Hello Halloween

Happy Halloween!  

Ghosts and goblins and witches too, a night of trick-or-treat-ers, warm Chili and Brunswick Stew!

We shared our Halloween night at the home of our friends with their family, along with more friends.  Our night was warmed by delicious food goodies of homemade Chili, Brunswick Stew, and Pumpkin Bread Pudding, as well as good company.  A little rain and a lot of cold wind, halted much of the Trick-or-Treating, but it did not take away from the evening as we were all warmed by good food and friendship. 

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Sharing a few Halloween memories of my family...

Monday Message

~ My Monday Message ~

We never know if we have a tomorrow. 

Treasure today, and always tell those whom you love

that you love them... 

A Taste of Atlanta

We had a tasty day at "Taste of Atlanta", a day of food and fun!  Always a great event, held annually, with lots of good foods to sample and enjoy, from many new and old restaurants.  We have attended for several years now.  A three day event with ninety restaurants preparing over three hundred delicious bites.  Taste tickets get you tasty tastes of foods and beverages of your choice.  A variety of tastes to satisfy your taste buds and your hunger.

-Taste of Atlanta-

source

-Sights and sounds of Taste of Atlanta-

Me and Hubs taking a little break before rounding up more of the good eats, nibbles and tastes!

Our youngest daughter with her very significant other.  We had a great time sharing the experience with the two of them!

This might be thee photo of the day!  Definitely the biggest pretzel I've ever seen!  He did share it with us too.

And, it's always nice when someone offers up their services to take a group photo for us!  We were all feeling quite full at this point and chose sitting for a spell, after enjoying sweets and treats as the finale.

It was tasty day!...

Embracing Fall and all!

With it being Fall and all
...I offer you a glimpse at what I describe as my *embracing* Fall.  I'm growing a little more fond each day of the Fall touches I've added to our decor.  I usually like to keep it simple when it comes to seasonal decorating.  Pulling together objects I already own and displaying them in different ways is how I get started.  I did a little dressing up of our mantel by adding a few goodies.  Now the mantel and I, are both saying  "Welcome Fall" ...I think I just may have caught the Fall-fever! (touching my forehead as to see if I'm feeling okay?).

I made just a few small changes by adding a few items, such as the Fall-colored leaves that I simply attached to my candle sconces, which also got a touch of jute-twine tied into a little bow.  A pair of dressed-up pumpkins, that I already had, fit in perfectly too.  

I especially love my beautiful new Fall floral arrangement and I'm so pleased with how it turned out!  Love those sales items!  From a bundle of faux-flowers, along with the new gorgeous urn ...that I totally fell in love with recently.  I now have this beautiful arrangement that I feel justified in purchasing, with the bargain that it was!  The bronze mirrors, candles and other items are favorites I already had on hand, and were all perfect for adding color, and balance.  A few more of those cute little petite pumpkins nearby and I had the look I was going for.     

A closer view of my Fall floral arrangement, and the sconces all dressed-up for Fall.

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The Breakfast area has a bit of Fall now also.  The table wears a tablecloth dressed with a new Fall table-runner that I happily scored from Tuesday Morning!  You can also see my Baker's Rack off to the right which I shared in a previous post.

Over on the sofa table I've placed in front of the window, a little Fall happened there too!  I thought these sweet little petite pumpkins I painted to lighten them up ...and that were originally bright orange, would be perfectly displayed on the wrought iron candelabra.  I added some pretty burlap and lace ribbon I had on-hand to my flameless pillar candles, which already had some sparkle ribbon on them.  I also added a bit of jute-twine and a bow, of course.  Next to these I have a new candle cage/lantern that I added pine cones to, along with some other Fall flare, an unexpected find and I love that I'll be able to add other seasonal goodies to it as well!  

The candle cage/lantern has a flameless candle inside it. And, I discovered I was able to open the bottom for easy access and can add or change items inside.  I absolutely had to have this after I realized I could do that!  Another great find from the At Home store!-(formerly known as Garden Ridge)

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I added a bit of Fall in the Kitchen too!  Just a few things.  I found the glass canisters recently at Hobby Lobby and thought they were perfect for adding seasonal goodies, and even work for non-edibles as well.  A simple photo frame with leaves inside adds a nice Fall touch, and so does the cute little wooden leaf with acorns that I simply hung from my apple plate.  In the corner is a slate cutting board that also serves as a chalkboard, which I added leaves and the word 'Fall' to.  Fruits and vegetables are natural color choices and fit into the decor.  A tall glass jar of golden acorns adds a little glitz!

I simply added faux leaves to the inside of the photo frame!  I used a little jute-twine to hang it. 

Glass canisters are an easy way to display seasonal goodies, and non-food items too!  

I wasn't looking for much color here, so rice and pistachios worked well, along with the grapevine ball.  More working with what you've got on hand decorating!

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I couldn't resist adding a few Fall touches to the dining room.  I love how this room sparkles, whether it's day or night.  The light dances around the room as it bounces off the chandelier.  Some of my favorite crystal and cut glass items add to the sparkle as well.  

I dressed up my Glittery Gold & Gladiola Wreath with some Fall goodness.  I tucked in Fall colored leaves and pine cones, and in a snap ...it changed with the season!

The Fall color goes well with the bronze color that I have all around my dining room.  I found the square placemats at Bed Bath & Beyond.  I knew they would look just right on my table, with their perfect bronze(ish) color.  A garland of leaves, pine cones and grapes, loosely wraps the centerpiece and crystal sconces, and also adds an extra touch of Fall.  This will also do nicely for a Thanksgiving setting, with little to no changes if I so choose.

I've learned that you definitely don't need a lot of items in order to make an impact, and to add beauty to a space.  When decorating, thinking creatively is my guild to using objects that inspire me, and to play with different groupings until it feels right to me.    

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Usually it's not so easy for me to *embrace* Fall, even when the calendar says it has officially begun, more so because the days are still cranking out eighty degree temps.  And, admittedly I am a warmer season admirer.  But, at late there has been a change, and the 'feel of Fall' is more apparent as the days have been quite pleasant, with cooler evenings.  The colorful transformation into Fall is quickly becoming more visible outdoors, and inside I'm ready for the Fall ...and all! 

Not so ordinary Fall Wreath

I took one look at the wrought iron piece and it screamed "I'm half off, you want me and you know it!", and I knew we needed to be together!  Then instantly in my mind I was planning something out of the ordinary ...crafting a wreath using it!  It was perfect for me.  Not only do I love just about anything wrought iron,  I also love wreaths and making them.  I see this having great potential for many different looks and changes in the future too.  It's one of those gifts that keeps on giving!

I wanted to decorate it and add to my Fall decor, but I didn't want to over do it!  I made a bow for it first.  You may recognize the material I used for the bow ...it's from a mesh bag, the type that contain oranges or grapefruits-which is what mine contained originally.  I can't tell you why I saved that bag, but I'm glad I did and I think it made the perfect Fall bow!  It works perfectly too with the Fall floral picks which I simply secured to the wrought iron with craft wire.  And also the pretty clip-on sunflower, which completes the look.  I added another bow too, one made from jute twine, because that jute twine just works so well with all things Fall!

I love my new 'Not so ordinary Fall Wreath', and I now have it hanging on my front door for all to see and to greet my visitors.  

Something out of the ordinary to extraordinary!...

A Touch of Fall

* * *

I've been having a little fun adding a few Fall touches at home.  This is when my Summer lovin' heart gives in to Fall as I convince myself to just go-with-it and embrace it!  I enjoy changing my Baker's Rack with seasonal and holiday decor.

I suppose it's mostly because it has more space than the mantel, so I can do more with it!  Although sometimes less is more, or even subtle is better.  I purchased just a few inexpensive things, but for the most part I used items I already had on hand ...I love free decorating!  Or as close to it as I can get!

* * *

A gathering of pine cones to fill the cream ceramic bowl dressed with a checked ribbon sits up top, along with a fall assortment with more pine cones, berries and leaves on each side of it.  A few more pine cones to sit perched next to my little white pumpkin and glittery box.

The bronze charger plate rests high above.  My flameless candles already had a sparkle ribbon, I also added a leaf to each then tied them on with jute twine and a bow.  A few more petite pumpkins, and some gold accessories make this feel Fall. 

* * *

I picked up the pretty felt leaves in colors of Fall at Bed, Bath and Beyond for a buck ninety-five, they're actually coasters!  I strung them with jute twine, then I stamped the letters spelling F-A-L-L with gold ink, cut them out and attached them to the leaves.

My daughter and I, while I was visiting her recently, had a quick look-see for some other trash-to-treasure goodies in G Will's-[my name for Goodwill],  and that's where I got the small apothecary jar.  It was a real find at only forty-nine cents!  I had been wanting one too.  A few pine cones, acorns, leaves, and some petite gourds that I painted gold, are all on display inside the jar.  I like it, and think I may have to look for a big sister to go with it.

A trip to the At Home store had me FALLing in love with ...guess Whoo?  Yes, Mr Owl!  He looks right at home here now.  I think he's perfect, and very worth the small cost of seven dollars.   Woot-Woot!  Some other gold touches along with a little sparkle, and this shelf says Fall ...Literally!  

* * *

A few wine accessories are displayed here with the grapes wine bottle holder and wine stopper [a gift from my In-Laws from years ago, and I still love it!]  A round glass cylinder I added wine corks and a candle to, as well as a ribbon and bow to dress it up a bit.  A bottle of wine [one of my favorites] in the wine-carrier.

The wine cork trivet, which I purchased earlier and put together, sits in a pretty serving dish, and topping those is the sweet little *handmade* pumpkin I recently featured with a tutorial and you can learn how to make one here, if you like.

I tucked in my dish towel that has one of my favorite phases on it, Live, Laugh, Love!  All of the above, along with a few other items, I already had on hand!  So no extra cost for this ...free decorating!  Yay! 

* * *

This bottom shelf is home to a picnic basket, I threw a little cover on top of it using a Fall floral table runner, folded in half.  Beneath the covered picnic basket, sits my beautiful gold tray, it's also a favorite of mine and a treasured gift from my youngest daughter.  A set of gold sconces sit to each side adding to the color scheme, and actually I haven't decided where to use them yet and they are too pretty to put away, or out of sight!

* * *

Here's one more look at it all put together!  I think I did a nice job of adding some Fall, and Fall color to enjoy throughout the Fall season.  And this will take me right into Halloween and Thanksgiving, when if I choose to, I can add or change just a few things easily and inexpensively.  I like easy, and inexpensive...That's my kind of decorating!

I've fallen for FALL!...

Just blame it on JPC!

Ever experience symptoms of Justifiable Purchase Condition or JPC?

~While shopping you are overcome with these thoughts... "Must have it, need it, can't even live without it!",   -or-  "Well, it was on sale...so, I had to get it!",   -or-  "It was the only one left!",  -or-   "If you don't get it you know you will be mad at yourself later!",  -or-  "It goes perfectly with (blank)",  -or-  "It was meant to be!",  -or- [last but not least, and one of my favorites] "OK, I'll just put it in my shopping cart for now, just in case, but I may not get it!"...*biting lip*, as you envision this newly found and totally unexpected find in your home, and how well it will look there?   Plus there are the times when you find an item and then you have to get a few more to go with it, as in pair or a set.  Maybe a theme?! ...and of course you want it all to look good together ...right?  You do this too?   

I'm saying "Oh good!", if your answer is Yes! ...I was feeling hopeful that I was not alone! ;)

Well this happens to me, uh, too often to mention or more than I care to admit when I am shopping.  Especially if it's home decor, and there are times when I become so caught up in the moment (I meant "condition"), that I forget what I was there for!  

_________..._________

Let me further explain and give you a good example:  Not long ago I set out to get picture frames for a project I was planning to do, so off I went to one of my favorite craft and home goods stores, Hobby Lobby.  I decided once there, I'd look around and get ideas to prepare a gift for my daughter since she had a birthday coming up.  And there I was ...lost in the floral department because that 50% off sign was there teasing and taunting me as all the pretty stuff was calling out to me!  You know, as if they were saying..."Hey look at me!" and ..."Check me out!", and well, that is all it took for me to be swept into the out-of-control frenzy that would become a shopping haul of a day.  I found pretties not only to put something together for her, but also some pretties for myself as well.  With Fall approaching at that time too, I knew I would be wanting to do some Fall decorating and there was a lot of inspiration before me, lots!  

_________..._________

There it was...that justification and OK-to-purchase mindset that sets in with convincing myself that "I really needed this, or that" and then I was in full-on mode let me tell ya!  I love myself some bargains and there were plenty to be had!  So pleased with myself, and also with realizing the extra 40% off coupon would be good for a non-sale item, and I was even more elated!  I was completely overcome by all of the symptoms of justifiable purchase, my self diagnosis of this condition,  justifiable purchase condition!    Without any room for quilt, and feeling assured that I was totally justified, I was still grinning when I later unloaded the car of my newly purchased goodies!  Then I thought to myself with question "Wait a minute...Did I forget to get frames?"...*sigh*  See, I'll have to blame this forgetfulness on my condition!  My justifiable "Must have it, need it, can't even live without it!" condition!  That "Justifiable Purchase Condition!"...the "JP-Condition or JPC!"  Whatever you might decide to call it.  I am pretty sure I am not really looking for a cure for it anytime soon!  Oh well, seems I will be needing another trip to get those frames real soon!  Justifiably so!   

Here's a sneak peek at a some of those goodies...

This little beauty practically jumped into my shopping cart, knowing how well it would go with my decor, and that I loved it the second I laid eyes on it!

Plus I had that coupon!

I can't wait to use this for ...something I have in mind.

This screamed "I'm half-off, you want me and you know it!" and I knew we needed to be together!

I have plans for this to be ...something out of the ordinary!

These...

...and also these caught my eye.  

They will fit in nicely for Fall, and will most likely be on display ...somewhere real soon.

  

Feeling oh so very pleased with myself!  

Uh, Justified!...

Easy Handmade Pumpkin

Like many others, I enjoy changing up my decor for holidays, and the change of seasons.  But, I prefer to not purchase a lot of seasonal or holiday items in the pursuit of said decorating.  I tend to challenge myself to spending only a minimal amount of money and to use items I either already have on hand, or something I have made.

With the Fall season, we also have the two holidays Halloween and Thanksgiving, and pumpkins are certainly represented for all of those.
I wasn't wanting to purchase more pumpkins for now that,
a) I wouldn't use long, or might not last long if they were fresh.
and...
b) If artificial, I didn't want more stuff or bulk to store away when the season was over, either.  

I like recyclable, reusable, or even disposable, if at all possible.  I know fresh pumpkins fall into that category and all, but I also wanted to keep to a more neutral, or lighter style.  I have noticed a change with more cream, and white pumpkins available, which is a welcome change for me, since it goes well with my decor.  And, dare I say I am not really in love with the color orange.  

Well, often I'll be doing one thing and an idea comes to mind.  Case in point, I was gathering up my plastic shopping bags to put away after a trip to the store, when it came to me.  The bag of bags was familiar in shape.  Kind of like ...a pumpkin!  It took me only a matter of a few minutes to gather up a couple other items, and I then had myself a new pumpkin.  I think it's adorable, too.

~ Easy Handmade Pumpkin ~

These are so easy to make:

I began by putting several of the plastic bags inside one bag.  I placed it on a square cloth napkin, then gathered the corners up together and tied on a piece of jute/twine.  I carefully tucked in the sections below the gathered area.

Next, I wrapped the twine around in a criss-cross pattern several times, slightly moving over each time to form the pumpkin sections, then ending at the top.  Next to form the stem, I started wrapping the jute twine neatly around at the top of the pumpkin, firmly and close together each time I made a wrap around it.

The stem looked as if it would be a bit too long, so I folded the extra napkin-tips in half before I started wrapping with twine.  I continued wrapping the twine around, until I liked the look of the stem.

I finished it off with a little bow around the base of the stem.  I adjusted the sections as I pulled and squished-(technical term) the pumpkin into shape, trying not to be too fussy with it.

Ta-da ...a Pumpkin!  

And, I like that this pumpkin is also recyclable.  I won't have to store it away either, but, if I do, it is soft and can flatten to take up less space!   And, it was basically free, since I already had all of the materials at hand.  I have more napkins, bags, and jute twine ...hmm, there just may be more of these Easy Handmade Pumpkins making an appearance around here real soon!  

Sure enough!

Happy Crafting!...

Suwanee Wine Fest

We attended the 2nd Annual Suwanee Wine Fest, presented by Chateau Elan Winery & Resort, at Town Center Park in Suwanee, GA on Saturday.  My Hubby and I, and our youngest daughter along with her very significant other, all met there to attend the wine fest together.  An event not only for the love of wine and tasting wine, but for a good cause since part of the proceeds will benefit Annadale Village, *further explanation on that below.  

With hundreds of wines to try, from several different tents, we sipped on samples of many of them but, I must admit I didn't try them all!  Some good eats were also available via a few food vendors, along with a few games out on the lawn, as live music was performed on the stage by a bluegrass/country band called Pullin' Strings.  There were also some t-shirts, and wine goods on sale too.  

It was a beautiful sunny day, but a bit chilly with some wind gusts that made it feel even cooler at times to me!  But it was all good.  We discovered a few new wine favorites to look for, and look forward to.  We later finished up the day by having dinner at Ippolito's Italian Restaurant which is right there at the Town Center.  I'll be looking forward to attending next year's event!  

- Photo of event pamphlet cover -

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*Inside the cover of the pamphlet had the following note:

"[Thank you for drinking wine today to support a good cause!  A portion of Suwanee Wine Fest proceeds will benefit Annandale Village.  Annandale is an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to providing life assistance to adults with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.  Proceeds from the Suwanee Wine Fest will go towards their Fee Assistance Program, which allows them to provide a comprehensive range of programs and services to individuals with financial need.  Keith Fenton, Chief Development & Marketing Officer of Annandale Village, loves calling the City of Suwanee home because, "The citizens believe in our mission and the impact we have on the lives of those with developmental disabilities.  To have the number one rated skilled nursing center in the state of Georgia, right here in Suwanee, speaks volumes to the quality of life for those of us that live, work and play here."]"

- A Birthday Message -

 Happy Birthday to my Father-in-law today!

Burlap Floral Arrangement / Something Surprising reveal

You may have seen my recent post on 'Something Surprising' where I gave a little sneak-peek-of-a-hint at something I had in the works ...and this is it!

...__________________...

I waited to reveal this Burlap Floral Arrangement because it was to be a birthday gift I made for my daughter.  I had plans to visit her after her birthday, so I had to keep it under wraps so to speak.  She is all about the burlap, so when I saw the beautiful burlap flowers at Hobby Lobby my creative and crafty {not to mention sneaky} mind, was making plans!

My hopes were high of her liking this special gift, made with love from me.  I was certainly pleased with it to the point of wanting it myself!  Her delight at the sight of it said it all, just before she spoke the words "I love it!"   And the smile to go along with it was all it took to convince me that she really did!

...__________________...

A view minus the burlap and lace bow.  I figured she could decide with or without the bow to her liking, since I had another choice option with some jute twine.

...__________________...

Here it is looking like it belongs there on her dining room table.  We tried the simple wrap of jute twine then tied into a bow and it was the favorite look, especially since the vase was so pretty on it's own.  Plans were made to do something else with the other bows.

I'm very glad she loved the gift arrangement, and that it looks so nice there with the other burlap accessories and fall touches.

I love it when one of my creations, creates a smile!...

Show and Tell it! - A little trip to Greenville

I had a little trip to Greenville, SC for a few days during this past week, it was a fun time spent with the girls (my daughter and granddaughters) doing some shopping, eating, and more shopping, along with simply sharing moments together in conversation.  The grands are always entertaining, not to mention full of energy, and let me tell ya they seem hungry all of the time.  Shopping does work up an appetite though, as it did for all of us!  True the saying goes, "Girls just wanna have fun!"

We were very amused by some of the signs for sale on display at one of the stores we visited.


I especially liked this one!

...

October

OK, so it's October now and the weather has been absolutely gorgeous with temps in the mid-eighties.  Although, we are getting some cooler temps over this weekend.  For now I'm all too happy to have this type of fall weather that we've been having!

Hopes of it staying around a while are plenty.  The evenings are getting a bit chilly though, so I'm sporting extra layers if outside and for when I find I'm freezing in places with the AC still cranking out cool air!...even my own home, the Hubby loves cool!  It's all good for now, I really can't complain or shouldn't.  

Time for pumpkin and pumpkin-spice this and that.  I thought I didn't like pumpkin, but I realize over the years the only pumpkin I ever really had was pumpkin pie.  There is so much more to enjoy with that big ole round, orange, bumpy, squash like thing-of-a-pumpkin.

And, although orange just may not be one of my favorite colors, it has it's place, and certainly now that it's Fall, it's everywhere.  I've been planning on a bit of Fall decorating, and I've had to show restraint when I see cutesy little Pumpkin and Fall items everywhere too.  

I had a fit over this cute little pumpkin when I saw it sitting atop a bottle of Pumpkin Juice.  It's just too cute! 

My youngest daughter brought this back as a gift to give to her older sister, from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando.  If you're a Harry Potter fan, as both of my girls are, you know all about it.

Anyway, there I was telling her how much I loved that cute little pumpkin lid, and she pulls it off the top.  My eyes wide with more excitement over it and I did say something like "oh how cute, can I have the little pumpkin top?"

Well, I was told swiftly that I should ask her sister, after I give it to her.  Then she said "I'm going to ask her if the top was on it when you gave it to her!"  Uh...(Gasp!)  I would never!  Or would I?   Naaa!  Maybe?  Uh uh!

Well I asked! ...and there it is!  Sittin' on one of the shelves of my Baker's Rack.  No, I really did ask.  She really gave it to me.  She did!  Promise!  Pinkie promise even!  :)    

It will fit in nicely with a few other things I plan to use for my Fall display.

I do often say..."It's the little things!"  

Happy October!

More to come real soon...