Best Shot Monday- The Christmas Tree

Usually, I say the Christmas tree does not go up until it is December, but I guess it was close enough. Harper asked us all day long if we could put up our Christmas tree and we finally gave in. She was so excited and put most of the ornaments on. She was very proud of the finished product. Miller on the other hand just wanted to put Big Dog in the tree along with a tennis ball.

There's always more great Best Shot Monday photos over at Tracey's.

Giveaway Winner

I used Randomizer.org to pick a winner for my giveaway and the winner is Allison.

Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments and all the linky love. You guys are the best!!!

I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas

Christmas is on my mind. I have been thinking about Christmas for months now. What to get people on our list? How to wrap gifts in an eco-friendly way? Are there gifts I can make? We have already decided that we are buying less this year. So much of what we usually give the kids ends up in the back of the closet.

Here's some ideas that I thought I would share with you:

• For the aspiring artist, visit The Stubby Pencil Studio. If you missed it, read my review here.


• Sprig Toys offers eco-friendly trucks and vehicles. The toys are made from a bio-composite material made from recycled wood and reclaimed plastic. You can find them at Amazon.com.


• Green Toys has an adorable tea set, an indoor garnening kit, sand toys, and a cookware and dining set. They use recycled milk containers as the main ingredient in creating their toys.


• If you need more of a selection and don't mind shopping online, be sure to check out Oompa Toys. They have good selection of organic toys. They also have a section for toys made in the USA.


• You can never go wrong with something handmade. If you don't have the time or energy to make something yourself, browse through the shops on Etsy.com.


• Use recycled wrapping paper. Check out Fish Lips Paper Design or Earthloven.


• If gift bags work better for you, The Ole Bag Lady has a HUGE selection of reusable fabric bags at a reasonable price.

I am off to do some shopping.

Best Shot Monday- There's No Escaping

So I discovered last week, that bathtime is the perfect time to snap some photos of my otherwise running away from me kids. They are confined. There's no where for them to go. There's no escaping me now.

I was trying to get Miller to make different faces for me. You know, to show different emotions like happy, sad, angry. This is what I got.

He gave me the very same face each time. I am not sure that it really falls into any of the categories, but it is a pretty cute face.

Be sure to stop by Mother May I for more Best Shot Monday.

Up and Running and a Giveaway

Well, it's official. My shop is up and running. I still have some things to finish and some items that I need to list, but at least the bulk of it is done. I will be adding to the store as I finish projects.

Since my shop is now open and this is my 200th post, I am going to do a giveaway. I am going to give away a custom photo scrabble tile or glass tile pendant or magnet (your choice) to the lucky winner. To enter all you have to do is leave a comment. If you want to increase your chances, post a little something on your blog letting people know about my shop and I will count it as 5 entries. The dealine for entry is Tuesday November 25th.

The winner will just have to e-mail me a digital photo of their choice. It doesn't have to be of your child either. See that pretty butterfly one below.

Thanks everyone for the nice and supportive comments that you have left for me.

Theme Thursday- Thankful

Since next week is Thanksgiving, Stacy decided to make this week's theme Thankful. My first thought was this won't be too hard. The more and more I think about it the harder it seems. I am thankful for so many things. Where do I begin?

I am thankful that I have a loving, caring, and supportive family.
I am thankful that we are blessed with this little girl.

I am thankful that I get to kiss these squishy cheeks every day.

I am thankful that I have a roof over my head, a good job, and plenty of food to eat.
I am thankful that I have the best husband in the world. How did I manage that?
I am thankful that these two share moments like these together.

I am thankful that you read my blog and leave me wonderful comments.
I am thankful for so many things and truly do feel lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life. Thank you.

The Land of K.A. will be filled with thankful people today. You really should go visit.

Wordless Wednesday- What Do You See?

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Sneak Peak at Second Chance Studio

I know my posting has been a little scarce lately. I have been so preoccupied with creating and sewing little items. I have all these ideas swimming around in my head and I have been able to produce a few of them. Here's a sneak peak at what I have been up to the last several weeks.

These were all made from felted wool sweaters.

This needs to be completed. I want to include one more cookie and one more tea bag.

As you can tell these are also a work in progress. They are pendants made from old scrabble tiles and magazine clippings. I am also working on customized magnets with photos under glass.

This scarf was made from an old angora Banana Republic sweater.

Oh, and then there is Sleeping Rudy. I actually drew up the pattern on this one. Maybe next go round he will be awake and actually stand up.

Now I just need to figure out how to list items on Etsy and take some better photos. I took these this morning in about 5 minutes so that I could post them today.

I would love feedback. As you can tell I have been having problems sticking to one thing. Is there something that you think I should concentrate on?

If you get this feed by e-mail and can't see the pictures, make sure to click here.

Best Shot Monday- Reaching for the Sun

It finally set in this weekend. It really is fall and almost winter. Christmas is right around the corner. The flowers are no longer blooming. The kids are spending way too much time inside. What are we going to do? Our weekends are not jammed packed with things to do. I can't just open the back door and send my kids outside. It is dark when we get home. When did this happen?

This afternoon we headed outside for a little fresh air before it got dark. I grabbed my camera because it was still light outside. As I looked around I noticed the sun setting. It was shining down perfectly on some dead flower branches. It looked like they were on fire. Wasn't it just yesterday that everything in our yard was blossoming? Now it is SO dead.

This moment was gone before I knew it. It is so symbolic of how I feel most of the time. Time needs to slow down and wait for me. I am choosing the first shot as my best shot this week.

Visit Tracey's for more Best Shot Monday.

Wordless Wednesday- Photographer in Training

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Lost Socks

I stumbled across this book last week and I knew I had to order it. I received it on Saturday and had a little free time on Sunday to make the dog for my son. The dog is made from a pair of my socks that have not been worn in a couple of years. Then I threw together the cat for my daughter. I used one of her old socks that was alone in her drawer. Who knows what happened to the other one? I had cute little white buttons picked out for the eyes, but Harper insisted on the maroon ones. All of the patterns use a pair of gloves or socks, but it is easy to mix and match lone socks or gloves to make any of these adorable creatures.

I was a little afraid that the toddler sock would be too small, but I think it worked out perfectly. They stretch like crazy. What a great way to use outgrown socks and make a little keepsake or gift.

Speaking of gifts, I made this hat to match these booties last week. Now I just need to mail it to the little girl before winter is over. I have several little projects in the works in hopes of opening up an Etsy store in time for Christmas shopping. So hopefully more on that next week.

Has anyone else been doing anything crafty?

Best Shot Monday- It Finally Feels Like Fall

Fall is finally upon us. Leaves are changing, the weather is cooler, and the evenings are darker. I took a few minutes this weekend to photograph some of the beautiful trees in our yard. And because I am lazy all these shots are SOOC (straight out of camera).

I am picking the third as my best shot. There is just something about it.

Check out more best shots over at Mother May I. Happy Monday Everyone!!!

Theme Thursday- Imagination

Harper has such a vivid imagination. She lives in a world of fantasy and fairy tales. Mitch is much better at the pretend play than I am. I just can't always get into a role and play it for very long. I would much rather play chase, hide and seek, kick the ball around, color, paint, or build something with blocks. Pretty much anything except pretend play. With Miller this is fine, but it just doesn't jive with Harper. She wants to play School or Princess or Star Wars. I feel guilty that I don't engage with her enough in this aspect so I try to strike a balance between the two. A couple of weeks ago, I suggested that we build a Fairy House.

I know it may be hard to make out, but this is a Fairy House. We gathered things from around the yard and got to work. I constructed the basic structure and they added all the personal touches. I wish I had just one ounce of their imagination.

Be sure to visit The Land of K.A. for more great photos.

Wordless Wednesday- Cleaning Up Shoes

Harper decided to "clean up" the shoes. They usually stay in that huge basket.

For more Wordless Wednesday click on over to 5 Minutes for Mom.

Five Minute Artisan Bread

I have been wanting to try this no knead bread recipe for several weeks now. I finally got around to it this weekend. I mixed the dough together on Sunday and let it rise for about 5 hours. Then I put it in the fridge. According to the recipe, you can keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks. I decided to try baking a loaf last night.

I was pleasantly surprised with how the bread turned out. It was extremely easy and I still have enough for 3 more loafs, which is a good thing since this loaf is already almost gone. You really should try it. Next, I want to try with some whole wheat flour. I will let you know how it turns out.

Ballerina Princess and Darth Vader

We had one of those BLAH weekends. Miller and Mitch were sick. We were all a little grumpy. We did go trick or treating, but just down the street. The kids did not seem to mind. They were just excited to get candy and see other kids all dressed up. This was the only not even decent shot I got of the kids dressed up. They were just not cooperating and then it was dark. I know you all understand how it goes. Hopefully, I will be back next week with a Best Shot.