Easy Ways to Bring the AUTUMN SEASON Into Your Home

The crisp, chilly air mingled with the aroma of wood burning, the glory of trees ablaze in fall colors and fallen chestnuts decorating the paths...

Nothing makes me want to be out of doors more than a perfect autumn day. At night, all I want to do is be near a cozy fire and sip something to warm my insides, like red wine, spiced mulled wine or herbal teas.

While the summer months brought a myriad of fruits and vegetables like sweet melons, juicy peaches and vine ripe tomatoes, the fall offers heartier vegetables like kale, pumpkins, pears, and roasted chestnuts.

The autumn harvest is not only good for eating, it's good for decorating. Nothing looks more seasonal than a well placed, perfect pumpkin. On my mantle, for instance, there is an arrangement of glass jars with dried wild berries, chestnuts and pine cones. Add a candle and you have a wonderful seasonal arrangement.

Here is a great idea for Thanksgiving (or any other party during the fall season): Take a pumpkin (or several small ones), cut off the top and hollow it out, just as you would if you were carving a Jack-o-Lantern. Then, with a sharp knife, carefully cut out some designs- take your time to not make mistakes.

You can carve scrolls, diamond shapes (like you would a paper snowflake), or even a pretty face if you are artistic. Place the pumpkins all around the dining or buffet table and carefully add a tea light and you have a wonderful, organic, handmade candle holder that is not only beautiful but very unique.

I once did this for a big Thanksgiving dinner party, adding also vases full of berry branches mixed with evergreen and pine cones sprayed with gold spray paint. The effect was fabulous and the guests loved it.

Take advantage of the short (but oh, so sweet) autumn season and bring it indoors to make it last as long as you can! Thanks for reading!

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xoxo, C