Autumn. . .

  

 

Welcoming H Pumpkins

 Before Autumn leaves us for good, I thought I better post this blog.  Autumn is maybe my favorite season.  I like decorating my porches and home with pumpkins, cornucopias, apples, and mums.  I like collecting and preserving fallen leaves.  I like smelling the sweet Autumn crispness in the air, hearing the crunch of fallen leaves under foot, and making lists of all of the things I have to be thankful for.  I like gathering with family and friends.  Here's more on a couple of things I like about Autumn... 

Do you remember buying school supplies and organizing them so you would be ready for the first day of school.  I guess I was destined to be a teacher because getting ready for school to start has always been a tradition in my life.  Even now that I am retired, I find myself browsing through the isles of school supplies and thinking about buying a few things.   One of my favorite places to browse all year long is an office supply shop--so many possibilities!  Well, just one of the little things in life that brings me pleasure and its free--if I can refrain from buying.
 

Decorating with fall adornments is another pleasurable Autumn activity.  Having a great looking table is essential during this festive time of year--like this one from Celebrating Home a Seasons of Cannon Falls publication.



Love this Autumn Table

There is nothing like a home decked out in full Autumn finery--favorite fall centerpieces and decorations on display, candles burning and giving off scents of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, and a fire crackling in the fireplace.  This finery serves as a backdrop in a thankful home where family and friends will soon be welcomed and timeless traditions will be shared.

The decorations can be less splendid and still provide a fine backdrop.  Here is one of our simple, vintage table decorations--Dirtman cut him from wood and I painted him--circa 1985.  He is surrounded with leaves from our yard and acorns from It Girl's parents' home.  Kinda cute!



Our Vintage Turkey

As I finish writing and posting this blog, our Autumn decorations are packed safely away, we are reminiscing about our Thanksgiving celebrations, and our thoughts are turning to Winter when flurries will fly and we will be getting ready for the season we look forward to all year--Christmas.  We will be busy making lists for gift giving, trimming the tree, hanging our stockings, and decorating our homes with our best Christmas finery so we can enjoy the season as we welcome family and friends to share in more timeless traditions.

 

May all the seasons be good to you,

Mary

For Everything There Is A Season

A time for every purpose under Heaven. . .

Our Holiday Season, beginning with Thanksgiving, is upon us and this is the time we give thanks for our blessings, decorate our home with holiday treasures, and celebrate with family and friends.  Of course consuming gobs of delicious food is on the agenda too. 

Several years ago at a wonderful craft affair, War Eagle Craft Fair, I purchased a tree--at least I call it a tree even if others seem to be unappreciative of its charm and chicness (yes I know it is an inanimate object).  Any who, I have decorated my tree for the seasons since I brought it home--it has been adored with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Independence Day, Valentine's, and Easter baubles, trinkets, and trims not to mention times when it served as my second Christmas Tree.  I just like it!!!

My tree is made from a real pine tree--of course the branches are cut short and there are artificial branches stuck into its trunk.  It stands on an ugly brown piece of wood that makes it heavy.  I remember transporting it home in a best friend's car--we always had some treasure to make room for--we became masters of finding a way to pack in, hold, straddle, or sit on our finds all the way home. 

My Thanksgiving Tree is decorated with homemade Thanksgiving buckets, wool pumpkins, glittered turkey ornaments, antique candles in holders, strings of cranberry garland, brown glass garland, and a paper turkey roosted on top.  Just look at this tree--what is not to like?



My Tree with Thanksgiving Adornments
Cranberries and Homemade Trims


Here are a couple of the homemade Thanksgiving adornments found on my tree--I just like it.  Next year, there will be more ornaments--yes indeed.



Harvest Bounty Bucket with Cranberries



Glittery Turkey Bucket

I am thankful for so many blessings--family, friends, home, and being able to act on most every whim I have.

Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

May all seasons be good to you,

Mary



Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

A time to keep silent and a time to speak. . . .

Several weeks ago a dear one pointed out to me that I had promised a September blog...did someone say it is November!  I have been silent--at least on my blog.  I love to blog, but it is more difficult than I thought it would be.  But, once more I am going to try to be a better blogger.

Here are a few of my random thoughts--just to get the blog going.

Life--life is a wonderful journey.  I have a blessed life.  In October, Dirtman was home for over two weeks now and we enjoyed toiling at the chores that being homeowners bring.  When he got home I had a honey-do list for him and of course he had his own list of things to do too.  He worked long and hard on both lists and it has paid off.   We have not changed anything big, but our home is looking like we want it to.  Don't get the wrong idea, there is still a long list of Must Dos and Want To Dos.

Liberty--the priviledge of doing what you want when you are retired.  Yes, Dirtman is ocassionally saying things like, "don't you think you would like to work a little?" and "you need something to do", wow--does he think I am having too much fun?  Well, he is right.  I love my life and am so grateful for what I have.  However, I think I will work a little come Spring--oh my!

The Pursuit of Happiness--well, a grandbaby will take care of that--I have been in pursuit of this happiness for years and all my dreams recently came true.  We are blessed with a baby girl--Amelia.  I am head over heels in love with this kid--holding and giving her love brings all the happiness I need.  We had our Kansas shower in October (good grief)--here are a few photos. . .



The Table Decorations



The Dessert and Cakestand Favor



The Kid's Fish Tank Table

It was a great day--fun had by all and the gifts were awesome.  Now our bundle of joy is here and is almost three weeks old--life is good! 

Another list of my likes--pink, pinterest, searching for vintage dress-up clothes--it's never too soon to get ready for tea parties and dressing up, and making a Christmas gift list.

May all the seasons be good to you
Mary