Saturday
Saturday morning began with a mother-daughter date! This date with my mom was a long time coming. I actually gave her a gift certificate to AR Workshop in Davidson so we could create something together for her birthday back in July. Since we initially figured we’d both do something holiday-related, we postponed our painting date and ended up making an appointment for Saturday morning.
We arrived unsure what to expect. Truthfully we thought we’d be painting and maybe doing a little staining but the projects at AR Workshop were a lot more involved than we realized… and I mean that in a good way! We found ourselves sanding, distressing wood, painting, stenciling and even using power tools! It was awesome and way cooler than we thought!
I ended up making a box to hold our holiday cards while my mom opted for a personalized sign featuring the year my parents got married to hang in their home.
We were both so pleased with our projects and I think the extra work we put into them made us feel like they were even more special than a project we simply would’ve painted. We ended up spending a solid three hours at the studio and left more than ready for lunch! We picked up Chipotle to bring back home for lunch with Ryan and Chase who spent the morning at Discovery Place.
While Chase napped, we hung out at home for a bit before I had to get ready to attend a baby sprinkle for my friend Morgan who is expecting a baby boy in four weeks.
The sprinkle was beautiful and included plenty of delicious food! The rest of our Saturday was pretty low-key and I grabbed sushi for dinner for everyone on my way home from the sprinkle and we ate it while watching a movie on Netflix before calling it a night.
Sunday
Sunday was all about decorating! I tried to resist decorating for Christmas but couldn’t help myself! I hoped to wait until after Thanksgiving but I was over all of the pumpkins in our home and ready for pine needles and jingle bells.
Seeing the way Chase interacted with our Christmas ornaments and lights was so, so fun (he was very interested in every single ornament) and I am really looking forward to this holiday season with our curious two-year-old.
I also made it out of the house on Sunday to volunteer at Serenity House, a completely volunteer-run comfort care home for those who need care at the end of their lives.
A couple of my girlfriends and I spent a few hours at Serenity House decorating the home for the holidays. We put up wreaths, outfitted the mantle with stockings and garland and set up a Christmas tree. (FYI, there are two Serenity House homes in the Huntersville and Mooresville area and if you’re local, they are always looking for volunteers! You may find out more about volunteer opportunities here.)
Once Serenity House was fully decorated and looking festive, we said our goodbyes and headed home.
I immediately changed into my pajamas once I arrived back home and we ordered take-out for dinner which hit the spot! I managed to get in bed by 9 p.m. and began reading All By Myself, Alone which isn’t exactly a literary masterpiece but it’s an easy read and was instantly interesting.
Today will be a busy one – in fact this whole week will be on the busy side – but my in-laws arrive on Wednesday morning and I’m already feeling more than ready to morph into Thanksgiving/holiday mode!
I hope you all had a good weekend and thanks so much for stopping by the blog this morning!
I have been DYING to go to AR Workshop!!! You and your mom’s pieces turned out amazing!!! And that’s a great idea to do that with your mom 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful week with your family!! Happy Thanksgiving!! 🙂
-Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com
Sarah(Quote)
I love the card holder you painted! When I was in Nashville at Belmont, my friends and I went to a place similar to this and it was SO much fun! I wish there was a place like this in Birmingham. I want my mom and grandmother to all do this. 😀
Emily L.(Quote)
You guys did a beautiful job! Hope you have a great day Julie!
Emily @ Pizza & Pull-Ups(Quote)
What a fun birthday gift for you mom! I love experience gifts and seeing the projects will remind you guys of the fun you had. Serenity House seems like a wonderful thing to those who need it. I’ll have to see if there is something similar near me.
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real(Quote)
I am LOVING those signs! I need to see if we having something like that nearby us. And I love the idea of volunteering to help decorate, Christmas decorations always put everyone in a good mood 🙂
Patricia @Sweet and Strong(Quote)
We just got an AR Workshop in Alexandria and I’ve been meaning to try it out! This looks fantastic, and love that you get to be a part of the whole process! The finished products are beautiful!
Juliette | Namastay Traveling(Quote)
You have to go! It was fantastic and I’d love to go back!
Julie(Quote)
I loved that book — definitely an easy read, but the story was pretty good!
Laura @ Laura Likes Design(Quote)
Super intriguing for sure! Have you read a lot of her other books?
Julie(Quote)
Gifting experiences are ways to make memories together is my favorite! I’m holding off on our tree but it will likely go up this weekend.
Brynn(Quote)
Me too! I always think experience gifts are the best and most memorable.
Julie(Quote)
Those look amazing!! I like how the projects are individualized and not everyone is making the same thing. That sounds like a wonderful volunteer job — I’d love to do something like that locally! Thanks for the inspiration!
Nicole @ Bento Momentos(Quote)
Me too! Everyone at the studio was making something completely different and it was really neat to check out all of the different projects and see everyone’s creativity!
Julie(Quote)
I love your card holder you painted! It is so pretty! Sounds like you had a great weekend, we put up our Christmas decorations too! I couldn’t help myself either 😉 I just love Christmas so much!! I love the idea of volunteering to decorate, I will have to look that up and see if there is anything like that around here! Happy Thanksgiving week, Julie! Xoxo
Kayla(Quote)
I am SO impressed with your card box and sign! I would love to do that! And I’m a big believer that it’s never too early to decorate for Christmas 🙂
Alexis deZayas(Quote)
What a fun weekend! I’ve taken a similar workshop with my mother-in-law and had the best time!
I also decorated for Christmas this weekend, I got inspired and had to run with it! Hope you have the best day!
Erinn(Quote)
What a fun ladies weekend!
Katie @ Live Half Full(Quote)
What a fun mother-daughter date. I would love to do something like that, the signs are adorable!
Hillary(Quote)
What a nice thing you and your friends did for Serenity House! Thanks for the reminder to spread the love during this holiday season to a good cause 🙂
Lindsay(Quote)
The projects you and your mom worked on look great! I need to check to see if there’s something similar where I live. It looks like a fun way to spend a few hours.
Volunteering is the best! For the last year or so I’ve been helping with a soccer program for kids with disabilities. I get so much more out of it than anything I do for the kids. I’m sure your work is appreciated by the people you’re helping.
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona(Quote)
I almost taught classes at a similar place to AR – it really is a fun place to be! Both you and your mom’s projects turned out GREAT!
I got the tree out today – couldn’t wait until after Thanksgiving! Somehow this year feels like a SEIZE CHRISTMAS EARLY type of year! Which I am all for! I would LOVE to get a tour of your tree/decor when it’s up and done! Love holiday home tours (even if they’re small tours!)
Love your recaps as always. So much fun. Glad you get to see the family this week! Pineapple souffle is on the way! Have a great night!
Kim from MN(Quote)
Your card holder turned out beautifully! I’m really into Christmas early this year too – maybe because these pumpkins have been in the house since September?? 😉
Since I know you’re a fellow Christmas lover, you should check out Opryland in Nashville around the holidays. My husband and I just visited over the weekend for our 1 year anniversary and it was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Totally kiddie-friendly too! Chase would be in awe.
Steph(Quote)
Both the sign and your box look great! It makes me want to make a Christmas box as well. That is such a good gift idea! I’ll have to get an AR g/c for my MIL. Is there a certain g/c amount that you recommend for two people to be able to do it together?
Gillian(Quote)
Look at John Boos boards at Sur La Table! Love them all 🙂
Love your blog Julie! Happy Thanksgiving!
Kara(Quote)
Whoops! Wrong post, this was meant for the toddler book exchange 🙂
Kara(Quote)
I love the projects you and your mom made! Well done! I wish I could find something down here in Charleston like that.
Alyssa Stirling(Quote)