Midge of Many Seasons
Guest Blog by: Midge
Ever since reading Molly’s January 09 magazine, I have been inspired to create a seasonal focal point in my home. So far, I have yet to accomplish this task. I discovered many great ideas for fireplace mantels and entryways but I do not have a fireplace and my front door opens directly into my family room.
Rather than be discouraged, I have had to improvise.
Step one - Freshen up the plant barrel near my front door by removing the dead flowers. Yes, I know, I do not have a green thumb. But, I tried to plant a few little flowers in a tub this year. Surprisingly, the flowers actually looked like they could flourish in the wooden tub for sometime. But, then, unexpectedly, they started to wither. Soon, I was left with a barrel of dead flowers and a few white winter-like plants that seem to stay alive even without watering them (love that!). I removed the withered flowers and kept the few plants that survived.
Step Two – In the frugal spirit of Molly Green, I bought a few very inexpensive fall decorations and decided to use them to spruce up my empty flower tub. The result is not as gorgeous as I had hoped for but it is definitely a cute display. It makes me smile every time I walk by the decorations.
Step three – This will involve finally picking out one small place in my home for our seasonal focal point. I eagerly anticipate the day my daughter will be old enough to assist in making a few seasonal crafts to sprinkle around our home. Until then, I will light my pumpkin pie candle, buy a few more frugal decorations and turn our house into a home which is ready for Fall!
Do you have a seasonal focal point in your home? What are your favorite Fall memories or decorations?
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I don’t have a focal point…I’d like to start decorating more and that is a great idea both in terms of making it easier to keep little hands off and in terms of my budget.
The weather here in Colorado has been really cooling down and I’ve been thinking about Christmas (and baking to warm up my house without turning on the heater!) I was reading the December 2009 Money Saving Digest and I wanted to mention something for your higher-altitude readers who might be interested in making candy, too. Water boils at 212 degress at sea level. By the time you are up where we are at 7000 feet, it is 198 degrees! It has something to do with the pressure, but if their candy thermometer reads a lower temperature, it may still be correct.
Thanks for all the wonderful info and ideas. I especially enjoy the decorating ideas. Maybe I’ll turn my perfectly functional and frugal but not at all decorated home into a functional, frugal and pretty home just yet
Midge Says: Thanks for much for the comments! That is another struggle I have run into… how to keep little hands off the cute decorations!! I am going to share your candy making hints with our Fans on Facebook as well. So glad you wrote in.
Look for a beautiful wreath to adorn that front door!
Paint your door if it needs it (getting ready to do that myself)
Our home is VERY modest, but a clean entry way plus a gorgeous wreath does wonders. If you don’t have the cash, wait until late seasona and get one deeply discounted and in the meantime let the kids make a memorable wreath that changes throughout the season-put up the “ring” and let them fill it with the leaves, cones, berries and flowers they find on their walks and hikes. Use fall-colored paperor fabric and have them cut outlines of their hands. Use these as the main color of the wreath. Just brainstorming here and I’m sure you can come up with lots better ideas.
Midge Says: Great ideas!!! Thanks for writing in Dawn! I will also share your ideas with our fans on Facebook
We often use the breakfast bar, which we NEVER tend to eat at! Instead it has always housed our seasonal focus. We have lived in many homes so if a ‘bar’ was not present we used some little table or a portion of a counter, even a corner of the family room.
The décor has changed over the years as my children have grown and as friends and family have sent seasonal gifts and cards. Now we will be adding arts and crafts from our grandson! We also have always used the refrigerator in each home. Here is where the art, printouts, cards and such would be hung. It brightens the kitchen and always makes us pause and smile as we open the refrigerator door. A very good reminder of our seasonal blessings!
Midge says ~ Thanks for writing in!