The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.

Monday, September 24, 2012

In An Autumnal Garden. . .

Drawing close to the time of year
when "Mr. Ed" and I take our Annual Trout Fishing Trip
to Bennett Spring State Park!

I come to the garden alone. . .
while the dew is still on the roses,

Although "Mr. Ed" will tell you he goes for the Trout Fishing,
being in nature and total relaxation. . .


And the voice I hear
falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.

. . .and I might tell you I go for the creative design planning,
the shopping and being alone with "Mr. Ed".


And He walks with me,
And He talks with me. . .

Each year, we return for a time of rest and relaxation.
A time to draw closer to one another.
A time to draw closer to God.


And He tells me I am His own!

Seeking His direction and guidance in our lives.
No phone calls, no computers, no pre~determined schedules!


Oh, the JOY we share as we tarry there!
None other, has ever known.

Annual Trout Fishing Trip
to Bennett Spring State Park. . .
here we come!


Until next time. . .


Friday, September 21, 2012

Urning for Autumn...

Throughout the Land of Blog,
the theme of the past few weeks has been quite clear. . .
seems we're all yearning for Autumn 2012!!!



Desiring a bit more Traditional centerpiece
for the dining room On Crooked Creek,
I began to research my stack of Autumn magazines.




Wanting to use the acorn and leaf petite creamer and lidded sugar bowl with the newly purchased acorn salt and pepper shakers made me think of a recent post I had seen from Debra @ Common Ground. (Click on the link for that inspirational post.)


Purchased at Tuesday Morning
 during Annual Trout Fishing Trip to Bennett Spring!
 
 
Purchased at Cracker Barrel
during a recent Road Trip to
Hillsboro Arts & Crafts Fair!
 
Using my concrete urn,
I inserted a candle ring with berries, leaves, pumpkins and twigs!




Next,
to soften the hard scape of the urn,
I poked dried Spanish Moss around the perimeter of the candle wreath. Atop the wreath, I placed my ecru hued pumpkin tureen.





Placing all the centerpiece elements atop an intricate (faux) leather craft tray makes the entire centerpiece easier to remove for the addition of serving dishes during meal time!




A few faux silk leaves in similar hues
add a touch of Seasonal Autumn appeal!




Simplistic place setting completes
yet doesn't compete with the elegance of the centerpiece.






Viewed from the front or reverse. . .
I'm quite pleased with the outcome
of my  Autumnal urn centerpiece!




 On Crooked Creek,
I'm continually grateful to all the ladies in the Land of Blog
for all the wonderful inspirational ideas you so graciously share!!!


Until next time. . .

Dear Ones,
Your prayers have been greatly appreciated throughout the past week as I've been dealing with the heartbreak of losing my classmate, neighbor and friend. The journey back for his funeral, surrounded by the majority of our Class of 1970, friends, and of course, my ROCK..."Mr. Ed" helped to bring about closure. My faith is firmly grounded in Christ and prayers of many have, once again, seen me through! Many, many thanks!
Fondly,
Pat


www.bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com
On Crooked Creek is honored to be invited to join Berideen @ Berideen's Tea Time Blog for Open House! Thank you, Berideen, for the invitation...ladies, please stop in and say " hello" to Berideen!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Stepping Away . . .

Dear Ones,

I'll be stepping away for a few days. . .


Sunday morning,
 I received word that a classmate of mine has passed away.


Funeral services are pending,
so is my life. . .pending, while I cope with this loss.


I covet your prayers for the family
at this difficult time in their lives.




"For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
Ecclesiastes 3: 1~2
 

A time for stepping away.



Until next time. . .


Sunday, September 16, 2012

Lower Level Autumnal Decor. . .

Autumnal decor
in the lowel level Family Room
                       with a vintage Farmhouse appeal
                      On Crooked Creek!


For me. . .
the beginning is always atop the cabinets first. . .
and work your way down!!!


Next. . .
I start a left ~ to ~ right approach. . .
this allows proper placement of the larger decor items.




Once both sides are complete,
additional accessories are added to fill in any void places.




I implanted  Sunflowers,
after checking my berry and vine garland.
A few small pine cones from our Colorado travels
and a folk art gourd complete the left side.




Faux pumpkins in similar hues
sit atop wooden spools for visual interest!




Then,
before the final photo. . .
a quick nod of approval from the "Resident Decorator".




On Crooked Creek,
the Family Room on the lower level with a touch of
                             Autumnal decor!


Until next time. . .



On Crooked Creek will be joining our dear hostess, Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday! Be sure to visit and see the featured bloggers for amazing Autumnal decor ideas!!!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Happy Harvest Vignette!

On Crooked Creek,
the decor design element I enjoy creating most are vignettes!!!



Creating this Happy Harvest vignette
for Autumn was a bit challenging
in the fact that I didn't want to do Fall, just yet!



During our sweltering triple digit temperatures,
I kept the vignette cool and light with creamy ivory accessories.



After a clean sweep of the vintage sewing machine cabinet,
and a good polish,
it was now time to think of the upcoming Autumnal season.



An exchange of the table lamp,
brought this torchiere lamp from the lower level Family Room.



Adding the diamond pattern taffeta lamp shade,
continues the bronze hues throughout the living room
and cast a soft illuminating glow.



A celadon hued table runner
keeps this otherwise rich walnut cabinet from being weighted!



This vintage porcelain French couple,
each heavily laden with the fruits of their physical labors,
sets the Happy Harvest theme.



A crowning wrought iron tray fills the opposite side of the cabinet
and gives ample room for a tea set.



While the blue of this tea pot accentuates the harvest couple,
the Majolica tea set complements the color palette of the entire vignette creating a more cohesive display.



Petal configured bronze mercury glass votives complete this vignette. Aromatic, Havana votives from Archipelago Botanicals collection, give a spicy, tobacco fragrance ~ a likeness ~to the Autumnal air!



Comfy club chairs on either side of the vintage cabinet
are upholstered in a rust background with touches of bronze, burgundy, gold and sage trailing vine pattern throughout.



Luxurious brown velvet accent pillows link the elements of this seating area together!





Simply stated "Harvest Blessings" conveys the subtle message of the Season!



Cool Autumnal temperatures make this seating area
On Crooked Creek
the perfect spot to savor a cup of tea while enjoying a good read!



An Autumnal challenge


brings about a Seasonal change


and a Happy Harvest !




Until next time. .

www.stonegable.blogspot.com

On Crooked Creek will be joining our sweet hostess, Yvonne @ StoneGable for Tutorials Tips and Tidbits! Be sure to visit and pick up some amazing instructions, tips and ideas for your own home decor and projects!