Last Hurrah for Fall

Happy weekend! 

Thanksgiving is almost here and we have so much to be thankful for.

What a fabulous fall we had this year...I am sad to see it go!   

Once the record breaking summer heat broke, 

our fall has seemed to last about 20 minutes. 

Buddy gets up early and feeds our horses early in the morning. 

He enjoys watching the morning fog break.

Blue and Delilah are always hungry and they

 are beginning to put on their thick winter coats.

The weather went from HOT October to cold mornings on the farm.

 A heavy dew looks almost like snow.

The serene fog rises and lingers on the lake 

as the water is still warm and the air is cool. 

Early mornings with beautiful and crisp weather leading up to Thanksgiving. 

Watching the leaves turn...Still the leaves on the trees are gorgeous 

as color around the lake is at its' peak in November. 

I am still enjoying the colors of fall before the red and green of Christmas. 

Buddy really surprised me with a box delivered 

for our November wedding anniversary too!

He knew I loved Mackenzie-Childs and this enamel pitcher

 would be perfect to hold flowers in my kitchen. 

He took a hint from the black and white colors on our patio.

Of course I could not wait to fill with fall roses and "pumpkin Tree"  twigs.

 Perfect for our kitchen table.

But this is what I love about fall most of all...getting to share it with those I love. 

Thankful & grateful with 

Warm hugs, 

Fall Inspired Goodness

Those fall mums....garden centers are full of them now, but I have put off buying them while the weather is so hot. It is now September, and that
 says fall to me even if the temperature outside did not hear that!




It is easy to elevate a black plastic pot from the nursery with a silver champagne bucket.





Summer ferns still drink heavily are are getting weepy, but I love them on the front porch along with some white mums in the urn.   Yellow mums in the olive bucket brighten up the front flower bed.




It is hard to keep fresh water in the birdbath with hardly any rain, so it serves
 as a display for more yellow mums and gourds.






On the side porch a bit of fall foliage is tucked in the urn.



Our house is painted the same color it was in 1918, the year it was built. Living in a "red" house seems to be a easy backdrop when we add a bit of color with more bright yellow mums.  I  use the traditional fall colors of orange, rust, or yellow for a traditional nod to fall. 



I am still waiting for the array of tree colors you see just before 
the earth bursts forth in its riotous autumn color palette.  The rusty table was my fathers. It was always just outside his carpenter workshop.


The days are getting shorter and that means that the candle light gets brighter. 
Gathering vintage dishes for decor, as we are super busy around her 
getting ready for fall weddings pulling out treasures.
 Fall colors...   I love them on the trees and in flowerbeds! But in weddings I prefer to be more subtle. Still, I enjoy a fall look and the use of some fall colors. I just like them better when the look is soft and tranquil. 

Happy Wednesday friends...

Elegant Fall Velvet Pumpkins

It is my favorite season...fall!  Even though the weather is no cooperating with cooler temps I thought I would encourage it by adding a few creative touches with my velvet pumpkins.

Fall inspiration is easy to find when I bring out my velvet pumpkins. I used things I already had so it was easy to add touches of fall thoughout the house today. The foyer antique table is full of fall textures & goodness. The crystal bowls hold votive candles to flicker and I can never have too many candles. This tablescape was easy...and did not take all day! 

Some pumpkins were made extra special by adding an antique broach.
 Easy & simple to add a designer touch.

I am celebrating the coming of fall with easy arrangements
and candles as inspired by the harvest season.

Tucking in here and there touches of fall and velvet pumpkins.
A few treasures from the yard make great additions to a centerpiece.
A pumpkin spice candle burning in a crystal vase..smells of fall.

On the mantle...I have to keep a collection of hurricane lamps,
for our electricity goes out from time to time.  They really take us back
to another romantic time, and put out quite a bit of light when needed.

Sometimes they are just nice to light on the mantle when it is still too warm for a fire.

The copperplate engraving print over the fireplace is quite special and sentimental.
Buddy, my husband surprised me with this antique print..."Waiting on the Carriage". 

As the days grow shorter, the tiny lights `elevate the mantle.
Velvet pumpkins are tucked into tiny lights, greenery and my white pottery collection.

A Mark Roberts "Pumpkin Man" hangs onto
 a silver epergne and another velvet pumpkin.




A tiny vintage cameo is on the velvet pumpkin in the hallway.
 A mix of gold and silver lends to a softer look.





It is hard to take a good picture in my dining room for there is little natural light with
the stained glass windows.
It looks like the farmers basket of fall goodness spilled out in abundance
 for this big statement centerpiece.
The dining table is where I meet with brides over a glass of peach tea,
 so I am excited to share
a glimpse of festive fall in my home.

Thank you all so much for stopping by the blog today
to see that I am not letting hot weather stand in my way!

hugs!

The Wedding Prayer

A wedding prayer by Robert Lewis Stevenson.

Lord, behold our family here assembled.

We thank you for this place in which we dwell,

for the love that unites us,

for the peace accorded us this day,

for the hope with which we expect the morrow,

for the health, the work, the food,
and the bright skies that make our lives delightful;

for our friends in all parts of the earth.

Amen

Love 

bears all things, 

believes all things

hopes all things

endures all things

love never fails. 

1 Corinthians 13:7

 From this day forward
You shall not walk alone.
My heart will be your shelter,
And my arms will be your home.  

Above all else, love each other deeply.
1 Peter 4:8

The Charm of a Bridal Portrait

Perhaps nothing expresses a brides style more than the dress
she wears on her wedding day.
A wedding portrait to be shared at the wedding reception
gives a glimpse of the next chapter in her life.

No more cold studio shots, photographers are
taking a step back in time with the outdoors as their background.

Drew Cason photography

 Sophisticated and elegant,
Here is an outdoor album with just such ideas for a portrait....

So many choices bedazzle the bride but when her eyes fall
on the perfect dress, she feels confident in her choice.

Ashley Murphy images

A romantic lace dress and abundant bouquet
is all that is needed for a portrait in our vintage carriage.

Lance Shingleur Photography

This classic train of the dress is showcased against the stillness of the lake.




Of course the groom is not allowed to see the dress before the wedding,
but it is most helpful
to have the hands of mother or a treasured friend
 for a bit of assistance dressing for the portrait session.

Once the dress has been final fitted  a bit before the wedding day
is time to make the portrait appointment .

Edwardian inspired outdoor photography
 depends on the weather...not rainy, but not too sunny.
A good photographer knows the perfect lighting.

Ashley Diggs photography

A glimpse of a brides personality shines
 through the portrait with their love of horses. 

Gorgeous smile and a strand of pearls...
A portrait is a good time to try the perfect
 hairstyle and makeup for wedding day.

A sweet glimpse of things to come
on wedding day
with Blue,
our French Percheron horse.

A look of English nobility with this
small side chair portrait underneath draping trees.

A look that appeals to brides with the water and floral decor on the  boat. 

Any bride can tell you that they never felt more radiant
than in their wedding dress
surrounded by roses and draping greenery.

The sweet personality comes out of the bride
when animals are in the background of this swooping lace gown
with tiny covered buttons dressing the back.

Delilah, our English Suffolk horse closes her eyes
 when she gets a kiss from a bride who loves horses.

Magic in the garden when this bride lifts her bow
eyes her aim
 and showcases her archery skills.

Step into the garden with our ivy clad garden wall
for a memorable classic clean and elegant portrait.

Hollywood glam in this portrait looks
as if straight from a movie.

A simple walk through the woods on a richly shaded trail
with the textures of a lace gown
 is the 18th century blending of earth and nature.

This is a wonderful time in life, showcase all the smiles of the wedding to come.

"Every girl has a fantasy of elegance 
And there is a moment when it comes true."
                                                           - Jessica McClintock




Blessings on your day,