Friday, October 13, 2017

Autumn Door Arrangement at Southern Exposure

Southern Exposure. Our Happy Place. Old Barns (the milking parlor, the corn crib, the hog house, etc.), beautiful gardens, and wonderful workshops.




The first workshop of the season was Autumn Door Arrangement. But before you see the project, let's take a walk around the gardens.


There's something about a garden at the end of season. The flowers are a bit more battered than they were a month or so ago, yet they're still putting on a rather good show.


Certainly the butterflies didn't mind one bit!


Although not fully decked for fall, we saw some wonderful pumpkin arrangements -- I liked this one.


Around the corner, the holly (no doubt to be used in workshops later in November and December) was plentiful and beautiful.


I always love the greenhouse!


I loved the way they included plants in the vintage typewriter.


The statuary in the garden always seems to speak volumes.


They seem to stand guard...


...and reflect both our peace and our sorrows.


We were happy to tell the chickens they were not on our menu that night!


Our dinner was a wonderful beef and rice inside an acorn squash which was delicious, served with a broccoli salad with grapes and cranberries and variegated carrots.


Pumpkin roll was the seasonal dessert.


When we walked into the craft tent, we found all our supplies at our seat. Micah, our instructor, gave us a few hints on using the swamp blueberries and bittersweet. (Remove the leaves to avoid mold and the unpleasant odor they make as they dry!)


Then we started stuffing our vessel, a galvanized tin with a flat back, perfect to hang on a wall or door.



We agreed this was a versatile project and that the autumn bits could easily be replaced for various seasonal arrangements.


Voila! The end result, with my friend Kate!


And, on the door!


My next visit is for "Christmas on a Shoestring," with loads of decorating ideas. Stay tuned!


Sharing this post with Share Your Cup, Happiness Is Homemade, Share Your Style and Pink Saturday when links become available.

42 comments:

R's Rue said...

Beautiful.

Valerie-Jael said...

This is gorgeous, I would love to visit that place, too, but I don't think my bus goes there! Your Autumn decoration is fantastic, so full of energy and warmth - love it. Enjoy it on your door. Hugs, Valerie

eileeninmd said...

Hello, beautiful images from your happy place. I can see why you love it there, the flowers are beautiful. I like your cute Autumn decoration, great project. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

Joanne Huffman said...

A lovely wreath, looks great on your door.

Lisbeth said...

Great courses. The door decoration turned out very well. Beatiful. I love the colours.

Lynne said...

Wonderful . . .
Just to be there looks like a treat . . .
And the door piece . . . perfect . . .
I see pine, spruce in the metal vessel next . . .
Loved the white pumpkin tower . . .
Good tip about the leaf removal on the berry twigs . . .
Takes me forever to do so with my bitter sweet!
I like your Happy Place . . .

Stacey said...

The jealousy continues! Love your front door decor and I'd love to go there.

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Oh Jeanie,
A happy place indeed! Everything looks so beautiful, love the statuary, and the flowers are gorgeous. The meal looks delicious, and you look lovely!
blessings,
Penny

Daniela said...

Actually I do love your "happy place", it's wonderful more and more, dearest Jeanie, and your purchase is truly stunning !

Wishing you a most lovely end of your week ahead,
with sincere thankfulness

XOXO Dany

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

I can certainly see why you would return again and again! The gardens are wonderful and there is nothing better for a lift. The food looks wonderful too, and just the way I like to eat these days. Veggie heavy. You are so good at taking care of yourself and filling your life with what feeds the soul. I need more! Loved your comment on my post.

Deb said...

What a charming place to frequent. And the end result of your craft is gorgeous. It's so nice to return often to a fun place with a good friend. :)

Joyful said...

Beautiful grounds and fabulous meal. I'm sure the chickens were very happy to know that they were not on the menu! I love the idea of crafting over wine and fabulous dinner and friends. A great outing all around. xx

Barbara said...


Hello Jeanie, your door decoration is beautiful and perfect for the time of year. Your dinner looked delicious, and I bet the chickens were happy not to be on the menu! :-)

Marilyn Miller said...

I always enjoy your visits to Southern Exposure and love the project you returned home and hung on your door. The walk in the garden was total delight. The red flower floating in the water was just lovely. The coleus was so bright and cheerful. What a fun escape to the herb farm. Now I will be waiting to see what they do for Christmas.

My name is Erika. said...

I always enjoy when you take us along for some gardeny crafts and beautiful seasonal gardens. The plants still look so pretty. I like your door decoration too. Hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Holy cow, I thought I left a comment early this morning, but after I read your beautiful story, I went to the Southern Exposure web site to learn more about their place. I must have thought I left a comment, so my apologies.

This door arrangement is beautiful. You and your friend both made lovely pieces. But the entire experience was even more lovely, and the meal looked delicious, too. I so enjoyed walking the grounds with you and seeing all that beauty you saw. It was all so lovely and very inspiring.

carol@The Red Painted Cottage said...

Your arrangements look beautiful! We're going to Meijer Gardens next week and I hope to share photos of their flowers. Have an enjoyable weekend!

Mary K. said...

Jeanie your fall decor is just lovely. I have to also mention that those statues were quite a beautiful sight standing in the gardens like that. So glad you enjoyed your time there.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

JEANIE, DARLIN'!!!!!!!!!

I feel as if I haven't entered your sweet world in ages! What a school year...it's fabulous but demanding. This chill of fall, the colors dripping from the sky, it all reminds me of school age finger painting class, when we were allowed to play with our hands, feel the paint, see the mixtures of reds and yellows and all primary things. Oh my friend, this is a great garden!

Victoria Zigler said...

You can feel your pleasure at visiting there again in your words, and I don't blame you in the least. It sounds like a wonderful place to visit, and the crafts always sound like so much fun.

La Table De Nana said...

Fun fun fun..food..gardens..creating..just about the best and w/ a great frind..=winner combination.Love that beanch Jeanie:)There is a dish I make..my daughter gave me a recipe in acorn squash..delish.

The French Hutch said...

Jeanie, I always look forward to visiting here with you. The gardens, especially the statuary is such a lovely place. Dinner sounds delicious and I love the arrangement you made. That reminds me, I have a similar container with flat back I need to get our and use. Love the pic of your and your friend, those smiles says it all. Thanks for the tour........

Eilis said...

I'm so glad you share that inspiring place with us. I have most of the items you used in your arrangement lying around the house. Time to put something together!

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, I love your visits to Southern Exposure! The gardens are still lovely and who would have thought of plants in a vintage typewriter! The meal looks fabulous, especially the pumpkin roll! Your project looks beautiful! I am in Aspen Colorado and enjoying the tributes on the 20th anniversary of the death of our most favorite singer/songwriter...John Denver!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

I would love that place, too, Jeanie. The gardens are wonderful and combining a workshop with such a nice dinner, is a lovely idea. Your door decoration piece is beautiful and looks great on your door.
Have a good weekend!
xo Julia

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

Just gorgeous! What a wonderful place that is, and so inspiring. -Jenn

Blondie's Journal said...

Sounds like a great workshop...the meal, the fun in floral arranging! Gorgeous pictures, too!

Happy Weekend!

Jane x

Silver in AZ said...

looks like just a stellar time/location!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Jeanie, you did a great job on your arrangement! I must go there someday; Southern Exposure looks a place I'd return to again and again as you do.

Ann said...

Oh the pumpkin topiary is gorgeous!!!! Might have to try that one.
Ann

Rita C at Panoply said...

Oh, how I love this event series, and your project turned out beautifully, Jeanie! If I were in your 'hood, I'd definitely tag along for one or more of these.

Pam said...

Oh my what a beautiful place. Love seeing all the flowers in bloom in the fall. Strange thing here in TN, we have plants blooming right now that usually bloom in the spring. STRANGE. Thanks for taking me along with you to your happy place. Hoping you are doing well with your treatment.

Painting the hamptons said...

I love your arrangement! What a great spot.

BeachGypsy said...

I absolutely love it when you go here....beacause I know I'm in for a treat with all the beautiful and fun pictures! the supper looks fantastic and your craft this time looked fun! Yours and your friends both look great! If I was you I would sign up for every single one of their workshops too. I'm so glad you share these with us..we dont have anything like that here.

Bella Rum said...

Oh, man! I want to live in Southern Exposure, or even better, live next-door to you so I could go with you. As I've read and looked at your blog over the years, I realize how you bring beautiful things into your life. Your blog is rich with your experiences. I love that you share them with us.

Polly said...

What at lovely day you had, I can see how it's your favourite place. Beautiful photos. I think Autumn colours are the prettiest of all the seasons. Your Autumn display looks lovely hanging on your door.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I'm not very crafty but a place like this would be so awesome for me to visit because they provide all the supplies and instructions (which are things I need to do a project!). I love how your's turned out! What a fun festive door hanging!! We are terrible about decorating for the seasons but I should look for a fall wreath so our door looks more festive!

The food looked delicious, too! I love those variegated carrots!!

Barb said...

I always love a trip with you to Southern Exposure. So many creative ideas in one place. Your autumn door decoration looks great!

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh my, that pumpkin roll looks amazing. The angel statue with the red flower caught my eye, that's sweet. And that vintage typewriter filled with plants is something else. Southern Exposure looks beautiful with all the colors of Autumn.

~Sheri

Sandra Cox said...

Absolutely beautiful, Jeanie.

Snap said...

You are so lucky to live near Southern Exposure and be able to take advantage of the gardens (beautiful) and workshops (fun). Your Autumn door decoration is gorgeous!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

I always look forward to your visits to Southern Exposure. Such a fun idea! The dinner sounded delicious and I love the craft. Yes, it's very versatile. Loved seeing the garden, and I'm drooling over those red chairs in the last photo. I have A garden obelisk just like that one that is filled with pumpkins. I have it on top of my entertainment center. Now I want to fill mine. :) Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann

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