Whatcha Got Wednesday--Christmas!!

First I would like to say that today is VERY special day!  It is my 10th anniversary.  When we got married we decided that we would spend our 10th in Europe.  Yeah, that's not happening.  Instead we're getting a babysitter and spending a night out on the town.  Someday we will take a big trip, but it won't be today.  :) 

Anyway,  we had the BEST Christmas!  Santa was good to us this year.  It was full of the 3 F's...friends, food, and fun.  Here are a few pics of the week.

Now it's your turn.  Show me Whatcha Got!

1.  Link up the actual blog post, not your blog address.

2.  Grab my button and post it somewhere on your blog.

</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9n72MKnKHiNCXzs3_dud692NJogyjAamFWqFusT7jeNt498fTDNmrNuAFX_H6ZjoFlQXoB5LKwyPy99_vHSSCMt4xneFKoXA9LVZku_vVVB9Wv48cmKPtG22S5JhBKsUnkDgqCtW0PEZG/s1600/pumpkin+patch+watcha.bmp" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P> 

3.  Check out what everyone else is up to and leave them some comment love.

Watcha Got Wednesday

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up last week.  I had no idea if anyone would link up at all and was very pleasantly surprised that 14 projects were linked up.  You people make me smile so much!!! 

I'm still sick and have done absolutely NOTHING for days, so I have nothing to show you.  But I still want to see what you've been up too.

Now it's your turn.  Show me Whatcha Got!

1.  Link up the actual blog post, not your blog address.

2.  Grab my button and post it somewhere on your blog.

</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9n72MKnKHiNCXzs3_dud692NJogyjAamFWqFusT7jeNt498fTDNmrNuAFX_H6ZjoFlQXoB5LKwyPy99_vHSSCMt4xneFKoXA9LVZku_vVVB9Wv48cmKPtG22S5JhBKsUnkDgqCtW0PEZG/s1600/pumpkin+patch+watcha.bmp" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P> 

3.  Check out what everyone else is up to and leave them some comment love.

In case you were wondering...

What my house looks like when I've been sick since Thanksgiving, I thought I'd let you know.

Whatcha Got Wednesday--kitchen

When we bought our house it was with the understanding that we would be re-doing our kitchen.  A few months after we moved in I got some quotes on refacing our cabinets and I just about wet myself.  NO WAY could we afford it.

3.5 years later and we have decided to do it ourselves.  Mr. Wonderful is a VERY handy guy, so I have absolutely no doubts that he can do it.  He has 2 weeks off at Christmas, so we're going to hit it hard.  We did the prep work over Thanksgiving and I am so excited I want to do the happy dance everytime I walk into my kitchen.

Before:  Isn't that backsplash just beautiful?  And those cabinets...don't they make your heart flutter? 

After:  I know this pic is from a different angle and my countertops are messy, but can you see that we took down the backsplash and an entire row of cabinets that were hanging over my countertop Look at the 2nd before pic standing in the kitchen looking out and now look at the after pic.  Can you see it?

Anyway, more to come!!

Now it's your turn.  Show me Whatcha Got!

1.  Link up the actual blog post, not your blog address.

2.  Grab my button and post it somewhere on your blog.

</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9n72MKnKHiNCXzs3_dud692NJogyjAamFWqFusT7jeNt498fTDNmrNuAFX_H6ZjoFlQXoB5LKwyPy99_vHSSCMt4xneFKoXA9LVZku_vVVB9Wv48cmKPtG22S5JhBKsUnkDgqCtW0PEZG/s1600/pumpkin+patch+watcha.bmp" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P> 

3.  Check out what everyone else is up to and leave them some comment love.

Oh Christmas Tree!

I thought I would show you my Christmas tree.  It's a fake we've had since we first got married.  It will be retired after this year, and it has served us well.  Someday I will have a family tree in the family room that has all of our sentimental ornaments and a fancy tree in some other room that is just for me to look at.  For now, this is it.  Oh, and for the record, the ribbon was evenly spaced around the tree, but my kids won't stop messing with it.  Gotta love it!

I tried to mix all of the family ornaments with the pretty ones and I like what I got.  My kids keep pulling things down to play with, so it doesn't look like this anymore.  :)

I got the ribbon and these balls on sale after Christmas.  They are pretty and plastic, so they won't break when my kids mess with them.

This little guy has been hanging on my tree since I was a little one.  It's from Germany (where I was born).  My parents got him when my Dad was stationed there with the Army.  My mom gave each of us a few when we moved out of the house.

This is also from Germany.  It's from the year I was born...at least that's what I've told myself all of my life.  :)

I don't know how old this is.  My mom made it and I loved it so much that she let me keep it. I also have an ice skating girl that my girls saw and immediately took up to their room.  They crack me up!

This is Mr. Wonderful's from his childhood.  My almost 3 year old LOVES is and plays with it under the tree (which is where he is currently "resting".)

This is also Mr. Wonderful's.  His mom gave him all of his ornaments when we got married.  This is one of my favorites of what he brought with him.

Don't forget my new linky party "Whatcha Got Wednesday".  It starts this Wednesday and I have a really fantastic project to share with you, so come back and show me Whatcha Got!

Stomach flu anyone?

My plans have been put on hold until Monday.  I had a cold earlier this week and ended up loosing my voice. Not fun, but not terrible.  I think my kids kind of liked it.  :)  I was just starting to get my voice back and feel a little bit better when I came down with a NASTY stomach bug.  I can't remember the last time I've been so violently ill.  Anyway, I'll start up for real on Monday.

I was asked to review a VERY cool new product that I'm sure you will all love, so come back Monday for that review.  I hope you all have a great weekend (and that all of the sickness leaves my body and our house.)

INTRODUCING...

Me...I'm back and I'm ready to get this blog chugging again.  I needed that break so much and I am really grateful for all of the kind words and warm wishes you all sent my way.

Aside from taking a break, I also thought long and hard about what I wanted to do with The Pumpkin Patch.  I missed blogging and I especially missed seeing all of the awesomeness that seems to pour out of each of your fingers.

When I started this blog I intended it to be a place for women to come together and uplift and support one another.  I hoped it would be a place to find inspiration and acceptance and friendship.  Somewhere along the way I got more worried about followers and how many people visited each day than about my original goal--to help people. I never intended it to be a parade of just how many crafts/projects I could get done in one week, but that's what it eventually became.  Don't get me wrong, I still love crafting and working on projects.  I still want to see what you all have come up with and I still want to show you what I'm working on.  I still want to share recipes and kid's crafts becuase I love to cook and I love to do fun things with my munchkins. However; I'm not going to try and squeeze more into my days that can reasonably fit around taking care of my family.

With that being said, here's the new game plan.

I plan to post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  If I have more to say in a week, then I'll post more often.  If I don't, then I won't.  Wednesday will be dedicated to you lovely ladies.  I'm starting a new linky part to replace the old ones.  It's called "Whatcha Got Wednesdays" and is open to ANYTHING you want to show off (except nude body parts...and anything else that isn't family friendly).  I'll have the linky up by 12:01 am every Wednesday and once I get people linking up again I'll feature 3 projects from the week before.  I will start hosting Watcha Got Wednesdays next week (12/8/10).

Here's the button in case anyone wants it.

</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9n72MKnKHiNCXzs3_dud692NJogyjAamFWqFusT7jeNt498fTDNmrNuAFX_H6ZjoFlQXoB5LKwyPy99_vHSSCMt4xneFKoXA9LVZku_vVVB9Wv48cmKPtG22S5JhBKsUnkDgqCtW0PEZG/s1600/pumpkin+patch+watcha.bmp" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P> 
p.s. A special thanks to Sunny who sent me "thinking about you emails" at the exact moments I needed them. You didn't know it, but you were answering my prayers. Thank you.

Struggling

I'm going to give it to you straight.  I'm struggling!  I think I've entered the joys of what is known as a "fibro flare-up".  It started toward the end of last week and is hanging on for dear life.  I am so extremely tired I'm afraid to drive anywhere because I'm afraid I will fall asleep at the wheel.  When I wake up in the morning I feel like I haven't slept at all and that my body somehow went from being 33 to 95 overnight.  My hands are so stiff and swollen when I wake up I can't use them for an hour or more.  I have to fix the girls' hair before they go to bed at night because I just can't make my hands do it in the morning.  All of my joints ache and my head hasn't stopped pounding for days.  In short, I feel terrible.

Last night I decided I was going to quit my blog.  I used to love it, but the last couple of weeks have been hard.  I am so behind on housework and helping the kiddos with homework and piano lessons it is ridiculous.  I haven't cooked a real dinner in almost a week.  I feel like my life is unraveling and there is not a thing I can do about it.

I'm sad becuase I have gotten to know so many amazing people and my linky parties are starting to take off and my followers are starting to climb pretty quickly.  But I just can't do it...not right now.  I don't know if I'm going to quit it for keeps or just for a little bit, but I have to give myself permission to stop for now.  I'll see how I feel when my "flare-up" decides to "flare-down" and I get my real life under control again.  I will still post things if I think they are awesome, but I'm not going to push myself to do it everyday.

Thanks for understanding.

Messy Monday -- DIY Watercolor Paint

These are the BEST!  My kids love to paint, but we used to go through watercolor paints like crazy.  I decided there had to be a way to make my own.  We love it so much, I just had to share with you!

Watercolor Paints

• 4 Tbsp Baking Soda
• 2 Tbsp White Vinegar
• 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp Glycerin (available in any pharmacy)
• food coloring
• ice cube tray
• tooth picks

1. Mix the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl until fizzing stops.
2. Add cornstarch and glycerin and mix thoroughly.
3. Spoon evenly into ice cube tray.
4. Add food coloring to each ice cube slot and mix thoroughly.
5. Mix and match colors until you have all of the colors you want.
6. Let dry overnight.
7. Use as regular watercolors.

This will crumble easier than store bought watercolors, but since it is in an ice cube tray it is much less likely to come out and make a mess everywhere.

Hint:  I make 2 of each color so that the tray can sit on the table between 2 kids.  Then they each have the same colors and don't fight about who is using what.

What have you done for Messy Monday?  Link it up!

1.  Use the link to your actual blog post, not your blog address.

2.  Grab a Messy Monday button and put it in your blog post or somewhere on your blog.

 

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3.  Go check out what everyone else is up to and leave them some comment love!

I'm linking to these sites.  Go check them out! 

Whatever Wednesday -- Featured!

Since so many awesome people are linking to my parties, I thought I would change Whatever Wednesday to WOW Wednesday and start featuring my favorites from the link ups the week before.  If you were featured, grab a button and proudly display it on your blog!

These Halloween costumes are made from fun foam.  How cool (and inexpensive) is that?!  You can get all of the details over at Paisley Passions.

I don't know about you all, but I HATE having to get a new razor after only using it a few times.  Check out this amazing tip on how to make them last much longer over at In The Loop.

Isn't this log bench beautiful?!  My dream is to some day live in a log home and if this bench were mine, I don't think my bum would ever get off of it.  :)  Best part, it is HANDMADE.  Go see how they did it at The Paisley Cupcake.

Check these treat bags out!  Aren't they the coolest.  My kids would love these, and not just at Halloween time.  You can get all of the handy details (I know i'm so funny) over at Making Memories With Your Kids.

Isn't this wreath so cute?!  It would take all of my self control not to eat the thing every time I walked by.  I love Candy Corns!  You can get the tutorial over at A Mommy's Adventures.

Well, there you have it!  My favorites from last weeks linky parties.  Keep the links coming people!

If you were featured, please grab a button and display it proudly on your blog.

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Transform Tuesday -- Bald is Beautiful!!

My friend Corinne and I teamed with St. Baldricks and shaved our heads to raise money for children's cancer research and we donated our hair to Beautiful Lengths so that it can be made into wsig for people who have lost their hair from chemotherapy.

Before:

After:

So how's that for a transformation?!  There's still time to donate to children's cancer research.  Even $5 will help.  Click here.

I'm linking to these sites.  Go check them out!

What have you transformed?  Link it up!

Here are the rules:

1.  Use the link to your actual blog post, not your general blog address.

2.  Grab a button and post it on your blog somewhere.

</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAMfYekv2NCEXjM66gwAB2F8I6TVxEV0xaFG5VtfiPlGluZwU4wLybN37BOz4LUUTRN8WJ3TmROa3EoCMkIQXTztZtjmoP3w5dwKePhSQNhkw4RIZfHmZhLmG5WJIp6CXxrj7IpgwHcwd/s1600/pumpkin+patch+button+transform+tuesday.bmp" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none">

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3.  Check out what everyone has done and leave them some comment love!

Messy Monday -- I'm home and I'm BALD!

I did it.  I shaved my head to raise money for children's cancer research.  How's this for a mess?!

There is still time to donate if you want to.  Even $5 will help.  Click here.

Come back tomorrow for the Before and Afters...now that's a transformation you don't want to miss!
What have you done for Messy Monday?  Link it up!

1.  Use the link to your actual blog post, not your blog address.

2.  Grab a Messy Monday button and put it in your blog post or somewhere on your blog.

</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CFLPhXbrx2LwLWzztjTAKUbY1LxAgoeJAny5EEDMNSHbhAXaRJIA1p6uvwMEs0Kqoktrq1h1Ti3As1RnnSGu1JevQnSDIGRyzpm0ZTy5PSWo9mGBEOunpPHNweSfrr_iq0HmexXqyXah/s1600/Messy+Monday+button-2.jpg " /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P>

 

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3.  Go check out what everyone else is up to and leave them some comment love!

I'm linking to these sites.  Go check them out!