Pumpkins on the Patio

It's a beautiful fall day here in Alabama. 
That means temperatures in the 80's.  What a nice day to enjoy my terra cotta pumpkins on the porch.  It's too warm for a fire, but I'm enjoying this area of my yard without the benefit of the flames.

 There's a little breeze blowing so it's quite nice this afternoon.

 

 

I have planted a few pansies for when we have cooler weather.

 

 

I'm ready Halloween--

it will be here before we know it.

 

 

Now have you seen these at your local Wal-Mart? 

 Yes!  It's a vintage-style olive bucket planter! 

It's not as tall as my genuine olive bucket, so it is

perfect for the pot of mums that came with the bucket.

Aren't they just wonderful together?

Just right for enjoying on a fall afternoon.

 

 

I have a pot of rosemary on the table between the two chairs. 

 I love the smell of rosemary--so relaxing!

The comfy cushions are from World Market.

 

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Joining the Party at:


 

The Scoop at The Farmhouse Porch






Nifty Thrifty Tuesday with Coastal Charm


Our Christmas

I have not posted all the things that I had envisioned posting for the month of December.  I got off to a great start with two posts and then I'm not really sure what happened*.

I am a new blogger and I had dreamed of cozy posts of my Christmas decorations and seasonal events. I had dreams of joining blog link parties and reading everyone else's fun posts....but it didn't happen.

So here is a quick and belated tour of our home for Christmas.

This is my coffee table in my family room.

This is the view from our sofa in the family room.

The details of my mantle.

I got this sled last year on etsy. I love it.

Part of my Santa needlepoint pillow collection.

The desk in my family room.

The tree in our family room.

A table in my family room.

My German chocolate mold on my kitchen counter.

This is the table in my kitchen.

I found the Santa's Diner plates at Hobby Lobby last year and I couldn't resist!

My table in my dining room.

 The tree in our living room.

The foyer.

Our backyard fireplace.

It was warm many days in December, but we had a fire outside on Christmas Eve.

 I love to entertain, so I took a few pictures of my table,
plates and set ups during different occassions.

I love these little milk bottles.

My Mom and I had a coffee and invited friends over for a morning of fellowship.

My favorite Christmas ornament.

 An appetizer plate for Christmas Eve.

A cookie tray for a friend.

*I know what happened.  Life.  Our high school football season ended on December 2 and we attended the out-of-town game (my daughter is in the band).  WE WON the State 6-A Championship!  I took friends to the Montgomery Curb Market.  I volunteered at two schools. I decorated our home.  I helped decorate our church.  I helped with the poinsetta sale at church-unloading the truck and organizing orders. I delivered fruit from the band fruit sale.  My daughter was in the Christmas parade.  I attended the Girl Scout Leader's Meeting.  I got our Christmas cards ready and in the mail. I attended the Girl Scout Cookie Training Meeting.  I attended a Christmas luncheon. We attended our Sunday School Christmas Auction to raise money for our Christmas Family.  I had my Scout troop over to our house to decorate cookies.  I made extra cheese straws for a wedding.  We had our Sunday School Christmas party at our home.  My daughter had mid-terms.  We helped deliver Christmas presents and food to our Christmas Family. 
We went on a three day trip to celebrate our 19th anniversary.  My Mom and I had a coffee for friends.  My daughter had a Christmas Concert for band.  I made cookies for my daughter's teachers.  Oh, and I had a terrible headache and had to get a shot (I lost most of that week).  I cleaned house, cooked meals and took my daughter back and forth to school every day.  I made Christmas goodies for family and friends...all from scratch.  I shopped for presents and wrapped them up.  But I had a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS and hope to do it all again next year.  I wouldn't do a thing different except BLOG ABOUT IT!!

Fall Fireplace with a Halloween Twist

I have been working on my Halloween decorations this week.  I decided to show you some of the ideas I have for fall/Halloween and my outdoor fireplace.  What do you think of my ideas?

I like using these berries inside the house,

but decided to try them outside to see how they look. 

 I've had the little orange votives for several years and

I think they look nice on the mantel, too.

This little brown owl candle holder is new this year.
 I got him at T. J. Maxx about a week ago.

Now, I just LOVE terra cotta pumpkins. 

I was thrilled when I found this one at my Lowe's garden center

a couple of weeks ago. 

This is another terra cotta pumpkin that

 I've had for several years.  I decided to move the owl

 and let the pumpkin look down on everyone from this mantel perch.

Then, I had to try my newly painted

 fiberglass urn beside the fireplace.

 You may have read about my fun with
spray paint in my previous post.

A comfy pumpkin pillow invites
you to sit and relax for awhile.

I've also had this scarecrow pillow for

 awhile and decided to try it outside this year. 

Happy Fall!

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