All Hallows' Eve || The Party

At the end of the night, I sat in my dining room with a glass of wine
and bowl of olives and cheese as I surveyed the wondrous mess.

People were here. Life was lived out. We kindled the flame of community
and the afterglow I was experiencing: B E A U T I F U L.

I didn't want to pick-up or remove the traces of such a grace.
I whispered to Nathan, "My heart is so full."

$10 dozen roses // greens & leaves from the yard + recycled glass jars

Our All Hallows' Eve party was too much fun. ((( planning details HERE )))
A supper club style dinner and evening of prayer and fellowship does the heart good.

We ate and drank until the blanket of contentment covered the room.
We shared and prayed by name for loved ones who have passed and those who are
still suffering here on earth. We sang songs of worship.
We laughed. We talked. We hugged. We did life together.

I think my favorite part of the night was walking into my bedroom to find
6 boys jumping on our bed trying to reach the canopy. PRICELESS.

DIY food labels // circle paper press + toothpicks

Our little space felt more like Buca di Beppo's that night.
Tables covered in cloth + chairs (all borrowed - so thankful!) in every room -
with fresh flowers, candles, and music to woo the crowd.



We tried to make the most of every square foot...
so we set up the drink bar in the utility room.
Keeping it real.



There are no words to describe the richness.
I'm so glad that God has put the call to "do community now" on our hearts.
I think HE knew I was thirsting for this more than I knew myself.

Some myths were debunked for me that night:
You don't have to have a large space to cultivate community life,
and you don't have to have a lot of money to pull it off.
Lord, You were right. I was wrong. True story.

I told myself, before our guests even arrived, that if the night was a total
failure it was still MOST important that we give answer - that we show up -
that we pour out and serve away our hearts no matter what because
THIS... THIS is what God wants for our family right now.
And it is good.

Pumpkin Patch + Our DIY Halloween Costumes

The pumpkin patch is a MUST on our Fall bucket list!
I got all teary eyed a few days before we went thinking of how
the kids get bigger and bigger each year... thus creating a new
experience each time we go. Cue the flood gates. Momma is tender-hearted.





Since our boys are so close in age, they usually want to have or do whatever
the other is having or doing. It's cute... most of the time! *clears throat*
Halloween is no exception! They've been tigers and train conductors together in the past...

But in light of their passion for soccer and the upcoming World Cup,
I give you Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo!!!

OFFICIAL pro soccer gear is scary pricey - so we used iron-on letters
and numbers from Hobby Lobby (less than $10) to add to these cotton, long-sleeve
t-shirts! They'll be sporting these OVER thermal underwear and hoodies for Halloween!
Baby shin guards and a soccer ball too?! Be still my heart.






FUN FACT: Did you know that Chipotle offers $3 burritos on Halloween,
in most locations (check local), after 4pm to all customers dressed in costume?!

They donate up to $1,000,000 from the event to their Chipotle Cultivate Foundation -
a non-profit that is committed to creating sustainable and healthful food supply!!!

I know, that little tidbit is worthy of a standing "O".

All Hallows' Eve Party + DIY Owl Makeover

October 31st -

A night of tradition.
And when I say "tradition" I'm not talking about ghouls and ghosts or the
typically imagined pagan ideology (insert very evil ideas here).

All Hallows' Eve is one of my favorite feasts to celebrate!
I think it's because it is an "eve", and I am hopelessly in love with the magic of anticipation!
It is a vigil to be kept; a night of prayer and keeping watch for the Feast of All Saints!

Now I am not a liturgical professional by any means. In fact, I find that most of the
details (interesting article) surrounding how All Hallows' Eve as a night of Christian worship
came into practice very confusing. It is understood that this night was one of high pagan worship -
full of harvest festivals praising the false gods of a particular belief or region.

Beyond the middle ages it was a night when the poor would go door to door
begging for "soul cakes" - promising to pray for the beloved dead of anyone who
would share. Sounds a little like modern day trick-or-treating?

I love it that such dark days can be made holy by faithful Christians
who are willing to raise their voices in battle against the ones who still
embrace and live out this "feast" with full satanic flair (again, use your imagination).

Feeling called to community, we decided to throw open the doors to our 1,000 sq ft.
home and invite our friends in to celebrate All Hallows' Eve with us!

A supper club style dinner following a "Fall: Warm & Cozy" theme is underway!
It's going to be a night of food, friendship, and sitting on the floor, couches, or anywhere
you can find a seat to remember the reality of hell and to share and pray for our loved ones
who have passed away and the ones who are still suffering here on earth.

Here's the invite I worked up...
(celebrating on the 30th - it's what works for our community this year)


We will be using the "De Profundis",
which is a fancy name for Psalm 130, to help usher people into prayer....

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;
O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

I wait for the Lord, my souls waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchman wait for morning,
more than watchman wait for morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins."
I know I know. Super, trippy, Catholic and all. We might even throw around
a little holy water for good measure. I'm kidding.

Want to host something like this for your family and friends too?!
DO IT. You've still got time!!! Feel free to e-mail me if you need some motivation
or want to bounce around some ideas! lilyfieldmomma@yahoo.com

And P.S. this is NOT just for Catholics.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

In light of preparing our home for this gathering I was inspired to paint
my decorative owl WHITE. Why?! Because almost everything in my home is a shade
of brown and I wanted this little guy to POP!



Flat white spray paint. Hobby Lobby, I count you among my closest friends.
I just love how the littlest change, using a small amount of money, can make
you feel like you just got something NEW!

Ok - here's to a happy fall and blessed All Hallows' Eve!!!