Colors of the season...

Used to be I didn't get all that excited about fall, let alone fall decorating. Oh, I'd put out a jack-o-lantern or a witch or some other ghostly things to tickle the little Halloween munchkins, but for the most part, I saved my decorating energies for Christmas.

Well, in the past couple of years, and especially since I have a mantle to play with again, I've been having fun adding a few decorative touches here, there, and everywhere! Well, not the bedrooms and bathrooms, that'd be a bit much, but the rest of the house is looking very autumn-ish and colorful.

family room mantle showing off its autumn colors...

bundle of leafiness

charming and demure witchy

whimsical look-alike of the real critters in the yard

to cast a warm glow

Frills for fall...

Not much going on in my neck of the woods, just our normal everyday doings. Since the temperatures have turned beyond nippy (dipping down into the low 40's) for this time of year, the heating system has been checked and turned on, the chimney sweep has declared the fireplace clean and good to go, and the beds are dressed in their annual flannel finery. I have my trusty little heater oscillating beside me at the computer, so even though the frost isn't quite on the pumpkin yet, we are ready for whatever chill Mother Nature decides to throw our way.

Speaking of pumpkins, we've also prettified the front porch and patio by adding some color and whimsy with seasonal flowers, gourds and other stuff.

Another pot of yellow mums sits atop an
out of view table on the right...

Remembering our pumpkin poacher episode from last season, we
put our doofy dude on the patio for our own, safer viewing pleasure.

A few finishing touches indoors and we'll be all set for fall, decorating-wise. I don't even want to think about that holiday in December ... yet!

Turning in the wind...

One of the pretties we picked up at Oktoberfest was this different wind spinner. It's ever so pretty as is, but glows and glitters like a jewel when the sun hits it at certain angles. Mesmerizing...






The tail with the amber ball creates an optical illusion when the whole thing continuously spins; the ball looks like it's moving up and down the spiral - very cool!!

It's that time again...

Flu shot season is here and we got ours last week.

Most people winterize their cars and homes; we winterize our lungs! heh, heh. Our doctor is pretty adamant about us getting added protection every year, so flu shots are just another one of those annual things we do.

We had to go twice since they ran out of doses on our regular visit, but we finally got stuck the next day. Now I guess we just wait and see what happens with the availability of swine flu shots in MD or if we even need them.

If you're a believer, did y'all get yours?

Oktoberfest

Fredericktowne held it's annual Oktoberfest at the fairgrounds this weekend, so we decided to mosey on over and check it out yesterday. The weather was perfect, crisp and clear with sunny, blue skies so we looked forward to a good day.

There were various vendors selling their wares, including one place with cute alpacas and alpaca products. We sampled the German beer, some traditional foods, and enjoyed some oom-pah music. We chatted with a bunch of friendly folks, contributed to the benefiting charities by spending more than we should on cute or pretty, and we had fun!

This year's logo

one of the fleecy alpacas

cute scarecrow decor

deep fried and slathered with sour cream... to die for!!

costumed fraus

buttery, flaky apple streudel - delicious!

Items carved with a chainsaw, then decorated.
See that doofy dude on the far right?
He now resides on my front porch for the fall season! ;)