Tie Skirts, for when you have some extra neck ties laying around...

Back in high school, which was far longer than I would like to remember, I had a bunch of ties. Not because I wear ties. And not because I raided my dad's closet. Because VBS was making snakes out of ties, and there were lots of extras. So, on my way to being a hoarder, I said I would take them off their hands with no plans for the ties yet. 

But I was also in a sewing class at school. Not because I didn't know how but because I wanted an excuse to create. It was magical. So I decided to cut the ties apart and make a skirt. I didn't have a pattern for this, just an idea. Which is why it is far from perfectionist work. It took a looooong time to finish since I had to rip open each tie, sew them all together, and then stitch the backs back up. But when I did finish, and got the nerve up to wear it, it was quite a reaction. I had sort of forgotten that the ties belonged to men at my home church. And that now I was wearing their ties. And they weren't expecting it. As you can imagine, I made quite a stir with people pointing out their own ties and and asking who the others belonged to. It was very amusing. 

I am in the process of making another one for a friend. She had half of the ties and here is a  picture of the process.

I have to say, a tie skirt goes with EVERYTHING. And yet doesn't really match anything. Just my style. 

GROOOOSSSS!

Our weather this past month has certainly had it's up and downs... One of the downs includes a good bit of rain. And I'm not so much opposed to rain (it makes some great napping background music), but I am opposed to what it leaves on our sidewalk. You might think I mean worms, which, yes indeed, are rather gross. But no, not worms. Snails. Lots and lots of snails. And I don't mean like 1 or 2 cute little snails, I mean like thousands!!! Okay, well maybe not thousands, but about 20. And if you've seen how relatively small our sidewalk is, you will know the percentage of surface area that was a sea of snails. 


So, that is gross enough to be the end of this post, but that is not the end of my rant. If you have ever heard me talk about the cicadas that attacked last year, then you will know my frustration with the snails. Well, no, snails don't actually attack like cicadas that land on your nose and then stick with their little sticky legs, but they do leave a little slime in their path. 


Also, possibly, when I come in at night and forget to turn the light on, and forget about the snail epidemic, I might *CRUNCH* through the snail shells as I walk down the sidewalk. It's just too hard to avoid. They are EVERYWHERE, as were the cicadas. Here is a a close-up of the before of what the snail on the bottom of my shoe would have looked like. 

Lucky for you, I don't have a picture of the after snail. But believe me when I say it was GROOOSSSS!

Bring back the worms... at least they don't make a CRUNCH...

It's a BOY!!!

I told myself that I would have a blogging goal. One post a month. Totally doable. But let's be honest, sometimes life isn't THAT interesting every month. However, I will still hold onto my goal (however unattainable). 


Let's start with the basics. In November, we had an addition to our family. My first and only little nephew decided to wait no longer. He came a few weeks earlier than expected, but then maybe that's a sign of his future personality: impatient? eager? likes to be early? Either way, we were STOKED to have another baby, and a boy to boot!

The picture on the top was a newborn picture and the second one was just sent recently... He is growing fast. And in my humble aunt opinion, he is adorable. Precious baby boy. 

Fall Party

It is the beginning of this wonderful season of leaves, colors, and holidays. So, to celebrate we had a fall party at school. 

I won't pretend like it wasn't complete chaos, because it was. And I won't pretend that I was sad to have it over with, because I SO wasn't. And I won't pretend that I made the cutest little snacks (see below), because I didn't.

But I will tell you that the kids had a blast!

Since not all families do the whole Halloween thing, we just made scarecrows instead. They were kind of a lot of prep work, but I had a sweet parent whole helped me prepare. They turned out pretty cute.

And then the best part of the whole party was this adorable treat made by a very talented parent. They made oranges into jack-o-lanterns and filled them with fruit. The kids and the parents alike thought they were awesome! Wish I really could have taken credit for these.

What to do on a cold Thursday night...

All of the sudden it is cold. And dark. And only 4:30.

I needed some comfort. And I was hungry. And I had chicken in the fridge.

Solution: FRIED CHICKEN.
(Which is actually the solution to many problems, in my opinion.)

Now, I can't take credit for creating the chicken or the recipe, but I will take credit for the following pictures.

And I take credit for the good feeling in my belly as well. YUMMMMM!

Papaw

Son, 
        brother, 
                  husband, 
                                 uncle, 
                                          dad, 
                                                grandfather, 
                                                               great-grandfather. 
                                              

My Papaw.

I'm pretty sure this was taken right after she kissed him on the cheek. And he was embarrassed. And she was apologizing, while secretly laughing at her own private joke.

Such a sweet picture. Thankfully, memories live on.

Beachy

It is fall break. I know you can't read the emotion in this statement, but trust me, it's there. 


I wait in anticipation for fall break from about September 1st till October 14th. I was blessed enough to visit the beach this fall break. If you have never been to the gulf area in October, you need to GO. I mean it, now. Get in your car and DRIVE! 


Here are the reasons:


1. It is the beach, duh.
2. It is the perfect temperature for beach dwelling.
3. It is cheap to rent a condo during the fall.
4. It is an easy drive or flight. 
5. It is the BEACH!


Convinced? Here is a picture from our balcony on the 15th floor.

That is all I will say. Just linger on that view for a moment. Ahhh...