Fall Gardening!

 

FALL GARDENING!

 

My favorite thing in Fall is planting a garden!  In Arizona it is just too hot to grow a garden in the summer,

so I have withdrawls.

 

As the weather starts to cool, I can't wait to plant new plants.  This year the girls helped me plant (okay a little, and then they lost interest.)

 

I so enjoy seeing my plants popping up, it makes me so happy and calm to sit and enjoy the garden!

 

This year I planted lettuce, spinach, broccoli, radishes, carrots, onions, cilantro, dill, basil, parsley, lavender, and I am testing tomatoes and eggplant.  I am still planning on planting peas.

 

What are you Growing this year? 

Any tips?  I would love to hear!

 

 

 

 

 

Guest Post - Robot Party

Guest Featured Party - Robot Party

I am in party mode right now, planning my older daughter's birthday next month and wanted to share this amazing party!  My friend Marlis with Curly Q Bowtique throws amazing birthday parties for her son and daughter.  I asked her if she would share her latest, a Robot Party for her son.

Invitations:

 

Wording Read:

Greeting humans! I’m Bob the birthday bot…

I have come to deliver an urgent message to you.

All the party detail were listed on the circular piece that was attached with the Bob’s arms (accordion folded paper).

Made with Heritage Makers on-line card and scrapbooking program.

Kari Pieratt: Heritage Makers Consultant

www.freeyourphotos.com

480-390-9120

 

Food:

Pizza with pepperoni to keep in the theme of circular gear shape food

Chex Mix:  Nuts and bolts

Small Ritz crackers: Gears

Computer Chips: Chips

Food labels made using Heritage Makers and stands are IKEA place card holders/napkin rings

 

Drinks:

Juice boxes in small beverage bucket labeled Robot Fuel

 

Desserts:

Cupcakes: Robot cupcakes inspired from family fun magazine

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/rad-robot-cupcakes-984990/

Marshmallows Pops: Very easy to make these treats. Frost the ends of the marshmallows with regular frosting and then dip into a bowl of sprinkles. Insert the stick and you’re done!

Activity:

Build your own robot using pretzel sticks and 3 different size marshmallows. The kids got the biggest kick over the oversize campfire marshmallows.

 

Punch Box:

As fun as piñatas are, they are always a stressful time for me during a party.  A lot of kids with blind folds and swinging bats dying to be the first to get their hands on candy…it’s an accident just waiting to happen.  I found instructions on how to make a punch box and adapted it to make a robot. Each child took a turn punching out one of the holes and getting a prize. This avoids swigging bats altogether and each child ends up with an equal prize.

Design Inspired by http://blog.celebratethebigandsmall.com/2011/09/29/all-about-the-packaging-candy-button-punch-box-tutorial/

Decorations:

I purchased vintage robots from www.robotisland.com to place around the tables.

The flag banners were from Dollar Tree and the paper pinwheel “gears” I ordered on-line. I found robot and gear pattern paper to use as table centerpieces with balloons tied to large nuts for weights. I created assorted tags with robots and the number 6 to place around on the tables.

I purchased robot napkins from www.bigdotofhappiness.com .


I purchased robot ribbon from Hobby Lobby to tie to the serving trays, drink bucket and other things around the party.

Party Favors:

Robot Containers inspired by Family Fun Magazine http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/can-do-robots-674831/ I roamed Home Depot for about an hour collecting random hardware pieces to create the robot faces.  A few weeks after the party I discovered the local swap meet had several vendors who sold many hardware parts that would have been great to use for very reasonable prices.

I filled each container with a individually wrapped Rice Krispy Treat, robot pencil and stretchy robot (Michael’s $ section) a few Hershey Kisses and crinkle paper. I made a tag for each container saying “thanks for coming to my party” using Heritage Makers.

Party Attire:

 

I purchased a robot T-shirt for my son from www.cafepress.com I had a hard time finding a girly robot shirt for my daughter, so created my own from a white t-shirt and an iron-on pink glitter kit that can be purchased from www.joanns.com .

What do you think?  I just love all of her creative ideas!

You can find Marlis on Etsy and Facebook where she creates awesome capes and dress up clothes.  Perfect for Halloween!

Happy Fall- Sweet Inspiration Decorating for Fall

Happy Fall!

 

Here is a Fall Sweet Inspiration for decorating your home. 

I just love this simple and stunning entry table.

via House and Home


Have you decorated for Fall yet?


Also, winner of the Sweetest Memory 300+ Sales is..........

Lindsey Gain!  Congrats Lindsey!

300+ Sales Giveaway - $30 Shop Credit!

 

 

Yippee!  A fews ago I hit 300 sales in my Etsy shop and celebrated my 30 something birthday (okay getting close to the other number.)

To celebrate I am giving away a

$30 shop credit to my shop

AND

a Floral Leather Bracelet!

You will be the first to have this lovely bracelet from my new product line!  Get it before they go up in the shop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CLOSED   Thank you so much for participating! Entries close Tuesday, September 25th at 11:59 pm. All entries will be verified. A winner will be announced within one week. Good Luck!

A summer view from my Backyard

I live in the Sonoran desert.  While everyone is talking about Fall, it is still summer here.  The summers are hot and we get very little rain.  The one thing that breaks up our heat, and something I pray for.......is rain.  Here in the desert we get monsoons, that are huge, wonderful thunderstorms.  I would do rain dances if I knew how!

These pictures were taken in the morning after a night of rain.  I love how you can see the rain drops still on our Agave.

 

 

 Take a close look at this little guy-

 

 

 This is a Cicada skin.  The detail is amazing.  Do you have these where you live?  Even if you haven't seen them, you have heard them! 

 

(My husband hates them because they only come out when it is hot, and you always know when the heat is coming when transitioning from Spring to Summer.)

 

I think the larvae (grubs) have invaded my garden. 

 

Any suggestions on how to safely get rid of grubs from your garden?  There are no plants right now.  It is way too hot!  But, I want to plant my winter garden next month and need to get these guys out of there!  (No, I don't have any chickens!)

 

 

 And this old guy is Cruiser, our only "pet". 

He is a Sonoran Desert Tortoise. 

 

We adopted him from my Aunt and Uncle.  You can't take these guys from the wild, but once they have been in captivity you can't release them back to the wild.  We estimate him to be 60 - 70 years old.  I call him "grumpy old man."  He is friendly, but he has one thing on his mind - FOOD!  If we don't have food and he is out, he heads to his underground den to keep cool.  They hibernate 6 months of the year, so they are a fairly low maintenance friend.

 

Sonoran Desert Tortioses can only be adopted not bought.  For more information and find out about adopting a tortoise, or learning more about them you can visit The Sonoran Desert Museum's Tortoise Adoption Program on-line to learn more.

 

What is in your backyard?

My Studio Space aka my dining room - Featured on AZ Life and Style Blog

I am so honored to have my studio space aka my dining room featured on AZ Life and Style blog. 

You can learn more about me, see pictures of me working, my workspace and enter to win a clutch!

Here is the lovely clutch I am giving away!

 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE POST! 

http://www.azlifeandstyle.com/2012/09/art-studio-tours-sweetest-memory.html

 

 

Guest Post - A new mom with Cancer

Guest Post - There is Hope After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
by Heather Von St. James

 

 

 

There is Hope After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

You have cancer.

Those are three scary words. I know firsthand because I have heard those three words before. I was diagnosed with cancer during a time where everything in my life was going great.  I had just given birth three and a half months ago, and now I was being told that I had a rare form of cancer.

I was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. That is a cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. There are two questions that I get very often when I tell people my story. The first question is, “Isn’t asbestos banned?” The next question is, “Where did you get exposed to asbestos?” No, asbestos has not been banned is the answer to the first question. Secondary exposure is the answer to the second question. My father worked in construction, and he brought asbestos home in his car, clothes and jacket.

I was only 36 years old when I was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. Mayo Clinic had only heard of one other person who had been diagnosed with this at such a young age. Most of the people who developed mesothelioma were older males who had worked in plumbing, construction or heating. Soon, I began to realize that I was not alone. The number of people being diagnosed with mesothelioma began to increase at an alarming rate.

Many of the people being diagnosed with mesothelioma are in their 20s and 30s. They are just starting their careers, getting married and having babies. A mesothelioma diagnosis can cause a person's life to come to a screeching halt. The good news is that there is hope. More people are surviving thanks to the advances in medical treatment.

Many people may wonder why I choose to share my story of surviving mesothelioma. The reason that I share my story is because I want to bring awareness. I feel like nothing will change unless awareness is brought to this issue. I know that my story can offer hope to someone who has just been diagnosed with mesothelioma. I also know that my story can stop people from fearing mesothelioma. I know that if I can give a few people hope, then all of my hard work will not be in vain.

How I found out I had cancer: I felt what I call "bone tired" all the
time. I was soo exhausted. At one point I even had to take a break
walking up the stairs with my laundry. I was watching Lily at home that
day and I layed my head down for what I thought would be 2 second and
woke up later on.. thank gosh Lily was happily sitting in her bouncy
chair. I knew then that I had to do to the doctor.. and it's all history
from there.. lots of test later, we found out the culprit from the liter
of fluid in my lungs.

What treatment I went through: I went to Boston, to see one of the best
meso doctors in the country, Dr. David Sugarbaker. I underwent an
extrapleural pneumonectomy, basically, my whole lung was removed along
with all the surrounding tissue and replaced with surgical gore-tex.
Then, I had a heated chemo wash. I was in the hopsital recovering for 18
days after that and then spent another 2 months recovering before
undergoing chemo and radiation.

What helped me get through treatments: The love and support of my family
members and the thought that I needed to get home to my baby girl. I
missed the whole 6th month of Lily's life, but I knew it was what needed
to be done in order  for me to still be here today. My parents took Lily
in their home in SD all while I went through treatment, then I spent
some time at their house recovering after so that I could rest and they
could still watch Lily for me. I was just so happy that she was in loving hands.

 

You can learn more about Mesothelioma Cancer and  find Heather's blog here: http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/heather/



Personal Note:  My best friends father died of the same cancer, when she was only 14.  He was a green beret in Vietnam and even lost a leg.  He survived the war, to die years later of this cancer. - Kari

Partying at:

A lovely backdrop - A Real Wedding

 

It makes my day to see my bridal clutches in use!  I am loving this setting by a lovely bride Kaci.  She and her new husband got married on my birthday.  So exciting.

What a lovely backdrop!  I love the simplicity of the burlap table runner and the Baby's Breath in the mason jar.

So sweet and simple!

 

What are your favorite details?

Apples - Awesome Recipes and Snacks

Apple Recipes!

Yikes!  Where have I been?  In between school schedules with two kids and working on my many, many orders on Etsy, I have been seriously neglecting my blog and my lovely readers!  I will make it up to you!

With school back in swing or just about for most of you, I always think of the lovely apple.  I found some amazing recipes I had to share!  Which one is your favorite?

Apple Chips

Vittles and Bits

PB and Apple Sandwiches

Babble Blog - The Family Kitchen

Apple Lollipops

Rosa Rot Blog

Applesauce Fruit Blends

Family Feed Bag

Cinnamon Apples - super easy

Super Healthy Kids

Cut Apple for your Lunchbox, that won't turn brown!

@ Home with Real Food

What is your favorite?  Feel free to include a link to your very own Apple Recipe!

School Day, What a Difference a Year Makes!

What a difference a year makes!  My daughter started 1st Grade without incidence.

I say that because last year 5 days before she was supposed to start Kindergarten, my oldest daughter broke her right (writing) arm.  It was a compound fracture (the bone came out, yuck!) and she dislocated her elbow.  That meant surgery and 3 days at the hospital.

I had to attend the meet the teacher night, alone.  It was not the way I had envisioned Kindergarten to be for her.  As parents, we always try to make everything perfect for our children.  This was not perfect.

She was amazing on her first day, although pretty tired when she got home.  She adapted, and learned to write with her left hand, and dresses (for my tom boy) were very helpful at bathroom time.

This year, everything was easy.  I am hoping it stays that way!

Do you have any similar experiences with your children?