Boredom Buster: A DIY Backyard Fire Pit You Can Make In An Afternoon!

It's not a secret that I love Fall!

The leaves are changing, pumpkin spice is life and crisper, cooler evenings mean that I can comfortably be outside in a sweatshirt and jeans- my favorite attire of all time! When we moved last summer, my husband and I both knew we needed a yard that would offer us something to do all year long. 

So, we got a large in-ground pool for the summer months, a trampoline for the kids for cooler months and a fire pit (and a fire table!) to enjoy whenever we want to! (Click here to see the in-depth tutorial I did for Zulily!)

I'm not the savviest DIY-er (not that I don't want to be!), so when my husband mentioned building our own backyard fire pit, I figured I was signing on for a weekend-long affair that would cost a lot of money and test my marriage (you know, the same way a desk from IKEA does). When he dismissively assured me we could complete the project in a matter of hours for less than $100, I figured we weren't envisioning the same fire pit. 

But, low and behold, he was right and I was wrong (and he's not smug at all about it). After a quick trip to Lowe's (my husband's version of my Target) for a few supplies, he and I had a DIY backyard fire pit built in less time than it normally takes us to figure out what to watch on TV any given evening. 

Here is how we DIY-ed our own fire pit.

- We have a perfect shady spot in the corner of our yard with a tree whose branches are fairly high off the ground and a large patch of dirt where grass refuses to grow. 

-We brushed all dried leaves out of the way and cleared the ground of all debris, and then marked the circular fire pit we wanted to make with white spray paint on the ground. 

-After that, we securely stacked paving stones as close together as possible in rows until we reached our desired height. 

-From here, my husband secured them together with mortar, although this step is entirely optional. If your bricks or blocks are fit snugly enough together, you may not need to adhere them to one another. We also have curious kiddos who we worried might try to sit or stand on the blocks (kids!) and we didn't want them to come loose and fall on precious toes. So we decided to use mortar to make our fire pit more secure. 

After we completed our DIY backyard fire pit to our liking, we filled the bottom of the pit with pea gravel. My husband also contemplated pavestones and river rocks here, as both would provide a flame retardant base on which to build a fire that would look pretty when the pit wasn't in use. But we ultimately ended up going with pea gravel.

We purchased a grate to go over our fire pit when not in use so that debris (and even small animals) doesn't clog up our fire pit. We are hoping to get a grill to go over it to use in the Spring to grill meat on!

We enjoy this fire pit endlessly with our girls. We use it to roast marshmallows and hot dogs, and my husband frequently uses it to burn leaves. I even hosted a socially-distanced girls' night where we were able to place camping chairs at a safe distance to enjoy each other's company (and a few libations!) around the fire.

Here's the DIY tutorial my husband made me watch if you still need inspiration: YouTube Fire Pit Tutorial

I can't stress enough how easy this fire pit was to build! I was really convinced that a proper, aesthetically-pleasing firepit would be both expensive and time consuming to create and really advocated for buying one. We ended up being gifted a fire table by a family member as a housewarming gift and use it just as much as our fire pit, although the pit is better for roasting things like marshmallows. I'm so pleased with the outcome and can't wait to continue to use it as the temperatures drop more!

Have you ever built your own fire pit?

Boredom Buster! Fun DIY Winter Decor (with kids!)

I love Winter.

I love snow and hot cocoa and the crisp air. 

Sometimes, though, I have a hard time figuring out how to decorate my house after the holidays! I've packed up all the red and green, tucked away the ornaments and filed the holiday cards away until the next holiday season. I don't feel quite ready for the red and pink of Valentine's Day... So what do I use to decorate my house?

Check out some of the winter DIY decor I wrote about for Zulily!

One of my favorite DIY Winter decorations is a piece I actually made with my kiddos when they were little. I dipped their feet in black and white and made them into penguins on a canvas to commemorate that place in time (I'm in denial that my kiddos were ever actually that small!). It's a conversation piece every time someone walks through my door- "Oh my gosh, how cute is this little canvas? Is it really from 2014? Wow! I love it!" I plan to keep it for years!

Footprint Penguin:

1. Paint the outside of your kiddo's foot black, including toes. Paint the inside white. Press onto canvas.

2. Draw penguin's arms next to child's foot.

3. Decorate penguin's face with googly eyes, triangle nose and ribbon for a scarf.

4. Embellish any way you see fit!

Not all DIY Winter decor needs to be a keepsake at that level, but it is nice to create some unique pieces I won't find in stores (or, at least, version I borrow from stores and DIY myself!). I did a great article recently for Zulily's blog all about awesome DIY winter decor- check it out here!

I love that trees are now trendy decor well past the holidays. Pine trees covered in snow remind me of winters growing up in Illinois. I literally didn't ever think I would miss winter once I left Illinois. Eighteen of those rough winters plus four more in Missouri were plenty, thankyouverymuch. But isn't it funny how, the older you get, the more you long for the comforts of your youth? Now, tree decorations in January can be used to remind me of my northern Illinois winters right here in Texas- and these pompom trees are easy and fun for kids and adults to make! All you need is Styrofoam cones in different sizes, a hot glue gun and pompoms in whatever colors float your boat.

Styrofoam Trees

1. Take Styrofoam cone and stand it up on table.

2. Attach pompoms with hot glue to cone in any desired pattern.

3. Voila! Easy and gorgeous tabletop decor.

I've also got my sights on some fun Mason jar crafts for Winter. There are so many ideas floating around on Pinterest on how to make Mason jar snow globes and other fun winter crafts. My friend Julie at Julie Measures has so many tutorials I can't wait to try out once the rush of the holidays ends.

What crafts will you and your kiddos make this winter?
 

DIY Turkey Crafts for Thanksgiving

I'm such a sucker for holiday kids crafts, especially if they involve handprints. It's such a fun way to mark a passing moment of time with your kiddos.

I still proudly display the turkey canvas we made when my youngest was a newborn that has each girl’s handprint at that point in time (they were 4, 1 and newborn). That newborn is now 7, and her hand is double the size it was on that canvas. I love to look at it every year and remember fondly that season of life.

Now that my girls are older, they don't need my help, as much, creating memorable crafts. Every year, we love to make Thanksgiving Turkeys out of paper plates and brown paper bags to decorate our table for the big feast. Thanks to Pinterest through the years we've found a number of awesome variations that make our Thanksgiving table look one-of-a-kind.

We love making paper plate turkeys, and one we look forward to making every year is a handprint turkey on a paper plate.

Check out my great list of turkey crafts I compiled for Zulily for more fun crafts to make with your kiddos for turkey day!

Paper Plate Turkey:

1. Trace hand onto paper plate.

2. Color in the palm and thumb brown. To the thumb, add details- eye, beak, wattle (yep, the red hang-y thing on the turkey's neck is called a wattle!). 

3. Color each of the fingers a different color to act as the turkey's feathers. 

4. Lastly, draw legs underneath the handprints for the legs and feet. 

I detailed how to make several more fun turkeys out of paper plates over at Zulily. Check out my blog post there for inspiration on paper plate turkeys.

This year, my girls decided to create a turkey that was inspired by something we see a lot of in Winter- pinecones! 

Pinecone Turkey

1. Take pinecones and lay them down on the table with the top facing you. 

2. Glue on eyes, a beak and wattle. 

3. Take strips of colored construction paper and write down things you are thankful for on each strip and stick them between the edges of the pinecone. 

They turned out so cute and will be a wonderful addition to our Thanksgiving table!

There are so many ways to create your own paper plate turkey to hang on the fridge or use as a centerpiece at your Thanksgiving Feast! What fun variations of a paper plate turkey have you found (and made)?

Mrs. Claus- The Holidays' Most Underrecognized Super Woman

It's November.

And Zulily, one of my favorite online retailers whom I write for, just did an article about how women run the holidays in most households around the country. Check it out here: Zulily's article, Dear Mrs. Claus

This article got me thinking. In my house, November means that I'm starting to make my holiday shopping lists and check them twice (hats off to all you mega-planners out there who are already done shopping. I salute you!). I'm checking to see what toys are hot this season and where to find them at the lowest prices. I'm making menus for holiday meals I'll serve my family or dishes I'll bring to any meals we may share with extended family. I'm checking the budget. I'm figuring out how to rearrange furniture to accommodate a tree (or two, or three!) and wondering what pieces I'll need to purchase this season to round out my festive trimmings. As I type, I'm also messaging with several photographers, trying to line up holiday photos and then slap my favorites onto a holiday card I'll mail to friends and family near and far. 

                  

Truly, I'm doing it all. The holidays. As the mom, the matriarch of my family of five, the holidays, and all their tedium and wonder, are my responsibility to plan and execute. 

Don't get me wrong- I have a wonderful, loving, supporting husband who works hard to provide for my family! He truly is outstanding. 

But I don't think I'm alone in feeling that women are the brains behind the operation that is the holiday season.

So why does Santa, the jolly man in red, get so much recognition each holiday season? I think it's safe to assume that Mrs. Claus is a huge part of the holiday operations at the North Pole as much as every mama out there like me is the heart and soul of her family's holidays. Why, then, doesn't Mrs. Claus get any credit?

Did you know that the first mention of Mrs. Claus is in 1849, in a short story called "A Christmas Legend," by missionary James Rees? Santa Claus himself was made popular in American Culture in the later half of the 18th Century. So, Mrs. Claus didn't come onto the scene for more than 50 years after her jolly husband became the figurehead of the holidays in America. 

I suppose, given the time that Santa rose to popularity, the fact that Santa, a man, was the person to thank for holiday cheer isn't entirely unexpected. But come on. It's 2020. We know that women run the homestead and the holidays. We know that women are a truly vital part of holiday festivities, from trimming the tree to wrapping the presents. We know that the holiday season wouldn't go off so seamlessly in most American households if supermoms didn't undertake the task of making everything merry and bright.

So its time to recognize Mrs. Claus as the woman behind the legend. It's time to recognize her as the superwoman she is. It's time to say thank you to Mrs. Claus. For standing by and supporting her husband and helping him be the face of the holidays. It's time to recognize and appreciate that Mrs. Claus, like me and every other superwoman and supermama out there, is a vital part of the holiday season.

Mrs. Claus- thank you. Thank you for being a vital part- even if you are often overlooked!- of the Santa and Mrs. Claus duo that makes the holidays full of festive cheer. 

Zulily even started a Change.org petition to get Mrs. Claus more recognized this time of year. Check it out here: Let's give Mrs. Claus the thanks she deserves

                                    

10 Dallas/Fort Worth Holiday Events 2020

 It's official.

The 2020 Holiday Season is upon us.

Today I got my reusable Starbucks cup in Christmas Sweater print at a jam-packed Starbucks near my house. 102.1 now has Christmas music playing around the clock. My calendar is filling up with a list of events I want to take my kiddos to to experience the magic of the season. 

I'm starting now with making my list and checking it twice so I don't miss a single minute of holiday joy! 

Here is a list of (some!) of the awesome events coming to DFW for 2020. (If I miss any, please please let me know!)

10 DFW Holiday Events for 2020

Luminova at Globe Life Field- From the makers of Enchant, Luminova is a walk-thru holiday light experience sure to delight right in Arlington. Grab your tickets and your friends and prepare for Insta-worthy pics and holiday merriment. The magic starts November 20.

Dallas Zoo Lights- this year's Zoo Lights will be drive-thru only so you can enjoy the magic from your vehicle. Kids will love seeing the zoo lit up for the holidays! Nights starting November 20th, 6:30-9:30 pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Prairie Lights- Prairie Lights at Loyd Park in Grand Prairie will also be socially distanced this year, with customers staying in their car for the entire magical experience. The fun opens Thanksgiving night- grab your tickets in advance!

Wonder (at Toyota Music Factory)- This event is new to DFW for this year and is described as an "immersive experience for families to journey to the North Pole to meet Santa." Each kiddos who visits the big man in red gets a toy from the big guy! Make your reservations early! Event starts 11.19. This event was canceled. 

The Lights at Texas Motor Speedway- Drive through millions of sparkling lights starting Thanksgiving night. The excitement starts Thanksgiving Day. Check the Website for various discounts.

Holidays at the Gaylord Texas- No ICE! this year, but there is still lots of holiday magic to be enjoyed the Gaylord Texas. Go snow tubing, ice skate outdoors and enjoy an immersive holiday movie experience starting November 13.

North Pole Express at the Grapevine Vintage Railroad- hop aboard a 1920s-inspired coach car and journey to the North Pole. Kiddos will enjoy an on-board visit from Santa and his elves and receive a cookie and a "We Believe" bell. Please note: the website says all events are sold out, so check FB Marketplace and local buy sell trade groups for tickets.

Holiday Party at Theatre Arlington- experience fun with the whole family at Theatre Arlington's Holiday Party production running November 13- December 13.

Dallas Holiday Parade- The Dallas Holiday Parade may look a bit different this year as it adjusts to Covid protocols, but mark your calendar for December 5 at 10 am to enjoy the show.

Holidays at the Dallas Arboretum- Bundle up and head out to the Dallas Arboretum for gorgeous photos with holiday backdrops along White Rock Lake. The event features the 12 Days of Christmas and starts November 7.

Happy Holidays!

What To Do With Leftover Halloween Candy

If you’re like me, you’re drowning in leftover Halloween candy. 

Maybe the kiddos trick-or-treated at some very generous houses. Or maybe you bought a lot of Halloween candy expecting lots of kiddos at your door and not many trick-or-treaters turned up. 

Whatever the reason, if you don’t want the temptation of copious amounts of Halloween candy hanging around your kitchen, you have options!

Treats for Troops- send leftover candy to the troops serving overseas. While there is no collection site in Arlington, you can ship directly to the charity in San Antonio via the address on the website. 

Operation Shoebox- send this Florida-based charity, and your extra treats will be sent soldiers overseas.

Support Our Soldiers- This is a local charity where you can drop candy! There are two spots in Burleson and one in Fort Worth that will take your donations. 

Halloween Candy Buy Back- This is the Website that lets you know which organizations are paying, typically $1 per pound, for sweet treats. There are no sites in Arlington listed as candy buy-back sites, but if you know of one, I would love for you to send it my way! There are several locations in DFW, though, if you find yourself elsewhere in the Metroplex.