I absolutely love this time of year. I love sitting at my kitchen counter with a cup of coffee thumbing through my favorite magazines planning for the big meal. My mother and I usually work together to cook. I love searching for new decorating ideas too! This year a chalk board where my family can write what they are Thankful for when they arrive. 
Something like this:

Beautiful centerpieces too...

Have fun and enjoy creating your shopping list!

Today's post is about an older couple that I met when I went to their yard sale. I was leaving my graduate course one Saturday feeling completely overwhelmed by life and the speed of it all. It was one of those times when I finally got to my car and the tears just started flowing. Ever have one of those?? I decided to get off the main road wondering if the on coming traffic could see. I pulled off on a dirt road and pulled over. Needless to say I just had a good cry. When I finally let it all out, I looked up and saw a yard sale sign. I love yard sales so I thought... what the heck.
It was there that I met the sweetest older couple.
They showed me around their yard sale like they were showing me around a fancy showroom. Somewhere in the conversation I told the couple how much I loved the forties and everything about it..... especially the music.
The woman then showed me these:

When I think of the forties I think that times were more simple back then. Women weren't expected to wear so many hats. After all they vacuumed in dresses and in the advertisements they made it look good! ( completely realize it wasn't really that way back then.) 

Take a look from my magazine

Really? pumps...a dress....and an apron?? Cleaning Toilets? Glamorous.

I told the couple that I would definitely take the magazines. Then the woman brought me to the corner of her garage and opened up a plastic container. She pulled out this....

A hostess set! A hostess set! Including a beautiful apron. She said it was her mother's, that she received as a wedding gift and that she was giving it to me because she knew I would appreciate it. 

I thanked the woman for everything, especially the conversation and I let her know that she completely turned my day around. Then, more tears.....

She then sold me a chair too.....

Which I painted and decided that every time I sit in it I will remember that nice couple who showed me around their yard sale. I'll probably listen to Ella Fitzgerald and think of a time that was more simple... and of course glamorous.... in my eyes anyway.

I still have some leftover burlap!!! Look at some of these other ideas. 

Burlap reminds me of a big sack of potatoes from a french kitchen from the 1920's. Burlap just coincides with charm and white bead board... to me anyway. So I decided to see what my local Joanne Fabrics had available. Friday afternoon I felt like I hit the jackpot! It's versatile and really inexpensive. This weekend I tried a few things......

This is the first time I have used this stuff (amateur!!!) but I think it's my new favorite texture!!!

of course there were pillows!!!

and more pillows...

Thanks to my husband for repairing my sewing machine... more pillows!!

And placemats 

or whatever else I can use this stuff for.

Stay tuned for burlap picture frame mats and table runners. I love the weekend!!!

“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.”

John Burroughs

Despite our drought, Vermont is as beautiful as ever. There are moments on my way to and from school that the landscape looks like a scene from the Wizard of Oz.  It's so hard to believe that it is real!!! This past weekend we were out and about enjoying every bit of it!!!!

First the apple picking....to fill a box......

Lots of apples!!!! And Pumpkins too!!!

Of course Mums :)

Bringing it home......

Also, Bringing more of the fall inside because...

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."

Elizabeth Lawrence

road side flowers and leaves, bringing the beauty inside.

Enjoy!!!

With soccer practice being cancelled....we decided to jump in the car as a family equipped with ipods and cameras for an evening drive before dinner to enjoy each other and the beautiful place we live. Counting our blessing here's what we found........

Husband, kids and of course the dog came along....

Slight chill in the air too....

"Folks are blessed who make the best of everyday living by their own
philosophy, everyone who needs the sun must find a way and I have found the
only way for me. I don't believe in frettin' and grievin'; Why mess around
with strife' I never was cut out to step and strut out. Give me the simple life."

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."

Counting my blessings today, enjoying my family and the fall events to come. Fall is like the year's last brilliant smile.....

Bringing the color inside.....

For dinner tonight:

1 Whole Chicken (anywhere from 3 - 6 lbs, but the bigger, the juicier, so keep that in mind)

Fresh Rosemary

Fresh or dried thyme

1 Lemon

Honey

Half-stick of butter, softened

Salt and Pepper

Looking forward to the first fire of the season.....Happy Fall everyone!!!