five minute autumn wreath :: a tutorial

Last week I made a fabulous new wreath for our front door. I saw the design on Pinterest, clicked immediately over to The 36th Avenue blog and read the instructions. Within two days, I had gathered my supplies and the wreath took shape. It turned out even better than I imagined! Sadly, I'm not sharing that project here today. You see, I was all excited to decorate for fall on Tuesday, took out the wreath, hung it on our front door, shut the door...well, no. I couldn't shut. the. door. The wreath is too thick to fit between the storm door and our interior door. Who would have even thought to measure for that? Ahem. So, that lovely wreath now hangs in our kitchen where I see it 100+ times a day. See, not a fail at all!

Today, I looked at our unadorned white door and grumbled. It is September. Autumn decor must be displayed. It's my favorite season. Everything apple and pumpkin and lovely warm colors! So, off to the craft store I went to try again and on the cheap. I saw one ready made wreath I loved but at $50? No, not happening. Armed with a coupon and keeping an eye out for sale signs, I picked up bits here and there, brought them home and got to work. FIVE MINUTES later, I was done and happy. You read that right. 5 minutes.

I made the wreath using very simple supplies from AC Moore, the nearest craft store to our home. Prices will vary at other stores but every big box craft store will have similar supplies on hand right now, likely at a discount. I did not pay full price for one piece of this project:

You will need:

Grapevine wreath // $2.50 (regular $4.99, used 50% Michael's mobile coupon)

Leaf Garland to wrap around // $3 (on sale, regular $5.98)

Berry Picks x 4 // $0.50/ea (on sale, regular $1.00)

Burlap bow // $3.59 ready made in the floral design section (on sale, regular $5.99)

Instructions:

1) Wrap the garland around the wreath, attaching it to the back with wire or pins. Or, since my garland had lops at either end, I just hooked it on a cut piece of the grapevine on the back and started wrapping, then did the same for the ending.

2) Add bow with wire. Mine came with a tan pipe cleaner as a stabilizer so I just twisted that around the wreath. 

3) Add two berry picks to either side of the bow. Just stick them into the dense grapevine.

4) Hang your finished wreath.

Totally do-able in 5 minutes while your infant eats puffs next to you and your toddler runs circles around your feet with a toy truck, yelling, "beeeeeep, beeeeeep!" Oh wait, is that just my house?

it's monday, i'm in luck...

happy st. paddy's day!

On this lucky day, this part-Irish blogger and mom has decided to make a return to posting. The adjustment from two to three children has been heart wrenching and wonderful. Adding a newborn to the family at the same time as we settled in to our new home and have been working on selling our condo? Well, it's been an adventure we won't forget. Ever. I have so much to say and to share from photos to project life to recipes (yes, I've been cooking too!). Today is for a photo share and what we are having for dinner on this Irish eve.

These three cuties indulged me in a few photos this morning, sporting their green and orange. The Irish in their blood may be quite diluted but, they sure wear the colors well!

As for dinner, I thought briefly about making corned beef and cabbage. While it's okay once a year, it's just not my favorite meal. Considering that it would only be Mr. Boom and I eating the meal (the boys? Ha!), I decided the effort was better spent on something else. It happens to be frigid outside - in the 20's - so, a hearty soup seemed in order. Enter a new favorite recipe: Zuppa Tuscana. I know, I know. Italian soup? But, it totally counts...see?

 

Make this. You'll be so glad you did!

Zuppa Tuscana

Credit: SteakNPotatoesKindaGurl

• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 1 lb ground hot Italian sausage
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups (32 oz) chicken stock
• 3 cups russet potatoes, cubed
• 3/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups kale, in bite size pieces
• 1 cup whipping cream
• parmesan cheese, grated
  

In a large pot, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain the grease. Add the sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once sausage is browned and crumbled, drain off grease leaving a tbsp to saute the onion.

Push the sausage and bacon to the edge of the pot and add the onion to the center; saute until translucent; add garlic; saute until fragrant.

Stir in the stock and potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Add kale (I used a baby kale and spinach mix) and whipping cream. Bring to a simmer. Top with parmesan cheese, when serving.

NOTES:
- Instead of hot italian sausage, I used mild and added some crushed red pepper
- After the first time I made this recipe, my husnad asked if it could be creamier/thicker instead of brothy. This time (as pictured above), just before adding the kale and cream, I removed about 1 cup of the potatoes and some broth and blended them in my Magic Bullet then added back to the soup pot. Instant creamy texture without cooking the soup down. Perfect! I'll do this each time.

santa success!!!

Last Saturday, we attended a pancake Breakfast with Santa at our local high school. While we had already visited with Santa the week prior and gor some great photos, this was another chance for both boys to have some more time with the guy in the big red suit. And, it was another success!

We have been teaching George about Santa and the Christmas story for the past month. The preparation all paid off! After two years of crying and fear, this year he was so excited to meet Santa. And Jack's first time? Complete awe!

a spooky, wild halloween...

Living in Headless Horseman territory means that Halloween is a month-long event.  Banners fly high over the main street, telling the tale of the night the monster rode across the famed bridge.  A sinister scarecrow greets all those who dare drive or wander the streets.  It is a sight to behold. And the traffic from all of the tourists?  Possibly the spookiest part of all! 

This year, we added our own little blue monster to the mix. Activities for the youngest goblins in town took place on Friday afternoon.  Little did we know that these would be the only town activities we would be able to experience this year as Mother Nature had an entirely different type of scare up her sleeve the very next day (more on that coming soon). 

So the monster was suited up and we made our way through town charming, er, scaring, everyone in our path...

And a wild, wonderful time was had by all...especially Mama and Baba who soaked up every minute of this little monster's joy.

it was a happy easter indeed...

We had a wonderful Easter weekend full of family, playtime and food. My parents were in town to celebrate with us and to get some much needed George time. Though the weather wasn't ideal, we were able to take advantage of a brief clearing on Saturday for a park trip and Sunday morning was warm and full of beautiful sun for Easter mass. Here is the re-cap, in photos...

My dad, book reader extraordinaire. Just look at the adoration!

Sliding is fun!

Fun at the park with Pop and YiaYia...

Thanks Easter Bunny!

With the traditional Greek Easter lamb. My oh so handsome guys in their finest... 

A reluctant bunny...

 Thanks to my dad for this new favorite family photo...

happy valentine's day...

George would like to give you all a virtual Valentine!

This is the Shutterfly card I ended up selecting to send to our family.  Not at all traditional but, if you can't have a little fun and whimsy with this holiday, when can you? This design was perfect for that cheeky, dimpled smiling face. And, he looks good in orange.

 

the month of love and...a giveaway!!!

Valentine's Day.  I have vivid memories of the holiday in my elementary school years.  Painstakingly decorating a paper mailbox for my desk (always a class project), selecting just the right character themed valentines for my classmates, deciding which of my friends would get the coveted larger cards in the box and then the fun of tearing open all of the sticker seals or tiny envelopes handed out that special day and deciding which were the favorites. And, of course, conversation hearts!

Then the angst of middle and high school Valentine's Days.  The anticipation of wondering whether a crush would reveal himself by passing along a card, candy or the most meaningful single red rose.  In young adult years and in longer relationships, the day was about nice dinners out, and the tightrope mushy cards that communicated that we cared but, not quite saying "I love you."

Now, Valentine's Day is a fun excuse to send a sweet sentiment to loved ones and friends. My husband and I exchange cards but, skip gifts and overpriced restaurant dinners.  We don't need this one assigned day to express our love for one another when we do it all through the year. February is our month anyway with the emphasis on our February 28th wedding anniversary!

Having George sets the Valentine timeline in motion again.  The next few years will just be fun for us, dressing him a cute outfit and taking sweet photos to share.  But, before we know it, we'll be taking him to shop for paper valentines. This year, I'm planning to send out some holiday cards to a few of our nearest and dearest - a very fun excuse to share how big our boy is getting. We ordered our Christmas cards from Shutterfly and were so thrilled with their selection and results that I have brand loyalty but, which design?  I'm loving both of these.  Which I choose will depend on the orientation of the final photo :)

So darling!!!  If cards aren't your thing, I've also ordered photo gifts and mugs from Shutterfly and have been very pleased. 

Okay, you've read this far so here is the GIVEAWAY!  Shutterfly is generously offering 25 FREE Valentine's Day photo cards to one of my readers (s&h is not included).  Want to win? 

Here's how to enter:

1) Leave a comment on this post telling me and Shutterfly what Valentine's Day means to you this year (Mandatory entry).  Make sure you enter your e-mail when commenting so that I can reach you in the event you are the winner.

2) Share a link to this blog post on Facebook AND leave a separate comment telling me you've shared (one extra entry)

3) Tweet a link to this blog post AND leave a separate comment telling me you've shared (one extra entry)

I will draw a random winner after 5:00 pm EST on Thursday, February 3rd.  Good luck!!!

*Standard disclaimer: Shutterfly is providing me with 25 cards, as well as the giveaway, in return for this post.  However, I only accept giveaways from companies that I trust and have used in the past with excellent quality results.  The end.

and a happy 4th it was...

Our celebration started a little early with a BBQ and fireworks on Friday night. My in-laws' backyard has an unobstructed view of the exact area of sky where the fireworks are launched. This was our third year in a row celebrating over great grilled food and a spectacular show - minus the crowds or traffic. Perfect!
On the 4th we took a short road trip to visit my cousin, her husband and daughter in NJ. They live in a picturesque little town right on the PA border with a lot to do this time of year. Lucky for us, the nearby tourist area of Peddler's Village was having a festival. Walking around the beautiful grounds, popping in and out of the shops and eating some treats was a great way to enjoy the perfect weather and the holiday. While pregnancy brain had both my cousin and I forgetting our cameras (yes, she's also expecting!) my iPhone came in handy for this shot of the cute and curious Sophie.
-- posted from my iPhone