Oh Christmas Tree

I promise, this post isn't just about how we bought our Christmas tree this past weekend.

Which we did do. 

But this post is more about sharing a few Christmas decorating tips...

like using Christmas tree clippings to fill empty flower boxes.  Add pine cones or some non-breakable red ornaments for a pop of color.  It's an easy way to dress up your flower boxes and decorate for the holiday.

And about hanging Christmas lights.

This year, we decided to try Martha Stewart's tip and string our lights up and down the tree instead of stringing them moving around the tree.  Hopefully this will make taking them off much easier than it has in years past. 

And, of course, these tips were inspired because we bought our Christmas tree this weekend.

I am going to enjoy experiencing Christmas through Grace's eyes this year.


And be sure to check out my other Christmas inspired posts:

Star Wars Ornaments	DIY Pottery Barn Candle	DIY Advent Calendar
DIY Santa Beard

Fall is in the air

The heat of the summer, one of the hottest ones on record in the Midwest, took it's toll on my beautiful flowers. In previous years my flowers lasted well into October but not this year.

With fall in the air and flower boxes waiting to be filled, I added what I had...gourds and pinecones.

I took a bag of gourds {thanks to my father in-law who grows them, I have an abundance of free gourds}, some black ribbon, thumbtacks and hair spray. 

Yes, you read that right.  Hair spray.

It's not just cosmetic, like it is for my hair, it's to keep the squirrels from eating them.  Although, maybe that's why the squirrels leave me alone too :)

The hair spray, at least for the time being is keeping the squirrels away AND...

as an added bonus, gives the gourds a nice sheen. 

 So, my flowers may have died an earlier death than normal this year BUT

thanks to my gourds...

 I've moved on because, after all, fall is in the air.

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