Tuesday, October 1, 2013

FALL DAYS!


As usual, I haven't had time to come up for air.  Today is going to be a rare day of nothing.  A shower, a run to the dry cleaner, and then a date with the couch and my book.  I raved about the book I'm reading, Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted already,  I am slowly making my way through it.  It's just such a wonderful, captivating, heartbreaking book, I simply put it down so I can savor it later.  I love when I find a novel like this.  Bliss.

We had dinner for the kids here last Thursday.  The guys were coming to help move the bedroom furniture for Charlie The Painter and so I thought it would be nice to cook for them.  I had planned on simple chili with cornbread and then The Husband said, "How about a nice roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy?"  I must have looked at him like he had two heads because he muttered, "Or not."  Off I went to the butcher and got a beautiful cut, picked up a few odds and ends and spent the afternoon cooking and fluffing and tweaking and I'm so glad he gave me a push to make a rewarding effort.  I make a lot of Sunday roasts, I grew up on them.  The Husband had it a little worse, he wasn't allowed to take off his church jacket and tie until after dinner.  Believe it or not, I've never made one for company, probably because that was the norm in the 50's and 60's.  It came out very tasty, although I always struggle with gravy.  I set the table with my everyday dishes (ignore all the chips), and I managed to squeeze in eight of us at a table for four  Cozy!


 I set up my own pumpkin patch for the girls to come and take their pick!  I have some pansies, too.  I have been spraying the pumpkins with Pledge furniture polish and I think that is keeping the squirrels away.  That and Milo playing sentry.
I wanted to show you these beautiful fall runners (minus one) that I ordered from Judy at 20 North Ora.  She is filled with tons of creativity and I fell in love with these runners in her shop.  Since my table is small, she made these to order, and because she is SO sweet, she included the one on the top left with the holly as a gift!  You have to go over to her blog and have a look in her shop.  Even The Husband, who does a lot of heavy sighing when I get packages in the mail, was truly impressed with these.  And it really is hard to find shorter runners, I usually have to fold mine. 

I hope all of you have a wonderful first week of October.  Soon the leaves will be falling, the bon fires going and happy pumpkin faces everywhere.  Enjoy! :)

68 comments:

Karen said...

Boy are yo busy! chili and cornbread are two of my favorite things but a good pot roast with mashed is darned good too. Thanks for the tip on planting bulbs. Somehow my mom missed passing that one on to me. I learned most of what I know about gardening from her. As always thanks for visiting me.

20 North Ora said...

You hit the jackpot with all of those flowers on sale. Now, to just get them all planted. Your front porch looks delightful!

Thanks for showing the runners. Hope you enjoy them!

Judy

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

I've been thinking of making a roast lately. I haven't made one in years. Do you put yours in a crockpot? I have trouble with gravy too. It kinda scares me. I always seem to mess it up. Can't wait to see your bedroom with the new paint, etc. Wish you had a pic of Milo and Layla smushed together! LOL! Love your new runners!

Olive said...

You have an awesome pumpkin patch Jane. The porch looks incredible. We also love roast and I forego the gravy most days and we just go with the juice. Judy is talented. xo, olive

It's me said...

Enjoy autumn Darling....love Ria....x!

Low Tide High Style said...

Looks like you are all ready for fall! I love your new rug, and we made chili and had the kids over on Sunday! :)

xo Kat

Beth said...

I love to read. I have written down the name of the book to see if I can get it on Amazon.
I love roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy. Good choice!

Lynn said...

Lovin' all the great colors of your pumpkins Jane! So glad to hear the Pledge trick seems to be working, I know the critters can be pesky. Happy October:@)

Anonymous said...

what great buys you found , sounds like a perfect weekend and I think I found some of that fur under my bed too! We keep luggage under ours as well, we have a shortage on storage here, heck we have shortage on apartment!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Love the Hay Wagon picture! :)

You did get quite the haul ! :)

Judy is so creative...every time I see her stuff I am amazed...

Gray would look good with anything I should imagine. Rose or pink might be too much for the husband; a pale yellow is what first came to mind for me but just about anything could work! Or deep purple...oh well we'll just have to see what you end up doing / it will be fun :)

Leslie Harris said...

Jane I love those runners they're so pretty. And I can't wait to see the gray shade of paint. There is so much you can do with gray as a backdrop I know it will be perfect once you get your creative juices going. I'm on my way to get flowers for my front door. You've motivated me!

Unknown said...

Hey Blondie ( it feels so weird to say that because people call me that too lol ) we have roast beef often on Sundays in the winter - but for the last 15 years ( since John entered my life ) we have it with Yorkshire pudding - now my favorite part of the meal :)
I NEVER knew that secret - PLEDGE -
what if I sprayed my entire outside with that stuff - would it keep squirrels away entirely? They've made my life a scene from an Alfred Hitchcock movie this year ( actually ripping screens and entered the house !!! )
Ok my comment is as long as your post LMHO
XOXO

podso said...

Love the pumpkins gathered on your front steps! I hope you find your duvet. I love yellow and turquoise accents with gray .. I know you will find what you want in time.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane ... Sunday roasts! I never thought about the fact that they were a thing of the 50s and 60s and not "in style" any more. It's funny how food things come and go as well. But we don't have Sunday dinners much anymore do we.

Nice to visit today!

Vee said...

Wowzer! That's a whole lot of planting to do. What bargains all around with those flowers and pumpkins. Autumn is looking beautiful at your place and spring will be, too.

Vee said...

Oh also wanted to thank you for the Playlist info in your sidebar. I've been happily listening to music since I arrived.

Anonymous said...

I'm with you... where did September go? Love all of your pumpkins

Primitive Stars said...

Merry October, you hit the flower jack pot with the flowers wow!!!!!! Love the pumpkins on the porch, looks so great......yum, Sunday roasts, brings back many childhood memories......Blessings Francine.

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I love having the kids over for dinner, too.

Fondly,
Glenda

Stacey said...

Jane, you write the best posts! We are having roast tonight but it's left over. Your flowers look great. It is still almost like summer here and my flowers are still lookin' good.

Debra@CommonGround said...

love your own personal pumpkin patch!! and love Judy's wonderful runners, I have one coming too! YAY!

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

You're right, those runners are stunners!!

Your porch looks beautiful Jane, and boy, what bargains you got with those flowers. Love when that happens!

I had to laugh about the fur under the bed :). As for me, I don't care how dusty things get, I'm not giving up my real estate under the bed. I store things in those thingies that you get pillows or blankies in and it works great. My bed at the cabin is low to the ground so I need things that you can squish in.

Enjoy October, because yes, Christmas will be here before we know it.
xxx

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

Oh how I would love to be sitting and eating at your table right now. That salad looks scrumptous! I LOVE the gray that you have shown, and I am sure you will come up with something to go with it. Love the pumpkins on the steps.

Unknown said...

Your salads look delicious! Love the basket, too. So rustic! Glad you had a good trip to the lake. My husband is gone to our lake house now. I have a couple of appointments before I can go down, maybe next Tuesday. Maybe not! Whatever notion strikes. It's a 5 hour drive, and I'm not crazy about going alone.

Have a great 'rest of the week'!

White Ironstone Cottage said...

pretty jane love all of your pumpkins
xo
Pam

Barbara F. said...

I love your posts, Jane, I feel like with your writing style, we are actually sitting and having coffee or tea, maybe crocheting and just chit chatting. I like your car trunk packed with fall goodies. xo

Babs said...

Wow! You hit the jackpot at the garden center. I don't blame you for loading up. Love the pumpkins.All I've seen here are the round orange ones. I'd love some other colors and some of the flat-ish ones. Hope you get to make the chili.

Lori said...

It was so nice this past weekend I spent Saturday outside in the flowerbeds so fall décor will have to wait until this coming weekend! Love all your pumpkins ~ I got some little white ones but need more! I am sure you will find a duvet ~ you will know it when you see it! Have a great week and get planting those bulbs :o)

Sherry @ Thrift My House said...

Wow, you always inspire me. I really need to get busy in my yard. All the rainy weather we had this summer has made my weeds more like a jungle! I love love your pumpkins on the steps. Perfect! Love the runners too, I need to find or make one.
Have a great rest of the week :)

Debby said...

You are really nesting. Lots of planting to do but what a deal. You'll have a beautiful garden next spring. I think September wasn't here either. I love October. The colors and the scents. Have a fun fall month.

Susan Shull said...

Busy girl! Sounds like a wonderful week, Jane.

Julie Marie said...

Hi Jane... busy busy week for you... your greyish bedroom sounds so pretty and soothing... can't wait to see the duvet you find... and your time at the lake sounds wonderful... your car full of pumpkins looks fun and your porch is too cute!... I have not had roast in soo long... sounds yummy, but so does chili... I must be hungry tonight!... what a deal you got on all your plants too... Happy October to you!... xoxo Julie Marie

Vel Criste said...

Busy week as always for you dear Jane but again, well accomplished. Love the rug you chose,can't wait to see the room. I also love your tables cape, pretty perfect, just wish you pictures were a bit bigger. Keep enjoying this beautiful fall!

Melanie said...

Gaah, don't even mention the "C" word (Christm**) yet...it's barely even fall! And Christmas means winter, ugh. I'm still wishing it were summer, lol. I need to learn to relax like you do sometimes, where you have a date with the couch and your book. I just can't lie around at all during the day; always feel I need to be doing something. A few days ago, I did spend some time on the patio with a poetry book and my coffee, but I didn't do much reading; I ended up writing some poetry instead! I can't wait to see your bedroom; the color sounds great. I really like the rug you picked out, too. With all that gray, it sounds like you need some color with the duvet or comforter. Since gray is a neutral, just about anything will go with it - blue, teal, purple, yellow, red, a deep orange. You are incredibly lucky that you got those perennials for only $2/ea!! Brian and I were just at a local nursery and their perennials were 40% off, but that still made them $9 each. Looks like you got some pretty runners from Judy; I have a short kitchen table, too. I'll have to remember her handiwork next time I'm looking for a runner. Did you end up making chili for tonight? It turned out to be a very warm day after all. Lastly, now I'm curious about those little Parmesan cheese packets. You said you get them with food you have delivered. What food do you have delivered that they give you those little packets?! The only food delivery I know of is pizza and chinese food, so now I'm scratching my head! xoxo

Pondside said...

This was a lovely 'nesty' post, Jane. It made me wish to visit a farmers' market to scout out some pumpkins and mums. I look forward to seeing your new bedroom - I love the sound of the grey.

NanaDiana said...

Well, you have been a busy girl..making a roast beef dinner and all for your sweet family. Did you ever notice how husbands ask for stuff like that having absolutely no idea the extra work it might involve. yeah.... Loving all your plants and pumpkins. $20 for 10? You gotta be kidding me! I am in the wrong town.

Loving the rug and grey bedroom. You will find the perfect thing somewhere. How about a grey and cream combination that won't show much "dog"? xo Diana

Theresa said...

You are one busy lady:) Love all of your work! The pumpkin display is AWESOME and perfect for Fall! Have a blessed day dear friend, rest a little! HUGS!

Lindsey said...

Love the picture of your trunk stuffed to the brim with all things fall! :) It makes me so happy to look at! I also love how you scattered pumpkins along the edges of your steps... I am hoping to get some pumpkins soon for my front steps as well! Happy Fall! :)

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Goodness, that was a lot in one post. What a deal on all the plants. We are waiting to replace all ours that died over the hot, hot summer -- will be travelling next week so will start doing my own planting after that. I'm sure your bedroom turned out beautifully. Gray can go with so many colors. Have a great rest of the week. Tammy

Mary said...

Wow, you've been a busy gal dear Jane - and everything is looking so gorgeous at the house. Bet you have the prettiest house on the block!

Off today - Raleigh to London to Budapest (then later to Vienna and Prague). Hoping for nice weather as Bob drags me around three beautiful old cities - think of my poor feet pounding the cobblestones daily! I'm excited though as I've not been to any of these three before.

Happy days - enjoy Autumn.
Love, Mary

Kathleen Grace said...

I love the rug you chose for the bedroom, I just know you will find the perfect comforter for the bed. Grey is a neutral so almost anything goes right? You were such a sweetie to make the pot roast for your husband:>)Your autumn clematis looks a lot different from mine, mine is just now blooming white and never gets red things on it?

Debbie said...

Lovely pictures! The pumpkins and plants are all beautiful!!

Sue said...

I love the rug! Gray is one of my favorite colors, although I tend to wear it and have never done a room in it (yet). I love gray with navy and with red, just throwing that out there! It would also be pretty with turquoise.

You really made a haul with the plants and pumpkins. We bought ours at a farm on the way home from French Lick and our car looked a lot like yours. We paid $15 for 3 huge mums and got wonderful pumpkins and squash. It is so much fun to go places like that. I will check out the runners. They look beautiful!

Deborah said...

Never a dull moment with you Jane! ;)
Your place is filled with the comforts and beauty of autumn.
Reading a book and getting all cozy sounds wonderful right now!
Have a great weekend my friend!

All my heart,
Deborah xoxo

Kelly said...

You see, when your husband suggested a roast instead of chili, you should've said....Great idea honey! Why don't you make that?! (LOL) My husband is the main meat cook at my house, so he's careful what he nominates for dinner. I bet the roast was delicious. That is a great Sunday meal with the family. If you do it in the crock pot it is even easier. Love your pumpkins on your steps. They look so pretty. I haven't even bought the first one yet this year.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Jane,
I have been on a bit of a blogging hiatus. I just have the bloggers block going.
What great sales you found!
All the flowers, the pumpkins, and you've been so busy cooking up a storm too!
Hey I love your rug! And I bet your duvet will look gorgeous with it.
Our weekend is coming soon..I can't wait!
I leave very early Tuesday for Phoenix, back on Sunday. They are still in the 90's so I will pack up some shorts and off I go. Meeting the blogger gals there on Thursday.
Well I wrote a ton, share more later. Thanks for the b-day wishes for Addison too. She really is my baby too.
Hugs friend,
Cindy

Decor To Adore said...

What a busy be you've been. It all looks great.
I am having a Fun Fall Foods Linky party tomorrow and every recipe link (old or new) is eligible to win the giveaway.

I'd love for you to link up!

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

What cheery front steps all those pumpkins make! Your full car looks like a bountiful October alright! And I'm with you--September happened in about one afternoon. Whoosh! And yes, I'm getting ready for Christmas. It's always so cozy over here. SO nice you came by to see me!

Art and Sand said...

10 plants for $20- amazing. I never find deals like that.

Love the pieces by Judy.

Tricia said...

My goodness, you sure had your car plumb full! And look at all your pumpkins too! My kids would be in heaven if they saw such a thing at our house. I had to laugh when I read your idea about the pledge. You're such a smarty! Hope you have a good weekend :)

Balisha said...

What a car load. I enjoyed this post from the book to your chili and corn bread dinner. You make your posts so interesting with all you do. Such a busy gal you are.
Anxious to see the finished bedroom.
Have a nice weekend.
Balisha

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Sweet tablescape and I do love your runners!!! You are ready for the season with your porch full of pumpkins...
Blessings,
Cindy

Unknown said...

Hi Jane,
Every detail is delicious here. I had to pin that shot of your arbor with the dock and the lake. Your spot is picturesque. I love all your fall elements. I was hoping to get some sweet table runners in my boutique for fall so I'm happy to hear how much you love the runner idea.
Thanks for your kind words about my dental surgery. All went well-fierce with my animal flats on. ;) Hope your dental visit turns out easy breezy. By the way, I think you asked about Chico. It's about 1 1/2 hours north of Sacramento in Northern Cal. It's a cool little university town. I've been here 13 years (moved here from the SF area to marry my man).
Have a lovely weekend dear.
xx, Heather @ Stylemindchic

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Jane, I am in love with the table runners...very pretty! Great deal on the flowers and the pumpkins are wonderful.
xx,
Sherry

Debbie said...

Oh..I had to laugh when I saw the back of your vehicle stuffed with all of the fall decorations. I just went to the market yesterday and did the same thing!! You are so cute, Jane!!
I love what you did with your front steps...so warm and welcoming for the Fall season.
The runners from Judy are beautiful! I have to go over and see what she has.
Have fun planting all of your new plants. Wait until next year...your gardens are going to be bursting with flowers!!
xo

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Loved this and laughed out loud when I read about the Pledge furniture polish.

Hope they loved their pick of the pumpkins.

All joys,

Sharon

Sonia said...

Oh I love your pumpkin staircase! So pretty! Your table looks great and yummy too...enjoy October!
Miss Bloomers

Betty@SouthernGrace said...

I always fuss at my husband for not making any suggestion for Sun dinner...and when he does, I always say..nahhh, I'm not in the mood for that. Poor guy, can't win.
Your fall decor looks nice. I just wish we could have some cool weather in FL now. Have a great week, Jane.

Lynne said...

WOW! I am late! I had missed some valuable visiting time due to two day headache. When I got home from work, I just dove into a dark pillow to sleep it off!

You are busy Jane! Inside and out!
You have lot's of upkeep with two homes.

I love the image of your car loaded with hay bails, pumpkins and mums. Talk about a woman on a mission!

Can't wait to see your new bedroom!

I have purchased from Judy before. Her work is lovely!
Blessing to all of the B's!
w/L

Lori E said...

I would be at a lost as to what to put with gray too. It does seem very modern. Can't wait to see what you come up with.
I can't believe the price of the plants. Seriously!!! How cool is that.
How is your finger healing up? Don't you just kick yourself as it is happening. Ouch,

Maggie said...

Reading your blog posts is like listening to a friend on the phone, I love my visits to Blondie's home(s)!
The twisty curly bits on your clematis are what's left when the flowers are gone, they look lovely at this time of the year. Your pumpkin patch has me green with envy, pumpkins are so expensive here, probably because they are sold as food not decoration!
The runners are delightful, shall go and take at look at your friends blog tout suite!
Bon dimanche, dear Jane, a bientot.

must love junk said...

What a great deal on all your goodies! Love your pumpkin patch :)
Susan

Stacey said...

Hi Jane,
I was pleasantly surprised to see that you have comments enabled again! It's been awhile since I've visited, but several times prior in the past, I felt sad that I wasn't able to leave a comment. Anyway, yes, September went by very quickly, before you know it, it will be December! Love your pumpkins and as usual your decor looks fab! Happy evening!

Kit said...

What a great post! I loved all the news and pretty pics. Everything looks great. :) Kit

Anonymous said...

Hi Janie! Oh, you're a busy little bee. All of the flowers look so pretty. I like the runners too. Thank you for your love, sweet friend, I can feel it.
You are the sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Our Neck of the Woods said...

Sounds like a good family meal! That salad looks really yummy. I wish I had that for lunch today! I like that rug you picked out for your room. I've always wanted to paint a room gray, but never have done it. Maybe someday I'll make over my bedroom!

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