Autumn Fun, Home, Outings, Printables

I woke up this morning to a chilly home. Warm coffee and a bathrobe were in order. I took a look outside and saw fog everywhere, and decided to take my coffee outside to the deck. Everything was dampened with rain, fallen leaves scattered about clinging to the deck, and the feel of autumn in the air.

So this morning I decided to take a look at some of my autumn posts from this time last year and share the best with you.

Click links under photos to view:

 Pumpkins and Mums make a lovely tablescape.

 Twig baskets I made up last year for holiday gifts.

Free Printable Autumn Banner 

Get lost in a corn maze!

Pumpkins from scrapbook paper

::The Holiday Challenge::
Holiday Haven's home page.

September 26th is Johnny Apple Seed Day

Today is a Johnny Apple Seed Day!
 If you do not know his story, you should.

He was an inspiring man,  born on this day in 1774 as John Chapman and later known as Johnny Appleseed. When looking into his gentle and generous character it is not hard to see why he became a legend even while he was still alive.

He is depicted in folklore as wearing tattered clothing, bare feet, and a cooking pot for a hat all the while singing the hymn "The Lord is good to me".

What is known for sure is that he was the son of a farmer, apprenticed on an apple orchard as a young man, and became a successful apple orchard owner with many orchards in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana.  He was a deeply religious man who often preached against extravagance and was best know for his extremely generous nature.

Accounts of him state that he gave away the best of everything he was given, keeping only the basics for himself, accepted goods in exchange for payment, and forgave debts freely.  As an American pioneer he supplied seeds to settlers, started apple orchards which he hired others to manage and often forgave their debts when they were unable to pay. He sold and gave away many apple trees, and traveled constantly. Today, in the midst of apple harvest time, and on his birthday, it is an honor to remember this selfless man who continues to inspire so many.

Are you ready to make a Christmas gift list?!

This week from ::The Holiday Challenge:: it is time to make a gift list! Or at least a rough outline, a list of loved ones and some ideas.

I grab my Christmas folder from last year, look over any gift ideas I wrote down and jot down additional ideas. And I include any craft ideas I may want to make as gifts as well.

Then look at resources. Time and Money.
How much do I have/expect to have of each of those resources verses how many people are on my list? Then make adjustments as needed.

In years that were extremely tight I planned a lot of baking. In years where I had a bit of time I knitted scarves. One year I had neither time or money so I made lavender sugar (edible lavender finely ground and mixed with sugar) and put it in cute mason jars. And it is my favorite craft/gift still!

Why start planning in September?
I have found that if I start this list in September I am ready for Christmas shopping as soon as Halloween is over. I shop from the day after Halloween until black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving).  The result: I am able to take my time and select meaningful gifts, I am free to spend time with family in December, go to holiday events, take my time with beautiful wrappings (which I love), bake, finish crafts, and enjoy the Christmas season.

See more about the holiday challenge by clicking on "The Challenge" tab at the top of this page.

My Autumn Decor - and why I am blaming it on Pinterest

With Autumn officially starting Friday September 23!

I have been busy decorating for fall.

Or rather, I should say crafting for fall, and I am blaming it all on Pinterest for inspiring me!

I have always been good with my hands, and my recent obsession with pinterest has inspired me to pursue pottery. Starting with just baby steps I have begun crafting with a natural clay that even unfired dries hard. I have been having a lot of fun, with my little one by my side, playing with clay.

 Little acorn bowl fillers.

Cottage country spoons with acorns and pumpkins.

I love white pumpkins!



 These little hedgehogs everyone loves, I had to make a set just for children to play with.

 Pears with twig stems.

 And a photo of a clay pumpkin decoupaged onto a canvas and set in a little stand.

I have been listing these in my Etsy shop as well, and much to my surprise, have actually sold some. I have been amazed how much there is to learn about pottery and just how many things surrounding us plates, tiles, mugs, sinks, decor, etc are made from clay!

Pinterest is so much fun. Are you on Pinterest? What has it inspired you to do? 

::The Holiday Challenge::

Holiday Haven's home page.



Is Santa Claus Real???

The answer is...

YES!!!

'The Santa Club' written by Kelly Moss is a great book for when your child is old enough to start asking serious questions about Santa.

This book helps parents introduce the history of Santa to their child in a fun new way that adds to the traditions of Christmas instead of taking away from them.

It explains the history of Christmas, why we give gifts and why Santa is so secret. And ends by inviting children to join the 'The Santa Club'.    

Though out the book there is a wonderful tone of joy emphasising giving.  It is written in simple language that children can comprehend.  And the enchanting illustrations this book will capture your child's imagination.

I loved the way Christianity is presented showing the history of why Christmas is celebrated and how gifts are a part of early traditions.  This a great book for opening up discussions with a child on giving, Santa, and Christmas in general.

And finally joining 'The Santa Club' provides a brilliant right of passage for children into the fun grown-up side of Christmas.

You can see more about this book at their site: TheSantaClub.net, Facebook Page, and buy this book at Amazon.com


*I was provided a free copy of this book for review. Which I accepted because I have two older children I have to retroactively induct into The Santa Club. And because I have a younger child who, one day all too soon, will be asking "Is there a Santa Claus?" And I will say "Yes! Guess who!"



::The Holiday Challenge::
Holiday Haven's home page.

*100 *Days 'till* Christmas!!

Can you believe we are already here!

As of September 16th there are

 Only 100 days until Christmas Day!!

 From getting organized, to sharing tips, 

today I have quite a lot to share with you!

Santa peaking from behind the #25 door on the advent calendar, 

part of the shelf I set up for my children last year. (View) 

On my Holiday Challenge plan this week is the time to make your vacation plans....
What are you doing for New Years and Christmas? Are you traveling? Will family be coming to visit?
Are you hosting an event? And if so, are there any reservations needed for it? Now is the time to make sure these questions are answered.

In September, before the rush of the holidays, and before it looks like this outside:

(My snowy home)

I begin my holiday planning!

This is the calendar I use each year:

September
Week 1 - Prepare for Autumn and Winter
Week 2- Plan New Years and Finalize Holiday Reservations
Week 3- First Day of Fall. Begin a Christmas Gift List
Week 4- Begin planning Christmas (brainstorming)


October
Week 1 Plan Halloween
Week 2 Buy Pumpkins
Week 3 Decorate for Halloween
Week 4 Carving Pumpkins, Happy Halloween


November
Week 1 -Let the Holiday Shopping Begin!!, Christmas Photos Ideas, Pack Halloween: Do's and Don'ts, Go through Thanksgiving and Christmas boxes, Daylight savings time, Plan Christmas events and Plan the Thanksgiving Meal.
Week 2- Happy Veterans Day Update the Christmas Card Address List and Test the Christmas Lights.
Week 3- Thanksgiving, Kitchen Prep., Hang The Christmas Lights (Tips), Happy Thanksgiving.
Week 4- Have all Holiday packages shipped by the end of November, Mail Christmas Cards, Select a Christmas Tree, Put together an advent wreath, Finalize details on New Years Eve plans, and Mark new Calendar with Yearly reminders


December
Week 1 - Put away Thanksgiving Decorations, Decorate for Christmas, Holiday Baking PREP.
Week 2 - Tie up any loose ends, do/finish holiday crafts, begin Holiday Baking.
Week 3 - Have fun with your family! And Merry Christmas
Week 4 - Begin decorating for New Years and After Christmas Shopping (i.e. supplies for next year)

You can find this calendar with links to weekly posts all year long under ::The Challenge:: tab at the top of this page. It changes some from year to year as I grow more, and find easier ways of doing things. This calendar started on my home calendar, handwritten and copied each year to the new calendar, but now I check it here each week, and have been blessed to find that it is helpful to others as well!

Why start now?
I find beginning now helps me to have stress free holidays where I find time to make beautiful crafts, warm my house with wonderful smells from the oven, wrap gifts elegantly, find time to blog about all of it, and most importantly of all, spend time with my family making memories, during one of the busiest seasons for moms.

Here are some of my Christmas posts from last year, & I cannot wait to share what I have planned for this year!

My mulled apple cider recipe

Ribbon gift topper tutorial

A cranberry tablescape

My sugared orange slices recipe

And just in case that didn't motivate you, I am pinning some beautiful Pinterest pins!
(Original sites are linked under the photos and I encourage you to visit the original sites to see more about each wonderful idea):

Source: choosetothrive.blogspot.com via Jessa on Pinterest

Source: myplacetoyours.blogspot.com via Jessa on Pinterest

Source: keepingthechristmasspiritalive365.blogspot.com via Jessa on Pinterest

Source: yournestdesign.blogspot.com via Jessa on Pinterest

Source: happytodesign.blogspot.com via Jessa on Pinterest

Source: dining-delight.blogspot.com via Jessa on Pinterest

I have added this post to Natashas pining party.

Thanks Natasha for hosting this lovely party

and for sharing about my Autumn pins from last week!!

Holiday Haven's home page.

Beautiful Autumn Ideas, Crafts and Decor

The warm days of Autumn are almost here, what is it about Autumn sunshine that warms a person clear through? The beauty of harvest, the golden colors, all remind us of the richness of life.

Below are some of the wonderful Autumn pins I have found on pinterest, the original sources are listed below the photos and I encourage you to visit the links under the photos to see more!

Source: KirahleyKreations on etsy.com via Jessa on Pinterest

Source: blog.hellocupcakebook.com (HERE)via Jessa on Pinterest

source: marleyandlockyer.blogspot.com via Jessa on Pinterest

Source: wedding-ideas-guide.com via Jessa on Pinterest

Source: craftberrybush.blogspot.com via Jessa on Pinterest

Source: heatherbullard.typepad.com via Jessa on Pinterest

I have added this to Natasha's wonderful pinning and sininging pinterest party.

Click to see the party!

Preparing for Autumn and Winter - Check List

Though the weather is still warm for some time, the first official day of fall is September 23nd and colder day are ahead, this week I take some time to prepare and make sure I am ready for the cold.

Solomon's "wise woman" laughed at the days to come, she feared not the snow for her household and all her charges are doubly clothed. (Prov. 31:10-30) 

Are you ready for the colder days ahead? Here are some of my notes:

• Buy heating oil or firewood
• Have chimneys and heaters cleaned and inspected fire alarms
• Run car and home heaters while it is still warm enough to open a window to blow the dust out of the heater that accrues over the summer.
• Keep the heat from escaping your home with extra drapes, window film, storm windows, etc. as appropriate for you home.
• Extra blankets: on the couch for comfort, on the bed for warmth, in the car for emergencies and cold outings.
• Inventory fall and winter clothing and make sure everyone has a warm winter coat/hat/gloves/scarves/boots etc.
• Make plans to winterize the car: Antifreeze (about a 50/50% mix antifreeze and water is best for winter), driving gloves or steering wheel cover for those cold mornings, ice scraper, snow tires, new windshield wiper blades for the coming rain, kitty litter for traction in case you are stuck in snow, and if it gets really cold, lock de-icer.
• Warm pajamas for everyone
• Outside pipes wrapped
• Fragile plants wrapped
• Mulch for the garden
• Gutters clean to remove autumn leaves before winter.
• Door sweeps
• Insulation if you home is in need of it.
• And a tip added last year: stock up on canned goods and non-perishables for days when you are snowed in, or just to avoid a trip on icy roads.

What do you do to prepare for the colder months ahead? 

I would love to see your tips! Add them to the comments below.

See more of the holiday challenge here:
::The Holiday Challenge::

September's Shopping Bag

September's Shopping Bag

(a few suggestions)

Summer supplies: If you can still find them they are usually heavily discounted by September.

Lawn mowers and bikes are two of the things I noticed on sale looking around my local stores.

Office supplies: Now that the kids are back to school you can find some amazing deals.

Fred Meyer's usually has a vacuum sale at the end of this month through the beginning of October.

Spices for winter cooking.

Heating supplies, and supplies to winterize the car and home.

 Autumn, Halloween, and harvest decor.

For the garden: fall bulbs and mulch

Produce in Season:

Apples- Ever notice how many traditions we have involving apples in the fall? 'An apple for the teacher' and 'bobbing for apples'. My apple tree is bursting this year!

Kohlrabi, tomatoes, radishes, green onions, snap beans, cucumbers, leeks, fall (or golden) raspberries, fall peas and greens are in season. Figs and plums are reaching the end of their season.

Pears, carrots, beats, parsnips, rutabaga, turnips, bok choy, mushrooms, potatoes and sweet potatoes- are ready in late September and October.

What do you like to buy in September?

Add your suggestions to the comments below.

Note: every month I feature a few ideas of things to buy for the month. Such as fruit that is in season, helpful things for holidays, and deals to look for. These are based on U.S. seasons and are meant to be helpful suggestions only to help save time and money, while adding to enjoyment of the season.