Halloween Fate...

Are you ready for a night

of Halloween thrills?

(click photos to enlarge)

or maybe a night of scary movies

 and candlelight,

with a loved one to cling to

for safety?

As I girl I loved to dress up as a gypsy,

layers of ruffled skirts,

a borrowed wig with long long hair,

and piles of jewelery...

I have always

been intrigued by Gypsies

and fortune tellers,

the seers...

I don't know that I would truly like to "see" my future

I like surprises too much...

but it is fun to imagine....

I am enchanted by Vintage Halloween postcards,

their simple verses,

foretelling your fate...

the secret of my life's destiny

lies hidden in this beets root,

if only I knew...

perhaps tonight,

I will stumble upon a clever gypsy,

who will share the secret,

or perhaps YOU know?

Night falls soon,

let the fun begin,

stay safe...

Trick or Treat?

The Softer Side of Fall...

After dressing up my mantle

for Fall-O-Ween,

I still craved something a little softer...

(click photos to enlarge)

something a little girlie,

something with a little lace...

something in softer shades...

I spent this morning cleaning out the veggie garden,

gathering...

a few last carrots,

a small pile of acorn squash,

more cucumbers than I know what to do with...

and while I was gathering

I plucked some floral goodies too

for a new centerpiece...

a white pumpkin was set in the middle of the bounty...

Peegee Hydrangea,

a few Endless Summer Hydrangea

and the vivid purple berries

of the Beauty Berry...

It's a centerpiece with staying power,

since the Hydrangea are already almost dry...

we'll see how the berries hold up...

and

a curly bow on top,

just 'cause :-)

Today I am joining,

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

and

Metamorphosis Monday

Thanks for stopping by today....

Fall-O-Ween on the Mantle....

It's time for Fall on the mantle,

but who could resist a little Halloween tucked in?

so Fall-O-Ween...

(click photos to enlarge)

I had dreamt of a black and white fall decor,

but the rich colors of fall were irresistible,

if only for a moment...

BOO!

a scary banner,

I made years ago...

I love crows,

but maybe the naughty creatures are best

kept under glass...

cut autumn branches are the easiest

and cheapest way,

to bring the beauty of the season inside....

and they smell wonderful!

my warty pumpkins

from my pumpkin farm trip...

(see here)

it seems a witch stopped by

and left a few things laying around :-)

I have relit my faux fireplace

and it seems to have stirred up a mouse (or is that a rat?)...

but don't worry

when my back was turned, the girls

took care of it!!

he is now a one eared rat :-)

Tonight I am joining,

Show and Tell Friday

Home Sweet Home Friday

Vintage Inspiration Friday

 Feathered Nest Friday

Saturday Nite Special

Masterpiece Monday

and

Tabletop Tuesday

Thanks for stopping by today...

Treasured Blooms...

Saturday was a beautiful day,

and we did some fall garden clean up...

I snapped a few pics along the way...

(click photos to enlarge)

Eden Rose

if you visit my garden often,

most of the flowers will be familiar,

they are just popping out a few treasured

 last blooms...

the Beauty Berry is newly in fruit,

the bright purple berries are a welcome sight in fall...

a couple Asters are the other newbies,

more purple :-)

the faithful Bonita Rose...

she is fearless in the face of the cool fall weather

and is blooming away...

the Winchester Cathedral rose...

Anemones and their happy faces

seem oblivious to the weather...

a few spikes of Toadflax....

the Jacobs Ladder sent up a surprise late bloom or two....

Mallow...

the pink Anemones falling through the gazebo rail...

lazy nodding Eden Rose blooms...

Today I am joining...

Outdoor Wednesday

Pink Saturday

and

Saturday Show Off

Thanks for strolling with me today...

A Cozy Tea with Iris...

I have been enjoying the cool fall weather,

but last night it turned on me...

I love to keep the windows cracked at night,

but last night...

I had to get up and close them

 all up tight,

and go searching for fuzzy socks...

(click photos to enlarge)

when it gets coldish

It is time to bake...

I set up my little tea party,

in a snuggly corner of the couch...

a cake stuffed with Roses,

makes a sweet centerpiece...

the first cookbook I ever owned

is the Better Homes red cookbook,

and it's still where I turn for basic recipes...

this applesauce cake is a yearly favorite...

and yes,

 Roses are also a favorite...

besides they don't want to spend the day outside

in the nasty cold either :-)

a rosy teapot...

and rosy china...

a big mug,

and a mismatched big plate...

make a pretty couple...

 and are a good place

to balance a piece of cake...

after the cake has been cut,

the too simple secret to the sweet centerpiece...

a jelly jar

tucks into the center of a bundt cake easily,

and when the cake is gone,

you still have a simple bouquet :-)

so this has been a post covered in Roses,

about now maybe you are wondering

why the title is...

A Cozy Tea with Iris

?

Iris was my tea companion today,

she is fascinated by the cake!

I couldn't keep her away...

the silly little thing has the biggest sweet tooth...

Today I am joining these tea parties...

Martha's Favorites

 The Plumed Pen

Artful Affirmations

 Silken Purse

Rose Chintz Cottage

Lady Katherine Tea Parlor

  Sweetology

A Stroll Thru Life
Open House Party Thursday
Tablescape Thursday
and
Tea with Friends
at Bernideens

Thanks for joining me today...