Tempus Fugit!

We are having a beautiful start to our week. The temperatures are definitely going down-more so overnight and into early morning-but, I will take what I can get! The two dogs are still here so I'm not doing any large projects right now. The biggest thing on my list is to make another big pot of my favorite soup-Martha Stewart Veggie Vermicelli. So, as I was planning my very laid back day, I actually caught a glimpse of the calendar and realized that I don't have much time left with my autumn decor and still haven't finished showing you everything. All we have left are the bathrooms but, never-the-less, I want to get them immortalized on here so I can look back when I need to.

Let's start with the guest bath. I always use this small arrangement here for autumn but, honestly, I am missing the lantern with the timered candle that I have used for the last few months so I think next year this will be changed up a bit.

And my nod to autumn in the primary.

I did swap out the every day candle for an autumn one but forgot to take another picture.

That's all that I have for today. I will need a day or two after the dogs leave to catch up on inside and then I think I will hit outside so, the rest of the week is probably spoken for. Guess that means I will start my Halloween decor next week. I have plans with granddaughter #1 for the weekend of the 25th and then soon after that daughter #1 and I are going up to Gainesville to take my granddaughter out to finish buying some of the smaller pieces of furniture that she still needs for her apartment. When we return from that, I am off to St. Pete. The tickets to see Steve Martin and Martin Short that were Christmas gifts but had to be rescheduled are now scheduled for early October so I will go to that with my daughter and then spend the week at her house until the next weekend when she is hosting an early Halloween get-together with her friends and I am invited. She's talking about possibly doing one of the Halloween painting parties where everyone brings a landscape picture of their own liking and then we will "Halloween" it up by adding ghosts, pumpkins, bats, cats, etc. That sounds like so much fun to me. I don't have a landscape that I would want to use so, somewhere in my very few free days I will have to head out to find one. If all of that plays out, I won't be home again until October 11th or 12th and I can't just be doing my decorating then so next week it will have to be! I am going to try my hardest to soak in every last bit of my autumn decor until then. Once autumn comes down and Halloween goes up, I realize just how quickly my favorite time of year always seems to go! SIGH Stay safe and stay tuned.

I Love Autumn!

Another autumn weekend is in the books and what a time I had! Daughter #1 arrived on Thursday evening after her flight back to Florida. Our plans for Friday were to go to my grandson's football game and celebrate my granddaughter's 24th birthday. Since Kris had been out of state for so long she wasn't totally prepared for Liv's birthday so we headed out bright and early on Friday morning for a day of shopping...and like I have said before, shopping with this one is like being with Oprah-"you get one, you get one...". Lol This time I got the most incredible furry kind of throw blanket in my favorite sage color and another bottle of my favorite autumn hand soap. Believe me, there would have been more if she had her way but one house can only hold so much. LOL!!

In any case, we had a full day finding so many cute things for Liv and just got home and got everything wrapped before Liv had arrived. Gifts were going to have to wait because we were off to dinner. Since we needed to get to the football game, we avoided downtown and the wait times we knew we would have and headed to a favorite Mexican restaurant. The food is always delicious and tonight was no exception. And, since they knew it was Liv's birthday, they surprise her with a treat. None of us actually expected it but boy were we glad they did. They brought out a homemade caramel ice-cream with whipped cream. I am not much for sweets but this stuff was delicious. Luck for us they brought out three spoons. Lol

Our timing was perfect and we got to the field right about kick-off time. The weather was what you dream of for a Friday night-a gentle cool breeze the entire time and not a cloud in the sky. Although the Celtics didn't take the win, Hudson played like a pro and we had a super fun time cheering them on and laughing with everyone in the stands. It was a wonderful night. 

Since the next day was Liv's "real" birthday, we decided to watch a movie when we got home and save gifts until then. I don't have pictures of that fun to share because, since she just recently started law school and has been super busy getting acclimated, we let her sleep in and then open her presents still in her PJs and no make-up but, suffice it to say, she was excited and very appreciative of everything.

By the time they both had to head home, we had my other two grand dogs here while their family-daughter #3 and her gang-were in Connecticut for grandson #1's football game. It was Parent Weekend so they couldn't miss that but, let me say, three large dogs are a handful. I love them all but a bit glad that I didn't have all three for the 10 days.

Now it is down to just the two dogs and me and we are getting back on a bit of routine-as routine as I can be with two large dogs still here. Lol

I'm going to give myself a bit of a calm day before hitting the ground running again tomorrow. Lots to catch up on but it will all still be there waiting I am sure. Stay safe and stay tuned.

Know When To Hold 'Em...

 As the song goes "Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. Know when to walk away, know when to RUN"! This is without a doubt a "know when to run" situation! Sometimes I surprise myself and things turn out just as I had in my head and other times? Well, you know!

I had that cute vintage witch image that I had printed and was pondering what to do with her. My first thought was to make a vintage collaboration like I did last year in the small cauldron but to make it different, I thought I would do it in a tin can this time. Here's last year's project.

I had visions of all kinds of cute ephemera stuck in a decorated can so I gathered up lots of my Halloween stash.

And then, for whatever reason, I decided that since I have so many of the peat pot vintage things-which will be very similar to the tin can, maybe I could kind of accomplish the same feel in that black frame I picked up at $Tree.

I started out by wanting the image a bit thicker so I did the foam core trick. I glued her on to the foam, cut her out and then touched up the edges in black.

Then I chose a simple orange and black paper that I thought made the image "pop" the most. I removed the glass, glued the paper on the backing of the frame and put it all back together-without replacing the glass.

And then you might be able to tell where my frustrations began because I didn't take any more pictures. I was too busy first trying an idea and then very quickly discarding it! LOL I really thought it would be cute to have all sorts of the ephemera sticking out from under the witch-who I raised with my trusty $Tree "jenga" blocks-and bobbing all around. I'm not sure if that was just a bad idea or if I just executed it badly but, none of that was working! And so, before the whole thing goes in the trash, I am stopping here and will sit on it for awhile. The more I look at it, the more things are bothering me! 

At this point I'm feeling the definite need to RUN!! I'll let you know what happens. 

Well...I went and had some lunch and then took my grand dog out for some exercise as well as a good brushing and by then I had a bit of a clearer head so I went back to this. I think I knew from the very beginning that I was having a problem with the pipe cleaners. I had thought that the combination of orange and black would be good but, for me, it was just the opposite. And so, I untwisted them and cut off the orange. I also didn't like the big spider. I don't think it's that they had orange but rather the shade of orange that it was. They definitely fought with the background paper!

I liked that better and thought I would stop there until I realized that when I glued the big spider on I put a spot of glue on his foot that touched the witch's shoe. Of course, when I pulled him off that big glob of glue stayed put and even with the old "melt it off with the tip of the glue gun" trick, it didn't work. I could pull it off and tear off some of her shoe image or leave it melted and not looking great. And so, I knew I had to cover that area with something.

Of course, once something starts out like this, at least for me, things seem to go downhill and so it went. I made a cute pleated medallion that you see so often in vintage designs but, I had to use a patterned paper because card stock was too stiff for such a thin fold and, once again, I just felt like the oranges fought each other. Then I tried a few other things and then some pre-made small signs and nothing looked right. I finally settled on this. I gave it a rub with distressing ink, put it on and am calling it a day!

Is it better than it was? Absolutely. Do I love it? Absolutely not but, if I am going to try to do most of the vintage in the family room this year, I can probably find a spot for it. We shall see. Stay safe and stay tuned.

I'm back! As I was putting my mess away, I happened to spy this small sign in the bottom of the box. The color spoke to me. I wasn't entirely happy with the other sign I used so I'm giving this one a try and I think I may be getting close. I am definitely sensitive to color. Let's try this for now!

And, look what arrived. The picture daughter #2 ordered for me is perfect for the living room and the sandwich board can go on the bottom shelf of one of the consoles. I am starting to get excited for my Halloween decor although it does always make me sad to take down autumn.

I'm off again!

Simple Pleasures

 I hadn't actually meant for this to be a post but then I got on a roll and decided to share. I have told you many times that I love chippy, rusty things. I have for a very long time but I don't think I ever really thought about when it started. And then this morning, as I was walking through my bedroom, I looked at the autumn candelabra I have on my dresser-more about that in a minute-and realized that that might have been my first real purchase of rusty goodness that I have. It was from a VERY long time ago...way before everyone was pursuing rust.

About that candelabra. I saw it at a new store we had downtown. It was actually a high-end candy shop that carried Jelly-Bellys by the pound-and EVERY flavor they made. They also sold beautiful Jelly Belly dispensers that looked like gumball machines. Our oldest daughter was addicted to those jelly beans and for one of her birthdays we thought we would surprise her with a beautiful antique brass dispenser filled with her favorites. And, that was how I found my way into this shop. I'm not much of a candy fancier so I might not have ever been there except for that.

In any case, I chose what I wanted and as they were ringing me up, I looked on a shelf behind the counter and saw the most beautiful candelabra-all rusty and entwined with autumn leaves. I actually thought it might just be a decor item but when I asked, I was told it was for sale. And then they told me the price and I almost fell over and left with just what I had gone in for.

That night at dinner I was telling my husband about the store and the candelabra that I found. We were excited for our daughter to see her surprise and that was about the end of it...until a few days later when my husband returned from a work day with a large bag and handed it over to me...and, it was the candelabra. He could see how enthralled I had been with it and couldn't stand for me not to have it. I was then and am still in love with it. But, it is large and for whatever reason, I have never found room for it in my autumn decor although it does come out for Thanksgiving.

I just happened to think of it the other day and brought it in determined to find a place for it but I really couldn't so that is when it found its way to my bedroom dresser. In front of the mirror is not the best place for it but it is there for now. The leaves that are on it have been replaced a few times but I am still so in love with that rust. Now that I think back on it, this may be the first piece that started my husband on his infamous question "how much did they pay you to take that old thing off of their hands?". Lol

In any case, that set me off on a search for other rusty treasures that are out now and every time I thought I had found them all, another popped up. Here's what I found so far.

I still don't know what it is about rust but I will always go in that direction if I can. I guess I just like the simple things.

And, speaking of simple things, these flowers that daughter #2 brought the other day just keep getting prettier and prettier as they open more and more. It's funny how a simple bouquet of flowers can put a smile on my face every time I look at it.

So that's it. Nothing really earth shattering...just a quick glimpse into my simple life. Lol Stay safe and stay tuned.

Where We Go From Here....

 Where we go from here is anybody's guess. For whatever reason, no real inspiration was coming for this craft and I just needed to be done with it so, I gathered what I already had and sat down and just started.

I decided that since so many of the vintage characters have those ruffled crepe paper collars I would go ahead and add one to the wood round I decided to use. I could have "sewn" the paper to make a more even ruffle but again, my heart just wasn't in this today. I just squirted on some hot glue and used my fingers and the little glue tool to "squish" the paper into ruffles.

Then I glued on the Halloween scrapbook paper I had chosen just using Tacky glue. I'm not sure why this paper spoke to me out of all of those that I have but after getting a closer look I realized that this paper has the same kind of faux "crackle" effect that the cat has. Neither of them are very pronounced yet they are there. The paper also has the cat eyes and small spiders so it's cute but I think it was the colors and the scale of the design that made me chose it.

Once that was dry, I had to decide on the trim. At his point I had already ruled out a black tinsel and a thinner vintage silver tinsel. I draped these two on and again, for whatever reason, I decided to go with the orange/black/ clear "tinsel" that I bought a number of years ago at my favorite shop in Micanopy. In the past I have used it in my decor as a base for other things but it has been in my Halloween stash for awhile now so I decided it was time to let it have its day. Lol

Once I had that all hot glued on I added some $Tree "jenga" blocks to raise the image...

...and here we are. The only problem is that I have no idea where to go next. I didn't add a hanger because I don't know if it will. It really shouldn't lean because it will bend the ruffle on the bottom but...???

And so I wait...and so do you. You'll be the first to know if this craft fail challenge ever finds a home. Lol Stay safe and stay tuned.

What a Night!

 As they say-there is NOTHING quite like a Friday night local football game in the south! We take our football seriously and, of course, when someone you love is out there on the field, it is even that much more special!

So while daughters #1 and 3 are up north for grandson #1's game today against New England University, the rest of us represented at grandson #2's game here in town. This is THE game they have been talking about for months because it is not only against an in-town rival and a private school vs a public school but, TC's coach for the last 20 years or so on and off has been John Brantley. Coach Brantley is well known here because he actually graduated from Forest HS before going on to play successfully for UF as a Gator. Last year he stepped down as the TC coach and accepted a position at Forest. And so, lots of our boys have actually been coached by and played for Coach Brantley in the past. It just kind of made a local rivalry even the stronger!

I have NEVER seen anything like last night. The traffic getting on campus was backed up forever. Once you actually made it onto campus, they actually had it rather well organized and had ushers pointing the way to the next available spot as the parking lots filled and closed one by one.

Daughter #2 and I lucked out. Even though we left the house with lots of time by the time we were finally there and parking, the National Anthem was playing. We ended up parked way over by the practice field but, if you were familiar with the campus, and we were, you knew a shortcut and it took no time at all for us to get in and find a seat.

The newspaper predicted a close game and said the final result may come down to the last few seconds and they couldn't have gotten it any more correct! It literally took to the last seconds for us to hold them from one more score which could have potentially ended the game 17-16 in their favor!

My grandson plays center and "something" else? I'm never sure,,,and he did so well! His snaps were right on the money! I have cheered at many a game but I don't think I have ever cheered as long or as loud as last night!!! It's definitely more fun to WIN!!!

This is the side of the field that NEVER has cars-they were using every available bit of ground last night!

This is his photo that hangs in the stadium-they always highlight their seniors. Not sure why he has on a #17 in this picture because he plays as #55 now but I'm sure there is a story and I will have to remember to ask.

And, while that was going on here, this was going on in Gainesville.

Watching the world go by!

My grand dog is up with his "sister" having a visit. He was supposed to come home today but since he isn't here yet and she is going to the Gator game, I'm guessing he will stay another night. She is loving having him and showing him off to her friends. I've got to admit that I am missing my pal-not sure what I'm going to do now that the house is empty again but I'll let you know. I know I won't go hungry as daughter #2 brought me lots of my favorite food as well as some beautiful flowers and then let me know that she has ordered me not only some of my favorite autumn Yankee candles that I have had trouble finding but also a witch photograph for my living room Halloween decor that she heard me talking about. Now I won't have to worry about cutting the legs off of the other picture and can use it where I had originally intended. I am spoiled...it's like Christmas around here. Stay safe and stay tuned.

I'm Back!

 I'm back before I thought I would be. Just when you think you have a plan, something comes along and changes it. I truly thought I would be here next showing you my vintage image results. But, alas, that is not happening. I thought I had enough foam core to make the two images but, I found that I don't-only have enough for one. And, likewise, the wooden round. I have played around a bit with what I do have but I am finding that not knowing where these will be used or even how-hung? leaner? in a wreath????-is really complicating my thought process. And so, I have decided to wait until next week to readdress the issue.

Daughter #2 is coming this afternoon. She and I are covering-along with my son-in-law and granddaughter #5 grandson #2's first home football game tonight while daughters #1 and 3 are up north covering grandson #1's first game. Phew!!! Got that straight? During sport seasons-especially with three kids that play-the logistics get a bit complicated!

Tonight's game here is going to be a BIG one. We are not only playing a local team-and it's private school vs public school so that makes a difference-but, the coach of the other team was our coach for many years and he just left. He is now coaching at his high school alma mater so I get it but the anticipation is already running high! And with both teams being local, a sellout is expected!

That being said, I am hoping daughter #2 and I can run to a few stores tomorrow and maybe I will find just what I am looking for to finish-or at least get a coherent idea-for my images. Here's where I am right now! Lol No judgement!

I was thinking of a black crepe paper ruffle around the outside and then some vintage tinsel but, again, that may not work if this is going to hang. I spied that witch and she's another image I remember from my childhood so I printed her out...hoping I can find somewhere to use her this year as well.

In any case, since that is all I have to share with you on that front, I thought we could go back and pick up the porch. I was really hoping that by now all three mums that I bought maybe two weeks ago would be open and blooming but the only one really showing off so far is the purple one and it was a bit open when I bought them. One of the oranges is JUST beginning to open and the other is still totally closed. I know these are garden mums and will go for a long time once they start so I'm OK with this but, long story short, we're just going to go with the photos I took back then because no sense in new photos if there is no change.

And that is it for this year's porch. I didn't hang the autumn leaf garland around the door as usual. I actually kind of miss it and have headed to get it a few times but then I stop myself. I'm trying to go by the "less is more" theory...sometimes I can, sometimes I can't. So far on this issue it seems that I can but I'm betting that when the Thanksgiving decor comes out it will make a reappearance. Lol

That's it for today. I just heard from granddaughter #4 who will be coming down this afternoon as well. She is going to "borrow" my grand dog-her canine brother- and take him back to her apartment in Gainesville for an overnight visit and introduce him to her new room mates who seem to have heard so much about him that they want to meet him. These two are bosom buddies so I know he will have a good time and she will enjoy her time with him!

I'm off to start thinking about tonight. Not sure where the rest of the weekend will take me but I'll be back soon. Stay safe and stay tuned.