Halloween Flashback

Ok - Maybe it is a little weird to take pictures in a cemetery at night. But the cemetery in my hometown is so - not scary - and it was such a great October night. It was a fun thing to do right before Halloween. I really wish I lived closer to Amy!!!!!!
You can't help but love my Aunt Sue - and her purple gloves!

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate,

The first one said,"Oh my, it's getting late."

The second one said,

"But we don't care."

The third one said,

"I see witches in the air."

The fourth one said,

"Let's run, and run, and run."

The fifth one said,

"Get ready for some fun."

Then whoosh went the wind,

and out went the lights,

And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!

Trick or Treat

These bottle of wine are the best things I have found this year for Halloween. I am not sure if I am going to actually drink them - I just love the labels. They had some others - Vampire... Zombie Zin... - but I liked these the best. "Trick or Treat"

Tis the Season - BOO!

I love the colors of this season more than any other time of year. - Boo seems to fit right in.
Jennifer came up with the name Lacey for this first doll that I made. It isn't a very eerie name - but she has the cutest black lace slip under her skirt - So Lacey it is.
We put up some Halloween decorations this past weekend. I don't know if the boys will get the front of the house decorated - but we made the patio feel a little festive for Halloween.

I finished two more dolls - similar to the first one. These will be on their way to Iowa this week.

Carving Pumpkins!!

Jake and Kasey were looking for something to do on Saturday - and decided to carve pumpkins.
I love it when they decide to do something like this.

They seemed to have a good time. Unfortunately - I got busy and forgot to take pictures of their finished jack-o-lanterns. Jake's was a skeleton head and Kasey's was a witch - standing over a caldron. Although, our weather being like it is here - the poor carved pumpkins will not last for long and they will have to carve some more as it gets closer to Halloween. I will have to get pictures of those.

When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam,May luck be yours on Halloween. ~Author Unknown

Dolls in Progress

I stained some more dolls last night - These turned out a little darker and "stained" looking - but dressed for Halloween - that will be fine. Instead of putting them on a rack in the oven to dry them a little - I set them in a baking dish. They didn't dry as quickly. It's Friday - finally! - and it has finally cooled down enough to feel like Fall here. I think I will make a big pot of chili tonight. I love this time of year!

When witches go riding,

and black cats are seen,

the moon laughs and whispers,

‘tis near Halloween.

~Author Unknown

Package from Home

I received a package from my mom yesterday - which is always fun. She thought I should have these raggedy's. Halloween and Raggedy dolls - two of my favorite things!
She also sent these two towels that Grandma made years ago. I have the "Sunday" towel already. I believe these were split up and given to different people after Grandma passed away. So now I have Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
I made these little paint chip notebooks yesterday. I found the idea here. I think they are such a fun idea - I want to make them in every color.

I need a name.

I have to make some more of these dolls - I think she is so much fun! - and I had a great time making her. I have 8 more cut out.
I still need to think of a name for her.
Eat, drink and be scary. ~Author Unknown

Baby Shower

I had one of the teacher's at work make this sign for Jennifer's baby shower. At the last minute I thought I better have something outside - so people knew they were in the right place.
... the Lily banner that I made. I love the colors! The little outfits that she got - the colors were beautiful. Not all pastels - but great shades of pink and purple.
These are the favors we made. Thank you Jennifer and Kasey for your help. I could not have done everything without Jake and Kasey's help. They helped me with the food, decorating, picking up the cake - and running to the store for last minute stuff, and hanging up the sign - then making sure the wind did not ruin it.
I love this picture of Jennifer. I don't know if Josh was too excited about being in the middle of this baby shower - but he did come out and join us when Jennifer started opening presents. She received so many cute things - which I think is making them more anxious for Lily to arrive. I know it is me.
Some more decorations. If you can guess how many M&M's in the jar - you win!

For Jen's baby shower

I've known Jennifer since she was 5 years old. What a blessing her and Sarah have been to me. I am so excited for this baby! I'm sure she will be as beautiful and as special as her mother. I saw this pattern - and thought because of Josh and the horse thing - it would be cute for the shower and to put in Lily's room. All this pink stuff is too much fun!

"A new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities." ~ Eda J. Le Shan

What a Mess!

I have the favors done for Jennifer's shower. I am just about ready- except that my house is a mess. This is why I need a space of my own.
I do function pretty well in chaos though - so it will all come together.
I found this old picture of "Boo" He was so cute - no wonder I brought him home. Yes Amy - this is the psycho cat that terrorized you while you read. :-)

"Don't Sweat the Little Things."

Just in Case. . .

Jennifer's baby is not due until November 7th - but just in case it comes early and is here by Halloween - I have to be ready with something fun for her. These little socks are soooo cute!!! - They say "hocus pocus" around the top of them. How could I resist?

For Jennifer's shower

I finally found some time to work on some things for Jennifer's baby shower. I thought if she wants she can use this in her nursery - so I went with the baby's name instead of something like "It's a Girl". I am loving the name Lily. I believe her full name will be Lillian Eva.

I am now thinking about making a Halloween banner - but I have to pull everything together for this shower first. The other two baby showers I have given were for little boys. This girls stuff is fun - partly because it is different, but also because of Jennifer and the type of things she likes. Next - I have to make some favors - but haven't decided on what to make yet. Amy and Rachel - do you have any ideas?

"Angel-duck, angel-duck, winged and silly - Pouring a watering-pot over a lily." ~ Charles Lamb

Dinner for Two

Jake and Kasey have been together for one year. He wanted to do something special for her - finally deciding on a nice dinner at home. Sadie got to be a part of the special night. The rest of us left to eat elsewhere.
He had this jar of candy on the table - with a label he made.

I love it when my sons decide to do things like this.

If you press me to say why I loved him, I can say no more than because he was he, and I was I. ~Michel de Montaigne

Fun Stuff - Czech it out!

Czech out these cute buttons! How could I not get these - especially the czech one - (and for only 50 cents). The little boxes are incense. I have a small burner (shaped like a leaf) - that came with small sticks like these - but after they were used up - I could never find any small incense to use it again. They are lavender and lily. (I had to give Jennifer one of the "Lily" ones - that is what she is naming her baby).
I am making a pennant type banner for Jennifer's baby shower. I cut things out last night and found the letters I wanted yesterday. So hopefully I will have time to make it tonight. I really need more time to do the things I like to do - maybe 6 extra hours a day. - and a room all of my own to do it in. I don't want to sound anxious to have my kids leave the nest - I just want one of their rooms.
This is not a very good picture - but this little stopper/plug/stirrer thing is so cute. It has a mermaid on it. I wanted you to see this Amy. I like the stickers back there better.
It is getting to be that time of year again! I have already gotten three Halloween magazines full of great stuff. These little guys are so adorable. As soon as I am done with Jennifer's baby shower - out come the Halloween stuff.

- A fine beer may be judged with only one sip, but it's better to be thoroughly sure.
- Better a lie that soothes than a truth that hurts

- The government will fall that raises the price of beer.

- Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends

CZECH Proverbs

Papa Johns!

Papa John's pizza!!!! - I did not really realize that this is the pizza I always eat in Iowa - unitl I saw the garlic sauce that came with it and realized this is the sauce that Luke and Connor like. We have never ordered from here before. It tasted delicious and. . . flashback to Cedar Rapids.
Jennifer's invitations - sort of simple, because I didn't want to spend days making them - but I love the purple silk flowers. She did not really want to go with the typical baby girl pink theme. She is more a "purple elephant" type of girl.

"A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on." ~Carl Sandburg