This week post is full of pumpkin ideas, I do hope you enjoy the read…
“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall” said Oscar Wilde and this week has certainly felt just like that to me. I’m usually one of those types who hopes for an Indian summer and sometimes we get just that. This year however was a little different and I wondered why I found myself wishing for autumn to make an appearance. After all this season brings rain and cold and artificial heating and I’ve no desire for any of that. Yet of course autumn brings so much more and today I have many autumnal pleasures to share with you over on the blog…
We moved into our home last winter so our little family has enjoyed a first Christmas with cosy log burners and close friends. For me springtime with its lighter evenings and gardens bursting into life is always special. And who doesn’t enjoy warm summer days filled with lazy al fresco meals and a slower pace in life. Yet it is autumn for me which has something more to offer. When that switch to a cooler season happens, I am so much more comfortable; glad to see soft jumpers, jeans and long boots again. Happy to retreat to the kitchen making delicious crumbles and soups and I positively delight in turning our home into a cosy, welcoming place to be.
This year I began with pumpkin ideas. Not too many, just a few. Tiny details make people look closer and appreciate more. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of orange generally, although who could walk away from these little beauties I found at a well-known supermarket?
I played around with a few ideas…
and used these beautiful velvet and tweed handmade treasures, bought last year at a local brocante with a vintage garden sieve…oh yes and another pop of orange…
Then this wooden box, gifted to me a little while back by a dear friend, gave me several hours of playtime trying out new pumpkin ideas. I settled on a rustic book shelf for my treasured old books; regular readers will know I often use books for decoration around the home.
And when this look wasn’t quite what I hoped for, I moved my new rustic shelf to my sitting room sideboard and softened the scheme with accent lighting and fresh garden pickings. This beautiful shiny pumpkin came into my life after Little Miss went shopping recently…she knows what I like. A recent post of this photo on my Instagram account caused a lovely French follower to comment, “Superbe citrouille!”
Next it was time to spruce up the front porch. Nature provided huge pine cones to sit alongside more mini pumpkins. These pine cones were in the fire’s hearth when we moved in. I’m not sure how old they are; rustic vintage decor themselves. Mr M filled up the log crates in anticipation of warm cosy evenings and I eagerly unwrapped several rustic pumpkins bought in a sale at the end of last autumn and squirreled away for a year, waiting for their day. And by adding candles, nothing too elaborate or expensive, I’ve simply reinvented old favourites in a new space.
When I try to determine what it is autumn brings which makes me smile, the list is endless. It’s the welcome taste of hot chocolate enjoyed outdoors on a chilly and sunny day with a girlfriend. And the feel of cosy jumpers and warm blankets to snuggle under by the log fire. I love the sound of crunching leaves on weekend walks with Mr M and The Spotty One. And so much more. Memories of my own children, grown ups themselves now, collecting leaves and acorns to take home and turn into a beautiful collage.
I conclude for me it is a season where my senses are working overtime. A season to close the door on natures warmth and create my own. To see colours change within decor, both inside and out. Clearly orange is not so bad after all. Whatever autumn is, it makes me smile and I hope it does the same for you. Thank you for stopping by this week and reading this post. I’ve had such an overwhelming response to this newish blog of mine in the past few weeks and it is truly wonderful to know so many of you are enjoying Whitewood and Linen. Thank you… and if you have just a spare minute or two, I’d love to know what it is you love about this special time of year. Until next week…
Hi Abbie, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the blog! You must have more than enough reading to do so thank you for reading my posts and for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment. Hope all is well with you, lots of love xx
Love the post Helen, the contrast of the orange pumpkins next to the rustic surroundings is gorgeous, Autumn is a season i also look forward to. Can’t wait for the next post!
Never heard of that one will have to give that a try!x
Aww thank you, although not so sure about the quality of my photos!! I’ve promised myself a lesson on how to use hubby’s camera and see if that makes a difference, its just finding the time in our hectic lives. I’ve just finished reading your rose blog (lovely photos) Years ago I used to microwave my roses for a couple of seconds to dry them, although they do make the microwave smell a bit odd!! I haven’t done it for a very long time as we don’t own a microwave now. Have a lovely week Xx
Aww Karen, thank you for joining in with my blog! Love having you around…life must be so exciting with your beautiful new addition..loving the photos on Instagram!x
Lovely read as always Helen. My favourite time of year is autumn. The crisp leaves, dog walks and a house full of candles and Sunday lunches. Can’t wait for the kitchen to be fitted and our weekends full of family, our precious baby and my little man Walt Xx
Glad you liked this weeks post Little Miss!…guess it’s time for a Sunday roast then!x
What a happy, inspiring post to brighten up these chilly days!!…..my favourite bit of Autumn?…it has to be my Mum’s roast dinners x