Friendly Ghosts and Other non-Frightening Fall Decor

Ok....I deserve it....You can ALL say....Better late than never, Susan!  You bloggers always amaze me by being so on top of your decorating blogging. :)  Here we are coming up on Thanksgiving and I'm blogging about Halloween/Fall decorating.  

I like to decorate my mantels with books....and this cute purple book I found at a Garage Sale, about "Gus the FRIENDLY Ghost" fits right in.

Here's a view of the whole mantel.  I have a two-sided fireplace and this one faces the dining room.

Last year I received this cute Halloween card, I saved it knowing it would play a part in my decorating.  Maybe next year I'll get around to framing it.

More books and a raven pillow that was a gift from my neighbor decorate my living room mantle.

Originally the pillow was stark white...but since that doesn't fit into my color scheme, I tea dyed it to make it look older and more yellow.

No....I don't really have POISON, but I found some Martha Stewart bottle labels so I FORCED myself gladly drank  (with help, of course) a bottle of wine! (and yes that IS me holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa!)  Wonder Woman Watch Out!

I found this cute jack-o-lantern and black cat garland (made out of thin wood) last year and it's become one of my favorite pieces.

Sweet, plump little birds add to the nature theme.

More books....these are from my trip to Paris a year ago.  Since they are small and flat, they made great mementos of the trip to bring back with me.  I decorate with books all year long.  Do you?

Here's a view of the entire mantel.

My living room mantle is painted red.....on a deep purple wall.  What??!??!?!  Is it that obvious that I Like COLOR!  Ya'll have a great Thanksgiving!!

On the Way to Austin.......

Last weekend my friend and I headed to Austin on Friday morning!  Isn't it wonderful to take a vacation day from the office and just do "girly things"?  I NEED those .................

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Chappell Hill is about an hour's drive outside of Houston...but it might as well be a world away.  It's just so quite and peaceful and beautiful.

It's like Camelot....the flowers are always in bloom!

And if I won the lotto,.....I'd own this beauty!  It's smack dab in the middle of Chappell Hill.  I could sit on my front and watch the world go by.  Ahhhhhhh....A glass of ice tea---this beauty....what MORE could I want!??!?!

Since we were just two crazy girls on the loose, we stopped at any Antique Store or Junque Shop we wanted too...heaven!  I like to decorate with books/cards so I'm excited to add these to my collection .  

I got a couple of linens......I just liked the pretty little flowers on them and it's hard to find Cottage-y things with Purple...so I snagged this.  Plus the well made candy thermometer should hold up to my fudge and peant brittle recipes.  And I've been needing a new cookie/bisquit cutter.  And lo and behold, I found this set for $4.00!  SCORE!

My mom had a set JUST like these........I just had to have them.....$6....  :)

Isn't this apron cute?  I have a couple of them my Grandmother cross stitched some and was lucky enough to inherit them.  I feel so June Cleaver (in a good way!) when I wear my aprons.

Hmmmm.....what do you think THIS is??!?!?  Love the colors and it's going to turn into wall artwork in my colorful cottage.  It was only $5.  Sweet, right?

This board brings back so many childhood afternoons...playing Chinese Checkers, Monopoly and Life.  Did YOU play those games?

Isn't this a bright, colorful fabric swatch? Two "purple" linens in one shopping trip....it was my LUCKY weekend!

Here the the whole tablecloth.  It was in great shape and only $10. 

But I think my all time favorite find that day was this book, "The Wonderful Tarbaby".  This was another favorite childhood read and the illustrations are gorgeous.  Are there any childhood books that you always look for?