Pine Cone Bird Feeder for the Squirrels

When we were in the Berkshires, I made a point to collect as many pine cones as I could get my hands on. I came home with a bagful and the intention to make a pine cone wreath. But first, the girls and I decided to make some bird feeders.

From Figments of a Mom

It wasn't horribly messy, but things didn't go quite as planned when all was said and done.

I tied some yarn to the tops of the pine cones. Then, the girls smeared smooth peanut butter over them and rolled them in bird seeds. Super easy!

From Figments of a Mom

From Figments of a Mom

From Figments of a Mom

We hung all six in one tree. The girls were very excited, so the next morning they ran to the back door to see if the birds had feasted on our delicious creations. But, there were just two left hanging! Well, if you've ever made these scrumptious feeders, you already know that birds aren't the only ones who enjoy them. To our disgust, there were about half a dozen squirrels! scavenging around under the tree. Most likely, searching for the scraps. We were so mad. So I sent the girls running out the door to scare them away. I did, however, have a milli-second twang of panic when I suddenly envisioned rabid and starved squirrels defending their food. Fortunately, that didn't happen.

From Figments of a Mom

After we hung our bird feeders, and I took this shot, I realized I had a spontaneous photo shoot on my hands. And the timing couldn't have been more perfect, I needed a holiday shot for our card and the girls were in a great mood.

From Figments of a Mom

If not a little silly...

From Figments of a Mom

Kyra, as usual, is not one to sit still for a photo shoot. Sometimes, it's next to impossible to get a good shot of her. Especially, when it occurs to me that she's wearing a Halloween shirt for our Christmas card. That's not gonna work.

From Figments of a Mom

From Figments of a Mom

Oy, that hair!

From Figments of a Mom

Whether we fed the squirrels or not, we all had a fun!

I had a great idea, but it was your's

Have you ever had a great idea? Yeah, yeah, of course you have. But have you ever had one of those "how could other people not have thought of this" ideas? Then, you share it with the people who should have thought of it, except they don't seem to hear you and you're getting no where. So you keep putting it out there, hoping it will kick in and they'll have the AHA! moment. You know what I'm talking about, right? Okay, so all of that happened to me. BUT. The AHA moment was that it was suddenly their idea. As. If. They. Never. Heard. Me.

My tolerance for people diminishes.

Gifts for people who don't know what they want, or for people who have everything

My opinion of a gift is that it should be something the person wouldn't (or couldn't) buy themselves. The best gift is the unique one - the one that they didn't even know they needed. I came across MollaSpace and found some great and some hilarious gift ideas for those kind of people. Check it!

The ultimate key ring for those who are forever misplacing their keys. Gorgeous frames go up with a tack, magnet or tape. Fill a wall with empty ones and really make a statement!

And by the way, I would be happy to receive either of these for Christmas.

The Berkshires

The husband and I recently celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary. I've never stuck with anything for more than 3 years. So this? This is big. Of course, when you have kids, it's not so easy to get out of. You know? However, I'm happy to report that it doesn't feel like 10 years.

So to celebrate our 10 years (without breaking the bank) we decided to do something we used to love to do when we were dating - travel! After much research, we decided to go to the Berkshires.



The husband found a fantastic historic inn in Lenox, Mass. Built in the 1700s, it originated as a private residence and had tons of rooms to explore. The breakfast? Was incredible! And the innkeeper was as friendly and accommodating as you would hope and expect. If you go to Lenox, you must stay here.





Our room had a luxurious 4-poster bed with a sitting room and fireplace.







Unfortunately, we just missed the last autumn leaf drop so it wasn't as colorful as we hoped. But, there were still plenty of quaint New England towns to visit. We walked around the village of Lenox our first day. Lots of quirky boutiques and little restaurants, and not a lot of people. The summer and ski season are the two high times to visit the Berkshires. Believe me, I was happy to be in between the crowds.



Sculpture...


The next day, we visited Stockbridge for brunch, a small town a couple miles away. A really small town...this is the visitor center.








Then, on to Great Barrington, much larger with many more shops and restaurant options than Stockbridge.




From here, we visited the Furnace Brooke Winery for a wine tasting, picked some pine cones to bring home for the girls (look for a pine cone wreath tutorial soon!) and made a quick stop at Olivia's Overlook to snap a photo of Stockbridge Bowl.


Plus, the local wine store was also having a wine and cheese tasting. We wouldn't normally go to something like that at home, but we were traveling and the people were so friendly. We were shocked to find the store jam packed. We walked away with a few new wine finds and a delicious locally made cheese.

On the way to and from Lenox, we drove through the town of Lee which had this amazing old wooden church. It just oozed character with peeling paint and fine details.



For 10 years, we didn't do too bad. ;-)

Coupons and Freebies

I know everyone is looking for deals right now - as if they're hard to find with Black Friday extending to multiple days. I thought I'd share some FREE deals that I came across:

• Get a free coffee cup with built-in spoon.
• Free sample of Lancome's Absolue Precious Cells Advanced Regenerating and Reconstructing Cream SPF 15 from Nordstrom with this coupon.
• Bluetooth Headset (Move fast. They're only giving away 500!)
• Sample of Tropical Breeze for your guy.
• Travel size Aveda Foot Relief with this coupon.
• Memo cube

And today's the last day to enter my contest to win a set of Lenox wine glasses. Click here and be sure to leave a comment with your email.

Inspire: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving disappears in a blink as Black Friday puts a mega-fast end to all the "thanks" we're feeling with a swift kick to motivate for the holidays. So, before Thanksgiving disappears, enjoy a little inspiration to help you get ready.

Mom Cliques

Until I googled "mom cliques" just to see what popped up, I thought in my uber-creativeness that I'd dreamed up a whole new concept based on my own observations. Apparently, I was wrong. They exist. In fact, they are so prevalent that Google returned 2,260 pages about them. A phenomenom, I dare say? I shouldn't be surprised. Cliques stay strong through college and into the working world. It only makes sense that there should be social cliques as well.

What are cliques exactly? To me, they are a supertight group of people (moms) who have something in common. Maybe they all stay at home. Maybe they all go to the same gym, then the same juice bar. Maybe they all volunteer for the PTA. And these cliques? They aren't open to anyone. Outsiders are lowly.

I have always been on the fringe of the cliques. Never fully in one, but friendly with certain people in them. I like different kinds of people--it keeps things interesting, and me inspired. It was true in high school and remains true today.

Aside from all of that, cliques still make me feel uncomfortable. And, as it is now, I have to deal with a clique. "Deal with" being the key phrase. And, yes, I am the outsider. And from the outside, these women look like a bunch of snobby, egotistical wenches. I'm sure they're all nice when you get them alone, but I don't see them alone. I see them at functions, in all their glory. I put on my friendly smile and play the game. Because if I don't? I will be ostracized. I'm going to be around these people for 12 more years. I am playing the game.

It's dirty out there, Moms. Dirty!

Starting a Book Club and Other Ways to Meet People

Lately, I've been feeling the need to expand my tiny circle of friends. Not that I have much free time to spend with them, but I'd like some options.

My neighbor came up with the idea of starting a book club--really just a good reason to get a group of women together to have tea (she's Irish) or wine (so am I) and a good excuse to make sure she reads. I am all for it, of course. The only time I really chat with the women in my neighborhood is at the bus stop with the kids, and that's all for 6 minutes at a time.

While she's been talking it up to a dozen people, I am left with the task of figuring out what exactly a book club entails. I did a little research and, fortunately, found some guidelines. We could follow Oprah's Book Club, but that seems like cheating. Instead, I think I'll piece something together from some other clubs.

Also, because I love to entertain, and again, want to meet people, I was thinking of hosting a holiday cookie swap. Is that so utterly domestic and lame? Desperate maybe?

I'll keep you posted.

A Giveaway!

'Tis the season for drinking red wine. Lots of red wine. In front of the fire. When the kids are asleep. Mmmmmm. And what better to drink it in than in O2xygen Balloon Wine Glasses by Lenox. I just won a set for myself at Twittermoms, and a set to giveaway. Lucky you!

There is catch however...you'll have to answer just one question...What is your all-time-favorite, most delicious, would-do-anything-to-have-a-case-of, red wine? Price is not a factor. Leave your answer and email in the comments and one person will be randomly chosen next week.

The giveway is open until November 23rd at 9pm EST.

And, of course, Lenox would love it if you became a fan of the Lenox Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Lenox) and followed them on Twitter at www.twittter.com/Lenox_corp

Plus, Twittermoms and Lenox are hosting their first ever Twitter party (8pm – 10pm EST), where they’ll be giving away great entertaining prizes! Get the full details here: http://www.twittermoms.com/events/get-ready-for-holiday #Lenox

Thanks to Lenox and Twittermoms for making this possible!

Freebies

Because I have been so lame on posting the last two weeks, I'm going to share with you some freebie printables from a lovely little site I just came across. I promise to get myself together and update you on our trip to the Berkshires, my latest estate sale finds (!!) and general BS.

Also, this ring? I love!

Top Three Green-Living Tips

I'm embarassed to admit that while we, as a family, are trying to live "greener", it's been a slow transition. Ella, however, learned at school last year about recycling and being environmentally friendly. Immediately, she became our family "Green" ambassador. She is now an aggressive water saver, always at your elbow ready to turn off the faucet should it be on one second too long while brushing teeth or washing hands.

And when it comes to recycling, Ella saves everything. I mean every. Scrap. Of trash. "I can make something with it." she says. She's always been a collector - stones and rocks being her favorite - in fact, I was so lucky one day to find petrified dog shit in my coat pocket when Ella was about 2. Funny how things never change.

In the spirit of evolving to being more green, I'm joining TwitterMoms and LighterSaferGreener.com who are encouraging moms to offer 3 green-living tips. I'm happy to report that I have at least 3 to share!

1. Recycle your zipper lock bags. At least the larger ones. No need to throw these away. Just rinse them with soap and water, hang on a serving utensil in the dish rack to dry.
   
2. Replace all your standard lightbulbs with energy efficient ones.
   
3. Get those reusable grocery bags out and use them! Plus, some grocery stores give a discount per bag.

Future green-living enhancements? Composting. Yes, we'll be doing it soon enough.

MIA

I'm going through blog withdrawal! I've got all kinds of things to write about and no time. I just celebrated my 10 year wedding anniversary in the Berkshires so I'll be adding some photos and commentary tonight. I hope! If I can get out of the office.

Hot Chocolate & Peppermint

Most of the leaves have turned and fallen, and the cold is settling in - that means time for hot drinks fireside! Twittermoms and Lenox are having a Drinks of the Season contest so I'm jumping in for this one. There could even be a prize in it for you! (One of) My favorite winter drinks...

Hot Chocolate & Peppermint Schnapps
My dad makes a mean one of these.

Ingredients for 6 servings

1 quart milk (forget the skim, go whole) or half-and-half (even better!)
6 ounces chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate (Or Hershey's syrup)
9 ounces Peppermint Schnapps
Whipped cream
Peppermint sticks

Directions
Heat 1 cup of the milk in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add chocolate, stirring constantly, until melted. When the chocolate has melted, increase heat to medium and add the remainder of the milk while whisking rapidly. Do not allow to boil.
Serve in small cups fortified with a jigger (1 1/2 ounces) of peppermint schnapps and a dollop of whipped cream. Add a peppermint stick to stir.

Make a batch of hot chocolate for the kids, and add the Peppermint for you! Enjoy in big mugs next to the fire or take in a thermos on a cool autumn walk. Oh wait. Can you walk around with alcohol? Oh who cares. Enjoy and Happy November!