Thursday, September 03, 2015

Our first Fall picnic!


The thermometer and calendar beg to differ, but I've declared it Fall in our house! Let the cozying begin. Ahem. Or rather continue.

I've frequently said if there is one word that this family knows - it is cozy.

It has been eight years since I had my first Autumn in Avonlea gathering and that is when I discovered purple berries in our backyard and cut some to decorate the porch. Ever since that night, beauty berries have signaled me to the very earliest welcome of Fall.

Our bush {maybe a tree now!} is heavy laden and just calls through the window for me to come and cut some branches to enjoy.


After cranking open my first can of pumpkin for the season, I made Skinny and Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate-Chip Muffins. As soon as I was mixing, I was planning a picnic. Pretty food invites picnic inspiration for me!

Layer quilts, dishes, berry clippings and muffins. Picnic done!



I love mornings that start like this! My children launched into full play-outside-mode after breakfast. They each opened their own "store" with lettuce {magnolia leaves}, spines {the main stem of a magnolia leaf}, pumpkins {rose hips}, wheat {pine straw} and so much more. The creativity is nearly staggering.

I confess that it is hard to find a balance between letting them just play and getting back to school and chores. So, after letting them play about an hour - I tried to muster up the motivation to reign it back in and get some things done.

Childhood creativity and play is not always something I enjoy playing along with, but I do so appreciate their spontaneity and light-hearted ways. I think my favorite thing about this creative zone is to observe. That, and being close by quietly reading or thinking.




My currency was spikes from the sago palm and the value was tremendous. A bountiful harvest of joyful memories is mine and I am so grateful.





7 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh how fun! I'm making loaves of pumpkin bread here ,although I'm sure it will be in the 80s or 90s.
Lol I just crave cozy!:)
Christina

Tina Leigh said...

I like your Declaration of Fall! Are those pears & persimmons?

Monica Wilkinson said...

@Tina Leigh: they are huge rose hips that grow on our climbing rose bush! The a/c is on and it's hot outside but we are going with Fall inside!

@Christina Gomez: yes, here too - hot for months still! But we will still bake Fall food and go for cozy!

Mom said...

Lovely! I had forgotten that you had beauty berries in your yard - perfect! Looks like fall even if the temperature is deceiving...

Tina Leigh said...

Monica I had to look that up! I've never heard of rose hips & it says they are in the apple/crab apple family and you can actually eat them and make jellies & tea with them! I am in awe! Please post a picture of your plant when you can.

All the beautiful Mums have arrived at Walmart! I'm buying a trunk full tomorrow & planting them. Last year I was able to get a few in the ground & they are going to bloom soon. They are the epitome of Fall to me. My hopes are to establish mine for Fall every year & save that money. Next May, Im planting a patch of "Orange Bulldog" pumpkins. The seeds were developed by UGA and are suppose to be disease/insect tolerant for the south. Wait, didn't I say pumpkins were the epitome of Fall? I love pumpkins but to pay $5 & up each is just not fair. I think I can grow these orange bulldog pumpkins for the price of 3 store bought & have a pumpkins galore. I want to be the "Bubba Gump" of pumpkins & mums in my neck of the woods! Lol!

Kelli said...

Looks like a wonderful fall breakfast. I too love fall but here in California it takes a little longer to arrive...I do have a pumpkin candle buring right now and plan to decorate this weekend!
Have a happy Friday!

Blissful & Domestic said...

Oh my I am ready for fall as well. I have already baked a bit with pumpkin and am ready to go get my pumpkin candle wax to melt. Fall come quick please:)