scenes from our little thanksgiving

we had a wonderful thanksgiving {and i hope you did, too!}

i was extremely proud of myself for making us a feast and getting it ready on time {i don't cook often, so it's nice to know i can if i want to} 

the menu:

-rotisserie chicken {we're not big meat-eaters, so husband grabbed one of these from the store}

but everything else was made by me:

-homemade bread

 -cranberry relish

-cheesy potatoes {we cheated and made these the night before and had them for dinner!} 

-stuffing

-green bean cassarole

- chocolate crackle cookies

   

we borrowed a table and had dinner in the middle of the livingroom, with good music in the background, and the football game on mute {i don't know how the lions are able to keep fans when they're always so disappointing and heartbreaking, but husband always goes back for more} he sat on a desk chair and i sat on an ottoman.

and besides the food, i also made some decorations. {told you i wanted a leaf theme!}

like some leaf swags:

 and leaf candle holders {using jars i already had}:

and some mini pumpkin votives, too:

i got a remnant of cream-colored burlap a couple weeks ago and made it into a table runner:

i embroidered leaves on it, with one side mirroring the other:

 {the middle} 

 {with graduated colors}

 {from dark brown}

 {to green}

and even though it was just the two of us, i had a little fun with "place cards" using our initials:

i convinced husband to take this photo quick, before we ate:

{and don't be fooled, we put on sweaters over our pj's for about 2 minutes, and then quickly switched back the rest of the day}

so, even though we were far away from family and friends, we had a wonderful day together, with way too much food! 

and then we went and saw harry potter.

i wish thanksgiving came more than once a year!

ode to my favorite season

i love all the beautiful colors.

{outdoors}

{and indoors}

not even adorable kitties can resist a beautiful, crunchy leaf.

jackets are necessary {because i'm always cold and i like to hide in a big turtle neck}

but socks aren't! {because, really, who likes socks?}

i went on an acorn-cap hunt and came home with handfuls

and everything just seems bigger.

i just love fall!

{what's your favorite part??}

DIY leaf watercolors

i thought it was about time i posted a tutorial. i've made them before, but never for my own blog and i loved painting these leaves this week, so i thought maybe i'd share {plus, how else am i going to post all these photos of my beautiful thumb?}

supplies:

 watercolor paper

a paint brush

scissors

a pencil

art masking fluid {with the painting supplies at any craft store}

 watercolors {which i forgot to photograph. but i think we all know what they look like}

step 1: trace some leaves onto a sheet of watercolor paper. i downloaded a leaf template i found on martha because i can't draw, but feel free to make your own! 

i tried to fit as many leaves as possible on one sheet.

step 2: use a fine paintbrush and the masking fluid to paint the leaf veins. the masking fluid will block the watercolors, so only paint where you don't want color. the masking fluid is slightly yellow, so you can see where you've painted. it can also really gum up on your paintbrush {you can see it on mine} so make sure you don't use your favorite brush and wash it right away. i can't always get it completely clean again.

i painted from the stem to the tip of the leaf, and then from the main vein out. this keeps globs of masking fluid from collecting at the end of the veins, which doesn't look as natural.

step 3: let it dry and then paint with watercolors! i like "dabbing" the paint on rather than using strokes and making the leaf all one color. make sure you don't leave any white spots and you go over the edges of the leaf. just paint right over the masking fluid, the color won't leak through.

 step 4: after it is completely dry you can pull off the masking fluid. i use an eraser to get it started

 and then it just pulls right off!

step 5: finish pulling the rest of the masking fluid off of all the leaves and then cut them out.

 i'm thinking of making little "bouquets" of leaves for our thanksgiving table or attaching them to a wreath. they're not nearly as gorgeous as the real thing, but much more sturdy and the colors won't fade. plus, i can't resist trying something new!

bias tape brooches

in between planning for what is quickly becoming a day-long halloween party at work {the kids are out of school this friday and it's my job to keep them entertained all day} i got out my ribbon drawer and played with an idea i had runnning around in my head.

pinwheels? spirals? odd flowers? i don't know exactly, but i like them. 

{made of bias tape, ribbon and embroidery thread}

so i stuck a pin-back on them and i'm calling them brooches.

i love how this one looks on my favorite fall jacket.

i may be making a few more of these this week. they took no time at all and i like the unique look.

chalkboard doodles

just before my gloomy week i did this little chalkboard doodle.

it was a great reminder and helped me {try} to stay positive.

i loved it so much, i took a walk today and left these little doodles all along the way...

 and i couldn't resist my staircase...

i may have found my new favorite sunny-day activity.