First Senior Trip. . .

A day trip, 
just 5 miles North to the Botanica Gardens,
was as refreshing to my soul
as the Autumnal Showers were to the Prairie.

A catered lunch was provided prior to a Floral Presentation 
where Floanna Crowley, Master Gardener 
and Norman Warminski, Retired Sedgwick County Extension Agent 
shared designs for Decorating for the Holidays.

On the Menu:

Savory Seasonal Green Salad

Sliced Roast Beef

Mashed Potatoes

with Brown Gravy

Dinner Rolls

Iced Tea

Coffee

Variety of Cookies

Following lunch,

the Autumnal Showers subsided

long enough for "Mr. Ed" and I to enjoy a walk among the Gardens.

I, especially, enjoyed the many fountains of Botanica

as they reminded me of those from my early childhood

while residing in the Kansas City area.

Sunshine dancing around this rustic bench 
captured "Mr. Ed's" shadow nearby!

Being the Mother of sons,

I am always smitten with 'little boy' statutes. . .

So as not to be late to attend the presentation,

the title of  Time Keeper was given "Mr. Ed".

Always seeking the unique in design,

I was completely enthralled with this wall of vegetation!!!

The wall wrapped completely around

continuing with more plantings on the back side, as well.

And what to my wondering eyes did appear???

Herbs of various varieties!!!

Did I hear anyone say. . .

"Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Basil"???

Before retiring to our seats for the presentation,

we viewed several floral entries of Seasonal Floral Designs.

Intrigued by this Pumpkin design,

I was thrilled "Mr. Ed" located two seats nearby! 

Although the floral designs appear simple enough to reproduce,

Norman Warminski did emphasize to practice 

and experiment until you achieve the desired effect.

Floanna Crowley worked throughout 

using two or three florals to complete simplistic elegant centerpieces!

I found this entries design so exquisite for Christmas decor!

Perhaps I'll attempt something similar

for Christmas On Crooked Creektt using my own color palette.

The Autumnal Showers followed us home,

but once we arrived at our destination,

the sun came out and we were met with many vibrant hues of the Season!

Until next time. . .

Flippin' The Switch!

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Dear Ones,

Still unable to climb up high on the ladder. . .

I chose this post from the Archives (August 8, 2012)

and my gently silenced original blog On Crooked Creek!!!

While you may still visit the original blog,

you may experience difficulty in leaving a comment,

thus the reason for On Crooked Creektt (Take Two)!

Thank you for indulging me in sharing with you

my Autumnal Decor for our Dining Room chandelier.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to climb high soon

as I have an amazing design for a Christmas chandelier!!!

Fondly,

Pat

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On Crooked Creek,

we're flippin' the switch from Summer to Autumn!!!

Beginning with the dining room chandelier,

 we're transitioning the decor from Summer to Autumn

. . .one area at a time! ! !

Before

I'm fortunate to have more than one set of chandelier lamp shades for the dining room here On Crooked Creek! Recently, I used the red and gold stripe to set the tone for hot Summer days and my Farmhouse Frenchy Kitchen.

I truly adore the Traditional style decor that I enjoyed during my youth. Since I've had more time to indulge in keeping my home, I'm finding that the Traditional style is much more soothing to my soul.

The Autumnal inspiration for the chandelier came from

Mary Carol Garrity's Nell Hill's Christmas at Home and these recent faux fall foliage finds from the Iron Star combined with berry garland and oak leaf sprigs I previously purchased locally at Roadhouse Antiques!

Consider the decorating potential that is often overlooked

in your ceiling fixture is the advise that Mary Carol Garrity gives in seasonal decor!

So~o~o. . .

aided by my ever faithful assistant, "Mr. Ed", I did just that!

In making the chandelier a centerpiece of the dining room, 

I needed to hide the chain link above the rubbed bronze finish!

Although it took s e v e r a l attempts to get the sprigs of bittersweet neatly and securely tucked under the burlap wired ribbon, 

I am quite pleased with the results!

Next came the "over ~ under" winding of the soft orange hued berry garland on the arms of the chandelier. The addition of my creamy ivory silk Traditional lamp shades keeps the Autumnal hues from becoming overbearing.

Blending sprigs of faux oak leaves, twigs and acorns along each arm of the chandelier adds to the natural elements of Autumn!

The overhead view speaks volumes of Autumn,

as you gaze across the table.

After!

Good~bye triple digit temperatures,

good ~bye to Summer of 2012!

We've flipped the switch to Autumn

                         . . . On Crooked Creek!


Until next time. . .

An Autumnal Procession. . .

Have you experienced. . .  
any of the following prerequisites for An Autumnal Procession,

a chill in the air? ? ?

gray skies overhead? ? ?
                                        
falling leaves bunching at your doorstep? ? ?

On Crooked Creektt's Autumnal Procession
began with this adorable little squirrel and his acorn.

He is in the direct path taken numerous times daily
as I go from the Galley Style Kitchen to other rooms within our home!

Depending on the quality of light during the day,
he can almost disappear against the sage green olive pottery
filled with faux green hydrangea.

I noticed he made "Mr. Ed" smile 
as he was posting the mail in our vintage counter check holder, too!

The Entry Hall On Crooked Creek
has been transformed into An Autumnal Procession 
welcoming our family and friends!

A Traditional sign of hospitality,
the pineapple, is an exquisitely painted watercolor on velvet
and simply signed by the artist, CAROL. 

A subtle daily reminder to always,
and in all things, "Give Thanks" in this print that hangs above the console.

Mulled Cider fragrance candles 
bring another dimension of warm, 
inviting Seasonal hues and scents in our Autumnal Procession.

An Autumnal Procession
welcoming the changing Season. . . On Crooked Creektt!


Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Debra @ Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday!!!

Be sure to visit 

for inspirational ideas

to incorporate into your own home decor!

. . .And Then There Were Two!

This past Spring On Crooked Creektt,
"Mr. Ed" and I were blessed with the return of MoMa Rabbit in the Gardens.

MoMa Rabbit usually has a litter of four or five bunnies.
And. . .as soon as they're big enough. . .
they follow her out of the safety of the Gardens
through the metal grates and are never seen of again.

This year a single, tiny rabbit has remained.
"Mr. Ed" and I affectionately named this bunny, Pee Wee.

Pee Wee has truly been delightful entertainment 
here On Crooked Creektt. 
As he nibbles the grass (and my delicate Onion Chive), 
we are ever so enthralled with his antics.

At times, he appears to be a "tight~rope" walker
teetering along the concrete pavers that border the Herb Garden.
In the next instant, he'll fling his tiny body upwards into the air,
then off in a flurry across the lawn as if something has startled him.

As of late, 
he often tarries too long under the feeders 
and receives a peck from the sparrows.

We've even observed a "stand~off" with the resident mourning dove.
Wise, even in his infancy, he backed down with a kick before 
scampering quickly to the confides of a nearby boxwood.

Throughout the Summer and under "Mr. Ed's" careful watch, 
Pee Wee has grown considerably. 
When "Mr. Ed" fills the feeders in the Gardens,
he whistles and calls "Pee Wee".

If in visible sight, Pee Wees ears will alert upwards.
He allows "Mr. Ed" to come extremely close, 
but knows exactly when to dart away to the safety of the nearest bush.

Recently, I began to notice a few abnormalities
on one of the branches of the Asparagus Fern on our back deck.

"Mr. Ed" captured these photos on an evening
while I was away attending a Circle Meeting!

. . .and then there were two! ! ! 

All too soon, Summer will fade into Autumn, and Autumn into Winter.
I wonder. . .will Pee Wee stay with us throughout the Seasons?

Or, liken to the other bunnies before him On Crooked Creektt,
will he too, frolic through the metal grates never to be seen again???

Only time will tell.



Until next time. . .

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After returning from our Annual Trout Fishing Trip this September,
I didn't observe any sighting of Pee Wee. Distraught that he too, 
had slipped through the metal grates never to be seen again. . .
"Mr. Ed" recently called me to the garage door.

Both our hearts leapt with JOY to find, not only Pee Wee. . .
but Pea Wea's newest offspring at the base of the deck
waiting patiently for "Mr. Ed" to place some corn on the ground.

You see, Pee Wee originally thought to be of male origin
was actually, Pea Wea, female. . .and now MoMa Rabbit!

Ah~h~h. . .
On Crooked Creektt
our little bunny habitat continues!

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