40 Fall Decorating Ideas

   

The Fall Girl 2014 Home Tour

     I think I have some of the most creative Fall Girl friends in the whole world!  When I asked you to share your Fall/Halloween decor, you totally showed up.

     Your homes and Fall decor are all so awesome and unique.  I love every single one of them!  And just to warn you, there's a really good chance I will be stealing some of these ideas for next year.  

     Now grab yourself a Pumpkin Spice Latte, sit back and enjoy the first annual "Fall Girl Home Tour".

Fall Girl Julie D.

Julie's witch is simply the most fashion forward witch I've ever laid eyes on! Even her raven got the Project Runway treatment with a pumpkin colored scarf.

How cute is this little black cat with it's adorable wind swept scarf?

I am so stealing the hag in a picture frame idea.

Fall Girl Paulette B. 

Paulette already had her first trick-or-treater . . . weeks ago!  I guess that's what you get with curb appeal like this.

Can you find Jack Skellington?



I love how Paulette carried her Halloween theme into the kitchen.

Fall Girl Lori M.

Lori made this wreath and it's insanely beautiful!  That's master level craftiness right there.  

Lori uses every inch of her fabulous build-ins to create a gorgeous display of Fall!

I'm really in love with this banner idea.

Fall Girl Julie G.

Julie uses nature's bounty, like dropped deer antlers and dried foliage, along with handmade pumpkins for her Fall piano top display.

Fall Girl Kristen N.

Kristen's Thankful Harvest theme is so beautiful and inviting.

These letter blocks are such a cute idea.

Simply stunning "Thankful Harvest" tablescapes!

Fall Girl Samantha Z.

Samantha utilizes outdoor lighting to create a colorful and spooky Halloween landscape.  You can bet I'd trick-or-treat at her house on Halloween.

Fall Girl Trish T.

From the banner, gold pumpkins, chunky candlesticks, and masquerade mask, Trish's entry table is eye candy to look at!  

Using a door sconce with fall foliage in lieu of a wreath is so unique and clever.  I love the chalkboard too.

I really like how the burlap repeats in the bows on the porch hangings and the handmade pillows on the bench.  

Fall Girl Kylie M.

Kylie M. is using my house to host a Halloween party.  She did an amazing job with the cobwebs and spiders.

Looks like it's time to call the exterminator.

 




She even transformed my side table.

Fall Girl Rene W.

After reading the blog, Rene was inspired to make-over her own Dollar Store pumpkin.  She upgraded her pumpkin by covering it in a ton of shiny beads.  She also hand-painted the skull.  

Me!

I love bird cages for decorating; pumpkins today, Christmas ornaments in December.

My homage to Nancy Drew.  She remains my very favorite literary heroine of all time!

 

Remember those dollar store pumpkins from my blog.  I picked up a few more and made these.  The Tiffany pumpkin was made to match my oldest daughter's room.  I made the gold and white one as a prototype for my Thanksgiving table.

My youngest daughter transformed her Dollar Store pumpkin into "Bob-O-Lantern".  (That's Jack's lesser known twin brother.)

     I hope you enjoyed browsing through the Home Tour as much as I enjoyed putting it together.  Thanks to all you Fall Girls who gave us a little glimpse into your autumn world!

Book Signing November 8th

They're here, they're here, they're here!

 

 

     The first shipment of my new book,

"Bible Stories for Little Ones", is here! 

 

 

 

They got here just in time for my first signing:

 

Saturday, November 8th
Mt. Shasta Mall - Center Court
Redding, California

 

Come visit me and check out the new title. 

I'll also have copies of:

 

 

 

And the Christopher Award winning:

 

I'm still waiting on confirmation of a time.  As soon as I know that, I'll re-post with the new information. 

 

I really hope to see you there!

(I'm just a little excited, can you tell?)

 



6 October Holidays You're Totally Missing Out On

 

"Mole" by Andi - Photo Courtesy of Flickr

 

 

World Vegetarian Day - October 1

    Remember when your Mom used to make you eat your vegetables?  World Vegetarian Day is an entire day designed specifically to re-enact that moment at the family dinner table.  Vegetarians everywhere are encouraged to educate meat-eaters of the world about the joy of picking escarole over escargot.  The fun doesn't end at midnight on October 1st though, the whole month of October is designated "Vegetarian Awareness Month."

 

Bald and Free Day - October 7

     Although documentation for this holiday is scarce (kind of like the hair on it's celebrants heads), it's widely accepted that "Bald and Free Day" is the day to celebrate the baldy, the chrome dome, the cue ball in your life.  And why shouldn't they be celebrated?  They're thrifty (money spent on hairspray every year = zero dollars), time conscious (time spent blow drying hair every day = zero minutes) and free to think deep thoughts (time spent thinking about new hairstyles = zero seconds).

 

National Moldy Cheese Day - October 9

     Food bloggers everywhere were quick to jump on the National Moldy Cheese Day bandwagon.  Before you go turning your nose up on this "ripe" holiday, perhaps you should know a little bit more about your moldy cheeses.  Technically, Blue Cheese, Gorgonzola and Brie all get their unique flavor from mold.  Lest you think this is a poor man's holiday, consider that a  pound of Gorau Glas blue cheese sells for upwards of $40/pound. 

 

International Skeptics Day - October 13 (maybe?)

     Skeptic /noun/ skep-tik:  a person who often questions or doubt things  (Merriam Webster).  Imagine this!  A whole day set aside to celebrate people who are doubtful about just about everything.  True skeptics doubt that this is even a real holiday and they doubt which day it's actually celebrated on.  If you DVR "Myth Busters" or have "Snopes" set as your home page, this could quite possibly be the holiday for you.  But I doubt it (and so do you).

 

 

National Mole Day - October 23

     I have many chemistry jokes.  I'm just afraid they won't get a good reaction.  National Mole Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated by chemistry buffs everywhere.  A holiday so nerdy, it's beginning and ending time (6:02 a.m. - 6:02 p.m.) and day (October 23 or 10/23) are actually part of honoring a concept known as Avogardo's number (6.02x1023), which defines the number of particles in one mole of substance.  We're talking base SI units here, people.  (By the way, researching this holiday made me feel more like "Penny", from the Big Bang Theory, than I ever imagined possible.) 

 

 

National Candy Corn Day  - October 30

   Loved by some, reviled by others, there doesn't seem to be a Fall candy more polarizing than the innocuous looking candy corn.  So let's make a day to celebrate it!  What is candy corn actually made of?  Here's a hint:  The top 3 ingredients are sugar. If you're tired of the classic "honey" flavored candy corn (even though "honey" comes in at #9 on a list of 12 ingredients), try some of these crazy new flavors on Candy Corn Day:  Caramel Macchiato, Caramel Apple, Apple Pie, S'mores, Green Apple or Carrot Cake.

 

What did you think of some of the zany, nerdy and downright questionable Fall holidays on this list?  Which holiday would you be most likely to celebrate?  Leave a comment in the box below and let us know!

 

 

 

 

Happy Sweetest Day! And Other Holidays You Never Knew Existed.

     How many holidays are there in the month of October?  I bet you all got Halloween and Columbus Day, but how many of you got "Moldy Cheese Day"?  Or "National Nut Day"?

 

     According to the website, "Holiday Insights", there are 67 holidays and special observances in the month of October. 

 

     I was alerted to my ignorance of obscure October holidays last week, when my super fun friend, Lori, handed me a gift bag and said exuberantly, "Happy Sweetest Day!"  I confess that I had no idea what she was talking about, but I am a girl who loves gifts so I was all too excited to open it up.   Inside were all the fixings to make Kenyan Chai Masala.  

         

 

Lori even threw in some "pumpkin spice" tea bags so I could tailor the chai to my specific tastes. 

Only the best friends know about your weird addictions.

 

   You may be asking, just what is Kenyan Chai Masala?

 

 

     "Chai" simply means "tea"; specifically, tea that's brewed with milk, spices and sweetener.  There are about a million spice blends used to make different flavored chai.  Lori discovered this recipe while on a missions trip to Kenya, Africa.

.

 

Lori's Linguistic Travel Tip: 

When traveling in other countries, never ask for "Chai Tea". 

Unless, of course, you enjoy being snickered at. 

Ordering Chai Tea is the equivalent of asking for "tea tea" or "milk milk". 

Just ask for chai, everyone will know what you mean. 

 

 

 

     Needless to say, I was so touched by such an unexpected gift, I had to find out more about the holiday that prompted it. 

 

 

I'm including this illustration because I'm pretty sure that this is exactly what Lori and I look like the vast majority of the time we're together.  Especially when there are gifts and holidays involved.

 

 



    

     "Sweetest Day" was invented by Herbert Kingston in 1922 and is celebrated on the third Saturday in October.  Mr. Kingston had a soft heart for orphans, shut-ins and people in need.  He wanted "Sweetest Day" to be a day to recognize those who are often overlooked.  He began giving small gifts and chocolates to the "sweetest" people he could find. 

 

     Today the tradition has broadened to include the tradition of giving gifts to anyone that you find "sweet".  (You can only imagine how honored I felt to be included on Lori's list.) 

 

     Now in the spirit of our fun friendship, I am on the prowl to find another obscure holiday to surprise Lori with this month.  Join me tomorrow as I explore some of the comical, lesser-known and downright bizarre holidays that befall the month of October.  You just might get an inspired idea to surprise one of your "sweetest" friends too.

Not Your Mama's Popcorn Ball

Halloween Popcorn

 

     When I was a kid, my Aunt Gail used to make popcorn balls.  My cousins and I would get so excited as we watched her scoop and mold the popcorn into crunchy little balls of goodness.  A few years ago, I decided to harness my inner Aunt Gail and make my kids popcorn balls for Halloween.

 

     I heated the candy syrup to what can only be described as "molten lava degrees", poured it over the popcorn and started making the balls.  Holy Melted Fingertips, Batman!  Aunt Gail's palms must have been made out of Teflon because I thought my hands were going to melt all over the popcorn. 

 

     Nothing says "Happy Halloween" like your Mom's melted finger in your popcorn ball.  And making them round was not easy either.  My kids don't know popcorn balls exist, they only know about popcorn lumps.

 

     I thought my days of making Halloween popcorn treats were over until I stumbled across this recipe.  It's fun, it's easy, it's super cute and it won't melt your hands off when you make it. 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

 

*1-2 bags microwave popcorn

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup candy corn

Halloween Sprinkles

1 teaspoon butter or shortening

 

*Use 1 bag of popcorn for a sweeter treat and 2 bags for a saltier treat

 

Directions:

 

1.  Pop popcorn according to package directions.  Open bag and pour popcorn out over wax paper.  Let cool.

 

2.  Place white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.  Add 1 teaspoon butter or shortening.  Microwave for 1 minute on 50% power.  Remove from microwave and stir until all chips are melted and smooth.

 

 

3.  Evenly drizzle melted white chocolate over the popcorn.

 

4.  Evenly distribute Halloween sprinkles and Candy Corn over popcorn.  Let cool for 30 minutes.

 

5.  Enjoy immediately or store in an air-tight container.

 

 

     Have you ever tried making a favorite food from your childhood only to be humbled by how incredibly difficult it is to make?  I think I'll drop my Aunt Gail a line and let her know how much I appreciate her making those popcorn balls.  :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White Pumpkin Pie Hot Cocoa

 

White Pumpkin Pie Hot Cocoa

 

     Remember a few years ago when there was all the controversy over whether it was a good idea to "sneak" vegetable into your kids' food without them knowing?  In one camp, Moms declared that veggies were so good for kids that if they refused to eat them outright, they should be pureed and snuck into their food anyway.  On the other side of the debate, were Moms who said that veggies were so good for kids that they should be taught to love vegetables, not just be tricked into eating them.

 

     Well, I've found a recipe to answer both sides of the debate and it's name is White Pumpkin Pie Hot Cocoa.  It's creamy, it's warm, it's full of pumpkin spice goodness and just look at all these healthy ingredients.  (Okay, so you're going to have to ignore the white chocolate chips for this illustration.)

 

 

 

     Do you see that measuring cup full of pumpkin puree?  That's straight up veggies in a cup right there:  7 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein and 763% of your daily allowance of Vitamin A.

 

 

     And we're not going to lie to the kids about the fact that it's in there, we're going to embrace the pumpkin and throw in the word "pie" after it, you know, just in case they get suspicious.  Oh, and we're also going to add some white chocolate chips for camouflage, like so:  

 

Ingredients:

 

3 cups 1% milk

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ginger

1/8 teaspoon cloves

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

 

 

     Mix all ingredients, except white chocolate chips, in a medium saucepan over medium heat. 

 

     When pumpkin mixture begins to simmer (just before it gets to the boiling point), remove the saucepan from heat and add white chocolate chips. 

 

     Stir or whisk until chips are melted and spices are incorporated.

 

     Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle of cinnamon.  I also like to add a cinnamon stirring stick.



 

 

     When my 10-year old had her first sip of White Pumpkin Pie Hot Cocoa, she breathed a giant sigh of satisfaction and said happily, "This tastes like Fall!"  She's right, and I think she just might be a Fall Girl.

 

     How do you get your kids to eat their veggies?  Are you a veggie sneaker or a veggie embracer?  Leave a comment below and let me know.

 

 

 

6 Reasons to Avoid Disneyland In The Fall

 

 

1.  You Suffer From Cucerbitophobia:  Cucerbitophobia is the fear of squash, melons and gourds, including pumpkins.  If this is your phobia, you'll want to stay far away from Disneyland during the Fall season.  Mickey and Minnie shaped pumpkins loom over the gateway as you enter the park and more than 300 unique, hand-carved, pumpkins decorate Main Street. 

 

 

 

 

2.  Space Mountain Terrifies You Enough Already:  The "Imagineers" at Disney kick the spooky factor of Space Mountain up a notch for Halloween by turning it into Ghost Galaxy.  Now instead of flying through the pitch-black darkness of space, you speed though the pitch-black darkness of haunted space.  Ghosts and freaky red-eyed things flit about and pop out when you least expect them.  A fiery-faced spectacle ends the ride with a haunting laugh that will linger in your dreams nightmares forever.  

 

3.  The Smell of Gingerbread Nauseates You:  The Haunted Mansion gets an elaborate re-make for the Halloween season as Jack Skellington takes over this classic Disney ride.  You're transported into the realm of Halloween Town as the story of the Pumpkin King unfolds throughout the mansion, ending in a poof of scented gingerbread in the dance hall.  If you're lucky, you might even run into Jack and Sally.

 

 

4.  You're Going To Be Heart-Broken If You Don't Get A Picture With Classically Dressed Disney Characters:  Halloween is a time for costumes and dress-up fun and the classic Disney characters are no exception.  Mickey and Minnie are resplendent in purple and orange formal attire (including a purple top hat for Mickey) and Pluto can be seen walking around like a skeleton.  Even Donald Duck gets in on the fun, spending his days masquerading as a jack-o-lantern.

 

 

5.  Disney Villains Make Your Skin Crawl:  Disney villains reign supreme during the Fall season at Disneyland.  Find the seldom seen Cruella DeVille, Maleficent, Big Bad Wolf and Hades along with classic villains, Captain Hook, Storm Troopers and the Evil Queen.  Don't be surprised that when you interact with these characters, they keep their villainous demeanor. Cruella might even offer you candy in exchange for a puppy.

 

6.  You Abhor Unique, Once-A-Year Disney Treats:  Even the treats at Disneyland get dressed up for the Fall season.  You'll find a varied assortment of Halloween themed caramel apples including Minnie Mouse, Jack Skellington and the Space Mountain Ghoul.  Stroll through downtown Disney while you munch on Mickey-shaped pumpkin beignets, pumpkin pie and of course, pumpkin fudge.

 

    

This is me dreaming of going to Disneyland in the Fall.

 

In case you couldn't guess, none of these reasons are enough to make me not want to go to Disneyland in the Fall.  

 

 

 

     Personally, I think Disneyland in the Fall is one of the best times of the year to visit the magical kingdom.  Temperatures are typically cooler, lines are a little shorter and there are pumpkins, candy corn and special treats everywhere!

     Have you ever been to Disneyland during Halloween?  What were some of your favorite things?  Leave a comment in the box below and let me know.



The Perfect Apple Cider