Tis the Season for Fall Decor -- and Apple Bread!

It hardly seems possible that we are in the last week of October. What on earth happened to summer? It seemed winter went on and on and now we're looking toward it again. 

 

Life has been rather routine these days. I had a wonderful time with blogger Anno who came up to Lansing for lunch, enjoyed dinner with friends, went to a farewell dinner for a friend and had our WKAR retiree lunch. That, and an appointment with the Secretary of State's office to get my handicap permit and a long delayed skin check with the dermatologist (all is well), got me out of the house! Inside? I put up a few decorations (really cutting back this year) and have been prepping inventory for my upcoming sale.

At Home: All Things Home

It's hard to believe that Easter is about a week away -- and it's as late as it can be this year, so we are well into official spring. Not that you would know it by the weather! But the mini-daffs, the first to pop each year, are looking perky outside and buds on the later spring bulbs. For the bigger ones? It's Trader Joe's! You go with what you can, right?

The house is looking a bit more springy. The spring/Easter decorations have been up for a bit, but I keep adding to them, moving them around!

One Tree at a Time

Everywhere I visit on Blogland I see people's beautiful holiday decorations and lovely trees. Meanwhile, I'm still working on it!

But I thought I'd offer a bit of a progress report! I'm getting Christmas up, one tree at a time, one Santa at a time. 

There's a Bunny In the House!

I'm pretty sure this isn't going to be my biggest "decorate for Easter" year. But if you don't get the bunnies out a few weeks before Easter, when will you?

So up came the favorites. I realized the pressure was off to put up everything I had when I remembered that I had given a good deal to Goodwill last spring. It made the choices easier!

One of the things I regret before the "staying in" was not buying fresh flowers (which, of course, would be dead by now!). Still, I'm glad I have my "permanent botanicals," as my friends at Southern Exposure call them! These tulips are quite real.

This is one of my Vintage by Crystal favorites. Two more are coming soon! I have hardly shopped since the book buy in Canada and I figured I deserved it!

The top of the china cabinet always needs some pretty! Some of my favorites are here -- a swag my cousin gave me several years ago, some bird's nests...

 ...the sweetest bunny bank a friend sent me (it's filling with my spare change but no deposits of late. alas!)

This nest had the perfect message for our times. Peace, Hope, Joy. Especially hope.

The tiny peat pot was one of a series from my crafting times a couple of years ago.

This bunny was new last year. I can't resist a bunny!

The mantel of the family room is pretty routine. 

I'm so glad I have a boatload of bunnies in the basement! The apple blossom swag on the left was a Southern Exposure project a few years ago. I may move it elsewhere but for now, it works.

The lantern was a Southern Exposure project long ago that has been done over and over. It just seemed right to have a bird's nest nearby.

On the heart, a mama bunny and her baby have found their own little carrot patch!

My cheery bunny found a new home in the family room this year. The basket next to it was a rainy-day project a few years ago. I just hot-glued faux carrots to a basket and filled it with a bunny to peek out.

Like I said, I love the bunnies.

I'm also a sucker for wreaths. This one has a few of my felties.

And there was a little forsythia left over, so I tucked it into the former Christmas wreath. I love the rustic look.

Atop another cabinet, a bit more forsythia. These were art fair purchases decades ago. I love their simplicity.

Above the desk, a birdhouse back in the birdhouse-making days, flanked by two bunnies!

 Let's take a look in the hutch. Peter Rabbit is waiting!

And more nests. Long after the bunnies are gone, the nests will remain somewhere!

Finally, this week's centerpiece. Who knows? Maybe it will be there all the season! I love my Pendelfin rabbits, which I started collecting when I was a kid.

I haven't brought out their "house" yet, because I'm running a little tight on room. (I still haven't done the Easter egg trees either, and I'm beginning to wonder if they'll make an appearance.

Well, I still have a couple of weeks!

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Autumn is in the House!

Eek! I've been seeing gloriously decorated autumn homes on blogs since September! Well, I'm almost done!

We'll take a quick look outside at this delightful birdhouse my cousin painted for me.  There used to be lettuce growing in that pot!

Usually I start with the fall things, then add Halloween to it. It's easy to take out the Halloween in November and  you're still pretty well decorated!

So, here's a look at the mantel in the family room with Joanne Huffman's sweet doll taking center stage, along with photographer Wally Parshall's gorgeous Paris photos. I know I should take them down for different seasons and maybe I will, but I usually can't bear to put them away!

They're joined by a collection of copper and brass from my mom, and some silky leaves.

On the opposite wall, I brought in my little Halloween tree.

This is one of two I have. It will go down in early November.

 And of course the back door has a Southern Exposure project on it!

In the living room things are a little simpler. Cotton and leaves...

...more leaves on the chandelier, inspired by those Southern Exposure chandeliers...

...another of mom's copper pots filled with hydrangeas, courtesy of my wonderful massage therapist...

...and one with autumn leaves. (I'm so glad she loved copper, because I do too!)

There's a bit of action going on atop the china cabinet...

...and inside the hutch, too!

I have to say I'm awfully fond of this fellow. I'll miss him when the Halloweenies come down in November!

I did mention another tree. This is just a tiny feather tree in the living room.

 Since I took the photo I added some tiny golden lights to it. I love that it shows off my mini-Radko ornaments so well. The lights next to it are grapevine balls. Maybe you saw them at Target Dollar Spot too!

Couldn't resist a new throw pillow. As you can see, I neglected to take Lizzie's seat protector off. Oh well.

Of course, in a few weeks, all the Halloween will head back to the basement and a turkey or two might emerge. The pumpkins, of course, and other gourds will remain till it's time to bring up Christmas.

But I want to enjoy this for a little while first!

Wouldn't you?

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Break in the Action: Springing Up the House

Well, before we continue the England posts with a move onto Bath and the Cotswolds, I wanted to take another quick break in the action to kick up some things happening now. Like spring! Well, spring on March 20 -- and who knows if it will look like it outside!

But inside I'm ready!

It started with bringing up the spring things from the basement.

And adding some real greenery!

(This poor shamrock looks pathetic now. So much for going away on vacation and overwatering a shamrock. Next time I'll know better but it was nice for awhile!)

Tulips spring it up, too!

And bunnies! This was my new Home Goods find. I couldn't resist!

What to do with a Mary Engelbreit teapot with a broken lid? A few flowers!

In another corner, a moss bunny, blooms and one of the bird houses I made long ago when on the birdhouse kick!

 And in the kitchen, my Hall China Crocus pattern is out. This is just a part of it but that shelf is only so big and has to hold some everyday things, too!

Of course, Lizzie has to check everything out!

Who? Me?

Sad Bunny is my newest feltie -- and the first with bendable parts! He now has a little friend -- I'll share her later!

So, spring will arrive in a heartbeat! At long last.

Its been awhile! (But a short winter journey is in store before we return to the England posts!)

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