It's Our Pinteresting Life

So Long, Farewell

noreply@blogger.com (Heidi ) — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 00:19:00 +0000

You may be singing a familiar tune after reading my status. If not, maybe the picture of the children will jog your memory...No? Okay, well here's the link to the original song from the Sound of Music.

Now that we have sorted that out, Melody and I have decided to retire this blog. We have been blogging for three years, which isn't very long in blog land, but we have been finding our priorities have been changing lately.

We have enjoyed sharing with you our projects and life through these three years. Thank you for supporting us and following along!

Who knows. Maybe we will start our own separate blogs someday. :)

A Christmas Tour - Melody's House

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 16:11:00 +0000

Welcome to my home tour! Don't mind the crazy flurries that are happening, just come on in. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy my home.

The past weekend has turned this area into a winter wonderland. Yes, it means I have lots of shovelling to do, but I don't mind!

I placed garland above the kitchen cabinets. I made the "joy" banner with this template. I placed the letters onto some green scrapbooking paper that I had and hung it with twine.

My coffee carousel always holds a good variety of flavoured coffee for anyone who stops by.. Winter Fest anyone?

One of my favourite clients made this Santa for me. The girls love to pick it up and move it. I never know where it's going to end up!

Mason jars, a tray and garland make an easy decoration.

I found this snow globe at Target for $10!

Our Christmas tree is decorated with old and new ornaments. Bella had a lot of fun decorating along with us and exclaimed over every sparkly ornament she could find.. which was pretty much every one!

Thanks for stopping by!

If you missed Heidi's house tour yesterday, don't forget to check it out.

Christmas Tour {2013}

noreply@blogger.com (Heidi ) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 14:31:00 +0000

It's hard to believe that this is my third year of doing a Christmas tour of our home! I love decorating for Christmas and although our home will never be perfect (and that is fine with me), it is a cozy place where friends and family feel comfortable and welcome.

So, come on in!

I made this "JOY" sign from an old fence board from our backyard. It was super easy - took maybe 20 minutes - but it adds something special to our teeny tiny porch before you enter our home.

This Christmas, I didn't go crazy with decorating. In fact, a lot of things just stayed in boxes down in the basement. I find that not every single space in my home needs to be covered with something "Christmassy". Can I say that it's actually nicer when it's not?

You might have already seen the mantle all decked out, but if not, you can hop over and read a little bit more about it here.

Our Christmas tree is decked out in little coloured lights and red, silver and gold balls with some of our favourite ornaments hung on the branches. We enjoy pulling out the old ornaments and remembering when we bought them or who gave them to us.

I dressed up our bookshelves a bit as well. My favourite Christmas angel that plays "Silent Night" stands in front of a bowl full of ornaments.

// "Oh Holy Night" chalkboard printable from The Shabby Creek Cottage //

// "Peace on Earth" printable (shrunk down) from Angela Hardison //

// wooden nativity set //

I printed off the "Joy to the World" letters from my computer and hung them up over our vintage map in the dining room. I also strung up white and red pom poms on string and draped the garland over the map.

Gavin and I are doing a daily (at least trying to do daily...) Advent activity, Truth in the Tinsel, that teaches the Christmas story in Toddler-sized snippets with an ornament craft. We are both loving our time together in the morning, opening the Bible and focusing on WHO this Christmas season is all about.

And that's our home all decorated for Christmas. Thank you for coming by!

// 2011 and 2012 Christmas tour //

Linking up with The Nester and the 2013 Christmas tour of homes...

What I Am Loving Lately in December

noreply@blogger.com (Heidi ) — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 14:15:00 +0000

There isn't much that I'm not loving lately, to be honest. I love Christmas and everything that comes with it. I love that, in our family, we don't go overboard with presents, so then we can just focus on getting a present for one person and our nieces and nephews. I love that when you turn on the TV, there are Christmas specials galore.

I love the Christmas music playing in the stores (especially now that I don't work in retail). I love that the Gospel is played over the speakers, in places where people normally hate to have any mention of Christ in their presence.

I love getting together with family and friends that I haven't seen in a while and just catching up on life. I love lighting my apples and cinnamon candle and letting the comforting smell seep into our home.

I love the baking that comes with Christmas (especially when I don't have to bake it!). I love the little Christmas crafts that can be done with Gavin. I love the twinkling lights that are hung up around our home. I love the wonderful smell of our Christmas tree.

So, if you are still reading this gushy list of things that I love during the month of December, here are some links that might help you create your own gushy list of things to love. :)

I made these cookies this past Sunday to take to Bible study and they were delicious...and easy...and did I mention, delicious!

Fudge Crinkle Cookies, via Six Sisters Stuff

These gold DIY mugs are gorgeous. They would make a perfect gift for your sister, mom, or friend!

via Garland of Grace Blog

I am actually starting wrapping some gifts (this year I am not a procrastinator! It feels amazing!) and I love these free, printable chalkboard Christmas tags.

via WorldLabel Blog, designed by LiaGriffith.com

This one is the DIY Nativity scene that I made last year. When I pulled them out at the beginning of December and set them up for the boys to play with, I found I was still so happy with them! Gavin loves playing and setting them up more this year too.

via It's Our Pinteresting Life

Lastly, is something so simple (and dangerous to my waistline because it's in plain view): hot chocolate mix and marshmallows in jars, ready for an evening curled up on the couch reading a book or watching a Christmas movie.

Via Life Made Lovely

What are you loving lately?

Advent // Truth in the Tinsel //

noreply@blogger.com (Heidi ) — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 18:23:00 +0000

How the Grinch Stole Christmas has a line that I love: "Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!" In the book and movie, they are talking about goodwill towards mankind, but it goes farther than that. Christmas is more than special cookies, decorating the tree, and opening presents. I love all those things, but Christmas, for us, is all about focusing on the birth of the Saviour of the world. Advent is about waiting. Waiting and anticipating the arrival of the baby who didn't stay in the manger, but grew up and saved the world with His death and life.

Last year I started doing Advent with Gavin, and although he was only 18 months, I was able to start teaching him why we celebrate Christmas and who we celebrate. I used a great resource called Truth in the Tinsel.

Each day, leading up to the 25th, there is a craft that you can do with your child and a short devotional and Scripture reading. Last year was the first year that printable ornaments were offered and I am using them again this year. I love that option if you are using it for really young children; all you have to do is grab the crayons and let them colour as you talk about the ornament and the

devotional for the day.

This year we are also adding a little bit of something to each ornament. For example, Gavin put rhinestone stickers on the crown and googly eyes on Zechariah.

He loves doing the craft and has been really into the devotional part...as long as I keep it short and sweet. He is two after all. :)

If you haven't started Advent yet with your young children and are looking for something to do, even if it is six days in, check out Truth in the Tinsel!

'Tis the Season! Or...Christmas Mantle 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Heidi ) — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 15:58:00 +0000

It's Christmas mantle time! I think this is my favourite mantle that I have put together as of yet. Gold, silver, glitter, pinecones, fake trees, and mini deer. I carried the barn board into this display, because well...I didn't want it to disappear yet. I love how the rustic wood and glitter look together.

I placed gold and silver Christmas balls into the apothecary jar and leaned a glittery deer silhouette canvas that I made one afternoon, against the chalkboard.

This little snowy scene in the jar is definitely one of my favourite parts of the mantle. Epsom salts and mini trees is all it took to put this cuteness together.

I wrote a line from one of my most well-played Christmas albums on the chalkboard. "Rejoice o world, your Saviour has come!"

And so Christmas begins in my house!

What I'm Loving - December Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 20:11:00 +0000

It's been forever... Ok, maybe just a month. But still! I'm sorry it's been so quiet around here, life just caught up and well.. you get the idea.

I thought I'd start back to blogging again with a few of my favourite things that I've been seeing on Pinterest. I've started my Christmas decorating so there might be a Christmas house tour in the future. I know Heidi is going to be cutting down their tree tonight. Exciting!

I love everything about this image! This is the perfect "after sledding" outfit.. if that's a thing?

I've been inspired to get rid of all of my yarn scraps by making an extremely colourful blanket. I've never made a blanket this large before (roughly twin size) and Bella has been picking out all the colours for me.

I'm going to try this awesome recipe for Organic hot cocoa mix. I've been hesitant to by the stuff you get from the stores because of all the preservatives and high fructose corn syrup. This recipe is extremely easy and looks delicious!

I love this sweater. If anyone is talking to my husband, maybe you could mention that it would be a great Christmas present?

This Christmas decoration looks so easy, and (bonus!) I already have all the supplies. My cupboards overfloweth with mason jars.

I bought a mini tree just like this one the other day when I was at Ikea. The girls are extremely excited to decorate it with decorations that are their size. I love the simple reds and whites that they chose to decorate with.

I'm going to be busting out my camera this month and taking a lot more pictures, or at least hoping too! Here is an awesome tutorial with some great tips about taking your own family pictures.

What has everyone been up to?

Any great projects that you'd like to share!

Comment below :-)

Boring Closet Turned Reading Corner

noreply@blogger.com (Heidi ) — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 14:31:00 +0000

Bet you thought that Melody and I were never coming back, right? Well we aren't gone! I guess we just took a really long break after blogging every day in October. Whew. Sorry about that. But we are back now and I have a sweet little project that I did this week in the playroom where I turned this closet into something way less dungy looking.

A couple of weeks ago, I actually cleared out this 'packed to the max' closet and threw out a lot of random junk and found places for everything else. Then it stood empty for a little bit until I threw down a blanket, a few pillows and a massive teddy bear that Jesse gave me when we were dating (it was a random purchase).

The yellow, chipping walls were not to my satisfactory though, so after thinking how I could transform the closet, I decided on painting. However, by the time the boys are in bed at night, I am usually not feeling the mood to crack open a can of paint. So during a naptime, I cut up a few old books that had printing defects, were doubles or were already falling apart and stuck them on the wall with painters tape. I used painter's tape so that it wouldn't pull the plaster off the walls when we want to switch it up. After I strung up a strand of twinkle lights and made a pom pom garland, I called Gavin to see his new reading corner or "hideaway" as he calls it.

I love how cheerful it is with the colourful book illustrations. Gavin loves to cuddle with his huge bear and read his favourite books. I still have plans for the plain curtain that is front of the closet, but that will come later when I have some time.

Now that we're back, we're looking forward to Christmas! We can't wait to decorate our houses and show you different things that we have been up to.

Getting Cozy: The Giveaway Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 23:46:00 +0000

Thanks everyone for following us throughout our series. We (mostly) made it through all 31 days! Crazy!

We had a great response to our giveaway and the winner is....

Katherine Wootton! I'll be contacting you shortly for your address :-)

We are (possibly) starting a new series soon

but in the meantime, I'm glad for a bit of a break.

Happy November!

Getting Cozy: Creative Spaces for Kiddos

noreply@blogger.com (Heidi ) — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 17:09:00 +0000

When I think about cozy spaces in a home, I don't forget about my boys. They need a place that is cozy and where they can play, read, and be creative in play and in art. Their toys and books usually spread everywhere in our home and don't just stay in the playroom, but I love that we have a space that is colourful, fun and just theirs (besides a cabinet of my craft supplies).

I have thinking about their space again and wanting to change up a few things. My plan is to *hopefully* turn the closet that is full of random things that don't have a specific place, into a reading/hideout for the boys. To take off the doors and put up a curtain so it is easy to access and hide away. Here's hoping I can find places for all the random junk!
Since I am a planner and love to be inspired by different spaces, I've put together a few pictures of my favourite cozy places for kids to hang out and be themselves.

I think this is my absolute favourite. The teepee, bunting, and colourful rug together make a great room for kids.

via Growing Home

Here is a great example of a book nook in a closet. I love the light fixture and the shelves on the side of the wall.

via Thrifty Decor Chick

Here is another example of a great playroom with a teepee in the corner.

via 6th Street Design School

What could be cozier than floor pillows that they can cuddle up with a book on? Or in my son's case, jump on?

via Lauren Leonard Interiors

I can't forget about their bedrooms. Our boys don't play in their room; we keep the toys downstairs, but we have books in a bin ready to be read before bed. I want their room to be a place where they can go and feel at rest. Since that is my goal - for them to sleep!!

via Divaani Blogit

via A Cup of Jo

via Back to Basics

To catch up on the rest of our Getting Cozy series, click the button above!

Getting Cozy: No Joke Brownies

noreply@blogger.com (Heidi ) — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 13:07:00 +0000

This is technically yesterday's post. I forgot to post it! Melody will have another post for you later today.

My family has a brownie recipe that is incredible. This recipe has one cup of butter and two cups of sugar. They are no joke, hence the name that I gave them.

They are the perfect brownie to whip up when you have guests coming over, because believe me, you do not want the whole pan in your house because you will eat them all. The whole pan.

Place a scoop of ice cream, some warm chocolate sauce and even some sprinkles on top and you have the perfect dessert.

No Joke Brownies

1 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup cocoa

3 large eggs

1 cup flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1/2 cup chocolate chips (also optional, but you will be missing out if you don't put them in. Just sayin'.)

Preheat oven to 350 fahrenheit.

Melt butter and add sugars and cocoa. Blend well. Beat eggs in one at a time. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Add vanilla. Stir in the walnuts and chocolate chips. Bake in a 9x13 pan for 30 min.

** Sometimes I don't use this icing recipe and just use a store bought version. Easy and still good. **

ICING

1/2 cup softened butter

1 cup icing sugar

2/3 cup cocoa

2 T milk

2 T hot coffee (you can use instant coffee for this)

Beat the butter, sugar and cocoa together. Add the milk and hot coffee to the mixture. Spread on top of cooled brownies.

Enjoy!

This is day 28 of our Getting Cozy Series

To catch up on the rest of the days, click the button above!

Getting Cozy: Creative & Cozy Toys for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 20:17:00 +0000

Whenever it starts to get cooler, I start thinking about my kid's toys. They have a lot of them. I'm not even sure where they all came from. They have waaaay too many of those little toys that are interesting for one minute and then after that, they just become a hazard for stepping on.

Thankfully my husband is a lot more ruthless than I am and organized all the toys and weeded three large bags of toys to give away.

I want my kid's toys to inspire creativity and be useful so I've put together some of my favourites to help with being cooped up this fall:

It's Our Pinteresting Life

So Long, Farewell

A Christmas Tour - Melody's House

Christmas Tour {2013}

What I Am Loving Lately in December

Advent // Truth in the Tinsel //

'Tis the Season! Or...Christmas Mantle 2013

What I'm Loving - December Edition

Boring Closet Turned Reading Corner

Getting Cozy: The Giveaway Winner!

Getting Cozy: Creative Spaces for Kiddos

Getting Cozy: No Joke Brownies

Getting Cozy: Creative & Cozy Toys for Kids

Getting Cozy: Cozy Spots in Our Home

Getting Cozy: A Lovely Smelling Home

Getting Cozy: The Front Entrance

Getting Cozy: 10 Things for You to Do on a Fall Day

Getting Cozy: The Colours of Fall in Your Home

Getting Cozy: Warm Drinks

Getting Cozy: Favourite Fall Outfits

Getting Cozy: The Best Blankets

Getting Cozy: Being Creative

Getting Cozy: Best of the {Healthy} Comfort Foods

Getting Cozy: You've Got Mail Movie Night

Getting Cozy: Homemade Applesauce

Getting Cozy: Pumpkin Cheesecake