddo's.
After all I did not want them to simply believe that thanksgiving
was all about a huge party with lots of food and family around.
(although I think that this is important)
So I started thinking about some simple traditions that we could
start together this year, nothing major as the girls are really quite little
for huge service projects or encounters with people less fortunate.
(and it may be more like I feel that Shane and I would spend more
time coaxing and wrangling the girls than actually helping)
I saw a count down idea on pintrest and was inspired
to create a similar board where we could all take some time
and write down/draw some things we are thankful for
during the days leading up to thanksgiving.
Then we could take turns sharing some on Thanksgiving day!!
Here is my end result which actually looks
nothing like the project that inspired me!!
Triumph #2 Halloween goodie bags!!
OK I confess this was just way too much fun.
I sewed these awesome bags up in about 45 minutes
and I just can't get over how cute they turned out!!
Mostly because I love the fabric and the
little counts, franks, mummies,
which are not scary at all but fun!!
I was thinking about this early this year
because last year my lovely sister in law came to pick Ms. A up
for an outing trick or treating to the mall and
I suddenly realized that she didn't have a bag at all.
Thankfully my brain was firing on all cylinders that day and I remembered
I had a brown bag she could quickly slap some stickers on
and she would have her own bag in no time!!
This year with two little girlies I thought I had better be prepared!!
Tada - Super cute candy bags ready for the big event!!
Fail - Christmas present chandelier cake/cupcake stand:(
I really do apologize - I simply can't think of a way to shorten this name!!
So a little back story!
In my family Christmas prep starts early
- like August -
mostly because we grew up with a mother who inspired us
to CREATE Christmas presents for each of our siblings,
and sometimes this creativity takes a long time.
Go ahead call me crazy, my husband thinks its nuts so I'm used to it!!
This year will be no exception so you can probably expect
a few more posts like this in the coming weeks,
but I promise none of them will be spoiler posts that
family and friends might spy their presents on!
I have a fantastic sister in law who has been dubbed 'the cake lady'
who has a fun time baking and decorating cakes
for birthdays and random holidays etc.
Again I saw an idea on pinterest that I just had to try
it was a chandelier refashioned into a multi plated cake/cupcake stand.
I was in luck as Shanes mom knew of a family who was
renovating their home and had some kind of chandelier
that they were equally excited was exiting their home.
They saved it for me and at first I was simply exstatic
(mostly because it was not brass aka no painting required).
I waited for a good day when the girls were ready to be on their own
playing and watching cartoons
(yes I do that often - get over the statistics).
I was amazed at how far I got before I hit a major block.
I thought I was just in need of some extra elbow grease to
loosen some of the bolts but that was simply not the case.
After days of trying to loosen some of the bolts
or find suitable coverings I simply was finished.
I had had enough and was simply not prepared to waste more time
on something that was simply not turning out.
Here is the funny part, I am usually such a crazy headstrong person
that no one can stop me when it comes to things like this!!
But on our anniversary getaway Shane and I had discussed how it
was really important for me to be thinking about saying no more
and slowing down and just not feeling so guilty
about not being able to be it all and do it all
as a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, employee, etc.
So I made up my mind and told myself I would try one last time
to loosen these crazy bolts with some acetone and after that
if it wasn't working I'd keep the parts I thought were best and
trash the rest.
So here is my parts bag (aka what I kept).
and the major pieces that went into the garbage as well.
I Can't have everything I touch turn out perfect!!
Oddly I found it somewhat comforting to be
able to just accept it and move on.
I had tried hard to create something unique,
but it just didn't work out in the end.
I don't feel flawed or silly or stupid or frustrated because
it didn't all come together, I simply think of it that way,
It just didn't come together!!
