No theme this week….

I found this article the other day. I love how it validates and uplifts mothers. I think we should do that more often.




I’m absolutely in love with this amazing birdcage chandelier from Restoration Hardware. It’s completely out of my price range at over $2,000. This diy version is super cute – and A LOT more affordable. Now I just need to find an old gently used birdcage…

I have two old wooden spoons that are going to be used to make a bird feeder with the kids this weekend. I love it when something that needed to get tossed out can instead be used for something else. You can find the directions and material list on the Family Fun website.

I also think I’m going to ask a few of these questions this weekend. I’m interested to hear the answers.

And one thing that I want to chat about…

I love pinterest and I love that so many other people are finding it and loving it too because it’s a great place.. But I’m noticing a trend of “uploaded by user” and untraceable pins and the people who are spending hours creating content – taking photographs, writing tutorials, perfecting recipes – deserve the clicks and credit. So I’m sharing a few good steward “rules” that were shared by Darcy over at my 3 boybarians

I’m not perfect at this either. But moving forward, I will not repin (and over the next few weeks will delete) pins that can’t be traced to content sources. Please be courteous of the people who work so hard to create content. Pin responsibly.

What have you found this week?

Sniffle, sniffle. Cough, cough. We’ve all been struck down with one bug or another this week so I thought I’d theme this Friday finds over quiet things to do. Whether you are trying to keep big(ger)s occupied while rocking a baby to sleep, or keep your little quiet while at church (or so you can lie on the couch nursing a sinus headache), here are some of my favorites:

I stole this super simple idea from my mom. She used to draw out a “doodle” (one big swirling line that ends up exactly where it started after going over itself a few times) and hand us a box of crayons. We’d fill each section with a different color. V will spend a good hour working on one of these.

We’ve definitely used a few of these ideas this week. My favorite is the storytelling game. We played a variation where I’d say, “I need something that starts with the letter __” and she’d find it and I’d build a story around it. Fun.

After finding this, I’ve been thinking of putting together a quiet book of our own. And because I don’t have enough pinterest boards, I’m definitely going to have make a board just for the plethora of adorable ideas out there!

I love this sorting game. I grabbed two sets of those pen cups (they were only $1/set) one in pink and green.

I found this idea here but on short notice I just used a deck of cards and called out a number. V and A both had half the deck and they had to see who came up with the number first.

So…what are some of the things you do to keep your children quietly occupied when you have things to get done or are feeling under the weather?

Last year we made heart shaped crayons for V’s classmates. This year, I think it’s going to be one of these three. You can click on the link to find the printable.  

This envelope is super cute – I’m going to try and make mine (because I’m like that) but you can also order it from Pottery Barn Kids. What I really love is the story of how this family is using theirs.

I think this would be an easy way to decorate a special Valentine’s Day dinner with the kiddos.

And this would make the cutest card for Grandma and Grandpa.

Source:A Day in the Life

I love these barrettes. Here is a great tutorial from the Purl Bee.They also have one on making pins.

Do you have any valentine’s craft plans? Or a favorite valentine you’ve received?

So tonight is our annual Christmas party. It’s the best kind of party – held at the “Fancy Fancy” – no cleaning, cooking, or stocking a bar. Just showing up and enjoying the company of our friends.

I bought a pretty amazing pair of shoes too:

I couldn’t decide between the fuchsia and the black but finally decided on the “practical” black. I’d also just like to say I LOVE Zappos. Good selection and GREAT customer service. I’ve ordered from them four different times – they’ve always arrived quickly, returns are SIMPLE, and their prices are pretty nice too.

I love this $90 necklace from charity water. A lot of their merchandise actually goes to creating wells, but with this necklace $60 actually goes toward the operating costs (rent, staff, etc) of the organization. Just think what a conversation starter this could be! I love it!

A couple of charms from Brighton have caught my eye, but I think these scissors are PERFECT for the scrapbooking, embroidering, sewing crafter lady.

I happened upon Pat’s Design when I was browsing around etsy. I love these key chains. I think it would be so fun to have one that has the birth years of Mr. G, me, V, and A.

So I pinned this bucket necklace awhile back – I loved the whole “bucket list” reminder aspect of it. And thought it was just pretty cool and unique. And then I went to look at it one day – and I couldn’t find it on poppytalk handmade anymore. Silly me. If you have any idea where it might come from – PLEASE, PLEASE let me know.

Do you have any “little” things that have caught your eye lately?

We’ll be very busy decorating the tree this weekend and so my mind has been on ornaments. It seemed like a perfect Friday finds post…

I just love these little wreaths. What a fun and easy pop of color for the tree.

I know a few people who absolutely LOVE Scrabble. These would be perfect for them.

And it wouldn’t be Christmas without crafting a few ornaments with the kids. This, these, and these are all on my list to make with the kids.

Do you have a friend or family member who needs a “First Christmas” ornament? I love these – either using a birth announcement or wedding invitation.

As for Baby’s first Christmas ornaments this one has me swooning.

I just love Christmas ornaments and the stories they tell. Laughing over the ones we made as children (and hiding them in back), digging out a treasure that hung on a grandparent’s tree, remembering with Baby’s Firsts and Our New Home ornaments.

Do you have a treasured ornament? Tell me about it!

P.S.
I’m back on Facebook. I tweaked some security settings (fingers crossed that works) and luckily Facebook won’t permanently delete you until a deleted profile has been inactive for two weeks. So I’ve returned. I just missed my UpsideDown Kate page too much!