AUTUMN TABLESCAPE...MY ALL TIME FAVORITE

It is a fact....I started out with no idea what
I envisioned for the farmhouse table....
I could not come up with the colorstory,
the dinnerware I wanted to use or the linens....
I went from hither to yon on thinking about this.... 
I know,,,it's the kind of thing I think about
when I want to challenge my design creativity.....

Here's the thing...
creating a fall tablescape is a wonderful way to
bring the warmth and beauty of autumn into our homes...
I did know that this was the final piece I wanted
to complete for the season...and I
wanted to wait until the first day of October to work on it....
So, when I think of October, which is my all time favorite month
of the year, I think of the woods in fall....the smells, 
the rich colors, the smells of woodsmoke in the wind...
and it captured my image right then and there....

I had my colorstory......
I added a few new pieces to ones I already owned....
I wanted wam colors, a blend of textures and an organic theme....

Here is a design tip~begin with a beautiful tablecloth or runner in warm, earthy tones,
then layer in natural textures—wood, woven baskets, linen napkins, and ceramic dishes.
 Add the colors of the season with deep blues, warm browns, rust, amber, and muted gold.

For the centerpiece, I wanted natural elements with
beautiful pumpkins, dried leaves, pinecones and seasonal branches...

I like to tuck in a few candles for a seasonal glow and scent...
one being vintage brass

Rather than making everything perfectly symmetrical,
 let the arrangement feel natural and collected
—as though you brought little treasures from an autumn walk to the indoors.


Finish each place setting with a folded linen napkin, a sprig of greenery or dried foliage, and

As always, I add an heirloom piece from my grandmother....
For this vignette, I chose to add a vintage bud vase
from Roseville Pottery....
this is called the Snowberry Blue Budvase, created in 1947.
Roseville Pottery was established in Roseville, Ohio
and operated from 1890 until 1954.

I also wanted to incorporate Toile and my few pieces of 
black and white transferware....

I came across some lovely toile plates to serve as a charger plate
which coordinated with this pattern beautifully.....

And, added a stunning cake stand by Janine Graff....

 The result should feel warm, welcoming, and a little bit nostalgic—
a table that invites everyone to linger over a delicious fall meal and
enjoy the simple pleasures of the season.

PAMPERED CHEF BANANA BREAD

 Hello Kindred Spirits...

our days are becoming cooler and it's been

rather enjoyable sitting outdoors in the afternoon....

I love watching the children walk home from school which

is all contained within the neighborhood...

and it's safe.....

I love seeing the school bus drive by and wonder if

everyone had a good day..

I find it rather sad, that these days, there are no books in school...

the teachings are all on line and managed through an APP...

The older I become, the more I think fondly of the times

in which I grew up.....thankful for these memories....

I have a friend who's family tradition is to cook all their favorite holiday foods
as they gather on Christmas Eve.
Each family member prepared their favorite recipe and her father makes
the Banana Bread which was featured by the Pampered Chef!
That is a version I had yet to try, so today was the day....

I decided it was time to add fairy lights to the mantel as the night
comes a bit earlier these days and I absolutely love it....
it's just stunning and feels so festive!

This is fall break over in Atlanta so the family
is off visiting college campuses for potential
higher education....hard to believe it's time for that,
but it's so exciting!

Lucille is such a girly girl.....a little precious.....
she loves finding sun puddles in the afternoon
and takes a nap in the warmth....

This creates a beautiful quick bread,,,,,would make a lovely
gift to share with family and friends during the holidays

PAMPERED CHEF BANANA BREAD

I am planning the fall garden and am planting something new to me....
while down in Austin, I noticed the most beautiful shrubs with yellow
blossoms which were mixed with pink Lantana....
I fell in love.....

Texas Yellow Bell Bush Trumpet Flower

So, we are still decorating, still making each day special,
still tending to the garden, and so grateful for it all!

AN AUTUMN AFTERNOON

There are memories of fall that I hold dear.....
the days were cool enough for wool skirts and cardigans...
the neighbors were out raking leaves and
Mother's vegetable soup was simmering on the stovetop...
the yearly debut of the Wizard of Oz was coming
and all seemed right with the world.....

An ordinary October day has a quiet kind of beauty



The day can move at an unhurried pace....
simple things add charm

My thoughts can turn toward planning our

Thanksgiving gathering....

I can spend time planning on the appetizers

and the tablesetting

Fall baking is pure comfort food...
making pumpkin cinnamon rolls from a loaf

of frozen bread dough....

Tollhouse cookies are freshly baked and placed on a fall platter

 Spice Cake with PUMPKIN and the muffins are drawing you

toward the aroma found in the kitchen...

Jack O' Lanterns are carved and being put
on display, along with mums and scarecrows as
we prepare for Halloween....

Suddenly you see, that the quiet beauty of Autumn is all around you....

GLIMPSES OF SLOW AUTUMN DAYS

The October days....aren't they just marvelous?
The days have been gorgeous and the days
have been perfect weather,,,it's amazing
what peace you can find in spending afternoons
outside and enjoying nature......
Ir's good to be a homebody these days.....

 

This post is not about big news or living large....
it's more about living well....
finding enjoyment in small things....
I added a beautiful autumnal banner to the mantel...

Along with a lovely piece of artwork....

Yes, I am planning the Thanksgiving gathering....
I love finding the perfect paper goods for the appetizers....

The Thanksgiving table centerpiece is still in the early
planning stages...I think it will be a showstopper....

I came across an Instagram post of Crab Rangoon appetizers

so I tried them out to see if they would be added to our gathering

but..honey....we voted them to be tasteless....

this is why I try something new out beforehand....

they did not make the hit parade....

It was an afternoon for baking....
a delicious Pistachio Cake.....

There will always be freshly baked  goods in the kitchen

With our few days of a good rain and cooler weather,
the plants have been revived.....

I  have purchased four pumpkins so far...

All different shapes and sizes....

I always will remember the days of porch sittin' at my grandparents....

It's good to be grateful...

I have had these little pumpkin candles for years,
and they found their spot for this season....

I LOVE HALLOWEEN....    
it's time to find my Wizard of Oz mug and enjoy
some Spiced Tea.....

FALL PORCH DECOR

The fall weather has arrived...I kept the faith
that one morning, we would actually feel the coolness
and those hot summer days were gone until next year...
we even had a few rain sprinkles which made my
plants perk up and take notice......

This was the day, to decorate the back porch for autumn....

It's always official, when the new garden flag goes out on display

I so love the new pillow covers for this year....

I love dreaming about hayrides, the pumpkin patches and apple picking....
I can think about my younger days and growing up in the 60's,
I could look out my bedroom window and watch the wind blow
all the leaves around the yard. and see the halloween decorations
throughout the neighborhood,,,,it was a magical time....

On one particular morning, I enjoyed the first cup of coffee
on the porch just taking in the sights and smells of nature...
it was just blissful....

I feel so grateful for having this beautiful outdoor space to enjoy

It's cool enough now, to buy some actual pumpkins to place
around the garden...

It's such a fun project to tuck in whimsical items for the season

The menu included my homemade potato salad along with
barbecue pork sandwiches...good for watching football......

I have one last area to decorate and then, I can call it done!
October will have arrived and I plan on celebrating each and every day!
How about you?
Are you filling up on Pumpkin Spice and Apple Cider?