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,

Vintage Inspiration Friday # 58 Nature Inspired

Who of us when we were kids in school

 didn't have a Leaf Collecting and Identification Project?

I also helped my girls go on leaf collecting adventures

 every Fall when they were in school.

Displaying and categorizing them was one of my favorite Fall projects.

I love to decorate with Nature and Nature inspired things,

so when I saw this article in this months' Country Gardens Magazine

I just had to share it.

(enlarge photo for a better detailed look)

Above, old drawers, boxes and cubbies are lined

 with Nature illustrations and botanicals

to help set the stage for our specimens.

What a great way to spend a beautiful Fall day

than taking off on a hike or nature trail with the kids

to find some wonderful objects to display.

Below, just using an old tackle box to show the found treasures.

Frames for leaves

and old boxes for leaf display.

And here are a few more nature inspired Pinterest finds.

Now, I want to head outdoors and see what I can find!

Let's see some of the fun from last week.

Rosemary from Ozma of Odds needs to be a weekly feature,

If for some strange reason you don't know her

get over to her blog right now and be prepared to be amazed!!

Fairytale Olive Tree

Megan at Restoring the Roost

has a wonderful Fall mantle.

I'm in love with her Brown Transferware vignette.

Amanda from One Girl in Pink

shares her wonderful Fall Book Page Garland

And the Gals at Curly Willow

share a Fall Mantle that just wowed me with the color!

Hmmm...seem to be focusing on mantles today!

Hope you'll join in today for the party.

Please link up to Common Ground on your blog post.

I know it takes a minute, 

but it shares with everyone else where you're partying.

Thanks everyone!!

I'd love for you to grab and display the Fall button!

(on my sidebar)

Hope you'll join in for the party,

"anything vintage or vintage inspired"

and all Fall Decor.

Cottage Charm Give Away

Hi Everyone!

I haven't had a Give Away in a really long time,

so when I heard about the Blogwide Give Away

 held at The Twice Remembered Cottage

I wanted to join in.

Nature has always been one of my favorite cottage elements,

so I thought I'd have my give away be

"Nature Inspired"

A Cavallini Journal

An old wooden dresser jewelry box with a landscape scene,

that is mirrored inside.

And one of my signature key necklaces,

with an enameled flower charm and teensy birdie charm.

(Come by my Etsy Shop for some other fun!)

You have a chance for 3 entries:

1. Leave a comment on this post.

2. Leave another comment saying you are a follower.

3. Leave another comment

telling me you have blogged about the giveaway,

or have posted my button on your sidebar.

Then be sure you head over to The Twice Remembered Cottage

and check out all the other Give Aways.

Winner will be announced May 29th.

Thanks so much to all my readers and followers.

Thanks for sharing "life" with me;

love you all!

If you don't have a blog,

you can still enter by commenting, choosing "anonymous".