Summer 2020 is in the history books and it is now fall. Usually, this is a hard transition for me as I love all things summer but this year is different for me and probably for you, as well. This is the time of year when we look forward to all things cozy and spending more time at home... but, if you're like me you're thinking, "But we have already been spending all our time at home and we're weary of it."
Maybe you're like me and it seems an act of futility when it comes to decorating your home for autumn. The world around us is in such chaos. Maybe your world is in turmoil. I get it. I have waffled back and forth as I look at the world around me that is being filtered through ever squawking media reports. I've questioned myself, my motives and if I should even bother right now. After all, I questioned myself, "Who cares about projects and decorating when everything is so broken" and "Is it bougie or naive to even be doing this right now?"
But, grace enters with a dose of truth. God is not the God of chaos or turmoil. He is the God of peace and a quiet calmness in the storm. I cannot control the world. I cannot control the news or politics. They never were in my realm of influence, anyway. Truth be told, I have no significant impact on the world outside my front door. What I do have control of is my home and how I want those who enter it to feel while they are here. In here you are loved and cherished; you are welcome here.
It is autumn and we are thankful for our family. We are grateful for visitors. We embrace the change in seasons as we witness that God is faithful to his word.
While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter,
day and night, shall not cease.
Genesis 8:22
And so, I will celebrate this season and ready my home in expectation of using it to bless others.
Shopping now can be a bit of a struggle. Between wearing masks, being out in public and finding many empty shelves or limited options this can be a difficult and disappointing task. I chose to use what I have for the most part. With that in mind you might see some things you may have seen here in years past but maybe in a different place or with different accessories. This is our home, dressed in her autumn best for 2020.
A yard sale purchase in January (the basket) and some sale priced flowers from Michael's means that I am foregoing the traditional wreath on the front door, this year. I love this basket and the orange and purple arrangement brings the seasons best colors to the front porch.
I used the same pillows and blanket as last year and added fake pumpkins with real ones. A few fall mums and this porch is done. This is the first "welcome" you get when coming to our home.
Upon entering our home you are greeted by a neutral pallet. This pumpkin was a new purchase for me from a second-hand store.
And that is where the neutral ends!
I used the Pumpkin Patch sign I made last year. (You can see how to make it here.) Every year I want to try to be beautifully neutral like I see in some of the blogs I follow.
But, when push comes to shove I jump into color. I can't help myself! Blues and oranges and harvest gold play so nicely together. I put the sign in same place as last year but did a little different arrangement with my fake pumpkins.
My coffee table kept the summer tray that is usually filled with seashells and candles but now hosts pumpkins and faux fall greenery.
And a look around the room.
I don't want our home to feel precious or too pretty. I want it to be warm and inviting but comfortable like the romantic ideas of a Norman Rockwell picture. With that in mind, I will continue to ready my home expecting that God will bring that gift of gathering through our front door. We will not let the circumstances of the world around us keep us from anticipating and preparing for all the joys this season will bring.
Autumn Blessings
to you and yours.
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