Chickadee Home Nest: fall in Ohio

Showing posts with label fall in Ohio. Show all posts

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Porch Fall Decor Ideas

It’s late fall, and here in Ohio we’ve been blessed with the absolutely most beautiful fall colors ever. Yes, even I, who dreads the end of summer, have thoroughly enjoyed fall this year. Bright, blue skies, just-slightly cooler weather (great for sleeping with the windows open!), and the gorgeous color! What gifts God gives us!

So this year it’s been easy to “get in the mood” and allow fall into our home! Welcome!

A simple garland, wrapped around your porch light, is especially lovely at night when the light is on. (And by the way, this picture has been one of my most popular pins on Pinterest!)

Twigs in a vintage wicker plant stand, wrapped with a garland and orange lights, accompanied by a wrought iron pumpkin filled with pumpkins and a candle, adds contrast and texture to the front porch.

A close-up for the garland for the twigs.

A small nod to Halloween—for the grandchickadees, of course!

And last but not least, of course, the screened porch. You didn’t think I’d ignore that favorite spot, did you?!

Because we can see this “room” from inside our home, decorating it is a ‘must’ for me, and this year I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the combination of teal and orange. It’s amazing how color can bring such pleasure!

Again we’re careening into Thanksgiving, and then, of course, that most wonderful time of the year! Next post I’ll share the inside decor that will carry us through Thanksgiving, and then…the BIG switch!

I’ve seen lots of great outdoor decor in your blogs and on Pinterest this year, and I haven’t tired of it yet, so please continue to share your beautiful homes and touches…they’re great inspiration. I hope mine was inspirational as well!

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!

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

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

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

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

Pink Saturdays at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Saturday at http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/

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

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

Monday Show and Share at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Mondays at The Art of Homemaking at http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/

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

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

ModMix Monday at http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/

Amaze Me Monday at http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/

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

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

Karen’s Monday Something to Talk About at http://www.karensuponthehill.com/

Tuesday’s Blog Shop Listings at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

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

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

Tuesdays at http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com/

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

Wednesdays at DIY Design at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com\

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

Thursdays 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/

Thursday Your Turn to Shine at http://blesserhouse.blogspot.com/

Thursday, From My Front Porch to Yours at http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/

Share Your Style Thursday at http://www.Commonground-do.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

Monday, October 28, 2013

Fall Excursion to the Ohio Countryside

This weekend we met friends in Richmond, Indiana, on the Ohio/Indiana border, and though it’s an easy drive for us, we decided to stay overnight. The Richmond Visitors Bureau gave us information about the area, and Sunday we decided we’d take the back roads and picked a couple of antique shops to visit on our way home.

We stumbled into Today’s Harvest on our way to the shops, and of course had to stop in. Who wouldn’t, when you’re out on a beautiful fall Sunday (did you notice the sky?) and see THIS?!

and this?

Just too quaint and fall-ish to not stop in. :) The temperature was in the high 50s…perfect!

The place isn’t huge, but it had an interesting and folksy mix of things to see and enjoy and to make you glad it’s fall and that you’re out and about.

How ‘bout them {caramel} apples?! See there’s plenty more behind the counter? They were making more while we were there. I love apples, but I much prefer them cut rather than biting into them, and the friendly woman behind the counter told me she has the same preference, so they’ve come up with an alternative caramel apple: they use an apple corer to cut the apples, place them in a bowl, and pour the caramel and nuts over the cut apple. Pretty.good.idea, I thought. Can’t wait to do that for the kiddies!

Not only caramel apples did they have, but also a nice assortment of plain, ol’ apples that aren’t too polished and perfect—the way I like them! They seem more real that way, don’t you think? But oh, no! A BIG spider wants to either enjoy them too, or it wants to go home with us! (Yes, she’s now home with us!)

It’s a farm market, so they had lots of veggies, and one GIGANTIC cabbage! Can you believe this is a CABBAGE?! The price was $.25 per pound--I wish I’d weighed it!

They also had Halloween decor…I thought this sign was pretty cute!

…and a variety of cute wood people that were actually very well made. Isn’t she cute, in her skirt and carrying a black kitty?

The Christmas room had lots of interesting things, and the tree was lit with a combination of regular Christmas lights and tiny LED lights, which gave it a nice effect. I think I’m interested in trying that—has anyone out there tried that?

More wood decorations…I would’ve liked to have brought these two guys home too, but really…more things??? They were awfully cute, and heavy, and well made.

This Nativity was sooo, sooo neat. Our grandbabies love Nativity scenes, so they would’ve loved this one, but the price set me back a bit…What do you think? Too much??? Just right??? There’s a lot of work and skill in it, I know. Looking at it again I really, really like it. (Remember I said it’s an easy trip from home…???)

Nothing fancy in the outdoor area, but there were lots of different activities for the little ones—a little train, visible in the background, a giant checkers game on the ground, and a mini-miniature golf “area”—mini, not a course—but the kids were having fun with it.

How about that sky and the corn ready to be cut? Lovely fall day. The farmers in the area were out in force cutting down the stalks, and on our way home at dusk there was so much dust from one field at first we thought it was fog!

A former church (middle building) in New Paris, Ohio, is now home to Jamboree Antiques. The owner told me she and her husband bought the building a few years ago and moved their shop from their barn way out in the country to a more “urban” (see the traffic?) setting, because when the price of gas rose, people weren’t willing to drive out to their property. I don’t really know how these shops make a profit, so I’m always intrigued and ask the owners about their business.

How’s that for a beautiful door panel? It looks like it’s missing some parts, but it makes me wonder how many worshippers have touched that door.

And finally, I leave you with this HUGE guy, the overseer at Jamboree Antiques ~

The owner told us it took three men, huffing and puffing, to get him mounted! I didn’t ask the price (I can only imagine!), but if we had a HUGE home in the country I surely would want him there! He was that awesome and majestic!

It was a perfect day for a fall outing!

Do you like to take the back roads with your honey to see what you find? We find that it’s a wonderful way to get some quality time. In the summer we go in our now-vintage Saab convertible, but when the weather turns, then it’s the SUV, which always gets me in the mood to FILL IT UP with great finds! LOL

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I read every single one of them! And if you like what you see a lot, maybe you’d like to Google+ this post or pin it on Pinterest too! Thank you!

I invite you to follow me. If you’ll let me know that you’re following, I’ll be sure to follow you back.

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

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

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

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

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

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