My adorable mom came over yesterday for an afternoon of arts and crafts, lunch, and peppermint ice-cream. What more could a girl ask for, right?! My mom is what I would like to call curious and adventurous. She and my dad just moved in to a new house a few months back and their neighbor had this ‘really cool looking’ tree. She being the curious person she is, asked if she could take some of the pods from the tree just to see whats inside. Turns out there are these adorable little red/orange nut like things inside. She immediately thought they would be great to use in a craft, so she went to town cracking these pods to get the ‘nut’ like things out. She did this with no gloves…
Fast forward to yesterday, and again her curiosity got the best of her, so before coming over she stopped by a local nursery and asked a worker what these pods and tree were called. Turns out the tree is called a Texas Mountain Laurel. Also turns out the the pods are “highly poisonous alkaloid cytisine (or sophorine), a substance related to nicotine and widely cited as a narcotic and hallucinogen” {via}
Umm, what?! The guy said she was fine as long as she was not actually eating the pods {who the heck would?!} but to wear gloves next time while working with them. Apparently the cute little fall wreaths we were about to make had a whole new level of excitement!
Here were our supplies {that my amazing mom brought over, what gets better than doing a craft and not having to get the supplies?}
These are the pods, and the cute red things that are in the pods:
We casually put together our wreaths, talking about about the future and all that it holds, and just enjoying having a relaxing afternoon together. Moms are totally the best for that!
Here are our end results, my moms:
And mine:
While those pods may be highly poisonous, they sure do make for a great..and free… wreath ornament. Thanks for coming over and crafting with me mom! And friends- if your mom lives close to you, I highly suggest doing a fun fall craft together..without the poison;)
PS- If you haven’t entered to win the Home Depot $25 gift card giveaway, do it now!! Giveaway closes this Friday!
<3,
These are F A B U L O U S !! Now we see where your creativity comes from… or did your mom’s creativity come from her daughter?! Ah, and BTW, you’re up early! I thought to peruse your blog this AM [02Nov] at 0432, and it was already posted. LoveLoveLove it, too!
Those are great, and I loved the adventure your mom shared with all of us. Too funny, your mom sounds like a blast. Enjoy those moments and I am loving your wreaths.
Di@cottage-wishes.
Must have been mother/daughter day. Katie came over and we made cookies. Pumpkin, oatmeal, cherry, chocolate chips cookies….Very good.
Your wreaths are adorable!
Hee, hee. This is exactly the kind of trouble my mom and I get into. 🙂
Lori- I DEFINITELY do not get up that early! I write my posts out the night before, and have them automatically go up at 4 am. I am not a morning person, by any means;) And I definitely go my creativity from her! She was always the mom doing different arts and crafts with us, always!! Thanks!
Di- Thanks hun! She is a blast.
Im assuming annon is Debbie- fun! When are you bringing me cookies?!
Advenindinner- so fun! aren’t moms the best!
<3,
Adri
Very cute wreaths with a funny and cute story behind them but aren’t you afraid your dogs might accidentally eat one of the nuts?