Spring Wreath

Over the last several years I have been attempting to purchase wreaths for my front door that I can use for each season. Apparently I am extremely picky as this hasn't been an easy task. About 2 years ago I found a winter wreath that I actually liked, and more recently found an autumn wreath that wasn't super cheap looking so I added it to my collection as well. I'm not sure why it's been such a process but I like to find ones that at least look a little realistic and not pay an arm and a leg for them. Even some of the super fake looking ones are ridiculously priced! Okay that's the cheap Mennonite in me talking. :)

With the "summer like" temps that we had last week (50's HAHA!!) and everything in stores being sold two or three seasons ahead of time, I decided I should probably start looking for a Spring wreath. The other day I checked at Michael's and wasn't impressed so yesterday I drug my Mom into Hobby Lobby while running our weekly Monday grocery errands. Let me assure you that she did NOT go in the store kicking and screaming but the scrapbooking paper purchases she made were simply not my fault.

After seeing the price tags on the pre-made wreaths and not really being impressed enough to want to break the bank on them, I thought maybe my door would just remain wreath-less for another warm season or two. Since this seems to be a trend each year, I decided to look around for any pieces that caught my eye that I could use to make my own. I found some pieces that I liked and then proceeded to do what any good daughter would do -- I called my Mom who was on the other side of the store and interrupted her scrapbook paper shopping to come help me decide which color flowers were best. :) We are dangerous, let me tell you!

Thanks to the wonderful weekly Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon and their fabulous sales, my items totaled $32.82. I went home nervous and excited to tackle my new project, hoping that it would turn out at least half decent. My hands don't always create what my brain dreams up. :) I started with the following items pictured below...a plain grapevine wreath, 6 feet of berry garland, and a stem of both purple/cream flowers.

And for a better view of each item...

My blank wreath canvas!

I wanted some color but nothing super bold.

I always love the looks of this berry garland stuff.

Definitely stole Chris' sidecutters temporarily. ;)

As you can see in the above picture, I started with the berry garland, attaching it every few inches with some green wire that I already had here. After I had the garland securely in place, I cut apart the purple/cream flower stems and positioned those around the wreath.

And here is my finished product proudly displayed on my front door!

I was pleased with it for being my first wreath attempt and for the price I paid for everything. And the best part was that I had fun creating it! Now I'm ready if Spring ever decides to show up. :)

Warmer Days

What a busy Spring it's been so far! I can't believe May is practically half over. I'm so thankful that the weather is finally warming up and I don't have to freeze while working outside. :)

At the end of March Chris and I spent 6 nights & 7 days in one of our favorite places - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! We had such a nice, relaxing time and it was bittersweet to come home. We visited Cades Cove for the first time and that was such a beautiful drive. Definitely recommend that one to anyone visiting the area. As always, we returned home with new memories very much looking forward to returning there again hopefully sooner rather than later. :) We just never get tired of that place! If you've never been, don't judge us but rather go experience it for yourself. It's funny how you just can't accurately describe that vacation spot to anyone that hasn't ever been there. Anyone who's been there knows what I'm talking about though!!  

April was a whirlwind for me. Garden work and yard clean up have had me in high gear. I also started scheming up ways to surprise my husband for his 30th birthday which was May 3rd. Neither Chris or I are big party people but I decided to do some special things to help Chris ring in his 30's in several memorable, fun ways! All in all I'd say the weekend was a success and I'm so thankful for everyone who helped me carry out some crazy ideas. Since his birthday was a Friday, I contacted my cousin & brother-in-law Chad (weird, I know) who happens to ALSO be Chris' boss and he helped me work it out that we could SURPRISE Chris with a day off work! It was pretty hilarious because Chris does payroll among many other things which he used to do every Friday. Well, if he didn't know he was going to be gone that Friday, no one would get paychecks! So -- Chad being the genius that he is, came up with an excuse two weeks prior that would make Chris start doing payroll on Thursdays instead just so that he wouldn't get suspicious and paychecks would still go out that week. It worked like a charm! Needless to say when I surprised Chris Thursday evening with Iron Man 3 movie tickets for the following afternoon (his birthday) and informed him that he wouldn't be going to work he was very surprised! :) We had a fun day together. I was also able to surprise him with cards from his friends and family that were filled with well wishes and memories of years gone by to help usher him into his 30's. So thankful to everyone who participated and sent cards back! The day after his birthday I escorted him to his parent's farm for a surprise party filled with both our immediate families. I'm pretty sure he was on overload by that point. Poor Chris -- such a good sport!!

It's golf season again! Chris and his Dad play in a golf league every Tuesday evening so I use that opportunity to hang out with my dear mother-in-law and sister-in-law (Tanya) some of the weeks! Tonight we were able to add Elana to our fun as Chad was out with some guy friends so that was a nice treat! Especially since it involved Mikie's ice cream!!!! Yum! Thanks for the lovely dinner ladies. So thankful for my second family.

Next weekend is Memorial Day weekend already and I am so excited for that! My family was able to work it out to all go camping together just like we used to before our lives got crazy. :) Last year we were able to go too but it was really hot and the weekend got cut short because of some crazy thunderstorms and torrential downpours of rain. :( Hoping for much better weather this year!