Moody Fall Decor

 

I was so ready for Fall in September!  I decorated the mantel right away and then it took weeks to get the table and buffet done.  I finally finished up the bookcases last week.  That officially saw me finished with the living room.  I'd have done a wee bit more ...Alas, I ran out of autumn picks and was aghast at the cost of what I liked best.  I do have great taste...just can't afford myself.  

Anyway, I've done my bit.  I'll share it, small as it is.

First, the mantle, which I love in all its moodiness.  I wish I had more autumnal pictures to go on the wall but that's something I shall have to look to replace over time.  My inspiration for the mantle came with the Imari plate that I found in the buffet when I was decluttering a couple of months ago.

I pulled the old books from my shelves.  Each one is genuinely old, some from old family members, some from antique shops (but the cheap sort of shops).  The two lamps were my great grandmother's 'Parlor Lamps' and still have a residue of kerosene in them.  I really want to clean them, fill them with oil and use them once more, but part of me is afraid I shall ruin them taking them apart to clean.

My next project was the buffet.  I had it looking so much fuller and prettier, but I borrowed from it to decorate the bookcases.  I was looking at it this morning and mentally kicking myself for not buying at least one more autumn stem of leaves to add back to it.  Ah well.  Note to self: when all this stuff if on clearance go buy some more!

Here's a close-up shot:

Then I decorated the dining table. Since I took these photos, I've changed the yellow candles (appropriate in September) for amber colored ones.  

And last I put the glass pumpkins on top of the bookcases.  Then I borrowed from the Rooster arrangement and used some extra pieces I had to decorate around them.  

I put out my fall/winter pillow covers from last year that look like old tapestry rugs.  Then on sudden inspiration borrowed the pillows from my bed with the rust velvet pillow covers and put those in the room as well.  Now to find cozy throws to carry us through the chillier days of autumn.

It's simple...Using what I had.  But it looks nice and not too over the top.  I think I like it better than anything I've done in years.

Meal Plan for the Third Week of October

 

Ho Hum.  Here we are planning meals again.  If last week's plans went awry, just imagine how far off the meal plan was...Well you don't have to imagine.  You can go read all about it on last week's Journal, lol.  Anyway, here we are trying again to cough up inspiration for meals.  The nice thing is that the weather is trying to cool down.  Nights will be chilly.  The days will continue to warm up.  

To Do List for Third Week of October

 

1.  Zone Three: Bedrooms and Baths.  I went ahead and started on Friday with this job.  I wanted to feel I'd done something last week and that seemed doable.  It took about 45 minutes and while the job wasn't completely done it was more than half done.  I still need to mop the floor and clean the shower.  Very doable!

Journal of My Week: Autumn Comes Slowly

 

Saturday:  It was a lovely day today.  It was breezy and cooler (still closer to mid-80 but less humid).  I picked the children up at their house for a library day out with Gramma.  This is apparently a much looked forward to by the children and they let me know how happy they were.  

After the library we went to Subway.  Golly gee!  Even being very careful I realized that this simply not a 'cheap' option for meals.  I told the kids next time I'd pack a picnic lunch, and I mean to do just that.  We ate outdoors on the covered patio and had a pretty good time overall.  

A Budget Challenge Meal Plan: Just General Shopping Part 1

 

I decided the other day it was time to bite the bullet and do another pantry challenge.  I went first to our local Dollar General.  Then I went over to the local grocery store.  I've debated how to do this challenge, and I think it's going to turn into three posts.  Two $25 challenge posts and one $50 challenge because that extra $25 opens up a few more meal plans than the $25 challenges allowed.

Here's my why: twice now I've seen some videos about what can be made for a 'budget' dinner with $25.  The food served four people.  I figured if one concentrated and only spent $25 for dinner 7 "budget" days a week, it would cost a family of four $175 for a week of evening meals only.  That's $750 for a month of dinners. That doesn't include breakfasts or lunches.  That figure to me is mind boggling.

Meal Plan for October, Week 2

 

Last week's menu plan proved to be difficult.  I was missing a few ingredients, but didn't realize it at the time I was planning.  I kept switching up the plans, meals stretched further than I thought they might, one meal was prepared but not enough for the number of people who'd be here, so that required a second thought.  

To be honest, this week I come to meal planning with planning fatigue, but not just because of last week.  I've been working on the Budget Meals Challenge I set myself.  Figuring out those meals plus last week's changes has just bogged my thinking down.

To Do List for the Second Week of October

 

1.  Zone 2 The Kitchen.  In my home this zone comprises the back entry and the laundry area as well.  I'm adding the back porch since it does come to my backdoor and serves as the main entry to my home for most everyone.  If I do, that will leave me a whole week for outdoor stuff at the end of the month. Of course, the hope is that by then it will be cooler and more comfortable for outdoor work.

My focus areas in the kitchen: cleaning small appliances (coffee maker, mixer, bread machine, toaster oven, microwave, slow cooker.