Rail Fence

Fallen Leaves

Dew Drops in the Pines

Hall Creek

I decided to take the photowalk challenge. I saw this challenge from Darcy, she says, "Have you ever done a photowalk? Have you ever challenged yourself to walk around with your camera and consider the world around you differently through your lens?  I challenge each of you, if you’ve never done one before – load up the kids in the wagon or stroller, strap that camera on and be intentional about seeking photo opportunities in your own backyard."
I realize I am behind in my Everyday Beauty posts for this year. I am suppose to post a picture weekly of something I find beautiful from where I live. I guess with the cold weather, the leaves falling off the trees, the flowers in my garden black with frost, got me in a rut. Then I read this post and was inspired again.

Owl Cookies

We brought treats to the school Halloween party. We are fortunate enough to live in such a remote area that kids are still allowed to bring homemade treats. This was prohibited at all the other schools my kids have attended. Everything had to be prepackaged and from the store. We made these owl cookies with candy corn beaks and mini chocolate chip eyes. We were fortunate enough to have a cookie cutter, but if you don't, you can make them with an owl template. They would be wonderful for your family or friends, a Halloween party, or owl themed birthday.  We got this idea from Sunset magazine.

Homemade Halloween Costume

My daughter wanted to be popcorn for Halloween. This was after she saw me looking on the Pottery Barn website for Halloween costumes. I did not want to pay over fifty dollars for a costume. Besides, my mom always made my costume for me growing up and I loved wearing them. So I did a little research, surfed the web, and came up with this...

I used an old box, cut a hole in the top for her head and holes in the sides for her arms. Then we painted the box white with acrylic paint. I was going to paint the stripes on with red acrylic paint, but noticed that the paint seemed to scratch easily since it was a glossy box. I went the colored duct tape route. Next, I opened up my computer program; the print shop deluxe, created the popcorn banner, and printed it out with my color printer. I attached it to the front and back using packaging tape.

For the finishing touch, we popped some popcorn and hot glued it onto the top! Let's just hope she doesn't eat the popcorn while at her school Halloween party.

The other daughter started reading the Guardians of Ga'hoole books at the start of school this fall. Then the movie came out and she changed her mind from wanting to be a witch for Halloween to a Barn Owl. So I turned again to my trusty Google search and found these easy directions for an owl costume. I put my own spin on this by creating wings. She does not like the mask on the original website so we will create our own.

Everyday Beauty

I really love the yellows that are popping out this fall against the deep green of the pines. This is my weekly post for something beautiful in my town. Happy Fall everyone.

In the spirit of Halloween

Just adding a little bit of black and white for this month!

Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater

The colors of fall are arriving, along with cooler temperatures and crisp autumn mornings. My girls were able to take a field trip, with their school, this week to the pumpkin patch. We have made applesauce, from the tree in the backyard; tomato sauce, from produce in the garden; and canned pears, with fruit from Sherman Creek Orchard.

One Hip P.E. class!

When I took physical education class at my Jr. High, the coolest thing we did was walk to the bowling alley and knock down some pins. Here the kids get to shoot a few arrows. This is right below my house. Flying arrows from a bunch of kids. I think it is totally cool. Only the most respected P.E. teacher could pull this off. When I took bowling class the teacher gave us our grades based upon our bowling score. Let me tell you, had it not been for those gutter balls, I would have gotten straight A's. I missed straight A's for the semester because of my bowling score? Couldn't she take into account my willingness to participate and my enthusiasm for the game?
I don't think I would be any better at archery.