Writer's Retreat Weekend

I love retreats but they're expensive. So, the girls in my critique group decided to make our own. We all went to Roz's house early in the morning. We spent hours writing, eating and chatting. And it was all free.

Of course we didn't have any guest speakers so you might call it more of a workshop than a retreat. But when Mom's get away for a few hours and don't have to cook or clean or . . . do anything they don't want to do, I'd call that a retreat. How 'bout you?

Beautiful Food

We went to Sinju in the Pearl of Portland for dinner on Saturday night and it was yummy but more than that, it was beautiful.

Check out this artwork where food is just the medium. It was great Shashimi.

Birthday Season

We've been having one party after another. First it was Kara and Jacob's birthday then it was my and my husband's birthday, this weekend it was my mil's and bil's bday and then it was Fatina's bday.

One right after the other.

So, I've been eating a bit too much. Time to get back on track.

Cupcakes Galore

It's time for caramel corn, candy apples and. . .cupcakes

Golden Ghosts
Wise Old Owls
Cats

And even Spiders

YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Making Up Words

Do you ever make up words? I do and I have since I was a little kid. I think I learned it from my brother--Todd.

Todd was the best storyteller ever. He could make up stories on the fly. Always trying to get out of one scrap after another. And, he didn't just make up the stories, he made up the words to go along with it. He was a true Brofessional.

So, if you don't know what Brofessional is, I didn't even make that one up, check it out here if you don't believe me.

But I can tell you, according to Urban Dictionary it means "This is a person who excels in party related activity with a professional style. They are good at all things party: i.e. drinking, smoking, dancing, talking to the opposite sex, getting out of situations, etc."

Halloween House - it's BOOtiful

I love holidays - all of them. In fact, if I could think of a good way to decorate for Ground Hog's Day, I probably would. And, I still decorate for the holidays even though the kids have long since lost their interest in coming home to ghosts hanging around the house--but I've still got witches dangling on a string and mice running amok.

Wreaths are easy to make - just twine some old branches together with some wire and glue on some silk flowers and ornamental fruit, you can buy super cheap at any craft store, then add a ribbon and it's a festive decoration


It's easy to put out some flowers, hang up some masks and add a couple of creepy critters to the tables and stairs and the kids will think it's cool.



I throw some plastic bugs on the tables, some paper mice and put out a lot of orange candles and flowers.


And hang up giant spiders on the porch




Or, if you don't want to have scarey things hanging around just use colored corn and squash with some homemade potpourri.

Here are a few of my tricks for easy inexpensive decorations.
I put some hats out and add some fun fabric to tables and WAH-LAH creepy Halloween House


With paper mice peeking around, and a pumpkin sitting on top of the table - the house can look really bootiful!








How 'bout you? Any decorations hangingaround?

Mad Hattress

I love parties. And, any reason will do. So, I decided to throw a Mad Hattress Party!

We got together to make our own hats. With Halloween just around the corner some of us worked on hats suitable for the occasion.
Others weren't so into the season. Not everyone wanted to make hats so some made special scarfs (almost magical since it was a gryffindor scarf)

and others worked on needlework.
But we had tea and scones and a great time.