Quiet Day

 I'm back sooner than I expected because my plans for today have changed. I had a very long to-do list now that the dogs and I would have a quiet day at home but I must have done something to my knee yesterday and I am walking around with a very uncomfortable limp-and, the more walking I do, the more things are hurting because of my off center gait I assume. And so, I decided to take a few more pictures and sit down to get this blog out to you. After that, I think I will be down with my feet up for the rest of the day...we shall see.

In any case, I did manage to get these pictures without too much of the Velcro dogs in the background. These two are up and at my side if I even shuffle in a chair so accomplishing much is a bit tricky. Lol Welcome to the kitchen.

Even though this framed piece has the book stack and would normally be in my living room, I thought it would look nice here because of its size.

And I still LOVE my pumpkin enameled cast iron Dutch oven so much. It will actually be out for the next three months and that makes me so happy!

 

There is just something about the deep tones of autumn that feel so calming.

I brought back this print from the late summer kitchen decor and used it on the top shelf of the baker's rack instead of a canvas that I used to put here. Once I brought in that dark brown squatty vase I just felt as if something "moody" instead of "cutsie" needed to be here. And I like the pop of orange that last year's pumpkin coquette brings to pop out that bit of orange in the print.

And, of course, some of my favorite Fitz and Floyd pieces. I never tire of them. They just speak autumn to me.

So that is it for this year's kitchen. I had to snap these pictures while granddaughter #5 was still in school because once she gets home, things in this room definitely become more "lived in". Lol

I think I have shared one or two of these before but I want to get them all in the same post. It seems that no matter how old your children-or grandchildren-get, first day of school pics are a must.

Presley ready to head off for her first day-very early-as in still dark. They have a senior gathering of some kind right after sun up and before school starts when she will of course need to change into her uniform. Both of her brothers were still in town to see her off.

Then her brother started his his year at the University of Florida...

...and her oldest brother started his senior year at the US Coast Guard Academy....

...and her cousin started her second year of law school at UF.

I'm so proud of all of them and we have lots of exciting things coming our way this year. I know it will be over in the blink of an eye but I am going to try to savor each and every one!

That's it for me today and I probably won't be back until after our "Halloween weekend" when I know I will have lots to share. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.

Popping In!

 Hello. Just popping in on yet another "monsoony" day! I know I have told you how much I am OVER the heat but now, after being on severe drought for the beginning of the summer, we are being washed away-every day! I can't even tell you how happy that I am that I got my autumn decor out because otherwise, I would be even more grumpy than I am! LOL

In any case, just a quick pop in to show you two tweaks that I think I mentioned I might be thinking about.

The first is the "new"-not sure when I should stop calling it "new" as it has been there for quite awhile but...-shelf unit in the living room. When I first got that unit, I didn't really have things to go in the cubbies and being such a symmetrical person, I felt like the two side cubbies should match. For whatever reason, I latched onto the peat pot idea and made some for almost every season/holiday...and, for a bit I was OK with them. Then, they started looking "flat" so I added the candlesticks at Christmas and then just left them because they add to the glow at night even though they might not add that much during the day. Then I started adding the books as risers and what-nots and, again, I was OK for a bit but this swap out left me less than excited. Here is where I started.

It was bothering me so I began to play with it a bit-sorry, no pictures-until daughter #1 was here this past weekend and I mentioned it to her. Believe me, she was more than happy to add her designer input. LOL

She actually didn't have the same adverse opinion of the peat pots as I did but she does NOT like the symmetrical look of the two cubbies like I do. She "shopped" my house and couldn't really find what she would have used but I think what she did find is good and definitely looks better than my last attempt. What do you think? If nothing else, it is more interesting. I guess from here on out I will need to be on the hunt for cute, smallish things for the cubbies.

She's not a fan of the candlesticks-and, honestly, neither am I but I do love the glimmer at night. And so, for now, this is where we are.

And then there is this little cutie. I was still having trouble with how bright the orange was even though I coffee stained it so I tried giving it a nice rubdown with my Tim Holtz walnut distressing ink and that didn't do it either so I whipped up more of the strong coffee mixture and soaked him once again.  And, I think I can handle it now...until I can't and try something else. Lol

He's supposed to look old and primitive so I think he might not be there just yet but he is getting closer.

That's all I've got for today. It looks like we have a couple minute break in the torrential rain so I am going to take my grand dogs out for a bit and then await the return of granddaughter #5 who is staying with me this week. We had a fun night last night and it sure brings back memories of my "girl mom" days. Stay safe and stay tuned.

Ahhhhh Autumn

I'm sure those of you who know me know that this just HAD to happen. I have never been a summer gal but I can usually tolerate it just for the sake of embracing four seasons. But, this year may have done me in! I know I say it every year, but this year has been the worst! Between "feels like" temps and thunder storms, outside time was few and far between-at least enjoyable outside time! And so, I held off as long as I could but I could hold off no longer!

And here we are...autumn has arrived and as long as I don't open a door, I can pretend that it is happening and I can bask in this beautiful season with all of the looks and smells even if the "feels" haven't quite caught up. Lol

I'm still waiting for mums for the front porch so let's start in the living room.

The only change I made here is that I took down the old fashioned mailbox that usually hangs here because, no matter how I arranged the leaves, most of the mailbox was covered and just no longer working in this vignette.

I made the raven canvas and added it to a frame last year and put him above the dough bowl with the raven "light" that daughter #3 gifted to me. I think the image echoes the bowl perfectly.

I love that the raven holds the light bulb in his beak-it definitely shows up better at night and adds just a touch of sparkle to this area.

 I added the pick of velvet pumpkins to the leaves last year and I love the way they look.

 

Look! Do you see what's there? My daughter just dropped off my grand dog along with the second of my chairs. Now I have the pair and I am so excited!

Here's my furry friend. No matter how I coaxed or cajoled, I couldn't get him out of this picture. Lol

As I'm looking at the picture I am realizing that the green books just look too level and flat. I have a few more so I think I will be tweaking this spot soon.

It was near impossible to get a good picture of this cutie. I shut the drapes, turned it and stood right in front of it and I couldn't block all of the glare no matter what. But, this is another of those stacked book images. I just might have one for about every holiday but I am obsessed with them for some reason.

I added one of the new autumn candle rings under the tin pumpkin. That guy was "tin" colored for many years until I added the gold leaf plate last year and it just didn't look right any more. Nothing that a quick swipe of gold Rub n' Buff couldn't fix.

It's kind of hard to see here but this is the wood pumpkin from HL. I just broke off the stem, added a stained wood candle cup, some foliage and the candle and it's really cute.

I still love my "autumn" sign that is now over the mirror. It has hung in many places over the years since I bought it at SteinMart-remember that store? I used to love shopping there and my store was in the same plaza as where our Michaels used to be right by our largest Walmart. I could definitely "kill lots of birds with one stone" there. I loved that SteinMart was so seasonal/holiday not just with their home things but also their clothing and jewelry.

When I bought this sign it was all in black and white but I felt like it needed a bit of help so I used my oil pastels to add the shades of orange to just some of the pumpkins and now I feel like it pops a bit more.

So that is the living room for this year-so far. You know everything is always open to tweaking and I think I am ready to start rethinking the cubbies on the shelf unit. I just might be over the peat pots-we shall see.

My grand dog not only brought me my chair but another little gift to thank me for watching him. I actually think he may be buttering me up for another extended visit in a few weeks. LOL If he only knew how much I enjoy having him here. I really don't need any gifts but I won't say no to this one.

It will go perfectly with the one that I made at my daughter's Halloween get-together last year.

After being reminded of this I might run to Walmart to pick up two more of their small "paintings" for my granddaughters to embellish when they visit. These things are cute.

Our storm has finally tapered off so I am heading out with Bennett to give him some exercise before we sit down, put our feet up and wait for daughter #1 to return from her day in Gainesville. Stay safe and stay tuned.