Saturday, September 13, 2014

Autumn Decorating, A New Outlet Mall, & Critters in The Devil's Playground

Oh so many things to share with you today!  First of all, the temperatures are staying cool & therefore I am still smiling & singing that Pharrell song   : )   In fact, it's been so cool this morning that I treated myself to a long-sleeved jersey & broke out my fluffy slippers from last year   : )

This past Thursday I decided I should probably put away my 4th of July decor & make the house look more fall-like, so I did a bit of autumn decorating with ...

my autumn painted breadboard ...
my autumn painted sewing drawer ...
& another autumn painted breadboard.
I know what you're thinking.  "Wow!  The Easily Influenced Stitcher must be exhausted from all that decorating!"  Well, there's more!

I brought my autumn/winter colored Fiesta dishes out in front of the spring & summer colored ones. My kitchen walls aren't lime green, by the way ... they just showed up this way in the photo.

Here are some autumn-themed pictures for my walls ...
& here are a few more autumn-themed decor items.
And here are some stenciled wooden signs to welcome the season.
Yes, I was totally exhausted from all that decorating ... but I did manage to add one more decorative item!
I couldn't resist   : )   Now I can look up & see this sign while I'm stitching   : )

A new outlet mall opened in Louisville last month ... The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass.    
The mall is actually located in Simpsonville, but it's close enough to Louisville to be considered a Louisville mall.  John had a doctor appointment in Louisville yesterday, & on our way home we decided to stop & explore the new attraction.  I'm not one who frequents outlet malls.  I never see much in the way of bargains.  When I do find something I like that's a good deal, it's usually not my scent, color, or size.  (Omar the Tent Maker has yet to succumb to the call of the outlet mall.) Yesterday was an exception though.  The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass included a Ghirardelli store!!!  I have seen a few different varieties of Ghirardelli squares in my lifetime (their Milk & Caramel squares have always been my favorite), but this outlet store had varieties I never imagined!  A woman with a basket of Ghirardelli Minis gave John & I a free sample, which just happened to be a free sample of the Milk & Caramel ones, as we entered the store.  I wanted to hug her!  Then after we walked around a bit, a different woman gave us each another free sample of these mini Milk & Caramel squares!  I wanted to hug her even more!!!  But back to the varieties ... there were so many to choose from! John & I were both interested in the Intense Dark Cherry Tango variety but we didn't want to buy a whole bag in case we didn't like them, so we were happy to find a "mix & match" display where you could choose however many of whatever you wanted ... so we bought one IDCT square for each of us.  I think I've now got a new favorite ... they were delicious!!!  If we would have tried them before we left the mall we would've bought a bag or two.  Instead, I thought these two in the photo below sounded good so they are what we brought home   : )
There is a small cafe at the Ghirardelli store which offers several ice cream concoctions as well as a pretty good looking (per the photo on the wall) cup of hot chocolate.  I think we will need to visit again for a cup of that hot chocolate & a bag or two of those Intense Dark Cherry Tango squares   : )

As for the critters, a couple days ago I was able to get this photo of one of our hummingbirds.
Just after I took this hummingbird photo, I noticed that Greta, our groundhog, was in the driveway. Isn't she cute?  

And that's it for today my friends!  I don't know what's going on but I think I've published more posts this past week than I have in a long time! Must be the cooler weather   : )   I finished stitching one of my exchange ornaments last night & will be starting another exchange piece this evening.  Fun-fun-fun!!!

14 comments:

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

I love your Autumn themed decorating, especially the Autumnal crockery. I bet you are making sure everything is seasonal for my visit! There is nothing that says "slovenly household" than Spring crockery being offered in September LOL

I love the sound of the chocolate samplers. You could have changed coats and gone back for a second time, worn a big hat and tried a third time!

Robin in Virginia said...

It sounds like you have had several busy days, Shirlee. I really like the autumn decorations you have out. I need to it some time this week. Great pictures of the critters.

Robin in Virginia

CalamityJr said...

Love your decorating, but listen. Do you hear it? Your blue patterned baking dish and stitchery are whispering that they want to move to my house...

And the Ghiradelli - oh, I think I'd not get out of that outlet until my wallet was empty! I was given a taste of limited fall flavors at Sam's Club, of all places, and chose the chocolate surrounded pumpkin cream. Oh My Taste Buds, was that yummy! Now if I can just find a smaller bag of them. Enjoy your treats!

Kevin said...

Love the Autumn themed decorations! And how fortunate to have found that Ghirardelli shop in the outlet mall - sounds fantastic! I LOVE your new hummingbird visitor, and that groundhog is adorable. I've never seen one of them in person before! So cute!! Enjoy that Autumn weather - boy do I miss the change of seasons.

Simple Pleasure said...

Dearest Shirlee,
Nice job with getting your home ready for autumn...such a nice touch that you even swap out the dishes...I must borrow that idea!!!
I'm with you when it comes to shopping for clothes BUT your chocolate adventures suggest that I should check things out a bit in my area..just in case.
I look forward to seeing your latest stitching.
Busy Hands...Happy Heart,
Patricia

Ele said...

Love your decorations, and the chocolate looks really yummy! Wonderfully cool here too this morning.... sooo happy!
Enjoy your day

Annette-California said...

Love all your beautiful Autumn decor - wow you have been busy. I have had Ghirardelli's hot chocolate and its delicious! Hope you do go back and have a cup:) Love that you got to go to their shop. love Annette

Kaisievic said...

Shirlee, I love the idea of autumn-themed crockery. Wonderful! Great Fall decorating and oh! a hummingbird in the garden and I didn't know that anyone could have a pet groundhog! So glad you enjoyed the Ghirardelli outlet, I have found memories of visiting Ghirardelli Square when we visited San Francisco a couple of years ago.
hugs, Kaye

gracie said...

I love Ghirardelli also.....love trying new flavors. You decorating is so festive....

Nancy said...

We went to Ghiradelli while in San Franciso and had ice cream and chocolate. It was heaven! So many choices......Nancy

Pam in IL said...

The Ghiradelli store sounds fun. I like your fall decorating -- even that Let it Snow sign.

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Oh Shirlee, you made me smile today. I love seeing all your fall decorating. Makes me want to go drag mine out too. Have a good week! Hugs!

Carol said...

Your walls are painted the perfect color for your pretty autumn decorating, Shirlee--thanks for the "tour!" And I love your storage of your overdyed threads--how convenient!

Sarah in Stitches said...

I love those beautiful painted breadboards! They look perfect. Enjoy the chocolate - chocolate & cherry has always been my favorite :D