Fall Decor and Caramel Apples!

 The first couple of weeks of Autumn have been hot in the Bay Area. I'm kind of glad because it gives my late growing tomato plants time to keep producing. Sadly my huge tall heirloom Box Car Willie tomato plant broke in half from the weight of the heavy tomatoes. I never knew how much heartache a failed crop could bring. I will have to figure out a better staking system next year.

 I prefer the heirloom pumpkins. The silver-blue ones, white ones with stripes and the Cinderella pumpkin are so pretty! The rich reddish orange color of the Cinderella pumpkins make them my favorite!

  I love the Autumn berry garlands that Micheal's carries. I wait till they are 40-50% off!

 

 I just bought this Autumn leaf garland for 50% off! It's a really well made garland too.

 More Autumn berries. A friend gave me this cute pumpkin mug last year.

 Amelia and I made caramel apples yesterday! It was so easy and fun.  Especially when you buy the bag of caramels specifically made for apples. I've made caramel apples from scratch before and although it was nice and yummy it does take time and isn't always ideal when a little one is helping you.

 I toasted walnuts and then chopped them up for dipping the bottoms of the apples in and then Amelia got to help decorate them with Autumn sprinkles. The caramel sets up quickly once it's on the apple so I helped Amelia by tilting the apple a little and gently pressing a handful of sprinkles onto the sides. 

 I love the toasted walnuts compared to peanuts and the sprinkles add a nice crunch too.

 

Dreaming of Autumn

I have been so giddy about Autumn lately! I know summer isn't over yet but I adore the Fall season.  The smells and colors are so vivid and hold so many memories for me. I stopped in to The Yankee Candle store to check out their new fall scents.  Talk about intoxicating! There candle scents are so strong and accurate! It amazes me every time I step foot into their store. They make a lot of people happy.

The smell of the "Macintosh Apple" candle transports me straight to an apple barn in the mountains of Virginia. Seriously I can relive my childhood just by smelling the Yankee Candle selections. Their spicy fall scents are so cozy. The "Fall Leaves" scent smells so much like the pile of fall leaves we would jump into as children! I love the "Harvest" scent. It's like everything Fall wrapped up in one candle. I prefer the tarts because I don't have to worry about an open flame. Mrs Paranoid here.

(These pictures are from last year so they aren't that great. I'm working on taking better pictures with our new camera.)

When I was visiting family in Virgina I went to a Micheal's craft store and they had the biggest display of Halloween and Fall decorations in the middle of June! The great thing about Micheal's are the sales! They put seasonal things on sale quickly so that I can buy the decorations I want at 40%n off and still enjoy them for the season is over.  Yay for Micheal's!

A harvest cornucopia I made last year. Looks better is person I promise. :-/

Autumn Fun That I'm Excited About

Fall decorations  

Fall leaves 

Orange and black flowers

Dehydrating oranges and apples

Drinking mulled apple cider

Visiting an apple orchard 

Pumpkin patch

Craft Shows

Renaissance Faire

Cooking with winter squash 

Soups, soups and more soups

Pumpkin spice and lots of it!

Sweaters

Boots

Scarves

Wool Cloche hats

Crochet hats and slippers 

The crochet ripple afghan I'm working on!

Black pansies called Halloween II 

Baskets full of yarns. Trying to use these up so I can buy some real wool and cotton yarns! Husband's orders.

I love wrought iron details. Especially with the warmth of fall colors. Wrought iron reminds me of primitive New England.  Ohhh and that's a dream of mine.  To tour New England in the Fall!!!! I am giddy just thinking about it. Saltbox houses, swirling red and orange leaves on the ground, New England clam chowder, visiting Stars Hallow....wait that's not real.

My house plant looks sad. It looks way better now!

I love these primitive flickering black candles that are dipped in real wax! Found these at a Boutique in Amelia, Va. They have the prettiest collection of primitive inspired furniture, wrought iron pieces and decor.

I can't believe how much Amelia has changed since last fall! She looks like a baby here.

She dressed as a little baker for Halloween last year. It was a last minute costume for sure. This year I plan on making a nice costume.  I'm thinking Little Red Riding Hood or she can go as Snow White since she bought the gorgeous Snow White costume from the Disney store with her birthday money.

Me and Miss Amelia last Halloween before I went red. :-)