Tag: Fall

Junky Pumpkins!

My goodness, I cannot believe it is almost November!

I feel as if I blinked and missed September and October.

Today I want to share a fun wood project using various 2 x 4 pieces.

“Junky Pumpkins”.

My son cut the 2 x 4 we had in our garage, I sanded, painted all orange, using a sponge brush and simple craft paint.

Now the fun begins!

I gathered up all the small junk drawer pieces I could find, buttons, tacks, screws, washers, handles, knobs, to create whimsy, quirky, and maybe a bit scary, faces.

Played with all the pieces, moving them from one wood piece to another, until I found just the face I loved.

Simply glue the pieces in place, using wood glue, or in some cases, for the heavier pieces, E6000 glue.

Here they are, my “Junky Pumpkins”!

As I say when sharing most of my projects, “love them”, so much fun to put together!

These two are my favorites.

Just simple!

I used thin wire, curled, a knob, and also a stem from an old plastic pumpkin, on the tops.

Love the smile made by using an old handle.  So cute!

What a great project for older kids on a cold rainy weekend day.

Just a happy simple project!

Have fun with your junk drawer finds!

Love you folks!

 

 

Painting Faux Pumpkins

Just love the simple look of white pumpkins in the fall!

I especially love using the mini ones here and there throughout my home.

My preference is to use faux pumpkins inside, and real ones outside.

Unfortunately, really nice faux white pumpkins can be a bit pricey, so this year I tried painting my own.

Found these foam type mini pumpkins at Walmart for 98 cents each.  Two cents cheaper than the dollar store, and the selection was really good, so many different shapes.  Every penny saved is a good thing!

I did splurge for a larger one at $1.98!

Using my favorite paint for the look I love, Rust-Oleum, Linen White, chalk paint, I simply removed the stems and painted each with several coats, using a foam brush.

Replaced the stems, after painting each one with a dark brown craft paint, to finish this simple project.

Love them!

Quite a difference, don’t you think?

So lovely in a wood bowl with a bit of greenery.

Also love the farmhouse look in my thrift store wire basket.

White pumpkins can be mixed with others, like these grapevine ones, surrounded by traditional fall leaves.

Love that I can just pack up my painted pumpkins and use again next year.

So many ways to display this time of the year, and into Thanksgiving.

Cute to place one on each plate at Thanksgiving.

Just a fun, simple, project!

My pumpkins may be faux, but the joy I received from putting this project together was real!

So thankful for you folks!

 

 

Caramel Cream Cheese Apple Spread

There are so many wonderful apples everywhere right now, so today I thought I would share an apple snack recipe.

So simple, just 5 minutes to put together.

Please don’t let the simpleness of this recipe fool you, it is so yummy!

Perfect for a quick afternoon snack, or maybe a light after supper sweet, caramel cream cheese apple spread!

Also would be a great tailgate treat, or an appetizer on Thanksgiving Day.

Peanut butter with apples is usually my husband’s choice of snacks, but this recipe is now also a favorite in our home this time of the year.

So colorful on a plate surrounded by beautiful apples slices.

Simply place a slab of cream cheese on a serving plate, spoon on caramel sauce, and top off with nuts, toffee bits, or a bit of peanut butter granola, our favorite.

I told you it was simple!

Be sure to use a large spoon to make a well on top of the cream cheese so all the caramel sauce doesn’t drip off.

That’s it!

I have also used this recipe in individual mini Ball jars for fall favors, something fun for anyone in your life that deserves a treat!

Fill mini Ball jars with the cream cheese and caramel sauce, top the jar with a beautiful shiny apple, and place in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon.

A cute, sweet fall gift!

Enjoy!

Sweet love to all you folks on this Sunday!

 

 

Sometimes We Need Flowers

It is rare that I buy flowers for myself.

Yesterday, as I passed the floral department at my local grocery, I could not resist picking up a bunch of fall colored flowers.

I decided the beautiful, vintage Mason jar, that belonged to my momma, would be perfect to hold my flowers.

As I carefully washed the Mason jar, thoughts of a one day trip I took with my momma came to mind, just momma, just me.

We shared a love of homemade crafts.

My mom did the sewing, and I painted.

We loved to shop for new ideas, new patterns, trying to have something wonderful to sell at the many craft fairs I participated in, displaying our items.

Momma always supported me, and loved to help me in whatever way she could.

Our one day trip was to Nashville, Indiana, not too far from where we lived, only about 2 hours.

The drive gave us time to be together, just momma, just me.

We talked, and smiled at each other, enjoying our time.

Nashville is just a lovely little town in a beautiful setting, lots of shops, and yummy places to have lunch.

Nashville in the fall time of the year is just heaven.

Our family has been there so many times over many years, renting cabins, or staying in the lodge at the Brown County State Park.

As we shopped, mom found a wire Mason jar holder in one of the country type shops.  She had wanted a holder to display her vintage jar, given to her by her sister.

Mom loved the wire holder with the sweet wood handle.

She kept her jar in the holder, and displayed it lovingly in her kitchen, it is now in mine.

My flowers in momma’s jar are beautiful, so pleased with this simple arrangement.

Added a few fall leaves as a finishing touch.

The end of our loving day together was me dropping momma off at her home, and as she always did without fail, stood and waved to me until I was out of sight. Oh my, it hurts to write this!

My grocery store flowers will wilt and die, but our trip, just momma, just me, will be a loving memory always!

Blessings to all, spend time with those you love, and buy yourself flowers!

 

Transition Time

Sitting on my back porch early this morning, so quiet, so peaceful.

Noticed a few leaves already falling, squirrels hurrying about, one season ending, and a beautiful one about to begin.

Tomorrow is officially the first day of fall!

Breezy, storms predicted this afternoon.

I hate that summer is over, although this year was just so very hot.

The heat and humidity seem to be harder on me as I grow older.

Time to transition!

Time to dig out all my fall decorations, and maybe add something new.

Put away time for my summer porch pom pom pillows, need to find some that are more the color of the fall season.

Mums will be replacing geraniums.

The birdbath I made out of a painted clay pot saucer will stay for now.

Time to put away my lemon pillows in the living room.

Replacing with the pumpkin ones I made a year ago from placemats.

I still love them!

At the beginning of September I made a “Dick and Jane” banner for my blackboard, I suppose one for the fall season will go up in it’s place.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love “Dick and Jane” things!  I do, so much!

I know there is just a part of me that will forever be a child.

Always wanted to be an art teacher for small children, it wasn’t to be!

I think that is why I keep a blackboard in my family room and decorate it for all seasons and occasions.

Just something fun for me!

My current front door wreath will stay for now, it has so many colors, the beautiful colors of mums.

Maybe I will just add a small sign, “Hello Fall”.

Love the fall time of the year.  I plan to make the most of it, enjoying it’s simple things.

It is God’s gift to us, isn’t it?  A gift, as are many, that we sometimes just take for granted.

Hope you all have lovely, colorful fall plans.

Enjoy this day!

Enjoy your weekend!

Blessings to all.

 

 

 

 

Another Fall Gathering

Over the years, our family has gathered for a two hour drive to Nashville, Indiana, to the Brown County State Park.

Many years we have rented a family cabin, but this year a smaller gathering, just me, my sister, and our husbands, so we decided to stay in the lodge.

Such a beautiful setting in the state park, especially in the fall time of the year.

The lodge is rustic, no fancy things, they even have real keys to the rooms.

Unfortunately, rain was predicted on our first day with cooler temperatures.  It rained!

We spent time together, that late rainy afternoon, over some rich chocolate brownies and coffee, in a large gathering room in the lodge.  The room has a huge stone fireplace, tables and chairs, and sofas.

Critters in every corner!

My sister’s birthday was in October, no one had made her a cake, so I brought the brownies to celebrate.

She loves chocolate!

We so enjoyed just being together, talking about whatever, including a cute story of my brother-in-law’s name for my sister, early in their relationship, “Sunshine”.  I had never heard that before, oh my gosh, so sweet!

These are the things great family gatherings are all about!  Recalling memories, and making memories.

I am an early riser, so the large window seat in our lodge room, was the perfect spot for me to sit each morning. Lots of pillows behind me, I would write in my journal and read, trying not to wake my husband.

With each day of our stay I could see the trees changing in the woods from the window.

Breakfast the first morning of our trip is always a short drive through the town of Nashville, to a simple, local restaurant with home cooking. Country folks, town regulars, all just so friendly.

As they served us with platters of hot biscuits, gravy, and eggs, I thought of my Grandma, those beautiful breakfast tables she served us, how I miss those times, my Grandma times!

The times I spent with just me and my Grandma are some of the best memories of my life.

I am not a grandma, and probably will never be, but I tried to give those memories to my nieces by spending quality time with them as they were growing up!  They were my grand-babies!

The weather improved the next day, so I went out early, with camera and coffee in hand, to take a few extra photos.

I spoke with a lovely man who was painting the trees from the large back porch, many photographers were out and about, capturing the beauty of this place.

The sun came out, warmer, a full day was planned.

A crisp, cool, beautiful fall day, a gift from God!

We headed into town, a train ride to see the sites, lunch at our favorite spot, Hob Nob Restaurant, shopping in the many shops, and of course, a visit to the candy store for fudge.

On our last morning, we packed up, headed out, driving through the park for the last time.

A stop at the Brown County Winery, and lunch, before heading home.

So very, very grateful for this trip.

So grateful that my husband could join us, even with his health issues.

Jim doesn’t get out so much anymore, so the trip was a treat for him.

So good to see him laugh at the silly card game we all played before day’s end, sharing popcorn, beer, and more chocolate for my sister!

This was a beautiful, small, fall family gathering, but a special one. Relaxing, quite time, for this time in our lives.

Thankful, grateful, blessed!

Love to all.

Simple Fall Gatherings

My kitchen window faces the front of my house. I can see folks coming and going when I am working at my sink.

A few days ago, I noticed the Amazon driver pulling into my driveway.

A younger woman walked up to my porch with one of my many orders.

I really love Amazon Prime!

After she placed the box near the front door, as she was walking away, she turned, smiling, she took several photos of my fall gatherings on the porch.  So cute, putting a smile on my face too!

I thought I would share what she was smiling about.

Pumpkins, colorful mums, my rusty, gas can jack-o-lantern, and the sweet sign I purchased at the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio.  A simple fall gathering welcoming all coming up to my small front porch.

A beautiful fall wreath, which I have had for years, just added more fall color to my porch.

The back porch was changed for the season too!

Again, simple changes, all inexpensive.

New flannel pillows, in navy, with a bit of turquoise.

Painted a $4.00 wood tray from Hobby Lobby the same shade of turquoise, and filled it with bittersweet.

An orange throw added, for chilly fall afternoons, and some small pumpkins.

Love the navy and orange together.

The simple, bittersweet twig wreath, I had made a few weeks ago, found its way to the brick wall on the back porch.

Just a few simple items that added a smile to a stranger’s face, and in turn, one to mine!

Love you all!

Hope you are enjoying this colorful time of the year.

 

My Tin Can Pumpkin

Recently I posted about my trip to the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio.

The one item I really wanted to buy was an old galvanized oil can with a pumpkin face.  Loved it, but it was priced at $68.95!  I could not justify spending that amount.  I tried to, but no!

Could not get it off my mind, so when I saw this old rusted can at the flea market for $9.50, I started thinking.

The old can was a beautiful rusty orange, perfect for a pumpkin face. I put it in my cart, it was mine!

I did not want to paint a face on my can, and I had no way to cut out a face, so I simply used a magnetic sheet I found at Michael’s, cut out the face with scissors, and placed on my can.

It was perfect!

God must have blessed my flea market trip for me to be able to find the perfect can for this project, and the fact that it was a rusty orange color was a bonus blessing.

Not sure of just where my tin can pumpkin will eventually end up, maybe near the front door with the mums and real pumpkins.

But our back porch area might be the best place.

I can enjoy “him” from my kitchen window throughout the day, and when I sit having my coffee.

Hope you all had a beautiful fall weekend.

Our weather in Ohio has been wonderful, cool mornings, and warm afternoons.

Blessings to all today, blessings great and even small ones like finding just the right tin can!

Checked Off My Bucket List

Knowing today is officially the first day of fall, yesterday I worked on a twig wreath for my front door.

Gathered some vines, formed a wreath secured with wire, finished up by adding some bittersweet purchased this past weekend at the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio.

Love my wreath, twiggy, simple, no nonsense, perfect for welcoming this time of the year.  Just the look I wanted.

A few months ago, I contacted my niece who lives close to Columbus, asking her if she would be able to go to the Country Living Fair, a bucket list item of mine.

What joy for me when she agreed to make time in her busy life!

We decided to make a weekend of it!  Along with my sister, we traveled 2 hours to her home, a farmhouse in the country.  Just such a beautiful setting.

Some of her neighbors.

Early morning coffee on the porch.

A gift, homemade sweet pickles.

Amanda, next to my son, has given my life overwhelming love and joy!

We went to the fair on Saturday, it was filled with all the things you see in the Country Living magazine.

Spectacular weather all weekend.

The rest of our time was spent relaxing, visiting with Amanda’s family and friends, laughing, and of course, eating!

Thank you Amanda for checking off this bucket list item of mine, and especially for spending time with me!

The only bad part of our trip, leaving Amanda, so sad for us to say goodbye!

Simple living, simple sharing, doing simple things, with love.

Have a beautiful, simple, first day of fall.

Surprise Apple Treats

It’s apple time, so today I thought I would share a fun and super easy fall treat idea.

Those folks who know me, know how much I like to use cellophane bags when wrapping.  Tying ribbon around the top adds a pop of color to whatever gift is wrapped up in the bag.  I love the look.

Pick out some beautiful apples, they are so plentiful right now, and add individual snack containers of caramel and peanut butter to each bag.

That’s it!

Not much needed to put these together.

The only difficult thing about this, might be deciding what color ribbon to use.  I love black and bright green together.  You could use fall colors!

Over the years when I worked, I loved to put a little surprise on the desk of each of my co-workers before they arrived.

When you are dragging yourself in to start the day, what fun to find a cute, colorful, surprise treat.

If you have ever worked in an office setting, you know that there are times during the day, that a treat is needed for a little pick-me-up!

These treats are, healthy, happy, and “sweet”!

Surprise those in your life, they will love it!

Just a simple way of saying so much, “thank you”, “I appreciate you”, “I love you”!

Hope you all have special “treats” lined up for your weekend.

See ya!