Five on Friday: Bests of Christmas Break

Oh how I look forward and countdown to the breaks in school and then how quickly they are over.  Only a few more days until I'm back to school and officially starting my first semester of student teaching (wish me luck!!)
Linking up with the gals who host Five on Friday to share the "bests" of Christmas break.

{one}
Spending time with my family, especially the few days I got to spend with my baby brother were the best.  Also, seeing Frozen on Christmas Eve (for the second time, might I add) was definitely a highlight of break.

{two}
Seeing my friend I hardly ever get to see because of going to different schools makes my heart happy. A good friend, good wine, and the Great Gatsby is how we spent a Christmas break night.

{three}
There were many quiet nights cuddled up in a blanket for me over break, which is exactly what I needed.  This is what break is all about, am I right??

Also, how cute is this penguin candle?? I'm obsessed.

{four}
I was able to drive up to my college town and visit friends I've been missing so much over the few weeks home from school.  Just made me want to be with them even more!

{five}
I had student teaching orientation to prepare me for my first semester of student teaching on Monday! It was pretty overwhelming to say the least, but I know I'll learn and take away so much from this experience.

Enjoy your weekend! I'm living up my last few days of break by sleeping in and watching endless amounts of movies on Netflix! :)

{Katie}

Better Late Than Never {Christmas Recap}

I hope everyone's Christmases were wonderful and lots of time was spent with precious family and friends! 

Ours here in Nebraska was great.  We didn't have a white Christmas, but with 50 degree weather in December, you really can't complain much.  On Christmas Eve my family went to our candlelight church service and then we saw Frozen (my second time seeing it...and probably not the last).  If y'all haven't seen it yet you need to go! I even heard my brother chuckle a few times, so you know it has to be good.  

Christmas day was a relaxing day for my family, as much of the out-of-state ones couldn't visit this year so it was not a big family gathering but still special.  My new baby this year is a telephoto lens for my DSLR- it's so beautiful! We then finished the day with a 1,000 piece puzzle and ate like Kings.  (Steak and crab legs, people. YUM.) 

The baby brother and I

Now that the Christmas season is over, life has slowed down a bit.  But I'm sad that there's no more Christmas music on the radio or Christmas movies on TV.  Sad day. Only 362(ish) days (give or take) until they're on TV or the radio again!!

What are y'all's plans for New Years???

{Katie}

      

DIY Glitter Ornament

I've got another DIY ornament for y'all that's perfect for all the glitter lovers, which let's be honest, that's just about everyone!

I made this ornament for my friends this year adding their initials to the ornament.

You will need:
Clear glass ornament bulbs, any color glitter, letter stickers, ribbon

Fill each ornament with the glitter (about 1/4 full), add the stickers, and tie a ribbon to the top. Done!

Very simple and looks super sparkly on the tree!

Merry Christmas, friends! Give extra hugs to your family this Christmas and treasure this time with them!

{Katie}

DIY Christmas Ornament

Oh my goodness gracious it has been awhile! It seems I have abandoned this little blog of mine.  With the busyness of school and getting ready for Christmas, I've had very little time.  But, if you're a last minute shopper like me this year (oops!), and still need a gift for someone, I have the perfect DIY ornament!

When Morgan from New Found Love emailed me and asked to do a homemade ornament exchange I immediately said yes! Thank you so much for thinking of me, Morgan! Hop on over to her blog and check out her sweet ornament she made for me.  It has a bow and sparkles, so of course it's perfect!

I found the tutorial for the ornament I made for her on Jessica Jane: Handmade and it was so easy to follow along.  Here's my tutorial of the ornament:

You will need: Fimo or Polymer Clay, wire, wire cutters, small beads, paint, glitter, stamps, paintbrush.

Step 1: Knead clay into a ball.  (You REAAALLLLY have to work with it here.  Getting the clay into a ball is probably the hardest part of the whole ornament.) The ball should be around 1 1/2" in diameter.

Step 2: Form the ball into an egg shape.  I did this by making my fingers into a ring and slightly pinch from the middle of the ball on up to make the egg shape.

Step 3: With the "fat" part of the egg, form the end into a tail.

Step 4: Start to make the top part of the egg into the birds head.  I did this by pressing down slightly on the top so there was a clear distinction between the head and the body.

Step 5: Pinch part of the head of the bird into a beak.

Step 6: Try to make sure there aren't any unnecessary bumps or finger prints.
Now, the good thing about clay is if you don't like what you've molded you can just re-do it.  I really had to work with the clay for awhile molding it to get it exactly how I wanted it!

Step 7: Choose a word and stamp it on the bird.  I also stamped some snowflakes.

Step 8: Cut a wire (not one that's too thin) about 4 inches long.  Take a toothpick and stick it through the bird from top to bottom.  This is so the wire is easily able to go through the bird.

Step 9: Make a loop with the wire at the bottom (I added beads to mine) and use your fingers to wrap the remaining wire around the loop (you can also use wire tools here).

Step 10: Bake your ornament as directed on the clay packaging.  (Mine baked for about 20 minutes).

Step 11: Paint and decorate your bird! Add ribbon in order to hang your bird!

AND YOU'RE DONE! 

I hope you all have the merriest of Christmases! Can you believe that it's Christmas on Wednesday?? Time flies. 

Hugs!

{Katie}

Moments to Capture in December

From here

Even though it's December 7th, I'm still not too late to write (and complete) December goals! I am a picture freeeeak, and the month of December is so beautiful with snow, twinkly lights, and Christmas trees.  So instead of completing my December goals, I'm going to capture December moments! And, because I will most likely be posting most of these pictures on Instagram, feel free to follow along! :) (@kaytee200)

Moments to capture in December:

1. Freshly fallen snow

2. Driving around to look at lights

3. A favorite Christmas tradition

4. Favorite Christmas decoration in home

5. Christmas at Kappa Delta

6. Enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate

7. A crackling fire in the fireplace

8. Christmas season treats

9. Iceskating

10. Christmas shopping for others

11. Making homemade Christmas cards

12. Watching Christmas movies

13. Christmas morning

14. Puppy dog with her Christmas present
15. Giving baked goods to neighbors

16. Celebrating the end of the semester!!!

Yay for December and all the pretty-ness it holds!! Can't wait to capture (hopefully all) of these moments!

Do you all have any other ideas for me?? I'd love to hear!

{Katie}