Winter Is On the Way

This is how I know...

The birds are back.

Geese, swans, ducks, other water fowl I don't know the name for.

Thousands of them.

One day these rice fields are empty and the next day the're here.

Thousands and thousands of birds!

It happens that fast.

I don't know where they came from but they sure are beautiful.

I don't mind sharing the winter with them.

Pinterest Complete {curly twirly t-shirt scarf}

I'm always on the lookout for how to refashion t-shirts.  I spotted this curly twirly scarf on Pinterest.  It is a quick and easy project that would make a cute gift for the holiday.

I shared this tutorial at a ladies-crafting-get-together thing at our church.  Everybody's turned out great and I loved the variations that popped up--mixing colors, using prints, using dyed t-shirts. 

Take a look!

It was fun sharing the afternoon, ladies!

Thanks for Thanksgiving

Our thankful tree was inspired by one I saw on Pinterest from www.honeywerehome.blogspot.com.

 

We have much to be thankful for.

Pinterest Complete {slotted building discs)

You know how you can get so wrapped up in pinning things on Pinterest that you never get around to actually doing anything?  Well, periodically I am going to share something that I saw on Pinterest and saw it through to completion. 

Take these building discs.

The pin came from a blog called Handmade Charlotte but the project originated at Made by Joel.  I was excited to find out that Made by Joel has bunches of fun kid projects and cool printable coloring pages.  I can't wait to play some more!

So, Joel's discs are bright and colorful.  I had visions of using pretty scrapbooking paper to make some of our own but I wanted these to take on the plane--a fun, quiet, easily portable game for the littles--and my time kind of ran out.

I started with cardboard coasters that we got from Sierra Nevada.

No time to cut out cute paper and glue on both sides.

So, I just cut the four slits in all the coasters and stuck them in a bag.

I did throw in some popsicle sticks.  They fit in the slits so it adds abother dimension.

5 Things to Do in...

#1    Stuff your face at Burger Me. 

Make sure to bring along some good friends

who don't mind sharing their fries with your moocher kids.

 #2 Window shop/Stroll down Donner Pass Road.

#3 Browse Truckee Variety, the local toy store.

#4  Play the Mural Game.

Very similar to the Statue Game.

#5  Enter a local contest.

You can.  I know you want to.  We didn't this time.  Jono is not allowed and the other boys haven't quite grown theirs in yet.

Winter Yellow?

This was taken in front of the hotel about 3 weeks ago.

Winter is headed our way.

A Little Birthday Celebration

Jono had his birthday recently.

 That's a three-four.

The four will be reused in December when Trek turns four.  He's pretty stoked that he and his dad are the "same".  Call me practical.  Call me a cheapskate.  Whatev.

Joe helped to light the candles.

He struck the match and lit all the candles all by himself.

Then directly blew out the match and candles all by himself!

Eventually, we got them all lit and over to the table for the waiting birthday boy.

I love celebrating birthdays.  Especially for the people I love.

I am so blessed that they were born, so of course, their birthdays are a holiday for me!

I have to share with you a little something I made for my man on his bithday.

I was inspired by I am Momma Hear Me Roar. 

She made some super cool upcycled t-shirt hats for her boys. 

I want to make one for everybody in the fam!  When time allows, I suppose.

But Jono had requested that I make him one for his birthday. 

So, I went to work.

She has a great tutorial, complete with patterns, on her blog.

I made just a couple adjustments.

Jono asked that I line it with some fleece for added warmth.  Which I did with some material that I upcycled from a pullover. And seeing as I was making it for a full grown boy and not a four-year-old I thought I should add an inch of height to each section. 

Now in my defense, I was making this as a present and I couldn't very well have Jono try it on after every step of the process.

So, this was the result.

You can see I over calculated a bit.

The hat is more suited for one of the coneheads from Saturday Night Live.

As soon as he put it on, we both just burst out laughing!

I offered to fix it but my sweet husband refused.

He said because it was my first one it made it even more special!

And he'll wear it, too. 

With style and swagger. 

Because he's cool like that.

And he loves me.

Aren't I a lucky girl?