Attempting Homemade Holiday Decorations

Thanks to Steph for posting the link to One Pretty Thing on her blog. I found two holiday decorating ideas and tried them out. The first was the wreath. Super easy:

1. make a cardboard cutout of a wreath

2. wrap it with fabric scraps - I opted for tissue paper with a festive print and an old map. I was super jazzed to use the map because (1) I heart maps, and (2) Some creative family members used it as wrapping paper for my birthday gift earlier this week. So the map was on its 3rd reuse function.

3. add string and voila!

I strung my four wreaths on our staircase, but they looked more like life savers than wreaths. They're still missing something, so I welcome any suggestions.

To defray the "carnival cruise ship look" I had going, I printed out the "How to Make 3D Stars" pattern that was also feature on One Pretty Thing. Instead of printing the patterns on card stock like the instructions suggest, I used the scrap booking paper I had clepto'ed from my mom a few years ago. I opted for a few reds, hoping to bring out more of a holiday decor feel. I added ribbon and string then voila!

I don't think it's quite as "holiday" decoration as I originally envisioned, but I'm happy with my first attempt. More importantly, I love that I was able to use scraps, tape and cardboard from our recycling pile to pull these together. Reduce, REUSE, Recycle. :)

Here are a few close ups of the stars:

Sassy Salsa Pumpkin Soup

I love my Hungry Girl cookbook (thank you, you know who!). If you're looking for a super easy soup recipe and want to use up the extra pumpkin on your shelf, try this. It got rave reviews in our house. Don't fear the pumpkin taste. We hardly knew it was in there!

-4 cups fat free vegetable broth (I used two cans)
-one 15 oz can pure pumpkin (I probably used about 24 oz)
-one 15 oz can black beans, drained & rinsed (I used pinto beans since we were all out of black beans)
-1 cup canned corn (I used the entire can)
-3/4 cup of salsa
-1 T minced garlic
-1 t chili powder
-1/2 t ground cumin
optional: shredded fat free cheese, ff sour cream or chopped scallions

Spray a pot with nonstick spray and bring to medium heat on stove. Place garlic in pot. Stir and cook for 1 minute. Add broth and spices; bring to simmer.

Add pumpkin and mix well. Add remaining ingredients, stir and bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.

If you like, top each cup with any of the optional ingredients.

28 for 28 Update: #6 become an IPS tutor

I'm awaiting the approval process to become a tutor in the ReadUp program. I discovered it through United Way of Central Indiana. If all goes well and I make the cut, I'll tutor reading with two students at Louis B. Russell School #48 on Wednesdays from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. Keep your fingers crossed!

Photo Week Day #5: Happiness

Thank you to everyone for another great photo week! I've loved all the insight and unique perspectives offered. Happiness was selected for Friday for obvious reasons. We're all a little more giddy once this day rolls around.

Reflecting on good past times makes me happy. And the opportunity to fill up more pages makes me happier.

Being an official Aunt makes me really happy. Especially when Aunts and Uncles get cool school projects in the mail from up and coming 3 year old artists!

Photo Week Day #4: Community

9;35 am

I apologize. Bad form for the photo week host to not post on time. Stay tuned and enjoy these creative gurus in the meantime.

Steph
Beth
Scott

5:21 pm

I was most excited for Community Day, but the rain and the dark evenings provided a new challenge to what I had in mind. Community reminds me of my neighbors, and we are very fortunate to have great ones. Last week I heard a faint knock on our front door. Our neighbor Kate, who I think will turn 5 this year, offered me an index card and headed back to her house. The sweet little gesture that came out of nowhere has been on our refrigerator ever since. A subtle reminder of the good community around us.

Photo Week Day #3: Gratitude

I'm grateful for a stockpile of relaxation.

I'm grateful for best friends.

I'm grateful that Mr. Wagner had our camera at the rehearsal (I just found the pictures he took on the camera! Way to go Scott. This was a great surprise.) One of the many things I loved about the church were the chandeliers.

Photo Week Day #2 - Exploration

Thanks to the generosity of many friends, I have lots of cookbooks to explore. Yum!

Friends and family (and allegedly Indy 500 champion Rick Mears) explored the guest globe at our wedding.

I enjoy exploring maps!

Photo Week Day 1: Acceptance

1) I accept that this is as close to a second dog that I'm going to get for the time being.


2) I accept the lack of post work daylight. I accept that the moon was out while walking Ruby when this picture was taken at 5:40 pm.

3) I accept that in order to cut back and save, it's time to end my magazine subscription because I never get around to reading them.

Check out Sue, Steph and Scott's photo week fun!

Photo Week Challenge: Think Peaceful Thoughts

I have a card on my bulletin board at work titled "Think Peaceful Thoughts." Underneath is a list of 16 words to inspire peaceful thinking. I've picked my five favorite and am eager to see every one's interpretation of the challenge.

With Thanksgiving just two weeks away, perhaps some of these ideas can get you in the spirit of the season. What images do these bring to mind, or how are they reflected throughout your day?
Let me know if you would like to join in the challenge, and I'll follow in the footsteps of the wonderful hosts that have come before me and ensure everyone is kept up to date.

Monday: Acceptance

Tuesday: Exploration

Wednesday: Gratitude

Thursday: Community

Friday: Happiness

Shutter Sisters Challenge: Show Me Yours

Shutter Sisters challenge for the day was called, Show Me Yours. Sue put me up to it. The past few days, a couple of people have commented on my hair being long, so I thought I'd see for myself!

Photo Week: Photographer's Choice #5

5) My Pick: Heretics, Andrew Bird


I've had this day in mind since Sue posted the challenge. A couple of years ago, Amy & Ashley introduced me to the musical genius that is Andrew Bird. My life has been better ever since. Since our challenge host Sue recently discovered Mr. Bird as well, I thought it only fitting to use one of his songs.


The 4th track, "Heretics" from the "Armchair Apocrypha" album, is one of my favorite songs. I've developed a routine of listening to it on my way home from work, especially on Fridays, because it's like ice cream on apple pie, the perfect topper. His use of the violin gives me goosebumps. The song puts me in a great mood. Now whenever I hear the song, I think of my ride home and the back road I take, Riverview Drive along the White River. It's a beautiful drive this time of year, like most places, but since it gets me closer to home, I like it that much more.