Oh how I love Autumn, so when September rolls around I am always energized and excited! It means the beginning of cooler weather, the smell of wood smoke in the air, beautiful jewel toned forests, paths strewn with crunchy with leaves, cool soothing rains, and the beginning of the holiday season. Although the days are still hot around here, in the early morning you can feel the change in that air!
I have been ever so busy doing a bit of this and that. Still painting bits and pieces, plus candle and salve making, along with harvesting a very small garden bounty. I finally got around to painting my table top. It looks so much brighter!
I found two cute little cabinet/drawer pieces while thrifting and decided the one would make the cutest ever mug holder on my coffee bar. It does have a glass piece for the door which I have not yet put back on. It is just the cutest and has so many possible uses. For now it will stay right here.
The other little drawer piece is just perfect to hold my oils that I use most often in my diffuser.
I have been hooked on the Oui French style yogurt. The maple flavor is amazing and these little containers….oh my. I felt they were just the thing for soy candles. So down that rabbit hole I jumped with both feet. The first ones I used essential oils, but they take so much and the smell is just a hint. So I decided to order essential fragrances in fall scents and made up a batch of pumpkin spice. It smells lovely. The candles are just the right size to add bits of mood lighting here and there. I ordered the supplies off Amazon and opted for soy over wax. I prefer the way it burns and the clean-up is so much easier when pouring the wax. I just love placing these all over the house to create a cozy warm ambiance.
The salves were so fun to make up. I used beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter then added frankincense and cinnamon. It made up a lovely rich and wonderful smelling cute little bar. I just love the bee mold and think it just adds the perfect touch. I also made up some chest rub with eucalyptus and peppermint. Such a fun and easy project it is to make up salves and the scent combinations are endless! BTW: isn’t this hand just the cats meow? I found it out thrifting one day and just had to bring it home.
As usual the zucchini crop was larger than could be easily used so I whipped up my sister Sue’s recipe for pineapple zucchini bread. The addition of pineapple just adds so much moisture and taste. It so yummy.
Before the month of August drew to an end we did manage to get out and do some berry picking. The blackberries grow wild and sweet all over and just there for the taking. They are a bit smaller this year but oh so sweet. I froze most of them and will make up a batch of jam when the mood strikes.
I did a tiny bit of rearranging, I moved my desk into the spare room. I really like it in there and like that it opens up the bay window area to create this cozy little sitting area and I love how I can display Grandma’s lovely lamp along with one of my mom’s baskets in that area. When I was growing up, this lamp was always on a round table and generally in the window as it is once again. Is there anything more enjoyable than moving things around and creating cozy corners? I have been slowing paring down to just the things that I truly love and bring me joy as I look upon them.
On one of my yard sale excursions, I happened upon some frames. I turned a few into bulletin and chalk boards, but just loved the effect I was able to create with these by framing these sweet little prints that I adore.
This little honey pot was another little bit I found. I just love toast with jam and there is just something special about serving it from such a cute little pot. Currently it holds my home made raspberry and strawberry/rhubarb. Just so yummy! Add this to my homemade bread, a strong cup of coffee, and it is just the perfect morning start!
Our St. Vinnies finally reopened and I made a quick visit and found this beautiful cross stitch Christmas piece. It was under $5 and I think it will be darling layered on my mantle with my Christmas villages. The colors are just so soft and sweet. I also picked up Martha Stewarts Christmas Cookbook for $1. It will make its way to Ireland I am sure.
I also found a few cute stools. I need to refinish but they are cute just stacked in a corner for now. The sweet vase on top was gifted to me and I think she is precious. I keep it filled with all my crystals and pretty rocks.
Oh my, I know fall is here when this appears on my grocer shelves! I am not a big imbiber of alcoholic beverages, but I love these pumpkin ales. I love dark stout and the coffee one is just the bomb. This brand is by far my favorite! YUMMM!!
And now I am off to do a bit of repotting and moving of my plants. Now that the veggies are nearly done, I am moving my herbs to the front beds. I also have a myriad of hollyhocks to get put into the front cottage bed. I am forever moving plants around to find just the right spot. I often will initially put them in large pots until I can decide for sure exactly where I want them. I love the versatility that pots allow me in rearranging and finding just the perfect spot. It helps that I have managed to find some of the jumbo sized pots ($30-$50 full priced) second hand for $5 and less!!
Take care all, keep safe, wear your mask, and generate love and goodwill wherever you may go!
Feelin those fall vibes!
Patricia
Unraveling a Life 