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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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September 21, 2015

Happy Fall! Have a Ball!

Hi, it’s Julie, from redheadcandecorate.com! You know, as a little girl growing up in New York State, Fall was all about Halloween. I remember tons of curled leaves on the sidewalks as I scooted through the neighborhood in my cat costume collecting candy in my pillowcase. I’m not even sure if I noticed the colorful foliage before the leaves shed, but I do remember having a plan to rake the entire yard by myself. I remember raking so long that blisters developed on my little hands, and my dreams of mile high piles to jump in quickly turned to thoughts of, “Maybe I should go watch the Brady Bunch and try again later” thoughts.

Ah well…at least I went after my dream and had fun even when it didn’t turn out the way I expected.
That’s my hope for all of us this Fall. To have some good ole fashioned fun. Before you know it, the snow will be flying so there is no time to waste.
Here is my list of favorite fun things to do this Autumn season that don’t require a lot of money, or a lot of effort.

Go Apple Picking

Apple Picking 2014

Every year, right around the end of September we head out to our local apple orchards. Last year was a hoot because it was quite chili. We acted like crazy apple thieves running in there for our “pecks” of apples. We did it in record time because of the temps. Hopefully, this year it will be warmer and slower. We enjoy Empire apples the best…they are crisp, sour, and sweet all at once. Granny Smith make the best pies though. What are your favorite apples?

Make a Homemade Apple Pie

Dutch Apple Pie

I think my husband wanted to marry me all over again when I began to bake my own apple pies about 10 years ago. There is nothing like the smell of fresh sweet tangy apples baking with the sugar and spices. I think I may have to make one this weekend after seeing this photo. The young folks like to bake too, so this would be a great time to encourage them to help.

Take a Fall Foliage Scenic Drive

Michigan Fall

I remember when we moved down South I wondered if the leaves would change. I asked our realtor and he laughed at me. UH! So rude, I thought. Well…maybe it was kind of a funny question, but when you’re from the North you don’t know these things. We lived in NE Florida and the leaves did change color, however it just wasn’t as colorful. The air still becomes clearer though, so that would make for a great time to go for a drive. Better yet…

Have A Soup Picnic

Smoky Mountain Kale & Sausage Soup-yum!

Heat up your favorite soup and pack the pot up in a few towels and a cooler. Coolers can keep things hot too! Or light a grill at a park with coals and put the pot there to heat it up. All you would need is some large coffee mugs to serve it in, a loaf of crusty Italian bread to break apart, and something cold to drink. Don’t forget the blanket and pillow.
Did someone say blanket?

Visit Your Local Thrift Store

pretty blanket

Wait, if you do this before the Soup Picnic, you would have a blanket to sit on. Can you believe I found this beautiful crochet blanket at Goodwill? Such gorgeous colors and perfect for those Fall naps. If you find one, just wash it in hot water a couple times because you never know.

Decorate With Scarves

Use a scarf in your Fall decorating!

With what? Yes…I am obsessed with scarves, flannels, and boots. So much so, that I am beginning to incorporate them into my home decor. I can’t keep buying things at stores because the house is getting too full. Time to use what I have, and hey…it looks and feels great. Just wrap your favorite scarf down your bannister, and secure with thumb tacks. The remaining supplies are mostly dollar store buys. The candles are thrift store glasses with t-lights.

Try Indoor Gardening

impatients

There is no doubt that gardening is relaxing and good for the soul. Did you know that Impatiens can survive indoors, too? You just need an indirect sun window like I have at my kitchen sink. They need to be kept moist, too. I just grab my dish sprayer and spray them once a day when I’m doing the dishes.

Build A Campfire

DIY Fire Pit Kit

We have campfires all Summer long, but it might be too hot for some of you. We also have to be careful of the dry regions. Be sure to call your local fire company to check if conditions are appropriate to enjoy a fire with the kiddos, or your neighbors. If you don’t have a fire pit, light some candles and relax. Don’t forget the S’mores Dip.

Happy Fall…have a ball!

Full recipes and tutorials can be found on redheadcandecorate.com.

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11 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Good Ideas Tagged With: Autumn, fall

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Previous Post: « Fall Home Tour 2015
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Comments

  1. Debi D says

    September 21, 2015 at 6:43 AM

    Where in NE Florida did you live. I live on Amelia Island and do miss the Fall color you get – just have to make a trip to the N. Georgia or NC.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      September 21, 2015 at 1:16 PM

      We lived in Jacksonville, Debi. Small world!! Fall was my favorite season down there. It lasted for months where here it is very fleeting.

      Reply
  2. heather says

    September 21, 2015 at 8:14 AM

    When can I come over, Julie?! This post SO puts me in the mood for fall!!! Just beautiful! Great blog to feature At The Picket Fence!!!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      September 21, 2015 at 1:17 PM

      Thank you, Heather! You are welcome any time sister. Wouldn’t that be FUN!!

      Reply
  3. Rose L. says

    September 21, 2015 at 10:01 AM

    I thought it was funny how you spelled “chilly” as chili! Not sure you meant to do that, but I associate heat with chili. Homemade apple pie is a sure fire path to a mans heart!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      September 21, 2015 at 1:18 PM

      Did I really? LOL. I must have been craving chili! If not, now I am. Thanks for the heads up, Rose!

      Reply
  4. Devra says

    September 21, 2015 at 4:36 PM

    The picture of your apple pie just made my mouth water!!!! Would you consider sharing the receipe? Thanks for such a fun blog………

    Reply
    • Julie says

      September 22, 2015 at 6:30 PM

      Here you go, Devra! https://redheadcandecorate.com/2012/09/julies-easy-dutch-apple-pie/

      Reply
  5. Pink Camellias says

    September 22, 2015 at 3:06 PM

    We are getting just a touch of fall here in Atlanta. I’m still wearing sandals – not quite ready to trade them in for boots! We are lucky here, because it is just over 2 hours to the mountains of Western North Carolina, where you can see spectacular leaves in the fall. We love to go to the N. Ga mountains to apple pick. I was just talking with my youngest son today about going apple picking this weekend!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      September 22, 2015 at 6:31 PM

      Get those apples, girl!! We may go twice this year. They keep forever in the crisper. I had some stay fresh until Christmas last year 😉

      Reply
  6. LilySmith says

    October 1, 2015 at 4:09 AM

    Fall is my favorite season! Great pictures! The one with scarves decoration is something I simply have to do in my house immediately!

    Reply

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“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”
General Douglas MacArthur

Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom and the principles upon which our country was founded. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables t I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables to pit next to our outdoor couch and when I spotted these plant stands at @walmart from their @betterhomesandgardens line I knew they would be perfect…and they are!! 👏🏻 This is not a sponsored post. I’m just happily sharing this great find and why we should always be open to thinking outside of the box when it comes finding solutions for our decorating dilemmas.

Now we’re ready to head into this beautiful weekend! ☀️
What do you do when you want to use a bunch of boo What do you do when you want to use a bunch of books in your decorating but it can cost $50 or more for just ONE brand new book? Head to the secondhand bookstore of course! I’m so excited about this new look in my family room and this easy, inexpensive decorating tip I’m bringing to you for this #tiptuesday
Today feels like one of those days that is worthy Today feels like one of those days that is worthy of a chef’s kiss. Blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, perfect mid-70’s temps, a gentle breeze blowing through my hair as I walk around my yard to see the status of my flowering plants.

This morning I was running errands and the weight of hard things that are happening in the world, the culture, my own community and even in our circle of friends just felt so heavy.

But, as I was exiting a store, I passed a couple who were in their late 60’s/early 70’s and holding hands as they walked through the parking lot. I happened to glance over just as the husband lifted his wife’s hand up and planted a kiss right on it. It was a moment that reflected such love and tenderness and it was made sweeter by the fact that they weren’t spring chickens. I felt honored that I had been the one to observe and appreciate that moment.

What an incredible thing it is that as humans we are able to hold so many emotions in our souls all at once. To feel sorrow for the pain a friend is enduring, grieve the decline of a culture drifting further from the Lord, ponder how to navigate a challenging school situation, marvel at and enjoy the beauty of creation right outside my door and feel joy at getting to see a tangible example of lasting love while walking through a parking lot.

I truly believe that as we mature in our lives and in our faith, we learn to embrace the tension that comes with the collision of different emotions and recognize that they can all coexist at the same time without one taking something away from another. Simple joys make the hard stuff a bit easier and hard stuff makes us appreciate those simple joys even more.

What’s a simple joy that you are thankful for today?
Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here are some highlights…

*Friday night I joined some wonderful ladies at church for a time of fellowship and yummy desserts. I made a strawberry lemon coffee cake and it was amazing if I do say so myself. ☺️ We are new-ish to this church and have just felt so warmly welcomed and folded in which has been very healing.

*Saturday was filled with getting our outdoor spaces spiffed up and my guys got our new table put together!

*Sitting outside for lunch with a yummy salad and iced tea felt like a little slice of heaven.

*Sunday we went to the iris gardens with my in-laws and then came home for naps and the most mouth watering ribs that my sweet husband had on the smoker all day.

*This glorious weekend ended with some ferocious rounds of UNO-corn (a hilarious version of UNO) and brownies my sweet daughter made for our dessert.

How was your weekend sweet friends? 🌸
I am absolutely and completely a better version of I am absolutely and completely a better version of myself when the sun is shining! Raise your hand if this is true for you too.

And, not only do I feel myself seeming to physically rise up from a slumbered state to greet the sunshine we've been longing for, I find that it seems like my house is rising up too. Every room, every nook and cranny (even though I now see dust bunnies that I missed during my cleaning on the dreary days), every leaf and flower outside...it's all coming to life and breathing fresh hope into my spirit. What a gift it is to be able to enjoy this home in all of the seasons of the year and of our lives. Now, I'm going to head outside and clean our deck and maybe there will be some time leftover for those dust bunnies!
I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispenser I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispensers! They come with pre-made labels for SO many different options and would make a great Mother’s Day gift! I love how they add a bit of pizzazz to my kitchen. And they go perfectly with some of my antique accessories like the little dish my mother in law gave me for salt and pepper and the tiny toothpick holder which belonged to my great grandmother. 

If you’d like the link to order them, just leave a comment with the word ‘bottles’ and I’ll send it your way. They’re even on sale right now! 🙌🏻
The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This is what I’m thinking (and sometimes saying out loud) every time I pass my dining room window and see my lilac tree bursting forth. I should probably just go full Paul Revere and ring a bell while I shout the news for all to hear. I’m sure my family would love that!

Lilac season is so bittersweet because it’s over way too soon but, fortunately, I’ve figured out how to capture the deliciousness of the fragrance by making my own lilac scented room spray. It’s SO simple!

Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka.

Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

This sweet little project was first featured in my book Life in Season and is definitely one of my favorites.

Have the lilacs started blooming where you live?
The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard ar The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard are at their peak and I’m here for it!
It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the gr It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the greatest joys of this stage in my parenting journey is getting to see the results of the years spent pouring into my children. The worry, the sleepless nights, praying, questioning our decisions and learning to trust in the Lord Who loves them even more than we do. We definitely didn’t do everything right, but what an an amazing experience it is to watch them become these incredible teens/young adults. My tip this week might seem simple, but I believe it can make a major difference in the lives of our children, in our homes and maybe, just maybe, in the culture too. 🌸
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