Oleander + Palm

Metamorphosis – Butterfly, Chrysalis, and Caterpillar

Wizard of Oz – Dorothy and Scarecrow

Instagratitude Project

November 1, 2012

November, really? This is that super busy time of year where there just isn’t enough minutes in the day. I do need to slow down long enough to consider all that I am thankful for. So, I’m starting a challenge for myself. I’m going to share one thing everyday of November that I’m thankful for. But, it will have a fun twist. I’m sharing it through instagram! I’d love it if you would join in. Everyday, capture an image that represents something you are grateful for. It can be big or small blessings in your life. My hope is that I can focus my mind and heart on what I DO have, not what I DON’T. I want an attitude of gratitude.

Here’s how it will work. Post your image on Instagram, but add the tag #instagratitude2012 and if you want, you can tag me @jeranmcconnel as well.

I’m sure that all my East Coast friends are struggling to be thankful. With all the damage and lives lost, my heart hurts for you. You are in my prayers. Sometimes is so hard to see God and any good when you are in the middle of life’s storms (literally). I am definitely not preaching, but I hope that this is helpful to you. This verse is such a good reminder to me. Sometimes I have to say it to myself over and over again.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I hope you’ll participate in my Instagratitude Project, please leave a comment with your instagram username so that I can follow you also. I’m excited for the good things to come.

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

October 31, 2012

Is it really ever too chilly for ice cream? I don’t think so, and this Fall flavored ice cream hits the spot. This ice cream starts as a cooked custard, and I think that’s what makes it soooo creamy and yummy.

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
4 egg yolks
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

In a sauce pan, whisk together the cream, sugar, eggs and salt. Cook on med-low heat, stirring and scraping the sides of the pan often. Cook for at least 10 mins. or until the mixture thickens. It should coat the back of a wooden spoon.

In a bowl, combine the pumpkin, vanilla and spices. Add the pumpkin mixture to the cooked cream mixture. Whisk together well. Cover and chill for a couple hours. Prepare ice cream according to your ice cream makers instructions. Store in an airtight container in the freezer.

I served this ice cream with Trador Joe’s Cinnamon Schoolbook Cookies. And the cute paper cups were from Target‘s dollar section.

This recipe is adapted from Williams Sonoma.

Pumpkin Patch

October 30, 2012

Fall wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Pumpkin Patch. Here’s a peak at our visit.

Wizard of Oz Halloween Costumes

October 29, 2012

These Scarecrow and Dorothy costumes are classics. All the characters from the Wizard of Oz make fantastic Halloween costumes. Denali and Dylan had watched the movie that year and decided very early that they wanted to be Dorothy and the Scarecrow.

I’m sure there are a lot of patterns out there to follow, but I just decided to make my own simple versions. Dorothy’s dress was a simple, buttoned, bib front, blue gingham dress that I edged with eyelet lace. Denali wore a white collared shirt and a pair ruby red slippers (of course). She ended getting a lot of mileage out of those red sparkly shoes. They worked really well with her Christmas dress. She also carried Todo in a basket.

The scarecrow costume was also quite simple. I used an old pair of Dylan’s pants and bought a green long sleeved t-shirt. I used tan polar fleece fabric for the straw. Then I just sewed all kinds of patches onto his clothing. I made his hood out of more fleece and attached an inexpensive witch hat to it. Then I just tied rope around his ankles, wrists and waist. Dylan made sure to stay in character most of the night and flopped around and tripped often.

Last night our church had their Halloween party, so the kids wore their costumes. It’s kind of fun that they get to wear them more then once. I’m kind of relieved to have them done and ready to go for Halloween. Are you still working on costumes? Or are you trick or treat ready? What are your kiddos going to be this year?

You can see more of our Halloween costumes by clicking the links below.

Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia

Metamorphosis – Butterfly, Chrysalis, and Caterpillar

Neon Party Inspiration

October 28, 2012

Denali’s party is just a week away. She will be 11 years old. She’s also in Middle School, so we’re changing it up a bit. The WHOLE family and ALL our family friends are not invited, yikes. We’re have a just girls, tween party and we’re going roller skating. My original plan was to do Glow in the Dark Mini Golf, but then it closed. This kind of threw a wrench in my plans. But, Denali’s happy with Rolling Skating, and there will be neon decorations and treats.

About 6 months ago I shared how I was warming up to the come back of neon. And my 11 year old is definitely into it. So, neon it is. I picked up this fabric last Spring. It’s almost neon and I love the color combo – grey, purple and neon pink. Fabric is often my inspiration for a party palette. I’ll share more of the party process later this week.

New House Numbers

October 27, 2012

So, I’ve picked some new numbers for our house. I shared a collection of numbers a week ago. I had decided to go with the Mission numbers from Restoration Hardware, but alas they were out of 2’s. So, I decided that the modern fonts were really fun as well. And while we were at Home Depot picking up sprinkler parts, I saw these numbers.

They are perfect. I love the bronze color, it goes with our new hardware on the door and the modern font was just want I was looking for. And to make them even more ideal, they were really inexpensive, $5.99 each. Now to hang them tomorrow.

Lonnie and Dylan are going camping this weekend with my brothers and their two sons. They are going to have so much fun. They can be real men without moms there to worry. I made sure to send them with lots of treats. What’s camping with out good snacks? Denali made them chocolate chip cookies, I made them a big batch of Pumpkin Spice Poppycock, and they are going to have Sweet and Sour Meatball Hobo Meals for dinner tomorrow night.

We’re looking forward to some girl time here as well. There won’t be time for cooking meals that’s for sure. I don’t know if you’re like me, but if the hubby is gone, I’m not really into cooking meals. Time for take out or maybe just popcorn for dinner. I’ll also be putting finishing touches on Halloween costumes this weekend. And Denali’s birthday party is a week away – so I’ve got a lot of work there, but it’s probably my favorite kind of work. What do you have planned for this weekend?

Oh one more fun thing. My little blog has been nominated for Skinny Scoop’s Top 25 Creative Blogs list. There is just 2 more days to vote. I feel silly asking, but if you’d take the time to vote for Oleander and Palm, I’d sure appreciate it. Thanks friends.

Metamorphosis Halloween Costumes

October 25, 2012

Well, last year we had to come up with 3 Halloween costumes that would go together. Pairs are much easier. So, my kids went as metamorphosis. I’ve told you before that I’m married to a Science nerd. Lonnie is a biology teacher, so this one was all his idea. Denali went as a butterfly, Dyl was the chrysalis, and Olivia was a caterpillar. We thought it was a pretty clever trio.

The chrysalis costume was the easiest. I tea stained a couple yards of unbleached cotton fabric and a yard of gauze like fabric and then tore it into 4 inch strips. I actually sewed the stripes to his pants and t-shirt. I penciled on his face some more strips and we baby powdered his hair and face.

Denali’s costume was a bit more time consuming. I followed Martha Stewart’s Butterfly Wing Pattern to make her wings. It was actually a couple days of sewing, but I really think they turned out beautiful. We decided to make our own species of butterfly. This butterfly comes from Papua New Guinea it’s the Graphium Weiskei (we have a framed one like this). Since that’s where Denali was born and I grew up, it had some significance to us.

We obviously had some fun with the makeup. Denali flipped out we a showed her the fake eyelashes. She sure is one beautiful girl.

Olivia’s caterpillar costume was made by her aunt. Auntie Jacq did an amazing job making this super cute Hungry Caterpillar costume. It was perfect for a 1 month old. She stayed warm and cozy in it all night.

You can see more of our Halloween costumes by clicking the links below.

Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia

Chalkboard Rocks for Halloween

October 22, 2012

I love it when I make something that I actually use over and over. I made these Chalkboard Rocks a really long time ago. I used them for Thanksgiving decor and even place cards. They really are one of the simplest things ever, but they continue to be one of my more popular posts of all time.

I’ve written cute Halloween messages and images on them now. This time I used a chalk pen, which gives fantastic, clean, crisp results (see sources below). I filled a large mason jar with the rocks to decorate my tabletop.

I little natural twine around the top of the jar adds the finishing touch. My kids will have fun drawing and writing on these rocks as well.

I had a hard time finding a white chalk pen at local craft stores, so I’ve listed to great sources for them below.

Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Halloween Costumes

October 21, 2012

I’m having so much fun going back through pictures from Halloweens past. This was probably Dyl’s all time favorite costumes. He was and still is a HUGE Star Wars fan. You can see how much he loved his Light Saber.

For Dylan’s Luke Skywalker costume I made him a simple lined tunic and a brown sash belt. He wore his one brown pants and carried his Light Saber. For Denali’s Princess Leia costume I made her two braided buns for her hair. I simply braided really long lengths of brown yarn and the hot glue them into spiral cones. Then we bobby pinned them to her own smaller buns. I also made her a long, turtle neck dress with wide sleeves. She wore sandals and one of my metallic belts.

These Owl Pumpkins were probably the cutest pumpkins I’ve ever made.

I obviously have to have some influence on my kids costume choices if they are going to have costumes that go together. But, every year I try to pick something they are really interested in. I want them to be excited about their costumes. Do you let your kids pick a character from their wildest dreams, do you give them very limited choices, or do you have 100% control over the selection?

You can see more of our Halloween costumes by clicking the links below.