Welcome Fall!

The changing season, “Autumn Fires,” pumpkins, and dough bowls

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

As the weather changes and brings in a new season it brings with it the sights and smells that delight the senses. Living at the base of the Ruby Mountains in Northeastern Nevada all the beautiful fall colors begin to appear throughout in the shades of reds, rusts, oranges, faded greens, yellows and browns in the leaves that fall from the trees. The smell of the wood burning fires, the autumn colors, and the dew on the grass all lend to the autumn appeal. There definitely is a crispness in the air!  It’s time for those warm sweaters, boots, chunky knits, and tartan plaids.

Autumn brings a sense of serenity. We begin to slow down in our busy lives and when we look forward to preparing for the holidays with family and friends. The poem “Autumn Fires” written by Robert Lewis Stevenson remind me of the new season.

Autumn Fires

In the other gardens

And all up the vale,

From the autumn bonfires

See the smoke trail!

Pleasant summer over

And all the summer flowers,

The red fire blazes,

The gray smoke towers.

Sing a song of seasons!

Something bright in all!

Flowers in the summer,

Fires in the fall!

There are other signs of fall…like…pumpkins. I haven’t been able to run out and buy real pumpkins yet, so I began to use other alternatives (like wood) and make my own. I know that Pinterest has loads of ideas out there. And yes, that was an inspirational place to start and I did. Borrowing Pinterest ideas I began with a piece of a railroad tie from my yard, that had been used for a number of things. I began to brain storm and thought…What if I paint it orange…and turn it into a pumpkin? Well…. I did.

  Today I’m sharing a little of my pumpkin decor since venturing outside to decorate is just not working for me.

A pumpkin… with a burlap leaf.

As Autumn unfolds throughout my house my newest obsession is my antique Artisan dough bowl. I used my dough bowl and a few pumpkins to create an autumn display.

I call this my glam farmhouse look.

Something with rustic charm. Simple construction and a whole lot of potential. I love the details of the vintage beauty. And the size…it’s nice and long, perfect for my dining room table. This is my first attempt at decorating with this bit of history, a hand carved beauty, bearing the marks from years of loving use. Early farmhouses in Hungary and other Eastern European countries used these hand-carved wooden bowls to make bread. Just look at the size of this baby! This is definitely a statement piece. When I saw it, I had to have it. My mind was racing at the countless ways to style this wooden beauty. For the holidays I envisioned the countless ways you could use this as a tabletop centerpiece. I saw it filled with fresh greenery layered on the bottom, pine cones, and vintage ornaments. I saw my dough bowl filled with large, chunky white candles, pine cones, magazines, filled with elk antlers, layered greenery  such as seeded Eucalyptus and flowers and pumpkins. The possibilities are endless! Right now I’m just lovin’ it filled with pumpkins.

Crisp air, pretty leaves, sweaters and boots, pumpkins….I love fall!

Happy Wednesday! From R&R