A look back at fall

Finally, this weekend we cleaned up the garden, composted the pumpkins and de-decked fall decor. Fall was full of fun memories and some important milestones for our snooter pickle, Sam. Some of our fall happenings include Sam starting Kindergarten and cross country running! We started a theme dinner for Fridays-Pizza Friday. I love me some Pizza Friday-this means no cooking, easy cleaning and everyone loves a yummy pizza. Since I have become "mostly" vegan, I look forward to my pizza on Friday. Other fall memories include having a CSA box delivered bi-weekly. CSA (community supported agriculture). Then there was the pumpkin farm visit, all those fall veggies, beautiful sunny weather to play outdoors, painting with friends and of course, Thanksgiving. The kids winding down after Thanksgiving



My sister in-law's wall in her living room. There's something warm and inviting about it.

Initial Place Setting Cards

At least the kids enjoyed their pie, dinner not so much.

Potato Painting with the kids over Thanksgiving break.

Messy fun!

I simply cut up my Trader Joe's shopping bags, cut shapes in potatoes and the kids dipped them in paint poured in the re-used applesauce cups.

Enjoying pizza and hot chocolate with friends.

Playing in the leaves

Our short and simple Autumn Fun List

Store front that caught me eye, so fall.

Getting ready to roast some fall harvest.

Kindergarten!

First day of school, exciting!

Our first CSA box. Having beautiful fruits and veggies arrive on my doorstep was the best.

Leaves collected from a fall walk in the park.

Our garden visitor.

Sharing marigolds.

Halloween

Cross Country with best friends is great. Pumpkin Run finished off the Cross Country season. Run through and then pick your pumpkin.

The "secret tunnel" described by Sam

Sam's stance here makes me flash forward to high school.

Picked our pumpkins

CSA in a basket

We have a huge chestnut tree in our yard. Every year we harvest them and every year I intend to roast them. They still sit on my windowsill.

Halloween party @ school. Best friends.

Turkey Punk!

More fall painting with friends.

Dinner Club

This was a random fall vignette. I put the doorknob rack on the table to glue one of the knobs that fell off and it all sort of worked for me so I snapped a photo.

Hope your fall was memorable. It's the little things that mean the most like walks in the parks, fresh vegetables, sunny days in the garden and sharing time together. I'm thankful for all the wondeful fall memories we have made this year. Now on to the Christmas season! I'm trying to kindle the Christmas spirit, but I'm not quite there yet. Any tips to get in the holiday spirit?

DIY Zinc Letters

I finally dug my cardboard K from the depths of my "craft" room a.k.a. crap room and created a zinc looking letter. Much cheaper than a real zinc letter of course. I already had the letter laying around and the black paint. I purchased pearl essence paint and a couple foam brushes. This is brilliant whomever thought of this technique. It truly looks like zinc. So simple, so easy, so inexpensive.

This is where my K hangs.

Zinc like, yes?

First step, paint your letter with black paint.

Once painted black, cover with the pearl essence paint.

That's it, that's all. I have had this project on my list for at least a year. K letter painted, check!

Moms and Toddlers Invade Ikea

Four of us moms ventured to Ikea with our two year olds and shopped 'till we dropped-all of us! Who knew Ikea could be such a fun playdate? A $3.25 breakfast, toddler size shopping carts for the tots to fill soft, plush stuffed animals of all variety and shopping for the mamas. These are the curtains I bought to hang in my girls room once we transition to big girl beds. I also bought the black and white abc bedding t coordinate. I love the sketch style trees, branches and birds.

Fill those carts kiddos.

Cute, right? But, maybe too cute for me.

Snack time, everyone pile in.

Good times @ Ikea with friends.

Here is the ABC bedding.

How cute is this car filled with animals? These kiddos are even cuter.

These girls decided to take a quick nap under the leaf curtains before powering through more shopping. That shaggy carpet looks like a nice place for a rest. Oh, to be two.

Ikea trays, I want them all. The birds would be fun to have for kids, perhaps gathering craft supplies from cupboard to table? Maybe serving them their hot chocoloate and popcorn?

fun pink stripes

I would love to curl up in this peaceful room.

What a sophisticated big boy room for Sam someday?

Marin couldn't put enough animals in her cart. She's definitely a shopper.

Sarah's leading the shoppers and loving it. "C'mon guys, let's keep shopping. There are some alligators ahead."

Toddler Time @ Ikea

Marin, Leo, Lauren & Sarah

I dream about a kitchen lke this. So clean, so fresh so nice.

These play kitchens are so sweet.

Thanks Ikea, for having us.

A Fall Visit to Swansons Nursery

What to do on a Saturday in Seattle? Last fall we headed to Swanson's Nursery for some hay maze chasin', pumpkin carving and hot dogs. We decided to go again this year but skipped the hot dogs and got all fancy with lunch in the restaurant. Sometimes you just have to splurge and enjoy. Three tired kids, waiting patiently for lunch in the atrium @ Swanson's Nursery. Sarah and Sam have the same expression. There is no mistaking these kids are siblings. I love that about them!


Here's my gang, getting ready for a hayride on the John Deer tractor. This would be Sam's third hayride of the season. Maybe that's why he looks so pensive? Well, the girls look raring to go.

Sarah seems in high spirits in this moment. Maybe it's the pumpkin bracelets.

Hay girls, how's the hay maze?

Swanson's has the best displays. This garden statue caught my eye.

Or how about this lush mossy vignette?

Loving this vintage old tractor. This pic. would be fun as a fall greeting card, maybe next year? Sure, sure. I'll put that on my list of fun craft ideas. We'll see if it actually happens.

The Tractor

More Swanson eye candy

Oh my gourdness!

If you haven't checked out the gift shop area, it's a must see. Shopping amidst the plants is a nice experience. These wire candle lanterns are a fun shape.

I'll take one of each pot, please. Loving the greys and teals.

This photo is not from Swanson's Nursery, it's my neighbors porch. I would be willing to bet all the dark chocolate in my fridge that she bought the plants from Swanson's though. The display is certainly Swansonesqe.

Gift shop eye candy

Aren't these eye popping? Another neighbor did buy these and every time I drive by her house these bright orange Chinese Lanterns catch my eye and I do a double take. I love fall!

K5 (Kirch 5)

Sarah & Marin enjoying the hay maze

The Atrium Dining-a wonderful lunch spot. But, I can't help but make one small complaint. The kid's cheese quesadilla was served with a side of Lay's chips. Yep, chips. So some fat with a side of fat. Really? A bit of fruit would have been nice. Ah well.

All in all, a lovely couple hours spent enjoying fall fall and getting fresh air and one less meal to make at home, ha!

Thrift Store Find

Aren't these woodblock stamps cute? I found these today at my local Value Village. The kids and I will have fun making cards for all occasions with these niftly little stamps. I especially like the owl and elephant. Not bad for $2.99! Happy stamping.