The "smells" of Autumn...

Being a suburbanite, I don't have the opportunity or "gift" to experience a true change of season. I don't see all those amazing bursts of color from the trees, nor do I feel much of a change in the air (it was 99 degrees today). Yes there is that occasional tree that happens to know it's time to drop a leaf, or two and there are those other suburbanistas who put out their Autumn displays of pumpkins, scarecrows and corn, but it's the smells that remind me that Autumn is honest and truly here...it's always smells that really cause a reaction in me.
SWEET CINNAMON PUMPKIN!!!
Now I know it's really Autumn (lol!)

P.S. Thank you Bath & Body Works! Oh, how I love the seasonal scents. The smell is not to heavy or perfume-y, but be warned, it could stimulate a craving for pie.

Let the decorating begin...finally!

So I've been a bit behind in my "Fall Decorating" (okay, more then a bit), mostly because I couldn't find my stuff! Hubby put it away for me last year, and when we went in search of it (Back in the beginning of September!) we couldn't find it. I've been looking ever since. Yesterday I was in the garage, looking for something else, and wouldn't you know it? I found my stuff! It was in a place I know I've checked at least a dozen times before. All I had to do was move the box that was in front of it, just a wee bit more to the right and I would have seen it. Geez! So anyway, I dragged the box out, pulled everything out, made sure no spiders or any other little pest has made the box a home over the past year. Nope! All clear! I dragged the box into the house and today I'll start my decorating. Good thing I can keep my Autumn decorations up until Thanksgiving.

Will you dress up for Halloween?

When I was young, I couldn't wait for Halloween to arrive. I loved being outside when it was dark and watching all the other kids and parents as they Trick or Treated for their candy bounty. I was always a ballerina. Yes! Tutu, tights and all. Of course I couldn't wear my ballet slippers, so mom would let me where my special white patent leather shoes. What a fun night it was.
Now I'm older and it's rare that I dress up anymore...I can't really say why. My kids have fun with it now. Just a few days ago I was going through our closets and found a Halloween costume that belonged to my youngest son. How it managed to stay there and not be passed to someone else, I'll never know. So now, I've got a really cute, plushy giraffe costume listed on Ebay, just waiting to find a new lucky boy or girl to costume. If you want more details, please check it out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HALLOWEEN-GIRAFFE-COSTUME-2T-3T-BOY-GIRL_W0QQitemZ180298770484QQihZ008QQcategoryZ90635QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

From "inspired" to Reality...Thanks Cindy!

One of my favorite blogs to read is Cindy's "My Romantic Home". Well, a few months back she ventured out and while on one of her adventures, she found one of the most appealing stores. In one of her pictures, there was a door panel and it immediately caught my eye. It was made with a fabric that I had hanging in my living area and it was matched with one of he coordinating fabrics. Why on earth I didn't think of this makes me want to kick my own arse (not an easy feat). You see, I'd been struggling for months and months, trying to decide what I would use on that door. It's not the most attractive of doors, but I would never part with it because it is original to my house, and being that there are not many "originals" left, I'd like to preserve what little is left. Anyway, back to the door. The door is located between my picture window and a smaller window that is in our "dining area". The panels that decorate these windows are from Waverly and called "Pantry Plaid-Crimson". I'd bought a matching panel but returned it because it was just to much. Since that time, I'd not been able to find anything that would blend well with the plaid...Until now. Gotta love, love, love Waverly.


With Cindy's permission, here is her photo that just grabbed me.
What a wonderful room isn't it?

Here's my door...
My stepdaughter's mom made it for me. What's really great is I all ready have the tablecloth that matches the floral fabric. I'm not usually one for matchy matchers, but these are two fabrics I really do like a lot. I think I may need to have hubby set the bottom rod just a tad lower so that the "grate" that is hiding behind that panel is completely obscured. There is a metal grate there because there are three panels of glass on this door. With two young sons and three rather rambunctious canines, I dare not leave the glass unprotected (or the kids and dogs either). Oh, and the clock will be rehung about one to two inches lower as well. It's just here because there was all ready a nail set there and I didn't want to create another hole...lazy me.

So? What do you think? (never mind the holes on the door, you don't see them! You really don't! And you don't see those little boy finger smudges either! They are just figmants of your imagination.)

Stop and look around you.....

Living in such fast paced times, where everything seems to be about how fast you can get somewhere or do something, I've realized that I truly need to remind myself to "stop" and take a look at what is around me, lest I miss it.
In the morning, before I get the kids up for school...I spend a moment a watch the sun rise over the mountains in the distance, or I'll stop to watch the birds as they go about their morning business.
Back in April, my family and I were fortunate enough to be able to take a much anticipated and deserved vacation. One of our stops was the Grand Canyon. If ever there was a time to just STOP and take in the beauty and appreciate the awesomeness of God and Nature's creation...it's here, in this place. It's simply breathtaking, and no where else have I ever felt such a moment where the need to just Thank God for his blessings and gifts was so intense. This mighty canyon, in all it's greatness, holds such natural beauty.
So today, after you've gone to church, or cleaned house, or just ran errands. Remember to stop and take in the gift of the beauty that is around you. There is much to behold and to appreciate.

Have a wonderful day.

Pink Saturday...

It's that time again! Yay for Pink Saturday! Pink Saturday is graciously hosted by Bev at "How Sweet The Sound". Be sure to pay her a visit and see who else is "wearing" pink

One Pink Dress of fluff~~~Two Sweet Girls

This dress was made for my eldest girl when she was but 14months old. Yes this little gal is now twenty~three and in her last year of pre-med.
Some years later the dress found a new owner in "baby sister" when she was but 10 months old. This baby girl is now seventeen years old, a senior in high school, and busily applying for colleges.

Where or where does the time go?
I hope everyone has a great Pink Saturday! (and weekend too!)

E-A-T (and got tagged!)

Hi!
I've been busy scoping out new decor and accessories. I can't even begin to tell you how overwhelmed I'm feeling. I don't want to spend to much so I'm really making sure that whatever I choose I better like a whole lot! I'm also finding my creative side. Look what I did! Granted they are not "perfect", but for a "first timer" I'm happy with the way they came out. I really like them. Now I'm just trying to figure out if I should hang them above the window that's over the sink, or if I should hang them over the red shuttered doors that are at the end of the kitchen. Care to share your opinions? Thanks!





Deb, the Garage Sale Gal, tagged me!
It's the fun one. I'm to list 7 things about yourself...random, funny or whatever...Hmmm, let's see...

1. I'm not afraid of spiders. In fact if I see one in my house, I'll rescue it before anyone else sees it, either by picking it right up, letting it crawl on me, or getting a cup and letting it crawl inside. Then I take it outside and deposit it into my front planters. I can't help but wonder how many have come back inside (lol).

2. Even though I was born and raised in the city (suburbs actually), I long for a country home. Somewhere thats quiet. I'd prefer somewhere along the central coast where the pines meet the ocean.

3. I love vegetables and salads.

4. When I was younger I always SWORE I would NEVER, EVER drive a mini van. Guess what. I drive a mini van. LOL!

5. I love dogs and have three right now.

6. I love coffee! I grind my own beans fresh, every day and enjoy two cups every morning.

7. I love classic movies like "Wuthering Heights, The Ghost & Mrs. Muir", and most anything with Gene Kelly.

I know I have to tag others, but I say if you feel like participating and want to share a bit of yourself with us, then please do!

I hope everyone has a FANTASTIC day!