Simple Fall Pleasures

Thank you for your comments on the corn husk dolls! I hope your week is going well. I still can't believe it's November. Partly because it's been so warm, but a cold front is coming in later this week. Today, I thought I would share some simple fall pleasures that I've been enjoying...


Sweet pumpkin potpourri: a gift from my mom.


So tiny!


Orange mums.


Crunchy apples, a basket of new dishcloths and pretty napkins.


New kitchen soaps.


Perfect for all the way through Christmas. If they last that long!


Comforting soups bubbling away on the stove. We enjoyed Mrs. H's Potato Soup last week.


A fall banner inspired by Claudia's beautiful crafting.


Thank you for stopping by for a visit. Are there any simple fall pleasures you've been enjoying lately?

Celebrate October!

Listen! the wind is rising,

and the air is wild with leaves,

We have had our summer evenings,

now for October eves!

-Humbert Wolfe


My favorite month of the year is here!

O suns and skies and clouds of June,
And flowers of June together,
Ye cannot rival for one hour
October's bright blue weather.


It's time for pumpkins, apple cider, falling leaves, freshly baked pies, hayrides, and cozy sweaters.


Today I'm going to celebrate with a cup of hot tea. Constant Comment is a favorite flavor and Cinnamon Stick is delicious, too.


I have my old October issues of Victoria to look through.

There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots
may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on
the feelings, as now in October.
Nathaniel Hawthorne



October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came-
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
George Cooper, October's Party


And I will bake a special treat.

~Apple Fritters~

2 cups self rising flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs well beaten
1 cup milk
2 cups tart apples, chopped

Sift together dry ingredients. Gradually add beaten eggs and milk combined. Refrigerate batter for about 2 hours. Stir in the apples. Drop by tablespoon into hot oil and fry until golden brown. Roll in powdered sugar or a sugar/cinnamon combination.


Benjamin brought me three acorns on Sunday.


Which reminded me of fabric scraps that have been buried in a box for many years. The girls and I have been having fun with an oak leaf and acorn fabric craft. I'll be sure to show you when we are finished.

What are some of your favorite things about October?

Labor Day Weekend

Happy September! Thank you for sharing in the excitement of my recent yard sale find! We are having a quiet long weekend at home, although we did go to a fun pool party on Saturday evening.

Our friends just had a new pool put in and the kids had a great time swimming.


I really liked the waterfall.


But my favorite part of their yard was the beautiful walkway with lush plants and flowers.












I hope you enjoyed seeing these summertime blooms! According to Mrs. Sharp's Traditions by Sarah Ban Breathnach, the first Monday of September the season changes officially from summer to Autumn. Vacation is over, children get ready for school and once again, it's back to work.

Our new school year begins tomorrow and I can't wait to get out my fall decorations. RuthAnn from Warm Pie, Happy Home has an inspiring post on Blessing Your Nest for Fall and she also shares some of her own beautiful fall decorations.

I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day. Please pray for everyone on the gulf coast as Gustav makes landfall in the next hour.

Wedding Pictures

Good Morning! Thank you so much for all of your comments on my fairy garden. Many of you asked where I got the miniatures. I found most of them at Hobby Lobby in the dollhouse section, and Michaels had a small selection near their shadow box frames. I found the stepping stones in with the mosaic supplies.

We had a busy, but wonderful weekend. Here are the wedding pictures I promised to share...


The wedding flowers were dropped off at my house Thursday morning. Such beautiful colors!


These pretty buds opened up into...


these purple flowers.




Lamb's Ear was also used.


The groom's mom came over Friday morning did a wonderful job on the bouquets.


Then it was time to get ready for the ceremony. Grace and Emily wore pale pink dresses with embroidery and sequins.


Grace all dressed up.


She wore the sides of her hair up and I added a ribbon bow.


Emily ready to walk down the aisle.


I braided her hair and then wrapped it in a bun.


My handsome boy, who was so excited about his new suit. Oh, and the fact that he had the real wedding rings in the box he is holding!


The lovely bride.


I love this picture of everyone together.


The reception hall was decorated beautifully with lots of candles and flowers.


And of course the cake!


The groom's chocolate cake.


It was a wonderful time with friends and family and we appreciate the bride and groom letting us share in their special day. Thank you for taking a look and I hope you have a great start to your week!

4th of July Fun

We had a really fun 4th of July cook-out with our family and friends.


Phillip grilled the best burgers and brauts.


We squeezed 20+ people into our house. Sorry about the blurry pictures, I had my camera settings wrong.


Grace made some pink lemonade and we served it in mason jars.


I found this large tub on clearance at Walmart. We filled it up with the jars and lots of ice.


Delicious cold lemonade!


I made Mrs. H's Pasta Salad which was perfect. Thank you for the recipe, Mrs. H!


Even Daisy had a fun day.

Thank you for coming by and taking a look at our weekend celebration!