Gwen Moss: October 2013

Thursday, October 24, 2013

a Halloween scavenger hunt and a guaranteed smile

Do you love old fashioned scavenger hunts as much as I do?

When the boys were in grade school I absolutely loved the mass hysteria of a great Halloween party.

Yes, my sanity may be questioned but the sounds of kid-chaos, with the roar of screaming, excited boy voices and the sight of wild things everywhere made my little heart happy…

and the other day while I was clearing out some drawers…look what I found…

And this made me smile.

It was one of my old scavenger hunts filled with the original clues that each team had to ~~endure~~ complete

in order to get their list of items. Because who wants to simply hand out a list? Much too easy. No, there have to be clues that lead to the scavenger list, at least that’s my ghoulish thought.

(And plu-leeze tell me you know what a scavenger hunt is or I shall have to cast a spell on you)

now in case you have a moment of insanity and choose to host your own Halloween party…I’m sharing my ready-made scavenger hunt right here for You. In case you’ve got some kiddies or grand kiddies ready for some fun.

(see my party notes at the bottom)

clue 1

Clue 2

Clue 3

clue 4

Now here are a few party notes:

apparently we invited the entire 6th grade class courtesy of these Dollar Tree fingers: easy to make and pass out at school

because we had so many kids I divided them into four teams:

Frankie’s Friends (blue sticker)

Mummy’s Gang (red sticker)

Dracula’s Dudes (yellow sticker)

The Pumpkin Heads (orange sticker)

Directions for clue 1

instead of fighting over their team name the kids had to bob for apples to get it.. We drew straws to see who would represent their team at the water bucket. Each winner of the straw drawing got their own bucket with apples that were marked with a colored sticker that would tell them their team name.

Directions for clue 2

hide lots of cheap masks from trees and only attach the clue to four masks

Directions for clue 3

fill a plastic pumpkin with cooked spaghetti, peeled grapes and anything else gooey and give each kid a few seconds to find something really tiny. Rotate kids so everyone can try. When a team member finds the object their team gets the next clue.

Directions for scavenger hunt:

everyone gets the list at the same time

hand out brown bags and assign parents…the only rule is no going to same house

That’s it, easy peasy. Oh, and lots of yummy treats too.

The magic of Halloween

Last year we had a knock on our door and when I opened it there were five giddy girls on my doorstep with a list of stuff we didn’t have. I was frantically trying to help them and one of the items was to get someone to dance the Macarena with them. They had a music box and luckily I remembered how to do it.

hmmm..

When was the last time you danced the Macarena on your doorstep with a bunch of ten year olds? Not lately?

…well click here for a guaranteed smile:

a world wide hug

are you getting in the Halloween spirit yet?

xoxo

Leslie

I’m partying at these fun places:

http://www.commonground-do.com/2013/10/be-inspired-162-simply-fall.html?

http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/10/tutorials-tips-and-tidbits-70.html

http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/10/fabulously-creative-friday-and-call-for-contributors.html

Technorati Tags: how to: halloween scavenger hunt,kid parties

(photos: pinterest halloween board, rococo & caffeine blogspot, leahbrier.com and i.imgur.com)

Thursday, October 17, 2013

our big news…it’s official.

via

What happens when you have something big to share?

Are you someone who immediately shares it?

Or do you prefer to act more slowly, dripping your information out carefully until you can put your arms around the whole idea? Maybe your answer depends on whether it’s considered good news or bad news or whether it affects those closest to you.

Well today I’m finally writing this post after starting and stopping more than a few times. The truth is, I’m the kind of person who has to ‘feel’ my way through things, even when I’m fine with my decision, I still like to quietly sift through my thoughts and let my feelings do what they may.

At my age I’ve learned that when it comes to our emotional lives, we’re all like those bobbing icebergs in the ocean; at first glance it’s easy to assume we’re seeing it all… when in reality ninety percent of our substance lies beneath the surface. I like this analogy, it helps me stay honest with myself.

The other reason I’ve been slow to write this post is because I’ve had my parents to think about; I wanted to make sure they had time to get comfortable before I ran around spreading the news. And now that they’re in a good place I feel utterly relieved.

So here it is, our big news:

We’re moving.

Yep. After twenty one years living in Sacramento, California and raising our boys in the same home we’re moving 420 miles away to Huntington Beach, California.

They say timing is everything and in our case it’s so true.

When we moved Michael to college in August we talked and joked about what our new life would be like. I think the empty nest experience is like that, it’s a chance to step back and take a deep breath as a couple. To check in with each other and ask important questions. To shine the light back on your little twosome again and revisit some old dreams.

I even made a list of new experiences we would do. Dance lessons, photography class, writing projects, travel spots…

I think we both felt it; after Michael had been gone for a while there was this exhilarating energy that began to poke its head out, a sense of openness about our future that made me glance at a magazine headline that read, “The art of starting over,” and think, ‘yeah, I like that idea.

But never, ever did we plan on relocating.

Not once.

And then a simple conversation changed everything. An offer was made to Mr. Moss, a job transfer to Southern California that presented him with some wonderful possibilities in a place where we once lived before our children were born, a place where we both have warm, gushing memories of our beginning.

This offer led us on a week-long visit to So Cal where we explored neighborhoods and toyed with the huge possibility of leaving our family home for real. Moving away from my family and especially my parents. Leaving my dearest friends whom we’ve raised our kids with, forged bonds with and a community that holds our most precious memories.

Starting all over in a totally new city was no small decision. But in the end, it was all about our future and it was about making life easier for Mr. Moss and for these reasons the decision feels absolutely right.

Frankly, it’s bit surreal; even though I was once a girl who threw caution to the wind and took off to another city in pursuit of love, I feel light years away from that girl. Time molds us in the shape of our priorities and my priorities were simple, my family. I found happiness in creating a warm, secure life for our boys, however raising kids with a sense of stability means a whole lot of sameness. And over the years I’ve become quite the contented homebody.

I’m not exaggerating.

I’m a terrible traveler. After a few days of vacation, I actually crave my own bed. My dream trip to Europe would be perfect if I after all that gorgeous sightseeing, I could make it home to sleep at night.

See what I mean? This move is going to be interesting.

Although I will admit that I can sense something that hasn’t been part of my life in awhile, and it’s the feeling of risk-taking.

image only

It’s me and Mr. Moss again.

And the big unknown is suddenly in front of us much like it was twenty five years ago when we were newlyweds.

Life has suddenly become one big question mark. Our house is being readied for sale. Our next home and neighborhood is clouded in uncertainty. I’m looking at the prospect of a new city with strange street names and no possibility of running into a single, familiar face.

And the strangest thing is, I’m doing fine with it all.. I’m hunkered down in the traveler’s seat next to a man who just might be the kindest, funniest, and most comforting person to go through life with, and it’s ok. I feel blessed for this guy. And for my boys who are so positive.

And even though I know this decision will include its ups and downs and a range of excitement and sadness, at least at this moment everything is good.

At this moment …I choose gratitude.

I would love to hear your thoughts….

Leslie

Technorati Tags: life,happiness,dealing with change,relocating

Sunday, October 13, 2013

a warm welcome…

Do you decorate your Fall entrance with a pretty wreath?

A pile of pumpkins?

Do you put corn husks by your front door?

And add bales of hay?

Do you add shades of pink into your Fall décor?

Or get creative with pots of ornamental kale?

Do you prefer your pumpkins stacked in urns?

I’m just wondering

what your front entrance looks like…

xoxo

Leslie

Technorati Tags: Fall decorating,front door

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

harvest table setting: rustic & elegant

Would you like to come to my home for a little tete-a-tete?

I’ve already got the table decorated in warm shades of Autumn. Just for you. Now we just have to decide on the wine….

The other day I stopped by the wholesale flower shop in search of some Cinderella pumpkins and I was floored by the gorgeous flowers everywhere. There are certain places that fill me with pure happiness and flower shops are one of those.

I couldn’t resist bringing home a bunch of hydrangeas in shades of aged parchment and smoky pinks.

While I was there I also bought a white birch shell for my centerpiece and this became the inspiration for this rustic harvest table setting.

If you’re a regular here you know how much I love to style tables and give you ideas you can use in your own home. In the next post I’ll show you how I put this centerpiece together but today is a picture day.

When you come into my kitchen you can see that I’ve set our table out in the patio. The weather has been beautiful here in Northern California, so sunny and warm and I thought you’d enjoy eating al fresco on the rustic table I made with my Dad.