Selah

Friday, November 11, 2011

Gratitude Photo Challenge and Thankful Tree

So way back in January I started a project 52- one photo a week for the whole year. I started off strong, posted some of the pictures that I took here on the blog and shared them via a Project 52 that I joined. Then, in March, two little mischief makers entered our world and life became a little, well, crazy. That combined with the fact that these mischief makers became the subject of most of my pictures and thus they couldn't be posted, my project 52 got left behind. (I also blame mischief maker #1 and #2 on my failed New Year's resolution to fold and put away the laundry as soon as it came out of the dryer, but that's a whole other story).
I've been thinking that I wanted to start challenging myself a little more photographically (is that how you use that word??) and then came across this photography challenge on pinterest (you can find it over at positivelypresent.com).

Not only was it exactly the kind of challenge I was looking for, but I also love that the theme of it is gratitude, something I've been learning so much about as we try to teach E. what it means to be thankful. So often it's the things I'm trying to teach the kids that I realize I need to work on myself. So here is my picture for day 1: Favorite Food

Bagel with pumpkin cream cheese and coffee!

I probably won't post my pictures for each day, but I'll highlight a few over the weeks to come.

In light of that a few nights ago we started a "Thankful Tree." We collected branches and put them together in a mason jar to make our "tree," and then each night we each write down on a paper leaf what we are thankful for that day.

I'm not sure E. completely gets what we are doing- the first day she said she was thankful for coffee (so are mommy and daddy!)- but hopefully she'll catch on as we talk about what we are thankful for each night.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Friday, October 21, 2011

A Fall Centerpiece

I don't just enjoy fall- I adore it. It gives me warm, achy homesick feelings in side that just make me want to curl up with a good cup of coffee, a good book, and a fire in the fire place. Growing up in New England (hello! This is where people travel and vacation in order to experience fall!) I have very different ideas about what fall should be like. Over the last seven years in Southern California (with only one trip back east during the fall in all that time), I've learned to adapt my expectations and appreciate the beauty of Southern California in the fall.

So while I still long for cold nights all cozy by the fire and of course the beauty of fall foliage, I've learned to enjoy the more subtle change of seasons, pumpkin spice lattes, and decorating our home for autumn.

Last year, I posted my fall centerpiece that I created, and so I decided to post this years which was inspired from Pinterest. Mums are my favorite fall flower (our yard is currently full of them), so this was a great way to incorporate them inside as well!

This was super simple and affordable as well. I picked out a pumpkin at Trader Joe's for $2.99 and picked up the Mum's at Home Depot for under $3 as well. I cut the top of the pumpkin (and scraped the inside) so that the Mum (keep it in the pot) slid right inside. After I cut and scraped the inside I filled the sink with cold water and about a tablespoon of bleach and let the pumkin soak for about an hour. I then pat it dry and let it sit outside to completely dry for another hour or so. Add the mum and a ribbon and you are good to go!

A little side note:To water the mum take it out of the pumpkin and water, allowing all of the water to drain through before putting it back in the pumpkin. I also wrapped the pot in paper towels before putting it in to absorb any excess moisture- the more dry you can keep the inside of the pumpkin the longer it will take to get all yucky and moldy on the inside.