DIY Wish Tree

Rather than going with the traditional guest book for the wedding, I decided to have a wish tree. I just love the concept and think that it's such an awesome spin on the traditional guest book. If you're not familiar with a wish tree, it is a tree (or set of branches) and guests hang tags with wishes written for the couple. I intend to make a scrapbook after the wedding with all of the tags. Many people use manzanita or curly willow branches and decorate the trees with flowers and dangling crystal beads. Instead of spending money on branches, my dear friend Val and I spent an afternoon hunting for worthy branches around her lake lot. We struck gold. We gathered so many branches that I was able to pick some really great ones for the wish tree. Here is a picture of our pile:

And of de-leafing (and de-spidering) the branches:

There were even baby acorns growing on the branches which we saved so that we could create fun fall decoration:

I contemplated spray painting the branches white, metallic gold, or metallic silver but decided to keep them natural. I figure that it will go along nicely with our rustic theme. I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up some purple and white silk flowers. These will be the color of our flowers at the wedding. I used a hot glue gun to secure the flowers. I am also still considering hanging some sort of crystals from the branches as well. In the case, I have river rocks, which are keeping the branches in place. I will probably also add pine cones in with the rocks in the vase. I am going to decorate the vase as well.

Here is a picture of the wish tree as it is now:

 

 I'm so excited for the wish tree! It is kind of simple now but I think that by the wedding, the finished product will be beautiful! :)

It's FALL!

So perhaps it's because I live in Texas and truly miss actually having 4 real seasons throughout the year, but in the past few years I have developed a love for the fall season. Now, fall in Texas is tremendously different from that of Washington. In Washington, it is probably in the 60's with dewy mornings and crispy nights. In Texas, it is just now dropping down to the 70's (though it's really still in the low 80's for most of the day) with crispy mornings and nights and warm days. Previously, I would have thought that this was ideal. Now.... not so much. I want COLD! lol Not like freezing, but 40 - 50's sounds amazing! There's just something about wearing a long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, and jeans that sounds so COMFY! Plus, sitting on the couch watching football sipping on a warm beverage sounds so appealing. 

My current obsession: pumpkin. Weird huh? Okay, maybe not too weird. After all, it is fall. For the past couple of days I have been craving pumpkin drinks and food. On Sunday I wanted to go to Starbucks so badly to get a Pumpkin Spice Latte, but I did not get a chance to go, so I came home and decided to make one myself.. and then I decided to make Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate. :) 

I found a great recipe for Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate at this site: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2009/10/pumpkin-spice-hot-chocolate-mix-recipe.html. The recipe didn't call for any sugar though so I did add 1/4 cup to it. The recipe is as follows:

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/4 cups nonfat dry milk powder
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sugar (my modification)

Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl. Store the mixture in a container. Stir 3 tablespoons in a mug with hot water or milk. Enjoy!

 

I also found an awesome recipe for a Pumpkin Spice Latte at this site: http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/pumpkin-spiced-latte/Detail.aspx. The recipe on the site makes 3 servings, but can easily be scaled down to 1, which is what I've posted below. The recipe is as follows:

• 1 cup hot whole milk
• 1-1/4 teaspoons white sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 2 ounces double-strength brewed coffee
• 1 tablespoon sweetened whipped cream (optional)
• 1 pinch pumpkin pie spice (optional)

 In a blender, combine milk, sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice. Blend until frothy. Pour mixture into a milk with coffee, mix. Top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice, if desired. Enjoy!

 

HAPPY FALL!