I have had four kids fly the coup in the last two weeks…everyone is taking off for college or their own place! While part of me is sad to see them go (I really miss my girls!), part of me is jumping for joy. Finally I can reclaim all that space and begin to get organized! With five kids in the house all summer, it was getting a bit crazy around here. Now I am ready to sss….lll…oooo…wwww down a bit and settle in!
It has been a long year so far of moving my family in and out of homes, apartments and dorms and getting the church underway — I am READY to curl up with a good book and take a long winter’s nap!
Most of my home nesting so far has been just moving kids out of the house, not much of the fun decorative kind of stuff! But I have done a few things that make me feel like fall is finally here! Since we haven’t been sure where we were going to live long term, we really haven’t done much in the way of all out decorating. But even when you are in limbo it is important to do what you love in some form or another!
I already showed you that I hung my apple wreath last week on my front porch, and this week I got around to putting my pine cones in the container. Ah, much more fall-like! It is a happy greeting by the front door.
I want my house to feel like a quirky old cottage at the beach, even in the winter. The kind of beach house you would go to and enjoy laying around by the fire on a stormy night. I want to keep some of that coastal ambience all year round but still flow with the seasons we have here in the Northwest. That means adding more layers and warmth in the cooler months and taking them away in the summer. I like my home to reflect the seasons!
Ok, then I went and bought a new entry mat. Always a must on my list! I’m not fond of grungy old entry mats. Now I just need to fill up that iron kettle with something fallish. Maybe some white pumpkins or some firewood.
I finally unpacked a few more boxes from our move last January…and found the little quote from The Lord of the Rings we’ve always hung by our front door. For now, it sits on the entry table! It always makes me smile since I love to hibernate in the house and be cozy and safe.
I picked up some fall twiggy things from Pier One and replaced my springy/summery branches! They have such pretty bright green little thistles on them. The burst of green just makes me happy. I love green. These twigs will be here until after Thanksgiving and then my sparkly bare twigs will take their place!
I bought my new fall candles from Target and they came with little buttons on stretchy string. I thought to myself, “self, what should you do with these?” Yes, I do carry on little conversations with myself like that. I am always afraid to leave embellishments on my candles for fear of burning the house down so I wanted to take them off and use them somewhere else. I took the little button and stretchy string and looked around until I found the perfect spot, right on my glass entry vase with the twigs! It warmed up the glass and gave it a little personality too.
The lighting looks terrible in this photo, but I switched some of my summer shells from my jar out for bright green fall apples. I decided this year to use faux apples from Pier One because the real ones turn into applesauce if you keep the lid on! And then I hung my colorful bird plates on the wall.
I haven’t hung much on the walls yet because if we get to live here permanently, those underbelly of a pink pig walls are going to be the first to go. The pink seems to make everything I try to do look kind of, well, pink. I have nothing against pink, it just isn’t the color I want. I would love to add a creamy white painted paneling (since I miss all the real wood walls in my old house!) on this entry wall. Sigh. That is my dream.
Then, I got a package from Wall Candy Arts and inside were a number of different adhesive chalkboard surfaces! I was wondering what I would do with them when I had this little brainstorm. I had an old frame laying around and had just happened to have bought some sticky backed velcro-like picture hangers.
In just a few minutes, I had created a “leftovers” chalkboard. In the fall I tend to cook a lot more from scratch and we end up with various odds and ends in the fridge. I love to be able to write down what I am putting in there to inspire someone to eat the leftovers! I love the chalkboard surface too, it is really smooth and easy to write on. No, I didn’t get paid to talk about it and I won’t get paid if you order some Wall Candy for yourself. I just happened to use the gift they sent me!
Finally, I dove right in to my Procrastinator’s Project. There is no other way to get things done — especially dreaded things like painting. This is just the undercoat. I have already done my top coat and will be sanding and doing a finishing coat tomorrow! It looks dramatically different than my before photo. I’ll show you more later! So, how are your projects coming? It is not too late to join in!
With the blustery winds we’ve been having lately, that quote for Lord of the Rings fits perfectly….. we were wondering how long it would take us to hit Kansas (LOL).
Enjoyed the pics…
.-= Brenda Leyland´s last blog ..Wednesday Whatnots =-.
It’s nice to see all your fall touches – sometimes the little things add so much. Being in limbo is never fun. May God continue to give you grace as you wait on him.
Lorrie
Well, we bought the trim we’ll need for our windows! There’s still all the trim for the doors… LOL! Anybody interested in coming over and helping us???? :) I very much want this project to be finished!
.-= Astrid´s last blog ..Window Trim, A Banner, Apples & Ghosts (& not in that order) =-.
Not engaging at the moment, we are once again waiting for a military relocation but, your photos are fabulous. Well done.
.-= The Blushing Hostess´s last blog ..finestationery.com Reader Giveaway =-.
your home is gorgeous, melissa. i love the simplicity of all your touches and that it’s not over the top like a forest puked in your living room.
i have yet to tell the sad story of my glass jar of green apples that ended up with a broken lid while i was fall nesting. good thing the person attached to the sneaky little fingers is cute…
.-= Emily@remodelingthislife´s last blog ..Fall Decorating Ideas =-.
I love your fall touches, Melissa! Clever using the button on your twig jar and I love that book you have on the table with it. I have not started my project yet. That will come this weekend. I’m hoping the weather is nice so I can paint outside.
I’m not much of a seasonal decorater; the exception being autumn. There’s something about making my nest all cozy for the long hibernation. Looking forward to seeing your finished cabinet!
.-= Leah´s last blog ..Safety First! =-.
Hi-well you are very inspiring-some really great ideas. I want to join in on your procrastinator project but I have been procrastinating a garage sale so that comes first-this saturday! If I still have energy after that is over I will join in with a project-I have several. Thanks for making me want to get up and get something done-needed that little push-HA!
I love the idea of a leftovers chalkboard! I may have to borrow that one!
.-= Wendy@ The Shabby Nest´s last blog ..Monogram much?~ =-.
Love that quote in your entry! And you’re so right about the apples turning to applesauce in those jars. I’m using fake fruit now, too. Got tired of cleaning the oozy stuff off the glass. Ha.
.-= Julia @ Hooked on Houses´s last blog ..Hooked or Hate It: Recycled Beer-Bottle Chandeliers =-.
I love your passion as well as all the wonderful little touches you’ve shared. ( I SO need a new doormat!) . Quirkiness is wonderful because it lets passion and authenticity be the backdrop for everything we do. My friends think I’m mad at the moment, because my home, normally cosy&cluttered in autumn and Christmas colours, is now looking more like a pared down holiday rental cottage by the sea. Even the hall has gone from gold and terracotta to serene creams and warm sandy tones. I just smile and say I needed a big change and a whole load of clarity. I know I’ll be adding autumn touches in the weeks to come, but for now, I’m loving the blank canvas feeling!
.-= janice | Sharing the Journey´s last blog ..Berries and Birds =-.
I love reading about how you’re creating a fall ambiance around your home. I’m so glad that you get right into it despite not knowing if this will be your final home there. You always have such great ideas that aren’t very expensive. It is such a pleasure to visit your blog. I think I’ve said it before but it’s such a fun momentary escape for me. Thank you for that.
Blessings,
Debbie
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..Thankful Thursday ~ Count Your Blessings =-.
Okay I so love the quote!!
.-= Sheri´s last blog ..School room =-.
Hello –
I want to thank you for this inspiring post that you shared. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and feel less motivated to do something nice for my home and yard.
In addition, I am reading a book entitled Organizing from the Inside Out written by Julie Morgenstern. I am in the process of reducing and eliminating clutter.
Still I am grateful to have a nice and cozy place to live especially with my 5 years old son. : )
.-= Dina Marie´s last blog ..Prepaid Legal is Having a Special Offer =-.
Love the chalkboard frame!
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..Yard Saling =-.
Sounds as if you’re going to get some much-needed down time…I hope. I love that embellishment on the jar and I think that I’ll be copying your idea very soon.
thank you for sharing your lovely inspiring touches.
I’m glad i found your website and will come visit oftn to draw inspiration for my own blog.
Thank you for sharing those marvelous pics
rita from Rita’s Shabby Chic Rose
Everything looks so nice in your entry – your little table with the quote is great, and I love the jar with the faux apples, you can’t tell that they aren’t real – excellent!
When we moved in here, one room was pepto- bismol pink with (get this-) teal mini blinds. Now that’s a (I’ll be nice) ” creative” color combo and it drove me crazy. Repainting was wonderful, hope you get to do that soon!
Hope you can come by for a visit sometime soon.
Have a great weekend!
XO
Heidi – Heart and Home
.-= Heidi´s last blog ..VisiStat Provides Business Intelligence, Not Just Analytics =-.
I’m still procrastinating about whether or not to join the party! Good luck to all who enter.
You amaze me with your spirit during a time of such indecision. I admire your fortitude!
Brenda
.-= Brenda Kula´s last blog ..Show And Tell Cupboard =-.
Oh you are ready for the autumn breezes. It all looks great as usual. I’m giving away a French Home glass wine set if you are interested, drop by.
Happy Twirls
.-= Libby Murphy´s last blog ..French Glass Wine Set with Royal Napoleon Bee Emblem GIVEAWAY on HALLOWEEN – SENATOR says "Enter Now and Enter Often and Try These Honey Muffins!" =-.
It’s looking great! I am debating on skipping the halloween decor and going straight to Christmas! ha. With the cold weather we’ve been having in Texas… it feels more like Dec. Love getting glimpses of your home.
.-= Amy @ Living Locurto´s last blog ..Reader’s Digest Feature =-.
Oh, Melissa. Thank you for this post. I loved reading this. . . a long, newsy post, kind of like a letter from a friend.
I love the way you’re adding little touches of fall all around your current nest, making a home for yourself there.
I’ve been disorganized lately, and I’ve missed some of your posts. I’m going RIGHT NOW to my blog to add The Inspired Room to my blogroll there so that I’ll be sure to visit here every day! I’m always I’ve read what you have to say.
God bless you!
.-= Richella´s last blog ..Hooked on collections =-.
You’re making me feel all cozy! I love that you display that quote – it’s great! And love your little chalkboard idea – cute! Oh that pesky procrastinator project that I must find time to work on – LOL!!
.-= Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates´s last blog ..Fall Fruits Festival Starts Monday =-.
I was thinking I loved the vase with the button- then read your comment about the candles- what a great little idea!
.-= gina´s last blog ..NO COOK! homemade play dough =-.
ah… I’ve finally got time to catch up , and I am making my way through all your posts…. you are such a busy woman, I don’t know HOW you do it all!
.-= Patty´s last blog ..Bucket Day, A Shade Of Gray, And Frog Tape =-.