Favorite Ornaments

I'm still decorating for Christmas over here at the House of Trotti. I might actually have it complete by Christmas Eve....maybe. LOL.

Our girls decorated the tree this year, and although there are many ornaments that are smooshed together and not quite in the place that I would have put them, I left it just as they decorated it. It's perfect in my opinion. I have decided that after this year I am going to purge a few ornaments from my collection. The tree is so full and I left a handful off this year just to make sure there was no overcrowding. It's obvious that did not help. LOL.

As with most of our ornaments there is usually a story behind them and although we have many, many, many that our girls have made (might I mention that I love every single one of them) I have a select few that are my absolute favorites that I would like to share with you today.

The first one is a bird's nest. Yes, this is a real bird's nest, and no, it wasn't found at our house on the ground or picked up in the woods while we were hiking, this bird's nest is special to me because it was found in the very first Christmas tree that my husband and my girl's chopped down together. We didn't find it right away. It actually went through the whole holiday season and I was taking down all the ornaments I reached in to grab one and hit it with my hand. Had never noticed it when we put it up, and the tree was pretty dense so I guess we just overlooked it. I pulled it out and couldn't believe the find. It not only was a very perfect little nest, but it had broken egg shells in it. ♥ The eggs you see in the pic are of course ones I picked up at the craft store and replaced, but these eggs are around the same size that were originally in there. We put the nest on our tree every year to be displayed and we always get a few inquiries on it. We also heard that in Icelandic lore, it is good luck to find a bird's nest in your Christmas tree. How cool is that?

My second favorite ornament is my Sac State Christmas tree. My cousin Little Denny is a very talented crafter. Her and her mom, my great Aunt, who has now since passed on, have always been super crafty and every year we would get a homemade ornament from them. In December 1999, I was about to graduate from California State University Sacramento with my Bachelor's degree. I had been in college for five years, working two jobs and was done in. I was getting to that point of not even wanting to walk in the ceremony in December, I just wanted to be done. One day in early December, prior to my graduation, I go over to my parent's house and this was waiting for me wrapped in a cute little bow from my cousin Little Denny. It reminds me of my big accomplishment and how much hard work it took to get there, so I proudly display it on our tree every year.

My third favorite ornament is my cookie monster. This one is near and dear to my heart because my Aunt Suzie made this for me. Can you tell that I come from a long line of craftiness? This actually isn't the original. My mom has the original dough ornament that she made when I was a little girl hanging on her tree and although it's my favorite, she wouldn't give it up. I kinda think it's her favorite too. So a few years back, Aunt Suzie or Suz Suz as we refer to her, made me another cookie monster to hang on our tree. I love it and so do the girls.

Laundry Room Envy

I have laundry room envy. Wish I had space for this!!

Source: beneathmyheart.net via Debie on Pinterest

Look at the beautiful hooks for kiddos coming home from school to unload their crap. And a bench that opens up for shoes and balls and soccer gear to be stored. (*Long sigh*)Total envy!

Why I love Fall

Here are a few reasons why I love Fall:
Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks

Source: greenlitwins.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Inspiring Fall Fashion

Source: bohmeboutique.blogspot.com via Colby on Pinterest

Trees that look this beautiful

Source: flickr.com via Tina on Pinterest

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins

Source: blog.tinyprints.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Apple Cobbler, yes mine has ice cream!!!!

Source: pillsbury.com via Lori on Pinterest

And of course, Halloween!

Source: marthastewart.com via Ashly on Pinterest

And last but not least....the Sacramento Antique Faire where I stroll kidless with my best friend while sipping our pumpkin spice lattes in the wee hours of the morning.

Source: facebook.com via Andrea on Pinterest

What do you love about Fall?? Link up and tell me.

Leopard Print Pumpkins

These are totally being made!!!!

Source: tracys-trinkets-treasures.blogspot.com via Chris on Pinterest

Dreaming of a Cool Outdoor Space

After three years our girls took one last picture and then waved goodbye to their old playset. The playset we bought for their birthdays several years ago has been an awesome piece of equipment, but it was slowly deteriorating and taking on a rather large lean. It would start to shake back and forth if the girls jumped on the swingset. Doesn't make a mama feel very safe when you see the large structure swaying back and forth with your children along for the ride. So, it was time. The playset went to a new happy home and we were left with a rather large chunk of square dirt and dead grass. I know it's definitely not the season to be re-doing our yard, but I can't help but dream about a really cool outdoor space next Spring. We planned on putting in some raised beds so that we can grow tomatoes, lettuce, zucchini, etc, but I also have been seeing so many different cool outdoor ideas on Pinterest lately, that it really got my brain thinking about the possibilities of our great backyard. Here are a few ideas that I am really loving:

How awesome are these!!!!

Source: etsy.com via Debie on Pinterest

Or these!!!!

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I'm kinda in ♥ with the succulent table

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Great kiddo project and we seem to go through a lot of rolls with three girls in the house.

Source: topp-kreativ.de via Debie on Pinterest

Yes!!!!

Source: weheartit.com via Suzannah on Pinterest

I know that Mr. Trotti would enjoy this

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Debie on Pinterest

Lovely!

Source: whimsicalraindropcottage.tumblr.com via Debie on Pinterest

Source: cococozy.com via Debie on Pinterest

Ok, ok, this last one was a little far fetched for our little backyard, but you get the jist.

Genius!!!!

Source: cometogetherkids.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

Yep, wish I would have thought of this for my kiddos. Just gave one of these sun tea containers to the Goodwill last year. I might have to go buy it back. This is genius!!!!!!

Workout Inspiration

Source: sweetseas.blogspot.com via Debie on Pinterest

My husband is in awesome shape. He bikes to work, which is a round-trip of 60 something miles a few times a week, he is the PT leader in the Reserves, he goes to the gym every night, and he signed up to do Tough Mudder, which if you haven't had a chance to check out, you really need to. Think Marine obstacle course on steroids. His wife, me, can't run a mile to save her life. Well, I can, but I'm really slow. Super slow!!! Being 5'2, my strides seem to be that of a mouse or a 6 year old kid. Last year I tried doing couch to 5k and I did make it to week 3 and then quit when I got a bad cold. I know, I suck. I need to get moving again. I have been walking the kids to school in the morning and then home and then back up again for lunch and home and then to pick them up. Yesterday I did three miles of walking but I really want to start running. My goal is to be able to run a 5k by Christmas. My husband runs 5 miles a few days a week like it's no big thing. I want to be able to just run three!! So I'm going to start my couch to 5K on Monday again, and I will let everyone know how I'm doing. If I stay accountable to you guys, maybe I will acutually accomplish it. I love this great sign that I found on Pinterest. Good inspiration for running. I love the words! Hope everyone has a great day!!!

First Day of School

I really don't know how it's possible that I have a first grader and a fourth grader? How did that happen? I just brought them home from the hospital, didn't I? Feeling a little old today on our first day of school. It's always bittersweet for me. We had an awesome summer and took several trips including Disneyland and two camping trips to the ocean. We went bowling almost every single day, went to the dollar movies once a week and had a few swimming lessons in between. All in all, it was a beautiful summer.

Both Scout and Peanut were more than ready to start school today. They had their outfits picked out, their backpacks ready, and were up before their alarm clocks went off. They both have awesome teachers this year which always makes a mama happy.

I love it when you get to school and see all of the new school shoes, outfits and lunch boxes that make their way through the halls. I also like to see the teacher gifts that kids bring to their new teachers. This morning I spotted flowers, apples (which I love), school supplies, etc. Here is what my girls brought to their teachers this morning.

Hopefully the chocolate will get them through the day today. Especially Scout's teacher, with 36 first graders. Yikes! Here are a few of my other favorite teacher gifts that I pulled from Pinterest. Most all of them have tutorials attached, so please check them out. Remember, it doesn't have to be the first or the last day of school to bring a teacher a gift. These dedicated people teach and help mold our children into the people they become. Any time is a good time to show our appreciation to them!

Source: creativeholidaygiftideas.blogspot.com via Kathryn on Pinterest

Source: brownpaper--packages.com via Mara on Pinterest

Source: tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com via Mary on Pinterest

Source: brownpaper--packages.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Engraving Spoon Tutorial

I so love this tutorial. I have always wanted to make spoon necklaces that were engraved with sayings or names. These metal stamps can be found at good old Harbor Freight, or as we like to refer to it, The Big Store, for very little $. Here is the link to the metal stamps! Just click on the link below for the full tutorial.

Source: elizabethannedesigns.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Stuffed S'mores Cookie

I think I have died and found cookie heaven. Does it get any better than this?????? I may have to make these today. You can click on the link below that will take you to the picky-palate.com to get the recipe. YUM!!!

Source: picky-palate.com via Debie on Pinterest