A few weeks ago, I posted a blurb about Advent calendars.  They were on my mind this year because it is one tradition I’ve been saving until I had children of my own that were old enough to get it.  Sort of like how I’ve never read the Harry Potter series because I’m saving them for when my children are older.  You know, so we can experience those novels together.  I beg you, please don’t tell anyone I have yet to pick up a Potter.  It’s shocking, but it’s true.

Now that my munchkins are three and five, and know the full meaning of the words “treat” and “candy”, it seemed the right time to create an Advent calendar.  Funny how the words “Clean up your room” fall on deaf ears, but you can whisper “candy” from the deepest corner of the backyard and they come running like marathoners. 

I have a thing for branches, especially manzanita branches. They are so dramatic, especially when used as centerpieces, or spray painted and suspended over tabletops or on walls.  They take my breath away.  So I really wanted to display some during the season.  My idea was to make an Advent calendar with tiny packages suspended from those branches in a whimsical way.    

Here is my own sweetie manza-neaty Advent calendar tree.

Here’s the lowdown on how I pulled this one together. 

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I’m completely over Halloween, however I’m still loving the all of the autumn hues.  I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to the warm spice colors of fall, yet I confess I’m definitely getting in the mood for Christmas.  I find myself in a flux, and somewhat in transition.  

It feels wrong to cheat Thanksgiving and jump right into Christmas. Here in America, Thanksgiving deserves its place in the spotlight.  The history, the traditions, the family gatherings, the feast !  Thanksgiving is so heartfelt, so family focused, and so patriotic. 

But I can’t help but be influenced by the beauty of Christmas that is everywhere, especially in magazines and in retail stores.  After all, Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year.  I object to the holiday’s decor coming out in September – that is ridiculous.  However, I do enjoy the glimpse of sparkle of the Christmas season, even in early November.   

When I spied a crimson wreath in the Crate and Barrel holiday catalog, I wanted to make my own version, just not with crimson colors.  Rather, I wanted a wreath in green tones that I could confidently display in November, but also one that would also carry me through until mid December.  So I came up with my own version of a transitional wreath.  Acceptable for November, yet festive enough for December. 

This hydrangea wreath was extremely easy to make.  And mine (hush hush) was less expensive than the Crate + Barrel crimson version. 

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It’s Tablescape Thursday over at Between Naps on the Porch.  Perfect timing for my newest creation, a hand painted table runner. 

I’ve always wanted to play around and get creative with fabric paint.  Spotting a few bottles of metallics at Michaels last week and some very pretty beads, I decided I wanted to personalize a table runner for my small Thanksgiving crowd. 

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Hey everyone – let’s party !  Isn’t that one of the best things about this season ? 

Ornaments are just about my most favorite thing.  Like a moth to a flame, I am easily distracted by sparkly Christmas ornaments anywhere they appear.  I can’t pass through any shop these days without oooohing and aaaahhhing over these baubles.  And now I want to see yours ! 

So today I’m inviting you to a very special event !  It’s a Parade of Ornaments on December 8th. 

Time to bring out your best, photograph them, and post all about them.  Where will they appear ?  In a beautiful compote ?  Strung in front of your windows with ribbons?   Of course, your tree is always the perfect feature, right?  Time to tell stories of meaningful ornaments from years past and show off your special keepsakes. 

It’s also a DIY party, so if you’ve got something fabulous up your sleeve this year, join me on this day to showcase your DIY project.   

Minimal criteria here.  If you attach a ribbon to a glass ball and hang it somewhere, that totally counts. 

I’ll show you mine if you show me yours!   Please join me in a Parade of Ornaments on December 8th !

I recently browsed through the latest Garnet Hill and couldn’t be more smitten with these:

Buckets of Joy Advent Calendar, $48

Hats and Mittens Advent Calendar, $78

I’ve always wanted an Advent Calendar, and I am thinking of creating one in the upcoming weeks.  Do you follow this tradition ?  Have you ever made an Advent Calendar ?  Know of any other great DIY links to get me inspired ?

Finally, I give you permission to slap me for discussing Advent before Halloween has come and gone.  I’m officially as guilty as the retail stores.  But CG is known to plan ahead . . .

I’m not one of those people you’ll find decorating my home at Halloween with anything gory, although I know the teenagers love it.  I prefer the whimsical kid friendly version of Halloween, especially since I’ve got to look at it all day.  And so do my little ones.  

So yesterday, I sent my cousin and her husband off to the Russian River Valley to taste more wine.  Healdsburg’s Dry Creek Road is a must see.  Meanwhile, I kept all four of our kids with me.  Together, we added some spooky decor to my home.  We made our own black cat out of painted pumpkins, created an arachnid invasion on the mantle, and cast a witch’s spell on the front porch.  

Come on along on the kid friendly tour.  And get ready to get spooked !  

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The temperatures have dropped.  A cold front is on its way.  The wind is blowing the leaves off the trees.  It’s officially fall in my town. 

With that in mind, I’m so glad the old saying about rebuking unnecessary ornamentation  specifically names the lily, and only the lily.  I thank thee Shakespeare.  Because I’ve gone ahead and gilded my pumpkins.  Well, actually, I’ve enhanced their already natural beauty with a golden glaze.  Then I stacked them high and tied them with copper ribbon. 

I made a few other decorative upgrades as well.  Here’s the autumn front porch tour.

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I adore stylish groupings of unusual pumpkins on tabletops and porches.  This early in autumn, I am not interested in anything carved – after all, that’s what October is for.  Rather, I am drawn to the creative use of still life, branches, leaves and gourds to welcome the cooler weather.  Here are some of my favorite images of porches and centerpieces that require no carving whatsoever.   

From Sunset Magazine:

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After a weekend of relaxation, I was very excited to jump into my long list of new projects for fall.  Unfortunately, I was up all night with an ill daughter, and as a result, tethered to my house today tending to a sick child.  It forced a change in plans for the day.  But no worries.  I changed course, and in between serving crackers and juice, I focused on injecting some fall colors into our home.   

I am by no means ready for Halloween.  Today, I was inspired to put away some of the summer whites, and bring out some of the fall colors that seem appropriate for September.  I challenged myself to work with what decor I already had, so I scurried around the house in my pajamas all day hunting for objects I haven’t displayed in awhile. 

First, I focused on the kitchen mantle.  It spent all summer covered with a collection of white ceramics, which I adore.  But today, I ventured into a study in complementary colors. 

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There are crafts that I do with my kids that I deem post-worthy, and crafts that I really wouldn’t write about.  But this one turned out pretty cute, so I thought I’d share.  

Since I was going away for the weekend, without the kids, to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary, I decided to take my five year old daughter to the craft store and spend a few hours with her, creating something together for autumn.  We picked out some fabric leaves and amber beads, and decided to make our own wind catcher. 

And it’s true. There is something irresistible about autumn leaves blowing in the wind. Call me sentimental, but now I’m longing for cornfield mazes and pumpkin pie.   

Here is our creation:

If you want to spend an afternoon with your kids or grandkids creating something together, then this is an inexpensive keepsake craft.  

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