“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.” ~ Jim Bishop

Good morning!

Autumn arrived in the Pacific Northwest with all its gorgeous golden colors. The change of season seems like a fresh start...a time to clear the clutter in our homes, gardens, and our minds! It's a great time to enjoy the outdoors and observe the beautiful leaves falling from the trees.

Gather

Pumpkin harvest and outdoor decorating

Have you been introduced to millet? It is a green grassy plant and makes a wonderful outdoor decorating substitute for messy corn stalks.

It has gorgeous foxtail tassels and bright green leaves that rustle in the wind.

According to healthline.com, "Millet is a whole grain that's packed with protein, antioxidants, and nutrients. It may have numerous health benefits, such as helping lower your blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Plus, it's gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for people who have celiac disease or follow a gluten-free diet." .... who knew?

So...if you need a little inspiration for Fall decorating...browse the ornamental grass section of your local garden store. You might just find something that sparks your creativity!

Styling in the Barn

I took the pumpkins to the barn and enjoyed a day of "faffing". I highly recommend seasonal faffing (spending time doing a lot of things that are not important but bring you joy)...it is the perfect way to declutter your mind!

Did you know that candle holders can also be flower holders...

pumpkins can be made out of socks... You can find our tutorial here.

spaghetti squash can be used for table decorations...

vase can be filled with candles...

you can use kitchen linens to add a pop of color...

and it's okay to make a mess while you are creating!

Behind the scenes is messy business. Embrace it!

Things to do In Autumn

In The Garden

purple sweet peas...

tiny blooms…

covered in morning dew…

curly vines…

delicate flowers…

intriguing patterns…

with purple pods…

purple beans too!

In the Kitchen

Do you have an abundance of green tomatoes? Here are two recipes that you might enjoy.

Green Tomato Chutney from Simply Recipes

You can use ingredients from our pantry...dried cranberries made a good substitute for raisins. I also doubled the amount of chili pepper flakes to give it a kick!

Chutney is a perfect topper for aged cheddar cheese, ham sandwiches, or pork chops!

For full recipe and to read the rest of this article click here.