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Category: holidays

Happy Easter from me to you – and a few of my favorite free printables!

Happy Easter from me to you – and a few of my favorite free printables!

free printable via the Pleated Poppy }

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
 
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
-Charles Wesley
 

I hope you all have a blessed, joy filled day celebrating our Savior!

<3

How Tuesday: growing Easter grass

How Tuesday: growing Easter grass

Have you seen how some people  {Design Mom has a few sweet posts on it} have grown their own Easter grass? No? It’s a super sweet idea, and this year I decided to give it a try! It’s a simple but meaningful way to add a special touch to your Easter celebrations. It’s a great object lesson for children about new life and putting something “dead” into the ground and watching God make it come to life. Kind of a nice segue into talking about the Resurrection :)

note: If you do this NOW you’ll have some darling little pots of real grass for Easter. Or, you know, if you start the wheatgrass growing in the next few days …. :) {if you’re like me, it works better to tell yourself that it needs to be done NOW – that way it will actually get done, maybe not “now”, but at least soon}

growing wheatgrass via the Path Less Traveled

It turns out that growing wheatgrass is really easy. All you need is some wheat, some water and some dirt {and maybe a container to put the dirt in}. Yep, really easy.

Step one: soak your wheat berries/seeds for a few hours or over night. This isn’t truly needed, but does speed up the sprouting process.

growing wheatgrass via the Path Less Traveled

Step two: gather your containers and dirt. I chose to use some egg shells for some of the containers – when the grass is a little taller I’m going to make a centerpiece for our table like this one {you should click over – it’ soooo pretty! I wish it was my idea first :)}

growing wheatgrass via the Path Less Traveled

If you choose to use egg shells, simply tap your egg all the way around near one end instead of in the middle as you’re cracking it, and rinse out the shell after you’ve dumped out the white and yolk.

growing wheatgrass via the Path Less Traveled

Step three: fill your containers with soil. If you’re using a pot without a drain hole, place small rocks or packing peanuts in the bottom to provide some drainage and keep the seeds from rooting.

growing wheatgrass via the Path Less Traveled

Step four: place your wheat berries on top of the soil, covering the surface with an even layer, and then cover the wheat with more soil.

growing wheatgrass via the Path Less Traveled

Step five: water and wait. The seedlings should emerge in about 48 hours or so. Continue watering every day as it grows, and enjoy the bit of green!

growing wheatgrass via the Path Less Traveled

These are the eggs five days after planting – by the time Easter is here, they may need a trim! I’ll clean up the shells in a few days once the sprouts are a bit sturdier and use some wax to create the centerpiece I mentioned. Maybe I’ll post a photo when it’s done!

Let me know if you try it!

 

<3

 

a little St. Patrick’s Day party

a little St. Patrick’s Day party

what do you get when you combine some green, some gold and a few cupcakes? A little St. Patrick’s Day party!

So, I’m not Irish. And we didn’t really celebrate St. Patrick’s Day growing up. But I do love a good party {and any excuse to have a cupcake} and I really enjoy the story of St. Patrick {my kids are most familiar with the Veggie Tales version}, so here’s one that I styled to celebrate!

St. Patrick's Day party via the Path Less Traveled

St. Patrick's Day party via the Path Less Traveled

St. Patrick's Day party from the Path Less Traveled

St. Patrick's Day party via the Path Less Traveled

St. Patrick's Day via the Path Less Traveled

You can find everything that I used {except for the chocolate coins and napkins – those are from Target :)} in the shop: Shamrock garland, chair garlands, party bags, shamrock cupcake toppers and book cupcake toppers

So, are you Irish? How do you celebrate? I’d love to hear!

<3

St. Patty’s Day Party (sneak peek)

St. Patty’s Day Party (sneak peek)

St. Patty’s Day is nearly here – 10 days to go! Here’s a {sneak peek} photo of a little St. Patrick’s Day party that I set up just before our computer went down {and I was able to get the photos off of the computer, along with all the newborn photos of Olivia that hadn’t been backed up yet – yay!!!}:

I used a bunch of things from the shop for the party: the bags, green twine, garland and chair backers, and cupcake toppers, and I’m planning a post about it to show you all the details :) It was so fun!

Quick reminder – in case you’d like to order some of these goodies for your own home or event, the deadline for ordering with standard shipping is March 12. You can order with expedited shipping after that, too, but I can’t guarantee the delivery in time :) {I know you understand} So, if you’ve been thinking of getting something, don’t put it off! :)

I’ll be back soon with more shamrocks and pink princesses! XO

happy Valentine’s day!

happy Valentine’s day!

the Path Less Traveled - valentines day-some flowers for you <3-

Happy Valentine’s day, lovelies! I hope that you’re enjoying it, whether you are celebrating with loved ones or on your own :)

Just a couple little reminders – the coupon code for 15% off of your entire order from the shop (BeMine) expires tonight and the question/giveaway ends tonight as well. Take advantage of them while you can!

Have a lovely day! And I’ll be popping back in tomorrow with some gorgeous images and a shop update :)

<3 xo

p.s. I noticed last night that the last few posts say that my husband John wrote them – doh! I was signed in under his account without realizing it and now can’t change the author name … ah well, live and learn, right? :)

How-Tuesday #4 – child-made Valentines

How-Tuesday #4 – child-made Valentines

Well, the picture in my head for this post and how it actually turned out are a little different, mostly due to me deciding to actually have my children make the Child-made Valentines {novel idea, I know ….} on their own. It turned out so different that I was thinking of skipping the post this week, but then thought that you’d enjoy seeing it anyway, so here it is for your enjoyment!

the Path Less Traveled child made Valentines

the Path Less Traveled: making ValentinesStep one: get really brave and allow your child to squeeze their own glue :)

the Path Less Traveled: making ValentinesStep two: watch your child choose their own supplies from the array you’ve provided – the ones of choice for this project were: large construction paper hearts, paper doilies and small colored hearts

DSC_0019

step three: watch the child enjoy pouring out their love and creativity

the Path Less Traveled: making Valentines

the Path Less Traveled: making Valentines

the Path Less Traveled: making Valentinesand then, step four, sit back and admire them :) And plan who they’re going to give them to! Grampa? Mimi? Daddy? Baby Sister?

All in all, this was quite a sweet project. The finished products weren’t really what I had envisioned {think lace, glitter, etc.}, but they were even sweeter because of the originality that the little ones brought. And I know that all their loved ones will adore them! :)

The real “how-Tuesday” today, I think, is learning how to release your child to create however they choose – even though I deeply desire them to create on their own and love the creative process, somehow I have a hard time letting them. Do any of you find this for yourselves?

I hope you’re having a lovely Valentine week!

<3

p.s. don’t forget! the shop coupon code for 15% off of your entire purchase {BeMine} expires midnight on the 14th

hearts everywhere

hearts everywhere

Today I thought I’d share a few photos of our home, which has {apparently} been subjected to an explosion of little red {and pink} hearts for Valentine’s Day <3  {warning: you are about to see a ton of photos!}

These little red hearts are showing up everywhere, from the clock by the front door …

the Path Less Traveled: hearts everywhere!

…to the shelf next to it …the Path Less Traveled: hearts everywhere!

{the heart wands in the vase can be found here and the “this is love” printable (free!) here}

…to the plates on our kitchen walls …the Path Less Traveled: hearts everywhere!

…and then everywhere in the dining room! the Path Less Traveled: hearts everywhere!

the Path Less Traveled: hearts everywhere!

the Path Less Traveled: hearts everywhere!

{the love note tree tutorial is here, and the frame garland can be found here}

the Path Less Traveled: DIY love note tree

{it really is amazing how much impact a simple little pack of hearts can have!}

the Path Less Traveled: hearts everywhere!

…even the bathroom got heart-bombed! the Path Less Traveled: hearts everywhere!

Last, but certainly not least, there’s even one on the door in from the garage to welcome my Sweetie when he gets home from work <3the Path Less Traveled: hearts everywhere!

There you have it! Hearts everywhere. You can get a similar result with just some tape, hearts and maybe a few doilies <3

p.s. I’m still looking for ideas to make this Valentine’s Day special for John and me – do you have any ideas you’d like to share? We’ll be staying home with the little ones, and other than decorating for it, I’m coming up dry!

How Tuesday: DIY Love Note Tree

How Tuesday: DIY Love Note Tree

So, perhaps you noticed that this How-Tuesday is on a Wednesday? Yes, it’s taken me a few days to get back up to speed after coming back from the wedding. But, even though it’s Wednesday and not Tuesday, I still wanted to post this for you {Valentine’s Day is coming! And you’ll want to start this as far ahead of the special day as possible, I imagine, so I didn’t want to wait until next week :)}.

DIY Love Tree Tags from the Path Less Traveled

Kind of inspired by Emily in this post, this is a “Love Note Tree” that, as each day goes by, will get another heart added with a little note telling your love what it is about them that you adore.

DIY Love Tree Tags from the Path Less Traveledmaterials needed: 14 paper hearts, hole punch, twine {or ribbon} and scissors, and a pen

DIY Love Tree Tags from the Path Less Traveledstep one: punch holes in your hearts

DIY Love Tree Tags from the Path Less Traveledstep two: write “I love:” on your hearts, filling in the things/reasons as you hang them on your “tree” {in my case, a branch}

DIY Love Tree Tags from the Path Less Traveledstep three: cut the twine in 4-6″ lengths, thread them through the hearts and tie DIY Love Tree Tags from the Path Less Traveledstep four: hang them on your “tree”

 So there you have it! By the time Valentine’s Day is here, this little branch will be full of hearts. <3 And each one will have another thing about John that I love, written on it for him to read.

Do you have any little projects that you’re doing for your love? Or, if you have kiddos, that you’re helping them to do? I’d love to hear about them!

<3

 

How-Tuesday #2 – heart tie tutorial

How-Tuesday #2 – heart tie tutorial

heart tie tutorial from the Path Less Traveled

Today’s How-Tuesday is super simple and so “love-ly” {sorry, couldn’t resist} and perfect for Valentine’s Day. Or, if you tweak it a bit, for any other occasion too, come to think of it … :)

It’s a sweet little way to finish off a gift, tie up a bag of sweets, add an extra touch to a Valentine – or even to use as a napkin ring – and I can’t figure out what to call it {“heart tie”? that would do, but kind of blah. But it’s the best my sleep-deprived-mama brain is coming up with at the moment!}. So, a sweet little heart tie tutorial, coming right up!

Materials needed:

materials for heart tie the Path Less Traveled

red hearts, red and white baker’s twine, and glue {I used basic white school glue for this tutorial, but I’ve found that glue sticks work just as well}

Instructions:

heart tie tutorial from the Path Less Traveled

 Step 1: cut a 12″ length of twine. Step 2: glue the hearts – a small dab on two and all around the edges on two.

Valentine bag with heart tie

Step 3: place the ends of the twine on the dabs of glue.

heart tie tutorial from the Path Less Traveled

Step 4: place the other glued hearts on top of the twine and press them together.

And that’s it! Pretty simple. :) And as I mentioned earlier, it can easily be tweaked for any occasion {stars instead of hearts, perhaps? Or little pumpkins?}, too.
If you want to dress it up a bit, just substitute ribbon for the twine!

<3

Valentine Pretties

Valentine Pretties

A few days ago I took an afternoon to transform our {currently still decorated in Christmas and winter – about time I took it down, I think!} dining room into a Valentine party. I had so much fun! Here are a few photos of what I came up with :)

valentine table from the Path Less Traveled

valentine table from the Path Less Traveled

valentine table from the Path Less Traveledvalentine table from the Path Less Traveled

valentine table from the Path Less Traveled

valentine table from the Path Less Traveled

All of the paper pretties {except for the napkins} are from my shop:

heart garland, red heart confetti, heart dessert toppers, “XO“, “BE MINE” and “LOVE” cupcake toppers, pink heart handled bags, white and red heart chair garlands

the sweet little heart mugs are from Crate & Barrel {two years ago} and the heart plate is from Target {last year}

there are soooo many more photos – it was hard to choose which ones to put in this post! In fact, I might just have to put up a few more :)

How about you? Do you enjoy decorating for Valentine’s Day? I’d love it if you linked to photos of how you’re making your home “love”ly!

<3