NOW I'm ready for Fall....

My snowshoes arrived today.

These will help me get through those long months of Winter.

Having something new to look forward to, helps the dreaded season ahead seem a little more bearable.

In the meantime, I am having fun adding some charm to the miniatures here at the lakehouse. Using some pumpkin pods, and ideas I gleaned from the last post at Whitewood & Linen.

Isn't the hydrangea petal garland the sweetest little thing ever?!

She showed how to make tiny wreaths, for Fall, using hydrangea petals.

These were the smallest ones I could find.

This baker is trying to decide on apple, or pumpkin pie....I think both were made.

These wreaths are so sweet, I don't think I will be putting them away after the Fall season.

I couldn't stop making them!!! lol

It took some time for me to get into the Fall mood....but now that things are put in their places....it's all good.  Some of us just take a little longer than others.  

HA....NOW I'm ready for Fall.

Debbie

xo

Leaves and sleet balls are falling.....

As I'm looking out the windows, I see some of the trees have lost half of their leaves already.

One more windy day, and those trees will be bare.

Yet, there are trees that still have green leaves.

We've had a hard frost, so the flowers are all done for the season.

Hopefully, we will have an Indian Summer....that would be nice.

The flavors of Apple Cider this year are wonderful!  Apple pie, salted caramel, and pumpkin spice. They taste great with the donuts!

I know most people hang Fall signs this time of year....but the pieces I have from Christie are so beautiful, I just cannot take them down.

I am decorating around them.

Since it's "Harvest" time, I thought this was an appropriate chalk board sign for Fall.

At the very bottom, it says, "it's time for the Harvest". 

This year I've incorporated traditional Fall colors into my décor.

Sometimes, change is good.

It's not everywhere....but there's "just enough".

Mr. Lakehouse ordered my snowshoes. They should be here in about two weeks. No hurry!! I can wait for the snow!!  

I am still adjusting to the colder weather we have been experiencing lately. The large sleet balls that were falling from the sky three days ago were enough of a shock to my system!

Have a nice weekend.

Debbie

xo

The season of changes.

The nights are chilly.

We had frost this morning.

The boat came out of the water today.

It's dark by 8:00 p.m.

and I am baking constantly....

Hunters are getting excited about buck season.

Clothing and décor has changed over to heavier fabrics, and darker colors.

The markets are packed with pumpkins and cornstalks, apple cider and donuts.

You see canning and freezing supplies in all of the grocery stores.

Scented candles are everywhere!

People's yards are void of lawn furniture.

The canals, and docks are being emptied of boats, jet skiis, and pontoons.

Gardens are being cleaned up, and bushes are getting cut back.

Urns, and birdbaths are emptied, as well as flower pots and containers.

People are preparing their motor homes for the long trip south for the Winter.

Homes are being winterized. 

The season of so many changes.

Fall, here, is a time of preparation.

Hunkering down for "what's to come".

Living in the upper portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan means shorter Summers, and longer Winters. We get lots of cold, wind, and snow....for what seems sooooo long. You learn to adjust...or go south.  

I am going to try something new this year. Snowshoeing.  Hopefully, that will help give me something fun to tackle during the long Winter months.  Plus, working on some miniatures should keep me busy.

In the meantime, I will take my time, and enjoy Fall.....trying some new recipes, and looking forward to the upcoming holidays with my family.

Have a great week!

Debbie

xo

Ya Gotta Love Bunnies.....

I love bunnies.

We had them when we were kids.

My kids had them when they were young.

My youngest daughter's kids had them, and I have two of their hand raised bunnies.

I found a fibre artist on Etsy that does needle-felt sculptures.

It takes about three months for the artist to complete an order...but it's worth the wait.

When I received my order, I was very impressed with the work that went into the bunnies.

These bunnies made my heart sing!

Their faces are so sweet, and the detail is perfection.

They are whimsical, yet the expressions are so realistic.

What's not to love?

They are pieces that will be cherished, and handed down.

They won't be saved for Easter, but will be enjoyed everyday.

Ya gotta love bunnies.....

Have a happy day!
Debbie
xo

Happy Fall!!

We've had rain for the past few days, and wind that is blowing leaves off the trees that are starting to turn color.

The temps at night are in the forties, and we've even had them dip down into the thirties.

Fall has arrived.

I'm one of those Summer lovers....so letting go of my favorite season is difficult....but once I give in, I embrace the new season.

After decorating the porch, it was easier to make the change on the inside of the house.

Once I pull out the pumpkins, and colored lights, the fun begins.

I don't usually decorate with darker colors for Autumn, however, this year has me going for the warm bronze and golds for the season.

I keep this photo of two of my granddaughters on the windowsill...and I  decided to decorate around it.

It's such a sweet, and fun picture. Adding warm decor around it felt appropriate.

Hydrangeas are everywhere in the house. I dry them for arrangements, and also just for decoration.  They are such a cheery flower that help get me through those cold, long Winter days while waiting for Spring.

A lot of the Fall decor stays out past Halloween. I just remove the bats, and jack-o-lanterns.

The leaves, and other pumpkins and gourds are appropriate for Thanksgiving. I just add a couple of turkeys.

I am looking forward to see what everyone is going to do for Autumn this year.
Happy Fall to you all!!
Debbie
xo

Savoring the Summer-like weather.

The Honeysuckle vine is thinning out, and the leaves on the trees are showing signs of Fall.

The weather, however, has been Summer-like for the past week.

The local greenhouse is selling mums and pumpkins.

In order to scoop up the white mums while I could, I went and bought them over the past few days.

The two hanging planters are losing their colors, but they make a nice backdrop for the transition to a Fall porch.

The containers are a mis-match of colors, sizes, and styles....but they aren't the focus right now.

Hopefully, it's the Fall flowers, and little pumpkins that people will notice.

Hoping to add a couple of Cinderella pumpkins to this mix....just waiting a little longer....savoring what's left of this Summer-like weather for a few more days.  

Smooches.

Debbie

xo

It was a good day.

A lot of our summer was spent painting the siding of the house.

It was a very light grey, with white trim, and dark grey shutters and doors.

I was hoping to have new porches, and a deck put on....but that will be a project for next year.

Something Jim is working on are these arbors for over the windows.

I saw them online, and asked if he could possibly make something similar to the pictures I saw.

Tada!!!!! This is what he came up with, and I just love them!!

I am hoping that next Spring the Honeysuckle vine will climb over the top of the arbor.

This is the second one he's made.

There are three more windows on the "water side" of the house, and he will make one for over the garage door, also.

I purchased some Fall flowers, and little white pumpkins for the porch.

I'm waiting for the Cinderella pumpkins to arrive at the greenhouse.

I like the pinks and teal green colors with the whites.

The cooler weather usually means more roses will be blooming.

The deer, rabbits, and Japanese beetles have destroyed most of the Summer roses this year.

I put up a scarecrow to, hopefully, deter anymore deer from coming into the garden, and wiping out what roses might bloom this Fall.

Who says a scarecrow has to look scary? AND be skinny?

Mine is not only stylish, she's also a "plus size".....if she's going to be wearing my clothes, than she's going to be wearing an XL!!!

I've been every size, from 122 pounds, to...well, we really don't need to go there....the point I'm trying to make is this: I've been up, down, and all around. I wish I could stay down....but have always fluctuated.

I have my fat clothes, and skinny clothes, and the ones I'm wearing now.

If I can stay somewhere in between, I am okay with it.

It's been a struggle with Crohn's Disease, and the meds I take.....

Anyway.... weight is not my focus anymore. It used to be when I was younger.  I know I should try harder than I do to be healthier.....but I don't.

Seeking joy was my focus today. Looking in the nooks and crannies of each moment. Reaching....up. Leaning in. Searching Scripture. Praying.  Letting God handle the stuff that's out of my control....trusting Him. 

It was a good day.

Debbie

xo 

Starting to dry flowers....

Oh my.....I can't deny it any longer....Fall is upon us here in Northern/lower Michigan.

Just 14 miles north of here the temperature dropped to 30 degrees last night.

It's time to start cutting the flowers for drying.

A few of the hydrangeas are ready to bring in.

I love loading canning jars with them as they dry for Fall arrangements.

They also look pretty in ironstone pitchers.

The bees were busy as I was cutting the flower heads.

I dry the blooms upright where ever I can find an available spot.

Like on top of the French cup rack.

In sweet little pitchers.

And empty vases.

The bushes are laden with flowers that aren't ready to be cut yet. 

I don't think I'm quite ready to cut ALL the flowers off the bushes. I'm hoping to transition over to the Fall season a little at a time.

The cooler temps means the roses will make another appearance before a hard frost.  That gives me a few extra for drying for wreaths.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Debbie

xo

Grace for the Moment.

I was just writing an email to my sweet friend Roxy, at Living from Glory to Glory, when a post started swimming in my head.

I told her I was sitting in front of the glass sliding doors watching the sun bouncing off the water, and reflecting off the bottom of the boat across the canal from us.

I love this time of the day.

So I grabbed my camera, zoomed in on the boat, and took a shot.

It won't be long when the boats will come off the hoists, and moorings for the season.

While sitting, and watching the sun and water, you can hear someone mowing their lawn. The sweet fragrance of freshly cut grass wafts by on the breeze.

This is the time of the year when the hydrangeas are laden with heavy blooms...pulling the branches almost down to the ground.

It's too early to cut them for drying. So it takes patience not to get out the cutters, and clip off the gorgeous bloom too early.

The Monarchs are here in abundance this year!

Fluttering from one Blackeyed Susan to the next.

We have several patches of them growing around our yard.

It's a happy flower that kind of wraps up the Summer gardens.

As I enjoy the gorgeous day, my kitchen is a busy place.

Two blueberry pies cooling, one in the oven, and one more ready to bake.

Pulled pork in the slow cooker, and a variety of cold salads waiting to be made....like potato salad, using all of those boiled potatoes on the counter.

The picnic for the Lion's Den is here this weekend.

Jim has been cleaning up the yard, while I am inside doing the things that need tending to.

This time of the year usually brings sadness....the end of Summer is difficult for me.

Today has been a joyful day. I've felt His presence in everything around me.....Grace for the moment.

Have a fun and safe holiday weekend!!

Debbie

xo

Summer's End.

Summer is coming to a close here at the lake.

I'm never ready to let go of my favorite season of the year.

I enjoy Spring and Fall, yet Summer is the greatest time of the year for me.

As the weather cools, the roses will come back and bloom until the first frost.

I will gather as many as I can to dry and use in wreaths.

Having gorgeous pieces by Christie Rapesy helps keep visions of Summer alive during those long, harsh months of Winter here in the Mid-West.

Working on miniatures will also keep my focus off from the cold, and blowing snow that seems to last way too long during the Winter season.

I think the living room is finally finished in my first 1/12 scale dollhouse.

I will be working on the bakery this Fall, once it's too cold to work outside.

I haven't started decorating the "real" house yet, but it looks like the dollhouse is transitioning over to Fall.

We're planning a picnic on Sunday with the people from the "mission" where I teach Bible Studies, here at our home.  It will close out a great Summer for us here at the lakehouse, with lots of food, fishing, swimming, tubing, hopefully some music, and a campfire. 

I hope that your holiday weekend will be fun, and safe.

Debbie

xo