How Nice!

I began my morning with a "How Nice" and ended it with a "How Nice."

This morning's was a southern girl's way of acknowledging something, but in a way that is nicer than what she'd really like to say - which is not so nice.
But this evening's was a southern girl's way of saying she's perfectly satisfied and happy.

I finished out my day crafting, gardening, cooking and just enjoying myself, completely confident that what had gotten my goat this morning was nothing more than a Mean Girl thing, and with the support of my girl friends, well, it would soon be behind me - and it was.

I saw a project on Pinterest, and a bunch of my friends sent it to me via Facebook, so it seemed it was meant for me to do this. Of course, I do have a 'thing' for pumpkins...

This is a photo of the potted plants next to my front door.

Cute enough with my flamingos, and typical Florida -- but not really very fall-ish. Okay, I know that many of you out there don't think we have fall in south Florida, but I can tell you it's on its way. The shadows are falling very differently now, so it's on its way! Trust me. We may have to turn to our crotons to see any color, but fall is coming!

And this is the new and improved potted plant.

I think it's really cute, but thank goodness I don't have a lot of money in this project, because, in full disclosure, I also think it might end up being a Pinterest Fail. As I filled each of the plastic pumpkins with dirt and the plant, the pumpkins began to smoosh down.

I made something similar using clay pots a few years ago and that's really what I recommend, but it surely wouldn't be as cute. It's much easier to keep the potting soil level in a clay pot. With this, I have a feeling I'm going to wake up in a few days, go out to get the newspaper, and find that the little mums have popped out of the flattened pumpkins. We'll see.

The small mums were $1 each at Home Depot, the pumpkins were $1.99 each at KMart and the potting soil was $10.97 at Home Depot.

Anyway, it's cute and put a smile on my face.
Here's my front porch.

Speaking of KMart, I never go there, but was looking for the pumpkins and found this cute door mat. I'll have to start checking them out more often.

Here are some other projects I worked on - wreaths for my office door. I'm ready for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

This is a black wreath you can pick up at any craft store. The witches hat is an old fascinator that I've had for years and years. I broke off the headband and glued the hat on to the wreath, glued on some glittery ornaments shaped like pumpkins and glued on some bows. Done!

Then, using silk leaves from garland that I've accumulated through the years and a wood frame, I made this.

I glued the leaves onto the frame, glued on some little berries and attached a glittery bow and done!

For whatever reason, this is the time of year I enjoy crafting most. And today, in particular, it was the perfect ending to a shaky start.

My friend teaches a writing class; her students journal. I would take that class if I could still write, but my inherited essential tremors force me to turn to my computer and type, rather than hand write my journal. Anyway you look at it, though, journaling is a freeing experience. I slow myself down to think about what’s truly happening around me, as well as my part in it. Journaling - my blog - has helped me build serenity.

No matter how your day begins, end it with creativity and journaling. You'll feel a difference.


Love and miss you, Mom. There are three out there right now, lined up and waiting.