Keep Yourselves From Idols...

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given 

us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.

And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. 

He is the true God and eternal life.   

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols

I John 5:20-21 

Found resting in a field - awaiting the next day's work crew

 There are many things which can be idols for us.

Let us each take inventory of our lives to determine

what could be there that God might see as an idol.

Fall Door Decor...

Wreaths are often too thick for my front door (there is a 

glass storm door in front) - they're also predictable.

   So this year I threw together a few things I found

 in my 'Fall' box... a few ears of Indian corn, 

some faux mums and a twine bow.

 

Works for me...

Total cost this year - $0 - pieces were gathered over time...

Fall Vignettes...

It's Wednesday - and that usually means 'thrift shop day' 

for me.  So once again - I tweaked those dress rack vignettes.

 The paisley tote in the back of this first vignette was

 my inspiration for this grouping.  Twas a great looking bag in
 a stash of other 'ugly' totes that was completely unappreciated...

 The orange bouquet below is left over from last week -

hope it sells soon (I don't care for it).

 And this pillow has great fall colors but is rather 'dated'.

But as a seasonal accent - it's not bad at all.

 Last, this vignette is one I spotted at the antique mall

 where I sell.  I didn't do it - but I love it!

 

You'd think I'd be busy putting out 'Fall' at home.

  But not yet... Can you do Fall with a rose colored

 living room?  We'll see...

Pumpkins & Christmas Greens...

Yep - you read that right!  Spotted this lovely and super easy

pumpkin scape and had to share it with you...

It's nothing more than a Cinderella pumpkin on top of greens

 and berries.  And those are evergreens at that.  Who knew?  

This would work in a planter - as shown here - or a birdbath.

What super easy pumpkin ideas do you have?

Fall Finds....

I'm sharing a few of the finds from my fun weekend

 of estate and garage sale shopping.  

Little crocheted dress hotpads and gloves?  Oh yeah!

 The prim house is actually 3 stacking or nesting houses.

  Not old - but certainly fun - for Fall or Christmas!

Love church hymnal racks...

 Faux roses that are amazingly real looking - 

25 cents for the whole lot.  I kind of like them with the 

primitive candle & tin that cost me a whole 37 cents.

I'm not sure how to best utilize this towel rack -  

(I'm assuming that's what it is).  Any ideas?  

Great tablecloth too - just 50 cents for all that openwork!

 The old wood oval picture frame was just - well - pennies!   

(yeah, I know - I couldn't believe it either.)

  I like it with the addition of some sheet music.

Just sweet detailing!

I've listed a few of these things on eBay if you're interested.

Standing Out...

'Stand for something - or you'll fall for anything'.

 Have you heard this phrase? There is great truth in it 

I believe.  Much of my life reflects this thought.

But be prepared - 'standing' may mean 'standing out'...

...it may mean being 'unpopular'.  It may mean experiencing some persecution.

Am I suggesting that you 'stand'? Absolutely!!!
And know this - you'll not be 'standing alone'.

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.

As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you 

out of the world.   That is why the world hates you. 

  Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’  
If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.

John 15:19-20a 

My Estate & Garage Sale Morning...

I had just a perfect Fall morning and had to share it with you 

in pictures.  First up - and this is a bit unusual in my area - 

 I attended a great outdoor estate sale.  A dear woman 

was downsizing and she was a collector of all things old!

 

  I'll share what I scored at this sale in another post.

 Next - I went down the road to a little village having

 yard sales - and look what crossed in front of me...

The neighborhood turkey flock

There was a garage &  barn sale at this farm house -

 a favorite stop in my morning.

As I was shopping among the linens - I was startled

 by this sweet thing... just a honey pie she was!

 The grounds to the farm house were amazing but I

 didn't have the nerve to ask to stroll and take 

pictures.  I did shoot the picnic tables though...

The goats got a little snack of watermelon rind 

while I was there.

 Ok - the chickens too...

Home again - my next door neighbor was having a sale.  

(Yep - found more goodies!)  Still inspired by the picnic tables - 

I asked if I could have some Goldenrod in her wooded driveway...

I'd say this was just about  a perfect morning!

  

Do you have this much fun when you go to yard sales?

Autumn On The Porch...

Yesterday - a dear friend brought me a gift (thank you!) 

- 3 small pumpkins and a mum.   Timing was perfect

 to create some needed front porch decor.

 

First up - I placed the 'generic greenhouse' black pot into 

a pretty yellow pot that I saved from somewhere - much better!

 While scouring for the the yellow planter - I noticed the 

wooden barrel that I brought home from my booth last week.  

I was already planning to do a galvanized tub display

 - inspired by this blog post.  But I needed something

 to put the plant on... the barrel will work fine.

 I planned to fill the the tub with pumpkins.  Volunteer pumpkins have been growing in my flower bed.   

(LOVE that they're free - but did have to tolerate an unplanned messy flower bed ALL season!)  

But I do not have enough to fill my tub yet - so filler was required.  

See the peek of green below?  They are large faux

 evergreen Christmas balls and they'll work just great.

Some pinecones (the BIG ones - forget what they're called) also help 

fill my tub.  It pays to save stuff! I use these at Christmas too. 

You can't beat the detail of this beauty.

A Fall topiary in a tub?  Has a bit more presence than I 

was originally thinking & might be seen better from the road.  

And those light colored pumpkins?  Butternut squash!  

They make the best pumpkin pie ever!

Autumn In the Cupboard...

I'm not sure why I'm doing this post...  It's just too
 simple... but here goes...

I have one glass front cabinet in my kitchen.  Too add a bit 

of Fall - I simply tucked faux grapes among the pretty dishes.

 I've sorta had a 'thing' for grapes over the years -

 they appear in my wallpaper border.  It's past time to get 

rid of that border - but in the meantime I'll work with it.

 

 Doesn't really look like I did anything...

So I'll just consider it 'storage' for all those grapes I have.

And if they end up staying past Fall - no harm done!

Courtyard Sale...

So - I did a courtyard sale.   Sales weren't fabulous - 

the turnout could have been better.  But it was a

great day for renewing interest in the mall!  

Now let me show you what was fabulous!

 

On the antique mall grounds (once a farm - the courtyard 

was the barnyard) - stands this old summer house.  

It was moved to the property by truck years ago.   

At one point - the mall owner had a cafe in the building - 

but it's been closed for many years.  She reopened it to hold 

free seminars.  The decor inside is amazing - just amazing!!! 

 Everything was done by the mall owner herself... 

Chairs ready for the seminars

Wall art!

This bouquet is huge!!

This was right behind the speaker's - nice backdrop!

And before we close - a few pictures of our stands...

  

 Bella Rosa Antiques was also there. Her hubby helped with set up.

Loved my day in the courtyard...

Again - if ever in the Hershey, PA area - check us out - Ziegler's in the Country!

He Increases Strength...

Many of us live with hurts in our lives.  Things we pray for 

continually but that just seem to remain in a stagnant state 

for whatever reason.  The desire to pray any more about the

same old thing - or to rise above the circumstances

 and be joyful in the midst of tears - well it seems impossible.  

I know - I've been there - I AM there...you're not alone.  

taken on a recent hike

But my sweet Jesus - does not leave us comfortless.

  After a new discouragement last evening, 

this verse happened to be part of my morning devotions...

And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.  

I Chron.29:12b

 ...and then in Sunday School I was asked to read:

 The Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints

nor is weary.  His understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the weak, and to those

who have no might He increases strength.

Isaiah 40:28b-29

I love it when Jesus goes to the extra effort to share a promise.  

Do you, too, feel weary and tired of the 'battle'?

Choose to trust that there is strength to go on -

from Him whose hand it is to make great!

Courtyard Sale...Before...

Today I have the privilege of being part of a 25 year

 celebration for the antique mall where I sell -

 Ziegler's In The Country.   Just some pictures for you

 today before I run out the door.  Pictures of the

 beautiful courtyard in the making.  

If you're anywhere nearby - please come!  

(details are in the link)

 These last few are of a bouquet in the making by 

our master gardener (& another dealer in the mall) - Ronn.

 I'm telling you - if you don't come - you're crazy.  There will be free door prizes every hour - and they are great prizes!  And free seminars! Come say hi!