Several years ago, my friend Deena over at Can I Be Pretty In Pink ( and yes, she can ) started hosting an open house for all the seasons, so although miles separate most of our blog friendships, we can visit through pictures. So, here is where I spend my time. Here is where I nest, love, sleep, and make memories.

Welcome to my house. I love FALL. I don't like Halloween, witches, skeletons, RIP signs, ghosts, and scary masks. But, I do love pumpkins, scarecrows, fall colors, falling leaves, the smell of cider, the hope of a "soon" roaring fire, and the drop in temperature after a blazing summer. I love opening the windows for a breeze and caramel apples. I love the first real nip of cold air because that means soup.

This funny little guy guards my front door and keeps the little RED birdhouse safe. I never know when Mommy Wren is going to show up to raise a new family.



Scarecrows do NOT scare birds.

Do you see my LIZARD friend who stays on porch year round? He likes to hang around and watch every season change. I swear he is prehistoric. His favorite perch is these solar lights. He is watching me make his picture AGAIN. This summer his wife was with him for the portrait. Can you see him on the metal rod on the side of white post?

Come on in. Watch your step up there. Even after all these years I still fall in sometimes! Usually because I am admiring the pictures of my grandchildren on the wall!












This old window that sits up on the piano was off the farmhouse that my son in law's grandparents lived in for over 70 years. I like to think that his grandma Salas used to look out this same window!












I love pretty books to display.








I told you I like pumpkins. They are scattered and hidden everywhere. I wonder if I counted them how many I would have? I have some that are "not real" but they sure look it until you pick them up!




I haven't set the Thanksgiving table yet but I use all my emerald green glass dishes and glasses that are in the cupboard behind my table. I started collecting the green glass years ago and love to find new pieces. It works for all occasions. I love it at Christmas too with all the red. Even Easter bunnies look good on them! I like to use my special things instead of saving them for "something special". EVERYDAY is special! Get out that china, girlfriend!

If you want, you can sit in the kitchen and have a cup of hot apple cider. Or join me in a cup of coffee. I love to crank up the pot about 3 every afternoon. I inherited this trait from Mom and Dad.







I bet I could find something good to eat too.







It is still too hot in TEXAS to have a fire in the fireplace but until I can I keep candles burning in there. It's some kind of therapy for me.

Let me tell you that some good naps happen in this room!




I also love to collect OLD books and hymnals. I have quite a collection and some of them were actually my grandmothers and are in great condition. Some I have bought for myself and I am always looking for a new favorite one. I have a basket of really old hymn books. I thought I had made a picture of them but couldn't find it when I started looking!







Even the laundry room has to have a little fall. I spend ALOT of time in there. How in the world do 2 people have so much wash?











This old book was actually one of my own children's books. I am so glad that my mom saved things like this for us. I have several of my old story books. I guess it qualifies them as antiques. DON'T ANSWER that.

This is my side of the bed. It is always a peaceful place to end the day. See the alarm clock with all the letters off the around the alarm buttons? I haven't used that clock for "getting" up purposes for 2 years and I LOVE IT. I forgot how to set it. I try and always remember to blow out the candle on my side but it smells so good. It is the BEST candle ever and I stock up at this time of the year because Walmart only puts them out in the fall. They are seasonal, they say. For $ 5.00 and they last forever.






The smell just overtakes the house but it is not strong and overbearing. The first thing anyone says is, "your house smells so very.....CAN YOU SAY YUMMY..Everytime I go to Walmart I buy a candle to put away and save for summer when they are off the shelves and scents like this are gone.

Don't be afraid to drop by anytime because this sign says it all. Plus, I love to have guests.....even unexpected. Well, if it's after 10 AM!

Why does blogger scatter words and pictures everywhere? It should be easy to set something up and save it and it actually stays that way....grrrrrr.