Are you ready for the day of Love? Valentines? It will be here in 10 days! There is still time to whip up a little love for your home.
For my farm house mantel, I kept many of my Christmas items (candles and glass jars with red balls). I pulled other things from around the house: a couple of red books I purchased from Goodwill and the little red pitcher that I believe I picked up at Dollar General a few years ago. Plus my clearance find heart ornament from Target that I picked up for 10 cents! I wanted a little bit more.
Then I whipped out my old scrapbook supplies and paper lunch bags to make my little love banner.
I cut the bottom off each bag. The cut them in half length wise. The little red hearts were hand cut from a nice piece of thick cardstock.
I inked the edges of the hearts and stamped the other letters on with foam stamps. A bit of twine, a little hot glue and it's complete. I might have made more than one.
I LOVE it! Seriously. Plus it was so very simple. Like I have always said, it doesn't have to cost a pretty penny to be beautiful.
Do you decorate for Valentines?
I don't go all out, in fact, the above is it. Besides, I think I can leave this up somewhere in the house after I take it off the mantel.
On the front porch an old sleigh found in the barn, dusted off and holds my fresh cut wreath with a simple bow.
Our Christmas tree is decked again this year with my $20 worth of decorations made four years ago, plus 2 new special ornaments Bear made at PreK, hand-print Rudolphs. The rustic nature theme fits for the farm house.
Our mantel keeps the nature theme with more large pine cones. The only new items purchased this year are the 2 tiny wreaths (from the Dollar Tree) and the adorable snowflake garland (Target, $4). The stockings are not hung here because it's been cold in Georgia and we are using the fireplace. Nice and cozy.
I've been enjoying my time off from the University. We finished up our shopping early last week and I've had time to soak in the spirit. We've had fun here too. Last week with Bear's little PreK party where we made tiny gingerbread houses (the base is a milk carton! Love that idea.)
Then kicked off our holiday weekend on Saturday morning with a North Pole Breakfast, compliments of Sam, our Elf on the Shelf.
I have spent time in the barn with our little jersey calf, AnnaBelle.
As I sat rubbing her head the other night, I thought of the song, Away in the Manger. What it must have been like for Mary to give birth to Jesus in a stable.
My wish for each of you is to enjoy the next few days surrounded by those that love you. May your days be Merry and Bright!
I know many people that have fun with the Elf on a Shelf have a North Pole Breakfast to celebrate his/her arrival. However, life was crazy and busy so that didn't happen here. Instead yesterday morning, our elf, Sam, provided a North Pole Breakfast to kick off our holiday weekend! Simple, low stress and FUN. Who says I have to be on anyone else's schedule? Besides a little boy didn't know the difference. ;-)
To set the mood, I pulled out some of my previous years Christmas decor: a cute little Santa and Snowman, snowflakes, the pine cone trees Bear and I crafted last year, along with a pedestal found from Goodwill that I had spray painted. I also found my foam snow flakes and candles from last year's New Years Tablescape.
Then I set the table.
Dollar General paper snowmen plates, paper towel 'napkins' fancied up with a candy cane and some of my ribbon stash. Plus 2 sweet little Santa ornaments found in my wrapping paper box that I had never used as a 'favor' for our little breakfast party. The adorable Snowmen mugs were a recent gift from Granny.
The menu was all North Pole Breakfast foods: Snowball donuts, Berry Merry Muffins, Snowmen filled with popcorn.
Fruit candy cane, made with apple slices and a banana. The store was out of strawberries, so I used what I had on hand! Bear loves apples.
To drink: Hot chocolate with 'snow' whipped cream.
Thanks to Pinterest for this easy and adorable snowman cup to hold our popcorn. Totally makes it OK for breakfast right?! Ha! You could also fill them with marshmallows.
Total spent for our little breakfast was $3! I purchased the $1 paper plates and the Merry Christmas picks for the muffins. That was it.
That sweet smile: PRICELESS! Bed head hair and all. He loved it! What a way to kick off our holiday weekend and enjoy the Christmas magic. Bear woke up my baby girl (who is 21!) to have breakfast with him. She played big sister right along with him in the spirit of Christmas 'excitement'. These are the things this precious child (who is my nephew that we have custody of for 2 years now) will remember. Thanks Sam!
Our little Elf on the Shelf isn't 'naughty' at all! He does do a few silly things, like making a balloon ride from Bear's underwear:
Or fun things like our North Pole Breakfast. Thanks for the memories Sam! We are going to miss you, but we know you will return next year in time for the holidays to spread a bit of Christmas cheer to a little boy.
Why is it that the most wonderful time of the year usually leaves us feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, run down and over ran? Because we allow it to happen.
This past Sunday, Bear was an angel (how ironic) in the church children's Christmas program. After they sang their little hearts out, the pastor spoke on Peace. He even asked if there was anyone feeling a bit overwhelmed from trying to do it ALL?!
THAT is when it HIT ME! I do NOT have to 'do it all'. That's right. Go ahead and put me on your 'naughty' list if you must. Or you can even call me Scrooge.
However, I've decided Christmas will come and go regardless if I miss a few activities. It will still be Christmas morn even if I drastically shorten my Christmas shopping list and have decided that I really just can't get into the commercialism side of this holiday.
Don't go freaking out on me yet! We still decorated our Christmas tree, will be hanging the stockings and even have two small white trash blow ups outside the farm house (Santa and a Reindeer). Bear also attended his 3rd annual local Christmas parade and visit with Santa. Plus 'Sam' our Elf on the Shelf has arrived and is spreading a bit of elf antics. He doesn't misbehave because what would that teach a 5 year old little boy? Sam is enjoying the simple things in life too; like camping out under the tree.
Along with having a bit of elfish silliness.
Usually each year I have a huge list of crafty gifts to make for family and friends. This year the list is shorter and simplified. Unlike year's past where I have made many homemade/handmade gifts: For 5 inexpensive ideas visit HERE, and a thrifty quick gift idea for anyone, then there are also the bit more time involved projects of last Christmas. Today is my last day of work for 2012. I am lucky that I work at a local University where I will have a week's vacation and a week of holidays. So next week there will be a bit of baking and crafting going on at the farm. Along with attending the Christmas party at Bear's school. The difference for me this year is that I have given myself permission to not feel the pressure of doing it all by deciding that less really IS more. Also, slowing down to enjoy the experiences we choose to participate in. I do not want to be in Holiday Hell. I can go sit in the barn with AnnaBelle (our jersey calf) and reflect on what it must have been like for Mary to give birth in a stable surrounding by animals. Maybe I should get the family together, along with hot chocolate...go to the barn with Rosie (the jersey milk cow), her calf, chickens, turkeys and barn kitty to share the real Christmas story. Sounds like a wonderful family night to me, far removed from the hustle and bustle!
“Focus is often a matter of deciding what things you’re not going to do.” – John Carmack
It's coming. Ya know that romantic love filled holiday that is way over commercialized. I heard on the radio last week that the 'average' person will spend $125 on Valentine's gifts. Seriously?!?! I don't need fancy expensive gifts. Come on, I'm the gal that loves a Goodwill wardrobe! Gimme a break, $125 is just a budget buster. So here are a few frugal, low cost Valentine date ideas. So you can't go out? Let's stay in and be lovey dovey.
Fireside movie - Redbox is your friend! Pick up a movie, pop some popcorn, make your favorite dessert, wine - if you drink it. Then toss a comfy blanket and pillows on the living room floor. Or curl up on the sofa together. If you have little one's, put them to bed a bit early. ;-)
Source Candlelit bath or hot tub - Grab that iPod or an old radio, light some candles, fix your favorite drink and go for a soak.
Romantic dinner - Gather things from around the house, lots of candles and set a pretty candlelit table for two. You can pick up something on the way home (pizza even), pop something in the crock pot or whip up a simple meal. Bake up a special dessert! It's not about the food. A quiet meal for two, lit by candles, sharing a great conversation. How often does that happen with little ones?
Maybe you have wrangled the teenager into babysitting or are empty nesters...here are a few cheap inexpensive date night ideas without the crush of waiting in long lines at the typical restaurants.
Coffee date - Even if there isn't a Starbucks nearby, most towns have quaint little coffee shops these days. Treat yourselves to a fancy coffee drink. (This is also a good 'stay in' date - coffee and dessert).
Library - Visit your local library. It's Free! Check out a romance novel to read aloud together.
Tourist - Be a tourist in your own town. Walk downtown. Pack a picnic for a local park. Take pictures of all the fun places. Hold hands.
Fast food candle-lit dinner - Grab some candles at home and head out for a dinner date. Who says it has to be an expensive dinner? Dress up and take candles to your local fast food joint or Waffle House! I heard one couple did this and had the best conversations because of it. Also, check your local paper. I've also heard several fast food places go all out on Valentine's. One person told me about a Chick-fil-a that has candle-lit dinners and servers; only on Valentine's.
Valentine's Day doesn't have to be a budget buster. I would much rather spend a bit of quality time together. With a little creativity it could turn into one of those nights you can't stop talking about without breaking the bank.
Share your favorite cheap date night idea! I'd love to hear them.
Anyone that knows me, knows I like to keep things simple, easy, fun and inexpensive.
The same goes for our little celebration tonight to ring in 2012.
We will have a couple of friends down on the farm along with keeping things kid friendly.
Of course, the table is shiny
Photo compliments of my iPhone via InstaGram.
My friends like to pick on me about being all fancy and such.
Not really, I just thought this was so pretty and if you read the post about it, you find it's really cheap frugal.
But this is about the MENU Sherri! Yeah, Yeah, I'm getting to the food really I am.
Finger foods, so we can munch, play and enjoy the evening.
During the after Christmas sales, I picked up some of the sugar pearl sprinkles to use. I'm using silver liners to match the table decor and keeping it simple, a store bought mix. Shhhh, don't spill the beans.
Chips and dip
That's it folks!
I have silly party hats, noise horns and will be making a few of these for kicks and giggles:
Mine won't be as fancy, but Bear will think they are cute.
What's a night down on the farm without one of these?
Good friend, family, fun foods and a fire. All the best F words. ;-)
I will share a few photos of all the fixin's on my Blog Facebook Fan page later this evening.
Whatever you and your family are enjoying tonight, at home or out...I want to wish each one of you
the HAPPIEST of New Year's in 2012!
We will see you from down on the farm, next year! ;-)
