Fall Wreath

  Last year, I bought a berry wreath from Pier 1 that I really enjoyed but so did the little birds that live in my holly bushes right by my door. I decided I would try my hand at making a fall wreath this year. Granted, it has taken me a couple of weeks to knock it out as the supplies sat on my dining room table before my parents came into town and then I finally started putting it together one night before I had to go work the next morning. Typical of me to start a project around 9 pm before work. I combined two projects that I saw on Emily's blog which I am absolutely loving!! My wreath is very simple and I got a little excited with my glue gun before I realized that I added the second ruffle a little wrong so I just added a third layer and I think it works. I created three satin flowers and just hot glued them to the top of my wreath. I couldn't decide if I wanted to add any feathers, but decided I liked it a little simpler and that my feathers didn't really look right. Here are a few pictures of the process.

All the lovely satins I picked out at the store

Burning the edges of the petals

Stacking up the petals

Adding the beads to secure the flower together

My three finished satin flowers

Layers of burlap

My first ruffle (I spy a Wrigster, do you?)

Sewing the burlap together so I can ruffle it

Whoops, I forgot to wrap the second layer in the inside of the wreath.

So, I just added my third ruffle layer

Ta-da!

 

Parented

  Last weekend was such a whirlwind! I've basically spent the entire week still recovering! My parents drove into Atlanta on Friday afternoon so we could primarily go to the Eagles concert. P and I were very impressed with how quickly Mom and Dad made it into town (my dad always says getting us out of the house is like a "herd of thundering turtles"). We decided to eat at Verde and drink margaritas and beer before we headed down to Piedmont Park to listen to the Eagles. We did the whole "green" thing and rode the Marta as the concert people asked us to. The Marta was packed with concert-goers and we just moved along with the crowds until we reached our destination. I started panicking while we were on the Marta as the news was saying "no high lens cameras" or something like that, but when we got to the park, my camera passed through easily whereas my dad's backpack got the big no!

  Anyways, it was an awesome concert though we were a little far away from the stage. We sat on a hill under a big tree and had almost as much fun watching drunk people fall multiple times as they tried to climb up the hill. I didn't really get any good shots of the band since I didn't have a long enough lens, but it was an awesome concert!!

   On Saturday morning, we woke up way too early to go watch m cousin, Sam, run in his cross country meet at this high school. It was a beautiful course and nice to see where my cousins go to school since I hadn't ever been up there in all the time I've been in Atlanta. Horrible, I know!

  After we made it back to our house, we ran over to Havana to eat some Cuban sandwiches. Patrick had been multiple times to their old location before it was burned, but this was my first time and oh my goodness, I cannot wait to go back! I highly recommend it! Then Patrick went to go coach his soccer team while Mom and I went to go see one of her friend's son's twins who were born on Friday. And my dad went to go see another type of baby, the Lotus. Once we got back home, we watched our Auburn Tigers scare the crap out of me as we played Arkansas. Then we had to leave after 5 to go eat at Woodfire Grill. Oh, it was amazing! Dad and I had the fried okra for the first course while Patrick and Mom had the "local African squash soup" which was amazing! Mom and I decided that we could have just ordered four courses of soup and fried okra and I seriously might have to do it next time! Then my mom and I got the risotto for the second course and Dad got the scallop and Patrick ordered the pork belly. The risotto was creamy and I enjoyed the flavors, but the pork belly was what we should have all ordered. It was delicious! For the third course, Mom, Dad, and I all ordered the pork loin and Patrick sampled the duck. I also decided I should have ordered the duck while I thoroughly enjoyed my pork, but I think I would have liked sampler of each. Last of all, Dad and I had the caramel cake and Mom and  Patrick got the chocolate banana bread pudding. I refused to share my cake (as did Dad), so I didn't taste any of Patrick's though I think mine was better. Bananas and bread pudding? I don't think so.

  On our final day with my parents, we woke up and drove to the Highlands to eat brunch at Murphy's. Even though I get my hair cut down in the Highlands every six weeks or so, I always forget about eating down there. I really enjoyed the brunch as I got their version of eggs benedict which was spectacular. Patrick got the corned beef hash which was surprisingly good. My mom ordered the French toast and my Dad got the Southwest frittata. We got to sit outside on the front porch and the weather was perfect. After brunch, we stopped by a flea market because I'm looking for a small cabinet for our dining room but we didn't find anything. Then we ran down the street to check out the Brookhaven Arts Festival. I only wish we had had more time to browse through every booth, but it was probably a good thing since we did end up purchasing three stadium paintings of Auburn, Ole Miss, and the Bears. I've got to get them framed and then figure out where we are going to hang them and then I'll show them to you!

  I was so glad that my parents got to come over and see us and we had so much fun!! I only wish they weren't so far away (only 6 hours, but too long for a weekend) because I enjoy hanging out with them! Thanks for coming!! Love y'all!

Hiatus

  So, it's been a little while since I've posted very much and I do apologize! I just want to send out a thanks to my followers (I feel so honored!) and to everyone else who pops in to read my blog! I hope that I will get back in the swing of things and have some better posts for you soon! First of all, I cannot believe that fall is here! Crisp mornings and evenings are still comfortable right now but I will definitely be dreading the winter!
  Right now, I'm in the middle of trying to make sure my house is clean because my parents are driving in from the 'sip today and I'm extremely excited!! It has been way too long since I've seen them and it will be very nice to have them here! They aren't bringing Tucker (my mom's corgi) and she said the house was lonely last night without him. Ever since my mom had to put Pixie (his sister) down, I do believe there has been a change in letting Tucker run the house. For instance, she used to barricade the pups off from the bedrooms and basically keep them contained in the main living room, kitchen, and laundry room. Well, my sister went home last weekend and was woken up to a bright Saturday morning by whom other than Tucker jumping into her bed! Apparently, he can now roam free throughout the house and was not deterred by Margaret's door being closed but walked himself through my open door and our adjoining bathroom to hop into her bed. Oh, I love it! Anyways, the Tuck man is not making an appearance this weekend and I'm sure Mr. "Give me all the attention" will be quite content that he won't be here. I can't wait to get some good pictures of my parents with Wrigley because he goes crazy whenever they are here and absolutely adores my mom, like he won't go outside to pee with me or Patrick when she is here so the poor thing has to take him out on her vacation! I'll give y'all an update of our adventures next week!
  In the meantime, here are some pictures of things that have been keeping us occupied recently! Enjoy!

Being chased by Patrick

Baking my first strawberry cake (3 layers)

Watching the Braves beat the Phillies (and P saw them lose to the Giants while I was working)

Rest in Peace, Dean Foy

Today is a sad day in Auburn history as one of our beloved has passed. I was able to meet Dean Foy while at Auburn and he was the most precious man I've ever met. I enjoyed being led by his looooooong War Eagle and won't forget how much he loved Auburn. If anyone ever embodied the spirit of Auburn, it was our dear Dean Foy. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family. He is a legend never to be forgotten.