A Little Autumn Decorating

I got rather inspired after reading Sarah's blog. She's been drying larkspur and grass. I need to remember to make a note in my gardening notebook to be sure to grow more flowers and foliagefor drying next fall. I would like to be better prepared next autumn.

Because I needed to make a door wreath for the main entrance, Ashley, Hamlin, and I made a trip in to Anderson to visit Hobby Lobby. I needed ribbon and a couple of "somethings" to design a wreath around.

Be sure to click on the picture to see up close.

I really loved the oval shaped grapevine wreath. I grew straw flowers this summer and was richly rewarded with lots of crunchy blooms which add great accent to the "couple of somethings"I had to buy.

"I will bless the Lord at all times:
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul shall make her boast in the Lord:

The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.

I'm so thankful for yard sales and thrift shops! It is sooooo much fun to search for buried treasure! It is thrilling to see how the Lord has provided over the years through these "fun" hunting and gathering expeditions.

This past weekend, we ladies (Ashley, Thelma, and I) went yard-sale-ing. We had so much fun, I wish you could have been with us!

At the very first sale, we found this old quilt. The lady selling it told us her mother-in-law made it about 75 years ago, and her husband remembers sleeping under it. It is entirely stitched by hand! It was sewn in lengthwise strips. I consider it a special find. Can't you imagine it atop one of those old metal-framed beds with the squeaky springs, concealing three or four wriggling little boys huddled up to keep warm? It it needs a little patching, then I'll wash it on the "hand-wash" cycle.

Now, it takes a real visionary to see the potential here~but my friend, Marmee has a plant stand just like this one (only fixed up). Maybe I can persuade one of my dear sons to prepare it for a new coat of paint.

I love old suitcases! They are so nice to store things in.

I informed my family that I felt a need to be prepared to travel in case they decided to send me for a little trip to "Happy Dale". (They wouldn't DARE!)

I found this old suitcase and the hand~painted pilgrim couple at the same house. The people I bought them from were very nice.

Here they are on the kitchen mantle. They are just what I wanted.

My parents grew the Indian corn some years ago, and I keep it from year to year stored in plastic bin, otherwise, I'm sure it would attract rodents. I do look forward to the nice warm fires we will be having before long. There are few things more peaceful and comforting than a crackling fire in the hearth with the house all quiet and dark.

It's hard to believe that 2008 is winding down, as Thanksgiving time draws upon us. We have so very much to be thankful for. We still have the freedom to to what we ought to do; to look to God above and attribute to Him the glory due him.