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Around Here 06

Nov 03

Can you believe that it’s NOVEMBER? That’s the month before Christmas friends, in case you’d forgotten. But before I get caught up in the holiday hype (I can’t help myself- I just love it), I thought I’d take some time to put together a quick recap on what’s been happening around here. I like to do this every few months and can never believe how much can happen in a short time! Today I’m writing this from a hotel in Vancouver- enjoying a coffee without the usual tugging on my shirt for Aubrey to have a ‘sip’. It’s a novelty for sure, but I’m starting to miss those cuties! I’m here as a coach for a research competition with some students from TRU, it’s such a fantastic opportunity for them, and I can’t wait to see how they do this afternoon! I was hoping to hit the PoppyTalk store while I was down here, but the schedule is much more packed than I expected, so we’ll see if it happens.

101 Dalmations Halloween Costumes- from the babies to Cruella to Jasper, such a fun family costume!

Um- Halloween!? Did you dress up? I’d love if you left a link to your costume in the comments. We were the characters from 101 Dalmations! I have never been so unprepared for Halloween as I was this year. I bought the material and supplies ahead of time, but then forgot about actually making the costumes until the night before. While I was getting my hair cut… at 11pm at night. Ugh. But I’m so happy with how they turned out! I just skipped the puppy collars and I forgot to put my red gloves on for the picture… but you get the idea ;) We took them to visit the grandparents then had friends over to play games all night. It was a very good Halloween.

Autumn To Do List

What else is going on? I’ve been busy crossing things off my Fall to-do list! We played in the leaves and have a fall photo shoot scheduled for this week. We’ve hand bundled walks (with PSLs), hit the pumpkin patch, we flew a kite (this was so much fun, I don’t know why we don’t do this more often!). I’ve had myself some chai tea, tried a new soup recipe- this Sweet Potato, Chicken and Quinoa Soup and it was SO good, and we took the kids ‘trick or treating’ to Grandmas (I ate the chocolate, of course). I did send some Thankful Mail! Did you see my challenge? I sent mail every week for the month of October, but for an #honestymoment, the last two letters are still sitting on my counter stamped and addressed and ready to be dropped in the mail box (I’m such a procrastinator).

Go Fly a Kite Fall To Do List

Pumpkin Patch- Fall to do List

The bath did NOT happen because we’ve had nothing but troubles with our shower/bath! Leak after leak, but we finally have it fixed. We need to replace the whole tub and walls and subfloor because the leaking over time has rotted out the drywall- among other issues. So we’ll skip the bath this year. I also haven’t had time to read a whole book, although I’m working my way through The Nesting Place: It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful (here if you’re Canadian) and it’s incredible. I took it out from the library but think it will be a book I purchase to read again. We also haven’t had a chili cook off- but I did have a burrito making marathon with a friend! We made over 75 burritos to throw in our freezer- everything from black bean and squash to pork and breakfast burritos. And they are so good.

80 Freezer burritios in one sitting!

Twin Dalmation Halloween Costumes

Alright, well I’m off to go grab lunch before I get to watch our team’s presentation this afternoon! But I’ll leave you with one more dalmation photo- because I know that’s what you’ve been waiting for and I can’t say no to YOU. And talk to me- did you dress up? I’d love to see photos! Leave a link in the comments. Also… how are you doing on your Fall To Do list? Have you switched from fall to holiday yet?

Category: LifestyleTag: Around Here, Halloween
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kara

    Nov 03 at 12:24 pm

    I’m so not a dresser-upper for Halloween. I would do it for work when I worked at one of the grocery stores here, but I haven’t since I stopped working there 3 years ago! Maybe if Isla makes me dress up in the future I will ;)

    I’ve most definitely switched from fall to winter already! The time change really messed with me and I’m just ready to cozy up on the couch and do nothing for 6 months, haha. Although I do have plans on doing taking Christmas card photos of Isla the next day it decides not to rain.

    Reply
    • Colleen Pastoor

      Nov 05 at 7:42 pm

      You know she’ll make you dress up one day ;) Cozy on a couch would be my kind of winter! We’re doing our family photos tomorrow- can’t wait to see yours :)

      Reply
  2. Vashti Quiroz-Vega

    Nov 07 at 8:56 am

    Hi Colleen! Great pictures! I love the one at the pumpkin patch. What gorgeous landscape! I think it’s a great idea to make burritos and freeze them. Very clever. ;)

    Reply
    • Colleen Pastoor

      Nov 10 at 8:25 pm

      Thanks Vashti! The pumpkin patch was really beautiful. And the burritos have been awesome to have on hand! I’d definitely recommend it :)

      Reply
  3. valarie

    Dec 19 at 7:54 am

    YOU GUYS ARE ADORABLE!!

    Reply
    • Colleen Pastoor

      Dec 20 at 10:11 am

      Aw, thanks so much Valarie! You’re so sweet :)

      Reply

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I’m Colleen: wife; mom to 4 wild ones; and DIY blogger behind Lemon Thistle. You can expect to see rad DIY, modern home decor, renovations, hand lettering and the occasional party on Lemon Thistle. Read More…

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colleen pastoor/lemon thistle
These pillows make the perfect forts and that mean These pillows make the perfect forts and that means they never stay on the couches. But when it’s clean for that 10 minutes it’s so nice 😂
Ps. Scrolling back for a photo of my living room and found about 347 of the second slide. Maybe that’s why I’m out of cloud storage 😅
Spot the DIYs in these photos! I rounded up 10+ aw Spot the DIYs in these photos!
I rounded up 10+ awesome DIY home decor projects in partnership with @officialCricut #ad over on the blog yesterday, there's some really fun ones from my friends too!
#CricutMade #Cricut
Which do you like best? Even though it didn’t wi Which do you like best?
Even though it didn’t win the vote, I still decided to make this free printable a set instead of just the one!
You can find them plus so many other gorgeous spring printables from some friends of mine over on the blog today!
I’ve been doing some polls in my stories (thank I’ve been doing some polls in my stories (thank you for your responses!) and one that totally surprised me? 
Almost half of you don’t know I blog! That’s my job, guys 😂 IG is just a fun little part of that! So tell me... is this new information to you or are you team ‘knew that!’? 

Also... Should I do a blogging Q&A? 🤷🏼‍♀️
Happy Valentine’s Day, friends 🥰 Happy Valentine’s Day, friends 🥰
Anyone else feeling the balance between work and f Anyone else feeling the balance between work and family and rest and keeping your house liveable has all just toppled this year? I keep seeing articles about pandemic fatigue and long term stress and burnout and while it’s totally relatable, I really just want tips on how to actually deal with that. I thought I’d share some things that are helping me if you’re in the same boat... and I’d love if you shared your tips in the comments! We could all use them 🥰
-I’ve been going for a walk every day by myself. Even when it’s freaking cold like today, I just bundle. It’s the only time I get truly to myself with no kiddo asking for something and that I don’t have to try squeeze in an email or something else.
-I’ve been putting the instant pot to work and leaning on cheater meals (local soup mixes are amazing), Costco dinners... whatever
- I’m prioritizing friendships with phone calls, zoom games nights and group chats about the bachelor (with matching snacks!)
- I’ve given myself a schedule that has downtime to play with the kids and to read... even when there’s things I feel like I ‘should be’ doing
- I’ve realized exactly how much time I’ve been spending on my phone and that it’s become my response to stress. Have you ever looked up your screen time analytics? 🥴 look at how many times you pick it up in your day. I’m setting app limits for myself and trying to break this habit, but I’d really love tips!
Can you believe that address sign is a DIY?! I'm s Can you believe that address sign is a DIY?! I'm sharing the whole tutorial in partnership with @OfficialCricut today over on my blog! I'd originally made it as a place holder for a metal one but after having it up for 4 months... we totally love it long term! What do you think? Would you try it? #cricut #cricutmade #ad
What are your Sunday plans? Mine are to sit right What are your Sunday plans? Mine are to sit right here for the first half of the day drinking coffee, then the second half of the day it’s to clean this house so it looks like my Instagram feed again 😂
Who has DIY projects on their mind this year?! 

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@ryobi_canada and I want to help you start knocking those projects off your list by giving away a new nailer and battery set! #ad 
This tool is what we used for this accent wall and all the trim in our home. It’s the one I used to trim out my built in shelving and add the decorative moulding to my geometric barn door. What I’m saying is this thing is a workhorse and I want you to have one too 😉
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