Monday, October 5, 2009

Fall favorites!

**My beadboard island was highlighted at One Project Closer a couple weeks ago (they are raising awareness of the Habitat for Humanity program) and now I'm up for the grand prize -- a $150 gift card to the home improvement store of my choice! Do you know what I could do with $150? :) If you get a second, I would really appreciate your vote! http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/before-after-2009-vote-for-the-best/ Not sure sure if you can vote daily or not, but I'll find out. You are all the BEST!!**

I was going to do a post about my various pumpkin decor tonight, but the daylight was gone before I could take good pictures...which is yet another reason I love fall.

My son was born in December, and that first winter, let's just say, I didn't care for the winter, notsomuch. The reasons were obvious -- new baby, cold, snow, dark most of the day. I didn't let those things stop me from getting out to Target of the house, but that winter I believe I had every lamp and light on in the whole house, all season long.

Every year since, I am loving when the days get shorter more and more -- call me crazy. I'm a night owl and it makes the evenings seem even longer. And it's just cozy. More excuses for candles. More reasons to start up the fireplace. More opportunities to sit out by the fire pit outside. Can't you just smell the roasted marshmallows right now??

This past weekend was one of those that included about every one of the reasons I love this season. So in honor of my favorite time of year, I though I'd share a few of my fall favorites...

Wooly worms, and a two-year-old who isn't afraid to touch them:
Pumpkins and gourds of all shapes:
Sizes and colors:A few more cold nights and this burst of magic will appear -- every year it seems to happen overnight:
(Click for source. Isn't that a gorgeous picture?)

Marching band:
And a little guy so excited to see the band and Daddy, he can barely stand it:
The fireplaces turned on:
Our new tradition of picking our own pumpkins:
And apples:
Nighttime temps like these:
That is what I'm talkin' about!!

High school football games with just a bit of chill in the air:Mums in bloom:
The burning bushes firing up!:
What are your favorites of fall? Did I miss any?

Oh yes, yes I did. I'm off to heat up my apple crisp and cider for my bedtime snack. ;)
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57 comments:

  2. hooray for you! i'm voting right now.

    colleen? really? boo.

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  4. Yay for you - good luck! Your list is fabulous. I also love being able to break out the hoodies again...

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  5. I just voted and you're in the lead! Good luck. I would definitely add sweaters to your list. Here in Southern California, I don't get to wear them as often as I would like.

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  6. My son was born in December of 06...two years later my daughter was born in December of 08. So I COMPLETELY know what it is like to not love winter/christmas/coldness!

    HOWEVER. I am LOVING it now! Thank goodness HIS mercies are new every morning (err - Year :)

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  7. I Voted! Good Luck!
    Stef
    www.itsallinmyheadstefsblog.blogspot.com

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  8. You just got my vote Sarah. You were ahead in the poll just now! Yipee! I hope you win. LOVE all the fall pics. I feel all warm and cozy now, thanks!!

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  9. Love the pics. You have my vote :)

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  10. Hey Sarah. I'm heading there now to vote. Good luck. Those photos are great. I would so love to get out of Fl and go on a fall craft retreat. All you girls are showing the most delicious photos. And everyone of them seem to bring God closer to my heart and really on my mind.
    Have a blessed day...Tracy :)

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  11. I am like you...LOVE the shorter days, and early nightfall! I think it is so cozy to have dim lights on all over the house, dinner cooking and smelling wonderful, a fire in the evening, and a quilt to snuggle up under. Love it!

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  12. MMmmmmmm Apple Crisp YES PLEASE! Well I have one son that was born in Sept but I am currently preggers with #2 Mr. who is due Nov. 10th. I LOVE fall and pumpkin pie and football and delicious soups (minestrone tonight at our house) and of course the cooler weather (because I'm tellin' ya this pregnant lady's turkey is done - the little timer is stickin' out and everything!!!)

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  13. Marching Band totally! Have dd in now and ds was in 4 years prior! Love this time of year! First comp on Saturday! Can't wait!

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  14. Voted! So Easy to Vote! I was glad I didnt have to provide a ton of info, it was one radial button selection...done!
    Good Luck!

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  15. I love bringing my throws out and just putting them over my legs when we are watching TV or when I'm on my laptop. The crispness in the air right now is wonderful.

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  16. Fall is seriously the best. We don't have much a fall season here (So CA). But, anything pumpkin-y smelling is the best. Cooking the oven or just a candle. It makes me pretend that I see some fall colors outside. :)

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  17. I just voted! You're gonna WIN!!!

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  18. Sweet picture in the pumpkin patch! Good luck on winning the prize!!

    Di

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  19. I love fall too. Thanks for reminding me of all the reasons why.

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  20. Sarah, I love your post, fall is my fav too, all the colors and crisp air. Let us know if we can vote more than once.
    thanks
    shelia

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  21. Oh my gosh, apple crisp and cider for a bedtime snack is making me sooo hungry! Was it good? I just came across your blog today from jamigoldsmith-imagine's blog. Your nlog is really great and I love the cool shaped squash or gord picture!

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  22. i ran across your blog yesterday and i've been on it about 10 times since! i love it! you are so good at what you do!

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  23. Lovely!!! Fall is just one of the greatest times of year I think. :-)

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  24. What a fun list! I think I could pretty much copy and paste yours :)

    And by the way, my daughter was born in the fall right about the time the daylight started to get shorter and I felt the EXACT same way. If I can, I'm gonna try to plan to have the next baby in the summer (Yeah...like I've got so much control over that ;)

    I'm off to vote for you!

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  25. Yes, ma'am. There's something about fall that just makes me feel ALIVE.

    We lived in Michigan for seven years, and one of my very favorite things about fall there was the APPLES. There aren't as many places down here in the South where apples can grow. Oh, my goodness, I can even now taste the fresh apple cider. Makes my mouth water just to think about it.

    Seeing the photos of your sweet little guy makes me reminisce about the fun times when my own fellows were small. Do you have the book The Pumpkin Patch Parable?

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  26. Good luck - I voted for you! Love the fall photos, too. I'm from OR and now live in TX. I do miss the fall colors!

    Jenica
    www.growingupcarlley.blogspot.com

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  27. What great pictures. I love the small tiles around your fireplace!!

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  28. I voted .... your entry is the best. Good Luck!!!

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  29. I'd be excited for fall - except we might get SNOW here in the Twin Cities this Friday. Yikes!!!!!

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  30. Just got back from voting and as of 5 minutes ago you were ahead *squeal*
    I love the dusty smell of the first time the furnace gets turned back on and baking bread and other yummies without it heating up your whole house when it is already 90 degrees! plus all that other stuff you said and warm cider is sounding sooooo good right now (and my down comforter)

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  31. I don't blame you one bit about that first winter. My oldest was a December baby, and Christmas was hard that year! :)

    Love the shot of the maple trees...those are my favorite in Autumn. :) I am soooo excited to do the pumpkin patch this year. I went last year with my MOPS group, but had to haul the baby around in the Bjorn, and it killed my back. This year, they are older and I am wiser. ;)

    Great Fall post!

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  32. Your son is soooo cute! Love all the Fall things too! :)

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  33. you touched on just about everything that I love about this season - it's so wonderful! PUMPKIN AND SQUASH EVERYTHING!!! :)

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  34. I voted!

    I love being able to wear long sleeves and jackets. Fall clothes are so classy, I love them!

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  35. I love this time of year! So colorful and cozy. Thanks for sharing all of the awesome pictures.

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  36. I love colorful scarves, hot chocolate, colorful leaves and the nice cool breeze. Not to hot and not to cold. Fall is just right.

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  37. Omigosh, I do love fall. My birthday is October 30 so all my birthday parties as a little girl included jack o'lanterns, dress up, Halloween candy, and hot cocoa on top of the usual cake and presents. Joy! Add in the bonfires, the pumpkin patch, the hayrides, and jumping in a leaf pile and you cannot beat this season. Not even with a broomstick.

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  38. VOTED!!! Good Luck Sarah!! Love all the "fall" pictures. I remember my grandparents taking us to pick out pumpkins and gather apples when I was little and living on Long Island. There is just something wonderful about the cool crisp fresh air after a very humid/hot summer!!

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  39. Here in Michigan, donuts & carmel apples go along with cider in the fall. But now that I'm all grown up, my neighbor & I get together early Sunday evening for a carmel apple martini & rehash the week.;-)

    -umjudis

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  41. I voted...and posted it on FB so more people will vote!!

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  42. beautiful leaves!!! I love your front porch. It looks like it should be in a magazine.

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  43. I just found your blog & was so inspired by all your work! I am a big do it yourselfer too & love to do all of these kind of things.
    We use to have an old home & built a new one. I love finding new ideas & ways of doing things....keep teaching us...we are listening! I always have a project or two in the fire going. ha! I love your home & style! Bonnie

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  44. Congrats! I am definately voting :). I love that I can now open every single door and window in my house and let all the cool air in each night and in the morning :) (last year we lived in a basement, so it's a real blessing this year!) I love pumpkins! I live in AZ so we do not have changing colors, but I am visiting Utah next week, and am excited to see it's beauty. That's what I love!

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  45. Oh my word, I love living in Hawaii, but you make me miss the mainland, especially this time of year! Thanks for the fun pictures and the sweet little escape!

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  46. I love the color of those mums and that burning bush! So pretty! Thanks!

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  47. I wish we had temps like that. We're still in the 90s!

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  48. My hubby and I both have fall birthdays and we love fall so much we were married October 1st (10 years ago) outdoors in the evening *sigh*

    We moved from CNY to Coastal NC four years ago and I SO miss picking our own pumpkins and apples.

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  49. I voted & I'm not even just saying this...your before & after DESERVES to win! I LOVE IT!!!

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  50. I love the fall too and I love your blog. I have been writing about the fall time over at my blog as well.

    Warmly,

    Bernie

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  51. I just have to say that is one crazy looking gourd!! Wow

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  52. K sarah...your behind like 300 votes... i voted again so you can vote everyday Im thinking...let people know k... i want u to win@!!@

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  53. Kitchen island by Sarah 19% (505 votes) - Good luck!! You are truly talented. I only wish I had half of your talent and creative touch. You inspire me around my home and make me want to "make" my home a home. You are awesome at what you do!! Thanks for all of the great ideas!!

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  54. I voted! this is a great idea, as always!

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  55. Sarah,

    I went to that website and voted for you and not just because you asked. Because you deserve to win.

    If you check out my website, I've added some things to my bedroom that you suggested, but it's still a work in progress. I've ordered the vanity chair. I hope you'll like my choice.

    Hugs, Gretchen
    birdnestcottage.typepad.com

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  56. such pretty flowers!!

    I love the smell of cinnamon in the fall - it's just so... right!

    I found cinnamon sticks at the Dollar Tree and have been crafting simple things with them for the past 2 weeks. I just did a post on 5 different things I've done with them (post here http://paulsbride.blogspot.com/2009/10/creative-ways-to-use-cinnamon-sticks.html) and am looking for more ideas if anyone has any!!

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  57. What about bittersweet. My grandmother had it on her farm and I like to use it dried. I don't see it on many of the decorating blogs, but I love it for fall. I have some recipes that I ONLY make in fall: pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting, carmel brownies, and apple carmel cheesecake.

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I LOVE your comments, thank you! (I read every single one.)

If you have a specific question I will do my best to answer you back here! Be sure to check out the FAQs tab at the top of the site and my Projects page for paint colors and DIY projects as well.

THANKS so much for reading!

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