Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Fall Has Arrived

Finally, in Texas, the temperatures have dipped a bit and we are enjoying beautiful weather, warm days and cool nights.  I love it!
And, since we are finally home for a weekend or two, we worked outside this past weekend and knocked off a few of the "to dos".

Now, first up is our front door.  You would think this project would take ~ oh about 10 minutes ~ but I tried so many different plants and pumpkins and arrangements before I decided to leave it just simple this year.
So the front door got scrubbed and the whole area got hosed down and the fall arrangement went on the door and I bought and planted rosemary trees in my urns.  {if I don't kill them they will be perfect for Christmas}
So simple.
But as I took this picture I noticed that hole above the front door and thought a row of little pumpkins would be pretty cute up there.  
Maybe next year.



I have had this arrangement for years!  Just freshen up the flowers every now and then.


  This is our back door area and the door almost everyone uses.
Again, after much addition and subtraction I kept it very simple.







My last job of the weekend was cleaning our outdoor kitchen.  In the fall we remove the dining table that lives there all summer and move the living room furniture back to enjoy the fireplace.


I wish I could clean my indoor kitchen in the same manner ~ I just take a hose to these counters:-)



We have a large area for cooking.



I leave a little table for dining in here year round.  The kids can have lunch here, or whatever.



This is our living area, and I love to sit out here on cool evenings ~ nothing has really changed from last year.










As you can see I was relaxing after all of my hard work!



And I had to add these two photos taken on my phone.  I thought it was totally dark, but you can see I captured the "blue hour".  It was a lovely evening.


The first fire of fall.



Joining Melissa at the Inspired Room for her Fall Mantel and Porch party.
Honey at 2805 for Potpourri Friday.
Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday.
Richella at Imparting Grace for her Grace at Home Party.





14 comments:

Love Being A Nonny said...

Everything is beautiful! Look forward to seeing how you decorate the playhouse!

Jen S. said...

I love, love, love your yard....it's just beautiful...so very nice! Looks like it would be so relaxing and enjoyable all year long!

And I think your Fall decorations look nice. :)

Hope you are having a good week!

jessica said...

So pretty! We'll have to enjoy that fire this fall!

Mimi said...

Your front is beautiful but I could live by your outdoor fireplace!! Thanks for stopping by today and checking on my door ~ just wanted to tell you the lighted things by the door are actually lighted grapevine pumpkins that I got from Hobby Lobby this year. I was afraid they might look like Christmas trees but got them anyway.

Unknown said...

Very nice. I love your outdoor kitchen. It looks extremely functional too.

Pamela said...

Sue everything looks so very beautiful! Fall comes and goes here. The last few days it has been near 90 again but then we will have lower temps for a few days. Love your fireplace! Thanx for coming to party with us at THT!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi Sue, absolutely beautiful. I can see many hours spent out there relaxing. hugs ~lynne~

Unknown said...

Hi Sue! Wow everything looks beautiful. I love all of the lanterns on your back porch!
~Audra

Privet and Holly said...

What a glorious
spot to gather with
your family and
friends. I don't
think I'd ever want
to come inside: )
I love the lanterns
with the crows on
the mantle, especially!

Happy Sunday,
xo Suzanne

Debbie said...

Oh, Sue it's all beautiful! I can't imagine how it must be to sit out there with your family on an autumn night, maybe with a bowl of chili and some cornbread... s'mores later with maybe some hot apple cider or hot chocolate. (See, your house makes me imagination go into overdrive.)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Your outdoors are so lovely. I adore your pergola, outdoor kitchen and fireplace!

Richella Parham said...

Oh, my word. What beautiful outdoor spaces you have! You have the pool and outdoor kitchen area of my dreams.

Isn't it amazing to know that something you have is the stuff of someone else's dreams? :) We are blessed, aren't we?

bj said...

I just sent your web site to my daughter, as they are planning an outdoor kitchen and fireplace...thought she could get some awesome ideas from you. Your outdoor ROOM is just beautiful...I see you live on a lake or pond...

WendyBee said...

Hi!
I'm visiting here from Penny's blog, and I'm so glad you included an invite to come see in your comment.
I love your banner--I'm assuming they are your 2 daughters and their husbands and children? What a lovely family!
I love the trend toward outdoor living spaces. We haven't done too much in that direction. In warm weather, we always have so many mosquitoes! We do have a screen porch off the back of the house, where we lounge and dine in the warm weather, so I guess that counts. But nothing as spacious and equipped as yours.
Thanks for sharing your terrific pictures!
Wendy