Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere, & Not a One to Spare...

My Week in Review...Filling Plastic Pumpkins with Candy!

I found these little pumpkin canisters at Big Lots, for $.60 each, ...all 95 of them!

I'm now having visions of plastic pumpkin tackiness in my dreams! LOL!

Just Kidding!

They turned out really cute, and after purchasing the pumpkins, ribbon, fall leaves, and candy, I had approximately $1.50 in each one. I found the ribbon at Big Lots, also. A $1 roll made about 15 bows. They are destined for my husband's office, to be passed out to nurses.

Our sales rep. located 91 more at another store to be filled! WOOHOOO!!!

I pried myself from my pumpkin project to do a little Spray~Paint Transformation!

...on a few more fall projects, that is!

It occurred to me last night, I figured out why I prefer decorating for Fall over any other season.

....you can do it cheap, and creatively, compared to other holidays!

Okay, Back to my Project!
I needed something to put candy corn in. But I didn't want to buy ANOTHER "something," (covered pumpkin canister), that I would have to pack up and store in 2 months.

So I remembered I had this cute little candy dish, I found at a yard sale!

The glass part of the dish was pretty, but while washing it, the finish came off of the metal bottom. Not pretty...or presentable!

So, I spray~painted it a rusty reddish orange. (Which was the color of my rooster's lampshade in the kitchen!)

~ Spray paint, another Big Lots Special, at $1.80 a can! ~

A Little Autumn Bling...

I grew up in the eighties! Forgive me for my "appreciation" of a little gaudy sparkle! :)

I try to use it in small doses, only!

While browsing through a magazine, I saw pumpkins painted in gold and silver! LOVED them!

Then, I visited Mrs. B.'s Blog, and she had a few in her Fall vignettes!

"Too Cute," I had to copy!

So I found these three ceramic pumpkins, at Maxway (Rose's), for $2 each.

Taped the brown stems, and sprayed them "24 Kt." metallic gold.

The mantle Topiaries needed just a little something extra. I was trying to keep this display VERY simple, just worked better in the scheme of the whole room. And the orange DT pumpkins just didn't mesh well either. (But don't despair, found a place for them in the Dining Room! "smiles" ) The GOLD pumpkins are just the perfect touch!

Sneak Peek...The rest of my week was spent watching paint dry, and puzzles of moldings being assembled! Can't wait to show you the final reveal! :)

"Would You Like Chocolate With That?"

Lisa, at "Stop and Smell the Chocolates", writes a post each Friday featuring Chocolate recipes, and provides a linky, for anyone who would like to share one! She has a delicious Chocolate Almond Pie listed today! My contribution is below..... Go over and visit, for more delightful chocolate recipes!

Rocky Road Halloween Treats
You Need:
1 (12 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk 2 tbsp. butter 2 cup dry roasted peanuts (Allergic to peanuts? Use pretzels pieces, rice crispies, etc.)1 (10 1/2 oz.) pkg. white miniature marshmallows Assorted soft Halloween candy pieces; e.g. as candy corn, M&M's, gummy bats, rats, etc. Wax paper OR Halloween Decorated Paper Cup Cake/Candy Cups 13" x 9" Pan
How to Make:
In top of double boiler melt: Chocolate, Condensed Milk & Butter.Remove from heat. In a large bowl, combine: Nuts & Marshmallows. Mix in the Chocolate mixture.Line a 13x9 inch pan with the waxed paper.Pour the entire mixture in & press it down. OR scoop into cups.Top it with candy pieces. Chill until firm and cut into squares.Store at room temperature.

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My Prayers are with those in the path of Ike! May God watch over you all! ~Rhonda

Peace...

Kevin is the hardest person I know to buy gifts for! It has been a long standing joke for years that when you ask him what he wants for Christmas or his Birthday, he replies..."World Peace!" We laugh, knowing that he is joking, but what a blessing and wonderful gift that would be! In reality, it is only a dream. A dream that became substantially more distant on September 11, 2001.

I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing, when I heard that the first plane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The despair and horror remains so vivid in my mind, as I spent the entire day, watching the events unfold on TV.

Fifteen months later, I had the opportunity, on my first trip to NYC, to visit Ground Zero. I can't adequately describe what I felt that day, standing on the sidewalk, looking down into that enormous crater, so deep and large, that the giant escavators, dump trucks, and other heavy equipment took on the appearance of tiny match box cars!

Ironically, the sculpture below, entitled "The Sphere," was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig, as a symbol of world peace. For three decades, it stood in the plaza of the World Trade Center until it was damaged by the tragic event of September 11. Airplane parts pierced the steel and bronze shell of the 45,000 pounds structure.

Today, "The Sphere" has a new home. (See picture below...) It rests in Battery Park, with a plaque that reads, "...(The Sphere) endures as an icon of hope and the indestructable spirit of this country. 'The Sphere' was placed here on March 11, 2002 as a temporary memorial to all who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. The eternal flame (part of the memorial), was ignited on September 11, 2002 in honor of all those who were lost. Their spirit and sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Our hotel was right around the corner from Engine 54 Ladder 4 ~ 9th Battalion. We talked with the firefighters outside the station several times in passing, during our stay in NYC. This particular station lost several members, and the ones left behind could not talk about 9/11 in any great length or detail. The pain was still too fresh, and evident in their faces! My heart just broke for those men.

I've written before in previous post, that at times it is hard not to question why and how such tragic events can be allowed to happen. But, as believers we have the assurance that this earth is only temporary. Our home in Heaven will be a place of "No More Night, No more pain, No more tears, Never crying again!" ...no more terrorism, no more war, no more disease, no more death....All things will be new and perfect, there! I'd like to share the song by David Phelps, "No More Night......" (You can listen to it on my Playlist ...beautiful song!)

No More Night

The timeless theme, earth and heaven will pass away.

It’s not a dream, God will make all things new that day.

Gone is the curse from which I stumbled and fell.

Evil is banished to eternal hell.

No more night. No more pain.No more tears.

Never crying again.

And praises to the great "I AM."

We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

See all around, now the nations bow down to sing.

The only sound is the praises to Christ, our King.

Slowly the names from the book are read.

I know the King, so there’s no need to dread.

No more night. No more pain. No more tears.

Never crying again.

And praises to the great "I AM."

We will live in the light ofthe risen Lamb.

See over there, there’s a mansion,

oh that’s prepared just for me,

where I will live with my savior eternally.

No more night. No more pain. No more tears.

Never crying again.

And praises to the great "I AM."

We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

All praises to the great "I AM."

We’re gonna live in the light of the risen Lamb.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

We will likely never see peace on this earth as we know it. But God gives us hope, and promise of peace and life everlasting, forevermore, in our Heavenly home with Him! What a glorious day that will be!

May God Bless those who lost loved ones, friends, and family members on 9/11! ~Rhonda

And the Winner Is....

Thanks for all of your kind comments on my 100th Post,

and for "Well-Wishes" during Hanna!

We fared very well. A few areas did have damage, but it didn't even blow the blooms off of my flowers, so we were very blessed!

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

Winners of The 100th Post Give~Away...

Ashley and David helped draw for the winners of the give-away. We counted 71 names that entered through the two post. The kids decided that since we had so many names, we really needed to have runner-up places. So I am making two more fall tassles, and have fall dish towels, and pumpkin spice candles, for the 1st and 2nd runner-ups!

Congratulations to:

Nancy, at Southern Lady ~ Winner

Mrs. B ~ 1st Runner Up

& Rue, from Rue's Peanut Butter and Jelly Life ~2nd Runner up

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I left my camera in Kevin's truck over the weekend, so I can't post any of the things I had planned. I feel VERY lost without it! LOL!

I was in Home Goods Saturday, and I overheard two women talking. They were contemplating whether to buy a little metal table that was on clearance. I heard one tell the other one...."Oh, well we can SPRAY-PAINT it!" I wanted to ask..."Do you BLOG, too???" LOL! Since it is the rage in blogworld!

So, with no pictures to share, I did a 100 things about me post....Enjoy! ~Rhonda :)

1. I love God and am a child of His.

2. And am thankful for His grace and mercy, everyday.
3 . I love Jesus, and I choose to follow Him.
4. Family is important to me!
5. And I am overly protective of those in my nest!
6. I am married to my best friend, Kevin, and I love him dearly.
7. He's really funny and can bring down a room in laughter, with the simplest joke.
8. That's what first attracted me to him. ...well, that and his sexy dark hair & chocolate brown eyes!
9. (I love chocolate!!!)
10. Kevin is patient and even-tempered, and I am NOT!
11. But enough about him, let's move on! "smiles"
12. I love my kids.
13. I think they are just the greatest!
14. They make me laugh.
15. But occasionally make me want to pull my hair out, ...and cry!
16. Right now I am "their mom,"
17. But I can see us becoming great "friends" as they reach adulthood.
18. It makes me terribly sad...
19. to think of them rapidly growing up and leaving my nest.
20. I do hope that we will always be a close family!
21. This is just one of the many things I give up to God.
22. I had two wonderful grandmothers, who will always hold a special place in my heart,
23. and I am thankful that I inherited a little of their creative genes.
24. They were amazing women, and I miss them,
25. and wish they could see my children grow up,
26. and that my children could know them as I did.
27. They could learn so much from them.
28. I love to create,
29. and I go through different "creative" phases.
30. I like to scrapbook, when I have the time.
31.. Which hasn't been much, I am way behind
32. since "blogging" came along.
33. but, I am certainly not complaining, cause that's a good thing!
34. I love to paint...in my house that is! For I am certainly no artist!
35. Early in my marriage, Kevin use to joke, that one day he was going to come home, and Ashley would be another color! lol!

35 1/2. I am forever painting something!
36. I can paint a precise straight line, and not get a drop on the floor, but be covered in paint myself!
37. I love a clean, orderly house,
38. and can get very uptight when it's not.
39. But I do not like to clean.
40. I consider it a necessary evil, knowing there are so many other things I would rather spend my time doing! :)
41. I am a self-proclaimed Professional Shopper!
42. I just love it...get an emotional high from the HUNT!
43. ..mostly for shoes and home decor! ( ...I LOVE shoes!)
44. And I purposely buy a cool new item, as motivation to clean a particular room...or the whole house

45. so that the item will just shine in it's glory, and not get lost in the clutter!
46. I rarely buy anything that is not on sale!
47. And I would rather boast of my savings, than have you think I paid full price for something!
48. And I love thrifting, rescuing objects, used and less than perfect, but brimming with character!
49. I love to decorate with florals,
50. and Toiles hold a special place in my decorating heart.
51. I love to "decorate with animals"...
52. birds, roosters, rabbits, frogs, and even a monkey or two.
53. ...and the skins of leopards and zebra.
54. But I love Nature from afar.
55. I deplore snakes, am terribly afraid of them!
56. I had nightmares of them as a child.
57. And would have a nursery raising plants and flowers today, if it were not for my phobia of them!
58. I detest camping.
59. Have only subjected myself to it 2 times,
60. for my kids, and church ...just overnight!
61. Did I mention I love Shoes?
62. Oh yes, I am repeating myself,
63. which is an annoying habit that plagues those around me!
64. I consider Hair Spray a staple...
65. which brings to mind a great "Hair Spray Tale", an idea for a future post!
66. I don't go anywhere without my lipstick!
67. Doesn't matter if I am sweaty, dressed in paint clothes,
68. or have not combed my hair all day!
69. I don't leave the house, or the car...without my lipstick on!
70. Lipstick and Pearls make everything prettier, ...more presentable!
71. Is that a Southern Thing?
72. I am very proud of my southern heritage,
73. Can't imagine living anywhere else!
74. I'm a "girly-girl," ...an "Ashley and friends" teenage term.
75. As David would say..."that is the way I roll!" ;)
76. Did I mention that I think I am a pretty cool mom! LOL! Contrary to my children's beliefs! :)
77. I do not have an athletic bone in my body!
78. Although I was captain of the cheerleading squad in HS.
79. Is Cheerleading considered a sport?
80. I get motion-sick "walking too fast!" (& any other avenue that involves motion!)
81. I get "anxious & fidgety" when I travel by car over 3-4 hours!
82. And, I'm claustrophobic, and am terrified of escalators.

82 1/2. When I was small, I was afraid I would get my shoestring caught in the tracks, as the escalator was nearing the drop off, and I would lose a leg, as it rolled underneath!
83. ....By now you are probably thinking I am a little peculiar!
84. I am, but that's okay! :)
85. I don't mind flying, as long as it isn't on one of those little puddle-jumpers.
86. And my favorite destination is NYC!.
87. So different from home, but I love the excitement, lights, and energy...for at least a few days!
88. I would love to travel to Scotland and Ireland,
89. ...and Paris with Ashley (her dream!)
90. Hawaii was nice, too! Would love to go there again!
91. I love "LOOKING" at the water.
92. Have always desired to have a house on the lake or river.
93. But, I hate getting wet!
94. ...and spend extra time in the shower,
95. in dread of coming out of it, dripping and cold!
96. I love to cook, and get MUCH better as the years go.
97. I had a very rocky beginning! I was down-right terrible! Fortunately, my family did survive!
98. I love to host large gatherings.
99. I don't call them parties, as my Dad does, cause that sounds so frivolous to me!
99 1/2. The decorating, planning, and cooking... But, again, not the cleaning! "smiles"
100. I think it may be because I am a "lazy" Perfectionist! At least that is what I have crowned myself as!

100 1/2. After reading this list over a few times & making 100 corrections it seems, I am very thankful for spell check ....this post would be much worse without it! LOL!

Just Fell off of the Pumpkin Truck....

Webster's Dictionary defines a PROJECT as : an organized undertaking!

I thought that was pretty funny, 'cause I'm not sure anything I do is ever considered "organized." Anyway, I have a few more Fall decor PROJECTS that I have been working on. The little metal truck above was found at Ross'. The truck was cute, but the color was not....so I spray~painted it black!

My side~kick, David, was out in the yard with me while I was painting. He strolled over and said, "Eweeeee, you painted the grass black, hope you have some green paint...'cause Daddy's gonna have a fit!"

....Like I NEVER would have noticed the grass was black all on my own! LOL!

I added some raffia and glittered pumpkins, also from Ross'. And here is my truck brimming with Autumn harvest! The pictures are a little dark, sorry!

These urns were a yard sale find from a few weeks ago, for $5/set. I had in mind "pumpkin topiaries" when I purchased them, but didn't know how they would look with orange pumpkins.

I didn't spray paint the urns, because I have visions of future Christmas usage.

Instead, I spray-painted the pumpkins. ....a creamy satin white.

Glazed them with a bronze glaze.

And a pointer for anyone who might try glazing over painted pumpkins, I watered the glaze down first, and it didn't do well....the glaze "separated" and looked really bad. So, I used it straight.

Hot-glued three in a stack....

Time~consuming project calls for a short break and a snack....

Back to work...... Hot~glued the stems back on. (Were removed before painting.)

And here they are, my completed white pumpkin topiaries, in the yard sale urns!

I'm still playing around with the whole vignette. I remember now why I was so reluctant for a mantle...they INTIMIDATE me...decorating them, that is! Don't tell Kevin, but he was right, we really needed the mantle, and it looks great. We still have a little touch up to do, and the crown to finish. I had this mirror just propped up against it, and the carpenters hung it while I was out this morning! How sweet, but I'm not sure if it is staying, the round one is going back up, or I am going a whole different route! Decisions, decisions.....

After "stalking" our Dollar Tree for weeks, I finally found these little cuties (ceramic pumpkins), that everyone in blogland has, LOL! ....in another town!

Hope all of you fare well, if you are in the path of Hanna!

My prayers are with you, and I will be back after she passes!

Don't forget to enter the Give~away in Celebration of my 100th Post before Monday morning. Just leave a comment!

~Rhonda

E.W.W. ~ 100th Post ~ And a Give-Away....

"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." Romans 12:10

I came across a letter Ashley wrote about her brother. According to the scrapbook in which it was saved, she wrote it in 2001, which would have made her 8 and David 3.

I Love My

Brother so

much. I

could kiss

him a 100

Times.

I Love

my B(r)other.

Love, Ashley

There are probably times Ashley still feels this way about David, but I know there are also times in which she does not! In all fairness, knowing how little brothers like to try and annoy their big sisters, is it any wonder? :)

The Bible has many references to "Loving one another!" Whenever we have any discourse in our home, you can count on Josh trying to restore peace by replying..."Love One Another."

I'll be honest, I sometimes fall short and don't love others as I should. I struggle! Some people are easy to love and others, for different reasons, are not! It may be a simple personality conflict. It may be the family member who has used and hurt me over and over. (or my husband and children) It may be the guy who drives 25 miles under the speed limit and I can't pass him, when I am desperate to get somewhere on time. It may be a close friend who has betrayed me or my immediate family. There may be a lot of things that prevent me from loving someone, but does that excuse me from doing so? No. And I try to keep in perspective, that I may be that "unlovable" person to someone else and not be aware of it.

The remainder of Romans 12, says that we are to not only love others with a brotherly love, but to also "Bless those that persecute you;" (v. 14), and to "Repay no one evil for evil." (v.17). And that God will seek any vengeance. (v.19) We ....are only to love, bless.....

...and forgive!

" And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, ..." Ephesians 4:32 - 5:1-2 NKJV

"And Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39 NKJV

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~~ Wow, my Hundreth Post! ~~

I thought about doing the "100 Things about Me List," but if you follow my blog, I really don't know what else to add. And let's be honest, you probably already know more about me, my knots, and my husband than you care to! LOL! If you would like to know something, just ask....

I started this blog as just an outlet to put my thoughts and feelings "on paper."
And, to record My Life, and the daily happenings of my children...a scrapbook of sorts! David, Ashley, and Josh, do and say so many things that Kevin and I are constantly saying, we need to write that down. So, this was one avenue in which I could retain those memories.

What I never expected was the friendships that were cultivated and grew over the months and posts! And for each one I am very Thankful! Thank you for sticking with me and I hope you will stay tuned for 100 more! :)

To celebrate my 1ooth post, I am hosting an Autumn Give-away!

Just leave a comment between now and Sunday, and I will draw the winner on Monday morning.

...Let's hope "Hanna" cooperates!

Below are the gifts we will be drawing for... A metal Pumpkin Hanger, a Tassle made by me, a Dish Towel, a Fall Basket floral pick, a set of Note Cards, and a current copy of my favorite magazine, Victoria! Good Luck! ~Rhonda

Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird, I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot

Fall Vignettes, another Flea Market Find, & a Give~away...

After seeing so many beautiful Fall vignettes and projects over blogland, I was very anxious myself to start decorating for my favorite season! I still have a few more projects to complete, which means more spray~painting to do! :)

Remember the urn in this vignette? I found it at the Goodwill and intended on spray~painting it black or dark brown, but didn't think it would have enough contrast against the mahogany table.

My son asked me Saturday, "Mom, why do you spray paint white things black, and black things white?" LOL!

My reply, "...because I can!" What else could I say?

I've said it before and I'll say it again, You can have something forever and not use it, but the minute you throw it away, that is when you will need it! :)

My FIL, Bill loved to decorate his home for Christmas! ...Well, let me rephrase that, he loved to sit in his recliner, and "supervise" the Christmas decorating! LOL! But, I enjoyed it because it meant so much to him. The Christmas before he died, we got these to use in the decorations, but they didn't work out, and I forgot to return them. I've never found another use for them.

I was riding down the road, thinking how these candlesticks would fit my Fall vignette perfectly, and a dread washed over me. I just knew I had sold them in a summer yard sale! (...since I never used them!) But I found them! Hallelujah! ...Here they are below.

Oh no, I accidently took my own picture....

And another little vignette.....

My Tassle Creation...

I still need to spruce the one below up a little, but it was an easy one! I bought the arrangement, complete with the lantern, at the end of the season last year at Sam's Club! I watched it for weeks, until it came down to "my price!"

Flea Market Find...

I wasn't able to make the yard sales Saturday, just the Flea Market. I was getting ready for a cook-out and it was 10:30 by the time I went to the FM. But I did find these two pictures. The lady had $10 on the SET. As I was "admiring" them, she made me an offer for $8! I didn't even ask! LOL! They are really large and I will not have to remat or reframe them! ...an added bonus! :) I'm putting them away, for the farmhouse.

Tommorrow, I will do my 100th post!!!

And in celebration, I will be hosting a Give~Away!

So, come back tomorrow for more details and pictures,

and to sign up! ...Please, spread the word! ~Rhonda :)

For More Fall Inspiration and Ideas, Visit The Inspired Room!