Happy Halloween!
My mom and I carved pumpkins and our little witch got set out this morning! Now we wait until nightfall when all the pumpkins will be glowing!
Witchy goodness!
My mom's pumpkin!
Wishing you a safe and Happy Halloween!!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Naya's Christmas Warrior - Will you join me?
I have always had a special place in my heart for children, special needs and adoption. I'm not sure exactly how it came about but by the time I was in fourth grade I was determined that I would adopt a child with special needs.
Recently I came across a picture of a little girl, Naya. Naya is 5-years-old and has dwarfism.
She is one of a large number of children with special needs that Reece's Rainbow (a charity that promotes and facilitates international adoption and rescue for children with special needs, particularly Down Syndrome), is trying to find a forever family for.
You can view her profile HERE.
Naya is High Risk adoption due to her special needs and age. Most children with special needs in the Eastern European Countries that Reece's Rainbow works with are sent to institutions when they turn four. That's right. Four-years-old.
Naya's been lucky enough to remain in the orphanage as long as she has but needs to find her forever family and soon!
Here's where we can get involved. The cost of the international adoptions for these kids runs around $25,000 so in an effort to help the parents wanting to adopt these incredible kids, each child has an adoption fund.
Currently little Miss Naya has $10 in that fund.
I've decided to be Naya's Christmas Warrior and attempt to raise $1000 for her adoption fund before January 1st.
Instead of Christmas gifts this year, I'm hoping receive support in helping Naya instead.
If you would like to help me in the effort to being one step closer to this beautiful little girl having her own forever family, I've placed a donate button on the sidebar of my blog.
All of the money donated is tax deductible and will go to help Naya.
If you can't afford to donate monetarily but still would like to help participate in this effort feel free to take this button for your blog.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at Summereyes91[at]yahoo[dot]com.
Thank you so much for your support!
John L. Pitts 1941-2009
My incredible godfather passed away this morning as the result of a massive stroke he had on Saturday.
It's hard to believe he's actually gone, I don't think it's really hit me yet.
He was one of those family friends that are closer than family.
I loved him so much and will never forget the time I had to spend with him.
He was always reaching beyond to help people and animals and accomplished an incredible amount of things in his life that will live on.
Just this month he celebrated the 45th wedding anniversary with his wife.
His memory will never be forgotten.
John L. Pitts 1941-September 28, 2009
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, godfather and friend.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
And the Winner Is...
The giveaway is officially closed!
The opening day had a wonderful turnout!
There were 81 entries for the necklace!
I also got 14 new followers! (Oh how I love to make new bloggy friends!)
Hopefully all you new friends will stick around!
In honor of making new friends I will be having another surprise in the next couple of days so stay tuned!
Now down to the oh so exciting good stuff...
So I drew a number (or rather clicked the number generator) at exactly 12:01 and low and behold
-Number 77!-
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Halloween Blog Tour and The Moonlit Dandelion Grand Opening Giveaway!!
Welcome to all the witches, warlocks and bloggers from near and far to my blog! A special welcome to those of you who've wandered over on Mrs. B's Halloween Haunted blog tour!
Happy Monday!
I'm Krissy and welcome to Thinking of Blue, my little spot in the universe!
Here you will find a pinch of inspiration, a dash of sarcasm, some beautiful photographs and an entrance into my daily life!
I LOVE Halloween and all the fun and celebratory goodness that comes with holidays!
I love dressing up and decking the house out!
This year I've had some great fun making Halloween crafts!
Feel free to wander around but beware of the trick-or-treaters that you may run into!
Today is a doubly special day as not it's not only my haunted blog tour day but it is also the opening day of my Etsy shop The Moonlit Dandelion!
As part of the opening celebration I'll be giving away one of my favorite pieces from the shop!
The piece is shown with a pink Swarovski crystal but the winner will be able to choose any color they'd like!
There are two steps to enter the giveaway!
The first is to follow my blog (this is very important as this is where I will be announcing the winner)! If you're already a follower-(thank you!) that counts too!
Now the options for extra entries! (You can get up to SIX extra entries!)
For each extra entry please leave a SEPARATE comment!
(It makes it so much easier for the random number picker to find a winner!)
1. Tell me the word that inspires you most!
5. Announce this giveaway on Twitter! (come back with the link!)
6. Write a post on your blog about this giveaway! (come back with the link!)
The giveaway will end Tuesday night at midnight pacific time!
Thanks for stopping by!! I hope I'll be seeing you around here soon!
Happy Halloween!!
Friday, October 23, 2009
It's Almost Here!
I know I've been MIA all week but that's because I've been getting my Etsy Shop ready!
My Etsy shop's grand opening will be on Monday so be sure to check back for a special treat!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
2 Weeks Until Halloween! Crafts and Color Changing Leaves Galore!
In the few free minutes I've had lately I've been crafting away! I created some Halloween Glass Jars and some Witches Potion Ingredients!
I've also been trying to catch some of the beauty of the beautiful trees as their leaves change colors and the rain that was pouring down the first half of the week (It's bright and sunny now!)
Halloween "lanterns"!
The tea light inside is a battery operated one so I don't have to worry about walking away from it.
The "Potion Ingredients"!
(From left- poisinous catipillar, witches sticks, skelliton hands, bat fur and toxic potion)
I've already gathered up a few other ingrediants that I havn't packaged yet such as freeze dried spiders and mummy wrap!
The changing leaves!
The "raindrops on roses".
More Fall Tree Leaves.
Aren't they beautiful?
Hoping your weekend is full of excitement!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The 3 Cents of Happiness
So I love the days when the day is grey and gloomy and things seem to be drudging on and then suddenly something happens that causes you to step back and reassess your situation.
This was one of those days.
I went to drop off four packages at the post office after trying to go yesterday, forgetting the post office was closed for Columbus Day. Many other people seemed to be in the same mindset.
I walked in the door and there were 5 people in front of me and within minutes there were 11 people behind me.
Everyone seems to be getting impatient when suddenly this little boy in line, no more than 6 or 7 walks up to the counter that he can barely see over and hands the lady a tiny package.
In his hand is a worn out Ziploc baggy with a few coins in the corner.
At this point every single person in line is watching this little boy.
The lady weighs his package and tells him, "That'll be $2.95."
He hands over his little baggy and the lady in front of me calls out, "Just tell us if there's not enough! We'll get the rest of it!"
Everyone in line just nods their heads in agreement, smiling.
The woman counts out his coins and says, "Ah, your a little short, I don't think your mom gave you quite enough..but don't worry about it!"
Then she realizes, "Oh! There's another dime in the bag! You'll even get some change!"
The boy looked up at her and in amazement goes, "I get change?"
With the clinging bells of the cash register she places 3 pennies in his open palm.
He turned around with smile that reminded me that it really is possible to smile "from ear-to-ear" and he walked out the door.
A woman a couple places in front of me goes, "Now that just made my day!"
It was amazing how much the energy changed in the room in those few short minutes.
By the time I left it felt like everyone was walking on air.
It really was a wonderful reminder that such an abundance of happiness can come from a mere 3 cents.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Pumpkin Patch
Amazing Day at the pumpkin patch today! We came away with 2 large pumpkins, 1 tiny pumpkin and 4 mini-pumpkins for 16 dollars!
Although we did go into a HUGE corn maze (I'm talking like 4 acres huge!) and get lost for an hour!
We never even made it to the end, we ended up cutting through some rows of corn and finding the entrance again! It was huge!!
We got to know the other people exploring the corn maze as well because with for huge spots where 6 paths met throughout the maze, we (lost as we all were!) ran across each other quite often!
The Pumpkin Patch
The Corn Maze
The Farm Animals
I can't wait to carve the beautiful pumpkins we came home with!!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Yummy Fall Recipes!
In the spirit of Halloween I decided to go all out and try to create some fun, yummy, low-calorie, allergen free treats!
I introduce to you Halloween Popcorn Treats and Apple Jello Dessert!
If you have any questions or want clarification on anything, feel free to ask!
Halloween Popcorn Treats
(My very favorite!!)
3 Cups Pre-popped Popcorn 130cal
8 pieces Campfire Marshmellows 200cal
28 pieces Pretzel Sticks (small) 110cal
30 grams Dairy-free Soy-Free Chocolate Chips 150cal
15 grams Orange colored sprinkles 0cal
Total Cals- 590
32 servings
19 cals per serving
In a double boiling pot, melt marshmallows and chocolate.
Add popcorn and pretzels, stir well. Add sprinkles for decoration.
Apple Jello Dessert
(Not as sweet tasting as it sounds! Yummy!)
3 Cups Sliced apples (sliced small) 180cal
¼ Cup Pureed Apple (Baby Food) 35cal
2 Cups (1 package) Strawberry Jello Mix 320cal
½ Cup Flour 220
¼ Cup Sugar 194
¼ Cup Brown Sugar 194
Total cals- 1,143
8 servings
143 cals per serving
In a 9x9 pan cover base with apple slices.
Make Jello mix and pour jello (before you set it) over the apples.
Combine sugars, flour and pureed apples and spread mixture over apple and jello.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Happy Apple Day!
As many of you already know, I moved here to the wine country directly from a college I was attending in Virginia. I had to come back for health reasons and had I not left, I'd be a junior there right now.
My experience there was an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life. There were many problems and I often don't regret my decision to come home but this is a specific day of the year I've been dreading. Today (as I have been for the last week) I'm feeling homesick. Homesick for the amazing memories that are now behind me.
Today is Apple Day.
Apple Day is (arguably the most looked forward to) tradition at Mary Baldwin. The tradition started in the early 1940's and has been going strong since then.
Apple Eve (the night before) is notoriously known for the drinking done but is also welcomed with contests, sporting events, games and a barbecue.
The drinking is notorious because Apple Day is a day of no school! Everyone gets the day off and has the option to go apple picking (the apples go to help feed the homeless in the community) at a local orchard, "paint the town" which consists of going downtown and painting the windows of all the store for fall and there's a carnival.
Every meal is also filled with apples. From apple pancakes and apple cider to apple pasta and apple chicken, there's even a chocolate fountain to dip the apples in- along with caramel and candy apples!
The sophomore class plans the whole event (I was on the planning committee last year) and every class tries to outdo the fun had the year before.
For many years the day of the event was kept a secret until the night before. That changed in 1998 though when the entire freshman class ended up in the ER with alcohol poisoning!
I can only imagine today will be filled with a campus full of 1,000 women sporting red and green and celebrating the spirit of Apple Day!
It's a celebratory day to celebrate the community, school spirit, a day off from school and spending time with amazing friends!
While I can't be there in body, I'll definitely be there in spirit.
(And have already planned to eat "Apple Pie Oatmeal" for breakfast!)
Happy Apple Day!
Here are some photos of last year's Apple Day!
(Everything is grey because for part of the morning it was pouring rain-not that anyone minded!)
The Bounce Obstacle Slide
Gladys the Squirrel (the mascot) riding the mechanical bull
The Slide-Side of the Bounce House
As the clouds cleared, it became a beautiful day!
(You can also see on the left side, the horses that were brought in to ride)
My first ever candy apple!
There's nothing better than an amazing day-spent with friends!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Happy Birthday Mom!
To the most amazing, most incredible, most fantastical mother ever...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!
I love you!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Halloween Craft! Frankenstein Piggy Bank!
The church I work at was raising money by having people make piggy banks so I feeling inspired decided to make a Halloween themed one!
I mean how could I possibly resist a trip to Michael's(craft store)?
I havn't been able to do any really fun crafty projects in way too long so I was incredibly excited for this!!
I started with and used:
-an empty VOSS water bottle
-a styrofoam circle base
-an empty can of (special edition) Jones Spooookiwi soda
-sparkly felt
-pompoms
-googly eyes
-colored sparkley sticky foam sheets
-glitter hot glue
-Halloween ribbon
The hole to put the money in is in the opening of his shirt/chest and the money can be removed by unscrewing the lid which is attached to the foam base.
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