it's beginning to look like autumn

Here in South Carolina, the "natural" fall decoration is really beginning to show.

The leaves on the trees are changing more each day.
The weather has been PERFECT the past few days.

These are a few pictures of the fall decorations outside of our house.

This flag isn't really 'fall-ish' ... I changed it, because I thought the black color blended better than the American flag I had hanging.  And the wreath is on the front door.

 Here are three little pumpkins on our front steps.

 

And this bucket hangs by the front door under the porch light.

This wreath hangs on the door at our side entrance.

I arranged the little table with some old milk glasses and branches.  

I hot-glued the fake leaves on.  :)

 

Also, I potted a few mums - yellow and purple-ish.

Now that fall has really set in ... it reminds me that Christmas is just around the corner.

I'm starting to feel a little pressure that it will be here soon (2 months).  But, I hope and plan to take my time, enjoy fall, and start planning now for Christmas decor/gifts/cards, etc.  So much can be prepared for ahead of time -- I just gotta kick the procrastination habit.  ;)

decorating for fall {inside}

 I love decorating for the different seasons and occasions.

Chris thinks I'm crazy ... oh well.

I decorated for fall last week, since Thursday was the official beginning.

And because Christmas is less than 100 days away ... it will soon be time for all that.

I found a lot of inspiration on Pinterest.  

This is the mantle in our den:

 Lentils, black beans, and kidney beans in a vase with a candle

 This idea was from Pinterest - love that the "picture" becomes 3D.

 Found this mirror at a thrift store, hot glued a piece of burlap to cover the mirror, and then glued on the leaf.  Hopefully I will be able to easily remove afterward.

 Mantle in our living room:

The wreath is another Pinterest idea!  A quick and easy project.

 Kitchen table.  Wreath-from-last-year-turned-candle-ring.

 Wanted to show this sweet flower arrangement in the kitchen.  Last Thursday, after decorating, I was hosting a ladies group from church.  My kind mother-in-law came over to help me put the finishing touches on our meal and she surprised me with these flowers.  Thanks, Teresa!  (the bag in the background is Chris' Pizza Doritos - you tried them? - reminds me of Pizzeria chips)

 Little painted pumpkins.  Once again -- Pinterest.  I used fake pumpkins, so I can use them again next year, if I'd like.  Easy and inexpensive ... but the striped and argyle pumpkins were a little tedious and time-consuming getting the lines straight.  The pedestal bowl is a thrift store find.  It is wood, but I wanted it painted.  Chris didn't want me to paint it - he told me I was covering up the beautiful wood.  So, I told him if I ever wanted a wooden bowl again, I'd just have him sand off all the paint.  :)

Happy fall!

autumn

Seems like autumn just arrived.

And it's feeling like it is almost gone.

All too quickly.

Summer lasts a loooong time.
Then, one day, it's fall.

Resolved to not let autumn slip by without noticing the beauty,
I've been making an effort to watch the changing leaves,
take deep breaths of the crisp air.