Wednesday, October 1, 2014

October Is Here!

The months of October and November have always been my favorite time of year.  When we lost my dear Dad, 11 years ago this month, I found it hard to enjoy those things again for a long time.   I still miss my Dad every day.  But the happy times far outweigh the memories that brought sadness.  He was full of life, love, and joy.  A truly remarkable man.  He would not want us to be sad.
The weather is cooling here.   Last weekend was beautiful. We had gone to the kids soccer games, and then the girls came back here so that their Daddy could help Geeps with bringing some furniture here that had been moved out of the cabin.  It was too nice to be inside, so I took a couple of big blankets and spread them out on the cool grass beneath the shade of the sycamore trees.  I brought out some of my vintage toys, and a tea set.  Hannah set the table for us, and we sipped tea.  The girls spread out the toys, and I laid there next to them snapping pictures.  Listening to their imaginations soar, and their little girl giggles, filled this Gramma's heart.
They had the best time.  But I think I had the most fun.  Just listening to them play.
It was so nice to be outside in a cool breeze.
We don't usually have all of those cars on the street, but our neighbors are having a new front yard put in so the workers cars were all out front.
I did a walkabout in the grove yesterday morning.  We are going to have a nice orange crop.  They are large this year.
My avocado tree by the coop is once again loaded!  I will be picking them soon.  I have already picked some last week when I trimmed the limbs by the coop door.
I found some bones
I left them since we are close to Halloween.  Wonder what it was?
Yesterday I spent the majority of the day in my sewing room.  Both sewing, and cleaning.  First I made some  Fall pillows, using placemats from Walmart.  A few years ago, I made some leaf pillows with placemats I had also gotten there.  These were tapestry placemats, for 1.96 each.  I got one of the pumpkins, and one of the owl.  I used a piece of fabric that I already had for the backs.

I stuffed them with fiberfill, which is much cheaper than using a pillow form.  I buy my fiberfill in the big box from Joann's.  Always using a 40 to 50% off coupon.  It goes a long way, and I can make a lot of things with it.  I put these pillows on my living room sofa.
After the pillows, I made some more sweater pumpkins.  I had found the perfect shade of orange sweater when I was gathering them for making these.  I made the large pumpkin out of the body of the sweater, and the tall one out of one of the sleeves.  The green was out of the sleeve of another sweater.
For the stems on the orange ones, I made a sort of topknot with the sweater material, and tightly wound some jute around to form the stem.  On the big one, I wrapped some jute that I had moistened with Mod Podge, around a pencil, then held  my hair dryer to it to dry to form the tendrils.   I took some marbled flannel, and free cut leaf shapes.  I put a piece of batting in the middle, and then using a variegated green thread, I stitched the leaf veins.  Then I put a dab of hot glue on the stem to attach.

Some of the pumpkins I put a stick from the yard in the center for the stem, and used a silk leaf.  My first pumpkins I had used chenille fuzzy sticks for the tendrils, and hated how unnatural it looked.  So I snipped all of those off, and added some loose jute instead.  I swapped out the pillows I had on the family room sofa and put these two that I brought down from the cabin.  They are down, and comfy, as well as pretty.  I removed and washed the outer slips and they are good as new.  I love that sort of rusty/red color in my house too.
I put the other seasonal pillows on the ottoman that hides the cables and cords to the telly and dvd player.  I crocheted those Autumn leaves last year, and attached them to the pillow to fill dead space.
This morning my daughter brought over a pillow slipcover that she had purchased and a pillow she wanted me to cut to fit.  I knew I must have a pillow in my stash that would fit it perfectly, so I used one of mine, and  since she was going to toss this one, I got to keep it.  It is that perfect rusty red that I love.  It looks nice with my quilted basket pillow against the quilt my Jae Bird made for me.
I got my candles all dressed for Fall with some pretty leaves and twine.
These battery operated flicker candles are one of my all time favorite thrift store purchases!  I love that they all come on automatically at 5:00, and flicker softly for 4 hours, then shut themselves off.  Best 8 dollars I ever spent for 4 of these candles.  One is in the guest bathroom.
I brought this pretty wreath home from the cabin and hung it on a post by my front door.
I still need to add my corn stalks and real pumpkins to the front porch this weekend.
The Great Pumpkin light will go up on Saturday.  The Fall flags are waving in the wind.
They are forecasting triple digits again for the next few days.  Surely this will be the end of the heat though, I hope!
I did pop into my favorite thrift this morning.  Looking for more sweaters for pumpkins. No luck there.  But I did find this beautiful, large glazed piece of pottery.
The lid is the prettiest shade of aqua!
I couldn't find a single sweater to use, but I did find this, oh so soft, 100% Cashmere sweater.
It has one tiny hole in the right arm.  I am not sure what I will use it for yet.  I might just touch it occasionally!
The label says it is from London.
So, October is here.  The days are shorter. The evenings are cooling off substantially.  I added another blanket to our bed even.  The chickens are all molting.  Here is Blue, looking mighty scruffy!
Pumpkin Spice coffee creamer is back.  Scented candles fill the air of our house.  Comfort foods are being made.  I made a delicious pot roast the other day, that we feasted on for three days!  I made a huge pot of pinto beans, that I then mashed into refried beans.  
My new glazed pottery would have been perfect for this!!!  I made tostadas for dinner one night.
Can you believe I didn't have a single ripe avocado either?  I refuse to buy them!  Then I made a bunch of bean and cheese burritos for the boys to grab and go.  
I have a loaf of good bread torn into pieces on cookie sheets, drying out to make stuffing this weekend.  I think I will buy a turkey breast to cook.  I always get a hankering for that well before Thanksgiving.  And then hot turkey sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy, served open faced.  Oh yes!  It is going to be a good weekend!
Happy October Ya'll
Kris

26 comments:

Jeanna said...

The decorations look falltastic, I mean fantastic :)

Love the idea of using those pretty tapestry placemats for pillows. I never seem to get my fiber fill so even...you did a great job.

Sounds like a wonderful weekend ahead...enjoy!

Patty Marker said...

Love the sweater pumpkins Kris. Your house looks so warm and inviting. Now if the weather would just cooperate!

Teresa Kasner said...

Hi Kris, I was happy to see your post pop up to the top of my list.. I can always count on you for some cheeriness. I love your positive attitude! I've got the fall-ishness going here too. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Linda said...

Man oh man....you are a busy beaver!
Love the shots of the girls having tea...
Those are indeed precious moments♥️
That crockery is a gorgeous colour!
Lots of fall decor at your place.....fantastic!
Enjoy the rest of your week...
Cheers!
Linda :o)

Leslie said...

Your decorations look great. Love the sweater pumpkins.

Betsy said...

Pillows from placemats! Love them! I may have to give that a try Kris. All of your decorations are so happy and say "fall" and fun" at the same time. Where did you find Pumpkins Spice creamer? I went to four grocery stores today to get it for Dennis and no one had it. He was so disappointed. Both he and Mandy look forward to fall every year just for the creamer. :-). I'm not a coffee drinker but try to accommodate them. Your girls look so content playing in the yard. Triple digits? I had to turn the furnace on today it was so cold. Thanks for this happy post. It brought a smile to my face.
Blessings,
Betsy

Taci simmons said...

What a great idea using the placemats for pillows, I love them. It looks like you are having a great beginning of fall. I'm so sorry you miss your dad so much. I also lost my dad 5 years ago on October 8 th ... Five years but it feels like it was last month... I miss him so very much. So October is kind of sad and lonely. I guess it dozens matter how long they have been gone we will miss them forever. Hope you are having a fun week my dear friend.

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

All your fall touches looks so wonderful and homey.
I've not done any Fall decorating... I've seen some different blogs that have inspired me. I just may...
this ottoman idea to hide the cords- is spot on!
I'm always looking for ways to hide the cords!
I have pillows everywhere but the hubby thinks pillows are over kill.
I think that's a man for ya!
I do hope the heat wave is over for y'all and you get some relief.
We're still having warm days...the humidity today was the source discomfort for me.
had to have the A/C on October 1st- hmmmppph! :(

have great rest of the week!

Jill said...

Love the tea party! The girls are getting so big! Time is just flying by... your decorations look lovely and I love the owl pillow too cute! You are so talented! Kathleen keeps telling me to wait for her to decorate and I have been, but she is so busy with activities I'm getting restless! LOL The boxes are sitting around my living room! Have a fabulous day!

Blessings,
Jill

Home Meadows said...

Happy October Kris. Your house looks so pretty with all your personal touches. Hope you have a great day. Heather

priscilla said...

Cute idea to use placemats for the pillows! You are so lucky to have all the avocados ,oranges and everything else you grow !

Sunny Simple Life said...

OMG Blue looks awful. Funny how they molt so ugly and scrawny sometimes. I thought mine were bad. No eggs except from my tiny Mille Fluer whose eggs are so tiny Audrey says they are like a shot. I need a standard chicken in that coop for some real eggs.

Amy at love made my home said...

Sounds like a great start to October for you! I love your cushions made from the placemats, that is a great idea. xx

NanaNor's said...

HI Kris, You know I always love seeing what's going on with you-today is no different. I took our four granddaughters to Joanne's for fabric for head bands/scarfs and we had the best time. Of course, I forgot my coupon and the buttons were so expensive!!! We got enough fabric to make two for each girl and momma. It will be such fun. I've got my scented(hubby calls them stink)candles out too. I'm now headed down to my sewing room to finish tracing my quilting pattern. Wish we lived closer-we'd get into trouble together.
Hugs, Noreen

NanaNor's said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Lynne said...

You are ready for fall!! The house looks great Kris. I'm enjoying the cooler weather here too - finally!
Good job on the place mats turned pillows. They look really cute!

Debbie said...

Well you have certainly got some fantastic Fall decorations going on over there! I especially love the pillows. Can't beat those prices! I love it...And yes, the weather last week-end was gorgeous, but this week-end sounds like it's going to be quite warm again. But I noticed it's still cooling off at night so you can tell Fall is in the air. Enjoy your week-end Kris!

podso said...

Kris, I like all your sweater pumpkins--really nifty. And all your fall decor is looking good. Loved the pictures of your grand girls playing with your kids' toys. It sounds like you are all ready and eagerly anticipating cooler weather.

Pam said...

I love, love, love the pumpkin & owl pillows. Making them from placemats is brilliant. You are so talented! The decorating of your home always inspires me. I love the leaves and twine around your candles! I too have those awesome candles all over my house and I love that they turn on at 5:00 and off when we head to bed.

Dogwood Lane Rambles said...

I usually do zero decorating except for Christmas so I enjoy living vicariously in your Fall wonderland. I'm just plain lazy I guess. I truly love the sweater pumpkins they look crafty without looking cheap a real win in my book. I too am a fall girl to the core and revel in the evening cool down and a good pot roast simmering on the stove - thank goodness for cooler weather *sigh*

Mereknits said...

Your sweater pumpkins are so wonderful, I might have to go to the Salvation Army to see what they might have to make some. Your pillows are perfect and of course your house looks warm, welcoming and so festive. Halloween decorations came out today at my house.
Hugs to you,
Meredith

Poppy said...

Hi Kris,

Love those wooly pumpkins; how creative! From your cooking to your crafts, you do not stop! Your home looks so cozy and ready for some awesome autumn fun!

Happy weekend!

xo
Poppy

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Love all of your fall decorations, Kris...and your granddaughters are sure cute! The casserole dish was a wonderful find...I have a couple of pieces (including that big casserole) that were my mother-in-law's. It is Red Wing Pottery and the pattern is called Village Green. The big 4 qt, 12" casserole goes for around $50 on ebay. I love using it for the green bean bake for Thanksgiving!

Pam said...

Love your decorations! I think we are finally out of the 100 degree weather too. I love the pillows made out of the place mats. Great idea. All your ideas are awesome!
Thanks for sharing!

Patty Antle said...

Love those pillows and sweater pumpkins Kris! It's so beautiful out there!

corners of my life said...

What could be more fun then playing with a vintage Fisher Price farm?