Bird's Nest Spring Wreath{DIY}

A wire hanger & burlap? That simple?!
This was so easy.  I followed this tutorial here.


I did make my strips a little thinner for a thicker fill & I was using a smaller sized wreath.
I added my own touches to it using vintage fabric to make flower rosettes and hot glued them onto the burlap.

I took a photo and sent it to my sister, aunt, and mom.
Everyone responded with compliments, but my sister said "It reminds me of a bird's nest." 
{I immediately remembered those little clip on bird ornaments from my Christmas tree}
PERFECT---I put a bird on it! {ha} 

I like hanging all my wreaths using clothes line, clothes pins and fabric for the top of the wreath {just my thing}.
I also whipped up a little matching fabric banner for our porch bench.

A good start to outdoor spring cuteness!

Linking up at these other pretty places

Thanks for looking! 

XOXO, 

Kate 

Pass*It*Forward; Card 2

If you don't remember what this is all about, start here. 

Today I did more shine spreading---Passin' it forward...

Some of you know that I returned to work at my previous job as an ISC (pretty much a social worker for Adults with Disabilities). When I returned, I was a little anxious about having a brand new Team Leader.  She has made me feel so comfortable being back, been understanding when my kids have been sick (and we know they have been a lot in the past few months).  & in addition, she has kept me calm during my transition taking the time to listen to non-work related stuff while dealing with anything else she has going on in her life.  So, Miss Laura--today was your day for some shine! 

She LOVES diet coke. Seriously, one day, she was walking in holding 4 cans of it. & she hates receiving flowers {ha, she had a funny story with that one}  So here is what I did...

2 down, 8 to go.  

Don't worry, strangers are coming too....

I even plan explaining this to Avery & having her pick what she wants to do.  

{that will be a fun one}

XOXO, 

Kate

Pass*It*Forward; Card 1

Not sure if anyone follows this lil blog of mine, but if you do, you will remember this post, a lil sneaky, sneaky.
Meet Ashley of the Shine Project. 
She is doing BIG things & I am a total admirer.  My sister, Mandie knew of this & got me one of her Shine Necklaces for my birthday. {I wear it almost everyday}.

Well, leave it to Ashley to go even further & create Pass It Forward. 
You log your card, send it off to someone & do anything you choose, they do the same, & you watch how many lives have been touched by a simple, unexpected random act of kindness. {easy}
{the perfect solution to make small differences with BIG end results}. I WAS SOLD & ordered 10 cards.
I've been in a lil funk & this was the perfect solution to get me out of it.
How could I not?

Yes--it can be anyone; family, friends, strangers, people making a difference; the choice is up to you.  The first person who came to mind was Avery's afternoon preschool teacher, Stephanie. You can tell she LOVES her job which is rare these days.  She is trying to make Avery's class into something better than its ever been.  She enlightens, enriches, & expands their minds.  {not to mention, she has a super cute blog you should go check out}. 

So here you go...

9 to go & I am SO excited.  

Are you jumping on board? 

XOXO, 

Kate 

dear husband,

thank you for our babies.

You have given me the greatest gift of God--Avery & Anderson.
I could kiss you over and over for so many reasons, but in particular, for these sweet babies.

I'm in love with weekends together and hope that some day, that becomes routine.
Until then, I know that we all appreciate and take in the moment as a foursome.

XOXO, 

Kate

on memories...

I hope my children have the fondest of childhood memories in so many ways.
In particular, I hope they remember when visiting yaya and papa's house, we go here.

I.heart.this.place.
If there could be a perfect park in my mind, this would be it.

XOXO, 

Kate 

Pass It Forward

Are you jumping on board, too? 

Coming soon...

XOXO, 

Kate 

{easy} crock pot white chili

Seriously, I feel like this is turning into a food blog; however, its not.
This was just SO GOOD & SO easy to not share.

Introducing my version of White Chili {Crock Pot Style}

Ingredients & Directions:
1 pound chicken breast {I used tenderloins, easier to cut} 

3 cups of chicken broth 

1/2 onion-chopped 

4 garlic cloves

2 Tablespoons Cumin 

1 Teaspoon Ground Cayenne Red Pepper 

1/2 Teaspoon salt 

1 small can of Green Chilis 

2 cans Great White Northern Beans 

topping: 

Tostito's chips 

Sour Cream 

Shredded Monterrey Jack Cheese 

Directions: 

1) Turn crock pot to high 

2) combine Beans, Spices, and Chicken Broth & mix well 

3) Cut chicken into bite size pieces and add 

4) Cook on High for 2-3 hours, then low for another 2 hours 

Serving: 

1) crunch chips 

2) Add Chili 

3) Top with Sour Cream & Shredded Monterey Jack cheese 

Despite having a little kick to it, BOTH my kids ate it! 

Enjoy! 

XOXO, 

Kate

where have I been?

I noticed that I had not blogged in well over a week.  

I started getting anxiety, thinking, 

"I haven't made anything cool, I haven't gone anywhere cool, omg, I'm not cool." 

{haha} 

Lets see...

Christopher had his first birthday in 4 years ;) He turned 8, err I mean 32.  32? what?! {playing with you babe} 

Anderson got sick {boo} 

Avery continues to keep us on our toes with lots of "whys?"

Oh wait, I did make something; made Anderson this outfit using Dana's Fabric Dyeing method. 

& also his cute little striped knit pants using Dana's basic pants tutorial.

{even the free print out pattern worked great and I just adjusted the length}.  

Love me some Anderson: 

Chris' birthday: 

& my Avery is just growing up to be such a little girl.

She loves to cut things out.  

{she is SO close to cutting out patterns; okay, maybe not SO close, but she wants to & I want her to b/c I dread cutting, but love sewing}. Think we will make a good team?

Well I just get back to work.  

Thanks for looking! 

XOXO, 

Kate