Father's Day Gift Idea Roundup

It's one week until Father's Day and I still have no idea what to do for Jim or my Dad. Thank goodness for some amazing and creative women who have allowed me to share their wonderful ideas.

Father's Day Candy Bouquet from Dating Divas

The Divas at Dating Divas  created this fun candy bouquet. I don't know a man who wouldn't love a bouquet full of chocolate. Jim would be in heaven. In fact I know a lot of women who would love this gift also. 

Super Hero Box from Alpha Mom

A Father is a child's first super hero, why not give your's the fuel needed to battle spiders, mice and those monsters under the bed. (The missions most common for our resident superhero.)

This fun idea comes from Alpha Mom and it includes a printable of the labels you will need. 

World's Greatest Pop Basket from Pretty Providence

Sarah and Jessica at Pretty Providence have put together this wonderful gift basket just for your Pop. My kids call my Dad Poppy so this basket screamed a must for me to do. (Mom - if your reading this please don't tell Dad)

Father's Day Frame from Simply Kelly Designs

I love this sweet and simple picture frame from Kelly at Simply Kelly Designs. This is the type of gift Jim loves to bring to the office to show off the kids. 

So many to choose from, which will it be? I hope these ideas provide you the inspiration needed to have a spectacular Father's Day. 

Until next time,
Karri

Mother's Day Gift Ideas Roundup

 Mother's Day is fast approaching and I've been trying to find ideas of great gifts for Moms.  I have put together a roundup of some fun ideas from some amazing bloggers all with a mason jar twist. I hope they provide you with inspiration to create the perfect gift for your Mom.

For the Mom who loves to sew wouldn't this Mason Jar Sewing Kit be just perfect. You can find instructions and the label printable at the blog The Polka Dot Chair. I think adding some vintage buttons would be perfect.

The Polka Dot Chair

What Mom doesn't love kisses? Diana at The Girls Creative   created this fun Mother's Day Kisses Jar. I love the scrabble pieces. 

The Girl Creative

All Moms deserve to be pampered and Tonia from The Gunny Sack has put together everything you need to make this Spa In A Jar. She even includes the directions to make the foot soak and the scrubs and the printables for the labels.

The Gunny Sack

Mallory and Savannah from Classy Clutter have also put together an spa jar. Their Spa and Pampering in a Jar contains item found at your local Target or Walmart and includes a printable to include the cute label on your own jar. 

Classy Clutter

If you would like to give Mom a jar full of handmade scrub then try this DIY Cucumber Mint Sugar Scrub from Paula at the blog bell'alimento. I actually have all of these ingredients in my kitchen right now.  

bell'alimento

I absolutely love anything made with a child's hand print. Christina from Christina's Adventures won my heart with her adorable Mother's Day Mason Jar Vase

Christina's Adventures

For more ideas please check out my Homemade Mother's Day Link Party from a few years ago.

Which of these great gifts will my Mom and Mother-in Law be getting. You will just have to wait and see. I don't want to spoil the surprise. 

Until next time,

Karri

How We Spent Easter

I hope that you had a wonderful and faith filled Easter. If you follow me on Instagram you will know we had a wonderful, faith filled and eventful Easter. 

Here is how it began:

Followed by:

Saturday we headed to our hometown for

Because we needed to stay on the Peninsula we got a hotel room

 

Saturday evening was our niece's 25th birthday

Easter Sunday - 

Mass at the parish I had my 1st Communion and Confirmation. Jim and I were also married here. 

Happy Easter from The Reisers

and just think we have 7 weeks of Easter. It's going to be a glorious time. 

Until next time,

Karri

Some Motherly Quotes for Mother's Day

My Favorite Motherly Quotes

Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. - Unknown

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. - Jewish Proverb

My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it. - Mark Twain

Mothers are like glue. Even when you can't see them, they're still holding the family together. - Susan Gale

A man's work is from sun to sun, but a mother's work is never done - unknown

They say God cannot be everywhere that's why he created mothers - unknown

There is so place safer than a mother's arms
There is no smile prettier than a mother's smile
There is no love greater than mother's love - unknown

A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest. - Irish Proverb

Love is blind because "My mother started loving me before seeing my face" - Unknown

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. - Sophia Loren

Happy Easter & an Easter Edition Link Party

We had a wonderful Easter weekend, I hope all of you did also.  

We began on Friday with the annual cross walk held by the Youth & Young Adult Ministry at church. On Good Friday the ministry host a Stations of the Cross walk at a local park. This is one of my favorite events to put together and I was so excited that this year we had the largest turn out ever.  (I'm sorry that I can't share any pictures since they all have teens in them and I don't have permission from their parents but trust me there were a lot of teens.) 

Saturday we decorated eggs. Jacob was available for the first picture then he had to leave. As we are setting up he showed me what he thought was a bite on his arm. It was huge, red and hard as a rock so we decided to take him to emergency. Jim and my Dad took him and all ended well, he has an infection in the tissue of his arm due to a scrape he had received earlier. The doctor gave him antibiotics and by the end of the evening the swelling was down considerably. 

Now back to the egg decorating, Alexa had a blast. I loved watching her get so excited as the eggs became a new color. She really loved adding stickers to them after they dried.

Jim and I attended the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening. Since my Mom & Dad stayed home with the kids it was just Jim & I. A friend of ours called it "Date Night at the Easter Vigil". At first is seemed funny but as mass went on I thought, this is really a perfect date for Jim & I. It has been so long since we have been able to enjoy mass as a couple without kids. I especially valued our time after communion when we could kneel and pray together for our kids, family and friends. It was just the three of us - me, Jim & God. It was perfect!

Alleluia! Alleluia! He is Risen! 
Easter Sunday we hosted a wonderful lunch at our home with both sides of the family but first Jacob and Alexa posed for the mandatory annual Easter photo by the tree!

Here are a few pictures from the Easter decorations. 

Egg Hunt Time!!! Our family has a no age limit egg hunt every year. We fill eggs with money, candy and prize tickets. Everyone brings prizes for all age levels. We let the little ones have first crack at the eggs and then it's a free full all for everyone else. 

Thank you for visiting our Easter Celebration! 

Now let's make this a link party - I would love to see how you celebrated your Easter!! Link Away!!!

Until next time,

Karri

Easter Treats

The Easter treats for Alexa's daycare are finally done. 

Peeps on a Stick for all the teachers.

Bunny Tails for all the friends.

Yep! I'm sugaring up the daycare.

 Hopefully the sugar high will end before pickup. 

If you would like to make these fun treats feel free to use my Peeps-Gift-Tags and Bunny-Tails-Toppers printables. Enjoy!

Until next time,

Karri

The Best Santa Photo ...EVER!

I think Alexa will be sleeping with one eye open tonight.

 She's not to thrilled knowing the big guy is coming to our house.

Merry Christmas!!!

Until next time,

Karri

Picture Frame Wreath

Back in November, Linda from Two Succulent Sisters shared her Pumpkin Square Wreath post at my Our Favorite Things Link Party. I thought it was so unique and fun that I had to try and make one as a gift for my best friend Jackie.

I wrapped my picture frame with some white cotton fabric I torn into strips. At first it looked very Halloweenish. Jim said it reminded him of a mummy. So I took my red stamp pad and distressed the heck out of it. Jim then said it reminded him of a bloody mummy. This was not the look I was going for so I added green stamping ink and found it gave the frame the rustic look I wanted.  

Add some garland, berries, pine cones and this adorable bear. Jackie loves Teddy Bears

A close up of the sign I made using wooden pieces I bought from Michaels. 

I gave Jackie the wreath last week so she could enjoy it during the season.  I'm happy to say she loved it.

Until next time,
Karri

Linking to:

Monday:  
Craft-o-Matic, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Skip to My Lou, The Gunny Sack,

Tuesday:
 Lil Luna, Sugar Bee Crafts, The Blackberry Vine, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife,  Clean and Scentsible, Natural Nesters, Crystal & Co, The Well Crafted Home

Wednesday:
 Polkadots on Parade, Fireflies and Jellybeans, The Trendy Treehouse, Somewhat Simple, Ginger Snap Crafts, Practically Functional, DIY Crafty Projects

Thursday:
 Delightful Order, Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom, My Turn (for us), The Shabby Chic Cottage, The Crafty Blog Stalker, The Frugal Girls , The Mandatory Mooch

Friday
It’s a Hodgepodge Life, Blissful and Domestic, Chic on a Shoestring, Craft Envy, Just Us Four

Saturday: 
Tatertots and Jello, Craft Envy, While He Was Napping, Six Sisters Stuff, Just Us Four; Cheerios and Lattes, Or so she says

Sunday:
 I Heart Naptime, Flamingo Toes, Blissful and Domestic, 

Saint Ornaments

This year I found the perfect gift for my youth ministry core team. I asked each of them who their favorite Saint is and I made them each a Christmas ornament with a picture of their Saint. 

It was so simple and they turned out great. 

I picked up the wooden shapes from JoAnn's Fabrics and Michaels. I painted both sides with my Ranger paint. This is the type of paint with a foam top so you don't need a brush. I found pictures of each Saint online and printed them on card stock. Finally I used Mod Podge to attach the pictures and seal the ornaments, then I attached a ribbon to the back.

Here are the completed ornaments before I gave them away. I'll be honest, I almost didn't give them out.

Have a blessed Advent everyone.

Until next time,
Karri

This post is included in the Christian Home Magazine

Monday:  
Craft-o-Matic, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Skip to My Lou, The Gunny Sack,

Tuesday:
 Lil Luna, Sugar Bee Crafts, The Blackberry Vine, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife,  Clean and Scentsible, Natural Nesters, Crystal & Co, The Well Crafted Home

Wednesday:
 Polkadots on Parade, Fireflies and Jellybeans, The Trendy Treehouse, Somewhat Simple, Ginger Snap Crafts, Practically Functional, DIY Crafty Projects

Thursday:
 Delightful Order, Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom, My Turn (for us), The Shabby Chic Cottage, The Crafty Blog Stalker, The Frugal Girls , The Mandatory Mooch

Friday
It’s a Hodgepodge Life, Blissful and Domestic, Chic on a Shoestring, Craft Envy, Just Us Four

Saturday: 
Tatertots and Jello, Craft Envy, While He Was Napping, Six Sisters Stuff, Just Us Four; Cheerios and Lattes, Or so she says

Sunday:
 I Heart Naptime, Flamingo Toes, Blissful and Domestic, 

Feast of Saint Nicholas Activity

 Today we celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas. We had never done a project for the feast day before so I headed over to the St. Nicholas Center for ideas. The website has some great ideas for older children. I found most of the things they had to choose from were to advanced for Alexa. I decided on the idea of making St. Nicholas from a toilet paper tube. I had plenty of tubes and Alexa loves to play with paint. I prepped the cut out of his head and arms ahead of time and Alexa enjoyed painting the tube red. I love how she chooses one spot and just paints in that area. She does the same when she colors.

When the paint dried I glued on the head and arms and we placed it on our tree in the family room. 

Until next time,

Karri

Starting the Season with the Annual Ladies Dinner

Each year my church has a Ladies Dinner on the first weekend of Advent. It's always a beautiful night and a perfect way to begin the Advent Season. Each year women sign up to host a table, hostesses are in charge of inviting guests for their table, all the decorations, the tableware, appetizers, beverages, and a favor to give her table guests as a reminder of the night. The hostesses are also responsible for finding waiters for their table and selling raffle tickets to the ladies. It's really fun to see how each of the hostesses decorates their tables. I have hosted a table for about 5 years but it wasn't until last year that I began hosting with my wonderful friend Karen. We have so much fun that we have decided to never host a table by ourselves again. Last year our table was a snowman theme. When we were decorating that table we came up with the theme for this years table. On Friday as we were decorating this table we decided on our theme for next year. It's a secret though. This year we choose the theme: Poinsettias enjoy!

Until next time,
Karri




Linking to these great link parties

In the Christmas Spirit-Decorating

The morning after Thanksgiving, my first words to Jim were, "Honey, could you get the boxes?" I'm so lucky he got right on it and by Friday evening we were all done decorating the house. I was teased by a few of my friends who saw my Instagram pictures announcing my plans for the day. I look at it this way, I want as much time as possible to enjoy my decorations and at least I didn't start to decorate after Halloween. 

This year decorating was a breeze because of a single step Jim & I took last year when putting everything away. I labeled the boxes. Such a simple thing to do, I don't know why we hadn't done it before. With all my boxes labeled I wasn't spending my time searching for items. I was able to move from one area to another opening one box at a time. 

My labeled boxes - ready to be emptied. I will also be filling them up again with the everyday decorating items that the Christmas decorations will be replacing for the season.

Now for my home:

Our Christmas village - it's a hodge podge of Department 56 collectibles and Mervyn's department stores houses.

My 2nd village of Clayworks candle houses. I use battery operated candles with these because of the fake snow. I don't want to start a fire.

Our mantel - I'm starting a collection of Nutcrackers. I would like to find stocking holder's that are Nutcrackers so I can have the entire mantel in just Nutcrackers.

I love snowmen and now have them in two separate spaces in my house. I love my snowman tree.

My collection of angels also expands for the season. My Jim Shore angels are always on display throughout the year and each Christmas they are joined by these ladies.

Can't have decorations without Santa. I feature my collection each year on my ledge above the dining room.

Each year we have two trees. A real one in the living room that we will get in a few weeks and this one, my favorite tree. It is located in my family room and is filled with stuffed animals and homemade ornaments. All the ornaments are one Jacob made when he was young. I'm so excited to start adding Alexa's handmade ornaments this year. 

My prayer table is transformed each holiday and becomes my Nativity table. I feature all my figures depicting Christ's birth. The tree has small nativity ornaments and we will be adding Jesse Tree ornaments each day during the Advent season. 

The reason for the season. We await the arrival of our Savior. On Christmas Eve when we return home from evening mass we will add him to our Nativity scene, until then we prepare. More on that later. 

How do you decorate for the holidays?

Until next time,

Karri

This post will be included in the Christian Home Magazine

Linking to these great link parties: