(F)ALL AROUND THE HOUSE

Hey everyone!  Did you have a good weekend?  I just got back from a long weekend in Florida.  The weather was gorgeous, not at all fall like, but when I stepped out of the airport today, brrr, definitely a lot cooler than when I left on  Thursday.  I think fall is here to stay in Chi-town.

I won't be back to the Florida house until a couple of days before Thanksgiving.  I felt I needed to continue with some fall decorating there so that I won't be overwhelmed with decorating, grocery shopping and cooking when I get back.  A couple of weeks ago I shared my fall mantel  (here) so today I'll show what I did  to the rest of the house.

Before the inside though, the potting table outside gets a little something.

The geckos will love nesting in the faux leaves.  The pumpkin man will be replaced with another pumpkin for Thanksgiving.  He is the only Halloween  decoration I have for this this house. Poor lonely guy.

For the inside entry I bought a coastal inspired dry floral fall arrangement.  See starfish and shells?

In the living room I always cut palm leaves for the vase, and I added a felt pumpkin for the season.

The behemoth leaves come from the  landscaping. They are too big for any vase I have so I simply  scissor cut them into a fan shape.  Once they're trimmed back, three fit beautifully in the vase I always use.

The family rooms gets candles and little munchkin pumpkins.

With all of this decorating done, I'll have plenty of time for baking pies (frozen), breads (heat and serve), and cookies (slice and bake).

P.S. I'm not  much of a baker or cook.

In the meantime, we're planning a small Halloween party at the Illinois rental.  Anyone else having a party?  What are you planning?  I'm scouring pinterest for ideas but so far I have nothing.  Nothing.  Not that I don't like anything, I'm just too indecisive.  And it's still a couple of weeks out, right?  No worries.  Until next week.  Ack!!

Anyway, hope to see you around some linky parties this week.  I'd love to see what you've got!

Barb

Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
Remodelaholic Friday @ Remodelaholic
Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest
Look What I Found Friday @ Vintage Revivals 
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Show and Share Day @ Just a Girl
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal 

Door Decor for Fall

Wow! Lots of love happening here at Curly Willow DIY when Barb showed us her fall mantel in her Florida home. I know she misses being there during the year. So, thanks for showing her the love!!

I know Barb's not a big fan of fall or winter... but I love it!
So, I'm hoping there's love out there in blogland for me too!

I feel very fortunate to live only a mile from an awesome family farm where I can buy all my fall decor at very reasonable prices. I mean where can you buy a huge mum plant for $8. When I say huge.. H-U-G-E!

So, here is door decor for fall. I am all about rustic and natural!
When you say Pottery Barn... I say YES!

pottery barn - YES!

POTTERY BARN - Yes!
(Are ya cheering with me?)

Here we go... 

Everything here is au natural from a local farm.

The mum plant in the flowering basket is ONE PLANT.... H-U-G-E!

First year the farm had white pumpkins... $5 each.

Love my little scarecrow!

The wandering jew plants in the urns are from the wedding.
I put gold mini LED lights around the balls, they light up and are super fun!

My hubby is a metal scraper part time. He found these two dented milk cans. FREE!
The burlap ribbon I bought the end of the year last year from Ballard Designs.

Wreath - Hobby Lobby three years ago. Ribbon - Ballards

All leaves, pinecones, and pine needles are all courtesy of Mother Nature!

She's pretty terrific!

So, I'll keep those HUGE mums by the door for a month and then plant them in the
yard to bloom year after year. They will be beautiful!

I'm linking up to

Have a great weekend!

Vicki

PS: Guess who I found huddle next to my house while photographing.

Do ya see him on the top pic... a little frog huddle against the house for warmth!

It's a windy, cold day today. He probably came from the creek right next to my house. This spot is frequented by all the neighborhood kids who try to catch tadpoles and frogs. This little guy got away! I'm happy to provide a safe, warm spot to hide. :)

Fall-My Love/Hate Relationship

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Fall is here whether I like it or not. 

All of my kicking and screaming isn't going to keep it away,
so I've decided to give in, go ahead and do my best to welcome it.
So, Welcome Fall!

Did that sound at all sincere?
Really gracious of me, right?
It's not that I don't like fall because I really do.
I love the colors of the changing leaves, the smell of burning logs in fireplaces, anything and all things pumpkin, all of that good stuff. What I really don't like about fall is that it's the season before winter. Mmhhmm, that's it. That's the only reason I don't like fall. Because I loathe winter. Hate it. Despise it. Chicago winters. Need I say more?

But, I'm doing my best to get into the spirit. I've seen so many great fall home decorations the last couple of weeks and, of course, if you check out Pinterest, board after board of fall loveliness.

The last time I was in Florida I gave my dining room mantel a little fall flair.
The leaves are faux since Florida doesn't get bright orange and yellow changing leaves.
And the pumpkins? Plastique. Ooh la la.

That's my best attempt to get on the early fall decorating bandwagon.
Hopefully, it'll get better when I get into a better mindset that fall is here to stay.
I really should do some fluffing in the Illinois rental...just not quite feeling it yet.
What about you? How are you feeling about this season?
Pulling out your pumpkins, leaf garlands and gourds?
I'll be looking to see what you've done.
I'm linking up to lots of parties this week. Hope to see you there.
More wedding pics will be coming later this week too!

All the best!

Barb

Plus these other parties...

White Wednesday @ Faded Charm
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Piece of Work Wednesday @  Primitive & Proper
Good Life Wednesday @ A Beach Cottage
Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Remodelaholic Friday @ Remodelaholic
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Show and Share Day @ Just a Girl
Potpourri Friday @ 2805 
Fall Decorating Party @ Hooked on Houses