Halloween is for the sweet tooth

I'm not gonna lie to you. Halloween, to me, has always been about the candy. Forget the costumes, the spooky decor, the staying up late, and the scary movies. Just GIVE ME THE CANDY!

When my family moved to France when I was seven years old, it was all just a big adventure.... until I found out that they don't celebrate Halloween over there. What? You mean I can't go door to door and take candy from my neighbors? WHAT KIND OF COUNTRY IS THIS?! (But for the record, other than on Oct. 31st, I really didn't mind living in France).

When we were still living in California, before France, my parents would tell me to pick five pieces of candy from all the loot I had just gathered. Then, the "Pumpkin Fairy" would come and trade all that candy for a TOY!

And since I was only five years old at the time, I totally fell for it.

What a sneaky way for mom and dad to keep all of that candy to themselves. BRILLIANT!

Below, an Etsy tribute to the sweetest American tradition around....

Candy Corn Cauldron Soy Candle from Autumn Meadow

Peanut Butter Cup Crayons from Lil Doodlers

2 GB Flash Drive Candy Dispenser from DHH Design

Candy, Backwards Print from Copper Inc

Gummy Bear Soaps from Frosted Crossbones

Navy Day

Today, October 27th, is Navy Day!! This makes me think of my grandpa, who was in the Navy during WWII. I wish I lived closer to him and that he had the presence of mind these days to tell me a little more about what that experience was like.

So to honor him and countless others who have served our country in the past and to those who are serving currently, here's a beautiful little collection of Navy-inspired items from talented Etsy artists:

Vintage U.S. Navy Plane - Fine Art Photo Painting by Eye Shutter To Think 

 

 Navy Wife Hand Stamped Necklace from Stephie Mc

 

U.S Navy Vintage Wallet from Missy M88

Print with Custom Place Names from Submarine Parade

Navy Vintage Dictionary Illustration Magnet Set from Michelle and Her Dog

 

Mondays with Jack, 12th edition

Welcome to the twelfth edition of Mondays with Jack! If you want to know what this weekly feature is all about, see here.

 

Halloween Skull Crayons from Design a Crayon

 

“It's fascinating to think that all around us there's an invisible world we can't even see. I'm speaking, of course, of the World of the Invisible Scary Skeletons.” -- Jack Handey

Toting in style

I'm so excited to have recently won this tote bag from Pure and Noble:

I can already picture all of my teacher stuff in it as I go from home to classroom!

Brooke is a Dallas-based artist so she's practically next door to me. There are so many drool-worthy items in her shop:

Like this Polka Dot Ampersand Pillow:

And this Say Something Baggie:

What are you drooling over today?

'Tis the season.... for football.

I'll be honest.

I'm not a fan of football. I would rather punch myself in the eye than have to sit through a whole game. I just hate all the down time (so boring!) between plays. And when they are running plays, it just all seems so chaotic and disorganized!

But I guess there are a few good things about football: I don't mind when it's on TV for background noise. Oh, and cute butts.

In an effort to redeem this dreaded sport, I've gone on the hunt for reasons to be more excited about football. And once again, Etsy sellers deliver:

Crocheted Hat by Snuggle Bug Kidz

Football Player Vinyl Wall Decal by Wall Star Graphics

Football Mom Button Badge by The Angry Robot

Tie Tack by Dabble Designs

Sign by Patti's Primitives

Mondays with Jack, 11th edition

Welcome to the fifth edition of Mondays with Jack! If you want to know what this weekly feature is all about, see here.

 Astronaut Onesie from Happy Family

 "Of all the causes of astronaut insanity, getting a fly caught in your space helmet is probably in the top three." - Jack Handey

Eeeeek!

I was thirteen years old, and it was just mom and I in the house. My dad, my little sister, and my little brother were out on some errand. My mom was cleaning the living room, and no doubt I was shut inside my room writing in my diary about some boy.

Then I heard my mom scream.

When I ran downstairs to see what was the matter, my mom was pointing at a large and disgusting looking spider that was hanging out on top of our piano. Being the calm, cool, collected women that we are, we totally panicked and got our next door neighbor to come over.

He was a gruff old man, but he wasn't afraid of spiders.

He cautiously and slowly approached the piano, then GRABBED the spider and picked it up. With his bare hands! There may have been some screaming on our part.

He went outside with it, but came back a few minutes later totally perplexed. He showed us the spider's underbelly. It said "Made in China".

I wonder if my brother knew how much havoc his fake toy spider had wreaked when he carelessly left it on the piano?

Below, an ode to spiders (ones you know are fake!):

Gothic Spider Ring by Jennifers Family Jewels

Spider Decals by Verdigris Dye

Halloween Dog Collar by Big Doggy Bling

Little Spider Women's Shirt by CC Fashion

And here's my cute little spider: Sweet Spider Greetings by Yes Teacher

All the cool kids are doing it

I've been meaning to tell you about the latest cool thing to hit the Internet: Etsypreneur.

Etsypreneur is an uplifting and helpful community of Etsy sellers created by the awesome duo Tim and Kim Layton from Everything Etsy.

It's not officially associated with Etsy, it's just a bunch of Etsy sellers supporting each other.

Think of the Etsy Forums, only it's way more fun, personal, and user-friendly!

As a baby business myself (Yes Teacher only opened last April, after all!), I'm finding that Etsypreneur provides a helpful place for me to connect with others, learn more tips and tricks, and become inspired and encouraged.

So what are you waiting for? Go sign up! (It's free!) And then we can chit chat!

Mondays with Jack, 10th edition

Welcome to the fifth edition of Mondays with Jack! If you want to know what this weekly feature is all about, see here.

 Red Lobster Dictionary Art Print from Collage Orama

"If you work on a lobster boat, sneaking up behind someone and pinching him is probably a joke that gets old real fast."- Jack Handey

Notes from the lunch room

I'm the kind of person that likes to have everything prepared ahead of time, and lunch is no exception. I hate the thought of making a sandwich every night (or morning). So much prep work. So much clean up. Plus, I'm not a big sandwich fan.

A few years ago, I came across this Make Ahead Lunch Wrap recipe and it totally changed my life! Now I only spend an hour or two every three weeks cooking up a big batch of these. They freeze really well, and they actually taste very good when reheated in the microwave.

A problem I hadn't yet solved was how to take my lunch to school. I admit, I'm a bit of a cheap-o, so I usually just ended up bringing my food in a plastic bag. Other teachers bring brown paper bags, gift bags, or practical-looking-cooler-type bags. I'll admit.... there were lots of days where I kinda felt like white trash walking into the lounge with my plastic bag from Kroger.

But not anymore!! Last week, I received a BEAUTIFUL lunch box from Apey Lee's Homespun Designs. I literally gasped when I pulled it out of the box (oh, and I was impressed with the really fast shipping too!). The fabric was so pretty and the inside is made from that wipe-downable material for easy cleanup!

 I'm just learning how to use to my sewing machine -- it takes me all afternoon to make a cloth napkin -- so I was really impressed with the quality of the stitching. That's some serious talent right there, folks!

I've been using this as my new lunch box for about a week now, and I can tell you a couple of things:

1. You can fit a lot of lunch in there: I put in a wrap, a pear, a bag of pretzels, and a small plate, with no problem!
2. It's super sturdy.
3. The velcro helps it to close well.
4. I like that I can hang it on the peg in my pantry and it doesn't have to take up space on the floor or on one of the shelves.
5. It's got little pockets on the front to stash my "emergency" chocolate!

And.... most importantly... I can feel all good about myself when I walk into the teacher's lounge with my pretty new lunch box!

If you're ready to tote your lunch in style, head on over to Apey Lee's Homespun Designs! She's got several beautiful options that will make you the envy of your lunchroom!

Take a peek:

Autumn Splendor

Nature is really at her prettiest when the leaves change colors. If you live in a state where you can see this kind of beauty on your doorstep, count yourself lucky! We get a few trees here and there that change colors, but nothing like what we used to see in Michigan...

Thankfully, there are lots of ways to surround yourself with Autumn beauty, no matter where you live!

Scarlet Autumn Photography print from RaceyTay

Orange Harvest Fabric Branches from Jane Joss

Antique Brass Leaves Necklace from Expressions by Cheree

Reversible Fall Napkins from Creative Chic's Home

 

Do all of these lovely autumn goodies inspire you to create something of your own? I came across this fun idea in Disney Family Fun, recently. I think it's a craft for kids, but I'd sure like to try it myself :)

 

You know how I love journaling!!

Mondays with Jack, 9th edition

Welcome to the fourth edition of Mondays with Jack! If you want to know what this weekly feature is all about, see here.

  Hand Printed, fabric covered clothing buttons from Button Fun

"One day one of my little nephews came up to me and asked me if the equator was a real line that went around the Earth, or just an imaginary one. I had to laugh. Laugh and laugh. Because I didn't know, and I thought that maybe by laughing he would forget what he asked me." - Jack Handey

Souperlicious

If there's one thing I love about colder weather (okay, it's still in the 80's down here, but I'll take what I can get!), it's eating soup. Not only is it good for you, but it's usually an easy meal to prepare! Plus, it's just great comfort food, too.

I have some VERY easy go-to recipes when I get a hankering for soup. One is the Six Can Chicken Tortilla Soup (I promise nothing about it tastes canned!!). Be sure to add in a can of cream of chicken soup if you make it... otherwise it's a little thin.  My other favorite is Black Bean Soup. Easy, cheap, and delicious -- a winning combination if you ask me!

Now if only I had some super awesome soup bowls to go with these winning recipes....

Textured Autumn Soup Mugs from Wilson River Pottery

Green Aqua Soup Bowls from Karin Lorenc

Beige Soup Dish from Les Oreilles Decolles

Blue Bowl from Rebecca J D Brandow

Skeleton Leaves Bowls from Just Mare