Everyday Living

Orange You Glad It’s Pumpkin Season?

~ Decorating, Food & Entertaining, Recipes

“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and
to the steadfastness of Christ.”
‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:5‬

 Can you imagine autumn without pumpkins?!  I certainly can’t. That’s sort of like summer without heat and humidity here in the deep south.  They just go together!  You can’t take the pumpkin out of autumn!  I love the colors we are beginning to see…the vivid golds, blazing oranges, tawny browns, and burnt reds. Don’t misunderstand me when I say I enjoy the white, blue, and off shades of orange – but I much prefer bright orange pumpkins…it just seems right! Orange pumpkins remind us that fall has arrived! I love all things pumpkin – bread, pies, pancakes, butter, lattes…well, everything really!  Butch, on the other hand, likes absolutely nothing pumpkin except their festive presence on our porch! Today I am sharing pumpkins galore – delicious recipes, creative tablescaping ideas, flower containers, and much more!

(Click on each picture to go to the original source)

 A friend’s mother used a white pumpkin as a container for a bridal shower arrangement!  Absolute perfection!    The first time I remember eating pumpkin bread was in Colorado, the autumn of 1975. Butch and I took a very long road trip to Montana and on our return we made a stop in Colorado Springs to visit his great aunt and uncle.  I had never met them, but they welcomed us with open arms, warm hearts, and abundant food!  Aunt Teen was a fabulous Southern cook…homemade rolls, pies, cakes, and a fabulous bread called pumpkin! She served it warm with butter on that cool October morning and my fate was forever sealed!  After all these years it remains one of my favorites!  Be sure to scroll all the way down for Aunt Teen’s delicious recipe! What is not to love – a porch – a swing – and pumpkins?A pale pumpkin makes a gorgeous container for an autumnal arrangement!   Pumpkins and an old truck is the perfect country scene! The softness of the white and blue pumpkins works with a neutral design!1 I think we all love snickerdoodles, so why not a pumpkin cheesecake version? Many of us have a set of blue willow china – it is so versatile for any season – including fall with orange pumpkins! Caramel Pumpkin Italian Cream Cake pairs one of my favorite cakes with pumpkin, a winner!2 Y’all know I love a beautifully set table, small pumpkins on each dinner plate is so festive! Pumpkin shell with savory pumpkin soup is a beautiful
presentation!More creativity using pumpkins for the bridal shower!9 Pumpkin architecture! What a cute idea for a door! More pumpkin loveliness in a tablescape!
Pull-Apart Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread with Buttered Rum Glaze is a great make-ahead breakfast for Thanksgiving!  Artichokes, feathers, pears, pine cones, roses, and of course, pumpkins create a knock-out centerpiece! Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler is pure decadence!Creative use of mini pumpkins…place cards!recipe

I sincerely hope you received some inspiration for using autumn’s most perfect symbol…the pumpkin!Collage

pam closing

Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Style Sisters, The Charm of Home, The Winthrop Chronicles, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Chic On A Shoestring Decorating, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, TheEnchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Oh My Heartsie Girl,  Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Home, My Flagstaff Home, In The New House, Natasha in Oz, Vintage Refined, Rustic & Refined, Must Love Home, Grammie Time

That Time I Was A Professor

~ Decorating, Food & Entertaining

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:23

 From now on, you can call me Professor Richardson.  Ok, not really, but I have taught college classes…at the University of Alabama.  Ok, ok, so maybe I haven’t taught college classes, but I did teach one college class two weeks ago.  Alright, it wasn’t exactly a college class.  It was a tablescaping class at the University of Alabama Gadsden Center, and that’s the truth.  I was honored to be invited to teach at OLLI, an academic cooperative that provides an opportunity for adults to learn for the pure joy of learning!

Students, its time to have a seat and get quiet…class is in session!

You can imagine my surprise when thirty-seven ladies and one confused man showed up.  And early, I might add!  I had no idea anyone would be excited about an hour and a half tablescaping class, but I felt the anticipation fill the room as some of the ladies arrived 30 minutes early! Obviously, I had a blast!  Who knew tablescaping could be so fun?!  This is what happens when you love what you’re teaching!  Although I have worn many hats, a “hands-on” approach to teaching was new territory for me.  And guess what?  I didn’t even break anything while trying to talk and tablescape at the same time!My students were so engaged and friendly…and trust me when I say they asked  lots of questions!I had in my mind that I would have plenty of room to set a table for 6, but plans changed when I saw the tables.  No big deal!  Sometimes, you just roll with it!  After the first table was set, I gave them an opportunity to come closer for a birds eye view!  They whipped out their phones and cameras and started snapping away!   My first ever power point presentation…these ladies got to see what you wonderful readers see every week on Tablescape Tuesday.  It was so much fun to reminisce on some of the tables I have put together over the last fourteen months of blogging!  All of this stuff is waiting patiently to be tablescaped! This is the second table that I put together.  I had not originally planned to put the napkins in the glasses, but this is where they landed!  Take note: when in a hurry, your dinner and salad fork may criss-cross…perhaps a new trend! Oh, the measures we ladies take to get a good photo! No one was injured in the taking of this picture! I could have stayed all night to chat with these ladies and answer their questions!I got carried away talking to everyone, and by the time I remembered to take a group photo, these were the students that were still hanging around!  They were so fun!FullSizeRender (2) Collage It was a joy to teach at the University of Alabama Gadsden Center, and hopefully everyone walked away with a few more ideas for tablescapes.

Class is dismissed!

pam closing

Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Style Sisters, The Charm of Home, The Winthrop Chronicles, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Chic On A Shoestring Decorating, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, TheEnchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Oh My Heartsie Girl,  Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Home, My Flagstaff Home, In The New House, Natasha in Oz, Vintage Refined, Rustic & Refined, Must Love Home, Grammie Time

Give Thanks In All Things

~ Decorating

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus for you”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭

 A couple of weeks ago, we took a look inside Katy’s bedroom that we decorated (see here: Blessings In Bloom) and I told you we would be back for more, so let me welcome you back to her home!  Today we will be in the living room, where the chalkboard says it all… “Give thanks in all things!” And I am so proud of Katy, that she is choosing to live life this way!  It is a beautiful example for all of us to see, and I wanted to give her the opportunity to share a little with us today…

Eucharisteo.  Ever heard of that word?  It simply means “to give thanks”.  This time of year, we see those words on everything from dish towels to church signs.  But to make that a signature of our life is quite another.  How on earth do we do that, especially when it doesn’t come naturally?  As I struggle to thank God in all things, I need to be reminded that the good hands of my Heavenly Father are in control of both, therefore He is worthy to be praised through it all!  He gives, he takes away, and remains faithful.  As Pam takes you through my living room, you will notice that hardly anything was bought by me.  It was all given to me by people who are so very special to me.  I love things that tell a story, and I think my living room does just that…from the tedious needlepoint work made by loving hands to the old suitcases that have traveled the world!  It all serves as a beautiful reminder to me each day that I have family and friends who love me and take care of me on this earth, but more than that, a good, good Heavenly Father who is the giver of all things.  Now that is a reason to be thankful.


Katy’s living room is warm and cozy…inviting you to come in!  We worked with what she had and I think the results are beautiful!


The sofa was passed down from Katy’s parents. Paisley window treatments from TJ Maxx work well with the existing sofa!  I love mixing patterns in a room…paisley with the plaid sofa!


The stack of suitcases make for an interesting little corner, since two of them belonged to family members.  The round case was used by Katy’s great aunt (who was somewhat of a wanderlust), and Katy rescued the one on the bottom from her Dad’s shop!


Her oldest brother was no longer using the rug, so it found its way into the living room!


This might be the cutest mug ever – purchased last week at Cracker Barrel’s gift shop!


In the late 70’s and early 80’s I was into cross-stitching.  This throw had been packed away for years and long forgotten…but it has found a happy home!  I remember that I worked weeks to complete it and I am honored that Katy loves it!


Autumnal touches on a table that she has had for a long time…so long that its origin is unknown!


The chaise lounge also belonged to her great aunt.  The upholstery was worn, but nothing that a brightly colored throw couldn’t hide!  The small gate leg table beside the chaise and the oak chest also belonged to Katy’s older brother!  The rabbit giclee has made its rounds to several of my family members and friends’ homes and now resides in this cozy little room!


The perfect pillow for the sofa was, of course, a TJ Maxx find!


Allison (my sweet daughter-in-love) had been given this frame with a broken mirror that she replaced with a chalkboard and in turn gave to Katy!  It is perfectly placed as you enter the front door!  What a fun way to greet your guests with personal and seasonal messages!


These cute wooden pumpkins were a gift from our pastor’s wife!


The copper metallic lamp was found at Hobby Lobby for 50% off.  The throw and down pillow are from TJ Maxx!


I love how everything came together for this room!


Katy and I on the day of her housewarming…my precious chosen daughter!

 As a decorator, I have worked with clients that had large budgets or no budget at all, but I also had clients that had restricted budgets.  I have always enjoyed the challenge of taking what a client has and making it work!  I hope this post inspires you to use what you have and add a few bargain accessories to bring beauty into your home. Please stay tuned for more from Katy’s home!

pam closing

Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Style Sisters, The Charm of Home, The Winthrop Chronicles, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Chic On A Shoestring Decorating, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, TheEnchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Oh My Heartsie Girl,  Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Home, My Flagstaff Home, In The New House, Natasha in Oz, Vintage Refined, Rustic & Refined, Must Love Home, Grammie Time