yes, I have been missing..from my blog...for a long, long time.  I had good reason.  I just did not have the time.  School took priority.  I had to make sure my kids were three weeks ahead of schedule before we went on vacation.  And that is the second reason I didn't blog.  


I went on a REAL vacation.  The kind you take where you don't know anyone there, but your husband and kids.  You get to stay in a hotel or in my case, hotels!  And you get to eat out at fancy restaurants.  Oh, how I love vacations!


I planned, and planned, and planned some more for this vacation.  This was 20 years in the making.  Finally the day had come...I had been married 20 years and for my anniversary my husband wanted to take our kids back to the place we met...Scotland.





I wanted to make sure this trip was special so I made a list of our top things to do.


1. visit the town where we met, Holy Loch Scotland


2. see the Edinburgh Castle


3. ride the Harry Potter train,or the real name, Jacobite Steam Rail


4. go up to the Highlands, Isle of Skye


5. see Loch Ness...maybe look for the Lock Ness Monster


6. play a round of golf at Turnberry (for my husband)


7. visit St. Andrews (the birthplace of golf)


8. go to London, on the way to Scotland


9. visit Ireland, since we are so close


10.have fun and spend time with my family!











It was a tall order to fill but we managed to schedule everything on the list.  Some turned out better than others.  


Oh the stories I have to tell...

Welcome Fall...

The one red leaf, the last of its clan,

That dances as often as dance it can,

Hanging so light, and hanging so high,

On the topmost twig that looks up at the sky.

~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Source: weheartit.com 

The weather is getting cooler, the wind is blowing and the leaves are changing colors. This is one of my favorite times of the year.  And of course it's a great time to change colors in the house and start decorating.
I love using burlap, wicker baskets and natural colors.  Along with chipped paint and old picture frames.




I thought I would start decorating with my front door. Here's a bit of inspiration I found in blog-world. I'm trying to decide if I want to decorate with the fall colors or with Halloween in mind.



Source From creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com

I love this simple wreath.
But then I also love this front porch with the pumpkins and mums...




Or how about a leaf garland and the pumpkins on the urns.  I need to put house numbers on my door!

Source: suziebeezie.tumblr.com via Natasha on Pinterest

I also love the beach.  It's my favorite decorating style.  I always try to have a little bit of the beach in every room.  I instantly fell in love with this wreath from Starfish Cottage.  It has the colors and textures of the ocean...

http://starfishcottage.typepad.com/blog/2011/09/fall-front-door-basket.htm

Layla at The Lettered Cottage spruced up this front door with a 

wreath from a little local shop on Tybee called Seaside Sisters.

Source: Layla at theletteredcottage.net

Happy Fall!

{Friday Finds}

Here's what I found today while searching blogs for some great Fall ideas and projects.  Inspiration is everywhere.  I start at one blog, then it takes me to another blog, then another....and the next thing I know the day is gone.  I've spent my whole day looking at great bloggers and their wonderful ideas.

Oh well...the laundry can wait.

Check out this great fall mantel at 3 Meadow Lake Cottage ...







I love the FALL sign made of tea stained cardstock and cutout letters.  I need to make this.

Then I headed over to Less-than-Perfect Life of Bliss ...




She made this faux Roman shade out of a drop cloth and freezer paper stencil.  You can read her blog for the directions.

Next, I found {show & tell } while watching the Nate Berkus show today. 





Look at this cool coffee table made out of doors.  Bloggers are so talented.  Also check out her house on House Proud on Nate's blog.  


And then I headed over to A Sort of Fairytale where she shared her pictures of the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio last weekend.

                                        { A Sort of Fairytale }

                              { A Sort of Fairytale }


I was lucky enough to go with my family.  My wonderful husband and son tagged along with me and my daughter as we walked quickly from booth to booth.  There was so much to see!



 And people to meet...



Shaye got to meet Cari from HGTV's Cash and Cari.  She was very sweet to Shaye and asked her all kinds of questions.  I loved her RePurpose booth. It was a fun day...at least for the girls.  {My husband had his phone to check the football scores and I bought a wooden yo-yo for Brayden to entertain himself with.}

Well I hope you find some great Friday inspiration and you can always catch up on laundry on the weekends, if you end up on the computer all day { that's what I tell myself }.

Happy first day of Fall!

Numbers....

1 day to fall

40 days until Halloween

64 days until Thanksgiving

91 days until Hanukkah

95 days until Christmas

This is not my dining room...

But I wish it was. 

I love the bench with all the pillows, the wall color, and the covered chairs.

Ohh, so many ideas...

My kids started school today,

so I am ready to tackle some home projects while they are doing some homework.

I love these pillows...




I can see them in my livingroom, or maybe in my home office, or maybe in the diningroom.  Oh, so many possibilities.  I found a tutorial for Martha Stewart's new line of paints at Tatertots and Jello. I think I need to head over to my local craft store.  Run...don't walk!!!

I want to be here....

Please don't let summer end yet!