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.

Oh, Friends, I’m still crazy about this new place in which we live! I hope I never get used to it. This has been such an overwhelmingly wonderful experience of God’s grace, that I pray I never ever take it for granted.

We are to close on our house on Monday, which happens to be the LAST possible day we could close without the fixed rate on our mortgage not going up! God is seldom early but never late! I knew He would get the one detail taken care of in time for it to close on time. Everything is finally in order and we are set to finish the details in less than a week. Hallelujah!

I told the Lord I would tell everyone how He provided this home for us. I hope the folks at the closing are ready for a good story, ’cause they’re going to hear it! =) The short version –

Up to this point, I haven’t shared many pictures of my new home. Why?

Liza is getting ready to “walk the carpet”! Ha!

I have a nice long hallway. Even though it’s a little narrow, there’s plenty of room for this half table. I’m trying to make it my “wow” factor.

Cold fall and winter evenings call for yummy treats to enjoy inside around the fireplace or the game table.  Here are a few treats that we love …and that our church ladies will be trying at our fellowship tonight!

Microwave Caramel corn

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

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.

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!

This is how I pop popcorn.  It’s so much cheaper (and tastier) than the microwaveable bags you purchase.  Place enough popcorn in the bottom of a dish that has a lid.  If you want butter, add a couple tablespoons when you place the popcorn kernels in the dish.  Microwave on high until the kernels slow down to a few seconds between pops.

Chex Pumpkin Pie Crunch

1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup butter
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups Cinnamon Chex cereal
2 cups wheat Chex cereal
2 cups Honey Nut Chex cereal
8 oz. nuts

1.  In small bowl, mix brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice; set aside.  In small microwave-safe dish, microwave butter on high about 30 seconds or until melted.  Stir in vanilla.  In large microwaveable bowl, mix all cereals and nuts.  Pour butter mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly distributed.  Add sugar and spice mixture and stir until coated.

2.  Microwave uncovered on high 5 minutes, or until mixture begins to brown, stirring every minute.  Spread on waxed paper or a cookie sheet to cool.  Store in airtight container.

**To ease the load of last minute prep, make the mix up to 2 weeks ahead and store in an airtight container.

This next treat is a low-calorie and low-fat popcorn.  You can make it as buttery as you like it…

Parmesan-garlic Popcorn

2 1/2 quarts popped popcorn, buttered
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried parsley flakes

Place popcorn in a large bowl.  In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, combine the Parmesan cheese,garlic powder and  parsley; sprinkle over popcorn and toss lightly. 

Did you know that Friday is the first day of fall?  That means it’s time to do some Fall Nesting!  Last week I took the chance to pull out most of my fall decorations.   I have lots of them.  I began collecting them when we lived in Indiana and fall seemed to last a long time.  The colors are warm and just make home feel so different.   It’s fun, isn’t it to cozy things up?  Even just adding a warm throw or a quilt to a bed or sofa can give a warm, inviting touch that says, “sit down and snuggle in.”

Here are a few of the touches I’ve added to the living room:

Here’s my foyer table that greets my guests:

I love the addition of the light under the table.

These flowers were pulled from a patriotic arrangement at church that was headed to the trash.  They have a few days left in them!

I love using my Scrabble tiles in decorating.  We play a quick version of Scrabble that doesn’t require the board, so I leave a dish out with all the rest of the tiles, and use one or two holders to create words that coordinate with the theme or season.

I dimmed the lights so you could see my lit branches.  I love these!  They are $10 at Michael’s, but I had a coupon for 50% off any regular priced item.  Most everything else was on sale, but these were not, so I scored!  Five dollars for a lovely addition to my arrangement is my kind of deal!  These branches also come in white – which would be pretty at Christmas time.  All it requires is three AA batteries.

I’ve added other touches to my kitchen and front porch and back deck.  Pictures will come. That’s a peek inside my parsonage, but  here’s a lovely porch by Country Living to inspire you…