Retreat vs Vacation

Hello my friends...

It has been a long time and I am ready to be back! The hiatus was necessary on many fronts and the hand is feeling much better.  

I recently was blessed to attend the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres Retreat in Navasota Texas. Let me say Thank you to my wonderful community for making it possible and our hosts for all the southern hospitality! Presvyteres Renee and Anna certainly are quite a team and everyone in attendance had a wonderful time. 

So why a retreat as opposed to a vacation?

Fall Mantle Reveal

I know all of you have been waiting with bated breath for this, right?
What says fall more than carnivorous terrariums?
This is in the center of the room, with a burlap and pumpkin on the tray redo.
Love the simplicity of this look and bringing these together, what do you think?

So here it is!

The Fall Mantle!

It's a little different than when I first started, afterall I was going for a primitive simple look.  I emptied it off and sat there staring at it for a while. Because I have so much time to just sit and stare at my wall, right??  As I sat, I thought about different things I have around the house, in boxes and favorite things.

I brought in one of favorite framed posters, and aspects you can pick out from the fall brunch.  I love the tallness and color of the wheat, and tried to bring some symmetry.  I feel like it turned out pretty elegant in the end. The lanterns are ages old, and I've had out for a while, actually since last Christmas, they have touches of gold on them, as do our little gourds, so sweet.

Initially I had the big metal pumpkin on the outside of the hearth and decided it seemed too cluttered and so moved out the vases and put it on the inside. 

Better, no?

I placed the big acorns, LOVE these!

Surrounded by gourds, a little triptych icon on a runner of burlap.

So can you spot these fellows.

I actually only used two of them, and

you may also recognize the table runner.

I re-used in the fall breakfast buffet decor.

In the end, it still didn't feel complete.

Something was missing, I finally figured it out, 

it was the icon of the Holy Family and

Mother of Kazan leaning on either side of the hearth.

Now it is right for me.

What have you changed around?

What do you think?

It's always interesting to me how things evolve in our homes.

Sometimes you just have to take a minute and play,

and sometimes it's right the first time.

I prefer to change it up others may keep it the same every year.

What do you prefer?

Share the Day.

Sharing with these lovely parties

Chic on a Shoestring Decorating,
Jennifer Rizzo
All Things Pretty,

Coastal Charm
Lovely Crafty Home
Original Belle

More Love for Fall

I know I said I would post the Fall Mantle Reveal this week...

I just couldn't get to it,

multiple factors, I won't bore you.

It is on it's way.

But I did want to share some more of my love for fall 

and the beauty it holds.

Fresh apples from the trees.

The last of the dahlias and a bit of wine to share with friends.

So grateful for the moments we have.

Are you able to slow down a bit, 

at least once in a while,

 to enjoy the colors, and each other?

Go outside and take a deep breath.

Look at the beauty that God has given us.

Share the Day.

   

Rustic Breakfast Stromboli

So here the breakfast stromboli from our Fall Breakfast Brunch, it got raves and many asked me to share the recipe, so here it is!

Wanting to make something hardy and yummy. 

I thought about it and I this totally fit the bill, it's filled with protein and all the components of a healthy breakfast rolled into one. A rustic breakfast stromboli. What makes it rustic? Well, the handmade dough, of course. What makes it breakfast, ham, cheese and eggs, of course.

Beautiful Fall

Beautiful Fall Geese-to be watched-out of formation

Beautiful Fall Colors-to be enjoyed.

Beautiful Fall Bulbs- to be planted.

Beautiful Warm Fall Nights- to be ending soon

Beautiful Fall Gourds- to be arranged.

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Coming this week, Rustic Breakfast Stromboli Recipe and Fall Mantle Reveal...

Fall Breakfast Buffet Menu

When planning an event when you need to feed a crowd, 

the place to start is to know the location and resources available. 

For this function, there are two sets of stairs, no elevator and no kitchen but lots of tables. 

How did we overcome this, you may ask?

Four ways is the answer. 

1. Have fantastic help,
many hands make everything more fun,
and more beautiful.

2. Plan the menu 

(nothing that needs to be reheated/cooked at the site)

3. Coolers/ Pack smart

4. My favorite-this year we were blessed with a clergy kid extraordinaire,

 who joined us and did tons of running up and down those two sets of stairs. 

God Bless Her!

This year's Menu included:

Coffee, creme, etc.

Apple Cider

Bougatsa (creme-filled fillo pastry-sweet and delicious)

Assorted Fresh Fruit including,

Grapes, Watermelon/Melon, Pineapple, Figs, Blueberries and Strawberries, Apples

Yogurt and Granola

Rice Pudding with Cinnamon and Nutmeg on the side

Pumpkin Cake

Apple Strudel

Blueberry Cake

Pumpkin muffins

Cornbread

Apple Crisp

Sesame Anisette Biscotti

Cheese Plate and Rolled Deli Meats

Bagels and Cream Cheese and Jams

Rustic Breakfast Stromboli 

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

When planning a menu, try to consider dietary restrictions and a balance of sweet and savory.

The little leaf toothpicks doubled as decor and we had written on them if something was gluten-free, or had nuts, etc. you get the idea. 

Some of the decor you will end up seeing back on my mantle, reveal will be soon. You may recognize a few pieces already from last year, like the Three Little Sweater Pumpkins and this year's Glitter Gourds before they were dressed for a party.

Still loving me some burlap.

Do you think we missed anything?

What should we add to the menu for next year?

                                 

Share the Day!

Sharing with these lovely parties.

 Jennifer Rizzo , FarmHousePorch, Feeding Big, Mandy's Recipe Box, Dedicated House, Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

How to Decorate Fall Table

So we had this beautiful Fall Breakfast Buffet in past few weeks. 

It is an annual event, 

last year we made the table theme, 

"Fall Chicken and Sunflowers."  

At least I think that would be a good name for it, 

we had these lovely centerpieces, for the buffet, 

from one of my best-ies! 

Isn't this rooster, GORGEOUS!

How to Serve Yogurt

Burlap Your Yogurt

I love offering yogurt and granola and fruit as a breakfast option. The problem is how to serve it? 

When I thought of doing this, I actually started giggling out loud. 

So easy, simple and why had I not thought of this before? 

It made it so much easier to transport and are you ready for this, easier to clean, no bowl.

Now I'm really smiling.

Fall Breakfast Buffet

Why this didn't come to me sooner, after all, 

I have been having an affinity for this material for a while.

Remember the picture mat and last year's centerpiece?

Well, the affinity has grown, just you wait and see.

For now, 

I covered the yogurt container with burlap and ribbon. 

I know! It's cute, isn't it? 

What do you think?

Share the Day.

Sharing with these lovely parties.

 Jennifer Rizzo, FarmHousePorch, Feeding Big, Mandy's Recipe Box, Dedicated House,

 Savvy Southern Lovely , I should be Mopping the Floor

Fall Mantle Art

Time to change the mantle, I wasn't sure what my plan was yet.

I did know I wanted another paint chip art piece.

Why? Well...

they are affordable, they feel creative and I like mixing more sophisticated pieces,

with those that are more primitive.

How to Paint a Bench Ombre-Style

I picked up this bench last summer at a yard sale. 

End of the day and $20, yippee!

By now you know my affinty for Anthropologie.

I even pinned an inspiration.

I had great plans, I wanted to ombre it!

It sat for a long, long time on our very sad front porch, 

looking sorely out of place.

So many things had to take priority over it.

But finally, huge big grin. 

I had 2 hours, yes, I said it, 2 hours to myself!

I had 3 spray cans and 2 hours.

I washed it, got all the little spider babies out of it.(ick)

Sanded it a bit, I admit, should of sanded it more.

But I couldn't wait to get to the fun part.

I sprayed the white parts first, back top and bottom.

Using primer/spray mix, worked great! Easy-peasy.

Then next color, mid-blue, on the middle sections.

Last the dark blue on front middle.

To get more of the effect I would go over the transition parts with each color,

while lifting the spray can away from the piece, while spraying.

I wanted the darkest section at the very front.

Finished it with spray sealer, after it dried in the sun.

Turned out exactly as I pictured it!

Not often that happens, at least in my world.

I had a little left in the cans and decided to paint this cute pot to go with it.

Also moved some pillows from indoor to outdoor.

The pillows were sprayed with outdoor fabric protector.

Pretty, pretty, happy, happy.

Fall here we come!

How is your front porch starting to "fall" together?

Don't you love how the color deepens and changes with the light.

Smiling wide, baby, Smiling wide.

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Sharing with

 Thededicatedhouse,  Boogieboardcottage,  Coastal Charm, The Chicken- Chick,  Ishouldbemoppingthefloor, InsideBruCrewLife,  Uncommon Designs,   Todayscreativeblog,  Littlehouseliving,  Cozylittlehouse,  CedarHill Ranch,   Beyondthepicketfence,  Free Pretty Things for You,  Southern Lovely,  Ginger Snap Crafts, Katies Nesting Spot,  The Shabby Nest,  Be Different...Act Normal,  Lovely Crafty Home, An Original Belle, Savvy Southern Lovely , The Diy Dreamer, Lolly Jane, FarmHousePorch, CraftyTexasGirls, FrenchCountryCottage, Just Dip it in Chocolate

Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Jennifer Rizzo , Shabby Creek Cottage, I Gotta Create

Outdoor Fall Decor

As you may have guessed, I like front yard decor. 

I also love outdoor fall decor and harvest themes.  

I really appreciate when people put the effort into it.

But simple is sometimes even better.

Check out how some folks around town have been decorating.

Symmetry

So beautiful! 

All the colors, and the combination of her summer ivy, 

with the addition of the fall elements.

Sweet idea. 

Just one thing strikes me.  

I believe what it is, 

is that the girl doll doesn't look as happy? 

What do you think?

This is one of my fave's. Flat pumpkins leaning against a rock.

Genius!

Last, but certainly not least!

Our good friend decided to grow her own, on their front lawn garden.

Simple and elegant at the same time.

Don't you love how the vine climbs down the hill.

I wish I had taken a picture from the front, the spirals and flow are truly beautiful.

Just makes me smile!

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Surprise in the Pumpkin Field

It's fall and time for pumpkin picking and corn mazes. 

We picked a great day and joined our youth group. What a fun time together! 

The kids led the way and then came back to get some of us parents out.

Thank Goodness at least one Dad was able to keep up with them.

Look who else was in the field!

 If you've been following, you will understand our affinity for this fellow.

What a great idea!

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