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Fall and Holiday Decorating with Nature 2

Isn’t it fun to decorate for the fall and upcoming holidays? I’ve done a little bit with a basket of mini pumpkins, a friendly scarecrow and some candles, but I am itching to do more. Some of my favorite decorating involves the use of natural materials. I covered some ideas for fall and holiday decorating with nature in an earlier post. Did you like that log idea? Now I’ll share some more suggestions for your home. With a heavy rain yesterday, I know that there are plenty of fallen twigs and small branches in my yard. One idea is to … Continue reading →

Home Blog Month in Review: October

As I sit here looking out my window at the backyard, the birds are hovering in the pine tree against a strong wind and steady rain. The temperature is chilly today, and the calendar reminds me that we have left October behind. October 1st Buy a Home for $1.75 It seems that the housing crisis has made some interesting news lately. Home Month in Review: September 2008 Has the weather turned cooler now that September has passed? Pretty soon, it will be time to get that heat turned back on! Meanwhile, check out all of the articles that were posted … Continue reading →

Pumpkin Seeds 101

Have you carved your pumpkins yet? If you live in a warmer climate you might have held off until today to do so. When you get around to crafting your jack-o’-lanterns don’t forget to save the pumpkin seeds. Large pumpkins yield dozens of seeds that can be used in a variety of ways. GETTING THE SEEDS After you remove the top of your pumpkin carefully scoop out the pulp and seeds with a large serving spoon (or your hands) and place them in a bowl. You will need to separate the seeds from the pulp. I like to wash and … Continue reading →

More Fun Pumpkin Seed Projects for Kids

We bought our big pumpkins weeks ago, but have put off carving them until today because the weather has been so fickle (one day we’re in the 70s, the next day the 40s). We now have three incredibly cute (not spooky) jack-o’-lanterns on our stoop and more seeds than I care to deal with. I plan to roast a bunch for snacks and use the rest for craft projects. Our favorites include the pumpkin seed mosaic I shared in a previous blog and the other kid-friendly ones I have listed below. Note: If you have never used pumpkin seeds in … Continue reading →

Fall and Holiday Centerpiece and Decorating Ideas

Over the summer, Better Homes and Gardens published an idea for a nautical centerpiece that used an old lantern, some sea glass and a lemon. While it wasn’t exactly my style, I though the idea could really be adapted to fall and holiday decorating, especially with a few changes. The concept is very flexible, and you can adapt it to suit your own particular style. For example, why not substitute the nautical lamp for a hurricane lamp? This may give you a more homey, New England or country feel to the decor. Actually, any type of container that has some … Continue reading →

Limited Mess Pumpkin Decorating Ideas for Kids

Whereas I was tempted to title this blog “No Mess Pumpkin Decorating Ideas,” I know better than to do so given that glitter is involved in some of the following projects. Trust me; as a mom of a craft-loving preschooler I know what happens when a few containers of glitter are placed on an art table. Still, I’ll take a beach full of sandy glitter over a sink full of slimy pumpkin guts any day. With that said, here are a few more ways you can make your pumpkin stand out from the other gourds this Halloween: Glitter Pumpkins While … Continue reading →

Unique Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

If you thought those Mr. Potato Head pumpkin decoration sets were a clever way to get out of gutting a gourd while still making it look festive, then you probably don’t have a neighbor who’s into making junk-o’-lanterns. There’s a home located next to the building where my daughter attends cooking class that is lined with pumpkins decorated with, well… junk. Wing nuts, rubber from old tires, window latches, wood from old fences, curtain ties, tacks, screws, springs, hinges, you name it and the homeowner has attached it to his pumpkins to create these amazing junk-o-lanterns. It took me a … Continue reading →

Fall Treats: Combining Chocolate with Pumpkin

You can’t go wrong when chocolate is in the mix. (At least in my family.) Whether you are adding chocolate chips to pumpkin pancakes or perking up an ordinary pumpkin muffin with swirls of chocolate, nothing beats the seasonal combination of sweet and sweeter. However, if you want to take the combo to an entirely new level consider the following recipe for Chocolate Pumpkin Pie. I tried my first piece last Thanksgiving. A friend of mine made it, though she didn’t create the recipe (she got it from a friend of a friend). If I knew who to thank for … Continue reading →

Fall Crafts: Making Paper Bag Pumpkins

My daughter is far too young to wield a knife and carve crazy caricatures on fresh pumpkins so this time of year I am constantly on the look out for more age appropriate craft ideas. This next paper bag pumpkin project was a hit last year with our 3-year-old playgroup. Not only is it festive, but also simple and affordable. This particular project also proved especially helpful for my family as I was searching for craft projects my daughter and I could make for my ailing grandmother who had recently been placed in a nursing home in Hawaii following a … Continue reading →

How to Make a Unique Fall Wreath with Your Kids

If you have ever been on a fall nature hike with young children then you know that deep pockets come in very handy. I swear my preschooler is part squirrel. She collects anything and everything as though she was preparing for hibernation. Last week when her playgroup visited a local arboretum we left with dozens of nuts, leaves, blades of grass, sticks, flowers… you name it, my daughter had it crammed in her jacket pockets. One of the other moms suggested we create a homemade treasure box to bring along on our next hike to store her precious goods, but … Continue reading →