The Beautiful Colors of Autumn | Don’t Rush Me, I Am Still Enjoying It!
Today I am packing up the fall decor, and tomorrow the house will start to look like Christmas. I love fall, so I am leaving this beautiful season kicking and screaming as I head into December. But for just one more day, I will enjoy my pumpkins! The beautiful warm hues of autumn colors add a welcoming feel to any room or entrance of the home. The spirit of thanksgiving is so refreshing.
I have a few hours left before I start slicing and dicing for pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, and roasted pumpkin for salads. The seeds will be dried for a delicious and healthy snack.
The transition from summer to fall is rewarding. Harvest, where all the work you do in the summer vegetable and fruit gardens is over (for a time), and you reap the benefits of your labor. I love to see the pumpkins with the corn stalks propped up against the garden gate. During the fall, everywhere I look, the beautiful mums burst with color as they are showcased against the backdrop of brown and gold fallen leaves.
Dried flowers and grasses harvested from the summer gardens and nature walks in the woods behind the house resulted in colorful fall displays throughout the house. My friend, Anna Looper of Flower Garden Girl (http://flowergardengirl.com) created a beautiful arrangement using dried Monkey Balls from her summer garden. Anna also has a tutorial for fall decorating with pumpkins and lemongrass to create stunning containers for fall porches and walkways.
Our Thanksgiving Dinner and Tablescape
Our dinner is a traditional southern holiday meal. Smoked turkey and ham, sweet potatoes, creamed potatoes with gravy, fruit salad, green bean casserole, cranberry relish, homemade yeast rolls, and desserts that include German Chocolate Cupcakes, Lemon Pudding with Whipped Cream, and Pumpkin Pies.
We have recipes that readers have shared and even though we are beginning our Christmas decorating tomorrow, in the next few days we will post the recipes, including those for Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Pies, Pumpkin Soup, and Roasted Pumpkin. I know you will enjoy these recipes not only during the holidays, but throughout the year.
Our thanksgiving tablescape was themed around leaves. Napkins were folded in the shape of leaves, then tied with wooden buttons and twine. Placecards made from dried maple leaves had each name written on the leaf with a silver pen. The leaves were secured on top of the napkin to complete the place setting.
Table runners were made using fabric with a design of fall leaves, then backed with brown linen.
The design for the centerpiece included pumpkins, leaves in gold, orange, and yellow, acorn squash, and pine cones. Muscadine vines were woven in and out through the leaves and pumpkins. Pumpkins and mason jars with candles were placed securely on top of a five-tier iron candle holder. The candle holder gave height to the centerpiece, not blocking the view across the table. Continuing the theme, iron lanterns with mason jars and candles completed each end of the tablescape.
Red plates and light green napkins complimented the colors in the centerpiece.
Fall Porches Set the Mood
The porches and entrances to our homes set the stage and mood for what guests will find inside. It is the “home introduction.”
Last year while out on one of my “Backroad Traveler” explorations, I discovered a beautiful homeplace with a porch decorated for fall that brought my car to a screeching halt. I pulled in, rang the doorbell, and was surprised to find an acquaintance greeting me at the door. She was gracious to let me take photos of her beautiful porch and this year I did the same.
Diane J. of Chelsea does a fabulous job of decorating outside the box using leopard print mixed with her traditional fall decor. Incorporating pumpkins, mums, and florals with whimsical characters, Diane creates a charming introduction to her beautiful home. The American flag completes her fall decor, a definite all-American look.
We spent time sharing life stories and when I left, it was one of those uplifting visits you never forget.
Saying Goodbye to Autumn | Hello Christmas
I am thankful for each of you. You make what I do so enjoyable and worth the investment of time. Your comments and private messages make me smile, laugh, and warm my heart. Blessings to all of you!
The series, Fall Decorating Inside and Out, has been fun! Thank you to those who participated by sending photos and contributed ideas. I leave you with a few pictures of my porch before I pack the decorations away for another year.
So, What Are We Doing for Christmas?
My oldest granddaughter asked for a Pioneer Theme for Christmas decorating. In school, she is studying about the pioneers and their way of life. My wheels are turning! I have a lot of ideas. And of course you know it will include burlap! Okay, I am excited about Christmas decorating! I am ready!
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