Halloween

Richard's whole office at the newspaper decorates the entire building every year on Halloween. Each department chooses a different theme and the decorate and dress up accordingly. They bring in kids from boys and girls club and all the employee kids to trick or treat. Well I must say that the advertising department ROCKS every year (well at least both years we have been living here.) This year they did Harry Potter! They really transformed the place. When you walked in it was the great hall set to dine with owl hanging from the ceiling. They had a Hogwarts Express with train tracks leading "yikes" to Azkaban! Richards team had set up an Azkaban spook alley and they all dressed up as Dementors. If you escaped safely you got to see the hall of portraits. It was so clever, they set up a screen in front of the salesmen cubicles that looked like a castle wall with picture frames and "windows" where they could look out, and pass out candy. They were all dressed as deceased wizards and witches, my fav was Lily Potter! There was also the hospital wing, and loads of famous witches and wizards milling about. I think I enjoyed it more than the kids! Alas, I was so enchanted that I left my camera in the car in the parking lot, but I am going to try to get a hold of some pictures somehow.

On Halloween I was finally able to coax Rhett into the Tin Man costume I made for Ryker when he was almost 3. I used the same strategy on them both. I convinced them it was a robot costume. I still need to get a good one of him with that hat on. It was really quite adorable.

"Diego's" Halloween party at pre-school the day before Halloween.

Carving pumpkins the Monday before Halloween.

The pumpkin patch the week before Halloween

Me and the boys, at the ward party three weeks before Halloween.

Hazel's Baby Shower

Last Thursday we had a baby shower for little Hazel. It really was so much fun. Richard decided to expedite his painting project and painted my whole kitchen, dining and living rooms while I was at book club on Tuesday night. It is a really warm gold.

I had a lot of fun putting together a name that tune game in which all the titles had the word "baby" in them. I used napster to get all the songs, and only had to play one second of each song, one point of title and one point for artist. Poor Mikelle didn't win a prize try as she might.

The Cottage Dresses up for Halloween

Val and I had fun making these front porch decorations this year. We scavenged the yard of an abandoned old house to find these dead twigs. I used the pot already on my porch and a jack o lantern I have had for years. The pumpkin lights were $2.50 at the dollar spot in Target. Total cost of this darling project $2.50!

Our garage is in the back of the house, so when we come home, it is all we see. Last year I found this cute idea in a magazine and it was worth a repeat this year. Next year think I will flank the door on both sides with some corn husks and pumpkins, maybe add a few bats. The fence is black duct tape and the animals are black foam sheet, cut into shapes. If you try this, be sure to cut the vertical tape at the door joints so the door can flex open easily.

New Halloween Tradition

This was our family night project this week. I had to take a picture quick because the boys wanted to eat it the minute it was finished.

I found some really cute Halloween printables on http://www.familyfun.com/

Sept. Mavens tips

Val-Mint 3 Musketeers and Candy Corn Hershey Kisses, two great new treats.
Jana-This weekend is the Kiddie Kart, huge garage sale of only kids stuff Sat at noon is 1/2 price. Cloverdale to Executive turn right, follow signs.
Julie- Certain Dry sweat eliminator and Hercules Hooks available at Walmart.
Ranell-Clean your microwave by boiling a glass of water to steam and loosen grime then wipe clean.
Tiffany-Put a hold on any book you like from any branch library and they will hold it at Ada County.
Christina-Fall bulbs! Now is the time until the ground freezes. Refrigerate bulbs for at least 2 weeks then plant away in the spring, if you forget. You can buy Skagit Valley tulips online. Don't buy squishy or brown bulbs and pass on the mold. If your water isn't on when they flower, please water or they will die fast.
Mikelle-If you wear your hair in a wet ponytail each day for more than two weeks, you probably need a haircut.
Rebecca-Tillamook Ice Cream is awesome, get it at WinCo. Udderly Chocolate is to die for.
Lisa-To motivate yourself, on a giant wall calender red X each day that you do your "goal." Don't break the chain!

Lillywood Cottage from the inside

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year and Richard has offered to paint the whole downstairs. I am so excited, because the only painting done in this house is all upstairs.

The kids bathroom was the first room I painted. I really do love these hooks. The orange washcloth is missing today, but you get the idea.

I drilled these frames and pulled the ribbon through. This is the second room I painted, chocolate brown . . . .

and red. This is the TV room, and Richards pride and joy, the 60 inch baby. I think I need to tone down the white built in, maybe with a wash, or paint it altogether. The trim and crown moulding in this room are white as well. Any suggestions?

I snatched up these tins from "Graples" and lucky for me because a few ladies I know have been looking for them for the past few months and sadly, no floral tins.

This is downstairs in the kitchen. I'm almost decided on a gold paint pulled from the stripe in the valance. I fell love with this wooden m from "The Red Dresser." I think I may have started a collection.

Then I found my new favorite M. It was in a set of four that spelled "HOME." For a month or so I begged the store owners to break up the set and sell me the M. You can imagine their reluctance as this would leave someone with "HOE." Finally they conceded, and smartly so, because my mom bought the O, leaving a much more polite "HE" or "EH." More to come after the big painting frenzy. . .

New and Fun

This darling book was one of my favorite birthday presents this year, though it is hard to compete with my new Jane Austen action figure! I found this book on my birthday date with Richard (dinner, Barnes & Nobel.) It was in the bargain section and really a perfect steal for under $6.

I am full of excitement to try some of the recipes and ideas in the book. It is truly delightful. Autumn is my favorite season. I have an theory that everyone's favorite season is the one that their birthday falls in. Please feel free to support or undermine my theory whichever the case may be.

Now I am excited to check out all the sister books to this little treasure. www.susanbranch.com