DIY: Thankful Tree

Well, were home from the deep south and my brother now has a wife, *sigh*.
And I couldn't believe with our return came the first of November.
This happens to be one of my favorite months. The further and further we get into autumn and the leading up to winter always just makes me the happiest. There's just something about this time each year that makes my insides warm and makes me oh so thankful. Its possibly the nearing end of the year which makes me reflect and recollect all my memories of the past eleven months. All the joy, all the overcoming, and all that we have endured.
Thats why in November I like to make a Thankfulness Tree.
It can be something small like having hot coffee each morning or big like having a committed spouse.
Either way its something new for each day in the month of November that leaves you blessed.
I did this last year with my nanny kids and this year I thought I would share it with all of you.
Super simple and good for the soul, it will help leave even your worst days better because you are focusing on gratitude.

You will need:
1. pretty paper 2. branches 3. mason jar 4. yarn 5. hole punch 6. pen

1. Cut out your leaves and punch the holes (I promise you do them ALL ahead of time, if you think you'll have time cut one everyday you probably wont)

2. Hole punch the bottom of each leaf, thread yarn and tie

3. Put all your branches in a mason jar 

4. Start writing your thanks! We left our extra leaves and a pen near our tree so we remember to do it each day.

At the end of the month you will have a beautiful tree, full of love and blessings and an appreciation of both. I hope you challenge yourself this month, be happy, be thankful.

xoxo j

flying south for the winter.

Greg and I are currently in Louisiana for my little brothers wedding.
We are so excited for him and his sweet wife to be!!
It has been so awesome to watch their adventure unfold. To see where they were, how they've grown, and who they have become together... truly beautiful.
We will have updates of happiness throughout the next couple of days.
And as always you can follow us on insta @peacelovebird.
more soon,
xo j

One year ago today.

A year from this very day, Greg asked if he could keep me forever.

It feels like some distant memory that warms me when I relive the day in my head. It was purely, and easily one of the most joyous days of my life.

But what may have been overshadowed by it all was also my best friends birthday.

Yes, Greg completely pulled one over on me and proposed on his own birthday.
But this year I am floating in a sea of thankfulness and excited to be just celebrating my sweet husband.
So to you my dear,
Happy Birthday!
I cannot believe how quickly a year has passed!
I am filled with massive amounts of happiness knowing I get to spend each and every day with you.
You are the most kind hearted, gentle spirit I have ever known. You bring not only me, so many of our dear ones peace and love by just your presence.
I love knowing I will be the one beside you as you grow older, wiser and even grayer for all our days to come.
So thankful for your life dear, its a beautiful one.

xoxo (yours)
j


photo c/o Joy Studios.

i thought they discontinued the patch.

Sometimes I feel like I am living in a dream.
Like everyday when I walk outside and realize I am sharing a house with two of my favorite ladies.
I remember it as if it were yesterday, I was craft dating with Lisa and she mentioned her neighbors were moving out this summer and Greg and I should think about moving in.
At the time it seemed like a reallllly happy thought, but just a thought. It seemed like it wouldn't be attainable or would just be one of those things you talk about in retrospect wishing it would have actually happened.
Well, guess what? This time the stars aligned in our favor. We moved into the apartment right behind two people that are not only super sweet to have as neighbors but inspiring and beautiful friends.

Before we actually moved in I had a dream that we were all carving pumpkins togther and it was warm and heart filling and when I woke up I knew this was the place we needed to spend our first year of marriage.

We made my dream come true in a small way this yesterday when the four of us went off to have a fall adventure.

 Ode to my favorite farm, *sigh*. We had a truly wonderful time. I think it was just what we all needed some simple beauty and outdoor air. Yay for Fall:)
All this talk of our apartment reminds me I really want to show you a home tour on the blog, we are SO close to being done. It has been quite a process but it really starting to feel like home ♥
xoxo j

DIY: Leaf Garland

Happy Monday!
Well, I hope yours was happy anyway. Mine had a damper of the Monday Blues but I figured what else better to help fix that but a happy fall DIY? Right?!

This is my favorite kind of DIY.. simple.. uses up scraps... and no mess so you can do it while you veg on the couch after a long day and watch your favorite program:)

1.felt scraps 2. embroidery floss 3. needle 4.scissors

 

1. Cut out your leaves. Greg and I had fun with this I asked him to help and cut whatever shapes he wanted so it would be more of a random combo. I like it I think it helps give them that 'freshly picked' look!

2. Take your needle and embroidery floss. Tie and knot in one end and just start stitching up the center of your leaves to connect them.

3. Hang and enjoy!
We are having so much fun collecting and making things to make our new little home feel festive. With the weather getting chilly again and were forced to spend more afternoons inside I feel more DIY's to emerge in the near future:)
So much to catch up on in  my blog life, so little time. *sigh*
xoxo j