Fall Decor DIY

I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful season. I can't believe we are half way through October already! I wasn't about to let fall pass by without a wee bit of decorating. I wanted to share with you this extremely simple and beautiful way to decorate for fall. This could be inside or outside, and doesn't take long at all!

What you'll need:
- a pumpkin- the size is totally up to you. If you're putting it on a table as a centerpiece I would go with something smaller, but if it's going outside you could go bigger.
- a sharp knife for carving, a spoon and a pail or bowl.
- some leaves, on branches, pieces of corn stalks, or whatever other fall foliage you desire.
- scissors or sheers

First, you are going to cut a circle out of the top of the pumpkin, like you would when carving a jack-o-lantern.

Once you've cut the circle remove the top to expose the seeds and pumpkins inside. 

Scrape out all the insides, using the spoon, and dump the insides into the bowl or pail. Once I had it cleaned out I rinsed my out, and wiped and dried the outside because I was planning on bringing my into the house.

Now, gather some leaves, branches and whatever else you'd like. Essentially you are going to use this hollowed out pumpkin as a vase. 

Once you have everything you want gathered together you are going to want to measure them against your pumpkin, and see how high you want them once they are inside in the pumpkin. Cut and trim until you're happy with the height, and play around with how you like them in the pumpkin.

And, you're done! Now just decide where you want to put it, and you've added a touch of fall to your house. I hope you enjoy it!

Happy Fall!

Emily xo

A Legacy of Faith

On Saturday August 10th my Aunt & Uncle welcomed their first little baby into the world. It was an exciting day for my family, and we cannot wait to meet sweet, little Maria.

She is being baptized at their Parish, about 2 hours from here, on Sunday afternoon. We are anxiously awaiting the day she will be welcomed into the loving home of the Catholic Church, and they day we will all get to lay eyes on her for the first time.

I wanted to take a moment, not only to welcome little Maria into the world, and into the Catholic Church (on Sunday), but to touch on the beautiful gift of new life...and large families. I wrote 2 articles, here & here, back in June about the gift of large families, and the criticism they often face. Today, I want to explain to you about my family.

Both of my parents are one of eight children. My Mom is one of the older ones in her family, and my Dad one of the younger in his. Mom's family is with whom I spent/spend most of my time. I am close with them in proximity (for the most part) and in relationship.

My grandparent, Mom's parents, have one of the most beautiful relationships I have ever seen. When I was in high school we had a fire at our home, and my entire family stayed at my grandparent's house for a few weeks before Christmas. It was then, when I was living under their roof, that I truly got to see their relationship in action. They are so genuinely kind to one another, all the time. But, more then that, they have a faith that has withstood many, many trials and temptations. They still pray together, every single day. That is what has made their relationship so incredibly strong, and what created the pillar that their wonderful family is built on.

This November my grandparents will be married for 50 years...in that time the have purchased and built up an extremely successful family dairy farm. They have raised a house full of wonderful, solid children who love and respect them. They have experienced death, and the lose of close family. They walked their daughters down the aisle, one at a time. They watched as their sons found beautiful wives, and promised to love them forever. The saw their family "go forth and multiple" {Gen.9:7} as their first grandchild (me) was born 21 years ago. They have experienced sorrow as they tore down the house they raised their family in, for safety reasons. They have watched in vain as the farm they worked so hard to create, was reduced to a flaming pile of rubble. They began from scratch, rebuilding a farm and a legacy of hard work & dedication. They stood by and supported their children as difficult decisions were made. They stood by at endless baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, graduations and sporting events, as they watched their children, and then grandchildren grow. And, this September they will welcome their 33 grand child into the world.

In 50 years they have supported, raised, loved, forgave, taught, nursed, cared for, and prayed for, not only one another, but for 8 children, 8 children-in-law, & 33 grandchildren. God willing, they will still be here to see their great grandchildren as well. I would love for my children to one day have the honour of knowing them.

I think my grandparents are too humble to know the legacy they are leaving behind on this Earth. Because of them, their love, generosity, kindness & faith will long outlive them.

Thank you, Nanna & Poppa, for this wonderful gift. I love you!

Emily xo

Oh! The Dreams that Could be Dreamed...All Because of a Window Seat

The other night Troy and I were talking about what our dream home would look like...about the things we would want, if we could build it just the way we would like. I had some of the regular type things...like a large kitchen, a butcher block, large windows, a front porch. But there was one thing I have always wanted. I mean always.

I remember being a little girl dreaming of having a window seat. I wanted to be able to cuddle up in the puddles of sunshine and watch the world going on outside. I wanted to be able to have a cup of something hot while I watched the rain drops race down the pains of glass, while I cuddled up, only inches from the drops, but stayed completely dry. I wanted to be able to read a book there at night, and see the stars and moon when I paused my reading to ponder the pages.

Now, as an adult I want to be able to sit on a window seat and do all those same things. I want to be able to sit there and say my morning prayers and see God in action. I just find the very thought of a window seat soothing to my soul.

I wanted to share with you some images of what I dream my one day window seat will look something like.

How could you resist cuddling up there? Sigh...

I love the idea of the shelves on either side. It would be perfect for putting my Bible and prayers books for when I say my morning prayers there. It also is a lovely place to set a cup of tea down!

I cannot even explain to you how much I would have loved this as a child. It's like a little escape from the world! Heck, I am 21 and would still love this!

Mmmm...just imagine the dreams that would dreamed here! The storage underneath is also a good idea!

Having a window seat in the kitchen is perfect in some many ways. Growing up, we had a couch in the kitchen, and at another point, a rocking chair. You have no idea how amazing that is. Not only is it the ideal place to cuddle up in the early morning for prayers, but it is also perfect for little wee ones to snuggle up and read while Mom is baking, or to sit and visit with Mom while she's getting supper on. 

Ah, I want one!

Okay, I literally had to tell myself to stop Pinterest searching window seats! I become OBSESSED once I started. But, I hope this will give you a couple of your own window seat cravings...I mean, ideas! Heehee!

Emily xo

Who Needs a Pool?

Maybe at-home swimming pools are, in fact, over rated. Or, maybe not.

The other night I pulled into the driveway of my parent's home after work to this lovely sight.

My Dad works as a carpenter and spends most days building or re-doing homes. Apparently a recent reno involved removing a bath tub. And, somehow that bath tub wound up at our house. I am sure my Mother was thrilled. In his defense, it was behind the garage. Out of sight, at least.

On this particular day the ruthless stretch of merciless summer heat we'd been getting had gotten a little too much for these wee ones to handle. One of my brothers, with the help of a length of chain, dragged this across the yard so it ended up near the hose...and right by our front door. 

An ideal place for a swimming pool, no?

I mean, I can't really blame them...It was hot enough that I seriously considered joining them. But, by the time I got home it was nearly time for supper, and their pool had to close up for the night. Eating sure can get in the way of serious fun, such as this.

I hope you're staying cool this summer...any way you have to!

Emilyxo

Travel Bug

My boyfriend's sister just returned from a year in Poland. She was doing a high school exchange there. I have never been to Europe, but am dying to go. All her travel stories have made me long for travels of my own.

As much as I admire other places all over the world, I am very much a homebody. I think I should start with the exploration of my home, Canada, before venturing anywhere else this time. I have been as far west as the city of Vancouver in beautiful British Columbia (yes, I will give you this, your licence plates are accurate) to visit family last April. I have also been in every province between here and there- Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

{Beautiful city of Vancouver-and this coming 
from a country lady!}

I have been as far east as New Brunswick, and travelled through Quebec. And, next on my list (who knows when, though) is P.E.I.

{I love me some Ocean & light houses!}

{Prince Edward Island-you're killin me!}

{My mouth...it's watering}

{Green Gables! It's captures my childhood memories 
of reading about Anne}

{How lovely! I love me some potatoes-heehee}

Let's go exploring!

Emily xox

Praise be to God, for this lovely place!

Small Bedroom Ideas

Come the fall I will be having a new bedroom. It will be tiny. And I will be sharing it.

Soooo...

Pinterest and I have been spending a ridiculous amount of time together. I thought I would share some of the ideas I have found with you, and hopefully you will find some inspiration.

1.

I found the link to this site and photo on Pinterest, and was intrigued. This is about maximizing space in a small bathroom (specifically at a cottage). But, I thought this was a very neat idea.
Since my new room will be tiny, and shared I will not have a lot (or any, really) space for any extras. Just the necessities will have a place and the rest will be packed away for future use. But, I have a few novels that I have read, and love, and always go back to that I cannot bring myself to pack away. I also got a candle for Christmas that has the most beautiful jar and is a lovely colour that I don't want to pack away either. And, I have a few other, tiny pieces that I would love to have out but don't have a spot for.
So, I have decided I will make myself a shelf like this for above the bedroom door. I can put a few nicknack's up there that would otherwise get packed away. They'll be simple, special things that I don't need or use very often, but add a personal touch to a space that would otherwise go unused.

2.

Again, Pinterest showed me this site. In this new room of mine we are having 1 set of white bunk beds. What I liked from this photo, and took from it to help in my designing ideas, was the shelves at the head of the beds. You have to look closely, but there are shelves running along the heads of both bottom bunks.

We all have things we like/need to keep close by where we sleep, but in a small room a night stand takes up valuable space. Having shelves at the head of the bed not only removes a night stand, but it also allows the person on the top bed to have storage.

3.

Click here for the link to this site. Because I will be in school in the fall I am going to need a desk in my room, but desk storage space will be limited. I am thinking that the mason jars below this shelf would be ideal for paper clips, tacks, and other miscellaneous desk items.

This would also be good for storing things like hair ties, bobby pins or small jewellery that you wear on a regular basis and want close by.

Freeing up space on your desk or dresser allows for you to have a smaller piece of furniture, and therefore giving you more space in your small room.

Okay, well that is a start of my ideas anyway. Let me know if you have any suggestions!

-Emily xo