Fall Decorating Fashions

​Fall is upon us and that means the holidays will soon be approaching.  I love this time of the year because the colors of fall are so warm and inviting and the change of the season turns us inward to our homes in a very special way.  Gatherings around the fireplace, and a kitchen with the wonderful smells of apple pie and cinnamon (even if you didn’t bake it from scratch) bring families indoors and beckons visitors as well.
               Even though I don’t have children at home, I still love to decorate with fall touches to acknowledge the season.  I always start with the fireplace mantle and a draping garland of colorful leaves.  I like to add a cornucopia and a few candles between my ever-present family photos and pull out my favorite warm and cozy throw and toss it over a leather chair.
               One of the other things I’ve collected over time is a front door banner which I place on the outside of my door between living room and the glass storm door using two narrow brackets.  It’s embroidered with pumpkins, gourds and other fall fruits and vegetables on a rich burgundy background.  Next to my bench in the hallway, I have two adorable Raggedy Ann and Andy scarecrow dolls sitting on a haystack surrounded by pumpkins.  My dining room table on which there’s always fresh flowers, now has a fall arrangement and a basket filled with candles with delicious scents of vanilla and cinnamon (Yum!)
               On my kitchen table sits two small fall topiary trees flanking a colorful ceramic dish filled with fresh apples.  My placemats are seasonal and very special.  I made them with my grandchildren a few years back.  We collected falling leaves on a nature walk and I took them to a copy center, where we arranged them and had them laminated between two pieces of clear plastic.  I then cut them to placemat size and I have been using them every year.
               Fall touches touch our lives and make our homes the special place we need and deserve.  Take the time to enhance your surroundings, perhaps adding a little each year and enjoy the change of the seasons.

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