Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is a program through Samaritan's Purse that strives to make sure children this holiday season have a Christmas gift to open.  The church that we usually attend is involved with this and asked the members to help with the mission.  We packed a box (shoe box size) and filled it with toys and hygiene products for a boy.  The boxes that were filled will be sent to a packing location and shipped off to give to children in need.  To create your own box visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/
to get all the details.

Upcoming Projects!

I'm very excited.  There will be lots of projects going on around the house soon.  They will be mostly DIY and include refurbishing.  I have so many ideas and inspirations that I want to use and try myself.  I will be posting more about all of this soon and will let you know how it all goes... the good, the bad, and the ugly of it all!

Fall Decor

Wow what a busy past couple of weeks it's been!! I have managed some time to put some of those Fall decoration ideas into action!  More to come soon!

Below is a picture of our front door.  A friend and I made these wreaths together using supplies we got at AC Moore.  I believe my total cost was around $26.  The pine cones are scented so there is a nice smell when you come up to the door!  I was able to just stick the flowers and the berries in the weave of the wreath without glue or anything.  I wrapped the pine cones around the wreath using wire then tied it to the back to secure them in place.  The yellow flowers to the left are hot-glued in place.

These are the stairs by our kitchen that lead upstairs.  I bought these VERY real-looking leaves that came in a bundle, tied them together, then used a ribbon to tie it to the banister.  I got the corn from the local farmers market and tied it around the finial using a rubber band, then used the chocolate brown satin ribbon to cover up the rubber band and finish off the look.  This decor cost me about $7.

Autumn in the air

I love a season change.  A change of scenery, change of clothes, change of temperature... it's all fantastic.  My favorites are going from Spring to Summer and Summer to Fall.  What I love about Fall: pumpkins, apples, acorns, pies, cider, fireplaces, scarves, foliage, and blankets.  We are finally having some cooler days and nights here in NC and I am able to take advantage of a few of these.  I got a new furry blanket a couple of weeks ago, the most amazing blanket I think I've had.  I have woken up freezing and have beckoned to this blanket!  The fireplaces in our house definitely were a main attraction for us and we are lucky enough to have one in our bedroom.  I plan to be using them very soon as well.

I haven't really decorated for this season much in the past.  A pumpkin here and there, maybe an Autumn plant but that was about it.  This year though I am all about it, of course it has to be on a budget but I have found ways to make that work nicely.  I will soon be posting some pictures, recipes, and ideas that I will be using.  In the meantime, Happy October!

Wake County SPCA

If you live in or around Wake County and are considering adopting a pet, please check this out. http://www.wral.com/news/local/noteworthy/story/8234198/
I strongly believe in adopting from shelters or your local SPCA (if looking for a pet) rather than getting from a breeder.  To each their own, but I couldn't imagine getting a dog from someone knowing another innocent dog is being put down right then due to overcrowding.  A loving animal is a loving animal.  Anyhow, if interested check out the news link.

To Do Lists

To-Do-Lists... I live off of them, especially while working.  I'll make a to-do list for what I need to clean at home, what bills to pay, what appointments I need to make, what paperwork needs to be done at work, whom I need to call about whatever, etc.  I also just bought a new planner for this coming work year and have things written in it already!  Having a list definitely helps reduce some stress and it feels good to cross something off as it gets done!  I was told a story by my step-dad, that his mom loved to-do lists as well and would even put on there "brush hair and teeth"! lol.  Anyways,  here are some lovely notepads for your to-do lists... but of course a pen and scrap piece of paper works as well, these are just a little prettier.

polkadotsstationary.com

designsbythreeofakind.com

lillypulitzer.com

Another week, another goal met... so far

So last week my husband and I met our goal of eating dinner at home at least 5 nights a week.  We had homemade spaghetti, gumbo (my husband made), hot dogs with mac and cheese, enchilada casserole, then dinner at families one night so we're counting that as eating at home.  We also set a budget for ourselves (under $100) for the breakfast for 7 days, lunch for 7 days, snacks and the 5 dinners.  We were right at our budget last week, give or take a few.

We went to the grocery store last night as planned, and spent approximately $60 on the food for this week.  We took about 10 minutes and planned out what we wanted and made a list before we went.  This week for dinner we will have pork-chops with broccoli and rice, homemade pizza, italian stuffed shells, and chicken with risotto.  The 5th missing meal will come from my husband bringing home some food from work.  The trick we've found is to buy things that will will either A) give you leftovers for the lunches, B) buy foods that you can use in more than one meal, such as the rice for this week (pork chop meal and in the risotto) and the tomato sauce (made for the pizza and the stuffed shells).  Any ideas for our meals next week?