My 10 Favorite Things About Fall

Cool nights, bonfires, autumn colors in the crisp air....Even though I love the summer sunshine, flip-flops, and the care-free, warm weather of summer, there are truly things about every season that bring happiness. So continuing with my Fall theme this week, I present to you: My 10 favorite things about Fall.

#1 - Fall Decor

Fall wreaths, pumpkins, mums, everything that makes a house feel warm, home-y, and welcoming in the fall.

First image from here

#2 - Leaves Changing
I love when the leaves on the trees turn brilliant colors like bright orange and yellow. I took the below photo in London Mills, Illinois at the Scenic Drive in 2011. So pretty!

#3 - Halloween
Carving pumpkins with Trent...dressing up in crazy costumes...Halloween candy....need I say more?

#4 - Fall Scents

I love the fall scented candles and lotions, mostly because they are all yummy-food related. Cinnamon, pumpkin, Apple pie, Butter Rum....I could smell them all day.

#5 - Bonfires
Nothing like cozying up next to a fire in the crisp fall air. A great way to warm up at night. Add some hot chocolate and that just equals amazingness.

#6 - Breaking out the Fall Clothes
I'm not a fashion icon or anything, but I do like to rock the occasional scarf or sweater. And a new season = new clothes, right?

#7 - The Crisp Fall Air
I may be a summer girl, but sometimes driving down the road with a nice breeze coming in feels pretty darn good...when you're in a hoodie of course.

Image from here

#8 - Pumpkin Desserts
Love. Love. Love. Pumpkin pie. And pumpkin bars. YUM.

 Images from here and here

#9 - Fall Festivals (Scenic Drive and Brew Ha Ha)
I called this "Fall festivals" but it includes our local Knox County Scenic Drive, which I already mentioned in this post, and Brew Ha Ha, which is our local beer-tasting festival. I can't wait for Brew Ha Ha this year. It's always a good time. I think this should be their new slogan: "I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I do it at Brew Ha ha every September." 'Cause that's totally how I feel.

--2011--

--2012--

#10 - Fall Colors
You can't get a warmer, more inviting color palette then the palette that's all around you in autumn.

What are your favorite things about fall? Do you have the same favorites as me? Who has football on their list? Not I. :)

Creative Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

This is going to be "Get ready for fall" week on my blog, ok? I've just decided. :) Anyway, I've always loved carving pumpkins, ever since I was a little kid. But did you know they can look just as cute in other ways, like painted, or used as planters? I've been loving the painted pumpkins I've seen on Pinterest and the web. I may just paint my pumpkins this year! Ok, maybe I'll still carve one or two.. ;) Either way, I've collected some creative ideas for painting pumpkins, and even a few other ways to decorate them. Get ready to be inspired!

First up.....Fancy painted pumpkins!

I love these spooky and creative pumpkins from Hi Sugarplum! Very inspiring!

Black painted pumpkins with white lettering (from here) - I've seen chalkboard painted pumpkins, too!

Paint chevron or polka dot patterns for some pretty and stylish fall decor! (from here)

(from here)

More painted pumpkin ideas.....

(from here and here)

(from here and here)

I love this idea. The photo above (from here) uses real pumpkins, but to prolong the beauty, you can use faux pumpkins from a craft store like Michael's. See the tutorials below by clicking the links. I might try this - it looks so easy and pretty!

(from here and here)

(from here and here)

I've always wanted to make this owl or this bear since I saw them a couple of years ago. They're just so cute! I especially love the Honey pot with the bear, and his stylish scarf. :)

I love Katie Bower's carved pumpkin owl. I am determined to try an owl this year!

(from here and here)

Monogramed pumpkins, whether carved or painted, would look charming on a fall porch.

(from here and here)

You've heard of a snowman, but what about a pumpkin man? Love it. And skeleton keys would definitely add some charm to any pumpkin decor scene. I love the "FALL" spelled out. So creative. Are you ready to start decorating for fall yet?

Fall Decorating from Years Past

Can you tell I have fall decor on the brain? Never too early to start thinking about it, right? It is September, after all. I know I'm a summer girl at heart, but I need to think about it in order to get into the fall mood, and what better time to start. Today I thought I'd share some of the ways I've decorated for fall in the last couple of years that we've lived in this house.

I don't think I took any photos of our porch last year, but I did find some from 2011:

Last year's decor was similar, but I also found an old crate that I added and created a little display in the corner with it. Once we get the foundation fixed this year, I would love to get a new front door (that actually opens and closes all the way maybe?) and get rid of that screen door that's really annoying when you're trying to unlock the door and have a million things in your hands!

One of my favorite things about fall is the Scenic Drive in our area that we started going to a couple of years ago. It's tons of flea markets, yard sales, and antique shops in the Knox County/ Spoon River valley area. I always find cute fall decor there, like this garden flag I got a couple of years back:

Here are a few more scenes from the Scenic Drive in years past:

If anything can get you into the spirit of fall it's the Scenic Drive. Trent also picked up this old guitar at one of the sales on the drive (it's sitting in our bedroom now):

A little more fall decor from last year and the year before:

Can't forget the Halloween candy. :) I have a few more ideas up my sleeve for this year. Some involving jar crafts, painted pumpkins, and mums! Get ready for fall, y'all!