Favorites on Friday

Favorite moment this week:  These two should have been sleeping, but I caught them "reading" to each other in the dark with their new "Halloween flashlights" :).

Just a few more favorites:

 I will be buying THIS album...watch the video, it looks and sounds wonderful to me.

I've been a fan of The Aesthetic Nest for a while and love what Anneliese is sharing today over at Shannon's blog.

Really want to try making these and these. Adorable and delicious...a great combination!

Speaking of delicious, check out this Halloween Recipe Round Up over at Cheeky Kitchen.

We'll be finding out soon if this little bun in my oven is a boy or girl.  If it's a boy, I think this tutorial will be a good one for a Sunday outfit.

And I'll have to take a few lessons from my sister on making the coolest costume EVER...you have to check this out...seriously.

Hope you have a Hauntingly Happy Halloween weekend!

XXOO



Favorites on Friday

Let's start with this play doh recipe from Vanessa at V and Co.  Seriously so great and keeps the girls busy for at least an hour each time I get it out!  I added lemon juice instead of Cream of Tarter and some scented oils so it smells great.  I think it's better than the store bought stuff.  Try it!  Oh and while you're at it, take a look at this.  We are totally going to do this!




And a few of my other favorites:

I love this simple idea for bobby pins by my talented sister, Britta.
Such a cute idea to reuse old damaged children books.
Completely jealous of Cally!  Someday!
Great giveaway happening of at Sarah Jane's today.
OK, Katy, how do you do it?!  LOVING this cardi tutorial...perfect for my pregnant belly!
My new favorite cooking blog.  Just tried this the other night....HEAVEN on earth...seriously so good.
And another great tutorial from Dana...ruched leggings! (P.S. Thanks to Shannon for her awesome comfy sew vs. cozy knits series...so fun)
Speaking of Shannon, she did an awesome roundup for Sew Mama Sew of Baby and Mama essentials.

Hope you are having a great Friday and that your weekend is even better!  XXOO

Favorites on Friday




Hello!  Hope this finds you having a happy Friday.  Things are good over here.  We are busy getting our house ready to sell which is always fun (you know that was sarcastic right?) One good thing about getting a house ready is that you do all of the projects you've been meaning to do for years....and I've been managing keeping the house pretty clean which is a miracle.

Also gearing up for the holidays!  I've started advertising in some of my favorite blogs.   Thought I'd list them for you here (because I think they could possible become some your favorites too):

Sarah Jane Studios (I finally got to meet Sarah in real life last month and was so impressed with her kindness and sincerity.  If you haven't seen her work, you're in for a treat! She is SUCH an inspiration to me.)
Simple As That (Rebecca's blog is simply beautiful and she's actually been kind enough to just put me on her side bar...thanks Rebecca!)
The Long Thread  (long time favorite)
MADE (Dana was one of my biggest cheerleaders through the beginning of the paper dolls and took most of the pictures you see in the shop...LOVE this lady and of course her blog is amazing)
Luvinthemommyhood (Shannon is another one of my faves.  She is completely down-to-earth and hilarious. You'll love her eye for beauty)

Now a question for you dear readers?  Do you know of any blogs you think would be a good place to advertise for the holidays?  I would appreciate any referrals you have.

And here are some of my favorite moments from this week:

Our abundant grape vine

 Yummy!

 Norah loving one of the maybe 30 apples we got on our tree...it was a weird year here.






Have a great weekend!

Time for the October Outfit of the Month!


This was such a fun outfit to draw!  It reminds me of my favorite costume as a child.  Mine was made from an old orange tablecloth my mom had and stuffed with plastic garbage bags. If you haven't become a member of the Outfit of the Month club yet, you can do it by clicking  HERE!

What was your favorite Halloween costume as a child?

Favorite on Friday...Stephanie Nielson


She is my favorite for so many reasons and I still can't believe I had the opportunity to listen to her in person last night.  She was as humble and hilarious and beautiful as I imagined she would be.  Everything she said came straight from her heart.  I could feel her love for each of us there and her sincerity in the message she shared.

We got to the event early only to find a line that circled the whole building.  Sisters that have been touched like me by Stephanie.  I thought "Wow the power of one woman."  It really was amazing.

Surprisingly, we did get pretty good seats (we focused on the prize and walked very quickly to where we wanted to go...dodging a lot of women on the way).  There were so many woman there that they had to force people out of the isles for fire code reasons.  It was literally standing room only before she even entered the huge ballroom area.  When they introduced her they said that the first thing she said when they asked her to speak was, "Do you think anyone will come?"

She started off by saying that she wasn't a very good public speaker (she did great.  I loved that is wasn't a polished speech...more like sitting down with an old friend).  She said she was sorry to the ladies who had to move out of the isles for fire code but she said, "believe me, fire codes are pretty important." :)

I thought I'd share some notes I took for those of you who love her as much as I do and couldn't be there:

She talked about the fact that she didn't see her children for five months.  Her oldest turned 7 yrs. while she was in a coma and her youngest turned 2.  She said that when she saw her children, her second daughter Jane couldn't look at her and didn't for many weeks.  She finally did one night when Stephanie walked into the bathroom while Jane was bathing.  She exclaimed "Jane you are doing it!  You are looking at me!"  and Jane excitedly replied "I"m doing it Mom!"  She said that since that time Jane hasn't had a problem.

She talked about how she worried and worried that her children wouldn't know her or would be ashamed of their mother.  But she finally realized that they could see "my mother heart" and when she realized this, she "began the journey of relearning to be their mother."

Some other quotes:

"Be women of Christ.  Cherish and love your place in his eyes".

"The love inside of each one of you will teach you.  Find what is hidden inside through love."

"Our beauty is a gift given to us by God.  It is in you and can never be taken away.  It is our spirit that makes us beautiful."

She talked about a special blessing she received that told her that her beauty would be restored.  She is realizing what that means, she said:

"My beauty is being restored daily - as a daughter of God.  Beauty is in my children, the sun, the people who love me, my husband who knew me then and knows and loves me now.  I am his wife.  It is in the covenants we have made.  It is health, harmony, confidence and acceptance."

"Respect your bodies.  No matter the shape or size.  Love them."

When she ended, the whole room roared in applause.  Everyone stood.  I was sobbing and when she turned my way, I blew her a kiss.  Totally not something I do...but I just wanted her to know that I love her.  She didn't see me but I hope she felt that kiss.

For me, words really can't express the respect and love I have for this woman.  Not because I feel sorry for her and all she's been through.  I think it's because I so deeply respect how she has turned to her God and how she has happily given her life to the role of wife and mother and how I know that she cherishes it so deeply.  It makes me want to do the same.  Today as I was showering, I looked at my arms and thought of the picture she showed of the skin graphs on her arms.  I touched my perfect skin and felts so completely blessed.  She reminds me to cherish every wonderful thing I have and to remember to thank my God for the bounty He provides daily.  For that, Stephanie will always be one of my favorites.