day 6

day 6 of the happy day project was to appreciate those in service.

we made some super yummy pumpkin choc chip bread and had some vitamin water ready to run out to the mail-woman. she passed our house so quick that jackson had to chase her half way around the block. i've started christmas shopping and i always do a lot of it online. i realized that our mail-woman had to get out and deliver stuff to our door a whole lot lately. i told her the other day that i was sorry, and she told me that it's just the beginning for her. she'll be getting a good work-out in the next month and a half. i don't personally know anyone serving in the military right now (at least not to my knowledge), but i really appreciate them. i think about the sacrifices they make, and the sacrifices their families make on a daily basis.

my favorite pumpkin chocolate chip recipe

2/3 C. shortening

2 2/3 C. sugar

4 eggs

1 (16 oz) can pumpkin

2/3 C. water

3 1/3 C. flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. cloves

2/3 C (optional) nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips

heat oven to 350. grease pans.

mix shortening and sugar. add eggs, pumpkin, and water. blend in flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves. stir in nuts, raisins, choc chips. pour into pans.

in the small pans i get 7-8 loaves. bake for 45 min.

i dropped off a book by richard paul evans to a sweet friend of mine today.

day 4 of the The Happy Day Project was one of my favorites.

i love books, so how can you go wrong?

i'm reading unbroken by laura hillenbrand right now.

i've heard nothing but greatness about it, so i'm excited.

there's nothing i love more than wrapping myself up on the couch in my heated blanket, next to the fireplace. sipping on hot cocoa. the quietness after the kids go to bed. it's the best.

we went to the book fair at the school tonight. it made me happy that i've already instilled in my kids a love of books. i only let them pick out one book each, and it was such a tough decision for them. they wanted too many of them. here's a few of our favorites.

The Magic Tree House Series

Library Lion

Magic School Bus Series

any book by David Shannon

Guess How Much I Love You

Pat the Bunny

Leslie Patricelli books

i can't wait until december 1st to start reading our christmas books.

so happy i started the tradition. and i can't wait to add to my christmas book collection this year! any must-read christmas books you suggest?

plum district + pear tree

so excited that plum district is offering pear tree greetings today.

you can get $40 worth of the cutest stationary, christmas, cards, invitations, announcements, and more for only $20. i bought a few of these last year for christmas cards and stationary for the boys. they had really great customer service too.

if you haven't signed up before, i think you may even get $5 for signing up.

day 3 + rascal and natasha

today was day three of the happy day project.

which was give a giftcard (or two or three) to someone that's homeless.

i love love loved the post by jeanette at life rearranged.

read it. it just may change your way of thinking. cause it did for me.

oh and p.s.

did you watch the cma awards?

taylor swift was perfect as always, but i really loved rascal flatts and natasha bedingfield.

have you heard there song together? these are two of my favorites so i have to love it.

today

today we did the happy project. day two.

i used my cute postcard art from the dreamy giraffe to write a few notes.

aren't they adorable?

so excited that HowDoesShe blog is having their second birthday.

that means you can get $30 to spend at paper coterie FREE.

and you know me, i love free.

torn between two honda colors. crystal black pearl. or polished metal metallic.

opinions?

today i'm thankful for two things. more than that. but these two stick out today. #1 - that my husband has a somewhat flexible schedule. if i need him in an emergency he can tweak things to help out. #2 - pinterest. i just love it so much. i love all the inspiration. it makes my mid reel, and i love that. if you need an invite tell me. you'll soon be thankful for it too.

happy day project

i started a fun project today.

have you heard of it? it's called the happy day project.

and it's all about spreading the sunshine.

can't wait for all the fun things we'll be doing this week.

check it out, they have the cutest printables to go along with each day.

holy smokes. this rug is amazing.

i would never want my kids to lay a finger on it though.

the colors are perfect. love.

i have a new favorite brand of shoes.

and i'm obsessed.

have you heard of seychelles?

i hadn't until my girl trip earlier this month.

we were shopping at nordstrom and i fell in love.

i'm kinda picky with my shoes. and i usually don't spend very much either.

but i'm a changed woman after seeing these and buying my first pair.

they are super comfy and so cute too.

6pm always has them on sale too which is nice.

and endless is one of my favorite shoe sites to shop through. i like that they have free shipping and returns, just in case they don't fit.

i love these wedge sandals. perfect for summer.

and these pumps are adorable too. kinda sad my birthday is over, now i can't buy myself presents and feel ok about it. i'll just drop some hints to the hub for our anniversary in a few months. size 7.5

blurb book

i was super excited to see the package from blurb on my doorstep.

i was so surprised when i opened it to see how thick it was.

it is at least double the size of my last one.

but i love it. i mean really love.

it is a lot of work to keep a blog and even more work to get it printed.

i have been doing them 12 x 12. and i think i'll stick with doing that size.

i love looking through them and remembering all the fun things that i would have otherwise forgotten. and reading all the funny things the kids say and do.

decisions

a rug can change the entire look of a room.

luckily jake's in the business so he can score us one for an insane deal.

i am dying to repaint my red wall something a little more soft and subtle.

but i'm waiting to get a new rug to make sure it matches well.

this is number one on my list, i just need to commit and it's mine.

what do ya think?

i think i'm in love.

and i'm definitely in love with the fact there is no fringe.

pretty sure it's a keeper.