Sunday, October 21, 2012

Leaf Looking Drive

I must confess that I love the red leaves the most!  Our Maple tree that was so small that we could gather all of the fallen leaves in a paper lunch sack is now producing 10-12 full size lawn bags.  Still, looking out my craft room window (conveniently located on second floor) this is what I love to see.
Mr. Wonderful was about take his riding mower with its leaf gathering trailer through the bounty.  I ran out to take pictures of what can only be described as 'the beginning or sorrows'.  You see, I think fall is beautiful and I do like to look at the leaves but truth be told, I live in the Upper Midwest and we do WINTER like nobody's business here and I don't like it.  This might be 'home sweet home' but I don't like cold and snow for as long as we normally get it.  Can you tell that the anticipation of November through April is not  one of joy?  I can take snow till December 26th and then it could all be gone and I'd be glad.
Autumn leaves do bring one annual happy activity:  THE LEAF LOOKING DRIVE.  This year we headed West of the metro since it's late in the season for leaves and the leaves in the southern part of the state are already on the ground.  We went to a favorite haunt where vintage stores abound.  I love to see the groupings and my camera now tickles my memory since a lot of stuff falls out of my head if I attempt to just remember a cute idea.  Mr. Wonderful has this book in his childhood collection in his library.  Why didn't I think of bringing it out?  The Mystery of the Flying Skeleton will be on display tomorrow!
 
Clearing out the geraniums I have plenty of pots, you'll probably see faux gourds and some dried weeds in them next year on my porch.  This is just too easy not to copy!
Using every square foot for display, this historic bank building probably never imagined the vault of the future would hold baby clothes and vintage chairs instead of $$$$.
Now I've seen my share of garland and grapevines but have you ever seen tiny pumpkins on garland?  Hmm, hot glue and let me take a look at what's in the basement.  I like to decorate for fall in September and then leave it up until the day after Thanksgiving because that is my favorite day of the decorating year!

CHRISTMAS COMES TO MY HOUSE on Black Friday.  No, I don't shop, I do drop by the end of the day though!

The displays for the holidays were few and far between but I sniffed a few out because, well, I love Christmastime!
Look at this!  All you Putz House lovers would be drooling for certain, sparkle, sparkle, sparkle!  At our house we have real estate too, little lighted houses in vignettes set up in every available corner on any flat surface I haven't claimed before Mr. Wonderful 'takes that hill' with his Dept. 56 New England and North Pole Villages.  I could never do what he does with layers of Styrofoam, light cords and and accessories.  He is a genius of landscape and village building and I just soak it in!  
I said, I love 'looking' but then at the second to the last stop  I saw this metal tree.  I couldn't help myself, I said to my beloved, "I really, really, really like that tree and I want it."  I pressed on through the huge store alone when he made a circle the opposite direction. You see, we NEED Christmas decorations like a hole in the head and I am barely working at my little 20 hour a week job. 

Getting back in the car, I had forgotten that I didn't go back and beg some more when...tinkle, tinkle, clink, clink!  I heard a sound coming from the trunk.  Smiling I said, "You couldn't really hide it from me could you?"  He smiled, "I knew you really liked it."

TAMMY'S IN LOVE

26 comments:

  1. What a guy ! I keep buying Christmas trees and haven't put one up for about 5 yrs !! :) I do understand the NEED to buy Christmas treasures. Can't wait to see what you do with your new piece. E

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  2. I'm smiling from ear to ear. Your hubby is a sweetheart and I can't wait to see your magical Christmas villages. Your Christmas tree has amazing potential.

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  3. How sweet you got the tree! Today was our tree driving today...pictures tomorrow!

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  4. Sound like a great day! Merry and Happy all rolled into one.

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  5. I love Christmas time, too! What a beautiful tree you brought home, and such a sweet hubby!! xo Heather

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  6. Oh, that sounds like a fun day! The putz house calls to me! Your tree is great! We love leaf looking rides, too, especially along the Mississippi River Road and Summit in St. Paul!

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  7. I think your hubby may be a keeper! That is so sweet! I got a Christmas tree this weekend too! A white one! I have been wanting one and found one at a yard sale for $8.00. It's full size! I can't wait to get it up...

    Blessings

    Linda

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  8. The leaves are gorgeous. Ours haven't really started yet-it's still in the mid 80's here. What a fun day you all must have had. Your Hubby sounds like a real sweetie! Love that Skeleton book too. I'll be with you on Black Friday-decorating not shopping fro sure.

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  9. You are a very lucky lady, and not because you got the tree, but because you have a man that hears you. I'm very blessed with the same, and it's truly a treasure.

    Hugs,
    Meri

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  10. What a cool tree. It would be perfect for hanging some of the Christmas tags from the swaps! I would give it a coat of creamy white spray paint. =D

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  11. Oh, he really is Mr, Wonderful! You are just married to the sweetest guy! I love all these pictures and ideas. I have a pretty Maple tree in my front yard, too, that is dropping leaves like crazy, too! It was a tiny tree when we planted it, and now I am thrilled to have it provide pretty crunchy leaves to the lawn!
    Blessings,
    Susie

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  12. Aww, what a sweetie! You better hang onto him! The Christmas tree in the enamel bowl is a terrific idea and one I may steal this year! ;) And who doesn't love Putz houses?! So cute! :)
    -Denise

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  13. Oh I love Christmas time too! I can't wait to start getting my decorations out and singing along to the lovely songs! Have a great week! xo Holly

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  14. Great!!! Now I have to go to the Nickel tomorrow! Did I ever tell you that was my first job?
    Sooo glad that hubby bought the tree for you! It's great, and I would have been looking for it if you had left it there! haha
    Erica :)

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  15. Well deserved...you lucky girl. Enjoyed everyone of these photos...smiles..Renee

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  16. The colors of fall are so pretty aren't they? Love your pictures, and so happy your Mr. Wonderful came through!!! Can't wait to see what you do with it!

    hugs chris

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  17. Awwwww! That guy is a keeper :) Yay for Mr Wonderful! :)

    Love these photos :) and that metal tree is fantabulous!

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  18. Tammy, I can't wait to see all of your holiday decorating. I am laughing about your husband and his village. My husband just purchased a small one, and his decorating..... too funny! This post reminds me, Elizabeth make your ornaments!!! I keep getting sidetracked.
    Always fun to visit here! Elizabeth

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  19. A husband who decorates - now that is a keeper. Lucky girl!

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  20. Awww...what a sweet hubby! Lovely leaves! It was a great day for a drive!
    See you Thursday at 5PM!!
    Deb

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  21. I love the red leaves, too. =)

    Love the wire tree!!

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  22. Oh...what a very sweet husband you have, Tammy! What a lovely thing to have done---something you'll always remember when you see your tree each and every Black Friday!

    Wishing you a beautiful fall day, my friend!

    Julie

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  23. Wonderful pictures on this post friend! I love just looking at all of the leaves and the decorations:)

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  24. Awww! That's sweet that he got the little metal tree for you. I miss Autumn along witb the leaves. Grew up in the south so never had to deal with snow. When we got flurries it was a cause for celebration. Snow is nice to visit but wouldn't want to live in it. Shopping looks like inspired fun. Have a great rest of the week. Tammy

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  25. What beautiful trees and fun road trip! Love the tree that your husband "secretly" bought you.

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  26. The last winds of Sandy have blown away all our leaves. Like you, I went out in search of Christmas already this week - gotta be the first to grab the goods!

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