Fall in Our Home ~ part 3 ~ Dining Room annnnd a little story about how I decorate these days

Other rooms decorated for fall so far this year: 

A Cozy Corner of our Kitchen  

General Store

Today I woke up (Saturday) and it was oh so sunny in our dining room. I love this space in the fall because of all of the woods, warm tones, dishes with gold rims, and Hitchcock chairs (my love of Hitchcock runs deep as found a bunch of posts like this one and this one and this one) 

My decorating style is simple. I love vintage, classic, antique, traditional. I don't use anything from Homegoods, Target, Amazon, or Hobby Lobby. I don't like decor that needs to be stored away in a different season. I also don't like signs with quotes on them. I love real art: watercolor, oil paintings... I love decorating with old books from wonderful authors, I love dishes that have stood the classic test of time, I love woods and anything made beautifully. I love ironstone and baskets that are antiques. 

Here is a peek into our dining room: 

My decorating style has evolved over the years for sure. I just to love 'all that stuff' that was seasonal at all those stores. Now I just can't even look at those stores. For some reason being in 'those stores' bring me anxiety and make me want to clean out my house. For real! But meandering through an antique store makes me feel peaceful, calm, and cozy. Dim lights, jazz music, peaceful. 

Please please know there is nothing wrong with filling your cart at 40% off stores. No judgement. I used to decorate that way. I loved all of that, had all of that. 

I've just changed and love my rooms to look almost the same season to season. Just changing the dishes and flowers - maybe throwing in a pumpkin is all I need. 

Classic, traditional, classy, antique. 

I wish I could afford more oil paintings. That's the only thing. This way I now decorate takes T I M E because you really have to hunt for things and save your money for bigger things. 

But it make me happier and I love having less but better quality. 

So there you go, a little peek into our classic dining room and my thoughts on decorating. I hope that you fill your home with autumn with things that bring you such joy. Whatever your style, make it cozy and sweet. 

Seeing her Online

I wrote in my last post about how I'm doing with Abigail in college. I think it's going to take a long long time for me to get used to her being even old enough to be in college. We are grateful for Anna being home (I'll post more on that another time) and she is doing amazing on this new phase of her life. But it doesn't change that our baby is a young adult and is living on campus. Oh man, I sure to miss that little girl! 

One thing that has been wonderful is finding little snippets of her on social media. Her college has "Fairfield Nights" every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They are fun activities run my other students - fun, crafty/gamey type of fun for those that don't party. 

Here are a few posts she's popped onto. When I've seen her I jump up and run to Scott to show him and then we just sit and stare at her and talk about her - my heart feeling full, even for just a few moments. 

This was on the 'drop off night' -- 

This one popped up that first weekend -- 

This was her first day of classes (so her first day of school picture - so glad she remembered) 

I was so happy to face time her - this was the first time -- 

It really is so exciting watching her new chapter unfold. I can't wait until I see her the first time. So proud of you Abigail - keep sharing your joy with your new world. 

Early September Weekending

Well we are slowly inching our way into fall. Here the school year has really just started and so Scott and I after a whirlwind end of summer getting our girls all set where they needed to be are easing into our weekends. 

I know it sounds delightful and yes there are moments with a bit more freedom that can be lovely but I am still really really sad and missing Abigail home more than I expected. Scott is saying the same thing. 

I've done this before and I know she will come home of course - summers, vacations, etc, but right now we just miss her oh so much and we both really miss the four of us together. I've had a few good cries. The first time I talked to Abigail I was sobbing when I heard her sweet little voice. And she encouraged me, "oh mama, I'm so sorry you are sad". 

She is doing amazing. Not homesick on little bit. She joined lots of clubs has two groups of friends she enjoys spending time with. She's involved in Catholic Campus Ministry and Grace Notes. I'm proud of her and college is the place for our little girl to bloom. We just ache for her...

Anyway, it is almost fall and it sure is cozy on the weekends here. 

We had a cozy one and a fun one. Here are some pictures to tell the story. 

Cozy Dinnering

We plan our dinners a week ahead and we picked this one out for a cozy Friday night. It was beyond yummy and just what we needed. 

Exploring

(in NYC) 

Tea Timing 

After our day away in NYC on Saturday we were busy on Sunday getting a bunch of things done after Mass. Around 4:00 I wanted a tea time for Scott, Anna, and I so I baked scones and we just enjoyed a few moments together. 

Looking at this cozy pictures fall is certainly here. And it makes me so happy! Go slow fall, go slow! 

Fall In Our Home ~ part 2 ~ A Cozy Corner in the Kitchen

This area was one of the first I saw when we entered this home back in 2001. We had been living in a darling home near the center of our town. When this home came up we decided to take a look. I can actually remember (at the young age of 28) walking around the corner into the kitchen and I was like my eyes locked at this scene. 

Of course it didn't exactly look like that, but I saw this cabinet right there in the kitchen and I loved it immediately. After all this time I still do. 

This autumn I put in these (new to me) vintage ironstone china blue and white dishes. Now, normally blue and white make me think of spring and summer decor, but these are heavy, thick, scalloped, not delicate and pastel. They are actually perfect for the fall. I love them with the pops of orange from the little felt pumpkins and the faux pies. So charming and sweet. 

Here are a few other views:

This cozy little spot is where we have breakfast, (lunch on weekends), and of course dinner. Oh the conversations at this table over all these years. 

🍂 "The spirit of home stands at the doorway, to compel those outside to enter into a place of life, comfort, rest, beauty. As a women made in God's image, we are designed to create - to cultivate, subdue, and to take all of the raw materials of our lives and craft them into something beautiful." ~ Sally Clarkson 🍂

 

Fall in Our Home (part 1)

I love to start decorating in our kitchen and here's just one little corner. I bought this antique store/dollhouse and every season I have so much fun decorating it. I call it the General Store and it's located of course on Main Street. 

I love to make the rest of our home traditional, classical in keeping with a 1950 New England Colonial home (I have years ago quit decorating seasonally with decorating stuff). I love to decorate with antiques, traditional pieces, books, vases, china, ironstone, and real paintings. I am blessed that my father has painted many for our home.  

But...

in our kitchen I like a bit of whimsy and this general store is just that for me. It get's my heart ready for all things autumn. 

Here's a tiny peek in pictures, but if you want to see more, check this out.