this week

Addison went to a birthday party

I was finally able to use a 1.5 pood kettlebell (53 lbs)

Peyton turned one & her party was Minnie Mouse themed

I walked into the kitchen to find her here & her daddy standing below...

Her fascination with shoes continues

Hampton was as lazy as ever

Tackled some crafts

Tried a new Popsicle recipe...success

Addison's rocking horse from the Pottery Barn came (thanks Grammy & Puppa)

she fed herself an entire meal using her spoon all by herself

she ran around the house saying "neigh neigh" & just sat on the horse

she had a playdate

she said "nah-night" and climbed the stairs when she was ready for her nap

she got a new bath toy

i had a coffee date//went to an amazing, enlightening nutrition seminar//worked & found out that raves still exist//Philip was out of town for several days//spent 1/2 my Saturday & Sunday doing food prep//Addison learned to say "down"\\

painted pumpkins

I don't usually decorate for fall. Typically I purchase 1 or 2 mums, a few different sized pumpkins & I'd call it a day.  Last year I got extra "creative" & actually used the pumpkins as pots for the mums. As I have said in the past I want to make every holiday/holiday season fun for Addison so with that comes decorating. I had seen a few fall decorating pins pop up in my Pinterest feed which gave me a few ideas of my own; a burlap wreath, pom pom garland to go above the front door & painted pumpkins. 

Michaels was having a 50% off fall decor/craft items & I had a 40% off coupon so I figured it was the perfect time pick up the things I needed to get started on these fall crafts. 

The pumpkins give you endless opportunities & are the perfect nap time craft. 

I choose atypical fall colors.  I love purple & orange together & since that is what color I am going to make my garland, I decided to find a complementary greenish/blue.
I started with the smallest pumpkin. Using the tape I made a chevron pattern, as consistent & even as possible & I painted around the tape.  Once it was dry I peeled the tape off.  I attempted the same thing with the larger pumpkin but my stripes weren't quite as consistent. The rest I free handed a design on & painted.  It was super easy!

pumpkin pie almonds

In keeping with my pumpkin theme this week, here is a quick, easy & healthy paleo friendly pumpkin recipe.

2 cups raw almonds
3 tsp cinnamon,
3 tsp pumpkin pie spice (make your own using this recipe)
4 tbs honey 
1 tsp vanilla
coarse sea salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees//Mix your spices together in a small bowl & set aside//Next put your almonds in a large mixing bowl//Add your honey & toss the almonds making sure they are evening coated//Next add your spices & using a spatula coat the almonds//Line a baking sheet with either parchment paper or aluminum foil//Spread your almonds evenly on baking sheet//Sprinkle with coarse sea salt//Bake for 15-20 min. 

These are super easy to make & delicious!  You can do this with any spices, just make sure you sub olive oil for honey (using way less) if you are making them savory.

paleo pumpkin treats

Grey skies, cold rain & brisk breeze...that would be the last several days here.  We went from sunny 80's to the blah 50's overnight.  I can't say that I am totally bummed; There is something about about the cool rain & grey sky that makes it really feel like fall.  I've really started embracing fall the last few days...sweaters & boots. Who I am I kidding...I have lived in sweats & gym clothes, lol.  With fall it means cinnamon & nutmeg, crisp apples & ANYTHING pumpkin.  Here are a few paleo friendly pumpkin treats for you to embrace your inner fall. 

paleo pumpkin lara bar

paleo pumpkin granola

paleo pumpkin gingerbread cake

paleo pumpkin spice latte

this week

This week...

• Addison had a breakfast date with her Dad
• I taught 3 spin classes
• Addison went to a Birthday party
• She had a follow-up appointment & didn't need any steroids.  She looks normal again!
• We received her 1 year photos in the mail :)
• It was much warmer than the previous week
• I got to Skype with a wonderful friend I haven't seen in a while
• My craft room saw me often
• The house got a deep cleaning
• I wasted at least an hour searching for recipes to use tomatoes in...I have more than I even know what to do with
• Addison slept until 8am almost every morning

snack time conversation

Me: Addison, this is an orange.
Addison: bu-berry.
Me: No, orange.
Addison: shakes her head yes.

Me: Orange.
Addison: bapple (apple).
Me: Orrrrrrraaannnnnge
Addison: giggle...mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Me: Orange
Addison: toots
Me: Are you pooping?
Addison: giggles. POO-POO! woooooooow
Addison: Alllllllll done. Buuuuuu-luuuuuu-beeeeeerrrrry!

Me: shakes head. No, orange.
Addison: no-no.

Ahhh...you have got to love 1 year olds.

canvas re-do

Give me some salvaged wood, lace, burlap, mason jars & anything petina & I am a happy girl when it comes to decorating.  It's all over the pages of Ballard Designs, Pottery Barn & Restoration Hardware these days too. I have a ton of left over burlap from Addison's birthday party & have been dying to put it to use.  I made a few headbands, a few burlap rosettes & some silverware holders but I still had about 1 yard left & was in a crafty mood.  I searched Pinterest but nothing was coming up until I found a spoon art tutorial & burlap cork board tutorial.  I then took matters into my own hands & this is what I came up with.

One of the nail heads popped off & I had to hot glue it on top

ONE: I had a faded/dingy canvas print from Urban Outfitters hanging on one of the kitchen walls.  For months I've been looking for something to replace it so I figured, why not re-purpose it & use it as the base for my burlap/utensil project.  Cost=free

TWO: I visited a local thrift shop & picked up slightly petinaed serving utensils. Cost=$5.34

THREE/FOUR: I stopped by Lowe's Hardware & picked up 6 packs of bronze upholstery nails for $1.30 each. Cost=$7.80.

FIVE: I stripped away the fabric from the canvas.

SIX: I was left with a wooden frame & thin transparent fabric canvas.

SEVEN: I laid the canvas across the burlap & cut my piece, leaving approximately 1.5 inches on each side. Cost=free (I had tons of burlap on hand).

EIGHT: Philip used a staple gun & stapled the burlap to the wooden frame.

NINE: I was left with a burlap canvas.

TEN: Next I measured out the places for the upholstery nails & hammered them in place.

 ELEVEN: Next I hot glued the utensils to the center of the canvas.

After letting it dry I hung it in the kitchen.

I am pretty pleased with the turnout. Sure the upholstery nails could have been a little straighter but it's barely noticeable.