crafts

Loving Lately ❤

Loving Lately #1: Seasonal Parties – Harvest Celebration

Admittedly, I am not crafty. But I know people who are! My mother for example has an artistic flare that passed me right by. She gets inspired by her six grandchildren and makes every season come alive in fun and innovative ways. And although I may not come up with these ideas, I certainly appreciate them! How adorable are these little pumpkins? And better yet, they are delicious, because they are Rice Krispies Treats! I know what you are thinking. Do they have organic food coloring? Well I like India Tree’s natural food dyes. (But I’m not saying that’s what my mom did.)

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Our gathering took place at the family cabin, and at night for a little ambiance we lit a pumpkin style lantern. Originally made to light the way outside, the lanterns were made from repurposed hanging flower pots. The hollowed and carved pumpkins are set on a bed of colorful leaves and filled with a candle. Creatively my mother used paper bags and coffee filters for the bow! (People need to get creative in the woods.)

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For entertainment we the kids played rounds of tic-tac-toe. Who needs pencils and paper when you have pumpkins and sticks?

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Not really true to character she also made some pumpkin cake pops, covered in white chocolate and sprinkles. -That is to say carrying out a theme is all her style, but molded bakeware is more of my thing… So I’m pretty sure I’m rubbing off on her.

The party included good eats, and fun drinks too… which I’ll be sharing with you in the future. But for now I’ll leave you with this:

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Because even though they’re not organic, they are a Michigan company. And you know I have to make a plug for my Michigan companies. 😉

Sidenote: I’d like to give credit to the sites my mom uses for ideas which are partially hers and some variations of things she saw on the world wide web, so I will in-part simply credit the internet.

Loving Lately ❤

Loving Lately 1: Easy Apps – Roasted Garlic Onion Jam & Brie (Pictured above)

I love easy appetizers. Who doesn’t? The kind of things that are really easy to throw together that are still really delicious and special. I also love brie and impromptu gatherings. Years ago we were at a specialty foods store in a Northern suburb of Chicago, and they were offering samples of Stonewall Kitchen’s Roasted Garlic Onion Jam on brie. At that time I would have never thought to put the two together. Now it’s hard to imagine them apart. (Don’t knock it until you try it.) I have also seen the Stonewall Kitchen line of products at Macy’s and Kroger.

Loving Lately 2: Tara

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Tara is a friend like a sister. She is worth her weight in gold, especially when it comes to child care. I think she takes more safety precautions with my children than I do (that’s saying something). She also does Sunday school lessons for our church. And she happens to make really cute projects to help the kids remember the teachings.

Matthew 6:21

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is…”


“…there your heart will be also.”

And

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Thank you Tara! Your time with my children is precious! They love you! Thank you for loving them.