I keep my outside decorating natural and simple.  I use pumpkins and mums and let the changing leaves do the rest!

Inside, I burn fall scented candles — and I start doing this when school starts.  My favorite now is Mulled Cider by Tyler Candle Company.  It makes the entire house smell wonderful, makes me think of crisp fall air (even though we're still broiling here in Texas), inspires me to bake and plan fall meals and get togethers.

By the end of September, I have started sprinkling my vintage Halloween decorations around the house.  Each year I search for another goodie!  I place bowls of fall candy around — and since I've always thought of them as “decorations” I stay out of them!  (To this day, my 24 year old asks if he may have a “decoration” — because that's what I told the kids they were when they were little, and they always asked before they ate a decoration!)  I bring nature inside with fall arrangements made with woodsy items.

This is my favorite season.  I think of hayrides, cookouts, pumpkin carving parties, soups, stews, festivals.  So, I keep the decorating simple.  The outside decorating I do carries me through Thanksgiving — leaving me more time for baking, cooking and fun with family and friends.

I Love fall and of all the seasons I miss having, Fall is the ONE! Since I'm in Florida and we don't have leaves that turn, I use leaves and pumpkins all through my house to decorate!  I miss the cool, crisp mornings, sweater weather and the smell of the burning leaves.  I also use candles to recreate that here. 

:J

Mine is rather simple, as I just put out some gourds or mini pumpkins and a display on the dining table - a Cornucopia…some little ghost, scarey candles for Halloween…my ceramic pumpkin…

OH, here's an idea my mom taught me. You know the ceramic pumpkin you put out for Halloween? With that big cut out face? Just turn it around to the other side, to use for Thanksgiving! (so it just looks like a plain pumpkin).

I always have a candy jar full of candy for any holiday - like candy corn for Halloween. I like to also buy the foil Peppermint Patties, because they put the foil colors out for each season, like gold for Halloween, green/silver/red for Christmas….

You can also fill jars with food colored water, for decoration - like orange…(got that off the Sandra Lee show)…and I also change placemats/tablecloth to reflect the Harvest season…holiday season. Sometimes I do a wreath on the front door. I put something on the mantle/fireplace hearth…just to give little touches all around.

I like to gather what everybody calls weeds and fix arrangements of these mixed with odds and end cuttings from flowering plants and bushes in my yard.

Deep south zone 10 does not allow for changes of color in leaves which my

heart craves….so the transformation takes place inside.  My family knows i do

the fall up real big…i have a scarecrow form that is dressed and go to feed store

for bale of hay…strange among the lush tropical plantings in our yard…but nice!

Inside the garlands, leaves, branches, turkeys, pumpkins make the house seem

like fall is in the air…just have to turn up the air conditioner to chill the air!  Oh it

would be great to see the leaves change colors.

Whats a foddershock?

Sooooooo does Hobby Lobby have foddershocks???  Would you see one and say “So THATS a foddershock!”  HMMMMMM.

I to love the isles of fall at HL Jayne, makes me think that somewhere in the world they are getting ready for fall and cool weather.  We still have till Nov to feel a cool breeze.

I was one of those that at one time put up 21 Christmas trees in my house.  There were everywhere in every room.  And decorated at every holiday.  Now since I'm about to be 50, I have slowed down a lot.  Not physically, just kind of emotionally drained.  I lost my best friend 4 years ago and holidays have been a struggle ever since.  But, honestly, being on this forum, seeing the same names day after day, makes me kind of feel hopeful.  Like I have “new” friends out there.  And all this talk of crafts, cooking, holidays and homey stuff has really made me feel so much better inside.  I guess, not so alone.

Gee, didnt know all that was about to spill out.  But, anyway, thanks everyone, for making me feel so welcome.  I had my son make this website come up as soon as I turn on the internet, cause it is the first thing I want to see, just who is on and who is doing, cooking, making what.

HELLO FRIENDS!!!

Aw Georgia, you're so sweet!  We're glad you are here too!

I thought that was what foddershock was but didn't want to open my mouth and be wrong.  LOL!

I won't see cool weather until November either, as a matter of fact we are still going swimming in the Gulf in November.  I can't wait for cooler weather.  Sometimes I can't decide which is worse, hot weather and hurricanes or cold weather and snow. 

Our Hobby Lobby already has alot of Christmas stuff out, including the trees.  The most trees I've ever put out were three.  My main tree is all a hodge podge of ornaments.  I have a tree I do just in snowmen and snowflakes and my other one is done in green & gold and Green Bay Packer ornaments. 

Our WM had some cute fall decorations out on Friday.  I may go back and splurge on a few tablecloths. 

:J

Georgia:  I don't think it's too early at all to start decorating outside.  I have Mums and pumpkins on my front porch now.  I have several decorative wooden stakes that I will be adding to the flower beds as soon as I find time.  And will probably start working on small ghosts and witches for a small tree in the front yard for October. 

Susan

The pumpkins are starting to come into the farmers market here in town. Hurray!

Porch decorations, here I come!