By Candlelight

Sometimes when it's dusk, I love to have a candle burning out here on the porch. There's something about the candle glow that warms the space and my heart. And especially at Christmas, with all the cuddly blankets and quilts, the sunporch becomes a little "nest".

This is my wire carrier that I have used for my Halloween Candy Corn candleholders for the last few years. I think the candy corn was at least 2 years old, so it was time to say good-bye! I wanted to try something new for Christmas.

I have a fixation on peat pots,

(like many of you arty gals in blogland)

and they were beggin' for some holly and boxwood.

I used a small plastic "baggy" and put a little water in it to keep the greens moist, then smooshed it into the bottom of the peat pot. I only had two matching candles, and that turned out to be "a good thing". Then I added a couple of itty bitty Shiny Brites for some sparkle. But...this post comes with a disclaimer, as I found the hard way that polyester Christmas ribbon is not fireproof !

If you look closely you can see some charred edges of ribbon.

...a quick save by scrunching up the ribbon toward the middle.

This is my little green chair that was part of a set of table and chairs

that my mom and dad bought for my second birthday.

(yep, it's beyond vintage, and just plain old!)

and since it was getting dark, I tried the carrier out on my dad's old dresser,

which holds my conservatory here in the sunroom.

The old painted concrete lambs are part of my garden collection.

so now I've learned to enjoy the candlelight,

but if I get too fancy, I need to have a fire extinguisher close by!

Nothing like a little excitement!

I'll be joining in for these parties:

No Minimalist Here for Open House Party

My French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

2805 for Potpourri Friday

At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday

LaurieAnnas Farmhouse Fridays

Stuff and Nonsense for Fridays Unfolded

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell

Funky Junk for Saturday Night Special

Shabby Art Boutique for Simply Christmas

See ya tomorrow for 

lots of Christmas hugs,

Au Naturel

Last Sunday afternoon my hubbs and I decided 

to take a little nature hike

into the park that borders our subdivision.

There are great trails that wind through the woods

which are frequented by joggers and nature lovers alike.

The post I did last Friday for Vintage Inspiration Friday

really had me ready to get outside and see what I could find.

I wanted to find some acorns since I've been seeing

 all the faux ones out in stores and blogland.

This girl was just not gonna pay 7 bucks for a small handful...sorry.

As you can see above our walk yielded some specimens

along with some walnuts in all their yummy "green-ness"

maybe I'll start a new fad...

decorating with stinky green walnuts!

(I actually love this fresh color of green!)

I've had this great little metal carrier stashed out in the garage

just waiting for this kind of display.

I used some faux and some real leaves in the mix.

Added two of the smaller "Salty Caramel" candles with the goodies,

all on a bed of dried moss.

Don't tell, but I had to glue the "caps" back on these little critters.

So, here are some of the sites along the way.

Lots of bluebird houses with little wire mesh stoops.

Pretty typical woods 

with a great display of color on the trees.

The fences on the back of the houses across the street.

Whatever this once was had been there a long, long time.

So we wandered around the trails for quite a while.

talking, laughing, picking up bits and pieces.

There were lots of bird noises, rustling in the grass, and leaves falling...

But I heard a noise and we looked in that direction...

can you see what we saw?

How about now?

I have to tell you my husband was beyond excited!

He loves to go to "Deer Camp" each year,

but really enjoys the "male bonding" and walking around in the woods,

and oh yea, not bathing for days at a time.

(wouldn't want the deer to smell ya...)

Wow, this was one handsome really big guy,

Couldn't tell if he was an 8 or 10 point.

But he was used to hikers so he wasn't spooked, 

he took his time and stood right in the middle of the trail

watching us for several moments...

then wandered on his way.

So we both enjoyed our afternoon.

Then I put this together today so I could share the fun.

I hinted at what my big project was Sunday afternoon.

I'll share more Thursday

when I search out some Fall Outdoor Dining inspiration.

Hope you'll come by;

Hope you're having great Fall weather,

xoxo,

Bundt Pan Centerpiece

I found this old, (as in probably from the 70's old) bundt cake pan several years ago. At least I think it's a bundt cake pan. It seems a little ornate and detailed but I don't think it could be anything else. I sure would have hated to be the one to butter and flour this one. I have enough trouble getting a cake out with silicone and Pam.

Anyway, the color and patina got my attention, and instead of the torture of using it for it's intended job, I opted for a Fall Centerpiece instead. Much easier than scraping cake out of little nooks and crannies.

These first four photos I "grittied" up on Picnik.

I really love that site,

I've been known to play over there for hours.

I'm using faux Fall hydrangeas and real pumpkins and gourds.

I'm sorry, you couldn't MAKE that patina if you tried!

I borrowed an old zinc lid from one of my Mason jars,

inverted it and added a pumpkin scented tea light.

One of my squirrels is hanging out on a make it yourself cupcake stand.

It was so pretty at night,

it gave the sunroom a warm cozy glow.

Fun using odd finds for centerpieces.

Hydrangeas and pumpkins are one of my favorite combinations!

Linking up with these parties:

           

Hope you've been having a great week,

Gosh, I love this time of year!

xoxo,

www.thecharmofhome.blogspot.com

www.nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com
www.thevintagefarmhouse.com