comfy and cozy

I spent the day yesterday pulling out our few Fall decorations, which, now that I look at it, is really more about Halloween these days. I think the girls and I need to go on a little nature walk and search for more buckeyes and mini pinecones to add to our collection.

I took the lazy way out and took all my photos with my iPhone 5s because I didn't have to go through downloading the photos from my 40D because my phone photos go directly to our Photo Stream. Nice. Therefore, no detail shots or close-ups. And these were in the early evening, so the lighting is low, but I think it give a nice homey, comfy feel to the shots.

On Instagram, I shared this photo for a photo challenge with the theme of Colorful. I was revamping a wooden candle stand and am finally happy with the results.

And here it is in action, with a collection of styrofoam balls I covered in jute and display in a 20 year old outdoor planter with peeling paint that I adore. You can find the Fall subway art, the Home Sweet Home and the Grateful Family art print in my shop, I Love It All. Use the coupon code BEHAPPY for a 20% discount on your purchases.

The kids made the salsa and spaghetti sauce jar Mod Podge jack-o-lanterns back in 2009. I only know this because I had the forethought to date them on the bottom. I don't always have my act together like I did on that particular day. Or on this day, when I made this.

I did not date this masterpiece of spooky handprint ghosts. I made three of them and my hand was in major cramp mode when finished hand cutting all those felt letters. So glad to have captured their handprints, though. When I pull out projects like this, I always get emotional and weepy thinking about my kids and all our memories and laughs and giggles. For some reason, I only have one of Victoria's handprints. Hmmm?

The cutest, little Super Heroes ever. Ever. EVER!

In the madness of all of our mud porch addition, concrete pouring project, house painting, new dishwasher, new day bed and mattress for Victoria expenses, the landscaping of our back {front} yard is definitely not going to happen until Spring! 

So when I asked Gordon to pick up one bag of mini pine bark nuggets, which is my preferred mulch concoction, I didn't think he would. Not because it's expensive, but because when I bought a 9-pack tray of pansies from Tractor Supply the other day to fancy up our side yard a bit, he laughed at me. He looked at my lonely one tray of pansies, saying, "You really think that's going to make a difference?"

To which I replied, "No, but it will make me happy." 

So, if you are going to take my side and say that these two photos look nice, go ahead. But, if you saw the rest of the yard, which I'm not sure I'm brave enough to show you after the concrete truck, Papa's tractor and backhoe and tons of gravel, you would laugh right along with my Sweetie and shake your head that I even tried to make this spot next to our outdoor dining table a little nice.

Because...those weeds over in the other 3 flower beds sure do like growing in that horse manure Papa so kindly filled them with so that our plantings would get a good start. Yep, the weeds love aged horse manure.

If you haven't downloaded your Halloween Countdown Calendar, you should! 

Isabella gave me a great big hug when she saw the calendar yesterday morning and told me I was the best Mommy. Definitely worth the time it took to design and print out!

As I told a friend, who would have that something so small would be so appreciated? It made me pause and realize that I do it all for them. All three of them. And I hope that my now almost 21-year old son can look back on all those crazy craft times with Mommy and smile. I do.