A Touch of Autumn. . .

Although Autumn is my favorite Season of the Year,
I just add a touch of Autumn into my personal styling.

This year, On Crooked Creek,
I kept the accessories to a minimum and used a muted autumnal color palette.

These muted caramel hued pumpkins

(purchased a Dollar Tree) were just the right touch of Autumn
when placed atop my Nell Hill wooden pillar candle holders.

The muted autumnal hued bird figurines
were purchased locally, from Memories of Home.

The one autumnal sprig,
was recently purchased during a weekend stay with my best friend forever.

A perfect stay and a perfect day shopping in Louisburg, Kansas.

The linen table runner
(folded in half) was purchased eons ago at my all time favorite, T. J. Maxx!

The white leaf plate holds prayer stones
gifted to "Mr. Ed" from our neighbor during his recovery from his stroke.
The stones read, "Courage, Hope and Pray".

I often use vintage books in contrasting (or matching) hues
to elevate decorative items within my vignettes for added interest.

Continuing with the same muted autumnal hues,
I placed one of my floral arrangements atop the four drawer dresser
and flanked it with "Mr. Ed's" squirrel and a gathering of wooden acorns.

This particular squirrel ranks favorite for the two of us!
It has to be his charming expression!

I love the soft coral hue of these cala lilies!
Bits of twiggy bittersweet, miniature dried persimmons,
coral hued roses and rust hydrangea fill this urn planter
with a touch of Autumn in On Crooked Creek's Living Room.

I was thrilled to find these muted autumnal hued sprigs
while shopping recently with my Sister @ The Iron Star in Fort Scott, Kansas.

The colors compliment the gold and glass vintage oil lamps
atop the Entertainment Center and accent those over sized acorns perfectly.

I angled the sprigs among a rusty hued pip berry garland
for draping, texture and visual interest.

These hues within the faux flora 

blend harmoniously with the vintage green heirloom oil lamps.

My storage container yields fewer and fewer autumnal leaves each year,
but I think this small piece adds a perfect touch of Autumn to this vignette.

Twisting two smaller pip berry garlands together
allowed me to add a touch of Autumn to On Crooked Creek's Dining Room Hutch.

One of the main reasons this Season of the Year is my favorite, 
is summed up in the words of the sign above our Laundry Closet Doors.

It is a time when "Mr. Ed" and I pause,
really take some time apart, and give thanks for all the our Lord doth provide.



Until next time. . .

Drying Hydrangea. . .

One of my "goals" for 2018
was to get out~of~doors more often.

I, truly, am a stay~indoors~type personality.

"Mr. Ed" and I updated our Front Garden with new landscaping in 2016.
As things sometimes go, we lost our evergreen trees to a blight.

So~o~o, when replacements were discussed,
I opted for two new trees and a limelight hydrangea bush.

In keeping with my daily goal of out~of~doors time,
a huge portion of that was spent photographing our Front Garden progress.

Of course, I adore these limelight hydrangea hues in full bloom.

However, there is something so appealing to me
as their color evolves with the the changing Season.

 I left these stems on the bush of the limelight hydrangea
until their varied shades of green with hints of mauve rose began to show.

Upon bringing them into the house,
I followed a gardening blog directions for drying hydrangea indoor.

Drying Hydrangea:
The color of the hydrangea when they are cut is the color they will be once dried.
Cut fully opened, aged blossoms in whatever length you choose above a notch.

For best results, choose narrow and tall support stems.

     This cut is usually determined by the height of your vase by adding 1" ~ 2" .

Prep:
Once you have chosen your stems, strip off all the leaves.
Make a fresh angled cut, between two notches.

Once inside:
Arrange your hydrangea in your desired vase in about 1" ~ 2" of fresh tap water.
Place within the room out of direct sunlight.
Your hydrangea blossoms will be completely dry within 2 ~ 3 weeks.
These require no maintenance.

***Tip***
Once completely dried,
hydrangea can be spray painted for personalized decor needs.

I adore how the hue of the limelight hydrangea
brings a slight touch of color to this monochromatic vignette
within On Crooked Creek's Guest Room.

Although I still enjoy my time indoors,
reaching my goal of more time out~of~doors becomes easier
when I find unique ways to use my Garden finds
within the halls On Crooked Creek.


Until next time. . .

Reflections. . .

Although the hues in On Crooked Creek's Guest Room
remain a cool monochromatic palette,
it is my hope that the reflection of comfort and warmth
will be felt within one's body and soul during your stay.

The warmth of the sun shining through the Eastern window
keeps those ivory hues filled with a warm glow.

Nightstands, on either side of On Crooked Creek's Guest Room bed,
offer a variety of home decor books and pleasurable reading material
during your overnight or extended stay.

Earlier this Autumn,
I switched out the vases, refreshed the faux silk greenery
and added French Silk Ribbons to the set of vintage keys.

This crystal vintage glass duo frame
holds the most adorable sepia toned prints
that I can not bear to remove.

Freshly laundered linens, always soothing to one's soul,

have been placed upon the bed for your comforting slumber.

Another addition of French Silk Ribbons
has been placed on the handle of my handmade button basket pillow.

This nightstand showcases a few nostalgia items.
My MoMa, Carmen's High School photo, in a mid~century frame,
along with a pair of baby shoes similar to those worn by both my sons.

The silver-plate tray in this vignette
is a great spot for guest to place their cell phone.

The vintage Baby Ben alarm is a working clock
and a vital piece to this vintage vignette. 

The reflection seen here
is a glimpse  of the Western side of On Crooked Creek's Guest Room.

My heirloom vintage oak secretary
stores extra linens and floral stationery and stamps
for our Guest use during their stay.

The shadow boxes showcase "Mr. Ed's" fathers (and his) christening gown
and my MoMa's baby dress, hand stitched by my maternal grandmother.

A Northern Exposure window allows ample light
to lighten and brighten On Crooked Creek's Guest Room.

These photos were taken on a 'rainy day'.

Cool, monochromatic palette,
illuminated with rays of warmth 
and filled with all the comfort needed to rejuvenate ones body and soul 
anxiously await our guests in On Crooked Creek's Guest Room.


Until next time. . .

Oh, Happy Day!

What I thought was lost,

has now been found!

I am thrilled to be able to access 

On Crooked Creek, once again!



Much like the Sunflower,
I was standing along the sidelines
trying to relocate access to my blog.

Thank you to my many friendships,
in The Land of Blog, for standing with me
through this past year and a half of disconnect.

Through it all,
your continued support
has lifted me to greater confidence in myself.

I can see clearly
the path that leads me back into blogging.

I look forward to re~joining this amazing community.

Oh, happy day!


Until next time. . .

Note:
The above photos are from a recent 'Road Trip'
taken by "Mr. Ed" & I to Peterson Sunflower Farm
in Lindsborg, Kansas.