Pumpkin Carving Party... a fun tradition!

Dear Diary,

When life gives you pumpkins, throw a pumpkin carving party! That's what we do this time of year.  It has been a long standing tradition for my mother and father in law who host a big carving party.  For years, they have set up in the "shop" where there is plenty of space to spread out and get comfortable.  If some pumpkin guts get on the floor, no biggie!  Plus we have access to tools and props from the shop and anything is game for creating a pumpkin masterpiece.  Wire is always a helpful accessory.  Rubber tubing and spray paint is cool too!

Big Fat Letters!... a mod podge photo project

Dear Diary,

Last week was Parker June's 2nd birthday- Parker is my niece.  What should we do for her birthday? Like many 2 year olds, Parker has plenty of toys and clothes... plus, she will soon be a big sister so they need room for the new baby.  This was a perfect oppurtunity for us to create a personalized gift!  I chose a craft that both my kids could help with (2 and 4 years old) and they were so excited to present Parker with her new "P".

Apples are in Season!

 Dear Diary,

 

It was a nice day so two friends, my husband and I decided to make our way to a pumpkin patch to take pictures of Layla.  We ended up finding a great apple orchard basically in our own backyard!  We took a short hayride to the apple orchards then walked down to the pumpkin patch.  Luckily, we were the only group there so we were able to take great pictures with an awesome background. Then it was off to the rows and rows of apple trees.  Where to begin?  My husband was told it was okay to try the apples before adding them to our bag, so he had over 20 apples by

Addiction

Dear Diary,

It's official... I have an addiction!

ad·dic·tion: compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal

When most people think of an addiction they think of a bad habit. Well, my addiction is healthy. I am addicted to saving money! My husband put me up to the challenge once the television show 'Extreme Couponing' started airing,  and I gladly accepted. Have you ever said to yourself that you wanted to start

Do I still "got it”? (Part I)

Dear Diary,

The question here is... Do I still "got it”? (Part I)

I consider myself active.  As a mother, the definition of active has ebbed and flowed as my body adjusted to its latest size, shape and leaking parts.  It also became a much more careful version of active with the “age appropriate” womanly activities like running, spinning, aerobics etc.  I miss terribly the days of organized sports, everything from the sweat and tears to the locker signs and

Crafting for a Cause- Fleece Tie Blankets

Dear Diary,

They say you'll always remember your first time! I have to admit it feels kind of weird that you hardly know me and I am just putting myself out here like this but.... here goes!  (That is What She Said! Kat, I just can't shake the TWSS innuendos.)

I am out the gates with my first blog ever and looking so philanthropic!  Last week, Mea's preschool was having a blanket and slipper drive for Mott/University of Michigan Hospital for children getting chemotherapy treatments.  Apparently after treatments, chemo