Fall Tour of Home

What a beautiful morning we enjoyed today.  The sun was shining and the air cool and crisp.  I drank my coffee by the fireplace.  One of the fall traditions I enjoy is decorating the house.  Not only are the colors of the season beautiful, but placing pumpkins, mums, and pilgrims at various vantage points ready our hearts in anticipation of good meals and fellowship with family.  I thought I might take you on a tour of our home.  Please come on in.

Here are some sights in our family room.

 

The fireplace and hearth is my favorite setting and we spend so much time in this area.  It feels good to back up to a fire.  

 I put a variety of pieces in the built-ins that surround our fireplace.  I have collected several scarecrow pieces.  You'll find lots of pumpkins if you look closely in nearly every picture.  The burlap canvas was new last year and I especially love the old truck loaded down with nature's bounty.

The top shelf is very special.  These collections of trucks and tractors belong to Bryan.  I have bought them over the years and he likes them a lot.  There is always a special place for them to show up.

Since the heart of the home seems to be the kitchen and I spend a great deal of time here, I like to dress up this area and our dining area similarly.

We spend all our mealtime at the bar sharing the details of the days along with a lot of love and laughter, but when family comes to visit and our number grows past three, we move to the dining area.

 My mom bought this print for me last year and its a favorite of mine.  While not exactly the same, the old white house reminds me of the house my grandmother lived in when I was a little girl.  I spent hours there with her.  It had windows like these and a front porch.  While it was dilapidated, I remember the old barn that had seen better days, and the wagon with pumpkins just says country which is what I am and all I know.

I love being in the kitchen especially since we remodeled several summers ago. 

I’ve also began working to make our laundry room a sentiment of welcome.  It has become customary for most of our guests to skip the front door.

They seem to feel comfortable and part of the family, so they come to the garage entrance and enter just like they’re one of us.  I can think of no warmer compliment. 

 Wreaths are on the doorways and garden flags are throughout the yard.

Our house is very comfortable and very lived in.  Nothing fancy here; just a simple way of life where we love to enjoy family, friends, and a good meal.  It's all about. . .

Living Simply,

Marcia

It Is Really Fall: Temps, Trips, Treats

While the calendar said it was Fall several weeks ago, I think it arrived this week.  There is definitely a chill in the air and it made the activities of the week seem more realistic and timely. 

The foliage has begun to turn and it seemed a road trip to the hills might be in order.  We've had a very dry season and while I think a vast majority of our leaves in the region are simply going to turn brown and drop off, there is a little color.  I had been thinking how much my two mothers would enjoy a day out and heading to the hills would be a good journey to hopefully see pretty leaves and not be to far to wear everyone out.  Wednesday was the day, breezy with a crisp chill in the air.  I picked up my passengers and we headed to the historical Arkansas hill town of Hardy. We took a detour at Black Rock, the gateway to the Ozarks and drove through Lake Charles State Park.  Collin and I go there often to camp and I thought they would enjoy seeing where we stay for short weekend get-a-ways.  The foliage in the park was turning and it was nice.  This picture doesn't really do justice. 

We headed on arriving in Hardy about lunchtime.  It was good to get out and rest and we were all ready for some lunch at McDonalds.  We got home about 2:30 and I think everyone had an enjoyable day.

Collin's mom, Joyce on the left and my mom, Bonnie on the right.

As the week progressed, all meteorologists continued to remind us that freezing temps and rain were on the way for the weekend.  I decided I must take action.  Friday morning, I went to the garden and pulled every sizable green tomato I had filling a 3-gallon bucket.  I wrapped them in newspaper individually and expect them to ripen.  How I will miss having fresh tomatoes at meal time.  I also picked turnip greens and brought them in being afraid the frost would ruin them.  Collin planted a small patch and Mom and I have had greens and cornbread every Tuesday for the last four weeks.  No one else in the family cares for them, but we have really enjoyed feast and fellowship together.  I made it in just as the rain was starting.

My next project was getting  the first inaugural crock pot of chili ready for our evening meal. 

The rain would usher in falling temps and it would drop into the 30s for the evening.  Was the chili ever good! We had plenty of corn chips and shredded cheese to make each bowl just right. 

And by Saturday morning, we needed fire in the house, so Collin managed the first of the season.  It was so cozy to sit by the fireplace and linger over coffee.

Saturday evening, we were invited to a Halloween party with several other couples.  It was themed "Shipwrecked Luau."   The meal was bar-b-q, and we had a fun time.

I actually had a dress to go with this wrap, but I decided it was just to cold and opted to simply add jeans  Another night of 30 is meant to dress a little warmer.

Its the little things that count and the way we make memories.  Taking in the colors of fall, feeling crisp breezes on your face and blowing through your hair, good food, crackling fires, and lingering over conversation is what its all about.

Living Simply,

Marcia

Stirring Around the Kitchen: Chocolate Fried Pies

Friday was a kitchen day in my schedule of the week.  Having completed the household chores, I didn’t want to start anything too big as the weekend was approaching and I’d been in the mood to cook a dessert all week.  Today was the day to putter in the kitchen and make one of Collin’s favorites, Chocolate Fried Pies.
 
This treat is very southern, rich in calories, and probably not classified as heart-healthy, but they are soooo good.  They are also time sensitive.  You don’t start the process if you are in a hurry.  I begin by making the dough for the outer crust. 

 Kneading and rolling the pastry shells takes time especially when you make 12 individual shells to hold the filling. 

Of course, there is the clutter and cleanup to handle before you begin the next step.  I probably worked an hour alone on the dough and preparing the pastry.

While these little wonders can be made with fruit (and I really like peach and apricot) Collin loves chocolate so that is what I make. It was back to the pantry to locate the cocoa, powdered sugar, and a few more items. 

 When the chocolate mixture was just right, it was time to fill the pastry shells, close and crimp, readying them for the last step.  Another mess to clean up and put out of sight.

The last part is frying them so that the shells turn to a pretty golden finish.  The skillet filled with enough oil to fry them is the most southern feature of the dessert.  We true Southerners love all things fried don’t you know!

About two  to three hours later, the confections were complete and the kitchen was cleaned up.

Well my sweet taste tester said they were pretty good and I had made big brownie points with him.  I’ve come to enjoy navigating my kitchen, but time didn’t allow the luxury until retirement.  Now that I’m home and have more time, trying new recipes as well as cooking up the tried and true is a fun way to. . .

Live Simply, Marcia

Monday Meditations: Prayers, Incense, and Candles

Candles is one of my favorite things.  The fragrance fills the house with a pleasant aroma, makes everything seem a bit cozier, and warms the surroundings.  I especially like the scents for Fall and Christmas.  Don’t you just love coupons and deals at Bath and Body Works!  Even better is when $24 candles are on sale for half.  My personal Autumn favorite is Pecan Waffle.

After a devotional I read last week, I’ve no doubt that burning candles in my home will become even more important and more meaningful for me.  Working through a book study on prayer, the author referenced writings and rituals expressing the importance and significance of burning incense in Old Testament days. It was considered, in fact, the sweet aroma of worship.  Sacrificial offerings to God were burned creating an aroma and an upward rising of smoke.  Incense, also creating an aroma and an upward rising of smoke, was costly, a sign acknowledging deity, burned by priests, offered in the temple, and was symbolic in times of prayer. Prayers spoken from the heart along with burning incense were carried upward right into the heavens.

What a beautiful symbolism for us today as we are reminded that prayer is a form of worship and that our words travel upward to heaven.  While I don’t have incense, and have never burned it, I am confident that every time I light a candle in my home, I will think about the gift and privilege of prayer, that I can communicate with the Creator, praising Him for all blessings and petitioning Him with my needs.  He hears my words and He knows my heart.  He understands and will answer.

Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Jesus wants to guide us and help us if we only but call on Him. Light your  candle as a reminder and say a prayer. What another beautiful way to. . .

Live Simply, Marcia

Fall Campout

Collin came in from work last Friday, the camper was loaded, and we headed to one of our favorite, quick and easy camping spots, Lake Charles State Park.  The weekend was short, we don’t like to tie up our time in driving, and the park is beautiful.  Getting in one last outing in the fall has become an annual event for us.  It was a beautiful weekend of rest, relaxation, calm, and serenity.

When we got setup Friday evening, we quickly put hamburgers on the grill.  We were starved as neither of us had any lunch to speak of.  This was the view from our site patio. I did some armchair fishing.  The fish were on the surface catching insects.

Just breath taking.  We set outside for a long time as dusk began to settle in and listened to the night creatures begin to sing their tunes. Collin noticed the moon coming up over the lake and a gorgeous reflection, but an overcast sky of clouds blocked the view before I could catch it very well.

After a while we went inside and watched a John Wayne movie to end the night.

We awoke to cool temperatures and hot coffee tasted so good.  Collin cooked breakfast for us on the griddle and once we had everything cleaned up and put away, we went for a walk. 

Look just to the right of center near the top of the water's edge.  I caught a fish jumping up out of the water.  I couldn't do that again if I tried.

There are lots of trail paths around the lake for hiking. 

This one we followed was called the Cedar Trail and was roughly 2 miles long.  The scenery was nice and we enjoyed the morning air.

Some foliage was turning and this is our camper and site from across the lake.

During the afternoon, Collin watched another movie, but I read and enjoyed some magazines.  Saturday night, Collin grilled some steaks, we took another walk, and again enjoyed the night creatures before going inside and ending the day.

After coffee, breakfast, cleanup, and pack up on Sunday morning, it was time to head home.  It was a short weekend, but oh so pleasant.  We have to catch snippets of time whenever we can.  As we arrived Friday afternoon to register with the park, I was immediately drawn to a painted pallet hanging on the wall in the visitor center.  As you can see, it’s the exact goal and motto I have chosen since retirement.

I had to smile and make a picture.  It is amazing how God speaks to us and provides gentle reminders.  I hope you find time to rest, make memories, and. . .

Live Simply

Marcia

Welcome Fall!

I can hardly believe October has arrived.  With the dry weather we’ve had, I believe Autumn has arrived early in our neck of the woods. Last week Collin and I did some outside projects 

as numbers of leaves floated to the ground from the breeze, I doubt we’ll see too much color.  We are in a season of drought.  We could use a little rain, but I know the farmers are hoping the rains hold and crops can be harvested to completion.

This is a wonderful time of year.  I love the colors, the temps seem to moderate, the holiday season is coming to mind, and I’m more mindful of my many blessings. 

I’ve decorated the house, pulled out the fall coffee mugs,

and already made a pumpkin pie that didn’t last long.  Collin has requested another one. I love the smell of burning wood and leaves.  I even shift my attention to the opposite side of the closet looking for clothing that says fall, but is still relatively geared to remaining warm days. 

Last week seemed like a good time for a little outing to observe the scenery and look for a glimpse of turning foliage.  Mom and I set out for Parkin, Arkansas and the little community of Togo where she grew up.  We hadn’t been in years and thought it would be fun to look around and see what remained, what had changed, and what was different.  We saw the houses some of her brothers had lived in, and stores they used to run.  We stopped in at the Parkin Archaeological State Park.  

It was kind of neat to see the Indian artifacts in the museum and see the mounds.  We moved on from highway 75 to 64 and traveled to Wynne where the Village Creek State Park can be found.  It is a beautiful park and I wanted her to see its beauty and to show her where Collin and I have camped in our RV.  From there we stopped for a Sonic burger at Harrisburg and cut across highway 14 to Waldenburg for an afternoon visit with her brother, Hamp, and his wife, Pat.  We had a great time digging up memories and stories of days gone by.  In the late afternoon, we headed back down highway 49 towards home.  It was a great day.

Anyone who knows me at all will recognize that I’m deeply rooted in all things southern, that family is everything, and that I’m all about tradition.  With the onset of fall leading into the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, these combinations grow even more prevalent and obvious in my day to day agenda and thoughts.  As the days progress, I’ll share the decor, the food, the traditions, and the memories.

 

These are some things that bring me the greatest joy.  Reminiscing while planning in the present and focusing on making a special gathering for my family is what is important and gives me the greatest opportunity to. . .

Live Simply

Marcia