9/30 Week in Review

I feel like this week I have been in major 'nesting' mode.  Not for any particular reason, but I do find that Fall is a season where I am focused on making my home as inviting and cozy as possible.  As a recent Game of Thrones fanatic, I find the 'Winter is Coming' line very comical.  I keep reciting it in my head.   Perhaps I'm a descendant of the Starks.  No, strike that, they drop like flies.  I'd rather be a Kahleesi, but I digress. 

I've been very crafty the past week. Punk and I sat down (and with some help from Pinterest) decided what to make in the coming weeks::

- Homemade Vanilla Extract

- A Homemade Candle

- Homemade Soap

- Homemade Bath Salts

What else?  I'm drawing a blank.  Perhaps a book?  A warm snuggly blanket?

Here are two of the items.  The candle is a soy based candle, scented with lavender and vanilla and with a wood wick -- FANCY!  The soap is a shea butter base with orange, lavender, and rosemary added. 

I have also been very focused on creating inviting spaces that call to each of my animals.  My dogs are lazy little lap dogs, so I decided to make them dog beds.   I found some AMAZING (and cheap!) sweaters at a local thrift store and busted out my Singer.  Here is a picture of Bella in her sweater bed.   Nygel's sweater is a tighter weave so I can't just use a plastic needle and yarn to pull it all together - plus, I need more stuffing.  He is waiting patiently for his. :)  

She thinks her bed is DELICIOUSLY warm. (Note the tongue)

Myrrh is 100% kitten.  He's also 300% scaredy cat.  (Which I love him for) so I created a space for him to hide and play.  I wanted to get him a cat tree but honestly, $100+ wasn't going to happen.  I was on Pinterest looking for a DIY cat furniture post and found a picture (NO INSTRUCTIONS -- DANG YOU PINTEREST!!!) of a ladder turned into a cat tree. I posted on Facebook asking for an old ladder - because I'm cheap.  My grandmother had one in her basement.  He enjoys watching the birds and squirrels from my window so I placed it in front of the sliding glass door to the balcony. 

As you can see, I added a crate with a homemade cushion and blanket for him to 'nest' in.  I also used (no joke) 10 skeins of yarn woven in a figure 8 fashion to create a little hammock for him to lay in as well.   Next up: painting the ladder.   (I kind of like it as-is though).  I also intend to tie some toys to it and devise a way to hang a mason jar with some cat grass/cat nip growing in it.   Thoughts?

Also -- I live to torture my animals.  Really though, he was tearing me up with his claws.  I was told (through much uproar on my Facebook page) that my plan to have him declawed was inhumane.  As a vegetarian, I am a HUGE animals rights supporter.  However, it's been so long since I've had a kitten, I had NO IDEA!  My last cat died recently at the much-loved age of 16. So, I was 12 when I got/found her and I saved money from my first job to spay and declaw her.  I didn't know!

Anyway.... those yellow things on his paws?  They're nail caps that protect my legs (the dogs, my furniture, my walls, my face, my legs - again) from his 'playing'.

Speaking of Nails -- did you know that KISS makes an ombre nail kit?  Super easy! (If  I can do it - ANYONE can!)  It looks really pretty too.  This is the Film Noir color. 

**Please ignore my dry cuticles!**

Also - yay FORD!

Just last night the Punk and I painted pumpkins.  We went to a local farm market for their local Fall Festival.  There were super cute painted pumpkins for sale there (which of course the Punk wanted to buy) but they were kind of pricey -- at $7-$10 a piece.  These little pumpkins cost me $3 for the pair and I have a basket full of acrylic paints already.  So -- we have totally unique (and might I say, AWESOME!) painted pumpkins for $3.

**Side note:  when YOUR Punk chooses a pumpkin, have them carry it by the base, NOT the stem.  Otherwise, you'll find yourself arguing with a pre-tween about whether or not the stem will just "stick back on".  And yes, I caved and tried to glue it on with Epoxy.  It was still wet and non-stuck this morning.  We're holding out hope**

And Lastly, This Quote is one that I found this past week that really resonated with me.  I hope it does you as well.  

S&S,

Shannon

9/23/13 Week in Review.

Here in Ohio, the temperature has been fluctuating like a crazy hormonal hot mess of a creature.  Low 70's one day, high 80's the next with crazy humidity.  I guess the saying is true - If you don't like the weather in Ohio, wait 30 minutes.   It's been temperamental to say the least.

Even with all the crazy fluctuations, I have managed to mentally prepare myself for fall.  I love each of the 4 seasons and feel blessed to live in a climate where I get to experience each equally.  (Ok, winter seems like it keeps it's death grip on Ohio for longer than necessary... but still....)  

I love Fall.  I think it's because of all the Nature themed activities I manage to cram into these blessed lovely months before the snow starts to fly.  My niece and I are simpatico in that respect.  We both made our Fall bucket lists this past week and we have a few items that are identical.  :)  Yet another reason why I love that little punk.

This is the Punk's Fall Bucket List.  It's hard to read but her list includes:  Rake...then Jump <into a pile of leaves>, Get a nice jacket, Walk around the neighborhood, Haunted Greenhouse, Apple Picking, and Pumpkin patch. 

And here is my Fall Bucket List.  We have::  Go to Pigeon Roost with my heathen nieces, Pumpkin Patch, Corn 'Maize', Fall Festival or Renaissance Festival, Haunted House, Fall Hike, Apple Picking, Bake 'Yummies', Secondhand Sweater, Leaf Pile, Bonfire. 

As you can see, mine is a bit more substantial, but The Punk and I will be attending a lot of these events together.   

This weekend we took care of both my sweater, and her jacket thanks to a local thrift store. And I baked A LOT of 'yummies' this week.  Here is some photographic proof:::

Apple Cake with Caramel-y Glazey Goodness -----and----- Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Caramel Glaze

Pumpkin Waffles with 100% Pure Ohio Maple Syrup

I also made a Pumpkin loaf that to me was not impressive although the ladies at work didn't seem to have many complaints.  I also tried a pumpkin spice crock pot latte recipe that I found on Pinterest that the work ladies loved as well.  I was again less than impressed.  I guess I'm a little picky about my pumpkin love.  The apple cake was TO DIE FOR.  The pumpkin cookies were also pretty good.  The waffles?  They were waffles.  I have no complaints.  :)  

I have also been a crafty goddess recently.  I crocheted some cat toys and a dog sweater.  I made a cat bed for my Kitt-eh, Myrrh.  I also got 2 sweaters from the thrift store that I intend to turn into dog beds.... even if it kills me :)    Here are some pics of what I've accomplished thus far::: 

  

And Lastly::: A picture of the Kitten for good measure:::  

Myrrh-Cat

That's pretty much been my life as of late.   I look forward to showing you my completed dog sweater beds.   I am also working on turning a wooden ladder into a fabulous cat tree for the Myrrh-Cat.  I got the ladder last night from my Grandmother, set it up, and the kitten was climbing all over it and I haven't even added anything.  :)  I think it's a go.  

S&S, 

Shannon

What's in a name?

So, What exactly is a girl who lives right smack dab in the middle of Ohio doing with a blog about Starfish and Sandcastles? 

Well. That's a legit question, now isn't it. 

My blog is less about Starfish and Sandcastles than it is about the joy I find in life. When I was younger, I lived for our family vacations to the beach in Florida. Even today, one of my favorite places to visit is the Gulf Coast of Florida. Water to me is soothing and I feel centered being around water. It's probably a result of being a fire sign. (Leos in the house?) I also associate starfish with the poem about starfish found here. I try to live my life based on the principles found within that poem. What transpires over the life of this blog may not make sense to anyone else but me. However, if I touch even one person then I believe my blogging efforts will be well served.

What's the deal with Sandcastles then? 

Who doesn't freaking love a sandcastle? It symbolizes childhood freedom. Joy. Laughter. Fun in the sun. Summer vacation. Life. It signifies the way I strive to live my life and view others around me. That's the deal with Starfish and Sandcastles. I could have easily called the blog 'Wackadoodle Watermelon-head', but 'Starfish and Sandcastles' seemed far more appropriate. It's what my life is about as opposed to what others think of me from outward appearances.

So, Here's to Starfish and Sandcastles, may they light your life with the sunlight and warmth of summer.

 -the Wackadoodle Watermelon-head ;)