The Telltale Signs

I am joining Sharon at Fiberdoodles and Susan at Between Naps on the Porch today. You can click on Susan’s button on my sidebar or join Sharon here. Thank you ladies for allowing me to share my Halloween “metamorphosis” and holiday decorations! Please come on in!

My family knows that should they lose their calendars or suffer amnesia, there are always places in my house that will immediately clue them into to the season or next approaching holiday. The first is the front door.I just added this friendly ghost to our fall wreath to make it Halloween ready—no ghouls or monsters here, just smiling faces ready for trick or treaters! The next place to look for holiday clues is in my kitchen.

I always try to have a fun centerpiece on the breakfast room table with holiday placemats for everyday meals. I caught this visiting granddog in the act of a nap this afternoon.

I may have to have a chat with his mother about where Cooper takes his naps at home—he’s an only child :) My small kitchen chest that I use as a sideboard is usually decorated according to the season also.I made this “Nevermore” arrangement with inspiration from The DIY Showoff with an urn I already owned, Dollar Tree crows, and spray painted Spanish moss. For many years all children who come into my house know that I always have a cookie jar with some kind of treat. This pumpkin is my Halloween cookie jar.

I have a couple of other fall/Halloween decorations that I have collected. This pumpkin plate on the stand is here for October and and November.

I also love teapots and found this one this year. The plate is Arthur Court.

And probably one of my favorite ways to decorate for the holidays is in the bathroom. I love guest towels and tea towels. I try not to put out anything too fussy if they are used (but I also provide an alternative :)

Hope you enjoyed the tour! Be sure to visit Susan and Sharon for lots of other participants!

SHhhhh.....Sometimes We Break the Law

I live in a beautiful community and the reason for that is, in part, we have rules and laws--lots of them. We have rules about parking, rules about grass length, rules about businesses, lots of rules about signage. And recently, I heard that we have a law about the number of pets you can own...uh oh. Kelee over at Katillac Shack is having a Pet Parade on Wednesday. For each link $3 will be donated to care for needy pets. I thought it was a good time to introduce you to the furry part of the family.

Meet Shelby. We are trying on our Halloween costumes a little early--just to make sure they fit. Shelby likes treats and is prone to put on a few pounds. Shelby is a Maltese. Beloved gave her to me for Valentine's Day one year after I lost my fourteen year old fox terrier. I had said I thought I might like what he calls a "fifi" dog--a prissy little lap dog. Shelby is in no way a "fifi". She is happiest when she is dirty and running through fields. She thinks she is a hunting dog. She is, however, fiercely loyal-- a real one-person dog. I, however, am NOT that person. She is strictly Beloved's dog--no ifs ands, or buts. I do love her. When Beloved goes out of town, I am very conscientious about taking her on long walks. I make sure that she is suitably outfitted for the weather. See?

This is the old man of the family--Hershey. Hershey is a Boykin spaniel who adopted us. He had been bought as a gift for a two year old and it didn't work out---imagine that. So Hershey stole our hearts and came to live with us as a ball of brown curls. He is old and a little arthritic now. He has lived through three children and two puppies. He has earned a rest and and our respect.

If you visit me often, you've already met Jessie. Jessie is mine-- I am her person! She is a three year old shih tzu who takes every step I take and sleeps by my head. We are ,as my godson says "like peas and carrots"--we go together!

Jessie has decided to be a ladybug for Halloween. And up to this point, we are okay legally on the number of pets. But from here the water gets a little murky. We are frequently called upon to babysit "granddogs". You've met Hannah before.

She is the product of a broken home. A former girlfriend gave her to my oldest son several years ago--Hannah lasted; the girlfriend didn't. Hannah is the funniest dog I have ever met and absolutely a daddy's girl.

This is Cooper. You may remember that Cooper and his mom (our daughter) got married this summer. He is adjusting beautifully and adores his new dad and new last name.

And finally meet Charlie, our baby's baby and the newest member of the family. Our youngest son got Charlie, a springer spaniel, in June. When "the baby" comes home, so does Charlie. Are you counting?...are you a government official?....I hope not. Shhh....don't tell anybody....sometimes we break the law. Join Kelee and lots of other pets on parade here!