Monday, September 22, 2008

Happy Autumn...


Fall is here. My absolute favorite time of year! Thank you so much for the wonderful birthday wishes. I had an action-packed fun-filled weekend.The morning of my birthday, we did the Autism Speaks, Walk Now for Autism fundraiser.Here is our team, consisting of my parents and my family. We were part of the larger St. David's Team where Lowell attended his Autism Day Treatment program and is now in an inclusion room there (and his picture graces their homepage). We walked on the Canterbury Downs horse track.We came home for cake and then hubby took me out to eat at Fogo de Chao downtown Minneapolis. If you like meat, this is the place to be. It's a Brazilian steakhouse. I had the best chocolate mousee dessert. Yum! I bought the book Life is a Verb for myself, it is based on this blog. It has wonderful exercises for living each day to the fullest and changing our perspective. Oh yea, also bought this necklace (above) for myself from Amy when Kristen of Mood Swing Studio was her InspiredFriend. Does anyone else buy birthday presents for themselves?! hehe.
Almost got the perfect family picture. Nice face, Chloe!
The Autumn Gathering House Party will now take place on October 23rd, where we can all share with one another our fall/Halloween decor. If you have a blog link in your comment on this post and want to participate, I've been adding people to the blog roll on my sidebar. If you don't see your name there, it means I don't have a blog url for you. I just wanted to share with you what I have up right now. This new shelving unit (above) was a recent estate sale find.
Ever since I saw this in Marie Claire Idees magazine, I've had my eye out for something similar. When I stumbled across it recently, I couldn't pass it up. Love it!

I always like to share my ever-changing studio/dining room display.
Love this little grouping. The card is by oneripepeach.

This vintage wallpaper covered chest of drawers was also a recent estate sale find. The colors couldn't be more perfect.

This crazy scarecrow is new. My mom gave it to me for my birthday. This is how I feel some days:)
I'm a big fan of scarecrows. Making one is on my year to-do list.

Finally, a fall recipe to share with you. I created this version of a waldorf salad on a whim when we had Joe's family coming over for burgers and brats yesterday. I had fresh apples from the orchard, tossed in some grapes and poured in a bag of trail mix that I had. The mix had nuts, raisins, craisins, and chocolate chips in it. Mixed a little mayo with lemon juice together and stirred it all together. Delicious!
If you need any more fall inspiration, you must check out the links here.
Hope you're enjoying your first day of Fall. The most glorious time of the year!

24 comments:

BugnLVoe said...

Your decorations are fabulous and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! :-)

XOXO

Anonymous said...

Love that chest of drawers and the kids are just as cute as ever!

Rosemary said...

Hi,
Nice to meet you.
Thanks for visiting my blog the other day. Tried to email you, but don't know if you got it or not.
Hope you had a Happy Birthday. Love your Halloween decor!!! You have a very cute family!!
Hope to chat again,
Rosemary

Unknown said...

Well Happy Birthday friend! Looks like a lovely day! Come by and say hello sometime!
Hugs,
Robyn

Maija said...

Happy Birthday, Kari! Your decorations are wonderful,. and really putting me in the spirit! I just picked up the latest Marie Claire Maison when I was in Paris last week!

karyn said...

Happy Birthday!! I love how you display your Halloween decorations!

Super Fun Mama said...

I LOVE the shelf!

Karin said...

Happy birthday! I love all your Halloween decorations, and that chest of drawers is amazing!

Melissa said...

Happy Birthday!!

I also like scarecrows. I held back some stuff from the donation bag just waiting for 'scarecrow season.' I even have a pair of Elvis sunglasses.

~Autumn warmth~
Melissa

Katie Runnels said...

aahhh! poo!! I missed it! Happy Belated Birthday!! You are such a fantastic, creative and giving person and I wish you all the good and lovely things you deserve for your new year! XoXo! Looks like you had a great day!

Cindy said...

Cute decor! I loved that ladder too when I saw it in MC...they are so cool.

c

Saucy said...

Happy Birthday! I also buy myself a little something around the time of my special day. Did you know that Amy even celebrates her half-birthday? You chose a lovely necklace.

DeeAnn said...

Happy Belated B-day. I wish you many more. I do buy B-day presents for myself. ;) You know us girls have to spoil ourselves. :)

Kristen Pare said...

Happy Birthday!
I love your decor. Fall is my favorite time of year. I added a few fall vignettes on my blog! I couldn't wait :)
Kris

Anonymous said...

Oh I LOVE the Fall decorations! I am a Fall fanatic! I don't allow myself to decorate until October 1st, but when I do, I go CRAZY! I have many Fall posts in the archives of my blog in case you're interested! :)

Anonymous said...

Forgot to leave URL!

www.gilliangreding.typepad.com

Debra said...

First I must say I love your blog. Second, I am glad to hear I am not the only one who loves apples and raisins with mayo. I love it.....my daughter and husband thinks I am crazy for eatting it. LOL

Anonymous said...

What a great post! So many goodies, and new blogs to go chek out. Happy birthday you young thing you!! Enjoy 34.
Kelly

Bristol said...

Oh happy birthday mine is on the 20 as well. Happy belated birthday~ I wish I was turning 34, I turned the big 39~
Bristol

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! I really like the shelf, going to have to be on the lookout now for a ladder! You have such fun Halloween decorations! Can't wait to see more!

Anonymous said...

Hey-

Happy Birthday! Is that the chest of drawers from the Bonanza? Very cool! Love the Halloween Decor!

Have a great day! Stacy (MN)

suze said...

Happy Birthday! Your home looks amazing...it's giving me the shove I need to get out my fall decorations.

Ulla said...

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY DEAR KARI! Love your fall displays!!!

dragonflydreamer said...

I love to lurk on your blog. It is on my list of favorites. Your style and how it comes out in everything you do. Happy belated birthday. May this year be filled with good health, love, friendship, peace, laughter and prosperity.