MANTEL WOES

I know everyone thinks I have dropped dead, the cold I had was pretty bad and lasted a long time, but I am alive and well (sort of).  Still coughing but I am back in my own bed and I have kicked my Nyquil habit.  Thank you so much for all of your well wishes!  All of you are so great!

I wish I could say I was relieved of my household duties but in between naps and reading (I know, that's all it seems I do), I dusted, polished, disinfected the bathroom and kept up on the laundry.  On one of my seemingly endless trip to the grocery store, I picked up these pretty spider mums to brighten my day.  I still have to get some pots for my front porch, maybe tomorrow, and I want some greenery and faux berries from Michael's, which I never made it to last week.  I just ran out of energy.  One thing I did do was visit many blogs.  I am in awe of every one's fall decorations!  I think there should be a Blogger magazine just for decorating.  While I was lounging around the past 2 weeks, I had a look at my pile of Better Homes & Gardens magazines that had piled up going back to July.  I know, too many books and not enough magazine perusing.  I can only say that I get more inspiration for my home from reading blogs,  Definitely.

Okay, my mantel is a work in progress.  I didn't want anything too crowded or "orange".  I do however, think I need some leaves and berries and maybe a larger white pumpkin on the left side.

I have had this metal try for so long but it is really too big for my dining table so I just store dishes, napkins and silverware in it.  It came in handy for my monster mantel.

I also stole this Manzanita branch from Wedding Central in Emily's room.  These are going to be part of the table decorations at her wedding reception.

A close-up.  I should have arranged those candles differently for this picture but I was in a hurry as I was losing light.  Rain is coming...Yay!

So, it's looking a little lonely right now but I am forging ahead.  I really think some red berries will liven it up a lot.  

So, that's about all I have for this post.  Tonight I hope to make a REAL dinner after subsisting on a lot of frozen entrees from Costco.  Wow, they have a big selection; frozen lasagna, pot pies, Swedish meatballs...you name it.  I could get used to this!  I actually baked some brownies on Sunday, but I nibbled away at them so much that I have gone back on a sugar ban.  I just have zero willpower.  Are any of you baking yet?  I know it is still warm in a lot of areas, we have been lucky that we have been in the low 60's for awhile and then the 70's this week.  I love it!

I'm joining Courtney at Feather Your Nest Friday.  Visit everyone at French Country Cottage or join in the fun!  I will see you next week with a mantel update.  If you have any ideas or suggestions, let me know! :)