Fun Halloween Topiary

I think I got this idea from a picture in a BHG magazine... I loved the idea and came up with my own version!

First I made 2 topiary forms. The ones at Robert's were $10 each, so I decided to make my own! The 5" styrofoam balls I got at JoAnn's with some 40% off coupons! I cut the 7/8"dowel at 16" each and the 6" x 6" block of wood I cut from a post I already had! Drill holes in the ball and the block and glue in the dowels!

The flowers I got at the Dollar Tree. It took about 5 bunches for EACH topiary! The eyes are bouncy balls that I got last year.... any old eyes will do though! I just started glueing and poking them in!

Next I painted the dowel and block base a dark brown.

Then I wrapped the dowel with some craft wire and some grapevine twigs! I love that you don't notice the eyeballs right away! Then, they kinda jump out at you!

Total cost on this project was under $8 for each topiary! Cost doesn't including the wood blocks, paint & eyeballs! Not too shabby!

I am linking this to...

It's been crazy busy around here...

It's been a little bit since I blogged or done any projects... and this is part of the reason! I SWEAR every year that I will not make them again... and then I do! Total count was TWELVE this year! There are NINE here with 2 cats! WHEW! Now I can get on with halloween projects and decorating for Halloween!

Photo Shoot

It's been years now since we have actually ordered the "school pictures". We always get the class pictures... but the individual pictures usually don't cut it. There has been lots of sunflowers around lately, and some really cool trees down at the Jr. High... so this is not our last attempt... but I like them so far!

Do you have this problem???

I added this to my chandelier on my porch...

Because I have a REAL bird that likes to visit and leave these behind!

Hopefully it will get scared off!

My baby is getting all grown up!

Zack started his new job today.

Morgan & I were in the area and I couldn't resist checking it out!

If you are in the area stop in and say HI!

21 Years???

Why is it that I can never figure out how many years that we have been married!?! I was fortunate enough to be born in an easy to remember year that is super easy to figure out the math concerning how old I am. My kids & Russ' birth years are no problem either.... Sometimes when I figure out how many years that we have been married... I accidentally make Benjamin an illegitimate child! We cannot have that now! (He is not by the way!)

Every once in a while Russ does something that TOTALLY reminds me of why I married him 21 years ago! He is very good at fixing things and is not afraid to take things apart to figure them out! And even if he cannot fix it... it is fun trying! I especially love his eyeglasses! Even though I have many MORE gray hairs... his eyesight is much worse!!! He is such a great dad and I love him LOADS!

Steeneck Reunion 2010

A couple of weeks ago we went to a family reunion. Along with the perfunctory pot luck meal and family photos, a lot of reminiscing about the good old days went on. Aunt Sandy tells of one story in particular about how they used to roll down the hills in a barrel at the park that was across the street while they were growing up. This is not the first time my kids have heard the story... but we are at a park... with a barrel at the ready...

I cannot believe this girl of mine! She DEFINITELY is NOT afraid to get a little dirty!

Pre-Flight!

She rolled and bounced quite a ways.

Funny thing is she did it three times, and actually talked J.D. into trying it out!

Thanks Aunt Sandy!