Fall Mantel 2013

Here's a look at how I've decorated my

 mantel for Fall this year. 

I'm having way more fun decorating the mantel since our fireplace makeover. There will be a link at the end of this post if you want to see that.

For a different look, I changed the centerpiece above the mantel from the black round mirror (pic coming up) to this new sunburst mirror. It was a recent purchase at a local home décor store's clearance sale.  

To me, it mimics the sunflowers in the garland I used on the mantel. 

No doubt, the black mirror will be making a return appearance before long as I like both looks.

 Fall Mantel 2012

                                                                         

(link at end of post)

 

 

 I thought my Global Fusion collection of Partylite vase and candle holders went well with the burnished copper colour of the sunburst mirror.

 

 

 I love the amber, orange and burgundy tones in the mosaic glass on them.

 

 A full view from another angle.

 

 I attached gold/copper-toned faux leaves to the curtain rod below the mantel which also brings the colour of the sunburst mirror down a bit. 

 

 Clear mini-lights placed behind the garland add a warm glow at night.


On the hearth, a faux pumpkin (Walmart this year) is placed in a tall basket with faux fern leaves in fall colours.

 

The other side of the hearth gets a vase with brown grasses and an accent faux gold leaf branch to match those attached below the mantel. A lantern with a pumpkin spice scented pillar candle completes the vignette. 

 

You might notice that the pillow and throw switched chairs in the two pics below.  You never know what you might spot in one of my photo shoots!  One of the chairs even gets changed out in an upcoming pic!

 

 

 

 

 This is what I'm dreaming of doing in my spare time during these fall days.

 

 Do you enjoy the "drawing in" and coziness of fall after the time spent outside in the warmth of summer days?

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

As promised, click HERE for link to our fireplace makeover.

I'll be linking this post to these fantastic blog parties:

 

**FALL MANTEL PARTY at THRIFTY DECOR CHICK**

Tutorials, Tips & Tidbits at Stone Gable

Metamorphous Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Be Inspired Friday at Common Ground

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Grace at Home at Imparting Grace

Tuesdays at Our Home at Home Away From Home

Tutorials & Tips at Home Stories A to Z

 

Outdoor Fall Decor

 

I have finally managed to take some pictures of the Fall decor I've added to the area by our front door.  Hope you enjoy seeing what I've put together.

 

My outdoor fall decorating usually begins with...

...putting 'mums in the urns that are always out front.

Then comes the orange wreaths on the black doors.

 I love the contrast.

Next, comes "Sassy Scarecrow" and a few corn stalks placed behind a bench.

I've had these pillows indoors for awhile now but brought them out for this display. They look like "sacks of flour" in this upright position.

 

This hanging lantern stands at the ready to welcome guests.

Walmart had these wonderful faux pumpkins this year which will tide me over till I buy my real ones.

Put it altogether and it looks like this.

In case you've missed me complaining explaining about our awkward entry area, here it is again.

We have these two doors close together and our front door actually faces the side with the access door to the garage facing the street.

Let's move to the front of the house where I have placed "Sammy Scarecrow"....

...and his sister, "Sally Scarecrow".

The brother/sister duo help add some fun to the front yard.

As dusk falls, the entryway takes on a soft orange glow.

Below, you can see how I created this fall-themed light which comes on every evening at dusk.

 

I also use faux pillar candles with timers in the lanterns so that they come on automatically as well.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Hope you found my front entrance welcoming!

Do you put out any decorations to Welcome Fall at your front door? 

 

I'll be linking this post to these fantastic blog parties:

 

Fall 2013 Outdoor Décor at Southern Hospitality

Tutorials, Tips & Tidbits at Stone Gable

Metamorphous Mondays at Between Naps on the Porch

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Be Inspired Friday at Common Ground

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Fall Nesting Party at The Inspired Room

Tutorials & Tips at Home Stories A to Z

Remembering

Sorry my friends, it has been awhile since my last post but it has been a time of mixed emotions for me.  August brought our family joy and celebration at my cousin's wedding only to be followed almost immediately by tears and sadness at my mother-in-law's passing.

As my last post was more wedding oriented, (click here) and mentioned my cousin's then, upcoming wedding, I'd like this one to be more of a remembrance of my husband's mother. 

It was in the fall, when I first met her and this time of year brings back those memories.

 

 

She was a kind, hard working, German woman who welcomed me into the family and always made me feel like she was genuinely happy that her youngest son had chosen me.

 

 

 

She did not have an easy life, living through war and turmoil before coming to Canada. Even her early days in this country were filled with hardship.

 

 

 

 

She and her husband made a life for themselves here though and she loved having the whole family together and would spend lots of time in the kitchen preparing holiday meals for us.

 

 

With 5 children, their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the family grew to be quite large and the food eventually had to be served buffet style on her kitchen island to accommodate us all. How we enjoyed helping ourselves to all those delicious traditional items!

 

I especially remember loving her potato salad which reminds me of all the gardening she did with my father-in-law, growing their own potatoes and many other veggies.

 

 

Keeping her home clean and orderly was very important to her.

 

Although by today's standards, many of her décor items might have been thought of as "old country" in style, they had been collected over time and had special significance.

She also had lots of decorative faux flowers around her home as well as many healthy living plants/flowers inside and out.

 

 

Above all, I remember my mother-in-law's quiet faith in God which did not go unnoticed by her youngest son. 

 

 

I thank our Lord that He has blessed him, my husband with that same faith.

 

Though her later years were difficult ones following her stroke and she did not always portray the characteristics of the person I first met, she was loved and valued by her husband and family to her last day. 

 We will always cherish the memories we have of this dear woman.

Thank you for visiting and listening.