Fall

Fall Home Decor

September 14, 2016September 13, 2016 RefreshHer1 Comment

Wow, we’re only about a week away from the official date for fall to begin. I have a busy schedule of things going on in my life in the next couple of weeks, so I brought out a few fall decor items this week to get a little jump on things.

Let’s face it, fall is an amazing season. Though I have a real love for summer, fall would come in a close second. I was glad to see these items adding their charm to my home!

Let me show you the few touches I’ve added so far:

Here’s the fireplace wall ~

I’m going light on fall decor in here. A pumpkin, the fall colored paper decor and the lights on the mirror was all I added.

Beside the fireplace I hung a picture and a framed print-out I found on Pinterest of, “The Ultimate Guide For the Best Fall Ever.” It has some cute ideas.

Here’s the foyer – where I really added the biggest display.

A closer look:

That Susan Branch book is one of my favorites that she’s done! It’s full of beautiful fall drawings and fun ideas! The fabric pumpkin was a craft I did at a ladies’ retreat in California last October. I love it!

The silver pumpkin below was last year’s end of the season deal. I’d forgotten about that and it was fun pulling that out!

A little touch on my kitchen counter ~

In my dining room I placed my chalkboard on an easel and wrote a greeting:

That’s it for now!

Who else has decorated for fall?

With love from my country home,

Hand-Sewn Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial

October 23, 2015November 3, 2015 RefreshHer5 Comments

When I attended the Ladies’ retreat at Wolf Mountain camp this month, I got to participate in their fun Craft time! Woo-Hoo! They were making a couple crafts, one being the adorable fabric pumpkin pictured here. It was made in about 30 minutes and was super easy to do. I chose a paisley fabric for mine, which I thought was so cute. A soft velour would be nice, too. Let me walk you through the simple steps.

You’ll need:

A rectangular piece of fabric
Thread and needle
Twine
Pillow Stuffing
Paper bag for stem

Instructions:

Turn right sides of the fabric together and stitch up the side seams. I’ve drawn it on white paper to give you an example. The right side is the folded edge, the left is open.
Turn fabric right side out and make long basting stitch all the way around the top, leaving a long thread in which to pull and gather the top of the pumpkin closed in a minute. (You’re not sewing the two pieces shut, you’re sewing on one piece of fabric all the way around your circle, so you can gather it and stuff the inside.)
Pull the thread a little to cause the fabric to gather and make an opening. Fill the pumpkin as full as you possibly can with the filling.
Pull the threads around the top to close the pumpkin. Gather the fabric at the top and leave as little bit of the fabric on top as possible – about 1/2 inch. Sew or tie the top closed. You could even close it with a rubberband; it will be covered.
Using the paper bag, cut off a piece, about 4′ x 8-10″ and twist into pumpkin stem shape. Using hot glue, attach to the top of the pumpkin.
Take a long string of twine and starting at the top, leave about two inches, then wrap it vertically around the pumpkin to give it its shape, ending at the top. Wrap pieces of twine around the paper stem. Attach with hot glue, or tie off.
I added extra twine around the whole stem, as you can see in the picture below. You can cut out a leaf shape from a contrasting fabric and attach it with hot glue as well.

I also added little “tendrils” of twine to the top. You could add a little Spanish moss instead. Just be creative and use what you have. Raffia is another possibility.

Wouldn’t it be cute to have several sizes and coordinating fabrics? I’ll add to my collection, I’m sure. I hope you’ll making one of these – they’re so easy and lots of fun!

One another note – We’re having a Men’s Conference at our church starting tonight. You can go here and see times of the services. We’d love to have your husband, sons, brothers or friends if you live in our area! It’s going to be a wonderful time in God’s Word where men will be challenged to be mighty men of God! What woman wouldn’t want her husband to attend that? Let’s be praying for them as they attend!

Stay refreshed,

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Fall · Outside decor

Fall Porch Tour

October 21, 2015October 20, 2015 RefreshHer5 Comments

One of the things that I love about our house is the fact that we have two porches! They both have seating and a view, too, making it a great place to rest!

Keeping the porches clean and decorated is fun because that means I get to be out there enjoying the countryside beauty and the quiet. I have been adding fall touches to my porches and this week I finally got some pictures taken. Now you can see it too! Ready?

Front porch rockers. Ahhhh. It’s a great place to sit and read. The lantern has acorns and a votive inside.

Back porch glider now has a fleece blanket for the cool days.

This is my table on the patio. I enjoy changing the picture or writing on it as the seasons change.

The before picture of the patio table is found here. I’ll probably wrap the table up and put it in the garage once winter arrives. Until then, we’ll enjoy hot cups of coffee and cozy nights out there!

Have you decorated your porch for fall? What do you add?

From my country porch,

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Fall

Yummy Fall Snacks

October 9, 2015November 3, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

It’s hard not to gain weight in the fall, isn’t it? Cooler evenings where you spend time inside watching a movie or reading just call for snacks. Campfire S’mores, Apple treats like Caramel apples or Apple Cake are tempting! In case you haven’t seen a couple of our favorite fall snacks, I thought I’d share them today.

This microwave Caramel Corn is so good and so fast! If you like popcorn, you have to try this simple recipe!

Microwave Caramel corn

1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white corn syrup
1 stick butter
1/2 tsp salt

Place 3-4 quarts popped popcorn in a brown grocery bag. Pour syrup over corn. Close bag and shake. Cook in bag on high for 1-1 1/2 minutes. Shake and cook another 1 – 1/2 minutes. You may need to cook another 1 – 1 1/2 minutes. Pour into a pan and cool. Be sure to shake part way through or popcorn will burn!Combine all of the above in 2 quart dish. Bring to a boil in microwave, then cook on full power for 2 minutes. Remove from oven and stir in 1 tsp baking soda.

Another popcorn recipe that is delicious!

Almond Toffee Popcorn

This recipe for Pumpkin Pie Chex Mix is our favorite!

This popcorn mix from Southern Living is now on my Pinterest board to try!

Caramel-Peanut-Popcorn Snack Mix - October 2015 Recipes - Southern Living: — Southern Living’s Picture

I tried these pretzels for a recent appetizer and my husband loved them! So easy and inexpensive!

Snack away, my friends!

What fall snack do you like to nibble on?

Stay refreshed,

Fall

Freshen Up Friday

November 8, 2013July 14, 2015 RefreshHerLeave a comment

If I could describe Autumn in one word it would be cozy. The cooler temps, the fleecy throws, the hues of the trees and the fall fabrics, fireplaces, stews and beverages all make things snugly warm and comfortable; cozy. To help you refresh your home for fall and make it a place where you (and others) will want to hunker down for the evening, I’m going to share a few tips I’ve read recently, as well as some of my own favorite ways to make things warm and inviting.

Plug in little hospitality lights everywhere and at different heights. Since it gets dark so early, it’s lovely to walk into a room with a soft glow. The lamp in the picture above is on the living room mantle. I have another one on top of my book case, and another on the kitchen counter and one in the guest bath. here’s a tea cup light plugged into an outlet inside the front door as well. They’re everywhere giving little glows of light and warmth into every room.
Change the scent in your home from the summer fragrances to the autumnal ones. Try cinnamon, orange slices, and cloves simmering in a pot of water. The Yankee fall fragrances are so wonderful. I’ve also heard that putting a few drops of vanilla on your furnace filter will make your house smell amazing.
Now is the time to stock up your pantry. Baking items such as canned pumpkin, shortening, sugars, flour, and chocolate morsels are usually on sale at this time (our Walgreens had sugar for $1.89 and Nestle Toll House Chocolate chips for $1.79 this week!). Stock up so you’re ready for some lovely baking days. Pile up on some quick soups for lunch on chilly days.
Stock up on candles. Votives, pillars, tapers – fill your house so you can light them at the dinner table as the sun is setting and the kitchen is growing dark.
Fill a basket with all the things for a steaming cup of hot chocolate or coffee. Add a great blend of coffees, cocoa, marshmallows, peppermint sticks, and pretty cups or pottery mugs.
Stock up your medicine cabinet, too, for the inevitable colds this season. Vapour rub, cough drops, cough syrup and soft Puffs are a blessing to have on hand before it hits. I also like to make sure I have cream of chicken soup, instant rice and chicken broth in the pantry. Mix the three for the best quick soup on a sick day.
Create visual warmth in your home by replacing sheer curtains for heavier drapes. Place a warm, fleecy throw at the foot of the bed and over the side of the sofa for chilly nights.
Autumn is the time to go a little basket crazy. Fill one with autumn fruits and vegetables on the kitchen counter. Fill one with magazines and books to read on cold days/nights when you decide to pack it in at home, rather than go out anywhere. Leave one by the front door for wet shoes and another to bring in fire wood.

Home is the best place to be on an autumn day. Refresh yours for fall so you can’t wait to get there!

What do you do to make your home inviting in the autumn?

Be refreshed,