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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