Nearing the Finish Line

 I'm back. I had another fun change of plans come in this morning so my tomorrow just filled up and, since I will be out of town very soon, today seems the perfect time to take you into the family room before time is gone! I made a number of changes in this room this year but I wasn't entirely happy with them and my plan had been to go back and tweak....but, as seems to happen so often this time of year time got away from me and it really is silly to take everything apart and rebuild now. My plan currently stands at trying to remember what I didn't like and figure it out next year. Lol

This cross stitch witch used to be in the living room but I brought her here this year and also brought in the witch candle holder-which is hard to see in this picture. In my younger years I was obsessed with cross stitch . Back then we had a number of nice stores that catered to needlework and holiday designs were abundant! I was SO busy back then that I'm really not sure where I found the time but I do remember it being very calming to me and I think if I was sitting still, I probably had a hoop and needle in my hands.

I bought this "pumpkin man" centerpiece many years ago at a favorite shop down in Indian Rocks Beach. Daughter #1 and I made a trip there every time I was visiting her. It was chock full of home decor and holiday/seasonal delights. The owner was a flower arranger so many of the things included florals and were one of a kind. I was so sorry to see the shop close when the owner decided it was time to retire and no one else took it over. This guy used to be in the living room but since this room seemed to take on more of the vintage vibe while the living room went to solely witches and Poe, he moved in here to join the other pumpkin men

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So this area was my biggest mistake this year. I haven't liked the garlands on the Halloween mantel for several years so I think I told you when I saw this droopy black garland from "My Texas House", I snatched it right up. And I was excited to get it hung. Hanging things on this mantel is a challenge-especially when these VERY fragile Mercury lights are involved. I swear they break if you just look at them. Lol

In any case, after a good bit of time-and probably a few not so nice words-I got everything up there and situated where nothing was going to fall when I stepped back and realized that I just didn't like it. The mantel itself is too dark for this garland. If it was white or anything lighter, I think I would love it...but just not now.

And it was with that in mind that I grabbed yet another of these garlands. My brilliant idea is to use these two across the outside of the front window. That window is larger and there won't be quite as much hanging down-not to mention that the garland that is currently there has just seen better days and sheds more needles during every breeze than it still has on its branches.

That would leave me one garland for here that could go along the top of the mantel and my plan was to add black creepy cloth hanging over the lights.

Definitely NOT going to happen this year. Lol

This was my next faux pas. I love the droopy wreath and thought it would look cute over the round mirror with the vintage cat sign I made last year nestled in...and it is OK but, just OK. I'm not sure if maybe a string of battery powered fairy lights would help? Oh well, at this point I now have a whole year to think about that. LOL

I love this pumpkin. I bought him at Williams inside Lunch on Limoges down in Dade City many, many years ago. It was literally the FIRST faux pumpkin I had ever seen-and, quite honestly one of the most realistic still. This was way before any other stores were selling these things. It was not inexpensive but it is so realistic and I have used it in my decor for three months a year ever since!!

I put the clock that I found at Grandin Road here in the corner this year instead of on the mantel and I actually haven't even put any batteries in it yet. Without any little ones around any more the "scary noises" aren't quite as desired...in fact, they can get get annoying when I'm the only one here getting scared. LOL 

This cutie found its way out here this year.

I still love this guy too. He was a knock off that I made after seeing one just like it in the Grandin Road Halloween catalog and knowing I could reproduce it for much less than the well over $200 they were asking! 

My grandchildren always came to our house for a weekend before almost every holiday during the year. It gave their parents a chance to have a weekend "off" and gave the cousins a chance to truly bond and be more like siblings-not to mention the quality time that Nana and Papa adored!!

We filled the weekends with crafting, cooking, baking, games, movies, etc. all geared to that month's theme. And one of the things we always tried to do was make something that could be given as gifts to the family and if it was something that held a photo, all the better. I think we made one of these stacked block holders for more than one holiday.

 I love how this picture of granddaughter #5 so closely resembles the little girl on the holder. 

And this is an all-time favorite. We shaped the witch hat out of black air-dry clay and once it was dry, we embellished it. It was so simple yet all of the recipients loved it!

That is pretty much the family room. I especially love being in this room at night once all of the candles click on.

That's it for today. Daughter #2 is coming to spend the day tomorrow so I want to get a few things done before then. I think we might just have a few more stops on our tour for this year so I will be back before I head out of town. Stay safe and stay tuned.