Fall Florals - October Days

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

L.M. Montgomery, "Anne of Green Gables.

I've been searching for something different to add to my dried parsley sprigs 

now featured in the dining room/my office as an early Fall floral display.

Nothing remaining in the garden really worked.  

Last week at SuzAnna's Antiques I found these dark purple and chartreuse

 green faux sprigs. No idea what they are but grabbed them, brought them

 home and voila - perfect, just the look I was hoping for.

What's on your table these brilliant Autumn days?

SuzAnna's Antiques - still the best!

 

Lovely things for sale at SuzAnna's this week.

A much beloved place moved from the quirky Vintage Village last year.  

SuzAnna's Antiques, still owned by mother and daughter Susie and Jenny, 

is now a huge bricks and mortar store located in the small town of

 Rolesville. . . . . . a pleasant 30 minute country ride from north Raleigh.

On Monday, granddaughter Jasmin and I headed that way in still hot

 sunshine, passing green fields and front yards decorated with pumpkins

 galore - a lovely day to be out and about. . . . . . . and going somewhere

other than a grocery store!!!!!!

Yes, I purchased a few things, of course! Jasmin did too.

My favorite find was this hand painted on wood white pumpkin - looking 

perfect on my mantel.

These small velvet pumpkins caught my eye being royal blue and grey - and

 are now sitting on the perfect plate from Anthropologie.

Old books, who doesn't love them, and how useful they can be when wanting

a splash of your chosen color when styling a table, shelf or corner. This one is 

volume 25 of the 30 volumes of The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray,

printed in 1907.

A stunning set of framed stems from Nature - Jasmin and I both

loved these but decided as we couldn't really afford the whole set

so would leave it for another customer who could!

***************

I use to write a lot about this much-loved local place, the best place to

 shop for antiques and vintage. I enjoyed it so much I had a booth there

 myself, at first shared with my dear friend Vanessa ("Hi Vanessa" - in

 California now!), then we each had a space of our own. 

My granddaughter Jasmin enjoyed a part time job there from

 age 14 to 20 and 'learned the ropes' about decorating with beautiful things. 

  Life changes, Vanessa moved away, I started traveling more frequently

 and for longer times. I was not selling anymore but stopped by weekly on

 treasure hunting trips, and of course to visit with dear friends.

Life must go on and hopefully get back to normal.

The 'treasure hunting' trip on Monday was certainly a 

huge pick me up. Despite masks and distancing where 

possible, seeing old friends, catching up on news and

just being away from the house was awesome.

Off now to prepare for the aeration and seeding of the back 

garden area where a new lawn will hopefully grow!

Enjoy your day - get some fresh air - and welcome what is 

my favorite month, OCTOBER!

Front Porch company and pumpkin bread -

I've only purchased one new decorative item for Autumn this year -

this sign for the porch which says it all for me personally.

We were able to spend some fun 'porch time' on Saturday - first with

 our former neighbor April, who recently moved, when she visited late

 afternoon. Then, quite late into the evening, with our neighbor Bob from

 the other side who joined us after his 4.5 mile run, then shared a good

 bottle of Portuguese red and an impromptu supper of Italian baked 

eggplant Parmigiana, followed by an English sherry trifle I made

 earlier in the day. 

I love unplanned happenings such as that - lighting the candles as

 darkness arrived, good conversation, a drink, and an easy meal.

Do you enjoy pumpkin bread. . . . . . an Autumn bake many of us concoct

 from scratch or, much easier, a readymade mix?  For several years

 I've turned to Libby's mix to which you add just fresh eggs, oil and water.  

Libby's is known for their great canned pumpkin and this colorful box which

 makes two delicious 9"X5" loaves - and includes their awesome can of

 pumpkin - is the best. At $4.99 it's a great buy.

This year I stocked up early with several boxes as they disappear from the

 grocery shelves fast. I found them at Target and also at LIDL. 

I've already baked and shared a couple of loaves. They also freeze well so

 you can enjoy pumpkin bread all winter. . . . .along with hot chocolate or

 a cup of tea on a chilly day. . . . .I'm waiting for them!

Another week, hopefully a good one for all.