Fall is a time of renewal for me. Funny, you would think that traditionally, spring is a time of renewal, but for me it has always been the fall. I feel as if I "come alive" in the fall! My senses reawaken; I'm optimistic; I start new projects; I just feel happy and alive! So I have decided on three things this fall. 1. I will de-clutter my home and have lots of garage sales to recoup some of the money I've spent on "junk." Anything leftover will go to charity. 2. I will start my book. I've been wanting to write for quite some time and have two solid ideas for great story lines. I've been procrastinating long enough and have decided to stop the nonsense and just write! 3. I shall learn how to be a seasoned blogger and be able to easily change template themes, music, etc. on this blog spot to make this an amazing blog. Believe it or not, this is probably the hardest task of them all for me! I just can't seem to figure it out! Wish me luck!

Christmas Is Everywhere!

Wow! I have not blogged in a looooooong time! I think it was before Thanksgiving that I wrote my last blog. We've been very busy decorating for Christmas over here and will post pics of the final product soon! Just got all the porcelain dolls out to line the stairs and it looks amazing! The tree is up and almost fully decorated. The outside of the house is done! Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving Decorations

Put a few Thanksgiving decorations around the house today to further my anticipation of Turkey Day! I don't have much; just left out some leaf garland, orange lights, and plain pumpkins I had up for Halloween; then added my pilgrims and indians! I feel the need to spray some pumpkin scented air freshner! Think I'll go see if I have some! Ta ta for now my dears! :)

Thanksgiving Is Around The Corner!

As I sadly put away all my Halloween decorations yesterday, I thought about something that cheered me up quite a bit! Thanksgiving is around the corner! I love Thanksgiving! It is a holiday that, for me, represents the best of what "family" is about. Every Thanksgiving I look forward to spending quality time with my loved ones, eating great food, and taking part in traditions that truly warm my heart. One such tradition we have in my family is: My children and I cut pretty leaf shapes out of fall colored construction paper. Everyone must write what they are thankful for on one leaf. We each read our leaves after dinner and savor all the little blessings that we take for granted at other times of the year. Yes! I am looking towards Novemeber 24th with much excitement and anticipation!

There's A Little Witch In Every Woman...

I'm feeling rather "witchy" this fine month of October! A trip to Salem, a visit to a spooky Haunted House on the north shore, Halloween around the corner...yes, I'm feeling very witchy indeed! Seeing as how I'm not a real witch, I like to turn to my favorite movie, "Practical Magic" for inspiration! Salem, as you know, is full of real witches, and like the witches of "Practical Magic," they are quite creative! I was inspired by the beautiful spell candles and spell kits that abounded in Salem, so I thought I'd whip up some of my own "magic!" And I thought I'd put an "Aunt Jet and Aunt Frances" type spin on mine for extra enchantment!! I made one for a "love spell" and one for "Dia De Los Muertos!" So even though my spell candles are just for fun, perhaps, during this magical month of October, if you close you eyes, and REALLY REALLY believe, they just might bring you your wish! As Aunt Frances says..."There's a little witch in every woman!" So let your magic spark fly!

Salem was Spooktacular!

Our weekend in Salem was so much fun! I am now totally feeling in the Halloween mood! What a great way to kick off the holiday! :) We stayed at the lovely Salem Waterfront Hotel. I usually stay at The Hawthorne Hotel, so I was a bit skeptical about staying at a new place, but it was excellent! I would definitely book there again. Essex Street was super fun and crazy as it was the weekend before Halloween. Got to tour the House of Seven Gables again and brush up on my Hawthorne history. The one thing my daughter wanted more than anything was to meet Laurie Cabot, and it seems that it was meant to be! Our last day there, we had gone into her shop again, and she was just finished with a reading and opened her office door! My daughter was thrilled and Laurie was nice enough to say hi and have a conversation with her. A lovely person indeed!

Closet Cleaning And More

Was planning to do a bit more Halloween shopping today (one can never have enough orange lights!), but decided to stay around the house as I have lots of stuff to get done! I started cleaning out my little one's closet and today it must be finished! :) Was feeling rather crafty last night and decided to embellish a rhinestone tiara I had picked up somewhere. I had lots of buttons, trim, and such, left over from various other projects, so I figured I could make good use of them on my sparkly little friend. They ended up looking lovely and gave my tiara a look of fantastical whimsy that I absolutely adore! Here is the finished project:

My two lovely little fairy queens modeling my latest creation:

Love those girls to pieces! :) While I had all my supplies out, I thought it would be nice to finish up some pretty Halloween theme tags I had been making for some special gifts!

We are really getting into the Halloween spirit around here and with the weather starting to finally feel like fall, I am loving it! I've added some new Halloween themed music to my blog's song player in honor of the holiday! Enjoy and have a wonderfully autumn-tastical kind of day!! :)