Creating a Fall Mantel Display

I'm not an avid blog poster and I'm currently up to my ears with 'To Do' lists in preparation of our daughter's wedding in 11 days...but I decided to create a blog post this morning.

When starting a new mantel display, I begin with a blank slate.  Everything is removed that is currently on the mantel...then I start layering items...stepping back to see how they look.

The window is a new 'acquisition'...my mom recently had all her windows replaced and I snagged a few of her old ones.

The lanterns come in a set of three, each a different size.  They always find a way into my seasonal decorating.  They can be purchased here.

There was too much 'wall' showing and I didn't have enough 'stuff' to fill in those areas...so I added another big piece...something with a 'heavy' look = the wood tool carrier.  I've shifted the lanterns, books and silver ice bucket and removed the black pedestal.

As more layers are added, the lanterns get shifted again.

Some faux floral pieces are added, along with faux pumpkins and pinecones.

Stand back and see how the overlook appears.

After a little tweaking...

Fall Mantel completed.

I'm linking up with THE SCOOP
and No Minimalist Here

What's Bloomin'

What's Bloomin' in the Yard

After a mild winter in our area, spring seemed to come early...then we had a period of cold weather again.  I'm happy to say I think the warmer weather is now here to stay.


Our yard has been an evolution over the 13 years we've lived in our home.  We are usually doing something new every year, either adding something, moving plants and/or shrubs, or, like this year, having a huge tree removed.


I try to keep a pictural record of the yard as we make changes, but it doesn't always happen.


Here's some shots of what's bloomed so far this season.

An old cart and milk can seated among some creeping phlox.

 Above the old cart is an arbor with a Zephirine Drouhin rose

I love the early arrival of the Johnny Jump Ups.  They have reseeded themselves over the last couple of years and you just never know where they'll show up.

Maraschino Cherry Salvia is a favorite of the humming birds that frequent the yard.

This is 3 clays pots of mixed plantings of geraniums, bacopa, parsley, dianthus, vinca, dracena, and a couple others.

The azaleas were gorgeous this year.

Last year, we planted 3 Encore Azaleas...they've done really well.

This is a Japanese Kerria - it's a climbing plant with these little powder puff looking flowers all over it.

Foxglove - one of my favorite

Miss Kim lilac - It has a Heavenly scent

Homestead Verbana - This is new to the yard this year.  I'm anxious to see how it does.

This is Queen Anne's Lace - which some might consider a 'weed'...but I grow it to use in flower arrangements.  It will get about 4-5 feet tall with a lacy white flat flower.

The Oak Leaf Hydrangea buds.

I love these cute little pink and white blooms!  These are in one of my pots of mixed plantings.

Aren't these cute too?

This is sedum, planted in a old small milk container...plopped next to the split rail fence that will probably be removed within the next year.

The split rail has served it's purpose, but the gate never functioned properly and that container was put there to block a gap so our Yorkie wouldn't escape to the larger part of the yard.  It's time for something that works better.

Hope you enjoyed a glimpse around the yard.

Oh Tannebaum Oh Tannebaum

Decorating the family Christmas tree is definitely something I look forward to doing with our family each year.

This is a pre-lit tree...thank goodness!  The bulk of the ornaments are Hallmark, 

but there are also various sizes of colored Christmas balls, German style candle

holders with red candles, homemade popcorn garland (that I save from year to

year) and a tin star on top.

I started buying Hallmark ornaments before I was married and the tradition has

continued for over 25 years.  Our 2 kids (now adults) each get at least one

ornament every year and open them on Christmas Eve and place them on the 

tree.  It didn't take long for them to figure out that the gift they got to open on 

Christmas Eve was an ornament (and another gift was their new pajamas, our 

other tradition).

An ornament from a favorite Christmas movie...Rudolph the Red-Nosed

Reindeer.  Now we have it on DVD and don't have to wait for it to come on 

television...although my kids never liked it as much as I did as a kid.

This one was for my daughter last year...we like to have a "girl's day" and get 

 

pedicures.

We also have a tree in our family room.  This one has been decorated the same 

way for 8 or so years.  It's a tall, skinny tree that doesn't take up much room.

It's decorated with white lights and candle lights, pewter ornaments with red 

ribbon, homemade gingerbread men, draping candles, a few wood Santas, a 

cream wood bead garland, old fashioned tin icicles and a tin punched star.

 

There's a small tree that I put in the kitchen.  I made all the ornaments years 

ago. 

The ornaments are made from cinnamon sticks, thin "slices" of wood, small

spools and small clothes pin that replicate a candle holder, and cookie cutter 

style ornaments made from a cinnamon applesauce recipe and others from 

bread and then dipped in wax.

Thanks for stopping by ~ MERRY CHRISTMAS