fall

Family Picture Outtakes

November 1, 2011 By Ruth H. 4 Comments

I meant to take pictures for our family Christmas card over a month ago. It just didn’t happen. A few days ago, we decided at the last minute to drive a few miles out of town to our favorite orchard. I grabbed our tripod, made my kids and husband put on clothes that coordinated with what I was wearing, and told the two youngest and my husband that they OWED ME–big time–for all of the help I’d given them on their costumes, and so it was time to grin and bear it. Literally.

Attempting to take our family photos by myself reminded me of something important: JUST FORK OUT THE MONEY NEXT YEAR AND LET A PROFESSIONAL DO IT. Let’s face it, no one’s going to look good when their mother is yelling at them, “Turn this way! Drop your chin! I said don’t move! Hold on a second, I have to figure out how to use my camera. Don’t squint!” And the other reality? My kids will actually cooperate better with a stranger behind the lens than they will with me behind the lens.

Here are my two favorite pictures from our trip to the orchard:

Filed Under: Holland for Families, The Trip Tagged With: children, fall, family

Happy Halloween

October 31, 2011 By Ruth H. Leave a Comment

I think we were the last ones to leave the pumpkin patch…or were we?

Filed Under: A House in Holland, Holland for Families, The Trip Tagged With: autumn, fall, family traditions, Halloween, holidays, photography, Picnik, pumpkins

Random

October 12, 2011 By Ruth H. 2 Comments

1. By 10 A.M. this morning, I had baked 2 batches of bread and 1 batch of muffins. I was totally impressed with myself. It brought to mind the time when the Bionic Man and I loaded up with flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and baking powder at Sam’s Club, and the clerk asked if we owned a bakery. Why yes, yes, I think I do.

2. Also by 10 A.M. this morning, my kitchen was a Disaster. Note, that it is “Disaster” with a capital D. Naturally, that is why I have escaped to my office to do some writing. Because it is one thing to bake, and yet another thing to clean up after baking. Where’s my sous chef?!?!?! [Read more...]

Filed Under: Postcards from Holland, The Trip Tagged With: baking, Bionic Man, bread baking, cross country, Endeavor, fall, Justone, soccer

Out Visiting and a Fun Announcement

September 30, 2011 By Ruth H. 1 Comment

Hello, Friends!

Today I’m over at Organize and Decorate Everything, sharing a tutorial for the wreath that is hanging on my front door this fall.

If you haven’t had a chance to meet Leanne, who blogs at Organize and Decorate Everything, you are missing out! She has the best ideas for her home. Go over and check out my wreath and some of Leanne’s fantastic projects, like this one:

Leanne’s Tiny Flag Banner Art

And if you are stopping by my little piece of Holland for the first time, welcome! I hope you’ll make yourself right at home. You’re here just in time for something BIG.

And now for a special announcement…

Just to add a little fuel to the fire that is my Pinterest obsession, I’m planning on hosting a monthly linkup party…where everyone else can share their good times on Pinterest, too!

The first Friday of every month will now be a Pin It or Make It Party here in Holland. Here are the details:

The first party begins on Friday, October 7th. (The link button will remain open for most of the month.)
You can link up a post you’ve recently written that features some of your favorite pins–OR, even better–something you’ve made using inspiration from your Pinterest boards.
Anything {anything appropriate, that is–my daughter reads my blog} is fair game! Pinning ideas for a themed party? Have a board devoted to pumpkin pie? Show me! Used those pins to pull off a fabulous event or bake the prize-winning pie? Let’s see what you did!
This is a monthly event devoted to the sharing of ideas via Pinterest. Prove to the world that Pinterest is helping you be more creative, but make sure you give credit where credit is due. (Please provide links to your pins.)
I am in no way affiliated with Pinterest, nor am I being compensated by Pinterest. Pinterest doesn’t even know who I am. I’m just having fun, and I want you to have fun, too!
Like I said, this is a family-friendly site. Therefore, I reserve the right to remove any links that I deem inappropriate for my G-rated site.
Share the fun by adding a party button to your site (I’ll provide the button and coding later, at the party.)

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below or email me:

atriptoholland {at} gmail {dot} com

Filed Under: A House in Holland, The Trip Tagged With: door decor, fall, fall decor, guest post, wreath

5 Things I Pinned – Week 4

September 11, 2011 By Ruth H. 1 Comment

Sorry, sorry, it’s been a busy day around here and I’m running a little late on this! I’m afraid I had a little too much fun checking out fall decor ideas and fall fashion ideas….since it finally cooled down enough around here for us to feel like,”Hmmm, maybe summer actually will end, one day.” Next week we’ll be back to the high 80′s again, so this fall fun may be short-lived. I must pin for fall while I can!

Confused by all my talk of pins and pinning? Well, check out my explanation of Pinterest HERE.

1. & 2. Cork Flooring from Re-Nest and Carpet-Tile.org