It's beginning to look a lot like...

...Christmas?!

Oh yes. Christmas has come early around here. I have been working hard to finish my advent calender (remember the advent calender?) in time for December first. Because I'm pretty sure Christmas can't happen without it.

And I'm one of those annoying family members who insists on homemade gifts. So that's been happening too (sorry, no sneak-peaks!).

Cute, no? Now I just have to figure out what to do with these bad boys. I'm thinking of making a tree. Or a branch with hooks. Either way, I hope to have it done soon. Because then I can get back to Harry Potter.

Fairy Slippers

Earlier this past summer, while out on a mountain adventure, we struck gold. Well, not real gold. But wildflower gold (which is just as valuable).

It all started when Evan was hiking up ahead of me and started shouting. I immediately thought 'Bear!', and started to panic. We were in the Beartooth Mountains, after all.

After rushing to his side (how brave am I?), I learned that there was no bear. He was excited about something totally different.

'twas a single Fairy Slipper. We couldn't believe our luck! We savored this little flower and after approximately 700 pictures, decided it was time to move on.

And then we discovered whole clumps of Fairy Slippers! A whole closet-full!

And then I discovered this little guy at our house the other day. How sneaky!

A sip of Color

When we moved into our house, we sort of 'inherited' a set of champagne glasses from the previous tenants. And since we're not really the champagne-drinking type, they had been shoved in a box and placed in the basement. Forgotten about. But one day while searching the house in want of something to help separate my pencils by color, they were rediscovered! And quickly promoted to 'main floor' status.

Mmmm.... I'd take a nice glass of the green stuff please!

Purple looks nice too. I wonder what purple tastes like?!

And the winner is....

.... Sarah! Who likes caramel apple suckers (good choice). I had forgotten how much I despise choosing a winner (even if it is random), because deep down I want everyone to win. I'm pretty fair that way. So better luck next time everyone! And Sarah, let's be in touch about a mailing address, so your bit of fall cheer can be on it's merry way.

Weekending

They grow up so fast, don't they?! I can't believe how big my pup is getting. And yes, I still carry him around. Don't look at me like that! He's cute. And I really can't help myself.

It's been a pretty crazy week around here, and in what little spare time I had, all I was able to make myself do was read Harry Potter while drinking hot chocolate. Which isn't necessarily the best use of time.

But I have some big plans. For next week. Once I finish my book. Well, I guess once I finish the series.

In the meantime, there is still some time to enter the giveaway. And here's to hoping next week is more productive. Ahem.

Happy Fall ya'll

Meet Miss Autumn. She also goes by Twice Hairy Groundsel.

This flower was drawn from a picture Mr. Evan took this summer while hiking in the Beartooths. And I knew that I wanted to draw it even before I knew what it was called. And so I started. And the picture had little hairs all over the stem/leaves, which I opted to leave off. Because....too hard. And then when I found out the name, and that it had hairy in the title, well, I was kind of shocked. And embarrassed.

So please don't tell anyone. It can be our little secret.

And a bonus? I'm going to give a print of Miss Hairy away to one of you! Because I like you guys. And I want to spread a little fall cheer.

To enter, just leave a comment, specifying your favorite Halloween candy (mine would have to be mini Reese's cups) by Monday, October 18. I will randomly select a winner, and let you know the following day. Happy Fall!

******Comments closed-winner will be announced later today!******

Autumn Garland

Yesterday while out on a walk with puppy, I started collecting pretty leaves. Isn't Autumn the best?! Beautiful leaves everywhere. And by the time we were home, I had already decided what I was going to do with them. It was time for an Autumn Garland.

It's all very simple. First, you must go on a nice walk and capture leaves from the ground (I will admit that I did reach over the fence on more than one occasion to steal some lovely leaves. My reasoning was that they were just going to fall anyway, right?! So finders keepers.)

Then, you must give them a good coat of Mod Podge, front and back. After they dry, let them really flatten out under a stack of heavy books. I let them do this overnight.

Using your machine that sews, connect them by placing one leaf after the other, no backstitching required. I must tell you, sewing leaves is rather crunchy! And I hope I didn't accidentally fill my machine with leaf crumbs. Oh well.

Festive!

And I regret to tell you that I have no estimation on the life of this garland. My reasoning was that the Mod Podge would sort of 'seal' the leaves, thus slowing down the deterioration process. But smarty-pants Evan thought it might be better to first press the leaves, letting the moisture escape, and then apply Mod Podge. But who has the patience for that kind of thing? Not me.

Besides, I think it might be kind of fun to have the garland slowly turn brown. Because by the time it's brittle and old, it will be time for winter. And Christmas garlands! Or maybe that's just me being impatient.

At any rate, please make yourself an Autumn Garland. Because not only is it super awesome, but it's free!!

And then, much to her surprise, out of the carrot patch she pulled....

... a little pair of dancing legs.

Which left her feeling a little speechless.