September 18, 2012

  • {fall in}

    it usually takes me awhile to get into fall.
    as if denying it’s here is going to make it go away!

    but. then.. at some point, it’s like it just creeps up on me and suddenly, i’m in!!

    i think maybe it happened sunday evening. while sitting in the living room, indian style on the couch.
    my grandma’s crocheted afghan thrown over my legs. windows open. and curtains blowing high from the crisp night air.

    but it was really the smell of the candle. the harvest yankee candle my mom had brought me.
    i knew once i lit it that’d be it. no more resisting.

    pinecones
    some little pinecones emma painted with nail polish

    livingroom
    acorn nest
    an acorn nest! emma’s idea

    bluepumpkinsacorns

    so. the last few days i’ve been hauling out some fall ish decor.
    bringing home a “family of pumpkins” from the grocery store…
    as reese has so ably named them, “dis mommy. dis daddy. and dis da babies.”

    have you seen the new country living magazine? i’m sure you have.
    you can’t miss it in the checkout line – there’s chevron pumpkins on the cover. hello!!
    and i love chevron. not that i own absolutely anything at all with a chevron pattern, but this was going to be my first!

    once reese was in bed yesterday i cleared the table. and set out for my grand creation.
    well, rule number one, if you decide to make chevron pumpkins.. don’t spray paint them.
    apparently spray paint doesn’t adhere well to pumpkins. and.. the painters tape will peel the spray paint right off!!
    second. it doesn’t work to just rip the painters tape into whatever length size strip you happen to get.
    no. when they say the strips should be 2 in. i guess they really mean. 2 in.
    kinda like following a box brownie mix. there’s just no other way to do it.

    but. if you’re like me and have no patience for cutting little pieces of painters tape to the exact size it needs to be.
    well. maybe making chevron pumpkins isn’t for you either.

    i finally took them both back outside. doused them with another coat of spray paint and was going to just leave them plain white.
    but, later on, while digging in the laundry room closet for a pair of ben’s shoes..
    of course, i get distracted at all the other stuff in there.
    anyone else do that?
    just a simple trip to the laundry room to see if his black converse are in there,
    and two hours later i emerge with all kinds of things i didn’t even know i had! or forgot i did?
    or have searched for for months. like my hot glue gun, that had fallen behind the coats in there.

    and down in the back corner, with some other cans of paint, a small can of chalkboard paint from ben’s old room like, 4 years ago!
    and a bunch of old acrylic paints and stencils {remember when stencils were all the rage!}..
    and a little half empty bottle of gold glitter paint with the acrylics.

    so. as i found this stuff, the wheels started turning in my head, and i headed back out to work on my plain white pumpkin family. ~
    which sounds kinda creepy actually!
    like the crazy plastic surgeon guy in that old movie, arsenic and old lace!

    anyway. my pumpkins are a far cry from the chevron ones i set out to do. 
    but it’s alright.  i can always just buy a chevron pillow!

    pumpkintimes
    twine pumpkins
    chalkboardpumpkins2
    piano
    pianopumpkin
    twine stem

    ya know. i have to say, there was a point, when i was standing there yesterday afternoon…
    painters tape in hand, with more paint on the tape then was left on the pumpkin!
    suddenly, feeling this wave of discouragement wash over me,
    “you’re not good at anything
    ,” i heard echo round my head.
    and i stood there for all of 2 seconds, contemplating going over and throwing those messed up pumpkins right out the window.

    but you know what. it’s not true i’m not good at anything, but it is true i’m not good at everything!
    and that’s okay.. so some people can make beautiful chevron pumpkins. way to go for them.
    and others can do some killer spray painting! way to go me.

    the thing is that we can all do something! our something.
    and whether that’s an original idea or inspiration from somewhere else, it’ll still be unique to us.
    because no two people are alike. and we all see things in different ways, and create from what we see. how we feel.

    so celebrate what you CAN do!! the abilities, talents, gifts that God has given.
    and leave making chevron pumpkins to the next person! ;)

    ****

    and about our dress up contest. this is your first hounding reminder!!
    get your entries in soon. maybe we need to put a deadline on it, like, this coming monday.
    of course, you know i’m very flexible though, so don’t sweat it. ;)

    we’re headed to cincinnati tomorrow.
    i’m going to be going to a conference in indianapolis with some girlfriends~
    which i’ve been looking so forward to.
    i’m not, however, looking forward to the 10 hour trip in shayne’s truck..
    which we have to take so that he can have some warranty work done on it while in the states.
    it’s going to be one tight and cozy ride!!
    i’m going to make sure everyone’s showered and well deodorized and has on clean socks {BEN!}

    happy rainy tuesday from southern ontario.
    i think i’m going to go light that harvest candle again while i finish laundry and packing!

    xo.

    painting
    greenhands


    amber.

Comments (46)

  • i have been feeling down and wondering what my purpose is, bc i have tried to do stuff and it just dont work and then i get down on myself and wonder what is my purpose.

    thanks fro sharing your honest feeling. love ya

  • I have no idea what a chevron pumpkin is, nor why anyone would paint a pumpkin, but your decor does look nice, and your baby is adorable. I hope your trip goes really well.

  • @Roadkill_Spatula - haha!! chevron is just a zig zag pattern. nothing mind shattering, but cool looking. like this – http://pinterest.com/pin/230246599670376413/

  • I spend many hours alone driving and working and that voice will play a huge part in shaping my attitudes if I’m not careful. I think a lot, and many times I’ll catch the voice actually coming out of my mouth as I mull over something I did recently or 25 years ago, “Stupid. What a moron. How could you embarrass yourself like that.” Problem is, that voice often speaks in half truths and gets me focused on the thing I’m doing poorly instead of the important things I may be doing right. It doesn’t seem like fall here, yet. The weather has been beautiful, though it has started to rain while I’m sitting here eating lunch, catching up with the Xangans I follow. Hope you have a good autumn and a safe trip south and back. It looks like the little one is pretty happy with her paint job. Maybe we could all learn something from the joy and wonder with which our kids view the world. As always I’ve enjoyed your pictures and your writing.

  • I like your pumpkins!I also like the green one!

  • @sailing5 - yes! i like that green one too. she was painting it AFTER her sister had already painted it. but i just noticed on the picture all the little bristles from the paint brush! guess i won’t be buying paint brushes at the dollar store anymore. ;) )

  • lol it’s still too green here in Texas for fall but we are usually a month behind. Someone told me today at weight watchers that it’s 8 weeks till thanksgiving.

    all I’m thinking about is in a month my 2nd baby will be here! Reece’s little brother Reid !!!!!and after that we can think about holidays.

    yes, your pumpkins are so cute!

  • i catch myself thinking i am not good at anything, especially when something i set out to do doesn’t turn out well, but i know in my heart that it’s not true. i am realizing more and more that i am a perfectionist- not that i do anything perfectly, by any means, but i am rarely happy about anything i do because i can’t do things well enough to suit myself, whether it be sewing or cleaning or decor or cooking. i always see the flaws in what i do. i wish i could stop that.

    i think you get points for even trying chevron pumpkins. they look too hard to me to even try it!!

  • Country Living ain’t got nothin’ on you girlfriend! those pumpkins look awesome!
    have a great (and safe) trip and enJOY the moments with friends!

  • I give you kudos for trying, and I like what you came up with! OH, those voices in our head. We do need to learn not to listen to the negative that tears us down, but listen to who God says we are in Him, and He gave us that part like Him that creates!! Have a good trip. YOUR BABY is so cute…a little girl now.

  • I think you are SO creative! I always love your ideas! I don’t even know what chevron pumpkins are, but I really like what you did. You are so creative! I am sure other people will be copying YOUR ideas!

  • I like your pumpkins! I hope you have a great time while your back in the area.

  • Your decor is gorgeous and I think you are very creative and very good at it. Where I come from, we eat pumpkins (South Africa). Where I live now, (United Kingdom)pumpkins only make an appearance around Halloween. I’m not into Halloween, but when they do come out, I look for the smaller ones that haven’t lost there flavour due to being grown just for carving. Question (might be a blonde one but) don’t they go off? Yes, here too there is a chill in the air and Autumn is fast approaching. We haven’t had much of a summer, and I don’t fee ready for Autumn – but like you said – it suddenly hits me and then I welcome it with open arms. :) Oh, and I love the smell of Yankee Candles – the best! ~Did I just write an essay? So unlike me~

  • Last year’s October CL magazine also featured decorated pumpkins. I thought it was funny that they did it two years in a row. Last year’s were decorated with glue and toile paper. Really pretty, but I did’t attempt it, even though it looked pretty. We had naked pumpkins. :)

  • that magazine is lying around here somewhere until I get the inspiration to decorate for fall too ~ but thanks to your help I will not be attempting the chevron pattern myself ~ I like the pattern too but haven’t found just the right way or place to incorporate it into our decor ~ as for decorating for fall ~ I think I too believe that the longer I wait to do so the longer summer will stay ~ never works though ~ last year was the first year ever that I actually acknowledged fall by adding fall decor! It’s not that I don’t like fall ~ it’s just that it means that winter is coming ~ and days of COLD! I am thankful though that the Lord knows better and created seasons to enjoy! Have a FABULOUS trip home ~ enjoy the falling leaves as you drive!

  • I agree, your style of pumkins rocks! ;)   And I also agree that everybody’s good at SomeThing, it just may be something different than the next person.  If someone’s not good at crafting, they may have lightened another’s load by being a good listener, etc.  We all have a purpose.  Enjoy your time away~

  • I love all your pumpkins! Esp the white ones outside! Are they real pumpkins or fake? How well do they keep starting this early until Halloween?

  • I love how your pumpkins turned out, and I love the corner you put them in. I was a bit concerned that Mama and Daddy Pumpkin are so far apart, though.

    You would think I would have learned the “lesson” you learned a long time ago, but I was glad to be reminded again that we are all good at something, just not everything!

    Reese looks alot like Ben to me. But girly! She’s beautiful!

  • i’m liking your pumpkins and twine (looks great!) and the facts of life :) that you communicated in regards to EVERYONE being good at something. “our something.” love that. have safe trip, albeit cramped. and ENJOY that girlfriend time. <3

  • Loving the pumpkins! A stroke of creative genius! Amber you are so good at taking simple items and making them look so fresh and appealing! Good job, I’m glad you didn’t chuck them out the window ;) Makes me want to throw myself into some fall decorating myself. Enjoy your time with friends and family!

  • Good grief, I’d way rather have Ambron pumkins then chevron ones anyday!! Your ideas are brilliant!! And I so agree with your thoughts on how we all embrace what we are able to do and go for it. Not comparing ourselves with others, but being exactly who God made us to be and how He equips us… whether zig zag stripes or spray paint, or just plain jane orange pumpkins! Okay, your little Reese just makes me want to stare. She’s a doll. Happy traveling!!

  • Love what you did ~ I attempted a chevron painted canvas…12 hours later I finished. Can you say “never again”? Ha

  • I love the chalkboard painted ones!! Now, will you cut up the pumpkins and use the insides for pie?? ;) Have you ever had pumpkin soup?

    The negative thoughts that we have to fight might stem from comparing ourselves to others instead of knowing who we are and being confident in the talents God has given…And for some reason we decide in our own minds which talents are more worthy, more important, etc. Some of the things we don’t think make us really “talented or gifted” are more important to God than the things we think are so great. I’m reminded of Rom. 12:6-8 that talks about the different gifts God gives and Luke 3:22 God says He is well pleased in us and find delight. :) My heat melts when I think about God being well-pleased and taking delight in us! Focus on potential, not limitations – you know, as moms we focus on our kids efforts, not their perfection in the projects they attempt – We should do the same for ourselves.

    New nail polish for the Fall season too, huh :) What a doll your little one is!
    As cold as it is here this am, (39degrees) you all will be snug n warm crammed in your truck. Had to turn the heat on in the house :(

  • I like Chevron too but don’t have anything in it. I saw that magazine and thought those were creative, but I don’t have the time to make them. I will most likely have plain old orange pumpkins for our steps! This was a fun post. Have a nlice time with friends and family this week.

  • love your bright happy, FALL pictures!!
    i love the way you did those white pumpkins… so CLASSY!
    miss you. :)

  • I don’t even know what a chevron pumpkin is…..how’s that for “with it” and “in the know”?!! At least your attempts, turn into something amazing! My ideas that ooze out of my brain usually turn into complete mess in the trash can! I’m just creative enough to really frustrate myself!! It’s a horrible disease.
    And, oh my word! Distraction! THAT is why cleaning is so hard for me. I start in a bedroom, then flit into another room to put that original thing up, get distracted, piddle in the current room for 15 minutes until I realize I wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place. I return to the first room, continue with what I was doing, saying to myself, “focus. focus, Stacey. stay on task. focus on what you’re doing.” It’s AWFUL! My poor children and there ADHD mother.

  • I love the idea of chalkboard pumpkins! Who needs a chevron pumpkin anyway? It’s totally unnatural if you ask me. ;)

  • love the idea of the chalkboard pumpkins. Would have never thought of doing that :) Have a fun and squished trip :)

  • I *LOVE* the chalk board pumkins! I think it’s even better than chevron! It is hard to realize we aren’t good at everything. We (me) want to have great success with every thing we touch. I’m thankful I know Someone who IS good, GREAT at everything!

  • You are so creative Amber! Love how those pumpkins turned out. Its still warm here so I’m just in denial that winter will be coming.
    Little Reese is such a doll green hand in all. Have a wonderful trip and girlfriend time!

  • So beautiful, Amber!! And I think your pumpkins beat chevron anyday. Who wants chevron on a pumpkin anyway?
    White pumpkins are just gorgeous to me. Our little southern town hasn’t discovered them yet (how many years have they been around anyway??) so I have to whip out the spray paint. :)

    Love the little pumpkin-painting sweetie on the last couple pictures. ;)
    xoxo

  • Ha, chalkboard pumpkins! Cute and original. I like it.

  • love those white pumpkins ~

  • @MommytoBrooke - i know i’m late in responding to comments… getting caught up on life here after being gone. but just had to say~ remember your purpose isn’t how well you can do CRAFTS or paint pumpkins {or not, like in my case} ;) our purpose is SO MUCH GREATER and bigger!! i know it’s easy, especially as a woman to look around and compare and feel less than because we don’t think we’re as good at something as someone else is. but that’s the thing. YOU DO have something you’re good at. that’s what you need to discover – - whether it’s baking or cleaning or making others feel loved. writing someone a card or calling and asking how you can pray – - once you find those things God has gifted you in, celebrate them!! and when Satan wants you to get discouraged over the things you CAN’T do.. remind yourself of all you CAN!! one lady i know is just the best hugger EVER! and she has a way of when she sees you of making you feel so important and cared about.. the way she stands and listens when she asks how your week is going. things like that are more than personality to me.. they are gifts, yes. but also, they are SKILLS learned and honed and practiced and used to bless others!!! i KNOW you have those same abilities, girl. don’t let ANYONE tell you otherwise. LOVE YA~

  • @lightnindan - YES!! excellent point.. to see life through the eyes of a child. they find so much joy in the smallest of things!!

  • @richlyblest - i SO understand where you’re coming from. the older i get the more i’m learning to relax and embrace the imperfections~ cause truly, that’s all my life is made up of. ha! ;)

  • @Neeka1 - no! you didn’t write an essay at all.. i enjoyed hearing your thoughts. my grandma always bakes fresh pumpkin pies from small little baking pumpkins. she roasts the seeds as well, and i like munching on those. about your “blonde question” ;) by ‘going off’ do you mean odor? like after awhile they start smelling? they will rot after awhile and yes, let off quite the stench.. but they’ll look pretty for a good month or so before that happens. :) )

  • @bamsniko22407 -  they are real pumpkins! and in the past i’ve found them to keep for a good month or more before the bottoms start rotting out. :)

  • @clearlyhis - haha!! you just cloned a new phrase for me, “Ambron pumkins.” love it. :) )

  • @ToLiveLoved - getting distracted easily?? i haven’t a clue what you’re talking about {said the girl who was looking up the kids school number to call and report their absence and somehow ended up sitting down on the couch with xanga open} !! ;) )

  • @bethro78 - ”unnatural” bahahhaha!! :) :)

  • I will be keeping this in mind while getting ready for some fall crafts with Aiden! Thank you for the great idea!

  • Your pumpkin turned out alot cuter than the chevron. As another commenter said the chevron is not natural. LOL. Cheers to fall!

  • Amber!!! I LOVE your pumpkins! Way better than the chevron pumpkins on the cover of the magazine I got in the mail a couple weeks ago and haven’t had time to read!{It’s front and center in my magazine crate, waiting for me to get home from the east coast} =)
    Life has been so busy, busier than it has ever been in my life. I’m ready for things to settle down.
    I always enjoy when you put your decorating ideas on here…you do a wonderful, wonderful job! You are so very creative.

    Enjoy your trip. Hope you have a great time at your conference! =)
    xoxo

  • I like yours best!

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