Bookshelf Organization

A topic today that is near and dear to my heart but one that I am also contemplating right now as to how I want to organize my multiple bookshelves.

There a number of ways I have tried in the past, including by color, subject, size and even gone as far as to try the Dewey Decimal System. That's the librarian in me. 

Right now, my four big book cases are loosely subject based. They need straightened and organized more though because I unpacked haphazardly and the subjects are split between the four bookshelves in two different rooms. In addition, I also have a bookshelf that needs to go in the upstairs hall, in my office and an empty shelf in our bedroom. Not to mention Carter's books, which are split between his playroom and his bedroom!

OK, I might have a book problem but is that so bad. I could bestow worse habits upon my child. I am proud of the fact that we read to him every day and he will have no to limited screen time before age two. He attends a faith based story time once a week, goes to the library once a week and attends baby story time at the library at least once a month. As crazy and rambunctious as he may be for a toddler, he will sit and look at books every night and somethings self initiated after dinner or on weekends.

But back to my bookshelves and my massive reorganization need...so, here's my plan:

Add spice racks to the end of the cabinet in the kitchen to store my very few cookbooks that I do intend to use more one day. It is one of my goals to learn to cook.

(Photo Credit: Pinterest)

Limit the number of coffee table books and arrange the remainder on a bottom book shelf.

Arrange my three tall books shelves by subject with books laying horizontally and vertically and interspersed with picture frames and various knickknacks. 

Arrange my glass cased book shelf with my vintage books and some of my favorite titles.

Add the books that I am currently reading or intend to read to the bookshelf in my bedroom.

Move professional books to the office and any extra favorites.

Add a bookshelf in the hall to organize Carter's extra books.

Rotate books from his wall shelves and bedroom/playroom shelves monthly.

How do you organize your books? Am I the only crazy out there with this many books? They are after all one of my favorite things. 

Happy Reading (and Organizing)!

Works for Me Wednesday: Thanksgiving Cooking

I have to say I'm not a huge fan of Halloween. I literally mope from the end of summer until now. I did better this year since it was so warm out and we kept the pool open pretty long but normally September and October to me are blah. Today for me means I can start listening to Christmas music and preparing for the holidays! First up, Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving! 

I'm not much of a cook. I will admit that. When it comes to preparing for Friendsgiving, I stick to the cleaning, drinks, kitchen prep and that's about it. I let Dennis take care of the rest. He does the turkey. He does the stuffing. I attempt the mashed potatoes. Everything else comes walking in the door and that works out perfect for me!

What are you cooking for Thanksgiving?

Works for Me Wednesday: Cute Notebooks

Who doesn't love cute notebooks? I'm a sucker for notebooks. I tried using them as a bullet journal for awhile but I just don't have time for that. Right now, I use the notebooks to keep a running to do list at work and home that I can use when I fill in my planner for the week. I'll probably start a new notebook soon when I rethink this blog some more.

Here are a few of my favorite notebooks. The first two I actually have and will probably end up buying more of in the New Year. The third one I love and would consider buying as well. I have used a Lilly planner before.

Spartina 449 Ruled Journal (striped with an anchor) and Ruled Notebook (Bay Dreams with Annapolis <3)

Lilly Pulitzer Large Notebook

Erin Condren Custom Quote - Notebook

Plum Paper Spiral Notebook

Vera Bradley Notebook with Pocket

What are your favorite notebooks? What do you use notebooks for?

Carter and the Full Moon

Have you noticed the moon lately? It's full - big and bright in the night sky. Well, Carter has too. 

The other night I put him to bed. I could hear him upstairs jabbering away and bouncing. Nothing new there. Sometimes he falls right to sleep and other times he fools around in his crib. Well on Tuesday night, I could still hear him at 9 p.m. That is not normal. Then he got a little louder and so I went upstairs. This is how I found him.

 

Not laying down. Not quiet. Not trying to fall asleep. Wide awake.

And why you might ask? Well, he was sitting there pointing at the moon through his window. He knows the word for moon too and was trying unsuccessfully to say it. He seemed pretty proud of himself that he could find the moon and had positioned himself in his crib for the best view.

Seeing as it was WAY past his bedtime, I decided to take him away from the moon. Parents of the year - we haven't gotten his curtain the whole way up. It hasn't really been a problem until now.

So, I took him downstairs and tried to get him to sleep in our bed. Fail. Then we went in the living room to maybe burn off some of this late night energy. Fail. He also knows how to use the remote now too. Guess he didn't want to let me finish watching Fixer Upper. (We don't even watch TV when he is around normally. Kids and technology these days. :) ) Dennis came home from fire, so we decided to take a ride. It was a pretty long ride too. Well, that was another stellar parent move. We just gave the kid the moon then.

The entire car ride he laughed and smiled and pointed and tried to say moon. It did tire him out though because by the time we got home he went right in his crib and didn't even look at the moon.

What's weird is that he did something similar in August! It's wasn't nearly as late and we were able to sit outside because it was still light. I shared this picture of him on Instagram in August. This is when he discovered the moon for the first time.

So, needless to say, the curtain will be on for sure the next time there is a full moon.

Happy Weekend: Carter's Wardrobe

We all know that Carter wears A LOT of Baby Gap. I won't lie. I love the store and I bleed blue. Plus he has a few very generous aunties and grandma that keep him pretty stocked in the Baby Gap department. I also know when the sales are and the best times to buy.

However, Carter also goes through sometimes three outfits a day. He poops. He misses his bib. He plays really hard outside. With all of this being said, sometimes it's not feasible to wear Baby Gap for this many outfits a day, which is why I have become obsessed with two second hand baby and children's outlets - Kid to Kid and the Sunflower Sprouts Sale.

Kid to Kid is the consignment store on McKnight Road. I buy and sell here, so then you can get credit towards future purchases. They also have great promotions and sales. I have scored a lot of Baby Gap clothes here and some with tags on them still. It is also great for baby gear and toys. This is where I got my jogging stroller, which looked like it had never been used before and some toys for Carter since I'm not really into buying expensive toys. If you haven't been there, I highly recommend checking it out.

Sunflower Sprouts Sale is the semi-annual kids and baby sale at the sport complex in Harmarville. The fall sale just ended yesterday, which prompted me to write this post. I would say the sale is hit or miss. Last fall, I was able to get Carter a lot of clothes (again many with the tags on) and a Hanna Andersson snow suit that he will most likely get another winter out of this year. In the spring, I found an infant life jacket. This weekend, I went in not really looking for clothes but really needing baby gates and was able to get two that attach to the wall. The even better part is that Saturday and Sunday of the sale are half off, so I ended up getting each gate for $4. The next sale isn't until the spring, so find the date and don't miss it!

Kids ruin clothes and we are trying to renovate a house and pay for a big trip next year, so I buy Carter's clothes for special occasions at Baby Gap and during big sales and what he doesn't get in gifts come from Kid to Kid and the sale. It all works. He still looks good!

Try it, you may be surprised!

Fall Reading List

I was on quite a reading kick at the beginning of the summer but then life got in the way with parties, trips to Lakeside and home renovations. Hopefully now as the weather is changing and it is getting darker earlier I can get some more books read again. 

I used to be able to read all of the books on my reading lists but that isn't realistic anymore. I still put the same amount of books on my list, so that there are options but I know I won't be able to get that many read.

So without further ado...my fall reading list:

A Hundred Summers

Yes, it's fall but I read beach reads all summer long! I've already tried once to read this and couldn't get into but I'm going to give it one more try since I picked it up at a book sale and can take my time if I need it.

Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love and Writing

I love Jennifer Weiner's books so I'm pretty excited to read her new book, which is quite a transition from what she normally writes.

Saints Among Us

Ahh this was on my summer reading list and I never got to it but I am still just as excited to read it since J. Courtney Sullivan is one of my favorite authors.

Sisters First

Of course I have to read anything about a first family!

The Girls

The Other Einstein

The Sun is Also a Start

I loved Everything, Everything by the same author and her writing style so I'm pretty excited to read her latest book.

Today Will Be Different

Again, another author with fabulous books - I mean who didn't love Where'd You Go Bernadette?

Uncommon Type

I'm not sure how I missed Tom Hanks wrote a book but of course I will be reading it!

I also have some book club books to read as well, so I know at least I will hopefully get four books read or listened too. This is what we are reading for the fall: Hidden Figures, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, This is Where I Leave You and The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding. 

What's on your fall reading list?

Happy Reading!

House Update: Living Room

I haven't posted a renovation post in a while, so here's a quick one about the living room for transformation Tuesday.

As you can see, the room was very white and sterile before, so we painted and ripped up the carpet to reveal those awesome hardwood floors. It definitely wasn't easy but so worth it. 

The living room is still a work in progress. I have to finish hanging some artwork, buy an area rug and paint the front door, which I'm really excited about. The bookshelves need a little love. I'd also like to tackle reupholstering the chair that you can't see in the after pictures.

The living room is going to change a little bit when the basement is finished since the old couch will move downstairs and a new couch will go in the living room. The bigger TV will also go downstairs.

I love this room and I'm so happy with how it is turning out. It's definitely going to be great to curl up on the couch in the winter. And the view through those curtains is amazing!

Summer Bucket List

What's left on your summer bucket list? I don't know about you but every year around this time, August rolls around and I feel as if I've missed summer and have not crossed anything off my bucket list. To me, I want summer all year round.

Here's my summer bucket list and what's left:

Go hiking. Make ice cream. Have a picnic. Make s'mores. Go to a Pirate game. Take a day trip. Feed ducks. Go night swimming. Go to a farmer's market. Go paddle boarding. Tie-dye shirts. Eat from a food truck. Play putt putt. Go to the drive-in.

Read 10+ books. Paint rocks. Go fishing. Go to a concert in the park. Attend a parade. Have a BBQ with friends. Find a new playground/park.

Go to a fair. Make pizza on the grill. Take a family bike ride. Watch a movie in the park. Do the summer reading program. Go to Soergel's. Go to Kennywood.

Stargaze. Paintball. Go kayaking. Walk a 5K Race. Have a home spa day. Go to a splash pad. Go to Idewyld. Go to the arts festival. Get a pet.

Go to Phipps. Go to the Children's Museum. Go swimming at a different pool. Go to Sandcastle. Do karaoke at Bob's. Go to an art gallery. 

Go to Glen's. Try a new restaurant. Go to berry picking. Have a pool party. Make sangria. Ride the carousel at Schenley or the zoo. Go the botanical garden. Go to the African Safari.

 Alright, there's still plenty of summer left! Who wants to help me check some of these off my list? Carter loves field trips too!

Summer Reading List: July

I finally, after a few months of absolute chaos, have returned to my reading routine. The house is for the most part in order and I can take my usual reading breaks as I get stuff done while Carter naps or after he goes to bed at night.

Since the beginning of the month, I've read The Magnolia Story, The Identicals and The Girls of August. All were great and the last two had me not wanting to leave the book and get something done. Right now I'm reading Here's to Us and listening to Reconstructing Amelia.

Here are some more titles from my summer reading list that I'm hoping to read this month:

Mystic Summer

Hannah McKinnon

I saw this one on Pinterest last year and wanted to read it.

The Singles Game

Lauren Weisberger

I loved The Devil Wears Prada, so I'm excited to try another of Lauren Weisberger's books. And I know you aren't supposed to judge a book by its cover but I definitely am on this book.

Saints for all Occasions

J. Courtney Sullivan

There are not many fiction books that I have to run out and buy but I can assure you that I will be line at the bookstore at Lakeside Saturday morning to purchase a copy of this book. J. Courtney Sullivan is by far my favorite adult author. If you haven't, head to the library and check out her other titles - Maine, The Engagements and Commencement.

If I keep up my current reading pace, I want to read The Nest and work on finishing Little Women.

I'm really looking forward to reading in the pool and maybe even at the lake this weekend but porch reading is my relaxation time right now. There is nothing better than a good book, a glass of wine and an Adirondack chair with a view.

Happy Reading!

Pinterest Party: House Projects

After buying a new house, Pinterest can be the best and worst thing. Yes, I'm getting some great ideas but essentially I have a blank slate, which means there are too many ideas for house renovations and decoration. These are just a few ideas of pins that I have done since moving in the new house (pictures of my finished projects to come) and some that I intend to do in the next few weeks/months.

Bedroom

(Photo Credit: Pinterest)

I love my furniture but recently the wood has been getting to me. I need to jazz it up. I love this dresser because it's the best of both worlds - shows the vintage wood but also has some paint as well. I will definitely be doing this the minute the bedroom is unpacked.

Carter's Bedroom

(Photo Credit: Pinterest)

We painted stripes on the wall just like in this picture. I followed the exact colors too. It looks awesome and thank God was not a Pinterest fail. The stripes aren't perfect but you can hardly tell!

I'm still sorting though lots of ideas! I want to do so much fun things outside with the pool, yard, patio and porch but I'm trying to get the rooms we use inside done too! It's so much!

Post continued later!

Monday Minute: Another 13.1 in the books!

Yesterday, I completed my fourth half marathon. This time I walked as I don't run anymore. Crossing the finish line was surreal. Two years ago, I stood on the finish line watching my friend Barb walk/run and thinking about how I would never experience that again. I signed up to walk with Barb and my sister this year. Training didn't go so well since it was hard finding the time to walk with Carter and when I wasn't working. I decided to still do it and I'm so proud of myself for not giving up and grateful that my knees survived. Crossing that finish line with tears in my eyes because I had done it! I had come from thinking I would never do it again to doing it. If I do it again, I'll definitely train harder! Happy walking!!

Bullet Journal: Habit Trackers

My new obsession: a bullet journal. I tried in January to start one but I wouldn't exactly call it a bullet journal. Last month, I made an effort to actually make a bullet journal and although I don't use it as my planner, it is helping me to be so much more organized and productive with my planner.

My goal in the coming weeks/months is to show  you various pages in my bullet journal. Today, I'm going to focus on habit trackers. This was something I did really well in my planner weekly but not so much daily. I also really wanted to start doing a better morning, evening and Sunday night routine. I was feeling so unprepared for the week ahead, let alone the date. Now I'm so much more ready and not as scatter each day on my way to work.

Morning Routine

I wake up so much easier when sunrise is earlier. I normally get up at sunrise or shortly after and I try to go walk in the cemetery or at least prepare myself better for the day. A few of the items on my morning list are to drink a glass of water, stretch and actually fix my hair. Ha ha!

Nightly Routine

Every night I set my alarm for 10 p.m. and I try to start my nightly routine then. Granted that doesn't always happen but I try. A few of the items on my nightly list are to turn my technology off and leave it in another room, set my actual alarm clock, layout all clothes for the next day (mine, workout and Carter's) and review my planner/bullet journal.

Daily Habit Tracker

These are items that I would like to do every day like exercising, walking and cleaning but are not necessarily part of the morning or nightly routine.

Sunday Routine

This was one of the biggest helps for me as I mentioned below. On Sunday night, I get my planner/bullet journal ready for the week, prep my breakfasts and lunches, make Carter's food and get his diaper bags ready.

Weekly Habit Tracker

Weekly tasks I normally wrote in a side column in my planner but now I include them in the bullet journal like the rest of the habit trackers. These include items like cleaning my inbox, making a budget for the next week and updating my calendar.

Monthly Habit Tracker

I'm pretty good at monthly tasks but these provides me with a little guidance. My monthly habits include setting goals, setting up my planner for the coming month, making a workout and blog schedule and figuring out Carter's babysitting schedule. I'm also trying now to rotate some of his toys and books, as well as make a new playlist for myself since I'm walking more in the mornings.

Those are my habit trackers! I might be obsessive about all of this but hey it works! How do you keep track of your routines?

Tuesday 10: TV Shows I Want to Binge

Who am I kidding thinking I actually have time to binge watch a TV show? I have full-time job, an infant and brand new house that is still under renovation. I guess I think that a TV show could be easier to watch than a movie - maybe catch an episode here and there.

These are the 10 shows I would love to binge watch or attempt to binge watch. It might take me a year to watch one show.

Fuller House

I definitely binge watched the entire first season in a weekend. I started the second season but only made it in a few episodes before life got busy at the holidays and my Netflix trial ended.

Royals

I watched the entire first season while I was recovering from knee surgery but I never managed to keep up with it.

The Crown

I think I should probably just get Netflix, so that I can watch this show and Fuller House.

Younger

I watched a few episodes of Younger when I was recovering too but I lost interest. I think I need to give it a second chance though because so many people like it and we all know I'm a huge Hil Duff fan.

Madame Secretary

I've caught a few episodes and I really like it yet I have not managed to actually sit down and watch it. I think I keep hoping that I'll find a show to replace West Wing and that maybe this is it.

Call the Midwife

I love this show! I binged the first two seasons and have caught a few of the current season but I need to watch the ones I've missed in between.

Dawson's Creek

I was reading something about this show I think and I realized I really never got into. I think I'll need to binge watch it. Blast from the past.

Mary Tyler Moore

After Mary Tyler Moore died and I watched a lot of the specials about her, I realized I had never watched all of the episodes.

That's everything on my list. I know that's only eight but I really don't have any other ones on my list right now, unless you have suggestions.

Quotes that Inspire Me

Sometimes we all need a little inspiration. It's been a pretty stressful week but sometimes rereading my favorite quotes helps provide some motivation. Here's just a few of them from Pinterest that might provide you with some inspiration.

I could honestly make an entire post of Eleanor Roosevelt quotes. I didn't even include my all-time favorite.

Who am I kidding? I could make an individual post with quotes from all of these people.

Happy Thursday!

Book Review: Little House in the Big Woods

The good news: I finished a book. The bad news: It was a children's book. The better news: It wasn't a picture book or board book.

Our first book of the year for book club was Little House in the Big Woods. We decided to read it as our classic for the year. The first time I read this book I was in fourth grade. I always remember it as the book I first got in trouble for reading in class when I should have been doing something else. Do you remember the scene in Anne of Green Gables when she has a book tucked inside the lesson book? That was me. Happily reading Little House when I should have probably been doing math problems. I remember loving the book then though.

I started reading it again a few weeks ago. I got a few chapters in and lost complete interest. It was boring. I was surprised at how interested I had been as a child. I ended up finishing it on audio, which was actually really good and kept my attention well. I will say that I love the way it is written as a series of vignettes and it is very descriptive.

It's funny when you reread childhood favorites as an adult - it's not what you remembered or it's boring. I actually felt this way when I reread Anne of Green Gables. I wasn't as impressed as I was the first time around. I'm finding that a lot with any book lately though, not just a children's classic. There are very few books I can reread that I seem to not like the second time around. Maybe it's my life at the time or my age but it almost makes me never want to reread a book again because I have such fond memories of it. The only books I have reread and loved every time are The Great Gatsby, Cheaper by the Dozen, Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons, The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood and probably a handful of other ones. 

There were items I picked up reading Little House as an adult that I never did reading it as a child or at least don't remember. For instance, there are a lot of lessons in this book. Listen to your parents. Don't cry wolf. Pay attention. Do what you are told. And so many others. I felt like as an adult I noticed these so much more. I also noticed pieces of the story that in today's culture might not be as accepted by parents as when the book was written. I notice that in picture books that I read as a child that I'm not reading to Carter. The example that comes to mind in Little House is an entire chapter titled "The Rifle." It was just a completely different time. Life was so much more simple.

I'm so glad we did read it. It's definitely a book I had fond memories of reading as a child and that's what I choose to remember not my feelings about it as an adult. Make it a weekend goal coming up when the weather maybe gets rainy or even snowy again - reread one of your childhood favorites. Don't be disappointed if you don't feel the same way though.

Happy Reading!

Tuesday Ten: Bucket List

I love making a bucket list. I haven't checked that many items off my bucket list though - obtain a Master's degree, get married, have a baby. The majority of my bucket list has to do with the travel. I'm just bursting to get out and see the world with Dennis and Carter. Here are 10 more items on my bucket list for today's Tuesday Ten:

[Photo Credit: Pinterest]

At the rate I'm going this will have to be a retirement goal...my goal lately is to be able to read 20 books a year.

[Photo Credit: Pinterest]

Live by the beach or the lake! 

I want to be able to wake up and see, smell and hear the water.

Visit Thailand and swim with the elephants!

I pinned this on Pinterest but I also saw it on my favorite show from maternity leave - Better Late Than Never. 

Take a photo every day for a year!

I need to get back to my photographer. It's kind of taken a back burner. Carter has me taking a lot more though.

[Photo Credit: Pinterest]

I could cross two things off my bucket list if I went to the Olympics in Japan.

Attend the Kentucky Derby.

This is so doable! I just want to dress up, drink mint juleps and pretend I know what the heck is going on during a horse race.

Travel first class.

Three checks on the bucket list if I travel first class to Japan for the Olympics.

[Photo Credit: Pinterest]

I need this to happen so bad. I love New York City so much and want to see the tree so bad.

Visit all 50 states.

I would love to see the entire country. I'm at 25, so half way there!

These are only a small part of my bucket list! What's on yours? I'd say these today are pretty doable.

A Little Change of Pace...Board Book Review

 You probably aren't surprised that Carter and I read together. A lot. We read during playtime when he starts to get bored with his toys and we read at night before bed. He's a little more alert during playtime since he isn't in the process of falling asleep. We read our library books during playtime. This week we read City Blocks and Hooray for Hat.

City Blocks by Christopher Franceschelli

OK, OK...I know you shouldn't just a book by its cover but I totally did for City Blocks. Maybe not so much the cover but the size because it's very unique. The book is about as thick as a normal adult book but board book size. The bold, colorful artwork was eye-catching and attractive when sitting on the shelf next to other books.

The book is a journey through the city with pages that open up to show a city block, cut-outs for windows on the subway and different shaped pages that give a preview of what is to come. The book is geared towards preschool and kindergarten not really meant for a baby but we read everything! It would be very interactive for a preschool child as the reader travels through the city on various forms of transportation to different landmarks, such as the museum, stadium and farmer's markets. The landmarks are all recognizable to most cities, so preschool children will be able to relate with places around their home. I was disappointed because the library is not a place the book mentions. Instead when finding a good story, the reader is led to a bookstore.

Carter did sit through this book surprisingly but it fidgeted more, mostly due to the length. It's a very cute book and I would recommend it to any parent of a preschool aged child.

Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won

This book on display, which is why I picked it up for Carter on my lunch break at the branch down the street from the office. I had never heard of it but thought it was worth a try.

The book starts with a grumpy elephant who is surprised by a box of hats on his doorstep. He decided to share it with his animal friends who are all grumpy as well. The last friend that hats are shared with is giraffe who isn't feeling well. Everyone is happy and feeling well enough for a party at the end of the book complete with lots of hats.

The book is simple and colorful with the various animals and hats. The emotions are also familiar to young readers - grumpy, excited, not feeling well. It also illustrates the importance of sharing happiness with others and providing a reason for others to smile.

Again this book is better for a preschool aged child, however Carter giggled at this one. Granted he was probably laughing at me yell, "I'm grumpy" but it was still showing interest in the book or listening to it being read.

In the last few weeks, I have noticed that Carter pays much more attention when I read to him. He looks at the pages and listens more intently. Read to your kids! It's so important!

OK, I'll get off my reading soapbox now. Head to the library and check these great board books out!

Book Review: The

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less
Terry Ryan

I always have these grand reading plans - listen to four audio books a month, read at least six books a month, etc. Honestly, I can tell you a read probably 100+ board books and picture books a month but I'm slacking in the adult reading department. By the time I have time to read now, I fall asleep. I've been reading the same book since the beginning of the month! But I did finish an audio book!! Listening to books in the car makes the commute so much better.

Last week, I finished The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. Many of you might remember the movie that starred Julianne Moore. I remember watching the movie and not really thinking much of it. It's been awhile so listening to the book wasn't completely ruined by seeing the movie. The book is a memoir of the author's life growing up with nine siblings, a sometimes absent and alcoholic father and a mother who applied for every contest possible just to make ends meet.

The book was definitely interesting. Not one does Evelyn Ryan raise 10 kids but she also finds the time and energy to enter contests to make a living. She won everything from sports equipment and trips to cash and cars. A few of her children even went to college on scholarships that Evelyn won for them. The book was both humorous and serious. Every time the family hit a road bump she managed to save them, including bankruptcy and losing the house. 

This is an easy and enjoyable read! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a a good memoir. You'll laugh, you might cry, maybe you'll even learn something - like how to survive with little. Head to the library and check it out for a great weekend read!

Happy Reading!

Pinterest Round-Up: January Projects

It's cold out and I have a sleeping baby after 8 p.m., so what better excuse to dive into some Pinterest projects on these chilly, winter evenings and during baby naps on weekends. I've been waiting until the holidays were over and my schedule to not be as crazy to start some of these. Here's what I'm hoping to work on this month.

READ Box for Library Books

Maybe it's the librarian in me who knows how often library books go missing or get mixed up with books kids already have, so I'm making Carter a READ box for his library books to keep in the living room. His books stay in the bedroom.

Baby Shadow Box

It's taken this long for me to realize that the pile of items in Carter's room that I set aside for a shadow box are still sitting there - his hospital bracelets, rose from church, bassinet name tag, etc. 

[Image from Pinterest.]

Space for Dennis' Stuff in the Living Room

This isn't really a Pinterest project but an organization task I need to accomplish. We have a large ottoman in the living room that doubles as a storage bin. I'm going to organize the inside for all of Dennis' mail, magazines, textbooks, etc.

Baby Size Hangers

Finally, I want to make size hangars for Carter's closet. Four months late again but at first I thought I didn't need it but I realized again tonight that it would be nice to have to separate his clothes.

[Image from Pinterest.]

And I hit the jackpot last weekend at Target with Christmas ornaments, so I think an impromptu Pinterest party might be in order to make holiday wreaths. Then I don't have to store the ornaments or I won't forget until it's too late that I bought them.

[Image from Pinterest.]

What Pinterest projects are you working on this winter?

Merry Christmas, Carrie!

Happy Holidays, friends! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! It's hard to believe that it is already over. There was so much hype and rushing around that as always I feel like I missed it.

This year I was so much more excited about the gifts I gave that I really didn't even have time to think about the gifts I received. I'm still unpacking some of these that literally got put in the bedroom and not thought of again since we were so busy.

It was also special because it was Carter's first Christmas. Not that he had any idea what was going on but it was still fun to somewhat see it thru his eyes. We are still celebrating of course since Dennis worked. Tomorrow we are taking Carter to see the lights at Phipps.

I have to say that my favorite gift this year or at least the one I've used the most so far, would have to be my heating blanket from Dennis. It could be 60 degrees out and I'll be under the blanket. I've been asking for this for years, so I'm so happy I got it. And don't worry it is up to safety standards for the fireman. I can't wait to start reading some books cuddled up under my new blanket.

What were your favorite gifts?

Happy Holidays! Just a quick post for today! My goal as always is to be on here more in the New Year! We will see what happens!