Saturday, June 28, 2014

Olivia's Beatrix Potter Themed 1st Birthday Party

Hello, dear friends!

My baby girl turned one a little over a week ago! I can't believe how fast this year has flown by. Motherhood has been the most amazing experience and I am so blessed to be her Mama! 

We celebrated last weekend with our families and our closest friends ~ My sister-in-law took most of the photos of the decor and the food. Thank you, Whitney!


Beatrix Potter book page bunny silhouette banner 


The cake and drinks buffet


Pictures from her first day to each month of her life in the first year. A friend of mine did this at her daughter's one year party. I loved seeing all the pictures together in one place to see how much they change in just a year. It's amazing to see the difference from each month!


I mostly just emptied Olivia's room of all its decorations to decorate for the party. Many items are also thrift finds that friends have given me throughout the last year as well.


Peter Rabbit tail cups! I saw this idea on Pinterest and of course the link didn't go to an actual working website.


We wrapped the green cutlery in orange napkins to look like carrots


Almost all the food for the party had a name ~ Ginger & Pickles Pasta Salad, Benjamin Bunny Beans (baked beans), Mrs. McGregor's Meats (Hamburgers and Hot dogs), Mr. McGregor's Vegetables, & Bunny Tails (Marshmallows) 







My youngest sister-in-law made the cakes for the party and she always does such an amazing job. I think she outdid herself this time! I told her that I wanted oreos for dirt, a pot and Peter Rabbit on top, a fence, and lastly, that I wanted lettuces if possible and this is what she came up with. Amazing! She could really start her own business.


I thought the 9X13 that we made up would just be a back-up cake and it turned out just as amazingly cute as the two tiered cake!


The cake making sister! I'm so glad a photo was taken that captured someone drinking out of the Peter Rabbit cups!


My Mother-in-law came over early to help decorate the tables. So sweet of her to offer! I showed her my huge stash of Beatrix Potter items and I think she did an amazing job.



We had four tables set-up outside and some blankets on the ground too. It was the perfect summer day for an outdoor party!



My dad bought a tent and we kept presents, drinks, and eventually the highchair for our baby's first cake eating moment under it. We so appreciate that he brought it!


She's walking everywhere these days!


Surveying her party and guests!


She adores her daddy


Opening her presents was a lot more fun for all her cousins and friends than it was for her. Love it!


She loved her pink pool


And her teddy that plays the happy birthday song

We are so thankful for all of our generous and thoughtful friends and family that brought Olivia so many amazing gifts! We love you all!

Here's a sneak peak of Olivia's 1 year pics ~

{Pictures were taken by my talented sister-in-law Whitney}







A big thank you to all the family and friends that helped before the party, during, and after too! And to everyone that took the time out of their busy schedules and lives to celebrate with our family. We love you all!

Love,



Linking With ~

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Flowers & My Organic Garden

Hello, friends!

We finally did some yard work and have the front yard looking just about as good as it will all summer.


~*~
The Front of the House



Lawn mowed, new wood chips laid down, and flowers planted!



I went to a greenhouse with family a few weekends back for some flowers to decorate our front stoop. I really love all the flowers that I picked out. I don't really have any fixed opinions on flowers and don't know a lot about them in general. I'm starting to be interested now though. Our house was so well landscaped with perennials when we moved in that all the hard work has already been done for us. 



 I'll be able to re-use this welcome planter every year. Love it!


This is my first attempt ever at putting together a flower arrangement in a planter. How did I do?! I like it.







We still need a new mailbox though...it's on the long "to do" list for the summer.


~*~
The Backyard Garden

If you've been following along on my Facebook page you already know that we planted a garden this year. I've hesitated to show any pictures in case the whole thing doesn't work out but some of the vegetables are thriving. Crookneck squash, pumpkin, mini-pumpkin, spaghetti squash, summer squash, zucchini, green pepper, & green beans. 

Others are not doing so well ~ I'm not holding out a lot of hope for the carrots, lettuce, broccoli, and cauliflower. Something is eating up the tomatoes as well. I'm trying to have this garden be as organic as possible. 

I will take any and all suggestions to get rid of ants! They are all over the garden. I'm going to try sprinkling cinnamon all over the garden next. I tried baking powder first (I poured circles around each plant as I read that ants won't cross over the powder to get to the plants). I think that's what killed the tomato plants. That or the ants. Any and all suggestions and advice is welcome! 



The amount of tomatoes that I planted is just ridiculous! Very few are thriving which is what I was worried about and why I planted so many.


Just a few days later and look how much all the plants grew!


I have cherry tomatoes in a planter by our back patio. I want to see if container planting will work a little better for the tomatoes. 


I have lavender planted in one large pot and a kitchen herb garden assortment in the second large pot with parsley, cilantro, basil, & chives. The small black and white pot has more basil in it. I can't wait to be able to go out to our patio and just grab herbs for cooking this summer!


~*~
Baby Girl 

A few of you have asked to see some more current photos of Miss Olivia. Here are some of my favorites from the last few months. She will be one this month on the 18th! Time is just flying by!!

Easter ~




In the front yard enjoying the outdoors ~ 



An evening at the beach ~






Wish me luck as I continue to learn how to care for an organic garden. 
Enjoy spring, everybody!

Have a wonderful day!

Love,



Linking with ~

Ginger Snap Crafts - Wow Me Wednesday