Simple: easily done
Real: actually existing as a thing
In my first “home” post (9/6/16) I talked about being still at home and encouraged readers to do the same. I then posted on my 10 minute experience of being still (10/16/16).
Keeping it simple and real at home in the fall is easy and colorful! My fall decor both inside and outside of my home is primarily using real gourds from a real family farm (Thank you Negangards). Check out their Facebook page and this web link.
https://all-opening-hours.com/04084879/Negangard_Pumpkin_Patch
Simple: put those beautiful, colorful gourds everywhere as accents; in the lantern, on the table, in the bowl, on the porch, etc. I love the white ones too. They can go anywhere!
I get fake leaves at the Dollar Tree (while I’m there getting my make up of course: see “appearances” post 10/1/16)
Real: watch out for the very real squirrels who also like to snack on them. Enter Todd and the Shellac…………………..
The Shellac helps extend the life of the gourds and they look shiny and new until after Thanksgiving!
Unless the squirrels get past the bad taste of shellac and eat their way to the inside for the delicious seeds etc. LOL. I don’t blame them. It’s hard to say how far I would go to get to some dark chocolate or a pumpkin spice latte this time of year.
What? There’s chocolate in that pumpkin? ok I get it squirrels.
Actually you can eat the gourds (without the shellac of course)
Enter…spaghetti squash. Forget those nasty white bread noodles (yes they are yummy but this is too) Cut it in half and put in a dish with some water and microwave. There are a ton of great recipes online.
My dad kept it simple and real at home. He didn’t display fall gourds but he did get out there and enjoy that fall landscape that we should all notice in the next few weeks and not just on our screens or from our windows. I mean really get out there and interact with it. Walk on the leaves, smell the air, and take in the natural beauty of your surroundings in person.
During this time of year my dad and I would run the dogs out in the country along the tree lines to get them in shape for hunting season. We would talk or just walk and be still. Therapy!
He did have his fall decor in his house that let you know the season was here….the orange bowl of nuts on the table with the nutcracker standing by. The pan of squirrel soaking in the water before being fried (yummy fall dinner…squirrel head gravy) The bags of overpriced hand picked, pay by the weight, Brachs candy from the local grocery store letting you know Trick or Treat was coming! Even though he had diabetes and couldn’t eat it, he invested in the best candy for those trick or treaters. He would always try to strike up a conversation with them. “What’s your name?” “Where are you from?” They just wanted to get the candy and get out of there.
Today’s Take away….your gentle nudge….Get out there today or in the next few weeks. While you’re out there bring some of it inside. It’s not too late to display some leaves and pumpkins in your home. Let’s not rush this season away because the stores will have the “you know what” out before we know it. Let’s pause and take a deep breath and enjoy the natural beautiful landscape that we are blessed with. Take you 10 min this week among the fall decor inside your home or out. And watch out for those squirrels!
keepitsimplekeepitreal.com
