I finally got to the arboretum in Autumn!
The last time I was there in Autumn, I discovered that my camera was broken when I got home, so all of the great pics I thought I had taken were over-exposed from a broken shutter.
Yesterday I only had a chance to literally run through the place because I arrived less than an hour before closing, but hopefully, I’ll get back there for more pics before all the leaves are gone!
Gold beaded charger plates and white china (retired pattern Alsace by Farberware) with the salad plate swapped out for a lovely leafy pattern plate that harmonizes well with the autumn theme.
I know right now that tree slices as chargers is all the rage in decorating, but for me this is a sentimental accent. These tree slices are from the tree in our yard.
I grew up with this tree and when a hurricane took it down I was heartbroken and I requested some mementos in the form of tree slices. I had no idea what I would do with them, but all these years later and they have finally found a home on our Thanksgiving table.
I fell in love with these white porcelain pumpkins. I’ll admit I am a bit pumpkin obsessed, but these just sent me over the moon. I want more! Here they are sitting on some silk autumn leaves and my beloved tree slices.
See that silverware? Yes, I do too. I swapped it out for gold flatware, but not until after discovering the error in this photo shoot. Details, details!
I’ve wanted to make this meal for so many years, and we finally did it!
There is nothing quite like the October moon.
I have many fond memories of going for evening walks (physical training for a trip to Disney World) and as we would reach a certain point on the road we would round the curve and see the October moon, low in the sky, HUGE and gorgeous.
The crisp Autumn air would dance with the balmy end-of-summer breezes, creating miniature tornadoes swirling through piles of leaves, making orange red and yellow kaleidoscope patterns in mid air.
It’s one of the many sensory delights of the season that remind me that the world is a beautiful place.
Listen to the song ‘Moondance’ by Van Morrison while looking at the October moon this year — it is something everyone should experience at some point in their lives — truly magical.
Pssst!! For those of you who were expecting some coarse humor about the kind of mooning that refers to exposing ones buttocks…I apologize for misleading you. All I can do is offer you this peach as some small consolation.
One of my favorite natural Autumn occurrences is when flocks of black birds flying south for the winter make a stop at our house. It’s always just a little bit scary, but exciting! While they are visiting, the trees are alive with movement. The chatter of the hundreds of birds is like no other sound I have ever heard – it surrounds you.
But the most dramatic moment, by far is when somehow at the exact same moment every single bird decides to fly away.
The loud chattering suddenly goes silent and still and the there is a whooshing sound as they all take flight. Hundreds of them in a perfectly choreographed exit – it’s breath taking.
This annual event definitely inspired this years Halloween decorating.
I love Autumn. I love crisp Autumn days and chilly Autumn nights. With autumn comes shorter days and longer nights and an intense urge to cuddle and hibernate. As the days get shorter I like to brighten up the house with orange twinkle lights to make the house feel cozy and bright. I cannot get enough of that warm glow. It totally changes the feel of the house even with no other decorations.
In the dining room it is the perfect excuse to pull out your ‘holiday’ serving ware so you can enjoy it even when you are not serving a holiday feast. Even the silver trays from the dollar store take on a whole new opulent feel when surrounded by fall leaves and orange lights.
Lighting can really change the mood, and for me it makes it easier to let go of the last bit of summer when I know I get to put up the orange twinkle lights and bring in that warm cozy glow.
The warmth of the light evokes the same emotions as gathering around the cozy glow of a fireplace as we settle in for winter, or an Autumn bonfire for gathering and telling ghost stories.
Here comes another Autumn full of warmth, light and celebration! Enjoy it!
Today is the first day of October, and my Autumn decorating has officially begun.
Though the leaves outside have only just barely started showing a hint of color change, inside the house our fall foliage is at its peak!
Nothing says Autumn like brightly colored fall leaves. Until I find a way to preserve real fall foliage at its peak color, my collection of silk fall leaves will have to do!
Over the years I have collected quite a pile them in the form of leafy garlands, leafy branches and loose leaves. These leaves transform the house into an Autumn wonderland over night.
Whether it is just placing a few scattered leaves on the dining room table or fireplace mantel among other centerpiece items, real or silk fall leaves really bring the Autumn feel into the house with a pop of color, a touch of nature and a hint of texture.
Garlands and leafy branches make it feel like an Autumn celebration every day. I think of the rich Autumn decor from the Van Tassels Halloween party in The legend of Sleepy Hollow.
A fall leaf lit from behind creates a stunning stained glass window effect, which brings me to my most favorite part of fall decorations, Orange Twinkle Lights! (read more about decorating with orange twinkle lights by clicking the link)
For the very first day of Autumn lets enjoy the quintessential cozy-at-home activity — a movie party!
It’s time to cuddle on the couch with warm blanket, popcorn, hot coco and an Autumn movie.
As soon as I saw the commercials for this movie with the vibrant autumn foliage, I knew it would be the perfect autumn movie.
Autumn always makes me feel like a squirrel storing nuts for the winter anyway, so I might as well watch a movie about it!
I love a good theme so here we go! 
The movie: “The Nut Job” (now available on Netflix as well as DVD, Blu-Ray and Digital Download)
The snacks: NUTS! Peanuts, Cashews, Pecans — all served in cocoNUT cups!
This movie is about adorable little animals so we threw in some Animal Crackers as well, and because it’s a movie we HAD TO have popcorn, both the classic hot buttered popcorn, as well as chocolate and caramel drizzled popcorn.
Just to go totally nuts with the theme, we also served almond milk!
Get your cuddle blankets ready folks, the crisp autumn air is reminding us that winter is on it’s way!
