sweet gum wreath

12 December 2011

This fall, we were up at the park and we saw all of these cute prickly balls hanging from the trees and all over the ground. I had no idea what they were called, but I thought they might be fabulous in a wreath. So…we gathered.

Here’s what they look like after sitting in the storage room for over a month:

after a short time googling prickly tree balls, I found out they are from sweet gum trees and are called sweet gum fruit. AND Martha already thought of making them into a wreath.

Martha, Martha, Martha.

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courage for the week 12.11.11

10 December 2011

it’s no secret that my favorite movie is It’s a Wonderful Life. George Bailey’s prayer in Martini’s bar is probably one that we have all offered at one point or another in our lives. Here’s that prayer and an excerpt from an article for Guideposts that Jimmy Stewart wrote about It’s a Wonderful Life:

“As I said those words, I felt the loneliness, the hopelessness of people who had nowhere to turn, and my eyes filled with tears. I broke down sobbing. This was not planned at all, but the power of that prayer, the realization that our Father in heaven is there to help the hopeless, had reduced me to tears.

Frank (Capra, the director), who loved spontaneity in his films, was ecstatic. He wanted a close-up of me saying that prayer, but was sensitive enough to know that my breaking down was real and that repeating it in another take was unlikely. But Frank got his close-up. The following week he worked long hours in the film laboratory, repeatedly enlarging the frames so that eventually it would appear as a close-up on the screen. I believe nothing like this had ever been done before. It involved thousands of enlargements with extra time and money. But he felt it was worth it…” ~Jimmy Stewart, Guideposts.

deals 12.9.11

09 December 2011

note: prices and availability change quickly, I’m just listing the price for when I posted this, I may add to it!

Shade Clothing : use code SHADEGIFT for 50% off everything and free shipping until December 11th.

Childrens Place has free shipping until December 11th + 25% off , use code H7F2011

Target has the Lalaloopsy doll and stove set for $19.99 + some other daily deals.

Another coupon for $10 gift card with a $50 purchase at Target! expires 12/10

While you are in Target, you may want to check out the Nintendo 3DS in cosmic black, they are $169.99 in store, and then you get a $50 gift card, plus you can use the above coupon! (only in store)

And of course, Amazon:

Gold Box Deal of the Day: Scotch Laminator $16.99 ~I have this and love it for laminating chore cards, labels, kids’ art projects I want to protect

RISK board game $16.00

Sound of Music 3 disc 45th Anniversary blu ray edition $16.99

Gone With the Wind $8.49

Some $5 family movies (think holiday road trips!): Prince of Egypt, Road to Eldorado, Antz, Chicken Run

my friend Lynee loves this game: Blokus $14.40

Melissa Doug Construction Puzzle $7.05

Littlest Pet Shop Spot Dot Set $8.99

Razor Electric Scooter $99.99

Duracell AA batteries 20 count end up being $7.72 with subscribe & save and the coupon you can clip below where it says In Stock.

oh, c’mon. You know you need a MANGROOMER?? $19