Valentine's Day Goodie Bags

**UPDATE**  I apologize, I had the settings wrong for the pattern for the bag.  It's fixed now!  Hope you enjoy!

Oh, wow!  I think I'm actually going to be early with a post!!  Here is a little Valentine's Day goodie bag I whipped together for Youngest's teachers. 

Made using HDC and a couple of rounds from the V-Stitch bag, I think it turned out quite cute!

Here's the pattern I wrote up quickly.  Let me know what you think.  As always, I have to add the disclaimer that I'm terrible at writing instructions, so if you see an error or have a question, don't hesitate to get in contact with me!

The heart is a free pattern from Everything Etsy. 

Just fill it with your gift of choice, and there ya go. 

Hope you guys have a happy Valentine's Day!

My Adventures With Power Tools

In all of my 36 years, I don't think I've ever used power tools.  I really haven't had a reason why.  

Until now!!

Last year I decided to start weaving (I think I take up a new hobby every year), and had to make a Home Depot run at 8:30 in the evening to pick up PVC and copper joints.  Thus, my little frame loom was born.

{I love my little frame loom.  She has such personality, don't you think?}

The other day I decide that the little frame loom just wasn't enough (new year, new hobby, right?).  I wanted to create on a LARGER scale.

Introducing my induction into the world of power tools:  the floor loom!!  Spanning five feet tall, and three feet wide, this big girl is a permanent fixture in our bedroom.  She isn't heavy, and was super simple to put together (unless you ask Hubby, who had to take it apart and redo it because I didn't like the way I put it together).

Now I think I'm ready for the big time!  What do you think?

Oh, and check out the wire shelving I assbled, too (ignore all the nasty wires, I'm trying to figure out how to do away with all those).  This is now my weaving corner.  :)

Mini-Roadtrip

I am so blessed to be able to live in such a beautiful place!  Among other reasons for believing this, the scenery is simply amazing!

We had to take a mini-roadtrip to a store about forty-five minutes away, and we decided to take A1A straight down.

Now, I have never been down A1A past Butler Beach, so I was super excited, and couldn't wait to snap photos along the way.

We got some great ideas for daytime outings with the kids, too, while we were sight-seeing.  It's fun to explore, even if it's just a little ways from your home. 

This is my favorite
photo of the entire trip!

Make an adventure out of everything, and always be a tourist!  That's my advice for you!

Gonna Plant A Garden

Bad lighting = over-editing

Bad photos aside, I should have probably started looking into my 2016 container garden a little sooner, as most of my plants will need to be planted at the end of February. 

I started by checking Pinterest (of course), and making a list (of course) of what I want to grow, and what I'll need.

This is not an
endorsement of these
products.  They are simply
the ones I purchased.

I decided to start with seed, as I'm cheap, and I don't want to spend a ton of money if the plants aren't going to survive (I'm a pessimist, what can I say).

I've had plenty of practice growing plants from seed, so I'm using  the little peat pellets and greenhouse.  This year, we're going to have tomatoes, two types of pumpkins, hopefully some strawberries, cucumbers, and watermelon.

Once there is no more threat of frigid temps (not too high a threat where I live, but I don't want to take any chances), I'll pot them and see how it goes.  Wish me luck!

Do you garden?  What do you grow in your garden?

My Greatest {Crocheting} Triumph

There was just not enough room
anywhere for a great photo!

I finally finished the most amazing, trying, creative, frustrating blanket in all of time and space!

Two years ago, my brother asked if I could make him a blanket with a Maltese Cross on it.  Being a firefighter, he wanted something to keep on his bed at the station, so he requested a twin-size.

I didn't have a pattern, so I had to come up with the design on my own.  The cross, itself, wasn't a big deal to figure out.  It was the easiest part!

Once I started adding the rest of the blanket, I realized that I had to lay it flat to work on it, or it would bunch up!  That became a problem because we just didn't have the space for a few months while we were living with the in-laws.

Fast forward to the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I worked on this blanket Every.  Single.  Day.  All day long!  I had to frog it so many times!  Oh my goodness!!

I even had to work on it in the car, for 6 hours, on the way up to Georgia to see our families (by that time I was working on the straight parts, so I was past the point of it bunching).

What I found to be the funniest was that I kept telling him that he would be retired from the FD before I would be done with the blanket.  Little did I know how true that would be!  He retired in 2015!  He loved it, though, even though it wouldn't adorn his FD bed!

When I handed it over, I almost cried!!  I've had this big ol' project looming over me for two years, and I didn't realize I actually enjoyed the challenge.  It was my baby for 2 years (to the day)!  I felt a little empty.

Throughout the entire process, I swore I wouldn't do another.  I may have been wrong!  I think I'm going to work on one for my bed now.  Not a Maltese Cross, probably some type of wave.

I think I will do some smaller Maltese Crosses, if anyone is interested.  It won't be bedding-sized, but perhaps a lap blanket. 

It is my greatest crocheting accomplishment!  I'm ready for a new crochet challenge!

Planner Setup

It seems that paper is making a huge comeback!  Penpals are everywhere, planners and journaling take up most of my IG feed lately.  I'm lovin' it!

I've always been a write-it-on-paper kinda gal, so I'm totally stoked to see I'm not the only one.  For the past few years I thought I was living in the stone ages, while everyone else passed me by with their gadgets (of which I am very fond, I just prefer paper).

I may be a couple of weeks late (most people are sharing their planner/journaling setup the first few days of the year), but here's my setup.  Better late than never, right?

I work with a monthly view and a week-on-two-pages view.

The monthly view has birthdays outlined in orange, and holidays outlined in blue. 

Weekly is pretty straight forward. I write my to-do list and appointments each day, ticking them off as I complete them.

One thing I am going to do differently this year is a weekly goal.  Something(s) that I want to accomplish above and beyond my usual to-do list.  The items can be something for myself, or something to organize this massively chaotic house.  It could be anything, or nothing.  These are the goals that I would like to meet, but won't it won't be the end of the world if I don't.

I also have tiny notebook (thank you, Target dollar aisle) for my work notes, as well as a notebook for my blog stuffs, and one for my Bible journaling.  I mean, why not make it more complicated, right?

I don't have much in the way of washi tapes or cutesy paper clips, so those will be added later, if I find that they are needed.  I like clean lines and minimal clutter, so I'm still on the fence about the clips.  I think they are so cute, and I envy those planners that are bursting with color and ribbons and cute, but I think they would just end up in a drawer or something.  We'll see.

Well, I hope you enjoyed our little walk through my planner. 

Do you have a planner system you'd like to share?  I'd love to see!!

Broomstick Lace Crochet Stitch

So, one of my weekly goals is to learn something new each week.  This past week was the first full week of January, so that's when I instituted the new rule.

Last week's idea was the Broomstick Lace Crochet stitch.  Oh, I'm simply in love!

This stitch is so easy!  I'm still a little slow at it, but I'm sure I'll pick up speed.  It may also help to not use a 12" long PVC pipe!  I can't wait to get some of the new ideas out that I have for this stitch!!

Can't wait for next week's challege, which leads me to need your help.  I will eventually run out of ideas, I'm sure, so if you have any ideas for things I should learn, please let me know in the comments!!

Nights Of Lights

A little blurry, but my favorite
picture of the night.

Hi, everybody!  I hope you all had a great holiday season!  I just have to tell you a little bit about our Nights of Light adventure!

You guys, if you haven't put "visit St. Augustine" on your bucket list, please do so, and make sure you get here to see the lights!

Every year for the holiday season, the city decorates with thousands of lights.  It is the most beautiful display that I have ever seen.  

This year we were given tickets to the Holly Jolly Trolley.  If you get the chance to take a ride on the trolley, I highly recommend it!  It will take you all through the city, showcasing all the lights and the decor!

It was a spectacular experience, and we hope to make it a tradition every year!  Maybe we'll see you there!

P.S.  If you'd like to see a couple more pictures, head on over to Beach Bird Photos (just click the tab on the top of the home page and it'll take you right to it)!

2015 - The Year of Adventure

2015 proved to be the year of adventure for my little family. 

We moved to our happy place, we successfully navigated Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years by ourselves, and we have had so many new experiences along the way!

We have so many goals and wishes for 2016!  I pray God will continue to bless my little family! 

This year I am not going to make resolutions or montly/seasonal bucket lists like I have in the past.  This year I am going to take it all in.  I'm going to work my butt off and have a great time!

I hope you all have a happy 2016!!