Leola's Fall Open House.....

It's been called to my attention several times lately that I've kind of become a slacker when it comes to my blog.  I've actually recognized that fact but it seems that every time I think I'll give it a try, life gets in the way.  We'll see if I can get through an entire post on this beautiful Tuesday morning without an interruption.

It's been a crazy summer and it has flown by.  First of all, I put my house back on the market with very little action.  It's so strange how it immediately sold before but now that I did the work to it, no one is interested.  It's hard always trying to keep everything looking just so and trying to live a normal life.....or a so-called normal life!  It's also difficult not being settled.  Oh, well, things could be so much worse....I'm really not feeling sorry for myself.

This is my current project.....harvesting and drying my sweet annie.  I have a huge crop growing in my garden.  It was difficult finding glycerin this year which is what I use to preserve it.  After checking locally, I finally had to order off Amazon.  One bottle was left from last year so enough could be processed for Leola's fall open house.  This will have to sit in this mixture for a week. 

We had a wonderful fall open house at Leola's.  The weather was perfect and the shop looked amazing.....as always....

Now I have to start thinking about Christmas because I really have nothing planned.  It comes so quickly in the retail world.  My sisters and I are taking another trip this fall to Door County, WI, and I'm hoping that I'll find both inspiration and product.  Can't wait!  Oh, and I did make a recent trip to Iowa and came back with 2 wonderful old sleds so guess that's a start.

Hope all of you have a wonderful week and with a little luck, we'll talk again soon.

Fall Projects.....

Would you believe that after a busy couple of weeks, I've not had my car out of the garage since Sunday.  Can't tell you how good it's felt to stay home and work on some of the projects that had been put off.  Sister, Mary, had brought me an old white sweater to use on my pumpkins.  Love the way they turned out. 

The sweet annie is perfect for harvesting right now so have managed to cut a few bunches.  It can be so messy when it dries and leave green dust and seeds all over.  Today, after doing some research, I found what is claimed to be a remedy.  After you cut it, you put it in containers with water and glycerin for a few days.  It not only keeps it from shedding but maintains the beautiful color.  I'm anxious to give it a try.  Guess I'll get the car out of the garage.

Also pulled a few of my favorite decorations out and did a little decorating.  If you remember, last year I packed everything so didn't do much.  So glad to see some of my old friends.  Love these things on my mantle.

 

 

 

My friend, Barbara, who was here visiting last week, brought me this little brush.  Not certain but think it was a powder brush.  It's too soft for a shaving brush (I think).  Can I just tell you how much I have fallen in love with this little brush.  It's just one of those crazy things!  Thanks Barbara for this very special gift.

 





It just stands there on my mantle like it's fully aware of how cool it is!

We have been blessed with the most amazing weather the last few days.  Signs of fall are all over.  The trees are beginning to turn and my garden is loving it.  Just hope we have a late frost so I get lots more tomatoes.  Love the heirloom varieties because they last so much longer in the fall (not to mention that they have not been genetically altered).

I'm off to buy glycerin......have a great day!