Fall colors in Maine

I have a friend David that lives in Maine and these are some recent photo's of the changing of the leaves there.  Can you believe it!  These could be on a calendar!
He and his dad went from Southwest Harbor to Greenville, up to The Golden Road where American Loggers is filmed...east to Millinocket and Medway and then south to Bangor.
These colors are my absolute favorite to decorate with!  Makes a home come alive, feel rich, warm and inviting.
Breathtaking!!!   We think we are experiencing fall in Texas, ha!!!  Only our God could create something as beautiful as this!
  We'll be coming to visit you Dave!  Thanks for sharing your beauty with us!  We are feeling tremendously jealous of your surroundings!

Texas State Fair, Oprah and Fall Ideas

Yesterday we went to the State Fair of Texas with my dad.  It had been about 8 years since I had been there and we really enjoyed ourselves.  "Big Tex" welcomed us with his Texas "Howdy Folks, welcome to the State Fair of Texas."  One thing I didn't know is that Big Tex speaks Spanish!
Apparently Oprah thought it was a good day to go yesterday too.  We heard all about her visit on the news that morning.  She was taping one of her "live Friday" shows on the Chevrolet stage.  Not sure when it will air but it will be announced sometime soon.
The fairgrounds were beautiful.  Everything was spotless.  Flowers everywhere and everything was very clean. 
Fried Cookie Dough, fried oreos, fried Peaches & fried butter if you can believe that seemed to be the top food at the fair this year and it looks like Oprah had a taste.
Here are some of the highlights that caught my eye!
Farmer Mike The Pumpkin Carver
Can you believe this talent?
Look at the detail!
This one is incredible.
Clay Pot Spider by Paula Denise Lumley
Love this creative idea.  You could use LARGE pots and create a bigger spider to put in your front yard.
Another design by Paula Denise Lumley
These topiaries are at the entrance to the Park.  I'm sure they look awesome all lit up at night.
The kids rode rides, we had funnel cakes, cotton candy, ice cream and so much more.  Fun was had by all!
Kids heaven, especially when you are with your cousins and Oppa.
It so much fun spendiing time with family!!!  If you haven't done that in a while, do it...it's great therapy and brings much joy!


Roman Shades

My roman shades got installed this past week and it's been awesome to have them!  We have lots of windows in our living room overlooking our pool, which I LOVE and they are why we bought this house.  However, the glare on the TV is awful during the day. 
The problem is all fixed now, these rattan shades can be pulled down and they are lined with black out fabric so the light doesn't shine in.  They are hard to see in this picture because they are similar to the wall color.
Watched our first movie the other day and it feels like a theatre room!
My husband wasn't too thrilled about having these shades because he thought they would cover the top window.  I promised him they wouldn't and told him he needed to "trust me".  He did and I was right!  Yippee!
What do you think?

Pumpkin Tree's

I have a Facebook friend (Kristi Herring) that posted a picture of her pumpkin tree that she purchased today.

Of course, it caught my attention and I wanted to know where on earth she found this wonderful treasure.  She bought it at Central Market (of course) they always have wonderful unique items and their floral department is spectacular!!!!!  This is the ONLY place I purchase my fresh flowers now.  I love to pick the flowers I want to use for whatever client I'm working with or the party I'm having and put my arrangement together when I get home.  If you aren't into creating your own arrangement, they will help you select your flower's and will put it together for you while you shop. 

I did some quick research about the pumpkin tree:

This is a bit of a cheat because the pumpkin tree is hardly a tree and more of a smallish plant. Solanum is simply the botanical name for a group of specific plants.   This sub category is known as; Pumpkin Tree, Pumpkin on a Stick, Hmong Eggplant, and many others.

Florists use this for their fall arrangements and they’re also used in some Asian dishes like stir-frys.  Ornamental Eggplant is what they call it.

While carving is out of the question this is a great family plant. Kids love them! You and your family can learn how to grow your own little pumpkin trees from this place or that place.  Go to this website to find out how to grow your own.

I'm hiking myself over to central market tomorrow to see if I can buy some!!!  I won't be adventurous enough to grow my own.  I'll have to pass this on to my sister-in-law Rachel, she'd be the one to actually grow them in her backyard!
Supposedly they last about 3-4 weeks and cost about $12.00 a bundle.
What an splendid color splash this would add to any room!
Another quick note about Central Market
A couple weeks ago I sat next to one of the floral designer's for Central Market at one of my Chamber of Commerce Luncheon's.  She was telling me that the Southlake floral department does REALLY well and that weddings keep them extremely busy. They have amazing floral designer's that work behind the scenes for weddings, large events and private parties. 
They are really humming during any holiday season too. She said they recently did a wedding where she arrived with all the floral arrangements and started to set them up on each table.  The caterer that the bride hired for the wedding was confused when they say her apron that said "Central Market" and they asked her if she was also doing some of the catering?? She had to explain to them that Central Market does floral arrangements too and they weren't doing any food.  The caterer relaxed after her answer and had a sigh of relief.
 Often times, we forget that Central Market has an incredible floral department! They are unique, colorful, budget conscious and always have vibrant FRESH flowers and an incredible selection. 

To to this link to see Central Market's website.
It finally feels like fall in Texas, get your pumpkin trees out!

The broken chair

I found these incredible antique chairs today and couldn't pass them up.  They are very good quality and in terrific shape.  They look like they have just been re-upholstered. 

My husband is one that loves a sturdy chair!  He will get up on the chair and jump up and down just to make sure it is as strong as it looks.  I know the reason he does this and that's because about 20 years ago, we had a family incident while at the Thanksgiving dinner table with all of our family members (about 20 of us at that time).   My mother-in-law's chair totally gave out as she finished setting everything on the table and we were about to bow our heads for grace.  I remembering everything being in slow motion.  The chair wobbled, swayed to the left, then swayed to the right, then wobbled even more  and then.......she went tumbling to the floor.   I'll never forget the laughter and more laughter and THEN the complete SILENCE once everyone saw the look on her face.....and then the tears.....oh no....it wasn't a good good thing, it was  bad.  Of course she was tired from cooking all day and totally mortified!
Needless to say, my hubby and the rest of the family are chair tester's.  Every chair that is brought in this house is tested by him.   Each family member that visits tests the chairs.  It's crazy but true!
 I love the antique legs and the nail head trim around the edge.
The warm colors really grabbed me too!  I purchased both of them.  We are always entertaining at our house and I ALWAYS need seating.  I have a round table in my office (my husband gave it to me for mother's day a couple years ago after he and the girls refurbished it for me)  and I'm going to put the chairs with the seating arrangement that I have right now.  I bought this pillow while I was in Africa a couple trips ago and I LOVE it.  The chairs coordinate perfectly with the pillow.
Okay, do you see what I mean???  They are a perfect combination! 
You couldn't have passed them up either, could you??? Could you???  Even for $40????  Look how beautifully the woodwork goes with my antique couch.
Love when it's a good fit, beautiful, sturdy and a good price!  That's my kind of shopping.  If you are ever out and about and see a crazy blonde up on a chair, jumping up and down on it, don't worry, it's just me doing the "chair test."
Buy what YOU LOVE and go find a deal!
Ruthie