Finding Joy in Fall Decorating (Part One: Outdoors)

 Hey there!  I am finally back and trying to blog once again.  There is a very serious reason for my absence. If you didn't catch my last post with the explanation, please read it here.  I probably will be referencing the struggles going on in my family as I write future posts so, the background story might be helpful to you moving forward.

As I try to make my way back to doing some of the "normal things" I did before the event of last June, I thought I would start with something I truly love to do, fall decorating.  Today we will focus on outdoor vignettes of a fall tableau at my home in Boxford, Massachusetts.

As many of you may know, I do not love the exterior paint colors of my home but, they were the ones we inherited when we purchased it almost three years ago.  We haven’t resolved to change the colors yet but the good thing is that in the fall these colors work very well for outdoor decorating.  The warm rustic colors of autumn blend in a great way with the terracotta and yellow paint colors, not so much for Christmas but I am running with it here in October.  Haha!

I try to add blue and purple whenever I can to add a pop of color that I really love.  The purple 

asters in the blue pots on the front step really did add that complementary color I was looking for.

I found a couple of old scarecrow picks in my fall stash and decided to use them here on the front step.  I knew they would not probably make it to see another season with the weather and all but, I figured what am I waiting for? They looked cute here so why not use them?

And for those of you who do not follow me on Instagram, you may not know that these are 

called Mac and Cheese pumpkins according to my 7-year-old grandson.  He informed me of 

this on one of his latest visits to my home. You learn something new every day!

On the side entrance to the home we have a wobbly lamppost that I flank with cornstalks each year, always hoping my husband will finally get around to replacing the lamppost.  (Not sure it is going to happen this year 😀)

I have been lucky enough to have some mums and dusty miller act as perennials at this location of Boxford, MA. That has been a big plus!  This saves me time and money each spring.  Wonderful!!! 

I have thrown everything but the kitchen sink at the side entrance.  I have kept the summer planter alive (somewhat), filled the other container with a huge mum.  I have used a wreath and a swag on the door and...

added pumpkins to the steps.

I also added a few small pumpkins to the window boxes on the shed in the back yard.

The window boxes were a little sad this year, but pumpkins gave them some respectability for the fall.

I thank you for stopping by considering how long I have been away. Thank you also for allowing me to show you parts of my life that I truly enjoy.  I hadn’t done any seasonal indoor decorating since May and marginal outdoor gardening, etc. since mid-June.  Everything stopped when my daughter received her cancer diagnosis.  However, as the months past and babysitting and other care was established, I found a small amount of time to pick up the home activities I had always done before and as I found out, really missed. They bring me joy and what is life without joy? It has been great spending a little time with you and sharing that part of my life. Hopefully, with time and opportunity permitting, I will be able to post about my indoor fall decorating too!  I purchase a new hutch for the kitchen and everything! can't wait to show you!

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