The evenings are getting really cold here. So when it was still warm at dusk, we couldn’t help but stay outside enjoying it. The kids running around, rolling down the hill, weaving in and out of the apple trees, climbing. I couldn’t resist this beautiful scene as the kids played on the hill. Beautiful to me.

Do you have moments as a mom where you can actually see your child evolve and grow right before your eyes? That a spark in them has been lite and you can see it in their eyes. Hear it in the voice. Even their personality and attitude seem to shine a little brighter.

This was one of them. I watched six very excited but nervous kids hop on a horse picked for them. This wasn’t the first time for any of them to be on a horse.  It was the first time for my children to go on a trail ride. No one holding the lead, no arena to contain them. No shelter of the barn walls. No parents. Just them, the horse and the guides.  We watched them walk out, a little uncertain of themselves. They came back with a new confidence.  

I had locked my keys in the car and had to wait for my husband to come rescue us. Surprisingly the time was well spent. The kids chatted and talked about the whole experience. Silly things that the horse did, the beautiful woods they walked through. The scary moments, that they conquered. Bouncing on the balls of their feet, wondering when we can do it all again. I think I enjoyed watching them, seeing them, feeling the positive energy coming off of them more than they enjoyed the ride. And that’s saying quite a lot. I’m marking that moment in my mental calendar as a day I will cherish. A day I actually seen them grow.

It’s good to be a mom.

Work in progress…….

She informed me that she’s making snake necklaces………

Last of fall harvest, fruits and veggies………..

Another rainy day idea….shrinky dinks. You can never go wrong with these.

My daughter’s friends birthday is coming up soon. These shrinky dinks gave us a cute birthday idea or at least a cute tag to embellish the bag with. BFF charms. We ran out of paper, so a quick trip to the store before the party is needed. We are going to decorate it with things that represent the girls, their friendship, their interests and each others feelings. Make it far more personalized than one you can buy at the store. Then we are going to cut it in two pieces, hole punch each side. One customized charm for each girl…dinky style. Handmade gift from the heart.

The sun has come out today, warming our bones. The last few days have been chilly and damp. Perfect for curling up and reading. The kids being stuck inside pulled out their knot tying book, and practiced them by making leashes for their pet rocks and lassoing each other with duck tape and ropes. Quite comical watching kids walk through the house each happily dragging a rock behind them. Imagination at it’s best. 
A few books I have been flipping through.

Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials

Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures

In Handmade Home, the letter holder is a must on my list. Perfect for having a spot to place all the letters, cards and hand written keepsakes. In hopes of encouraging more writing, including myself.

A plastic sack holder was inspired by Sewing Green. I don’t remember seeing it among the pages, but the book motivated me to make one. I had one of these years ago, but “cringing” and whispering.. I threw it away because I thought they were ugly. I still think that they are not on the prettiest side, but it’s most definitely green (in more ways than one) and the sacks I reuse whether in my home or taking back to the grocery store to be recycled. This is the most efficient way to store them. Stashing them under the cabinet always resulting in them popping out like springs when I opened the door, which is kind of embarrassing when you have company. Now they have a home, tucked neatly up and out of the way.

While doing a little blog visiting I came across Jenny’s new owlsorts. It’s has some wonderful “hallow eve” inspiration. Next thing I knew, I have an embroidery to hang. Folk art style. My daughters told me it was a little creepy and silly. No hurt feelings here…O’No…Perfect, it was just what I was aiming for. I put it behind a cute old frame, which I’m borrowing…gotta give it back when I’m done. (I should have washed the glass before the picture…oops!)

Here’s a few more fall season inspiration sites. Enjoy! And stay warm…it’s crazy cool here. I think we have just passed up autumn all together and moved on into early winter.

Etsy Halloween costumes

Peg People My youngest painted her snowman last year black..I think i might just have to get him out.

Who needs fall flowers when you can have these legs