Halloween Decorations

So, I could have gone overboard, but I'm saving that for Christmas. Kidding! Maybe.




How much do you love this guy? I found him and the glittery pumpkins at Ross, for the right price!




A couple more of the glittery pumpkins and some Halloween gumballs in a glass on the bookshelf.



Real pumpkins (I've already had them for a few weeks and they are hanging in there really well), and a glass skull filled with Reece's Pieces, as requested by Nate.



Spider webs with 2 different types of spiders (one of which is a glittery sticker). I still need to put some up outside, but we never go out our front door so we wouldn't see them. Plus with all of the rain and wind, I figured I would wait until closer to the 31st to decorate the front porch.





And my favorite decoration of all... kitty sweater!

PS We are finally getting rid of this hideous rug! We ordered one online a couple weeks ago, but it's on back order until December.

Sorry for the poor quality, I took the pictures on my phone.


Other Halloween decorations that aren't included:
-A kitchen towel hanging on the oven door.
-A welcome sign that I rigged up on the front door. Halloween is written in orange and there is a cutout witch on one side and cat on the other, both in black. The entire thing is covered in glitter. What's not to love?
-The fall rug that I made by hand. It's sort of an awkward shape and doesn't photograph well, but I love it regardless.
-I hung small orange lights up around our back porch. This was quite a feat for me as I had to use a step ladder and staple gun (both make me nervous). I did it all by myself except for the last staple because it was in a corner and was super awkward. Something I managed to do while hanging these lights, which still makes me crack up when I think about it, is I started just above where our fence ends. I stapled the lights into the siding of the house, and it make a weird noise but I've never done this before so I thought maybe that was normal. Moved about 18 inches up the wall and did it again, only for part of the wall to bust open. Yes, I found out that siding is not wood. I did not consider that at all. Instead I busted not one, but two holes in the wall. It's just a corner cover that can easily be replaced (I keep telling myself, at least), but still. Twice?!

Last note: I love John Mayer's "Free Fallin'"!

Book Club

Lately I have been reading a lot. I always go through phases of reading and not reading, but for the past few weeks I have been hooked! I think it has been encouraged by my lack of energy from this pregnancy, but either way, I have been loving it!

The only problem is, I need good recommendations! Here is a list of the books I have read in the last few months:



Currently re-reading the Harry Potter series between other books. I am nearly done with this one so I figured I would include it.



My friends Haley and Kelsey said that this was one of their favorite books, but when I asked what it was about, their description sounded painfully boring. About 2 weeks ago Nate and I saw a movie in the theaters and one of the previews was a trailer for this. Starring George Clooney, the movie looks phenomenal! I immediately decided I had to read it and downloaded it on my Kindle. (Side note: This was the first book I have read on my Kindle, which Nate bought me for our anniversary in July 2010. I now recognize the beauty of a Kindle and it will not be the last book I read this way!) The book was absolutely fantastic! I read it in 3 or 4 days and I never wanted to put it down! This is my favorite book that I have read in a while and I am looking forward to the movie being released next month!




My friend Haley let me borrow this book, one of her absolute favorites. It is a collection of short stories by Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love. The stories are lovely and sweet, and the perfect length so that you are able to read a story each time you open the book.



Another memoir from Augusten Burroughs (I love Running with Scissors), it tells tales of his Christmas experiences. The book starts out when he is a child and doesn't understand the difference between Santa and Jesus. Parts seriously had me laughing out loud! However the second half takes place in his adult life and is much more dark and troubling.



I know I am a few years behind on this gem. I don't care that James Frey stretched the truth and completely made up some of the story. To me, it doesn't change the fact that this is an incredible story and a very entertaining read.





A very easy read. Pretty interesting but not life changing in any way. Takes place in Nigeria and is about a polygamous family and it's dark secrets.




Enough said.




A great fictional story with a lot of historical accuracy regarding the leper colony on Molokai. My mom gave it to me, and I would absolutely recommend this book.


Hopefully this is the return of my blog being updated on a semi-regular basis. I have quite a few things I'd like to share. Whether or not you will care/be entertained may be another story altogether. But regardless I am happy to be back!

xoxo