DIY St Patty's Day Wreath

Its almost time for St Patrick's Day and being an Irish Girl its about time to decorate my house!  I decided I needed a new wreath for the front door and thought I could make one!

I made a simple yarn wreath.  It is extremely easy to make and I'm happy with how it turned out!

Materials:

• Foam Wreath
• Yarn (medium Bulk 4)
• Hot Glue Gun
• Hot Glue
• Felt (for flowers)
• Wooden Letter
• St Patty's Decoration

Wreath Form and Yarn (Lion's Brand)

Felt, Wooden Letter, Foam Shamrock

Instructions

1. Decide which color yarn you will use first!
2. Place a dot of hot glue on the back of the wreath, place the end of the yarn into the hot glue and begin wrapping the yarn around the wreath.
3. When enough of the wreath is covered with the first color of yarn place another dot of hot glue on the back of the wreath and place the end of the yarn into the hot glue.
4. Repeat steps 2 &3 for the second and third colors
5. When the wreath is completely covered in yarn it is time to decorate!
6. Decorate your wreath with Felt Flowers (instructions can be found here), Wooden Letter and St Patty's Decorations

Hope you enjoy your wreath and Happy Crafting!!

DIY Simple Felt Flowers

Here are two simple felt flowers that can be used to add to wreaths, decorate items or use on headbands.

Materials:

• Felt
• Scissors
• Hot Glue
• Hot Glue Gun
• Ruler

Fringe Flowers

Instructions:

Steps 1 & 2 Cut two strips of felt. One 2x5 inches and One 3x4 inches. (For smaller flowers 1x2 1/2 inches and 1 1/2x2 inches)

Steps 3, 4, & 5 Place a strip of hot glue on the outer edge of the felt and press the other edge of the felt into the hot glue creating a seal

Step 6 Snip the felt using scissors into a fringe (do not cut all the way through the hot glue)

Step 7 Begin with the 3x4 inch strip of felt (the 1 1/2x2 inch strip for small flowers) Place a dot of hot glue on one side of the felt and begin to roll up the felt continue to place dots of hot glue in several spots on the felt as you continue to roll up the felt

Step 8  To complete the flower wrap the 2x5 inch felt strip (the 1x2 1/2 inch strip for small flowers) around the completed rolled up 3x4 strip of felt using a few dots of hot glue.

Spiral Flowers

Instructions:

1. Draw a circle on the Felt (I used a CD/DVD)
2. Cut out the circle 
3. Cut a spiral into the circle
4. Beginning in the center of the circle place a dot of hot glue and wrap the felt around itself working towards the outside placing small dots of hot glue as you go

Apple Cinnamon Slow Cooker Oatmeal

There is nothing better than a super simple and healthy breakfast!  I found a great recipe for Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal on Pinterest which is made overnight in the slow cooker While you Sleep!!  

The Oatmeal is super simple to make, I tweaked the original recipe just a little and used 4 (instead of 2) apples.  I prefer to use Macintosh apples in all of my baking/cooking, but you can use which ever kind you enjoy.  

Slice the Apples

Then add them to your slow cooker with 1/3 a cup of brown sugar and 1 tsp of Cinnamon (to be honest I'm not sure on the exact amount of Cinnamon added I just did a few generous dashes I like Cinnamon and rarely measure it in recipes.)

Cover the apples and sugar mixture with 2 cups of old fashioned Oats

 Add 4 cups of water, Do Not stir, cover and set slow cooker on low for 8-9 hours.

In the morning breakfast will be waiting for you when you wake up!

Not that pretty, but Delicious!!

This recipe makes enough oatmeal for me for several mornings.  I store it in a tupperware container and am able to heat up the amount I was throughout the week!   Hope you all enjoy this simple Breakfast!!

APPLE CINNAMON SLOW COOKER OATMEAL

Ingredients

4 Apples

1/3 Brown Sugar

1 tsp Cinnamon

2 cups Old Fashioned Oats

4 cups Water

Directions

Slice Apples.  Place Apples in bottom of slow cooker.  Add brown sugar and cinnamon.  Cover apple/sugar mixture with Oats.  Top with water.  DO NOT STIR.  Cover and set slow cooker on low for 8-9 hours.  Enjoy in the morning!!

Smoking or Non Smoking

So, Christopher and I decided to go out to dinner at a Chili's tonight (we got a gift card from his parents) in Summerville SC.  When we got there the hostess asked us if we wanted Smoking or Non-Smoking for our seating!?!? What?!?  I didn't even know that was a thing anymore.  When I was in high school I remember going to TooJays with my friend Kate and the restaurant was split into Smoking and Non-Smoking sections, but that was about 10 years ago.  In Florida all restaurants are are non-smoking.  It just blew my mind that you are still able to smoke in restaurants!  

Hope everyone is having a great Friday night!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 25

Day 25:  Today I am thankful for the beautiful night sky.  I love looking at the stars!  They are extremely beautiful and always cause me to awe at the amazing world God has made.  Also this time of year Orion's Belt is visible and those are my favorite stars!! (I'm not sure why but they are.)  And in the last month I have not one but TWO shooting stars!  The night sky is wonderful.  So today I am grateful for beautiful stars, Orion's Belt and the wonder they cause!!

30 Days of Thanks: Catch Up

Oh Dear I am so far behind on my 30 Days of Thanks, it is now time to play catch up!!

Day 21: Thursday was my Parents Anniversary.  I am thankful for the love they have for each other and the wonderful example of marriage and love they provide me and my sisters!

Day 22:  Even though I love my job, Friday I was thankful for short days at work!! Being able to make it in early to the nursing home and finish my day early gives me more time to spend with my family. =)

Day 23:  Saturday I am thankful for running my errands with my mom.  It is a simple thing that I feel I take for granted, but really is a special time we share together.  I am grateful for the memorable time we spend together doing common mundane things.

Day 24:  Today I am thankful for christmas shopping!  I LOVE Christmas shopping.  I am one of those people who starts shopping for christmas on December 26 (ok I've actually only done that once twice). But I love searching for presents I think the person will really enjoy and love.  One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is shopping for my family and friends it brings me so much joy!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 20

Day 20:  Today I am thankful for a husband who will drive 2 hours to go pick up our dogs from his parents (and who drove 2 hours yesterday to drop off our dogs) because they weren't able to be at our house today!  He offered to drive the dogs to his parents for us, allowing me time to clean the house and organize.  It is small things like this that I am grateful for on a daily basis!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 19

Day 19: I am thankful for my KitchenAid Stand Mixer!!  My parents gave it to me for my birthday a few years ago and I absolutely LOVE it!  I enjoy cooking and baking and with my mixer I am able to whip up some very yummy food!!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 18

Day 18:  Today I am thankful for quiet nights at home.  I am thankful for the times when I can just sit on the couch with my husband and relax together.  Even though there is nothing exciting about these nights I just enjoy being near Christopher and having him with me!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 17

Day 17:  (Time for catch up since I didn't make it yesterday.)  I am thankful for the work I am able to do with children.  Although I currently work with adults, I started out in school with working strictly with pediatrics in mind.  I spent 6 years working with kids before I moved to Stuart and took a position at a SNF.  I LOVE working with kids, especially what I call my itty bitties (0-3).  I love the look on their face when you are showing them how to make a sound and they are so focused on trying to figure out how you are doing it.  I love watching as they start to really talk and communicate, how excited their parents get when they hear them say momma or dada for the first time.  With some of my older kids I treasure the times I have worked with those struggling to read, working together until they are able to read not only a few words or sentences, but a whole book!  Through my work with children I have come to know some very special people (most of whom I think of often), a few of my families I am still in contact with and they have a very special place in my heart.  They have become my close friends and family.  So I am grateful for the work I get to do with children, it is truly something I love doing!!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 16

Day 16:  I am thankful for the University of Florida, Go Gators!! This school gave me 6 amazing years (4 undergrad, 2 grad).  Some of my fondest memories come from my time in the band. I play the trombone and was a member of the marching band.  Those 4 years filled my life with so much happiness and life long friendships!  I was able to watch the Gators win a national championship in football, in person!!! I also participated in the basketball band and went on several trips with both the women's and men's basketball throughout the years.  

During those 6 years I figured out what I wanted to do with my life, grew up and became more independent, made wonderful friends and met my husband.  While life continues to grow and become more excited I look back on my time in gainesville fondly.  I am truly grateful for the time I spent at UF!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 15

Day 15:  Today I am thankful that I live near my parents.  In July of 2012 Christopher and I packed up our little home in Orlando and moved to Stuart about 40 minutes from my Parents.  I have enjoyed every moment of living close to them.  Since moving here I feel as though I have seen them almost every weekend they have been in town (my parents seem to go on vacation a lot).  Now that I have a move to Charleston looming over me I truly cherish the moments I have been able to spend with them.  I have grown closer to my parents and will miss having them so near by.  I wish I could take them with me to Charleston!  I am grateful even though it was only a little over a year I have had this chance to live near my parents as an adult, growing my relationship with them!!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 14

Day 14: Today I am thankful for Harry Potter!!  I love Harry Potter,  I have read each book at least once (and have listened to the audiobooks more times then I can count, being dyslexic reading is difficult at times and I really enjoy audiobooks).  We discovered the magical world of Hogwarts, Saved the Sorcerers stone, battled the Voldemort in the Chamber of Secrets, rescued Sirius from a tower, been a contestant in the Triwizord tournament, fought along side the Order of the Phoenix, mourned when Dumbledore fell from the tower, and defeated Voldemort.  I cherish the adventures Harry, Hermionie and Ron took me on and the lessons of friendship they taught me.  I am grateful I have these magnificent books, wonderful adventures and great friends in my life!!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 13

Day 13:  Today I am thankful for Maine!!  I love Maine, looking at this picture makes me wish I was curled up on the couch looking out the window right now. (Except for the fact that right now in Maine it is 27 degrees brrrrrrrr!!!)  Maine is were I feel at home, life seems simpler and people are friendlier.  I am grateful I am able go to Maine in the summer, enjoy the natural beauty and spend time with my family!!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 12

Day 12:  Today I am thankful for my husband!!  Today we celebrated our 2 year wedding Anniversary and what a wonderful 2 years it has been.  I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us!!  My husband allows me to be myself, goofy and silly as I might be.  I am grateful for the love and support he provides me.  He is my best friend and I am thankful I have Christopher in my life.

30 Days of Thanks: Day 11

Day 11:  Today I am thankful for all of the brave men and women who have fought for our country and freedom and those who continue to fight and put their lives on the line.  These brave individuals fight for our freedom, spend long periods of time away from their loved ones and sacrifice their own lives.  I am incredibly grateful for their service!!!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 10

Day 10:  Today I am thankful for my church.  I have grown up going to Jupiter First Church, I was married in this church.  I really enjoy and love worshiping here.  The music is amazing, we are definitely spoiled by our singers.  And our Pastors are wonderful, I love the way they blend the word of God with real life experiences.  I now live about 45 minutes from my church and travel down to service as often as I can, but when I'm unable to a service in person I enjoy worshipping from home while watching the service on my computer. (I am extremely grateful this option as I am about to have to move to another state and still prefer my home church to any other I've visited).  Today I am grateful I have a wonderful place to go to worship the God I love!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 9

Day 9:  I am thankful for JoAnn Fabrics.  This store helps me fulfill all of my crafty ideas.  From supplying me with yarn to complete my lasted knitting project to baking supplies as I learn to ice and decorate cakes.  Without this store I would be lost when it comes to trying to complete projects.  So today I am grateful for a store that helps bring out my creative side, bringing lots of joy to my life. 

30 Days of Thanks: Day 8

Day 8:  Today I am thankful for my job!  I love what I do and am grateful for the chance to work with so many interesting people.  For those who don't know I am a Speech Pathologist and am currently working in a SNF/ALF.  I love going to work everyday working with my patients.  There are times when they drive me crazy, like the time I was told I was the plague or when one of my patients threaten to hit me.  But there are times when they crack me up and a lot of times when they inspire me. Listening to the way my Patients speak of their spouses is amazing and truly inspiring.  It makes me pray that when I am their age I will still be filled with such Love and admiration for my husband.  So today I am thankful for my job and all the wonderful experiences it has provided me!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 7

Day 7:   Today I am thankful for my Parents.  I am so thankful for everything they have done for me throughout the years, the support and guidance they have provided.  I couldn't imagine my life without them.  I am so grateful for my Daddy and Mema!!! Love you both