o christmas tree, o christmas tree...

we've tried super hard to make it feel like christmas here. it feels so different having sunshine and 60 degree weather in december. {i really can't complain} we've tried to decorate and do christmas activites to get us in the mood though and we even got our very first christmas tree! behold:

ain't she a beaut? i got all excited at the beginning of the month thinking it would be cool if i made all of our ornaments. yes, those are homemade, but as you can see, there is a serious lack in the number of them.i got so burned out in making things these last couple weeks that i don't even care how shabby it looks anymore. all that matters is that it is a real tree and nothing less. {i joke, i joke. fake trees are cool too...kind of.} although i am mighty proud of that tree skirt. lots of fabric and multiple hot glue burns later gives you this:

i followed this pattern and thought it didn't turn out half bad. i've seen it in burlap and red too and it's super cute.

i'd be lying if i said the holidays aren't making me a bit homesick. we agreed on going home for thanksgiving and staying here for christmas, since the air force wasn't going to give zachary much time off. so i was sad not to be with our family, but at the same time i was super excited to have our very first {married} christmas together and be able to start our own traditions. now i just want to bag the whole idea and drive to utah tomorrow. good thing zachary is planning us a sa-weet anniversary trip three days later, or i might do just that.

anyway, happy sunday.
i hope it was merry and bright.

-the wife.

happy pinning!

i believe that a celebration is in order.

i recently pinned my one-THOUSANDTH pin on pinterest.

yay! {don't mind the fact that this just proves how terribly i manage my time.}

in honor of this joyous occasion, i thought i'd share some of the projects i've

completed from this lovely site.

i've found that it's a lot easier to pin items than it is to make them, but here is my little start:

#1. Red Christmas Wreath

i am in LOVE with wreaths and this one was so easy, it's ridiculous. 
all you need is a foam wreath, a couple yards of felt, and pins.

lots and lots of pins.

it's simple, yet elegant and i absolutely love it!

#2. Homemade Twix Cookie Bars

these are a favorite in our house!

if i'm not careful i could probably eat the whole pan by myself.

the recipe tells you how to make them actually look like twix bars and everything, but i found that it was easier and less messy just to make them into cookie bars.

they taste the same {delicious} regardless of what shape they're in, so whatev.

#3. Crocheted Place Mat

i actually felt like this project completely tanked.

you can't really tell in this picture how bulky, bunchy, and overall ugly it us, BUT i want you to see what the original looked like on her website because it is so cute!

if you are a crocheting beginner, this is a great project for you.

there are only two or three different stitches throughout the entire project, so once you get those down, it's not too bad.

my only sugesstion is to be sure to use some thin yarn or it will turn out to be a disaster, case in point.

#4. Felt Flower Wreath 

remember when i said i was going to make this wreath?

i feel so proud that i actually did it!

it turned out more yellowish than i hoped, but that's okay.

i love it so much that it is hanging on my door right now.

it was really easy and super cheap; probably the best combo ever.

#5. Homemade Butterfingers

these seriously taste like the real thing.

it only calls for three ingredients too!

yum.

#6. Crocheted Bobble Baby Blanket

or as Zachary likes to call it: The Outtie Belly Button Blanket.

this has by far been my favorite project.

i made this blanket here for my sister-in-law nikki's new baby, jace, and i made a brown one just like it for my friend amber's new baby, wesson.

it takes a lot of time, but turns out really cute in my opinion!

these were just a few projects that i was actually able to get pictures of.

they have sure helped me pass the time from day to day.

for those of you that haven't discovered pinterest yet, GET ON IT.

and when you do, be sure to follow me!

it really is the most incredible thing ever invented.

-sarah

fall-time.

it is now september!

do you know what this means?

cool crisp nights. {well, everywhere but del rio that is}

beautiful fall leaves.

school buses roaming around the neighborhood.
the feeling of halloween just around the corner.

i absolutely love this time of year!

i set out my new wassail scented wax melt today and boy oh boy, i wish i could

send you its fragrance through my little typing fingers.

it screams fall and has enveloped my entire house...mmm.

i think it's going to send me into an autumn coma.

here are a few other things that have gotten me into the fall-time spirit:

1. doesn't this porch look so welcoming? 

2. what adorable little pumpkins! And the best part of all, is this awesome tutorial on

how to make them yourself. i love diys.

3. an easy and very elegant centerpiece for those holiday parties coming up!

4. boots + scarves = fall for sure. this outfit is beautiful beyond words! i love the belted scarf.

5. awesome step-by-step instructions on how to make these simple, yet decorative wheat jars. all i need is a silhouette cameo to make them with and a mantle to put them on!

i think my favorite fall decoration that i have come across so far though, would have

to be this little beauty:

gorgeous eh?

i found everything to make it at joanns for just 7 bucks!

too bad we don't have a joanns nearby though, because it's an extra 6 dollars

just for shipping and handling.

curse you shipping and handling!!

i'll probably end up caving and buying it all anyway.

i think it is beautiful and sounds super easy to make.

i was also informed today, that september is national sewing month.

so, i took it upon myself to buy some cute $5 fabric at wal-mart and will be attempting

to make this incredibly awesome scarf this weekend:

it could be a superbly rewarding experience or an awful, self-esteem crushing, miserable one.

i'll be sure to let you know which path it takes.

anyway, i hope you are all just as excited about this change in seasons as i am and that you take some time to sip a hot cup of wassail and eat a slice of pumpkin pie for me!

-the wife