It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

For years, I've hung a swag or two of garland on my small banister.  Sometimes, I would hang ornaments or lights amongst the greenery.  Sometimes, I'd keep it simple.  I think I like the simple look the best and fell in love with this:

http://www.midwestliving.com/homes/seasonal-decorating/holiday-botanicals-room-by-room/#page=2

In turn, I made it my own and created this:

Here's a close-up:

Each arrangement cost me around $8 and contain two large evergreen picks (complete with pinecones) and four berry sprigs (three on top, one on the bottom) plus a couple of twigs for filler (I bought one package of a bouquet of twigs).  Each one is finished off with a burlap ribbon bow (approx 4 1/2 feet for each...bought two rolls of craft ribbon).

I have a little collection of mini trees that sit in my kitchen window throughout the holidays and this look ties in perfectly!

Oh my goodness, I love my banister this year!  Merry Christmas!

My May Babies

Well, it's here again.  The fastest days in May...my kiddos' birthdays!  Son turned 21 yesterday and Daughter is 18 today.  I can't believe that I officially have TWO adult children.  I know everyone says this but where DID the time go?  Seems like yesterday we were having Barney and Princess parties and now they are grown-ups.  I miss them being little SO very much but also LOVE that I have new friends found in their adult selves.

Yesterday was the first birthday I didn't spend with my son.  He's working in Austin and I am slowing wrapping my head around the fact that his bedroom has really become our guest room.  Anyway, as punishment for being away on his birthday, we created a personalized video and posted for all to see!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWacv6IAWBQ&feature=youtu.be

Yeah.  We're THAT family!

Onto birthday #2...Mollie is 18!  We stayed up to celebrate at midnight 'cuz 18 is a big deal!

I jazzed up her "18" candles with tacky glue, glitter, and beads.  Thanks Pinterest!

That's a rice krispy cake with sprinkles, btw!

Since she's a senior, the birthday girl did not have to report to school until nearly noon which gave me time to make her favorite breakfast...
possible!

That's a vanilla latte AND a Whataburger Honeybutterchickenbiscuit.

And, just to make the day more fun...BALLOONS!

She thinks I am crazy.  I sure do love that birthday girl!  She graduates in three days so this week is one filled with celebrations!

Nifty Fifty

My best buddy turned fifty this week.  Along with two other gal pals, here's how we wished her a Happy Birthday!

We "forked" her yard!  After a visit to a local warehouse store which involved a purchase of a box of 600 forks, we met after dark and proceeded to stick every last fork into the ground.  We thought our handiwork was fantastic!

Santa Nutter Butters

These are going to the Methodist Youth Fellowship progressive dinner tomorrow night!  I think they are silly and delicious!

Nutter Butters, white chocolate chips melted with a little oil, mini choc chips, red sugar, and red hots...These were fun to make!

Peanut Snowmen

How cute is this?

Start by painting a peanut white.  Top his head with an acorn cap.  I used tacky glue and was sure to glue the hanger (thin gold embroidery thread) before placing the cap.  Face was made with orange and black sharpies.  Gave the whole thing a quick coat of Modge Podge and then tied on a little scarf using yarn.

FIRE CRACKERS

1 1/3 cup canola oil
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 1/2 tbsp. red pepper flakes*
1 tbsp. cayenne pepper*
1 pkt. dry Ranch dressing mix
4 sleeves saltine crackers

In a small bowl, combine oil, spices, and ranch dressing mix. Place crackers in a very large bowl and pour oil mixture over. Toss until crackers are covered. Let stand for 15 minutes. Toss again. Let stand another 10-15 minutes. Store in an airtight container. 
*Adjust pepper flakes and cayenne according to your taste.

Repurposed t-shirt and tie

I've recently become addicted to "pinterest" and find myself doing alot of "pinning" while watching television.  I got inspired by a post that featured decorating a t-shirt with a men's necktie.  I adapted to fit my style and was pleased with the results.

This shirt started out as a 100% cotton mock turtleneck tee.  I had actually put it in a give-away bag because the neckline drove me crazy and wouldn't hold its shape!  The tie is 100% polyester.  I don't think silk (which is what the majority of men's ties are made from) would hold up well in the wash.  

Want to make one yourself?  Start by cutting away the collar area.  I pinned the men's necktie on the new collar line before sewing...the tie is sewn flat across on the back of the neckline and folded into tucks along the sides and front of the neckline.  I machine sewed in place and adding a button to the wider end of the tie.  Voila!

It was fun to wear to work...the picture doesn't do it justice.  It's actually quite feminine!