Henry's Fall Makeover

Does everyone feel more rested from that extra hour of sleep you got last night? I know I do!

Do you remember Henry? He was vacationing this summer in my garden at the Cottage . I loved his blue lobelia hair and patriotic flair. Well for his protection he has moved to the porch and received a new fall look.

He is now sporting feathers and eucalyptus.

Still wearing his necklace.

Now he is surrounded by birdhouses with Michigan license plates rather than flowers.

Not sure where he will be wintering yet.....

Linking to this week:
Debbie's Newbie Party
Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Mod Mix Monday
Abundant Thanks Linky Party
Metamorphosis Monday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
It's A Party

Dia de los Muertos!

Yesterday marked the day souls of the deceased were welcomed home. This Mexican celebration (not to be confused with Halloween) is known for it's festive adornments and intriguing shrines consisting of candy, colored skulls and candles upon candles. Staunch observers prepare for the holiday weeks in advance. Night two of Day of the Dead is a beautiful and fascinating celebration. Fortunately for me, it's also rife with photo ops. Check out some of the shots below taken at outdoors in courtyard of the Church of St. Marks in the East Village in NYC. 

One of my favorite shots - the Virgin Mary and a loco skull with rotting teeth. 

Notes left for the returning souls.  

Below are a few shots from a Mexican folk art shop in the East Village, called La Sirena. It is awesome, but I only got a few snaps in and the owner is apparently very spiritual and photos disrupt the spirits and/or the sanctity of the shop(?). So I acquiesced. 

Some of the traditional Day of the Dead skeleton figurines. My mom collects them and used to display them in our family room when I lived at home. They marginally freaked out my friends. We loved them regardless.

Day of the Dead to-go. Pin on your shirt and keep the skels and spirits with you at all times.

La Sirena

I hope the spirits of loved ones came back to all who wished! Feliz Dia de los Muertos!

Linking to this week:
Time Travel Thursday
Wow US Wednesday
Share the Joy Thursday
Potpourri Friday
Stuff and Nonsense

Front Porch Halloween Ready

At the last antique show of the season a vender had these great sap buckets. I picked up a few knowing they would look great on the front porch in a fall display. I feel like I have finally gotten into fall just ahead of the snow getting ready to fly.

I originally had some beautiful purple kale in the large sap bucket but my gardening nemesis, the deer ate them all. Now it is holding up a bird house.

A witch's bouquet is in one of the other sap buckets.

The porch is ready for our trick or treaters!

Linking to this week:





Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
Debbie's Newbie Party

Fall Dipped Picks

While Andrea ran over to the Green Market in NYC to pick up some naturally sweet apples, I was oh so bad!!! I stopped by our favorite sweet treat store, Kilwin's and ogled their carmel apples! Just look at these beauties.....

Don't they look yummy!!!

I picked out one so perfect it deserved it's own pink pedestal.

What is your favorite fall treat????

Linking to this week:
Time Travel Thursday
Potpourri Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Show and Tell Friday

Fall Picks

When I was younger and still living in Michigan I spent my fall seasons frequenting pumpkin patches, apple orchards and ciders mills. As did most people living in the Midwest, and I would imagine across the country in non-urban areas.  Hot cider, sugared donuts, prize-winning size pumpkins and burnt brown cornstalks were some of my favorite things to search for while wrapped up in sweaters and puffy vests.  

Instead of driving out to an off-the-beaten-path field with mud and tree-lined rows, I now walk just a few short blocks East to the Green Market in Union Square where some of my favorite fall fixtures are still ready for the picking...just from the basket instead of the tree. Here are few pictures from a recent sunny autumn day:

Apple crisps are in these puppies futures.

Baby pumpkins for baby apartments.

Adorable.

Happy picking!


Linking to this week:


Debbie's Newbie Party
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday