Fall Decorating With Thrift Finds

I enjoy sharing my love for thrifting and decorating for the season. These simple 

ideas use a base of a thrift store find or a new one that can be found

on the cheap. I used super-market gourds, faux leaves 

plus a few decorations from my store.

I used a pretty "silver" curved  platter that I found for $3 and added fall touches.

A long ago find of a wooden box with a serene fall landscape makes a 

great container for a touch of fall!

This centerpiece uses new items on a vintage yellow Fiestaware platter. I filled a new aqua

Ball jar with candy corn and added a "chalk" type topper. Aqua or turquoise 

are the latest way to add a fresh touch to fall colors. 

Old trucks may be easy to come by where you live but I searched high and low and

finally found this one on the way to the Farm Chicks Show. Add candy pumpkins

 to an old metal truck...an idea I stole from Serena Thompson.

One little pumpkin and leaf on a vintage Hall Jewel  saucer...small perfection!

Find an unusual real pumpkin or gourd and place them on a large

 cake plate with leaves and smaller gourds.

I have used this old picnic basket in many different ways but isn't it beautiful stuffed with 

as many fall colors as I could gather around the house and shop?

I hope you can use an idea or two in your fall decorating. See what you have around in your kitchen cupboards and add a few gourds and leaves. Keep your eyes open, as you thrift, for a

 few new pieces that you can use as next years bases. They look great all around

 the home. Add a touch of aqua for a fresh approach!

Happy fall decorating!

Melin

The Pudding Incident!

It is a warm early fall day here in the Tahoe National Forest, where I am blessed to live. I have been working hard all morning adding new fall goodies to my website and I decided to take a break and make my favorite butterscotch pudding. A taste of fall, right?

I had the milk poured into a small vintage Tupperware pitcher, I was lucky to "thrift". I removed the inner package from the pudding box and shook it a bit before opening it but...it ripped. Butterscotch powder flew everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE! 

It is AMAZING how, when airborne, that powder can increase to a gillion times it's package content. It was all over the stove, counter, two sinks and everything else within three feet of that package. I should of taken pictures but I wanted to get as much of it up in powder form before any liquid touched it. Know what I mean? I cleaned off my glasses, arms and the most of it, determined to not let it ruin the rest of my day. I discovered more on my face and even my neck as I sat to write this. I hope I got it all. 

Still determined to have my pudding, I searched my pantry for another box (or two) of my beloved BUTTERSCOTCH but none is to be had. What to do?? I found three boxes of chocolate and made three boxes of revenge pudding! It tastes great or at least the left-over pan coating is YUMMY. I hope to enjoy my chocolate for days but you can bet I will be stocking up on several boxes of butterscotch before this fall is over. Plus, I do love it year round!

Happy Weekend,

Melin

Farm Chicks here WE come!

I am packed up and ready for another fabulous Farm Chick adventure 2015!

I am heading to Washington state a week early, so I can check out all the vintage goodies 

closer to the coast with my bestie Teri. Then, WE will meet with our other 

grade school  bestie Nancy (she lives in Idaho), and head to Spokane for 

The Farm Chicks Show. Find out all about the show at 

http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/farmchicks/the-farm-chicks-antiquesshow.html. 

WE went in 2013 and had the greatest time. Farm Chicks is the greatest show on earth!

You must read about the founder, Serena Thompson. She is just the sweetest little

 gal and has quite a wonderful story. She is so warm and welcoming 

to all of us, who travel from 

near and far to join her Farm Chicks fun. 

I have packed a carry-on bag inside my big bag, so I can bring home goodies 

on the plane. Wow, is it ever heavy (exactly 50 lbs)!

I reviewed Ki Nassauer's tips on packing up the junk at 

http://kinassauerstyle.com/2014/10/how-to-pack-your-junking-treasures-for.html. 

She has a lot of great ideas and a lot of experience.

Wish me the luck of fabulous finds that WE can share with you.

Melin

Wren Elizabeth Gifts: Ornament Treasures

Wren Elizabeth Gifts: Ornament Treasures: I get so caught up in the holiday decorating that it seems there is no time to blog. I thought I would at least share a few more of my fa...

Ornament Treasures

I get so caught up in the holiday decorating that it seems there is no time to blog. I thought I would at least share a few more of my family treasures. These ornaments have been a part of most every Christmas. 

These are an assortment of vintage beauties displayed in my milk glass collection.

The flying goose was my Momma's. His wings are made of real feathers that "fly" when moved

 up and down. The little figure's head is a bit wobbly after all these years.

These two mischievous ceramic squirrels clip to the branches.

 Santa loves to do a few deliveries from this celluloid car!

The Shiny Brites above are mid century and well loved.

A collection of random retros. The clear striped on was from my Granny's tree.

Just a couple more cuties. Mom loved the drippy icicles and now I really do too. They give

 a tree that dreamy look. The ornament on the left was a flea find!

Do you have any family treasures on your tree? Share them with us on Facebook

 or Pinterest and tell us their stories here in the comments.

Now, back to decorating.

Melin

Easy Fall Decorating Ideas

 

 I just love decorating for the fall , don't you? It can be as simple as displaying a pumpkin or

 much more, as YOU like it. I had the fun idea of using some of my husband's deer sheds

 in my fall decor this year. I used them to hold a sign here. I also added 

orange lights to my mantle leaves and gourds. 

  I found this old tote on my Farms Chicks adventure last summer. I filled it with sheds

 and faux fall for my mantle. I have just cherished this tote! 

My giant, cinnamon-nutmeg colored, pumpkin is real! I bought it for only $5.99 at 

Trader Joe's. They also had carving pumpkins for only $2.99...what a deal!

My pumpkin truck idea is from Serena Thompson, the original Farm Chick. Check out her blog 

for more ideas at http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com (see the link under "favorites" on the left).  

I used my grandson's vintage truck. Thanks so much, William!

I love my butter churn I found from a collector in Oregon. I filled it with a few faux 

fall leaves around the wooden paddles to make it a fall centerpiece.

Can't forget the yard. I think this old yard art "cutter" looks much like a toothy

pumpkin year round, especially with the flowers vines all around.

And on my porch is my old wooden cart with the season's "bounty". 

However you choose the decorate for fall, a little or a lot, I wish you a fun time. 

Plus, your efforts last from back to school right on through Thanksgiving.

Gotta love that!

Melin

Summer Lovin'

WE just had a ball at the water park with some of our family.

 

I thought I would share a few pictures of our

 tanned and smiling faces.

 



There is nothing like family and cool water to make

 a perfect summer day!

 



 

What do you like to do on a HOT summer's day?

Melin