Paper Flowers

Who remembers making paper flowers as a kid and spritzing them with your mom's favorite perfume? On many occasions, I would make paper flowers as a kid in my room and present it to my mom or a teacher as if it was an award winning rose. I used Brawny paper towels at the time. haha. These flowers also make me think of a theme park that once existed in Houston, Texas called Astroworld. There was a kiosk booth which sold these large colorful paper flowers. I use to have one balanced on the top drape in the window of my bedroom.

*Here is a fun quick

easy peezy lemon squeezy

way to make Paper Flowers*

First: Stock up on some party napkins in your colors of choice. I chose Fall colors in shades of burgundy, orange, yellow, and brown. Party supply stores are the best place to find a variety of colors at a low price.

Second: Open one napkin flat on a surface

Third: Choose one or two more colored napkins. Open and layer on top of first napkin. In the photo I off centered the layers to illustrate directions. However, make sure each napkin is even with the one underneath when doing this.

Fourth: Fold the napkins into an accordion/fan style fold

Fifth: Use a sturdy cord to tie the fan in center. I used Bowdabra Bow Wire from Bowdabra .

Sixth: Using scissors, cut a "V" shape or inverted "V" shape at the end of each fan. Use either "V" shape to create a variety in petal styles.

Seventh: Separate each napkin layer on both ends to create the flower.

And then Tada!!!!! There you have it---Paper Flower Palooza

I used these and filled a basket next to my fireplace for Fall and I also used one to decorate the top of a Get Well Package for my daughter's teacher. I think the paper flower possibilities are endless. I plan on making some Poinsettia-style paper flowers in December in reds, whites and pinks! Some will decorate my house and others will be perfect for adding on top of Christmas presents!

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Bike Ride

My daughter on that last bike ride of the summer just before the start of Autumn. It was one of those late afternoons where we could smell and see the season changing and summer trying to hang on for one last final big Hoorah. To think that I took this photo just a few weeks ago and now here I am thinking about what size Thanksgiving turkey I should buy this year and putting together my Christmas card list. If only everyday could be like the lazy days of summer through the days of my daughter's childhood.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.



Apple Cider Stand

Just as we were ready to call it quits and go home after bearing the cold wind from our first official cold front of the season, we came across a hot cider stand. Hot cider for $1.....and as it so happens, face painting too.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.



Biscuit Donuts

I know I am not the only one who grew up with homemade donuts. Who remembers these yummy treats? When I was a kid, my mom use to make homemade donuts for us using a can of biscuit dough. She would use a soda pop lid to create the hole in the center of each biscuit. She would fry up the "donuts" and also the "donut holes" in a skillet with oil and then sprinkle some with powdered sugar and others with cinnamon sugar. One of my older brothers, who was often in his room sweet talking to girls on the phone, somehow always made an appearance in the kitchen when Mom made these yummy warm homemade donuts.

Many years later, I enjoy making them with my daughter. I found a donut cutter at Williams-Sonoma . However, I think mom's way with the soda lid was better and funner.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Pretty November Things

Pretty November things I spotted at the grocery store

 which make me smile.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

You Are My Sunshine

My daughter was on the Sunshine Committee this past week in her classroom. As part of this highly coveted position, one of the things to do is bring a treat to share with the class. I stayed up past midnight making 16+ heart-shaped Rice Krispy treats with sunny yellow frosting and little pearl sprinkles. Nothing says motherhood like staying up late making sweets for your child's class. My daughter was very pleased with these very sunshiny and Doris Day-ish treats. I was feeling more like a lunar eclipse rather than a ray of sun the next morning after staying up so late. However, the smile on my daughter's face, as she proudly carried her heart-shaped treats into her classroom, made it all worth the while! She is my sunshine!

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Signs of Motherhood

Signs of Motherhood: waiting in carpool lane while jamming to Kings of Leon with a bottle of hand wipes for your child nestled in the drink holder.


Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Picasso vs. 8 Year Old

source

"Mom, What kind of world would you rather live in?---A world painted by Picasso or a world painted by an 8 year old like me?"

"A world painted by an eight year old, definitely!"

"Yeah, me too. That way there would be pretty things everywhere like unicorns."

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Costume Party for Lil' Ghouls

In a moment of mental absence, I told my daughter she could have a couple of friends from the neighborhood over for a little Halloween costume party. She was, of course, delighted with the idea. They had such a great time. The look of happiness on my daughter's face and unsuppressed giggles all evening made it well worth the effort.

The table is set and ready for guests!

Witch Broom Goodie Bags for the little guests

My mom would make a lime sherbert and Sprite drink for all my parties when I was little. I made it for this party and in the spirit of Halloween, I named it "Zombie Puss". All the girls loved it and it was a big hit!

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Crushing on Mary

While watching the Sound Of Music Reunion episode on Oprah this evening, my husband revealed that he had a crush on his 1st grade teacher who looked very much like Julie Andrews in her role as Mary Poppins (insert sound of my giggles here). And apparently this teacher of his affection also had a thick German accent to boot!----(insert more giggles). I thought it was odd when he bought me a large tapestry carpet bag and umbrella one Valentine's Day. Juuuuust Kidding.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.



16

16 Autumn-ish Things That Make Me Smile

1. Pumpkin Patches

2. Pumpkin Spice Soy Lattes

3. Scarecrows

4. Hay for Sale

5. Buying a new sweater..or two

6. Wearing a favorite old sweater

7. Candles in Autumn scents like Apple Cinnamon and Pumpkin Pie

8. Turning off the air conditioner and opening the doors

9. Shopping for Halloween costumes

10. Stepping on crunchy crispy fallen leaves on purpose.

11. Stews

12. Acorns and the busy squirrels collecting them

13. Spotting the first flock of geese in the sky flying South.

14. Lighting the fireplace

15. An excuse to act like the Addams Family

16. My Dad's Birthday

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.



Sock Skeleton

Meet Blanch McSkully! I whipped up this cute lanky skeleton in one night using, you guessed it, socks! 1 pair to be exact...except, don't tell Blanch--She would think it quite ghastly if she knew she was made out of socks. I got this idea from none other than the extraordinaire herself, Martha Stewart . This adorable Halloween craft was easy peezy lemon squeezy. Click here for the How-To guide. I am thinking that next year I will make more and embroider pretty art flowers on the face to celebrate Dia de los Muertos aka Day of the Dead . OR, I may just hand over Blanch McSkully to my cat. The entire time I was sewing her arms and legs on, he thought I was creating a wonderful toy just for him. I had to place Blanch on my fireplace mantle to keep her safe from Custard Kitty. His sharp kitty claws and teeth scared her to death, so to speak. Haha!

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Willie Nelson VS. U2

I have the neatest song playing on my Virtual Victrola and would like to share it with you. It is my song for you. I've had my home state of Texas and my Texas loved-ones on my mind a lot lately for various reasons. Have I mentioned that I am a 6th generation Texan on my Mom's side? ----Only 100 billion times it might seem to anyone who knows me. And so in attempting to close the miles between my home here on the east coast of Florida and my heart on the gulf coast of Texas, I was listening to some Willie Nelson tunes on my playlist while putting away leftovers, packing my daughter's school lunch, and chatting about my day with my husband this evening when I came across this song which is an awesome mix between Willie Nelson and U2. Willie Nelson's You were Always On My Mind and U2's With Or Without You are blended into a slightly upbeat song, yet still remain very melancholy and melodic. Normally, I am not a huge fan of mixes. But, I totally loved this one and had to play it on my Virtual Victrola for you.

Houston, Texas

source

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.