A Case For Pumpkins

When I asked for Thanksgiving and Fall decorating suggestions on this post, I received a mixed bag of reactions.  Some emailed me offline a few ideas they had fine, a couple tweeted me, and a few said "why bother?"  I have to admit that for a few minutes I thought to myself, "why do I bother?"  I do have enough stress in my life right now to keep me company (and if you don't believe me, you should see the cold sore I have on my lip the size of Texas; a tell-tale sign that I'm stressed).  The thought process behind not decorating seemed to make a lot more sense than decorating.

I even got into a philosophical discussion with Miranda on Friday night over a glass of wine on why I feel the need to decorate.  Words like crazy and people-pleaser were thrown around, I assure you all in a loving way.  I  actually spent quite a bit of time thinking about the "Why", because besides being a worry-wart, control freak and overachiever, I also think things into oblivion and beat them with a dead horse.  So before I do that and beat this topic with a dead horse, I will just say this.  For whatever reason, decorating for holidays actually makes me less stressed.  Much like a clean house, an organized closet, or a well cooked meal would make some women less stressed.  Coming home to a warm house with reminders of good things to come, relieves stress for me.

So after a trip to Moskatel's on my lunch hour last week, I brought home a few goodies and my trusty side kick, Taylor, helped me change over the seasons.  And while I know my decor will never be featuerd in a magazine, I love it just the same and it fits our family just perfectly.  A mixture of handmade items, fresh flowers, somethings old and somethings new.

We started with this Give Thanks banner I found here.

 We used food items we already had in the house including wild rice, couscous, quinoa, polenta and split peas.  I cut out the paper and traced the letter in glue and then Taylor did all the rest.  She really had a good time doing this project.

The mini pumpkins are from Trader Joe's and I stuck them, and the mums below in my apothecary jars without the lids.

 I saw these birch branches at Moskatel's and instantly thought of our buffet.  I added some votive holders, mini pumpkins and some moss.  Aren't I regal with my buffet?

 I love this little owl candle holder my mom picked up for me at Marshall's. 

So there you have it.  Nothing crazy or overboard.  Nothing that spent hours and hours to do.  Simple, warm, perfectly us.  I love it and without a doubt, was worth the effort for me.

Why do you decorate?