Fall Kitchen Decorations – No Shopping

I am easing into fall around here.  Our temps are still reaching into the 100s during the days, but the days are shorter and it just feels like fall.  So I’m starting to add a few things here and there in my home to mark the season.

I am NOT shopping for any new autumn décor and did a simple little refresh in my kitchen for zero dollars.  I know many of my friends are very talented with foliage and grand displays, but for me simple is better.

Besides.

My kitchen is small and I don’t have much space for seasonal décor.

Unless.

I want to get on a ten-foot ladder and decorate above the cabinets.  I do not.  Getting up there once or twice a year to clean is quite enough for me, thank you.

I used Barkeeper’s Friend to clean up my copper pots and it makes me so happy to see them. 

Do you remember Longaberger?  Do you have any of their baskets?  Yep, I bought them at assorted parties and I still have them.  Of course I do since they were like $80 a basket.  Somehow that company went out of business, even with crazies like me purchasing their goods. But taking the baskets out of the cupboards and using them is another thing that makes me happy. They coordinate with the warm, simple look I’m going for in the kitchen.

I absolutely love the blonde wood pedestal my DSIL Linda bought us one year for Christmas.  It has graced many entertaining tables over the years, but displaying it with the other warm fall colors looks perfect.  I’m not an affiliate, but I linked the Pottery Barn site because it’s on sale right now.

I have this adorable kitty board DF Cassie and her daughter Syd gave me for my birthday one year and it’s out too. Frankly, many of the things I have out are gifts from darling friends and the whole decorating experience just gave me warm and happy memories.

What I’m Reading

I read the second Noah Wolf book by David Archer.  Honestly, they aren’t the best and it will probably be the last I read, but I can’t say I put it down either.  I admit it. Sometimes I just like trash.

On audio I listened to CJ Critt (my favorite female narrator) read a Kay Hooper, Out of the Shadows.  I know CJ made the book more enjoyable than it probably deserved, but what I did like about this suspense was that it integrated some paranormal and it was more fun than a run-of-the-mill mystery.

What I’m Eating

Soup sounded good and I thought the aroma of simmering soup while I was fall decorating would be motivational.  Since it’s Meatless Monday, I put together a good old-fashioned vegetable soup.  With a warm crusty roll on the side, I’m calling it dinner.

I used my Mueller Vegetable Chopper to chop everything uniformly and used my super sweet corn and green beans out of the freezer to make life easier.

Here’s what I did.

Vegetable Soup

• 2 large carrots
• ¼ large white onion
• 1 stalk celery
• 1 clove garlic (I didn’t use since it’s not low fodmap)
• 1 can petite diced tomatoes
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 4 small potatoes
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 cup frozen green beans
• Salt, pepper and oregano to taste

Chop and sauté carrots, onion and celery in a small amount of avocado oil for about 10 minutes until soft and aromatic.  If using garlic, sauté during the last two minutes.  Add to the crockpot with tomatoes and vegetable broth.  Dice potatoes and add them.  Season as desired.  Cook for about 6 hours on low.  During last ½ hour, add frozen vegetables.

I hope you enjoyed all the beautiful kitties last week. Gorgeous and sweet Tigger crossed the rainbow bridge, but he was a wonderful part of DF Jan’s family. I am so happy I got to meet him in person.

I’m autumn-izing the great room this week and I’ll share on Saturday’s post.  Until then, have a great week.