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Good Monday morning friends, how was your weekend? Did you have a lot of trick or treaters? What did you dress as? We didn’t attended any parties this year so I did not have a fun Halloween costume, I did however see some really great ones in my neighborhood and on Instagram. There are so many creative people, I particularly enjoy when families pick a theme, like Harry Potter or Scooby Doo and everyone in the family dresses as a character.
We did not have any trick or treaters at the house. Our neighborhood doesn’t have streetlights and it is very dark so they only allow trick or treating on two long streets that end in cul du sacs; anyone that wants to drive their golf cart to the cut du sac to hand out candy is welcome to.
Aside from that the weekend was busy hanging light fixtures, or should I say helping my husband hang the light fixtures. A few of the pieces we ordered arrived this week. Originally I had another pair of sconces picked out but they are backordered and one sconce is about 3 times the price of this pair. I got tired of waiting so I ordered this pair (as a place holder)and they arrived in 2 days. They are very well made and priced that I decided to cancel my original order. I am going to change the shades but they work for now. Slowly but surely the little things are getting done, the major projects as I have mentioned or not on the calendar until April or May.
We also did a little clean up in the yard from all of the wind and storms this week, we must have picked up 500 pinecones. Did I mention that our house, actually the entire neighborhood and village is filled with Longleaf pines? The U.S Forest Service was here two weeks ago inspecting all of our trees to see if they are healthy and if not letting us know what to do about them. Longleaf pines have a very interesting history, “out of the 92 million acres of pines that were spread over 1,200 miles in the American Southeast two centuries ago, only roughly 2 million are left, or 2.2% of the original forests.” Source Here.
I made a pinecone wreath, it is my first diy project for Christmas and I am so excited because I have never made a wreath before. Ironically I did not use any of the pinecones from my yard, I had to forage them elsewhere. I will share the tutorial with you later this week, it is so easy you are going to want to make one yourself.
I have all of my Christmas buckets piled up in the garage, my Christmas recipes sorted and my “Countdown to Christmas” list ready. I realize it is November 1st but I have a lot going on over the next two months and lots of visitors and I need to be organized to be ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Over the next few weeks I am going to share a few DIY projects I am making with all of my pinecones, as well as some homemade Christmas/holiday food gifts that you might want to gift to family and friends. I will also be sharing some gift guides for the men, women, children, bakers, book lovers, travelers, etc in your life. That said, I will not be bombarding you with them, in fact I might just add them to my “pages” and then direct you there. I will be sharing mostly the things I personally own or will be purchasing, once in awhile I might include an item from “my wish list.”
Last but not least I will continue to share my baking exploits and Friday Favorites as well. If there is anything you would like me to post about let me know and I will do my best.
How was your weekend? What did you do? Will you be decorating for Christmas earlier than normal? What about your Christmas shopping? Have you made any Christmas purchases yet?
I hope that you have a great week!
Monday Musings No. 64
Monday Musings No. 63
Monday Musings No. 62
Happiness Report No. 23
Love those sconces ! Would love to see them up!
Thank you, it is a little hard to photograph the room because it is very dark anyway and it is painted dark blue. I will see what I can do. Have a great day Jennifer.
I HAD FIVE TRICK OR TREATERS……….BETTER THAN NONE which is the NORM THESE YEARS………
I DONed a few items as I did not want to appear scary to the new little ones in MY NEIGHBORHOOD!
SEE ME ON INSTAGRAM!
I can’t wait to see your pinecone wreath!
Paula it is the easiest thing I have ever made.
Aren’t you so glad you’re in your new home for the holidays? Now I’m expecting some holiday decorating photos on your blog!
Brenda
Brenda, I love the new house but there is so much that is not finished it is going to be a bit go a challenge to decorate. But that is ok I will do my best. Have a fabulous week my friend.
Looking forward to all your holiday goodness, Elizabeth! Happy Monday and Happy November! xo
Thank you Juliet! I cannot wait to see what you are up to!
I plan on decorating for the holidays close to Thanksgiving. I find if I do it to early I’m ready to take it down the day after Christmas and I love to keep it up until New Years. I also have a retail shop and we have to decorate early so maybe that’s my issue. Live fall colors and warm cozy so enjoying that for now. Look forward to your posts.
Lorrie, I think that it is probably best to decorate at home later especially if you get to enjoy the beauty of your shop! I keep my Christmas things up until January 6th, the Feast of the Three Kings. Which is actually the 12th day of Christmas.
Clean and preserve those pinecones. Remember I shared how to easily.
I would love to be surrounded by those pinecones. Such a gift from nature.
Happy you’re making progress on the house too.
I am making a pinecone wreath too.
Hi Cindy, I shared an easy way to do it last year too. Popped them in the oven and cooked off the bugs. I am looking forward to seeing your wreath!
My Halloween passed quietly.
That is a good thing, no tricks. Have a great week William.
Elizabeth,
I love the sconces and I think they look much more expensive than they are. I’ve saved them on my Amazon list. I’m moving later this month into a fixer. I’m excited but impatient and hope to get the go-ahead the week before Thanksgiving. It will be fun to plan and work on the things that are most in need. I’m happy to be following you since I believe I’ll get some great ideas and inspiration along the way.
xo,
Karen
Karen, congratulations on the move! I am looking forward to hearing more about your new fixer upper. The sconces are beautiful and very well made, I think you will like them if you get a pair. I have a kitchen and three bathrooms to go so I am happy to share any lessons, etc. Have a great week.
Love the pretty sconces!
Pinecones are a favorite holiday theme. There are hilarious videos online of squirrels harvesting them, picking, throwing them on the ground. I saw a video on Island Musings blog.
May, I will have to save my pumpkins for the squirrels, I have had mine on the porch for weeks and no one even tried to eat them. Perhaps they were not hungry enough? Have a wonderful day!