Scrapbook Leaves

I adore pretty paper, and I use a lot of scrapbook paper in my classroom. I mounted some of my students' writing this past week, and decided to use the scraps to make decorative oak leaves for our kitchen window.



I made a smaller version for our mantle. I challenged myself by not spending any money to decorate for changing of the seasons, and it turned out okay. I used a burlap and fabric scrap, vases, mason jars, small decorative apples, and pine cones (that needed to come out of our yard anyways).



Not quite done with it yet, but it is getting there! It's amazing how creative and resourceful one can be on a strict budget!

When Your Name Is Mack

You obviously have to drive a Mack truck!

A Little Batty

Last week Mack and I were both a bit under the weather. We stayed home and relished in some TLC that we both provided to one another. By afternoon, we both had mustered up enough energy to make October official. With a craft of course. Most would think that a one year old has no interest in crafts, and I would fully agree. He did let me trace his little hand in order to make a Halloween bat. Poor kid doesn't stand a chance with a mom as a teacher!

Step 1: Trace hands on black construction paper and cut out.



Step 2: Glue two hands together. Paper ones, not your child's!!



Step 3: Cut out circle for bat's head.


Step 4: Glue on googly eyes, ears, and fangs (polka dot ones make him ever scarier!)


You can also use your little one's thumbs as the ears...


We tied our bats to our dining room chandelier to enjoy during this spooky month!

Fun on the Farm

Old "Mack"Donald turned one last weekend and we celebrated with a barnyard bash!

The food table. Please excuse my misspelling of y'all. My South Georgian husband calls me a Yankee all the time, and he loves this error.


My Daddy has taught me to love all things green!

Cousin Kole loves 'em too!

Cousin Ellie rather have baby dolls than tractors!


He's a natural...



Mack's guest made pig mask and sheep out of their hands.

I love my Papa



Nothing better than eating boiled peanuts with your Great-Granddaddy.

One cute, but worn out farmer!


The birthday boy!



Let them eat cake. And he did. The WHOLE thing!




Thank you to the Publix bakery for creating two adorable cakes that they had never done before.

The Kitchen

The kitchen before. I wish I had taken more pictures, but it really was that small.

The kitchen after...







The kitchen is DONE my friends and I couldn't be happier. You always hear that the kitchen is the heart of a home and it is definitely true. Without a working one I thought I was going to have a heart attack! Hope to have many more posts about projects that come are created in the kitchen now that we have one!

Cabinets are Ox Hill in Picket Fence by Martha Stewart for Home Depot. Appliances are GE. Counter tops are Verona Taupe granite.

White Out

Our fireplace was in desperate need of a facelift when we moved in. It was dark, dirty, and dingy.


After being painted white, it is my favorite part of the family room.


Here comes the hard part, dressing it up to show off its facelift. Please leave me any ideas you have on how to "decorate" a fireplace. I have a few ideas (one being black grill paint on those brass doors), but need some guidance.

Happy Labor Day to you all. Especially to my husband (pictured above laboring) who spent 7 1/2 hours in the yard today. Bless his heart!