~ The List ~

The List is something we use in our home to stay organized and accomplish our household goals.
But first... a few more fun pictures from Gardner Village.

 The Old Water Mill. 
Inside the building is a darling furniture and accessories store.

 Witches playing baseball...

 Cute covered bridge.

 Here at home, we worked on The List. 
Garden Charlie got a mini make~over, with a cheery new neckerchief. 

 I've had this old wooden ladder for many years, and I've been wanting to use it as a display but I also wanted to deepen the finish. I finally took it out of the garden shed and stained it.
Also on The List, cleaning and staining and sealing old gourds that had been stored in our garden shed.

 Giving the garage door a make~over was also on The List.
We taped off what would become the faux windows.

 After two coats of charcoal chalk paint, we taped the carriage door hardware to the garage to determine placement.
We both liked the placement of the hardware that is on the right side of the garage vs. the left side, so that is what we went with.

 Finished project. Cross that one off The List!
Also, the driveway is painted, the garage floor is painted and as you will see in the next picture, the porch stairs and porch floor are painted as well.

 Getting projects crossed off The List becomes very important at this time of year. 
 So many things that need to get done before the cold sets in. We race the weather, the snow, and the freezing temperatures.

 After a long week and weekend of work, we were treated to a beautiful moon rise.

Another thing I've been wanting to get done is to change out some of the dinnerware that I display on the hutch.
 I wanted to display that cute pumpkin Fall dinnerware.

There are still a number of things on The List, but working together and having things written down I have no doubt that in time we will accomplish our goals.
Last night, my sweet husband put 'Stabil' in all of the gas motors to winterize them. If that isn't done, then in the spring the motors won't run. 
A few more things to do on the list 
 ~ Ready wood in the wood stove 
~Empty hanging pots; store

For those that live where the winters freeze, I'm sure that you have a list too. Things that you need to get done before the weather turns. 
Wishing all good luck on accomplishing the things on their lists.

Do you make a list for winter preparations?

~Attitude of Gratitude.
Thankful for a few last zinnias to fill a vase. The rest of the zinnias froze.
~Thankful for the last harvest of butternut squash.

~ The Witches at Gardner Village ~

 Flying witches.
It's that most amazing time of year again...Fall!
Autumn, Fall, 'witch~ever' word you choose, it's time for our annual visit to Gardner Village to enjoy the scenery and enjoy the witches that they display.

 So, in the spirit of Fall, enjoy these pictures of the witches.

 I can never pick a favourite witch. All of the witches are super cute!
  
We also went to one of our favourite shops: Home Again.
It's a consignment shop that is near Gardner Village. 
On this trip, we bought a fantastic box pumpkin that lights up.
More on that later..

This past week, we took time to visit Gardner Village, do some shopping, and worked like crazy on "The List".
More to come on "The List".

Have a wonderful day and enjoy Fall!
It's official now, so it's legal to enjoy pumpkin flavoured everything... *tee hee**.

Attitude of Gratitude :
~ So grateful for rain!
About 1:00 this morning, we woke to the sound of rain. As our little hamlet has a complete restriction placed on each household of absolutely no watering outside, we were so grateful to hear the rain! 
Last week, the main shaft in the water pump for our city water broke. We are all on spring water now and awaiting the city repair of the well. 

~ Garden Charlie & A Witchy~Poo Too~

 Garden Charlie is an old friend.
He's been a part of our Autumn and Garden family for many years. 
He's watched over our gardens. 

And in more recent years, Garden Charlie has been the Autumn ambassador. 
Welcoming family friends and Fall to our home.

The meadow in golds and maples and greens.
   (An older picture) 
I'm awaiting the meadows change this year. Not quite.
It's still been warm, and even hot.

Of course, the sunflowers are beginning to dry out as well. Saying 'Goodbye' to summer.

There is still time to make a Witchy~Poo silhouette.
These two silhouettes are from Gardner Village.
Making a similar silhouette is on my 'to~do' list for Fall.

So very many lovely, and wonderful things about this time of year. 
The changing colors, the crafts, the food, the smells, and the fun!
We'll be finishing up some things on our list that require summer temperatures, like finishing the painting on the driveway and cleaning out borders and flower beds.
 However, Garden Charlie is going up this weekend... maybe with a little makeover. And, I'm going to make a Witchy~Poo silhouette too!

Attitude of Gratitude ~
~ Grateful for the many little birds that visit the sunflower patch. Their cheerful calls and beautiful colors are such a cheerful part of my day. I shall really miss those little birds this winter.
~So thankful for a cozy home. How grateful I am for our home and the shelter from the world that it is. A place of refuge, and warmth, happiness, and welcoming. Walking through the door feels like a giant hug.

*Bring Back :
Old Fashioned Donut fries on Sundays
Charm Bracelets

*Homespun philosophy: A penny saved is a penny earned.

The Witches are back!

 Yay!
The Witches are back at  Gardner Village ! { http://www.gardnervillage.com/}

We love to visit Gardner Village in the Fall.

They have the cutest displays, and it's always fun to see the animated witches.

 Don't you just love these chunky pumpkins?!
OK.. get me the chainsaw, and a big ol log, and a can of orange spray paint.
I love the rustic, charming look of those chunky pumpkins!

 Witches playing softball.
How cute are those striped socks, and blue bloomers!!

Witch making the pitch.
Ok... super cute!
I also adore the darling way that all the shops {once upon a time they were old houses} have been painted and decorated.
So, when we lived at the homestead, I was so in love with this shade of green for a house!
Had we stayed at the homestead, I was intent on painting our Farmhouse Cottage this very shade of green, and painting the trim a crisp white.
Maybe one day I will have a cute garden shed here at Mill Hill Meadow, and trust me... I will paint it this green, with white trim.

Hope you are enjoying Fall !
***To see more Witches.... head on over to my other blog :cottageonmain.blogspot.