I know it's PC to say that I limit my kids' television watching exposure. Really, I know I should limit it but when I really need to work...which is everyday, I turn on Disney Junior and let Trae have at it. There, I said it, I feel better now.

And speaking of Disney, we went to Disney on Ice the other night. We haven't been to a show since Belén and Charley were little so it was time to take the other three and since they were running a great special on tickets, we couldn't pass it up.

This is how good it was: Trae crying when the show was over.

 

 

Have a great day!

Gathering for autumn displays - Union Mill Acres

When I was young we were forever going somewhere, anywhere, to just get out and explore. Even if my mom was just going to the corner store, we all darted out to the car as if we'd been cooped up for months and this was our only escape. Even now I tell my kids, 'Please, act like you've been in public before" because they are loud and crazy and act like they're limited in outings of any kind. When they hear the sound of me taking the keys off the hook, they come running to see where I am going, every one of them. I guess it's in their nature.

I still like to go and see what's around and this time of year I can always find something that will make us happy. For us it's festivals, craft fairs, walking trails, farms, football games, pumpkin patches, hay rides; anything Autumn.

We went to a little place in the country (which is pretty much any direction you go here) and stocked up on gourds, pumpkins and mums. Union Mill Acres was adorable and the people were friendly and helpful. There was a great assortment of everything you need for fall displays and the prices were the best around unless you go to the auction directly.

What a great place. Just see for yourself...



A barn with more things for sale. This would be my dream, having a barn on property to have a little shop!

Blair picking out a pumpkin

A topiary of gourds and pumpkins, good price too.

Cinderella pumpkins - my favorite

Gourd crazy

Trae pulling the mums for me until he discovered the sand box (upper right corner)



Handsome hubby carrying Blair's pick

So clever. I have never seen this before.






I hope you are enjoying this season as much as I am - hopefully even more!

xo

Laura




Tag, you're it - an easy craft project

I love paper. I love paper products. I don't know why but I do. I especially love Christmas and all of the tags and wrap that you can buy. I really get into wrapping a gift with all of the bells and whistles of embellishments. I usually buy tags when they are just too cute too pass up but most other times, we like to make our own. They are quick, easy and personalized.

I use them year after year and add a few new ones as well. These are just a few that I have but others include a wire tag which spells out "Noel," vintage millinery flowers, twigs that are spelled out to say "winter," little match boxes and snowmen made out of felt. They were just not as easy to scan as these.

So if you're in need of a little creative activity, break out the glue, scissors, paper, glitter, twigs, flowers, felt, copies of old photos, small toy parts, mini match boxes, dominoes or whatever you have in that junk drawer and let the kids go to town.

Metallics and glitter add bling.

Using copies of old photographs is a great way to personalize. Using the recipient's photo is a gift within a gift or a great way to remember someone else. It's one of my favorite tags to make. I also like it when the photo corresponds to the season.
My dad is the little guy.

You can make tags more masculine by using traditional colors.

Vintage postcards are always in my supply closet. Here I used small, silk holly leaves to add dimension to the existing leaves. I also use vintage cards for my holiday cards.

After cutting paper to fit an existing tag, print a saying on vellum paper, layer on top, glue it all together and finish with a ribbon. Super easy. Have fun!

I still do, do you??