Chickadee Home Nest: 2014

Friday, December 26, 2014

A Rustic Christmas Deer Tablescape

Two posts in one day! And here I’ve been absent for weeks! This is the companion post to my earlier one, A Pinecone Cheese Ball (http://chickadeehomenest.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-pinecone-cheese-ball.html). I thought the two would work well for a New Year’s Eve party.
For years I’ve thought I “needed” a pair of deer (the tabletop kind, not the barn/field kind), but I hadn’t really seen the ones I wanted. My mother has the Fitz and Floyd ones that are gorgeous, and those are some I’ve considered, but I just haven’t been sure about which ones, so I haven’t pushed real hard to get some…until this year, when I did our Christmas china cabinet in Friendly Village ~

Christmas china cabinet at Chickadee Home Nest

Then I got kind of serious about finding just the ones. It wasn’t an exhaustive search, but I kept an eye out for some I liked (and that I liked the price!), but nothing was jumping out at me…until…Mr. Chickadee and I walked into Harick’s, a favorite shop near our home in Shawnee Hills. You know how the music plays and the light shines upon the Christmas tree that Clark spots (Christmas Vacation)? That’s exactly what happened when I spotted the deer.
But they were pricey—more than I wanted to spend, and I get pretty stubborn about what I’m willing to pay. So we kept looking around and I told Mr. C that there were 3 or 4 things I’d want to take home, one of them being the deer, if only the price were right. Yep…you’re ahead of me, aren’t you? Guess what was under our tree when Santa came?!

Deer, Stag centerpiece at Chickadee Home Nest

When I “gently” questioned Santa about losing his mind he told me the owner agreed to hold them for him while we were there, and agreed to a fabulous price “adjustment.” I’m going with that, so I can enjoy them to the fullest! I know you’ll see these guys a lot over the coming years, now that I finally have my deer!

But you know we bloggers can’t leave things plain and simple. They needed to be nestled and fussed over, of course, to create the after-Christmas-yet-Christmassy centerpiece tablescape I wanted.

Now that’s more like it, isn’t it? Candles and “snow” and pinecones and berries and greenery.

I took a ton of pictures, because I want to show you the detail on them—the fur, or hair (my research says it’s one and the same) is quite visible, though they’re made of some sort of resin, I guess.

And did you notice the bark candle in front of the deer lying down? My brother has been making tons of these for me—they are really, really cool, and perfect for my love of woodland settings.

I think I’ll be leaving this “centerpiece” up for quite a while—certainly into January—though admittedly it has to be moved for any meal involving more than the two of us. Mr. Chickadee sits at the end of the table, so that works. I sit right in front of them, but I’ve been able to set my place just fine, which means I’ve been enjoying them up close.

I’m always curious about centerpieces—what do you do? Do you leave a large one like this up and work around it? If we do anything here at home for New Year’s Eve I’ll probably just move it back and continue with the woodland theme to not get too fancy this year, and I’ll do a simple buffet around it. For our New Year’s Day pork and sauerkraut it’ll surely need to be moved.

I’m wishing you and yours a happy New Year and the best in 2015!!

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!
NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!
Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/
Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/
Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/
Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/
Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/
Sunday Creative Home and Garden Hop at http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com/
Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/
Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com
Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
Inspire Me Monday at http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/
Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/
Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/
Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com
Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/
Cuisine Kathleen at http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/
Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/
Wednesday Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/
Friday at Redoux Interiors at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/
Fridays at Imparting Grace at http://www.impartinggrace.com/
Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/
Throwback Thursdays at http://www.glitterglueandpaint.com/throwback-thursday-2/
Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/
Be Inspired Friday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/
Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/
Fridays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Fresh-Cut Fridays at http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com
Fridays at The Thrifty Groove at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/
Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
From my nest to yours~
Zuni

A Pinecone Cheese Ball

Hi, All. I haven’t been around much this month. I had tons of pictures ready for a post or two or three, then Mr. Chickadee and I BOTH got sick and were out of commission for about 10 days total—3 1/2 of those days completely out of commission, in bed. Wow! That played havoc with the Christmas preparations! But it could’ve been worse—we could’ve been sick right at Christmas, like so many people are. We we were at almost 100% by our early Christmas in our home, and we had a nice, sweet time. I hope you had a nice, healthy Christmas.

Today I’m doing two quick posts, to share a couple of winter ideas that will work for New Year’s Eve too.

I made a pinecone cheese ball years ago, when I saw the idea in one of my beloved Christmas books. Getting my books out was one of the things that didn’t get done this year, so I turned to Pinterest for a refresher—they’re all over Pinterest! I’m still sharing it, though, with a bit of detail on the very simple how-to.

The beauty of this “recipe” is that it’s so pretty, yet so easy. I took it to my mother’s for our family’s traditional Cuban Christmas Eve dinner (27 of us for a sit-down dinner!), and even the guys thought it was pretty neat!

“Recipe”: You can use any cheese ball recipe, or for that matter you can buy a cheese ball—how easy is that?! (Mine was ~~a concoction~~ my own creation of cream cheese, bleu cheese dressing, white-meat canned chicken, one packet of Hidden Valley ranch dressing, chopped walnuts and Craisins.) Shape the cheese ball mixture into a pinecone shape (it can be “lying” down or “sitting”) and set it on a large lettuce leaf. Starting at the bottom, work the almonds in rows until the whole cheese ball is covered (that part is a little tedious…)then cup your hands around the cheese ball and gently push the almonds up a bit until you think it looks like a pinecone. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and fresh cranberries or Craisins.

When you’re ready to bring it out make sure you have the due drum roll (a la Clark’s in Christmas Vacation). Serve with crackers and enjoy!!

My next post will also be a quick one of a reindeer and pinecones centerpiece, so this pinecone cheese ball would be perfect for it!

Did you come up with an easy WOW!! recipe this Christmas? Quick with a WOW! factor is the best, isn’t it?

I’m wishing you all a happy Christmas season and if I don’t “see” you before the new year I wish you the very best in 2015!

NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

Sunday Creative Home and Garden Hop at http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com/

Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Inspire Me Monday at http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Cuisine Kathleen at http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Friday at Redoux Interiors at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/

Fridays at Imparting Grace at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Throwback Thursdays at http://www.glitterglueandpaint.com/throwback-thursday-2/

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Be Inspired Friday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/

Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Fresh-Cut Fridays at http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com

Fridays at The Thrifty Groove at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Log Cabin Thanksgiving

My brother and sister-in-law are blessed to live in a REAL log cabin, and yes, out in the country, on 13 acres:

I was going to first do a peak at the inside “logginess,” but why wait? It’ll set the tone for you, for a Log Cabin Thanksgiving day…they’ve been hosting all 30-some of us for the last several years. Yes, it’s lovely to spend Thanksgiving there.

Of course this is the kitchen, but it’s the view from the great room, so it’s a very open, cozy floor plan.

How about these carved logs? They are the ones you barely see in the picture above this one, as the “entry” into the open kitchen.

Even the stairs are half-logs…and though I haven’t mentioned the decor, it’s perfect for the setting. They both have a lot of fun searching auctions and other interesting haunts for just the right pieces…

yes?

The island is of course the hub—with hors d'oeuvres on one side, and heavy cooking activity on the other.

And of course, the back of the cabin faces west…how’s that for a view from the kitchen table and the window over the sink? I may not mind doing dishes with this view!

Because my SIL also suffers from the same china-and-silver-and-crystal addiction that so many of us do, she could not…WOULD not…give up her formal dining room—it’s in the loft! (For those old enough to remember Green Acres…she’s the Eva Gabor to my brother’s Eddie Albert—the gentleman who plays farmer.) And yes, it’s lovely to have such beautiful, dainty things in this rustic setting. That’s another post, but one I will surely do, because I know you will love it.

To host our huge crowd they move the feast to the walkout lower level, and does.she.set.a.table—well, tables. Take a look.

Table #1 (round, front): Friendly Village

Table #2 (oblong, to the right): Whites Turkeys and Browns

Table #3 (top left): Cornucopia and Pinecones.

I know, I know…you want the details. Here are the close ups.

Table #1 – Friendly Village, with red and brown accents.

(and some silver too.)

Table #2 – White Turkeys and Browns

Would you take a look at the crystal? And the bread plates? And the Pottery Barn white turkey plates? Oh…and the silverware? A table for 12 with all the trimmings. I think this year I will sit at the table where these figurines are…I just love them. Do you think she would know where to look if they went missing? ;)

And finally, Table #3 – Cornucopia and Pinecones

Isn’t this an unusual (and beautiful) cornucopia? And a lovely mix she has incorporated into a centerpiece.

As I look through my pictures I realize I didn’t take pictures of our fabulous meal—we’re a big cooking family, and there’s always way too much food. I was either taken by the table (very likely), or very hungry (very likely). Note to self: Take pictures of the food this year!!

I leave you with Mr. Turkey—my cheese ball appetizer—and their darling little grandson, perplexed by this goofy-looking turkey! :)

Wishing you a blessed and happy Thanksgiving, surrounded by loved ones.

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Cuisine Kathleen at http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Friday at Redoux Interiors at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/

Fridays at Imparting Grace at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Throwback Thursdays at http://www.glitterglueandpaint.com/throwback-thursday-2/

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Be Inspired Friday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/

Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Fresh-Cut Fridays at http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com

Fridays at The Thrifty Groove at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

Sunday Creative Home and Garden Hop at http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com/

Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Inspire Me Monday at http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Fall Dinner for a Blog Friend

I’ve read about it plenty—bloggers who become virtual friends and eventually meet—and I thought that such meetings must be so fun! Well, Maria, of Dreams and Epiphanies, met in person last weekend! She and her husband, Lee, had a standing invitation for anytime they came to Ohio to visit their son in college, and she emailed me to say they would be in Ohio and would October 18 work? Of course! We’d make it work! We invited them to our home for lunch if they were up to it, because yes, we’re in Ohio, but not en route to Miami University, and the answer was “yes, we’ll come visit!” Yea, Lee, for being a good sport!!

My husband Terry and I decided a traditional Cuban meal was in order, and he chose the menu, based on his favorite meal: Roast pork chunks with Cuban seasonings, rice and black beans, and guacamole—Cuban guacamole…you’ll see that treat in a minute! We also had corn soufflé (recipe here), rolls and butter, and a good pinot noir selected by our son, the chef.

There was no lapse in conversation from the minute they arrived! I’d asked that they arrive hungry, and they said they had heeded my request, so first we had some appetizers ~

I love to serve palitroques—bread sticks—especially with appetizers, because they were somewhat of a staple with my family, so I always think of them as a Cuban item, though I don’t know if other Cuban families enjoy them as much as we do. I forgot to ask Maria—we’ll need to get together again to talk some more. :)

Our table (as well as the meal, really) was simple and fall-ish: Burlap runner, woven “straw” placemats and twig chargers, with simple white dishes and aubergine napkins held by twig napkin rings.

The pork and the rice…and back to the tablescape~ funny how a table decor unfolds. All I had in mind was the burlap and twig things, and simple white dishes. As I was looking for these items I ran across this purchase from last year:

Metallic gold leaves that I bought for a whopping $.97 on clearance last December. I actually thought they were golds and bronzes, but no, all gold. So there went the table—gold leaves on the burlap runner for contrast, and gold accents, including my “gold” flatware that my dear, sweet grandmother, who obliged me in every way she could, bought for me just because I wanted them, to go with the Lenox Holiday dishes she had also given me. She was such a sweet, dear, giving person, never, ever expecting anything in return.

Originally I intended to use this Tea Leaf tureen—it was perfect—until I took the lid off and saw the crazing and damage to the porcelain. Not safe. I’d gotten it at an auction, and at the time I wasn’t concerned about the damage, since my intention was to use it for display purposes, but I’d forgotten about it. So off the table and back to just looking lovely, as she always does.

And about that Cuban guacamole…ours consists of chunks of avocado and of fresh pineapple, with a bit of salt (some like to add extra virgin olive oil and a splash of vinegar and thin onion slices, but mine was sans, as I prefer it). As soon as Maria saw it she referred to it as guacamole. That was fun. And since pineapple is not exactly a fall dish, I compensated with the corn soufflé, served in a hollowed pumpkin.

And now for the BEST part~

Two new friends—in person! Well, actually FOUR new friends…our husbands did join us at the table, but I have to admit, they were super nice, and super patient with these two ladies, talking incessantly about tables, and bloggers, and dishes, and…. It was a fun, fun day!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

Sunday Creative Home and Garden Hop at http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com/

Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Tuesday’s Treasures http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Cuisine Kathleen at http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Friday at Redoux Interiors at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/

Fridays at Imparting Grace at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Throwback Thursdays at http://www.glitterglueandpaint.com/throwback-thursday-2/

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Be Inspired Friday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/

Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Fresh-Cut Fridays at http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com

Fridays at The Thrifty Groove at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Fall Decor Around the House

Well, fall DID finally arrive at Chickadee Home Nest, although not with the same oomph as in years past. It started with…hydrangeas, of course. Are you surprised?

It was a beautiful early-fall day, and I found myself puttering in the garden. The hydrangeas were starting to turn their beautiful pink and green-ish speckled look, and I just had to bring some in. I wanted lots of them—I mean LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of them, and the sterling punch bowl, a {lovely} gift from my MIL, was perfect. Large enough, and shiny enough, but not too shiny. The bit of tarnish on it added to the charm.

Once the hydrangeas were arranged I went back outside, and when I came back inside I was awestruck by the sunlight streaming through and highlighting our new centerpiece. No words needed; I’ll share some of the beauty streaming through our sliding glass doors~

You remember this favorite spoon, right? It’s from Table Art, I think, and it always makes me think of a tiny, coppery hosta leaf.

I’ve had this plant with the purple flowers for six or seven years—still in the same pot. Every spring I put it out in the screened porch, then take it to our office over the winter, where it’s not real happy, but it does manage to produce a few blooms once or twice. (Does anyone know what it is, besides beautiful?) This year, she has been especially happy, and has bloomed forever, with lots and lots of gorgeous blooms. I couldn’t resist mixing the purple and the white hydrangeas, even if just for a quick photo shoot.

Even in our bedroom, hydrangeas prevail, in a silver “vase,” aka a salt shaker.

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And yes, I said I kept it simple, but not quite this simple. I did manage to add a few more touches.

Fall in the China Cabinet

I wanted to do something different than what I usually do, so I started by 1) Keeping things simpler, and 2) By using purples and oranges. In the china cabinet I used touches of white/milk glass for contrast.

No sooner had I settled on the purple-and-orange theme than I walked into Kroger and the purple African violets—in purple pots, no less—were on clearance for $2.99 each. Needless to say, all but two came home with me. Here you can get a peak of the orange touches.

Three of the African violets came with purple pots, and the others…in a terra cotta/orange shade. Could it be more perfect?! The Rouen antique dessert plates, made by Villeroy & Boch Mettlach between 1850 & 1899, add a bit of background color.

My sweet friend, Shirley, sent me this picture, because she said it had reminded her of me. She knows me well—I’d seen it (I think in Southern Living?) and had already saved it!

So this little silver cup, a takeoff on the tiny Revere bowl in the inspiration picture, is in honor of my sweet friend.

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Fall at the Writing Desk and Buffet

Keeping with the simple theme has suited me well this year…it’s a calming touch, a nod to the now-not-so-new season.

The buffet got a simple touch with my Tea Leaf ironstone tureen and twigs and “berries” wrapped around the rusty wrought-iron candlesticks our youngest son, Todd, gave me years ago. It seems like fall doesn’t happen until these candlesticks that I love so much are out.

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Fall In the Kitchen

And finally, in the kitchen, the nod to fall was p-r-e-t-t-y simple:

Blue and white and sunflowers in my Southern Living Ballard Designs tiered basket, with a further touch of fall in the Villeroy & Boch Mettlach dessert plates.

######

So are you done decorating for fall? In October I usually add some Halloween decorations for the little chickadees, but now that the two older ones go to school every day, we don’t have them here as much (can you hear the pout in my voice?). I probably won’t do much along those lines. I think we’ll probably go straight into Thanksgiving with the current decor, then move right into you know what!!! That HAPPIEST time of the year!! Now, THAT’S a season I look forward to!

How do you do your fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving decorating? Do you do it in stages as the season progresses, or all at once? I’d love to hear how you do it, and why you do it that way. You never know…you might inspire me to start fall decorating in August/early September (but I kinda doubt it!). :)