Fall Arrangements

I embarked upon an adventure today, one I've often pondered but always shied from....I created my very own arrangement. Not so much a flower arrangement, but rather a Fall arrangement. Hobby Lobby has dedicated an entire 2 aisles to the materials, and needless to say, these are the two aisle in the store that I constantly avoid while roaming the entire rest of the heavenly place (My name is Jennifer, and I am a Hobby Lobby addict). So today I was feeling venturesome, fearless even, and thought I'd take on the task. We've had the same table arrangement since we got married (almost 9 months, which is a long time for me to leave something decorated the same, haha) and I thought a nice Autumn arrangement would be refreshing. I've emerged our life in the season already, sporting jeans and cardigans and baking warm, sweet treats. I would not have dared purchase all the materials needed to make an arrangement (can we say $ expensive $) but Hobby Lobby has everything in that department 50% currently, so I didn't spend much at all, and ended up splendidly satisfied with my final result! I used a vase that I already had, and went to town (literally and figuratively).

Each one of the pieces in the vase are separate. I just inserted a piece of floral foam into the vase and arranged the pieces how I felt, and basically got it on the first try for most of the pieces. My favorite pieces are the pumpkin and the ear of corn. So many yellows and oranges, reds and brown. It just makes me happy. I simply can't wait until I can look out the window and our little slice of earth boasts these colors! So warm and inviting.

To accompany this vase of happiness, I bought a few other pieces. I have Christmas decorations, yes lots of them, but my Fall decor consisted of two little figures that sit on the fireplace mantle and an acorn welcome sign. I had managed to skip decorating for Fall in the past due to my premature excitement for Christmas decorating. Well, I'm not ignoring you this year Autumn. You fill my heart with feelings of blessing and harmony, and I like you too (haha). So, I purchased (50% off, of course. Resulting in paying less than $5 for every piece. $3 for most.) a couple of charming pumpkins and two little harvest people, who strongly resemble Eric and I. After searching through the gathering of all of them, nestled in the back were these two. I think they look like us, Eric with his long brown hair, and I with my braids.  Maybe I'm reading more into this than there really is, but these little people are so symbolic of us. I'm an Indian (Chickasaw, woop woop!), 6 out of 7 days a week I have some sort of braid somewhere in my hair, my favorite thing to eat on a regular basis is fruit (daily) and she's holding a cornucopia overflowing with fruit. Eric has longer brown hair, loves wearing hats, he was born on Thanksgiving and the only type of meat he will touch around the holidays is turkey. Since the day I met him, he always gobbles (haha) and says he's a turkey (it took me a while to figure out why he would say that!) This little guy is holding a turkey. I'm holding my fruit and Eric is holding his turkey. We always joke about me being the Indian and hin being the white man (he has Indian blood too, but he doesn't have a CDIB card so I tell him he doesn't count, haha! He argues that "his people" were too proud to give into the "white man" and get a card. ...sounds like a typical white man. haha!)

Below, are the two little people I have sitting on our fireplace mantle. They are splendid little pumpkin people, who have brought me much joy over the past 2 years. Before we married, I lived with one of my dearest, sweetest friends, Julie. We bought these and had them in our apartment when we lived together. Not wanting to split them up (haha) she told me to take both of them. So, now they adorn our mantle and I think of her every time I see them. We named them Pete and Penelope.

And last but not least, to round out our explosion into the Fall season, we visited our local Goodwill and plucked the best two sweaters from their assortment of new and old. Eric has never owned a sweater, for the almost-eight-years we've been together. I have never seen the soul in a sweater, but dreamed that one day I would. If anyone can break that habit, it would be me! Sweaters= a vital part of the holiday season. Sweaters= cozy and comfy. Sweaters= warmer hugs. Needless to say, you will be seeing Eric in sweaters this year :). He officially purchased his first sweater (since he was a little kid) and will be sporting it in a city near you. I bought a cardigan (new, with the tags on it still!). Cream colored, with silver sequins bordering the front pockets. It's "boyfriend" cut (old style) and unlike anything I have. I'm a fan of both, and very fond of the idea of us both in sweaters, taking a stroll through the park, watching the trees shed their colorful leaves. Ahh, Lord you've made us such a beautiful place to live. We are thankful.

As you can see, our home is decorated for Fall and we're ready for the holidays. We're ready for family time and hardy, home-cooked meals. We're ready for friends and time with loved ones. We're ready to spend our first Thanksgiving together as husband and wife :)! Both of our families are now in the same town, so this year we're especially excited that we will get to visit EVERYONE for every holiday! It's just lovely. Thank you dear Lord for all your many blessings this season!

"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness."
-Charles Spurgeon


All Our Love,
JenEric

p.s.
  We've uploaded a new song, so turn up your speakers and enjoy! Go all the way to the bottom of the blog where the playlist is. Click on the first song. It's called, "The only thing I want for Christmas is to keep the things that I got." It's an old, wonderful song about having arms around you and a good friend or two. ...the things that really matter in life!