Halloween bows

Halloween is less than 2 weeks away! Wow I have got to get busy! I still have not made Gretchen's costume; Hobby Lobby has had their sparkling tulle on back order for the last month! I'm waiting until this weekend, before I decide to settle on the matte white tulle. Gretchen is going as a dalmation puppy! This is her first time trick-or-treating, so we're going all out! She will wear a white tutu halter dress with hand sewn black sequins, a red ribbon tie, and a dog tag! She also has matching puppy ears, and a matching hair bow (of course!). I also have to find a white sweatsuit for her to wear underneath- it's already freezing here in Indiana- brr!

As if making her costume isn't enough, I'm making her candy bucket- tutorial to come as soon as I'm finished! I have all of the supplies, but no time to make it! Hopefully, I can convince DJ that I need his help this week, so I have time to get it all finished!

Over the past few weeks, I have worked on a few more hair bows that would be adorable for Halloween, but also for year-round wear.

The bow above is set on a partially lined alligator clip, and has an adorable orange "bling" center.

One of my customers, ordered a Tennessee hair bow, and I came up with the bow pictured above. But, how adorable would this be for Halloween and for football games!

A little twist on the 2nd bow, this 3rd bow has an adorable square bling center. Again, it can be worn all year!

So, hurry to my website and place your order- all Halloween hair bows are now 40% off!!!!! What a steal!

Treats for your Fur Baby

If you're a dog lover (or if you're like me and you have a dog, you love her, but he/she may not be your world) you have to check out these treats! These gourmet dog treats are made with natural ingredients and baked by Kara at K9 Kreations.

If you read Kara's blog, you know that she's a dog lover, after all she has 6 fur babies! My step-dad is a huge dog lover, but I think Kara has him beat!

Kara and I "met" on swap mamas when she wanted a custom tutu for her neice, so we swapped a tutu for dog treats. I received the treats in the mail today and was amazed at how delicious they looked and smelled! She sent Bailey a wide variety of treats that she sells on her etsy site.

The treats all came individually wrapped and were packaged well. She sent "Bosco's Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake", "Maddie's Mini Mutt Muffins", "Drea's Pumpkin Pie Drops", and heart shaped cookies with chocolate on one side! I'm a huge fan of anything pumpkin, and you could definitely smell the pumpkin, and I'll admit, I wanted to lick the chocolate off the top of the heart shaped cookies! (I'm a huge chocolate fan!) But seriously, who takes the time to make gourmet treats for their little pooch- not me! So, these were definitely a treat for our fur baby, Bailey.

Here's Bailey enjoying the pumpkin pie spice drop. She had at least 2 of these tonight!

And, here they are! Don't they look delicious? I'm sure that your fur baby will love them, just as much as our fur baby did! Kara offers a frequent buyer program and has 100% positive feedback on Etsy! Don't forget to check out her blog, for pet product reviews, give aways, and helpful tips for keeping your pet happy and safe!

Future Interior Designer....

Saturday evening (after the pumpkin patch and shopping), Gretchen and I came home and put on our jammies! I love snuggling in jammies in the evening. I let Gretchen play in the living room while I cleaned up the kitchen. I turned around and saw her redecorating!

I wasn't completly suprised, my grandmother is a wonderful decorator (and my mom and I like to think that it's in our blood as well). I guess, that it's passing down through the Goodson gene-pool, because Gretchen is starting to decorate as well!

In the Catholic church, it's tradition for the members to receive palms on Palm Sunday. I placed the palms in a large vase that I have other decorative sticks in. Gretchen discovered this vase and the palms a few months ago, but since we were moving, I conveniently placed it in the garage.

Now, that it is out again, Gretchen is having tons of fun pulling out the palms. On Saturday, she pulled out all 3 palms, managing to split one in half, and pulled out a smaller container that I keep in the kitchen on the floor. I think she decided that the palms looked better by themselves in the smaller container!

I found her actions quite entertaining, so I had to snap a picture. By the time I grabbed my camera, she had pulled two of the palms out, but nonetheless, I think she has the decorator gene running through her! Sometimes, kids just do things that make you chuckle, shake your head, and think "how did they come up with this?"

Halloween tutu winner!

Congratulations Kara! You are the winner of the free tutu!

Utilizing random.org, #12, was chosen and you were the 12th post!

I will contact in regards to all of the details.

Pumpkin Patch!

Gretchen and I went to the pumpkin patch today with our friend Melissa and her little boy Justin. It turned out to be a beautiful day after such a crummy rainy week. I was so relieved that the weather cooperated and the sun decided to shine- thank you Mother Nature!

Sadly, Gretchen didn't get to wear one of her cute pumpkin pillow case dresses, since it was too chilly and muddy! But, she did look adorable in her brand new pink rain boots, or for today- mud boots! Yes, I had to go buy her new shoes just so she could go out in the mud! Although, the shoes were adorable, they're a little big. She had some trouble stomping through the vines and the mud, but we managed! (I bought them a bit big, so she'll be able to wear them in the spring.)

Gretchen and Justin rode in the wagon as we walked over to the pumpkin patch. Wagons are a necessity when you go the pumpkin patch- make sure that your local patch will have one for your use, or you'll need to bring your own! Hopefully, next year Gretchen will have her very own wagon (Gran and grandpa should be getting her one for Christmas!)

Gretchen and I pausing for a minute to take a picture. Look at her adorable pink boots!

"Mom, I found my pumpkin!" Did you guys know that pumpkins had prickly thorns on them? Me either! Take a man or take some gloves so you can pull it off the vine!

Gretchen and Justin with their pumpkins. There is one extra for Justin's new baby sister!

After we picked the pumpkins, we found fresh apples! Wassons nursery is now taking orders for apple trees- if you'd like one of your own next spring! We picked out 4 apples and shared one for dinner, and yes, they were delicious! It made me want some caramel to dip them in! We had such a great fall day!

Girls Treat

Another away football game, means a girls weekend for Gretchen and me. I picked her up after work yesterday, and instead of heading to our usual place (the Y- so I can workout), we headed to Ritters- our favorite ice cream place in Muncie! We use to live 2 miles from Ritters, but now being on the south side of town, its a tad bit further, so it's not as much of a regularity in our diet- which is a good thing!

I love getting their blizzards, think Dairy Queen- but sooo much better! DJ usually gets white ice cream with either cookie dough or peanut butter cups, but I always get chocolate with peanut butter cups. I'm such a routine girl; I rarely get anything else!

It was cold and rainy yesterday, definately not an ideal day for ice cream. But, we needed a treat! After all, it's just the girls for the evening and for the next day, so we can do whatever our hearts desire. Well, mine desired ice cream! So, we headed to ritters, ordered the usual, and parked the car. I climbed in the back seat with Gretchen and we enjoyed our ice cream!

Usually, when we go to Ritters, and the ice cream is gone, Gretchen throws a little tantrum. Being the proactive, parent that I am- I decided to make sure the cup was as clean as it could be, put a bib on Gretchen, and let her have at it while we drove home!

She was obviously thrilled to have the cup and spoon all by herself- what a big girl she is! She was happy all the way home, and I was pleased to not listen to her screaming. Although, she did make a bit of a mess, on her face, and a little bit on her pants. But, I was thrilled!

Until we got home that is! My proactive attitude, didn't think much about what would happen when we got home and I had to take the cup away! Yes, a tantrum was thrown, but after giving her an empty paper towel tube and letting her keep the spoon, she was her happy little self again!

Want to win an adorable scarf?

Then, head on over to Leslie's blog, "A Blonde Ambition". Now, I'm not blonde- i'm far from it.... I've only hi-lighted my hair once, and that was more of a light brown! But, I'm loving this girls blog! She shares a bit of everything, from cute table decorations, to fashion, and football! You've gotta love a girl that can combine everything into one and make it so fabulous!

This month, Leslie is giving away an adorable scarf in your choice of color! So, head on over to her blog, sign up to follow, and you could win the scarf! Although, if you do, I'll be extremely jealous!

October Give Away!!!! Don't Forget!

Don't forget about the October give away!

Register to win a FREE Halloween tutu!

Click here to find out more and to register!

Baby of the Year

DJ and I have entered Gretchen into Muncie's 2009 "Baby of the Year" competition. We are humbly asking your support in voting for Gretchen.

The "Baby of the Year" competition is sponsored by "The Star Press", Muncie's newspaper. Gretchen is contestant #421. Votes are a $0.25 donation, which is tax deductible. All proceeds will go to award grants to benefit organizations and programs serving East Central Indiana Children to provide food, shelter, clothing, child care, health, recreation, and child abuse prevention and intervention.

The children of Muncie are in desperate need of more services to help them overcome their desperate circumstances. I work in one of our lower income schools, and I'm sure that these grants will go to help some of the children that I work with, and will make a difference in their lives.

The top 12 winners will appear in a calendar, which sales proceeds will also benefit the organization. The grand prize winner will win a $2,000 savings bond, along with other prizes. The 2nd place winner receives a $500.00 savings bond along with prizes that the 3rd place winner will receive. Click here to view all of the prizes.

Voting begins on October 6th (today) and goes until November 6. You may vote online through The Star Press' website. Again, they are asking for a $0.25 cent donation, with a minimum of $5.00. We know that this is asking a lot, for each of you to pay just so Gretchen can win a prize or appear in the calendar that will be published. But, we ask that you will remember the children of our community that this will benefit, and as a bonus, your donation will be tax deductible.

We thought that if many people could donate at least $10.00 that would be 40 votes per donation, which we are hoping will be enough for Gretchen to win the grand prize or at least 2nd or 3rd place. Although, we will be extremely happy if she is in the top 12!

To vote, please go to their website, and click on "view entries and vote". Click "next" 3 times, and you will come to the page that Gretchen is on, or, you may simply enter "421" in the "view contestant #" box located at the top right side of the page. Then, you will click on Gretchen's picture. You will enter the # of votes you wish to place, and then click on "submit". The website will then walk you through the other necessary procedures.

For those of you that vote- thank you in advance! For those that cannot vote at this time, we appreciate your reading through this email and most importantly for your friendship and the place you hold in each of our lives.

Thank you all so much!

DJ, Elaine, and Gretchen

Melissa and Lydgia (orders)

Thanks to Meliss and Lydgia for taking advantage of a recent calendar special! (Buy one Halloween bow and get one free) I truely hope that your little honey's adore their bows as much as I do!

Lydgia- ordered 2 Halloween bows, giving me some creativitiy to choose the ribbon for her bows, as well as a white bow, and a purple and white bow for her daughter to wear to high school track meats (no, her daughter isn't in track, but Lydgia's the coach).

Melissa has a 1 month old baby girl (congrats!) so she obviously needed a bow band, and she choose two adorable Halloween bows. The orange w/ black dots is my favorite! It's lined with the alternate ribbon of black with orange dots!

Enjoy ladies and thank you!