The Reluctant Fall Nester

That's right - I'm a reluctant Fall Nester! That doesn't mean that I don't like Fall - I do. I love all the warm and cozy colors and the wonderful smells.

I'm reluctant because it's hard to wrap my mind around Fall when it's over 90 degrees outside and because I am lacking in decorating skills. I get inspired by all of you, but don't really have the right items and don't know how to put them together very well.

I was thinking about this in the morning and wanting to find a way to be part of this Fall nesting thing. I was headed to my favorite thrift store to get my son some extra school clothes and decided that I would keep an eye out for anything that inspired me to create Fall loveliness.

On a side note, I spent $25 at the thrift store, which sounds like a lot to me, but I got: a purse, a table runner, 6 vinyl placemats, a package of floating leaf candles, a cake/dessert stand, a metal pot, a ceramic bowl, a vase, 3 boys short-sleeve shirts, 5 boys long-sleeve shirts, and 3 pair boys pants. Woo-hoo!

I came back and managed to set up my version of Fall Nesting on my dining table. It really hurt my brain to come up with this, but here is my attempt:

I also took a basket and threw in some wooden napkin rings with a collection of wooden tops from India:

OK, that means that I have no creativity left for the week!

My Starbucks even got into the spirit of Fall nesting today by featuring their pumpkin lattes and pumpkin loaf slices. And now they have oatmeal (which is warm and cozy, just like Fall). Not that I was there.

In honor of Fall nesting, I want to have another theme week (Summer Campout Week was so much fun!). Lord willing, it will be the first "official" week of Fall - 9/22 through 9/26. It will be a week of yummy pumpkin recipes ('cause I do like pumpkin almost as much as chocolate)! There will be recipes for you, opportunities to link up, random pumpkin information, and a giveaway! Check back for more details.

All this nesting is happening because of Melissa at The Inspired Room. It's Fall Nesting Week at her place with lots of great resources, people linking up, and even a giveaway! Be sure to stop on by.

You should also stop by my friend Rhonda's blog: Scooterblu's Whimsy. Not only is she a great Fall nester, but she is celebrating her 100th post and having a lovely Autumn giveaway!

And don't forget, every Friday on my blog is "Would You Like Chocolate With That?" so get a post ready - new or from your archives - that has a family-friendly chocolate theme. You can post recipes, pictures, poems, thoughts, etc. and link them up here. Please come by and share the chocolate! :)