My Fall Mantel…

I have been having a hard time putting together a fall mantel this year. I can think of several reasons why, but perhaps the most obvious is due to the pile of supplies that are sitting in my living room in front of the fireplace…

 

 

As I have mentioned before…my oldest son is heading off to college this year. We have been shopping for dorm/school supplies for the last several weeks.  Most of his friends have already left, but his University is on the quarter system and classes do not start until late September. Therefore, his move in date is not until this weekend, so we are still collecting supplies and trying to navigate around this ever growing pile of necessities…

 

 

 

 

Now back to the mantel…if I can get to the mantel! As I mentioned in this post, I like to use simple and natural elements to decorate for fall. Unfortunately, here in California, the leaves do not change this early and it’s a little harder to find fall décor items outside in the yard.

 

I started with some clippings from a plant in my front yard, and placed them in a glass vase…

 

 

 

 

From there, I decided to use some items that I already had around the house and stored away in my fall décor box…

 

 

 

 

I was hoping to add some real pumpkins and gourds, but I went to the market twice last week and could not find any yet! So I just added a few artificial ones that I already had…oh and the funky little pair of red foo dogs that I found at a favorite thrift store and shared about in this post…

 

 

 

 

Well, we will call it done for now. I admit that I have been a bit distracted by all the college prep going on…not to mention a bit melancholy that my son will be leaving the nest and off to start college and begin his own life adventure…sniff, sniff. I am excited, and proud, and nervous, and sad, and happy, all at the same time!

 

 

 

 

Here’s to the change of seasons, and the change of this life chapter for all of us!