Simple Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe

This simple activity was a BIG hit at our annual Pumpkin Carving Party and best of all it was very simple to put together. All you need is 10 miniature pumpkins (5 white and 5 orange) and orange duck tape. This is sure to become a family tradition. 

Our First Sweet Potato Harvest

Remember the crazy sweet potato idea we had back in May? Well, that one sweet potato multiplied and this week (five months later) we harvested our first batch of sweet potatoes!

 We started by cutting the vines away from the top of the soil.

Once cut, everything rolled back like a big blanket.

 Next came the digging. We decided because the area was so small, we'd dig everything up by hand.

 Once the potatoes were out they were tossed on the ground around the garden.

Some of the tubers were long and snake like. This made the girls giggle.

We came away with a wagon load. I think Steven was expecting more potatoes. But 20+ good size potatoes from one isn't bad in my opinion. Now we wait six more weeks for the potatoes to cure and the put them to the REAL test, our taste.

Family Room {The Walls}

We finished the ceiling in the family room in January, but since then, life has taken over and we recently decided it was time to make the final push! So we've removed all of the old trim and painted the last coat of paint on the ceiling the week of October 5. We've decided to keep one wall the original wooden plank walls, so we covered that wall in plastic to keep from getting paint on it.

Once the ceiling was painted I cleaned the wall using hot water and vinegar. Six buckets of water and four kitchen sponges later, the wall is clean, and has a coat of clear satin urethane.

While brainstorming ideas for wall coverings for the other three walls, I came across this home featured in Southern Living. I immediately fell in love with the shiplap, pine-plank walls in the entryway of the home. I knew it was what we needed for the family room.

We chose to start with the french door wall. Here is the progress we've made! 

 Boards before they are hung.

Blood Moon {2014 Lunar Eclipse}

 Most of my favorite memories don't involve large amounts of money or even much preparation, most often it's a simple investment of time and focused attention. I'm hoping Marin feels this way about the early morning we drug her out of bed to see the lunar eclipse of 2014. And, while it was more important that the little girls sleep, than see the blood moon, they did get to enjoy our Blood Moon pancakes. I love it when homeschooling fades into family time.

The Year for Pecans

 We have quite a few pecan trees in our yard, but this year, for whatever reason, we have a bumper crop of pecans! Autumn days, filled with cooler weather, call to us and we've spent many a morning hunting pecans. The girls love it so much we've likened it to Easter egg hunting in the fall.

Nut hunting anyone? Doesn't have quite the ring.

 Adalyn is our resident pecan cracker. Her tool of choice? A child's size hammer.

 Here is the clan hunting pecans on a Sunday afternoon. Hello autumn. 

Thrilled About A Fence

 We had a new wooden fence put up all along the back line of our property. The girls are more than thrilled about the new found freedom and we're excited about the privacy it provides. Circle A Fence Company did a wonderful job.

Fishing Baby Shower {The Main Event}

Here are photos from the baby girl fishing shower that I coordinated for a couple at our church. The parents-to-be love to fish. The colors were bright pink, orange and shades of blue and grey. The party decorations were based on the invitation design. My favorite part about the decorations were the floating fish. At one point in the evening they were actually traveling around the room! Too fun!

I created this "guest book page" and framed it (putting the glass behind it for the event). Guests wrote messages inside the little fish. The top says "Blessings for ______". Download your own copy here.

The fish were made following the "Koinobori-Japanese Flying Carp DIY"

tutorial from Squirrelly Minds. 

The cake design was inspired by the invitation design and was baked and created by Barbara Watts.

I created the water garland using crepe paper streamers. I cut into the streamer about 3/4 of the way in on one side while it was still rolled. Then as I unrolled the streamer I twisted it. I gathered the pieces together and tied them with blue ribbon at the corners and in the middle.

Filled little metal buckets with Swedish Fish and Gummy Worm candies.

I've created a template of the fish (download here) so that you can make your own. It's best to buy colored paper stock that is double sided because the fish spin and move when hanging from the balloons. 

Church members were asked to bring "fish theme" related food items.

Here are two super creative ideas!