Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Gratitude and Early Signs Of Fall

Thank you for your sweet comments and emails of support and encouragement. Don't worry - I will keep blogging! And I will continue to share my life as I choose to share it with you. You are the best! I definitely will keep blogging. No chance I’m going to stop now – I have too much to share!

Signs of Fall are slowly making an appearance in my home! Many of you decorated for Fall a few weeks ago but preparations and travel to the retreat in California and family and chaplain responsibilities made me wait a bit longer than usual to begin.

Every October I bring out the candles that were put away earlier in the year – and I get out warm afghans and throws to help warm a chilly day. Then I return the fireplace tool set to its spot on the hearth, add a basket of pinecones gathered in my dear mother-in-law and father-in-law’s yard many years ago and a brass wood basket with firewood made ready for warming chilly moments.

A day or two ago I finally brought out my Fall decorations and things started to change around here. I've added a few new things this year and it wasn’t long before I knew I wanted do something different. There’s no way to tell you how many times I have carefully arranged things, then stepped back to look it all over only to realize it wasn’t what I wanted. Because I really wanted to use the things I already had I tried to talk myself into ignoring the new ideas that kept popping into my mind. Finally, after a few things were in place I knew I had to follow my heart and make the changes I wanted – changes that seemed to be just right! It’s coming together little by little – and I’m liking it.

Hard decisions were made and I went back to some of my original thoughts – and I couldn’t be happier! Here’s what I did beside my favorite chair. I’ve changed parts of it several times and I like the way it looks. Remember my new, little coaster that I showed you here? It’s right beside my chair where I can enjoy it every day. These little treasures are on top of my grandmother’s sewing stand. It always stood near a comfy chair in her living room and I grew up wondering what she kept in the little drawers and ‘cubbies’. I was thrilled whenever she asked me to find something inside. Recently my mother gave me this little piece of my history – it needs some work done so you will have to wait to see more. I gathered some special things to display – just bits and pieces of things I enjoy.

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I love candlelight! It took me awhile to find just the right thing for the candle in this spot. Some of my things were too large; others were too small. Some were just not right at all. This year I am using more of my yellow glass and pottery collections and working in bits and pieces of Fall decorations. I don’t know how many candleholders and combinations of candles and pretty things I tried before I decided to use a cute, little yellow glass vase on a small yellow candle coaster. I added a small candleholder inside so I could see the candlelight from my chair. I wanted the candle and flame to be enclosed for safety and I didn’t want the candle to melt all over the inside of my vase! So, this is what I put together.

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This sweet, little autumn bird sits beside my candle. I found him at a garage sale a couple of years ago. Isn’t he cute?

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I added two old books, chosen for the colors of the season and put a little yellow glass acorn on top. I decided not to put anything inside the acorn so the light from my big window would shine through and reflect off of it.

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I’ve enjoyed watching the autumn sun reflect off the yellow glass pieces – and I find myself smiling as the ever-changing shadows dance across the room.

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Yes, the signs of Fall have begun to appear. You can be sure there will be more – simple things are being changed and you’ll be among the first to know. I promise.

13 comments:

  1. G'morn Adrienne ~
    Your changes are both serene & elegant ... I love them.
    Have a beautiful day ~
    TTFN ~ Marydon

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  2. Hi Adrienne,
    CAndles are one of my favorite things about fall and winter. The beautiful glow and I love the scents they fill the house with. Love all your gold glass, perfect for fall!

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  3. I too tend to get in a rut using the same old things in the same old way...since blogging it has been fun to be inspired to change things up. Love your "vignette" [the current buzz word in decor blogs :-)]. My favs are the books and the bird...oh he's so cute!
    Love to you!

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  4. You have such a sweet way of decorating Adrienne - I can just see you having a cup of tea there. blessings, marlene

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  5. Oh, a yellow acorn!! I want one!!! The vignette is so pretty, I like the way you put the candle set together! The little bird on the leaf is adorable!

    Katherine

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  6. The yellow is just beautiful! You have created a lovely vignette! Thanks so much for stopping by. I'm glad to have found you here:-)

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  7. Adrienne, your special place is so pretty, and I love that it touches your heart. It is important that we can find joy in small things like light reflecting a warm glow.

    Thank you for sharing.

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  8. The candle inside the vase reminds me of a lighthouse. It is perfect. The books on the table also looks so beautiful. I would definitely want to sit by this table.

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  9. Glad you are continuing to blog. How I would miss you.

    Great to have sun reflecting on glass.

    I love candles too but cannot enjoy them as much as I would like to as they affect my throat.

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  10. Hello Adrienne!

    What a sweet place you have here. I have perused several of your posts and enjoyed reading each one.

    I am happy you left a comment at my place so I could come by and meet you! We share a very similar blog name :)

    Kindly, ldh

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  11. Such warm cozines!
    I am sorry, Adrienne, that people were so unkind...I always try to remember when blogging...I have to be true to *me* and my calling and if the readers don't like it...oh well...it's not *their* life...that said I would probably cry for days if they were mean to me:) So be true to *YOU*! I live in hunting country...it is part of God's provision for man...
    Rene
    PS...you commented on my comment about Monticello...i live in Idaho... Portland is our favorite vacation spot!

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  12. I always bring out the candles when it starts getting cold especially now that it's so dark early! You made a very pretty arrangement!

    Manuela

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  13. Very pretty, Adrienne. You had a nice time doing it too, it sound like. Beautiful hydrangea too!

    Warmly,
    Sheila

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I am grateful that you stopped by to visit me. Your kind and gracious comments are appreciated and treasured.