Sci Fi Sunday at the Pod Farm

The first weekend in October is the annual North Hills Pottery Tour here. A number of artists at four locations north of the city display their wonderful creations, serve up some great homemade soups, pizza, desserts and wine against a backdrop of local music and the gorgeous colors of autumn in the countryside.

We take part in this event nearly every year. The range of pottery styles on this tour is as diverse and colorful as the autumn landscape. The tour atmosphere is delightful, the artists accessible and friendly and the drive beautiful.

One of the more whimsical pottery collections draws guests' imaginations into the world of aliens and pod people.

Hope you enjoy this photographic tour of the Pod Farm.

Emerging from the Land of Pod, the view is distinctly more earthly. But just as wondrous.

Make it a great day!

Linking to:

Our World Tuesday
What's It Wednesday
Outdoor Wednesday

Turn Over a New Leaf

One of the things I've looked forward to the past few years is decorating with leaves in the fall. I know--kind of a well, duh, moment, isn't it?

There are some very nice artificial leaves and leaf garlands on the market today. In fact, I use some of those. But, I'm talking about also decorating with real leaves from the trees in my yard and neighborhood. You can see dozens of those leaves in my leaf box above.

I've only just begun my fall decorating, but I have incorporated dried and pressed leaves into a few of the spots I've worked on.

It's easy to create a collection of pressed leaves. I select the ones I want from the yard, place each on a sheet of wax paper that I fold over to cover both sides of the leaf. Then I place it in a heavy book and stack other books on top. Drying takes two to three weeks to ensure the leaves don't curl when removed from the press.

As you can see, this method even preserves much of the original color of the leaves. The Japanese maple and the aristocrat pear are most colorful in my yard. But, I like the sturdy shape and the steady nut brown of the bur oak. The color of the various types maple leaves runs the gamut. You can even preserve green leaves.

My other favorite leaves are those on my Franciscan Autumn stoneware. The colors are autumn-like with a touch of whimsy. The bluish leaves create a sense of fun. And, the windy flourishes sweep me away.

Can't wait to see what nature gives me to add to my collection this fall.

Make it a great day!

Linking to:

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense
Saturday Spotlight at Classy Clutter
Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things
Wildly Original Bewitching Fall Linky
Cure for the Common Monday at Lines Across
All-Star Block Party
You're Gonna Love It
Rednesday

Sprinkling o' the Green

Our family is Irish. Well, about half Irish. Strange, but true: my husband is half Irish and half Danish. And, so am I. I was born with an Irish surname and I've married into an Irish surname. I went from having a more rare Irish name to having one of the most common. In Ireland, you can't swing a pot o' gold without whacking someone with our surname in the head.

Even though we're Irish, I don't decorate for St. Patrick's Day. But anyone who steps into our home for the first time around this time of year might think I honor the saint by bringing out all things green. Truth is, green is my favorite color. Colleagues at work joke that I wear green every day. Friends and family know that if they want to pick up a small gift for me, they're always safe with the color green. 

So, since St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, I thought I'd feature some of the green I've sprinkled around--simply because I love the color.

Yes, it's a green day.

Make it a great day!

Linking to:

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday
Share the Love at Very Merry Vintage Style
Vintage Thingie Thursday at The Coloradolady
Hone Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

An Eclectic Mix

You still have time to enter my 100-followers giveaway.

The winner will receive this one-of-a-kind ephemera-filled journal featuring vintage and found paper goods I've rescued from estate sales, garage sales, thrift stores and the trash bin. 

The cover of this pretty book is salvaged from a 1954 Reader's Digest condensed book and is embellished with a wonderful French soap graphic from The Graphics Fairy.

 The lucky winner will also find some fun surprises inside.

Enter to win here. 

Giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m., January 27.

In our humble abode, we recognize three home decor seasons: Fall/Halloween, Christmas and all other. When the Christmas decorations come down and return to their rightful places, I'm ready to move on. None of this winter glitter and snowman stuff. I did that for a few years when the kids were little, but no more!

This year, though, when the Christmas was packed away on New Year's weekend, I ran out of gas. Every surface in every room has looked as it did when the decorations disappeared. Naked and barren except for some remnants of glitter left behind. My mind was blank about what to do next.

Finally, I've made a little progress.

On the lighted mantel, I featured vintage books and flower frogs, along with a sweet little vintage pitcher I picked up for $1 at an estate sale.

I pulled out a few of my Abingdon Pottery star vases and incorporated them. I have several in pink, green, blue and white and haven't put them out for display in quite a while. Nice to have them back. Funny how fresh and different they look after they've been hidden away for a time.

The biscuit jar at the far end of the mantel is one of the most precious pieces of milk glass I own. Years ago, when my daughter was in middle school, she secretly walked to the end of our block to an estate sale (she'd been attending sales with me since she was a little girl), found the biscuit jar, bought it with her allowance and surprised me with it.

A grouping of moon and star pottery, flower frogs and my grandmother's doilies grace the open drawer of my little red cabinet on the hearth. 

I attached the gorgeous antique metal ornament to the thrift store basket to dress it up a bit. I found this metal piece, as well as the one in the red drawer at an estate sale. They're both versatile enough to use just about anywhere, any time.

The only remnant of winter here is the beautiful ice skating picture above the mantel, which has a special significance to our family. I'll share that story in a later post.

All in all, a nice, eclectic mix of things I love--the transition to the Spring delights ahead.

Make it a great day!

Linking to:

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense
Sister Sunday at Sisters of the Wild West
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
A Little Birdie Told Me at Rook No. 17
Share the Love Wednesday at Very Merry Vintage Style