Halloween is Creeping In

It's almost October and I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!  I know this blog is about seasonal living, but around this time of year everything else is completely taken over with thoughts of Halloween.  This weekend (and throughout October) my home will be once again transformed into it's alter ego.  Little vignettes everywhere, spooky ones, macabre ones, gothic ones, even some cute ones.  You never know what might be waiting just around that corner...I can't wait to get started!

Not only will my home be transformed, but this blog will also reflect the delightfully creepy month of October.  I mean, if you're gonna have a theme you gotta run with it.  Go big or go home as my honey would say.

I didn't think I was going to be able to wait until October to bring out the decorations this year.  But with only one more day to go, and a work day at that, I'm actually going to make it.  And then, the scary movie marathon can officially begin!  Hmm...that gives me an idea for another post...ah well, another time.

Balancing Act

Balance is a necessary part of every Seasonal, Magical, and everyday life.  I've come to learn this over the years and I know that sometimes it can be a real struggle.  When thinking about putting some balance in your life consider these three little words...Health, Wealth, and Happiness.  Too much of anything, even the good, is a bad thing.

Health as in taking care of your self.  Get some exercise, fresh air, and sunlight.  No need to join a gym or buy a roomful of expensive equipment that, let's face it, you'll probably only use once or twice.  Go for a walk around your local park if the weather is nice enough.  I try to do a form of Tai Chi every day (you can do this indoors or outside).  Not only is it good for my health, but it also calms the mind and you don't need any special equipment or gear.  I also use the Wii to get my butt off the couch.  And eat!  Of course you want to try to eat balanced meals, but do the best you can with what you have.

Now, when I say wealth I'm not talking about Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Oprah kind of wealth.  Simply enough...enough to live your life instead of just getting by.  That will mean something different for everyone at different times in your life, you have to find what works for you.  Keep at it and you will.

And finally happiness.  Take some time every single day to do something that just makes you happy.  Something that has absolutely nothing to do with health or wealth.  It may be watching a movie with your family, reading a couple chapters in a new book, or hanging out with your friends.  Anything that simply makes you happy with no other motive but to be happy.

Try to spend time on each of these three things every day and you'll find your life becoming less chaotic & stressful and more fulfilling and rewarding.  Everything in life is about balance, the key is to find the balance in your life.

Practical Magic

I've spent some time today visiting the attendees of the Practical Magic Blog Party and I'm nowhere near done visiting everyone!  While I didn't participate in this event I adore the movie and the blogs I have visited (so far) are so creative and entertaining.  There have been some truly amazing posts and still so many to see!  I'll continue to peruse the party throughout the weekend but I just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed reading all your posts about this fabulous movie.

Midnight margaritas anyone?

New Etsy Store?

Due to the economy (or lack thereof), I am contemplating opening my very own Etsy store.  I would be selling one of a kind, seasonal, mixed media collages.  Since I've never used Etsy before, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this idea.  I know a lot of you out there use it, and I absolutely love the products I see there.

I'd like to get some feedback, suggestions, thoughts, and advice from you my fellow bloggers.  So please leave your comments.  Big thanks to all!

Autumn Equinox

The Autumn Equinox also known as Mabon is the first day of Fall.  This day is considered a time of mysteries and balance. Day and night are divided equally. It's a time to stop & relax and enjoy the fruits of our own personal harvests.

Customs & Activities:

• preparing for the quiet time ahead
• finishing old business
• walking in the woods

Colors:
red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, gold, violet


Decorations:

• gourds, acorns, colored corn
• pine cones, grains, vines, dried seeds
• apples, grapes, pomegranates
• horn of plenty

Foods:  I like to serve a stew with hearty bread and apple crisp.

• root vegetables; potatoes, carrots, onions
• breads
• apples
• nuts

Spellworkings:

• harmony and balance
• self confidence
• security
• prosperity

Halloween Shopping

So the honey and I went out today to see what we could see for this year's spooky season and I have to say...not overly impressed with the decorations.  To be fair, I know it's still a bit early in the season and it wasn't all bad; we saw some very cool plates and kitchen towels at Target and Yankee Candle has a nice selection of Halloween items to pick from as well.  Plus I must admit that we only went to the usual haunts, we have yet to visit a Party City or Home Goods.  We did find a Spirit store but it was too late in the day, they were already closed.

However, it looks like Wendy the (very) Good Witch over at The Halloween Tree had a good deal of luck at World Market!  Check out her latest post here.

We'll keep looking until Halloween is over (and maybe even then some) and I'll be sure to pass along what I find!  Happy haunting!

Finishing Old Business

Fall is the season to take a look at what you've planned to accomplish this year.  Reap the rewards of your own personal harvest and focus on motivating yourself to finish your remaining business.  Write out a plan, make some magic, whatever you need to do to feel like you can put your goals to rest.  This may mean rethinking your goals and making them more realistic.  It's very easy to bite off more than we can chew when life happens.  Don't get discouraged if you need to do this!  Any step toward your end result is progress!  Think of yourself as a garden where your goals are the plants.  Be proud of anything that's come to fruition this year, finish what you can before winter sets in, and plant some new goals for yourself.  Happy harvesting!

It's Not Halloween Yet?

Sometimes it's hard to remember that September is a holiday month.  What with getting the kiddies back to school, the start of football season, and of course we all know Halloween is just around the corner.  But September is a holiday month.  It's the start Fall, the changing of the seasonal guard, and in our excitement for what's to come, we tend to overlook it.  I know I'm not the only one guilty of bypassing September in a blur, almost wishing it away so I can get on with Halloween goodness.

So I challenge you all to take a break from your spooky preparations, just for a bit, and celebrate this season.  Take a walk in the woods, visit an orchard or vineyard, donate some old summer goods before just shoving them back in the closet, or write that thank you note you've been meaning to send.  Remember, it is the equinox, a time for balance and harmony.  Tuck in those good summer memories and learn what you can from the bad ones.  Take some time to prepare for shorter days and longer nights, the quiet time is coming.  Live in the moment and appreciate the splendor and beauty that Fall brings because it will be gone all too quickly.

Okay, you can now resume your Halloween preparations!

Fall Atmospheric Delights

So as it turns out, my seasonal bin labeled "Fall" was almost entirely filled with Halloween goodies!  However, I was able to pull out a few things that are most definitely Fall and as promised here are the pics.

early Autumn flowers and candle

apothecary jar with leaves and pumpkins

my broom with leaves and orange ribbon

my "new" comfy chair with Autumn throw

I still have to change out the plants on the porch, put I will post pics as soon as it's done.  Not sure why some of the pics are yellow, but they were washed out with the flash and I don't have Photoshop to clean them up so they'll have to do for now.

This is, of course, nothing compared to what my home will look like next month when it's decked out for Halloween.  You'll just have to wait and see!  Looking forward to seeing all your inspirations!

What Happened to Fall?

Just last week I was saying how nice the weather was, you could actually feel Summer leaving and Autumn creeping in.  Somewhere between then and now, Summer has found it's way back!  Temperatures are back in the 90's with well over 50% humidity.  Ugh.  Hopefully we'll see some more cool weather here in Florida soon.  We don't get the changing leaves here, so cooler temperatures and lower humidity are the best we can hope for.  I do hope all you northeners are enjoying this beautiful time of year.  Please, post some pics so we southerners can at least feel like we're a part of it too!

It's Decorating Time!

Found this image on the web and thought it was perfect for September!

This is my favorite part.  I love dragging out the decorations bins each new season to put away the old and bring out the new.  Every year I find something in there I'd forgotten about, it's a little like opening a present!  Yes I have different bins for each season, plus separate ones for Halloween and Yule/Christmas.

So on this extended weekend I'll be dragging out the Fall bin (trying desperately to ignore the Halloween ones) and getting my home ready for Autumn.  I'll post some photos once it's done and I'd LOVE to see some of your decorations as well.

Happy decorating!

Autumn Is In The Air

August is over and autumn is almost here.  Even here in sunny Florida there's a subtle change in the wind, and you just know the crisp calm of autumn is right around the corner.  Now that the Autumn month is upon us, it's time to change out some decor to reflect this wonderful season.  Here are a few ideas...

• Make a corn doll to display
• Fill a basket/bowl/jar with gourds, small pumpkins, acorns, fall leaves, etc. as a centerpiece.
• Make a new grapevine wreath
• Hang dried ears of Indian corn on your front door
• Don't forget to change out your candles and flower arrangements.

I haven't found the right candle yet for this time of year but I'll let you know.

More ideas and possibly pictures in the coming weeks as we head toward the Equinox.