Yes, it's 2am and I'm blogging

With all the intense politics, this is refreshingly fun and made me grin ridiculously big



Then again, it IS 2am and things always seem funnier in the wee hours of the morning.

These kids are from the Ron Clark Academy.

Pumpkin Patch

Things are freezing here. We had to finally break down yesterday and turn on our heater. And then we endured about 30 minutes of that burning plastic smell you get when you turn on the heater after a good 8 months of non-use. We really love our little town. I think it's the perfect mix of city conveniences and enough charm to call it a town. I've fallen in love with it. The Autumn weather here is breathtaking. I'm one who likes to throw open the windows and let the crisp air fill the house and just snuggle under a blanket and lounge in sweatpants, but Ryan finally got cold enough to shut the windows and turn on the heater. The only downside to the Fall is the midday rainstorms. It will be a beautiful day and then BOOM! it's pouring. And it lasts for a good 4-5 hours, turning the once-clear sky a solemn gray and hiding the sun for the rest of the afternoon.


This afternoon we were both sitting on the couch, each busy on our laptops {which isn't unusual} and we got a streak of spontaneity and went to a pumpkin patch. I was on the hunt for some white pumpkins and some lumpy-bumpy gourds and we found out one place had a hayride and a few activities for kids. It was ADORABLE. Everything was so picturesque. We ended up with about 9 pumpkins {I know, right?!} and only spent about $2 on each, which compared to the grocery store price of $4 each, is a steal! Plus, I'd never been to an honest-to-goodness pumpkin patch and it was a fun experience.



We're hosting a Halloween party at our house on Friday. It's kind of an odd situation how it came about, since we're not the ones throwing the party. One of the couples in our ward is having one but I know our house is a lot bigger than most and offered it for the night. Now I'm going crazy with things I think HAVE to be in order before next Friday and prioritizing. {Like my yet-to-be-finished Halloween banner for my mantle}

Remember this post? I've decided I need to busy myself with service and selfless acts, which also includes something I love. I'm throwing {with my MIL} a baby shower for April when we're in Utah for Thanksgiving. She's going with a retro/vintage cowboy theme {unless it's changed} so I am using that as a jumping off point. Oh, the ideas I'm coming up with! I've already ordered a few things which are a little more kitschy, but with a few modifications they'll fit into the theme flawlessly. It's the details that take something from good to fabulous, right?


{my favorite little pumpkin - the stem reminds me of a broomstick and a little bit of a witch's pointy hat}

Oh, and I'm proud of this bow I made. I was in a hurry and found tulle before I found my ribbon so I grabbed it and cut off a HUGE piece, doubled it on itself and then used it to tie up this wedding gift. I had so much left over on the ends {which I anticipated} and knew I wanted it pouffe. Here's what I ended up with. I love it!

My New Light{s}

I have been looking - no, not looking but SCOURING - for over a month for a vintage schoolhouse light. In my search for milk glass one night, eBay helped me become obsessed with finding the perfect replacement for my dining room light. I missed the one I REALLY wanted by 8 minutes back in September and kicked myself for weeks about it {the fact that I still remember it was 8 minutes should be the clue} until tonight. I FOUND another one {or two} that I love. This first one {above} isn't technically considered a schoolhouse light. It's more art deco. But the cool thing is that it's a restored 1930s original light. Fabulous, huh? I'm an eBay sniper so I got it in the last 6 seconds.

This one I almost freaked out over. I kind of squealed and said, 'oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh' a few times. The seller miscategorized it and put it in the Art Deco section, thus missing the crowd on the hunt for schoolhouse lights {and there is a crowd - I know because they keep outbidding me, me hearties!}. I asked the seller a question about the diameter and size of the fitter but being too impatient to wait even a day I went ahead and used the Buy It Now option. Double score.

I'll probably put whichever one I don't use for my dining room back on eBay. Yay!!! <---you can tell I'm excited because I NEVER use multiple exclamation points - it drives me nuts.

Mad Men

I know everyone has probably seen a post about this show before, but if you haven't, you're welcome. I adore this tribute to the 1960s jet-set era from the clothing wardrobe to the lifestyle to the design elements. This series does it for me. I eagerly wait for it to come on Sunday nights and stay up way later than I should to watch the new episode. It's that good.

Aren't these dresses gorgeous? I love the saucy Red in the back. I would be her. {or the even prettier champagne in the front}

You can find it a few ways. Unfortunately, though, episodes aren't available from AMC, but iTunes carries them or you can Netflix {or the like} the first season.

Channeling Marie Antoinette {well, her daughter}

She's done it again. Look at how amazing this halloween 'costume' is. I say costume loosely, because really this is more of a work of art.



Marie-Therese Gown Giveaway

Winner(s)!

Thank you all for your insight. I decided to get the table for a few reasons. It's large - more square than a rectangle. To put it into perspective, my huge square kitchen table 50"x50" and this one is 48"x38" - plenty large for me to keep both my sewing machine and all my containers on top. AND it will be useful for more than just a craft table years down the road.

So, thank you again! I actually decided to draw 3 names: LeahMarie, Melinda, and Tara! Congrats, girls. I'll figure out something appropriate for each of you and have it in the mail in the next two weeks {i know, that's a lot of time, but I have SO much on my plate right now}

Also, I've got to brag! While picking up lunch today I noticed the gas prices have dropped again. I was stoked last week when I saw it for $2.82 - I even took a picture.

Well, it's $2.65 now. woohoo! keep coming down, baby.

New Craft Table?

I've been itching to get some crafting done. There are a few Halloween projects I really really want to have done and up in time for the actual holiday {such as a pennant/banner} but I feel so guilty when I think of how much other stuff needs to be done before taking my sweet lil time making more messes and pursuing selfish hobbies. Well, I can't take it anymore. I have to do something soon or I'm going to go crazy.

One of the problems is where to do it. I have a desk in my office area, but it's dedicated as a desk and wouldn't be really easy to clean monitors and computer junk off of anytime the creative bug hits.

There's a store I've been meaning to visit called Locust Street Marketplace. It's only open Fridays and Saturdays from 9-6, and usually when the weekend rolls around I don't even give it a thought. I finally remembered today at 5:15! There's a cute, antiquated table with drawers that I was eying as my future new craft table but I can't decide. It's $125, which isn't much for a table, but it's a lot for a place to do crafts on, right?

Well, here it is.

These were taken with my cell phone. Click here for the picture from their site.

There are two drawers - one on each side. The paint has been sanded down so there won't be any more chipping.

*I should also add this table is 48" {side with the drawer} x 38" - it's pretty large and more square than rectangle. For a chair I'm thinking an old piano bench {for the storage} that I can upholster*

What would you guys do? Splurge to have a pretty and adequate sewing and scrapbooking table or find something cheaper? I'm really not sure! I looked all through craigslist in my area already and this is the best {that I love} I've found thus far. If it were $75 I'd have already purchased it...but another $50...?

*sigh* Make my decision for me! Leave me your comment/opinion and I'll do a little giveaway. Probably not for a Halloween craft {because I'm not THAT on the ball} but possibly a Fall or even Christmas/Winter little something. I'll make it especially for whoever wins. That's a fair trade, right?

{you have until Sunday night at 8pm PST} okay, I'll extend it until Monday night at 8pm since I realized it was a little more than 24 hours

Pie Plate

I saw these over at StephModo just a minute ago. I love these now! Then again, I'm a sucker for anything scalloped.


From our favorite Martha:

"Leftover dessert doubles as guest favors when packaged in boxes that are as pretty as, well, pie. Photocopy template at 400 percent; trace onto card stock. Cut out the image with scallop scissors along scalloped edges and regular scissors on solid lines. With a straightedge and a bone folder, score paper along dotted lines. Fold along scored lines, and secure tabs with double-sided tape. Line box with parchment paper, place a slice inside, and tie on a tag."

Weekend, Part II

A benefit sale for Meals on Wheels included 15 storage sheds of odds and ends. Tables, chairs, dressers, desks, tvs, bikes, you name it - it was there.

I left an awesome mid-century buffet behind due to a broken leg. I didn't notice it was broken until we started moving it. It was only $5 {I should have taken a picture} so I could have justified spending the money and fixed it, but I don't need another project waiting in the wings.

But of course I didn't walk away with nothing!

On the left is the coolest red suitcase. It looks brand new. It has wheels {in brand new condition} and two buckles. I think it's leather. I paid $1.The cool storage/carryall that is holding everything in and of itself is a great find. Its handle is a tree branch. Its simple design makes it perfect for holding magazines and maybe cookbooks. I think I'll leave it red.
Oooh, the contents! An old mini bundt pan, Christmas ornaments {I've been looking for old Christmas decorations (only the glass balls - most of the other stuff is tacky) and this was a great resource - not only because it was CHEAP but there were plenty}, milkglass chili/cereal bowls, silver candlesticks, and more ornaments in the box underneath the milkglass bowls.
I'm not sure what the original intended use for these little tart tin looking things, but I'm thinking a single cupcake in the center would be adorable. Maybe I'll line my mantle with them and place a chunky pillar candle in each.
These are my favorite of the ornaments. The long glass ornaments are made in Western Germany {the tag one still retains claims} so you know they're from the 80s or sooner. My guess would be the 70s. Then there's a teeny tiny ivory glass ball that's concave on one side. Lastly is an unusual green ornament that has the phrase "Jack be quick - Jack jump over the candlestick" printed on it with corresponding illustrations. What it has to do with Christmas, I know not, but I like it just the same.

Everything combined was $10. What a great way to spend money {and time!}.

Happy Weekend

Friday morning I dragged myself out of bed at 7am and went to an early yard sale. I'm so glad I did. Look what I found!

An old OLD box of Lincoln Logs. Baby Silverware {Look at those cute little forks! Not pure silver, but silverplating will still polish up nicely.} Felt-bottomed silver coasters. Antique porcelain doorknobs. A great mixing bowl in sought-out milk glass, two random dinner plates {you'll see those appear in a project later}.

My prized find: old refrigerator dishes with lids.

These are vintage sewing baskets chock full of treasures: snaps, hook-and-eyes, coverable buttons, among other notions. Oh! and vintage seam binding and ric-rac!

A sweet little doll cradle. It's in bad shape now, but a little TLC should bring it back to life.

Not vintage, like my usual finds, but awesome nonetheless. These are 8X10 alphabet cards. and they were only $5. cha-ching!

I used these already. Here they are in my white enameled scallop tray, ready to go to a bridal shower {filled with homemade marinara and Alfredo sauce - yum}

I've found that getting up early on the weekends and getting my day started with yard sales and the farmers market means we don't end up sleeping until 11am or noon...cuz that happens - a LOT. {I know, I know, we shouldn't and those of you with kids are probably wanting to smack me.}

Adjusting to new life in Lawrence has been easier than I thought it would be. I can't speak for Ryan, but I find that we have as many acquaintances here already and most of the conveniences of a big city but still retain the small {ish} town charm. A few weekends ago we drove to Kansas City with a huge group from the ward to see a Royals game {Major League Baseball}. We weren't lucky enough to get tickets to the sold-out event, but the weather was so nice that all 18 of us went out to dinner at a local BBQ place {KC is FAMOUS for BBQ} and still enjoyed getting out of Lawrence for a few hours.

I'm so blessed.

Make it stop

I'm halfway through my third week on my period. You read that right. Shoot me now. It's not really that big of a deal, I'm just tired of having to figure out what my body is doing.

I've heard that raspberry leaf tea and mistletoe leaf tea are great herbal remedies for cycles.

{Raspberry Leaf Tea to start}

{Mistletoe Leaf to stop}

Anyone have any experience in this area?...I'll let you know how it goes. Or stops.