Never Too Early!

 I'm back and I will admit that I had the time of my life but stayed up way too late and am now paying the price! I'm kind of working at slo-mo speed today so I thought I would sit myself down and tell you all about it.

Granddaughters #1 and 3 were here this weekend to replicate some of the memories they have from "Halloween weekends at Nana and Papa's". It always makes my heart so happy when any of my grands start talking about their childhood memories because we truly had some epic times! The girls got in touch with me a bit ago and asked if they could make this happen and nothing could ever please me more so...

They arrived on Saturday morning (after granddaughter #5 and the 2 grand dogs left on Friday night) and we got crafting pretty much right away. I had a number of things for them to choose from and they brought their idea as well. They chose to start with something I had done last year and quickly both put their own spin on it.

By the time these were done, we were moving on to dinner plans. The girls went with turkey "eyeball" meatballs, Halloween salad and mummy garlic bread. 

Me being me, I had to scramble a bit because I forgot that my house isn't currently decorated for Halloween and no self respecting Halloween meal could be served on anything other than Halloween dinnerware. It might not be up to October standards but it fit the bill. LOL

We cleaned up a bit and chit-chatted until VERY late. The next day we made a quick run to Walmart to pick up some things where I was very excited to find yet another "My Texas House" Halloween goodie I had been looking for and then the first of my mums. That isn't what we went for but...Lol We were looking for the framed picture I used last year to "add" the ghosts to but, after having it there for a year, it was completely sold out. I'm guessing that lots of people who saw that go viral last year are wanting to do it just as we were. We did find some that were possibilities and Hannah had also found a few before coming at Goodwill.

When we got home, the girls prepared one of their favorite "old" breakfasts-scrambled eggs and "witches hats"-cinnamon toast cut into points. The meal was delicious but not necessarily the prettiest plate so we skipped the photo op. Lol

Then we were on to the painting. Morgs used the ones we found at Walmart after we managed to get it out of its frame and away from the glass. Hannah used one from Goodwill but took the other home to paint when she has a minute. I love how they both turned out. Unfortunately, we never got a shot of Morg's after it was back in its frame.

And, of course, before they headed home we had to revisit a favorite-the chocolate covered pretzel rods. I'm not the world's biggest pretzel fan but I love these things. Just the perfect combo of salty/sweet. 

And then this morning, just as I was thinking about this week, I got a visit from grandson #2. He had come home from UF to pick up some more things for his dorm and he stopped by to fill me in on how life is going now that he is an official Gator. And it sounds like he is keeping busy and loving his new adventure.

When he headed off, I went into my office to think about where the rest of the day would go. My "new Halloween" pile is beginning to grow and I'm starting to think about where the new things will go. That framed raven picture that I found yesterday will definitely find a spot in the living room with the Poe vignettes.

The dark plum leaves can go anywhere and the pumpkin board has already found its way to the kitchen.

And that just leaves the witch hat pillow front. That is what I was working on as the girls were painting. Making a pillow was in the plans for the day except that no matter which pillow we were going to tackle or how simple it seemed, it took much longer than expected-or even what we had. And so, we came up with an even better solution-the girls are going to find another day they're both free and come back and their mom-my daughter-is going to join in on that fun.

That being said, I am going to go ahead and finish this pillow one day this week, I'm still deciding where to go next with it because it won't work as a functional pillow the way the inspiration was finished-a sprig of dried "sweet annie" and a large, rusty bell. I can't imagine leaning back on either of those things so I am going to see what I can come up with...I'll let you know.

I'm off to plant my new mums and then grab a quick lunch before figuring out the rest of the day. Stay safe and stay tuned.

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.