Sunday, September 14, 2014

MAKING Mondays.....a bit like fall

Well, it's not officially fall yet but you would never know it by the temperatures we have been having in these parts!  It has been chilly!!!!  The slow cooker has been running and homemade bread is back in the oven baking.  On days like these I like to sit back and listen to a bit of this...


And when I'm not listening to a bit of that I like to start adding touches of the season to cozy up our little home.  I had seen some Halloween villages in some magazines and thought it would be cute if I made my own for above the coat hooks.  Just black construction paper and tape.




I have a thing for plaid!  After I sewed this pillow my son helped me stuff it and he is so very proud of it!





My fondness for vintage bird prints comes from my grandma.  I was able to track some down HERE for a reasonable price and then just framed them up for the mantle.



And the backyard construction is making progress! Have a look out the kitchen window.....


Not done but we have somewhere to sit now!  

Happy making, baking, and growing friends!  


63 comments:

  1. Oooh - that looks like major progress out the back. i know how much grunt work is involved in sorting out your levels and drainage. Well done - it will make a huge difference xxx

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  2. What a beautiful outside space, and a lovely corner of your room with the cushions and the Hallowe'en village. I love the little wreath as well, it's really pretty. It's a little chillier here too, mostly in the early mornings. Wishing you a good week Nicole. CJ xx

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  3. Looking lovely your garden. Loving the spooky village coat hook decoration xxxx

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  4. Your house is looking very festive inside and out. Halloween is my favorite holiday to decorate for. I love it.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  5. Love your "houses in a row" out of construction paper. I am saving it to my files and maybe the girls can try making some this Fall. Love the idea.

    Your back area is looking nice. I think your table and chairs are VERY similar to the ones I have.

    Hope you are having a great Sunday- xo Diana

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  6. Your Halloween decor is wonderful, but I love the view outside to the BIG tree.

    I wanted to make something for the BEANS for Halloween decor, but my life is a jumble right now so it doesn't look like I will get to it soon so it will be something for Christmas.

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  7. Oh Nicole....love the cushion and your garden is looking lovely! xxx

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  8. oh wow I love your construction paper houses-II could never do that-looks perfect for the fall holidays. your patio is looking good-cold here too-brrr

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  9. I love your fall decor, but the village is soo cute and I know the beans love it.

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  10. oh my--I'm so in love with your Halloween village...what a great idea! Fall is my favorite--we're not quite there yet here :( It was actually pretty cool today, but still SO muggy. ugh. But soon! Octobers are always lovely :)

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  11. It sure has been some chilling mornings around here for sure! Your houses look like they belong there! Great job. Glad the patio is coming along nicely. I need to start doing some fall decorating. Have a great week Nicole!

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  12. You've been busy! The patio is looking great so far. I love your furniture and the potted plants nearby. The Halloween village and pillow look so good! Very fallish. Enjoy the change of seasons, it's so much fun.

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  13. What a lovely view of your yard - so glad the construcion is going well. Love those autumn leaves, all the tress here are bursting into spring growth now.

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  14. Looking good!!! (inside and out). You've really got a jump on the fall decor! We're already on the soup wagon :) i can't help it. the minute it starts to get chilly... I'm reaching for my soups and stews :) A favorite for me too, has been this pumpkin chai tea that I got from David's Tea. Such cinnamony goodness. It makes such a difference having an official place to sit... no? :)

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  15. Looks so lovely! Bird prints are also my favourite:)

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  16. Love your home making inspirations....prompting me to starts ours, as weather is getting chilly here too! Your outdoor sitting area looks very inviting...with the sun shining ... just the right place to be at:)

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  17. What gorgeous autumnal vignettes you have created Nicole! I love the Halloween village and the wicker pumpkin! Your back yard is looking good, enjoy your time out there, I hope the work is finished soon! xxx

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  18. What a delightful post :) Love the progress hurrah!! and the houses look awesome too :) Shhh I love plaid also... :) Lots of lovely things in this post! Have a awesome week with your cuties xxxx

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  19. Your garden is looking great & I love your Halloween display!

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  20. Your Halloween Fall decor is just perfect! I love that you son helped you stuff your lovely pillow. And I was wondering how your backyard project was coming along. It looks super!

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  21. It looks lovely and sunny, I love your trees. You are amazing when it comes to decorating your home round a festive holiday theme! xo

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  22. Love your fall decor Nicole, especially those black houses! They are so cute and add just the right touch to that area.
    Thank you for your most kind comments on my last post. I will always come over to visit you as I dearly want to keep in touch with you. And who knows, one day I may wake up and feel like posting again, or at least once in awhile.
    Happy fall. It sure is cold here after out 90 degree weather in Alabama.
    Cindy

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  23. The back looks great so far. Leaves are starting to fall here.

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  24. I am going to have to do some ghost house making of my own. A quick craft that is fun. win-win

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  25. Inspiring! beautiful decoration! And the backyard looks so nice... have a wonderful week friend!

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  26. Oh my word my dear you have been busy!! I am going to make that little village scene for the all in school... the kids will get a great kick out of it! Hope you have the most splendid week... wrap up against those chills. the weathers changing fast. Hazel xxx

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  27. I'm listening to the song! Love it! So catchy :) And I love how your backyard is coming along! I was just telling my husband how we need to invest in a waffle maker and a crock pot for the colder months! Oh that would be so good to have!

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  28. Loving the little touches of fall you already have going on in your home! It's been starting to get chilly in NYC as well. If you didn't say anything I would've thought you bought that black house decor. I'm always so impressed with your crafting skills Nicole! And so sweet that your son helped you stuff that pillow :) These peeks always make me smile. Have an amazing week dear friend!

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  29. I love your village! How cute is that! Looking forward to decorating for Fall and the chillier weather! I have some sweaters and boots I want to wear!! Love your blog!

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  30. I absolutely adore all the things you have been masking - you are so creative I am envious of your skills. You area outside is looking very good and I am sure when it is finished it will make such a difference to your outdoor life. Have a great week - here's hoping the sun stays around for a while longer.

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  31. Love your fall dec! You always have such great ideas and put things together perfectly! The village is a super idea, I would have never have guessed that was black construction paper. Your deck is looking great, you must be so pleased! Have a good one!!

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  32. What a lovely view of the garden from the kitchen window Nicole! I love the autumnal ambience of your house. It's starting to get warm here in New Zealand. We could do with the sun after a rather dreary winter. Have a marvelous week ahead!

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  33. Your decorations are adorable...and the backyard project is looking good.

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  34. I love those paper houses! This is so simple, yet so pretty!! I wish I'd had this idea when I taught. The pillow you and your son made is adorable! No wonder he's so proud. What a great view out your kitchen window!! Hope it doesn't stay too chilly to enjoy some outside time. Your yard is so pretty! Enjoy this last week of summer, my friend!

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  35. Look at that patio! How fun for you! I am LOVING your awesome halloween houses they look amazing you are so cleaver and creative Nicole! Your son should be proud of the pillow, he did a great job! We have been chilly too, I hope we both get some warm weather before it turns cold for good! Hugs Nicole!

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  36. I love your Halloween decor. It is too cute and so easy to do. Yum! Some slow cooker food and homemade bread or cornbread, with a touch of 40's music. Yep, a very nice relaxing day. H would want to add some Harry Conick Jr.. ;)

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  37. Hello Nicole,

    Gosh, you really have made progress in the garden. The mud seems to have been replaced with a great place to sit outside. It is going to be a wonderful addition when complete.

    And, how cleverly you are adding touches of Autumn into your home. The street of houses above the coat hooks are such fun!

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  38. Loving the Halloween decorations!!! Very neat. I love my slow cooker on cooler days too, isn't it the most handy thing! Wishing you a very lovely week ahead, Nicole x

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  39. Such lovely colours there.We are still hanging on to a bit of sunshine and I haven't swapped my clothes over yet which really marks Autumn for me. Happy days! Jo x

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  40. Such fun decor!!! I just love your construction paper village; easy and it makes as big impact. I can't believe fall is here.

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  41. Your decor is just beautiful - homemade and otherwise. I especially love the vintage bird prints!

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  42. Hi Nicole - oh, you are just so creative and talented- I love all of your fall decorations! The Halloween village is so darn cute and the little wreath and slate hanging from the peg....charming. I love your plaid pillow and so cute that your son helped out with it! Your mantel is wonderful with the bird print (how perfect is the turkey for the season?) and your pretty touches - the wonderful dish full of pinecones and the pottery. Your backyard is coming along so nicely and I am in love with your big, spreading tree. It must give you some welcome shade in the heat of the summer. We are still very hot and dry here, but hoping for rain tomorrow. I am tired of watering....... Wishing you a lovely week - the soup and bread sound wonderful.. Hugs xo Karen

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  43. Oh, now I need to watch "High Society" :)

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  44. Okay, the paper houses are too stinkin' cute. I need to steal your idea and do it as an after school project with the kids.
    Do you just do the birds in prints, or plates too?

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  45. Aw, everything is so cute! You did such a great job on the "Halloween village" that you hung above the coat rack--it looks so adorable with the dainty little wreath hanging under it. You definitely have an eye for design and crafts! xx

    <(') Hoda | JooJoo Azad

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  46. I love your creativity! I adore the Halloween decorations, the houses look so realistic and fun :)

    www.writingmonique.com

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  47. Hi Nicole. I'm late again:( Your creativity is amazing and your back yard is really coming along! I love the shot from the window. I had no idea you had such a wonderful old tree there. It looks like you are getting ready for fall.....Happy Gardening, Sally x0

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  48. Nic, the haunted village is awesome! You are so creative! I love vintage bird prints as well. I'll check out where you got them. It has been in the triple digits in my bubble. It's horrible. I am looking forward to anything below 100! We cool down to the 90s...hehehe...brrrrr...xoxo Jen

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  49. Great music selection. I love jazz. I think it's the perfect cooking music! have a fab weekend :)

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  50. Nicole what a nice idea the halloween decoration! And the cushion is so nice!great job u did with your son!
    Www.mygenerouslife.blogspot.com

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  51. Seems like you're all set to greet fall.. great idea for halloween decor and even i have a thing for plaid:) the backyard construction is progressing quite well... love the view from your kitchen window.. have a great day!

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  52. That Halloween village is pretty groovy. :o) Hooray for a patio instead of mud. :o) Love the music - ALWAYS!

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  53. hello Nicole
    Bing and co was just lovely thank you! My parents loved those old recordings!
    It's lovely to see the Autumn decorating appearing on the blogs I visit!
    Your halloween houses are great and the sweet yellow garland.
    I'm a big fan of plaid too and it goes particularly well with autumn tonings.

    Your yard is looking a picture too!
    Have a happy and fun weekend.
    Hugs
    Shane

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  54. I love the fun construction paper and tape project with the haunted houses. It looks terrific and I bet the beans love it.
    I bet you will find that having a place to sit comfortably in the garden makes all the difference. We added a similar space this summer and find we use it constantly.

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  55. I love your decor and your garden !!!

    ~ Lu
    xx
    http://littlestepsbigheart.blogspot.com

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  56. Loving all the fall touches going on in your home! The black silhouettes are so whimsical and fun! What a great, budget-friendly idea!

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  57. I love the decor, and that song is my fav x

    cranberrydeer.com

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  58. Love your fall decor. It is so cute. Very pretty backyard too.

    Janet

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  59. Hi Nicole, I saw your comments on a few of my fav blogs and thought I would visit. I love fall and your haunted houses addition is wonderful. Your son should be proud of the plaid pillow. Looks great. I love your backyard and that great big tree. I live in GA and we are still pretty hot but we are seeing a few signs of fall. Nice to visit with you. Mildred

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  60. Very homey and cheerful! Makes me almost look forward to fall.

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  61. I love your Halloween village, it looks so good. x

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