Christmas Wreath

This is a little wreath I made while in a festive spirit. Even though its only the 5th day in November, this wreath is now hanging on my front door! I dont love it-- I could do without the antler-esque gold leaves on the top-- but I think it gets the job done. My favorite parts are the little birdies with the pinecones. It only took about an hour to make (would have been shorter, but I used wired to attach everything since there wasnt anywhere solid on the wreath to use glue) and, believe it or not, everything cost only $13.00. Pretty good deal, huh? Thank you, Michaels :) Now, if only I could get permission to put up the rest of the Christmas decorations this early!

Fall Fever

Maybe I'm nesting. Or, maybe I'm just sick of the 85 degree weather in late September. Either way, I want it to feel like fall time, and to have a cozy house to curl up in. Since I live in South Carolina, Mother Nature is refusing to relent in the summer-like weather. I just can't seem to get my way with wanting the weather and leaves to change to autumn! All is not lost, though, because I am stepping up my home-maker skills, and making it fall time in my house! Below are some of the different things I have done / plan on doing to make the autumn season come alive inside, while its still beach season outside.

1. Read a spooky Southern Gothic novel or short story-- this will get you in the mood for ghouls and witches.
• The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
• The Robber Bridegroom by Eudora Welty
• Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor (she also has several good short stories)
• Any Edgar Allan Poe stories
• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
2. Watch any movies / TV shows that make it feel like fall time-- football, Halloween, witches, etc. will all work
• The Crucible (also a play you can read)
• Hocus Pocus
• The Blindside
• Dracula or Van Helsing
• Again, Sleepy Hollow
• Any ghost / paranormal show
• The Hokies football games on Saturdays and Thursdays :o)
3. Light autumn scented candles. All of the flavors below are from Yankee Candle, but you can find similar ones almost anywhere that has a good selection of candles (I found pumpkin ones at the dollar store...).
• Spiced Pumpkin
• Autumn Leaves
• Apple Cider
• Maple Pancakes
• Cinnamon Stick
4. Consume ONLY fall time foods (I have had a blast cooking / baking new recipes). I recommend using recipes with sweet potatoes, apples, pecans, cinnamon, brown sugar, pumpkins, cranberries-- any fall fruits or veggies. Below are a few of the things I constantly have on hand or have made several times:
• Apple Cider (heated is great)
• Apple or Pumpkin Butter-- to eat with fruit, toast, or as a jelly substitute in a PB and J
• Pumpkin Pie-- a recipe can be found on the cans of pumpkin at the grocery store
• Sweet Potato Casserole (my recipe is very unhealthy, but too good not to use-- Ill put it in the next post)
5. Decorate! The candles will add some autumn ambiance, but there are tons of ways to decorate your house to get that extra fall feeling.
• Use pumpkins-- instead of carving you can paint them, punch holes in them and adorn with flowers (mums, sunflowers, etc), upholstery tacks, or anything decorative that you can stick in them, or etch your house / apartment number or monogram into them (be sure to only scrape off the orange and don't scratch / cut through the shell)... Be creative! You can even use pumpkins with the flatter tops as centerpieces-- just cut off the stem, place a small silver plate or platter on top (be sure its balanced) and place it on the table and top with food! These ideas are from the October issue of Southern Living, and look great!
• Use leaves that have changed colors-- this is cheap and easy! Find leaves that have changed into bright reds, oranges, or yellows from your yard. Rinse them off, dry them, and rub moisturizer on them. The moisturizer will keep them from drying out and rolling up. Now you can use them in a wreath, on the table for a centerpiece, or just scattered around the house.
• Create a wreath or buy one-- if making one, use colored ribbons, pine cones, colored flowers, leaves, twigs, etc... The list goes on and on!
• Lastly, I went to the dollar store... They have cheap and relatively cute decorations. I bought a miniature scarecrow and some pumpkin scented tealight candles for a few bucks.

These are all the things I have done or plan on doing soon... and my house is an autumn wonderland! Now, if only I could figure out a way to make the leaves change here and get the temperature down about 20 degrees...

Click here for Southern Living magazine pictures of the pumpkin decorations

Hokie Shirt

So, as most of you know, Derek and I are HUGE Hokie fans (gobble gobble). Also, you probably know that we are pregnant. Well, Fall is football season, and coincidentally it is also when my belly will be growing the most. And, instead of hiding my (not so little, anymore) bump, I thought I would show it off while also showing off my Hokie Pride! I really wanted a maternity Hokie shirt for the football games to do this, but the one I wanted was only sold in a small (not ever going to happen...) or I hated the other ones. Long story short, with a little creativity and sweet t-shirt design website, I made my own! I got so many laughs and compliments on it, even from Appalachian State fans, who we were (very badly) beating at the time. Some people even think I should trademark it and try to market it to the Virginia Tech bookstore. Heres to hoping, right? Below is a picture of me, in my t-shirt, with Derek at the opening home game and a close up of just me. GO HOKIES!