Autumn is typically a time of reflecting for me. As the weather cools and we turn inward physically to keep warm, I tend to turn inward in other ways as well and take stock. I like to reflect and meditate upon blessings and things I appreciate. I like to recognize these things and make sure I am adequately appreciating my blessings. I like to avoid taking things for granted.

So…here are some autumn blessings I am appreciating today:

1. Warm quilts
2. Hot cocoa
3. A warm home
4. Cozy slippers
5. Hot soup on the stove
6. A stack of good reading awaiting
7. Scented candles
8. Clean floors
9. Organized linen closets
10. Empty laundry hampers
11. Clean sheets
12. Winter projects to work on
13. Healthy family
14. A quiet day
15. A simple meal
16. A finished To-Do list
17. House tucked in for the winter
18. Garden put to bed
19. Well-dusted nicknack shelves
20. Evenings with candles again
21. Wool sweaters
22. Warm slippers
23. Electric blankets
24. Autumn wreaths
25. Pumpkins and squash

What are yours? Please share!

ShareThis

Related posts

• No related posts.

Hey…have you seen any good sales on outdoor furniture? If you are like me…you start looking at all of the end-of-the-season sales for outdoor items right now. There are some beautiful things out there right now, too.

My wicker furniture is still in good shape, so I’m good there. I would really like a pair of new chaise lounges, though. Hubby and I love to sit out under the stars on autumn evenings with a cozy fire going in the fire pit. Chaise lounges would make this ideal, I think.

End of the summer sales are the perfect time to shop for new outdoor furniture.

ShareThis

Related posts

• No related posts.

Just because our economy is in a recession and times are tough all over doesn’t mean that families should not enjoy the lovely season upon us. I love autumn and it would be such a shame to miss out on all of the fun activities that can be found to do during this time of the year. I’ve compiled a short list of some fun (yet frugal) activities that are readily available in most areas of the country. With just a little effort any of these suggestions would create a lovely excursion. Have fun!

1. Rake a leaf pile and jump in them.
2. Find a corn maze
3. Hike on a nature trail
4. Feed the ducks or geese
5. Do some fall baking — cookies, quick breads, pies, and more!
6. Go to an apple orchard or a pumpkin patch
7. Make a fall collage with leaves found on a walk
8. Leaf rubbings
9. Find a fall festival in your area — lots of cool activities!
10. Make a pinecone birdfeeder with peanut butter and birdseed
11. Go leaf peeping in your neighborhood
12. Roast pumpkin seeds
13. Plan a supper picnic.  This is a lovely idea, and so pleasant to sit under a tree, relaxing with a meal in the twilight.

ShareThis

Related posts

• No related posts.

When autumn comes, we typically start the season when more and more time is spent inside.  If you’re anything like me, it is nice to freshen up your rooms before the long winter sets in.

How can we add warmth to a room to make it more cozy when the temperature starts to dip?  Here are several suggestions that I have found useful as I make my home ready for winter hibernation.

1. Rich Colors: Reds, burgundies, and golds will transform a plain room.  It is easy to add these colors with window coverings, pillows, throws, and rugs.
2. Textures: Nubby fabrics, textured wool, and rugs are great ways to increase the range of textures you have in your rooms.
3. Personalize It: Hang family pictures in unique frames to create one-of-a-kind decor.
4. Candles: Candles add warmth – no question about it.  There are even flameless versions that are made with real wax if you have pets or small children.
5. Accessories: Look for accessories that are unusual.  A few well-placed pieces work well and give your rooms a pulled-together look.
6. Fabric: Add fabric window coverings to warm up a room – both literally and visually.  Also add some bright pillows and comfy throws to create an immediate “cozy” in any room.

Any other ideas?  I’d love to hear how you make your rooms cozy for winter!

Technorati Tags: Autumn, cozy, warmth, winter hibernation

ShareThis

Related posts

• Wordless Wednesday (4)
• Time To Make A Fall Wreath (4)
• It Feels Like Autumn! (8)

Autumn is in full swing where I live.  Chilly nights and cool, crisp days.  We’ve had one frost and soon will come the warning for the first freeze.

Do you know the difference between a frost and a freeze?

With a frost, you can simply throw an old blanket over your outdoor plants and they will be protected from the cold and will probably even continue to produce for you.   But…when a freeze is impending you need to gather in whatever you can because what will be remaining will be quite useless, black, soggy, and dead.

It’s that time of year when a gardener needs to be about the business of putting the outdoors to bed for the winter.  Here are a few tips and ideas for getting this work done.

Gather in what remains:

Pick all of the tomatoes and peppers, regardless of size. Even the egg-sized completely green tomatoes can be used for relishes.  Pick the tomatoes and sort by ripeness. Put the ripe ones together, the yellow-orange ones together, and on down to the greenest ones. Sort them and stack the containers in any warm place to ripen indoors.

All the beans must be picked and any ripe melons. Melons won’t ripen much indoors so don’t bother with small ones.   Every ear of sweet corn should be picked and brought in to process as soon as possible. Corn doesn’t take a freeze well so get it inside. After a frost but before a freeze it’s a good idea to pick corn and process it to keep it sweet and tender.

Onions, carrots, and potatoes are safe from all but the hardest frost. Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are fairly sturdy also.

Even after a good freeze,  watch the garden and harvest what may be left hanging on.  It seems like there is always something left to survive.

As autumn progresses, the root crops get dug, the cabbage, broccoli, and late onions get harvested, and the garden stands naked and alone.

Now it’s time to put the garden to bed for the winter.

Get rid of dead plants:

What’s left of the garden now is just broken, black and brown dead plants. Some gardeners till under all of the garden plants. This does add organic material to the soil, but this may not be the best course of action. If you had any insect problems, you may be continuing your infestation by allowing their eggs to continue to live in the garden soil.

Add organic material:

Add as much organic material as you can before you till for the last time of the season. Be sure to work it in well, though, and add some straw or sawdust to it to counteract the nitrogen content of raw manure.

Another great natural material to add to your garden is leaves.   Spread as many as you can and then wait for a good soaking rain.  After it dries enough to till chop them all up well into the soil.  You can continue to do this all autumn as long as the leaves keep coming.

After all of your hard work it’s time for everyone…including the land…to rest.

ShareThis

Related posts

• No related posts.

I love to decorate with wreaths year-round…but there’s just something about autumn that really says “wreath” like no other season.

One of the neatest thing about making your own fall wreath is that you can do so with many of the things you probably have in your yard…or things you can find on a walk in the park or the woods.  Get your kids involved in this!  They will love it!

OK…let’s get those creative juices flowing.  Here are some things you could easily find and incorporate into a lovely autumn wreath.

• twigs

• grapevine

• leaves

• acorns

• small gourds

• bittersweet

• milk pods

• feathers

• pinecones

• rusty tin wire or shapes

• indian corn

• dried hydrangeas or mums or other dried flowers

• berry sprigs

• herbs from your garden

• dried grasses

• cinnamon sticks

• cat tails

Go ahead and take a little shortcut and start with a simple grapevine wreath (the kind you buy at Michaels or any craft store). To determine the size of the wreath form you will need, measure the width of your door and subtract 6 inches. Your wreath form should not be bigger than this number.

Choose your theme from the treasures you’ve gathered and get busy. There really is no “right” or “wrong” way to make your wreath. Experiment and use trial and error until you have a finished effect that you like. Simply weave your decorating material into the wreath and intertwine the stems with the vines. If you are concerned with staying power, a hot glue gun works well to secure any loose items.

Technorati Tags: Autumn, Bittersweet, Crafting, grapevine, wreath

ShareThis

Related posts

• Wordless Wednesday (4)
• It Feels Like Autumn! (8)
• Creating Seasonal Warmth (1)

Summer and Autumn have been wrestling for control for several weeks where I live. We have been going back and forth between balmy, 80 degree sun and crisp, cooler days with a nip in the air. I, personally, love autumn. I love the crispness in the air…I love the bright sun that lights up the days but doesn’t melt you…I love baking with apples and pumpkins and how my house smells when I am busy in the kitchen…I even love the more disciplined days for everyone as we dig into the books and settle in to a new school year.

The autumnal equinox occurs on September 22, 2008 at 11:44:18 A.M. EST. At this time the sun appears to cross the equator from north to south and this is the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.

As I was thinking about all of the things I enjoy and appreciate about autumn, I just had to make a list. Anyone who knows me, knows I love lists…so you’ll be seeing plenty of lists on this blog!

Anyway…here is a quick “Top 25″ of things to do in Autumn! If you have any favorites, please post them! I’d love to hear yours as well!

1. Visit an apple orchard
2. Rake leaves and jump!
3. Buy or knit a new sweater
4. Make a wreath out of dry bittersweet
5. Make a pumpkin pie
6. Bake something with cinnamon
7. Buy yourself some “school” supplies – even if you’re not in school!
8. Collect some brightly colored leaves
9. Go for a walk in the woods and observe the changes in nature
10. Wear socks again
11. Wear a hoodie
12. Buy a couple of pumpkins and put them on your front steps
13. Host a neighborhood potluck
14. Fly a kite
15. Harvest vegetables
16. Find a great set of mittens, hat and scarf
17. Learn to like football
18. Drink hot tea again
19. Make homemade soup and simmer it all day on the stove
20. Make hot cider
21. Sleep with the window open a crack even when it is really chilly – burrow under a warm quilt!
22. Make homemade doughnuts
23. Roast pumpkin seeds
24. Take pictures of the changing landscape around you
25. Set out birdfeeders and try to attract birds

Technorati Tags: Autumn, Things to Do

ShareThis

Related posts

• Wordless Wednesday (4)
• Time To Make A Fall Wreath (4)
• Creating Seasonal Warmth (1)