Once upon a time...
There was a tired mom of 4. Some days it was all she could to pull her tired tookus outta bed and slide into her uniform of leggings, knee high socks and the comfiest shirts you could find. UNTIL one day...she set the laundry aside. Left the mess on the floor, loaded up the kids and they headed out the door. To what to their mystical eyes did appear? Why Target of course, and they shed a few tears. Up to the isle with movie in hand. To the popcorn and goodies then back to their van.


I am going to share a little *POP* secret with you! Whenever I see this blue box it brings me right back to my childhood. Popcorn and movies, snuggles on the couch and of course special surprises in the bowls. My kids are HUGELY into fort making and currently have spoken nonstop about how they want to go camping. Every now and then an idea comes to the ol' noggin and today was one of them! We made a couch tent!


I removed the handle from the broom...stuck it into the couch and covered it with a quilt! The kids LOVED it!! OH and of course we had to have a bonfire...so...


A family favorite...we use licorice for wood, mix in Pop Secret and then throw in random candies for the flames! Since we had a theme my big picked out Tale Spin {please tell me the song is stuck in YOUR head now too!} and we had ourselves a good ol' fashioned couch fort party!



What is YOUR favorite way to build a fort? Pop Secret is your perfect snack companion on trips into the uncharted reaches of your imagination. Popcorn fight anyone?!

Pop Secret knows that fun, like popcorn, is better when it’s shared. Send Pop Secret your pillow fort stories and pictures on Facebook. You can upload them right to the Pop Secret timeline and tag them #PopSecretForts. They might just share a little something back! OH and while you are there get a $1 coupon towards your next Pop Secret purchase!







The moral of this story. Play more...chores can wait! Gotta love a last minute "Staycation"! I can't wait to see your forts!


Thank you Pop Secret for sponsoring our "camp out" and for the super rad snacks! Although this post was sponsored the love for this popcorn is all my own!

GUESS WHAT DAY IT IS?!! Oh yes, my friends! It is not only Friday but the start of our Scarf/Ornament swap! This year I have partnered up with my dear sweet friend Shawnee over at The Apronista Blog She is one incredibly amazing women and I sure hope I get her for MY swap partner!!

Christmas is my favorite holiday. The lights, the chill in the air. Mistletoe hung and stockings stuffed. Seriously bundle me up and call me toasty. I LOVE it!! We will be shutting down the sign ups on 11/30 and you MUST MAIL your package to your partner no later than December 5th. Please do not sign up if you cannot make this happen as it is simply un-jingle bell like, yo!

You can make or you can buy! You can put extra's in your package if you feel like it or you don't have to! I LOVE tinsel and I love wrapping and seriously let's have some fun! SO...who's with us?! Use the hashtag #Scornamentswap2014 to link up your pretty packages, shopping and whatever else!! We would LOVE to see them and get more ideas too!! Don't forget to follow SHAWNEE and MYSELF on Instagram!!

Its insane to think about the fact I have been writing on this little space of the Internet for 3 years this coming Thursday. The friendships I have made along the way have been the most rewarding and refreshing. I am blessed beyond words that some of these super amazing radtastic friends have decided to help me celebrate turning 3!

I have a week full of giveaways coming at you! Are you prepared?! Today I have my purse must haves:

She is giving away a stamp that is not even IN her shop yet! So YOU get to be the first one to own it! It is a hand drawn & custom designed FOR / LOVE stamp similar to the one pictured. This Stamps is perfect for making your own gift cards & gift tags! The stamp measures approximately 1" x 1.5" & comes mounted on a wood block. You have to cruise around her shop and Facebook page as I drool at every item and every picture!

Are you ready?! Giveaway closes on March 20th and is open to U.S. residents 18 years or older only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Its the most wonderful time, of the year. Seriously! WHO is with me on that one? I LOVE the Holidays! I LOVE packaging up gifts and love shopping for others (or even this year I am making/sewing a lot of our gifts for the kids and family!) This time of year makes my hot cocoa cup BRIM...overflow...bubble over with happiness! Now if we could just get another snowmageddon here in Oregon I would be good as gravy! Don't even get me started on my unhappiness with the lack of snow we see!!


This year, I set up our exchange through Elfster! Its fast, its easy and I will be able to have ALL of your info in one secure spot! You have until the 15th of November to sign up for the exchange! Get crafty, get creative or shop to your hearts desire! Ask your partner questions within the site to get an idea of what they like. The colors they decorate their home in or even spy on them through their blog. Look them up on Instagram! Get a good feel for your partner! To make sure we are all happy with our packages use the $20 guide for your gift...could be more...but try and keep it close to the mark! I love to see how far I can stretch my dollar! I usually do not count my homemade stuff into the range! Be sure to add your mailing address onto your Elfster profile so that your partner knows where to send your package and also be sure to send it NO LATER than November 29th! Its a big fat bummer when you don't receive a package and you did send one off! But most of all HAVE FUN! Get into the spirit!! I am SO excited!!



I have to share...last year the very last thing I ever expected to get out of this exchange besides an ornament etc...was a best friend! Lindsey and I are about to celebrate our 1 year friendaversary! And I would be lost without her friendship! We message daily...send each other subliminal messages through Instagram and Facebook! I adore her. Big fat BUBBLY heart love her! We are THOUSANDS of miles apart but she has been such a God send. A blessing and I just...dunno what I would do without her!! So you never know what can come from ones of these silly little exchanges! Have a blessed day!

To share in the fun on Instagram use the hashtag #bnbholidayexchange2013 

See, I've got this friend. She is pretty cool! Her name is Lani! She came up with the best idea ever...to connect bloggers from different parts of the U.S. together. No...I am not pictured above BUT I did participate! Lani has a great blog and even more awesome is her shop!! Go check her out! { HERE }

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I quickly went out to Michael's craft store and bought these items you see here

I figured I could figure something cute out with these! You ready to see what I sent?!!



Its hard to tell but the frame I painted yellow and covered with turquoise dotted paper! I love the embellishment I found! I filled the little glass jar with Swedish fish and was so excited to find Chips ahoy in sweet AND salty (my secret bloggers fave flavors!). Notice the tiny blue whales on the notepad? I have died and gone to fishy heaven!

I was waiting with bated breath for the email to arrive from Elizabeth over at The Young Retiree blog ! I was so excited to hear that she loved it!

FINGERS are crossed that I make the cut for this months blogger exchange too! There is only 15 ladies chosen! Cross your fingers for me...would ya?!

Have a blessed day!

I have an addiction. There I said it! Phew...does it EVER feel good to get that off of my chest! Oh...you wanna know what my addiction is?!! Well, us Oregonians that grew up in my era (feeling awfully aged these days!) where we had these things we called "floppy discs". These "floppy discs" were literally the size of a sandwich and were...well...floppy! For school when we learned to play on the computers (I swear the computers were called something else. But cannot remember exactly. After all it was eons ago!) we had this awesome game called "Oregon Trail". You had to hunt, forge, save your family from polio etc. If you actually ever made it to the end of the game it was a BIG DEAL! I cannot say that I actually did, but have played witness to others! Well...I have this friend named Aimee. I blame my addiction on her. SHE came across the app for our phones, our ipods. YOU NAME IT! If you have something with app capabilities...oh my friend. YOU are in luck!


The greatest part of this app (besides that it brings a smile to this home grown Oregon girl!) is that you can make your village, build things, save people, collect $ to buy things. OH...the possibilities are endless. Have I said yet that its addicting?! HA! There have been times where I decide to take a "break" from working to get my trail on! I have it on my itouch and my phone! My husband makes fun of me. BUT I think he is just envious. You know what he grew up in Washington and there is no such thing as the "Washington Trail". Jealousy at its best! So if you are like me and want a mindless, fun, addicting game to play YOU too can download it! HA!


You can bet your bottom dollar that I will be bringing this bad boy with me to the hospital! Have a blessed day!

To go along with the Ornament swap I thought it would be fun to do my first ever link up! Please link up any handmade ornament tutorials you have! We would LOVE to see them! Do you glitter, do you use fabric?! Whats your style?! I can't wait to see and get my creative juices flowing!

Tomorrow is the LAST DAY to sign up to do the Ornament Swap! I am THRILLED at the response so far and know it is going to be a blast! For those JUST entering...here are the Questions on the sheet I would email you. Please just email me your answers! I sure hope you join us! Won't be the same without you! Come on...you know you want to! If you have a blog and are joining...mind adding the nifty button to your blog? Its located over there > Isn't it cute?!



Address:
Email address:
Blog or website (if applicable):
Instagram name:

What colors do you decorate with at the holidays?
What is YOUR favorite color?
What’s your favorite part of Christmas?
Do you have children?
Favorite Holiday movie?

Your ornament can be store bought OR handmade! YOUR choice! You will recieve a partner and ornaments should be mailed NO LATER than December 1st! If you are an instagramer like myself use the hashtag #ornamentswapwithbnb to tag any pictures you may have...shopping, making, packaging, recieving! Its all in the name of fun and being jolly!

So, lets have a holly jolly. Merry...happy go lucky time! I can't wait to hear from you!

Can I just say...I am shaking in my boots with excitement about my FIRST EVER swap with my little blog! I have participated in so many different swaps and I must tell you...they are ADDICTING! The anticipation as you await your package from your sender is enough to make me pee my pants (or is that the pregnancy?!) With the holidays fast approaching thanks Target for the reminder each time I walk in the store...because of you I am listening to Christmas tunes and watching holiday movies. I thought it would be fun to have a good ol' fashioned Ornament swap! It doesn't have to be expensive.

You don't have to be crafty. YOU can decide whether or not you will PURCHASE an ornament (on a side cheater note...my fave place to purchase ornaments for swaps is Pier One! They are beyond adorable!) or you will MAKE an ornament! To participate please email me at britchesnboots@gmail.com and I will get you lined up with a buddy! ALSO, be on the lookout for a link up party (am I crazy to try 2 new things at once?!) that you can link up your own homemade ornaments to share with and inspire us! This will start next week (link up that is!).



If you are an Instagram user please use the hashtag #ornamentswapwithbnb (sorry so long its amazing HOW many hashtags there are for this!) to post your pictures! Pictures could be from the store...packaging up your ornament or even making your ornament! Don't forget to post a picture when YOU yourself receive your ornament! If you have a blog please add the special button so all can join in!
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The deadline to sign up is: NOVEMBER 16th, 2012!! Please mail your ornament no later than December 1st! This way your receiver will have cheer to stare at all month long!

I got to thinkin' with Summer fast approaching and life either slowing or for some getting busier we tend to forget to do "nice things" for others. I would like to challenge you this month! Each week I will be showing you ideas for distributing "Little Rays of Sunshine" upon others! Strangers, friends, family...whomever you can think of!

We get so consumed in our day to day life that we rely on text messaging, Facebook or even emails to communicate with others (not complaining ONE bit!) that I thought it might be nice to think outside of the box! Simple ways to brighten someones day! This week is: Pass it back...

Have you ever been to your fave Starbucks and when you got to the counter to get this:


Let her know..."I would like to pay for the person in the car behind me today too!" Ready...set...GO! I can't wait to show you what we will do NEXT week! Lets make this world a brighter place by passing out "Little Rays of Sunshine!"

So here it is! The fantastic hike we 5 took yesterday!


Y'all able to read that OK?! Magness Memorial Tree Farm is located in Sherwood, Oregon! Sherwood just so happens to be rated in the top 100 family friendly cities in the entire USA! Located off of Ladd Hill Rd. It is just a short drive from the freeway!

Magness is an 80 acre internationally recognized demonstration forest and outdoor education site. The land was donated in 1977 by local residents Howard and Panzy Magness. Additional land was later donated by the Robert Heater family. It is private property! But is open for public use 7 days a week from 9-5 p.m. (9-7 p.m. Memorial Day-Labor Day). There is 2 1/2 miles of forest hiking trails to explore! We asked the kids if they would like to take the long harder route which is 1 1/2 and the full 2 miles or the shorter easier trail which is less than a mile...you can bet your britches they chose...the harder trail!



Looking up into the trees is breathtaking! Or as Noah said at one point "It's so bwitty" (pretty)


The kids loved being able to touch and feel the moss covered trees and we even collected acorns along the trails!


The tureen is a lot of hills. Some steep and some steady! The brush is thick and there is all kinds of wild plants and critters to see! At one point we were walking along and I saw what looked like a large worm (don't laugh at me too hard please!) when I got closer I realized...duh...its a snake! Mind you I DO NOT like snakes or spiders but this one was really small so I had the kids come over to look as it was scrambling away from us. It was neat to watch as it slithered over top of a cobweb not even breaking through the cobweb!  We rounded a few more corners and Emily Grace SCREAMED. I looked over and a LARGE snake had slithered across the path and was escaping into the bushes once it heard my mighty girls holler! Ew ew ew!



There is a creek that flows through the property and the water is crystal clear! Just like where I grew up and made me very homesick! We watched the skeeter eaters dance across the waters and enjoyed the mellow sounds of the water orchestra.




There were a few spots that had a more large open meadow type space. Emily Grace picked dandelions and made wishes just the way I used to. A child after my own heart. The first one to hear my heart from the inside...





About a mile and a 1/2 into the hike we took a small break to re-hydrate and relax! I loved how Noah's little feet dangled so far away from the ground. It for once captured the essence of how small he truly is. I look at him most days and see a little boy where a baby once sat!


Aaah. Just like the good ol' days! You know back when you first start dating or get married and you wanna capture "goofy" pictures as my DH calls them! That's why I love him so much, he puts up with my quirks!


We finally are almost to the end of the 2 1/2 mile hike that my 2 year old, 4 year old, hottie of a hubby and myself carrying a 10 month old hiked on a 90 degree day! I would say these kids are champs! We have never seen Noah red in the cheeks so we knew he was working hard today! One thing we loved about this place was the trees create enough shade that you are nice and cool with a slight warm breeze!



Make sure to check out the old Ford tractor out front. I don't know who was more excited...me or Noah!


Make sure you take water and don't forget to rest as needed along the trails! There is benches placed through out the trails!



Oh and little Mush Mush...she was REALLY happy...especially after this...



Yep...she gave me a nice "shower" as we were almost to the swagger wagon! Paul laughed and said...are you sure it was Ava? Oh the joys of motherhood! Honestly a little pee ain't gonna stop me!



And finally as we drove home, we turned around to see this! My heart is filled with bliss!