Fall fun in my neighborhood

Here are some photographs of fun fall displays at the neighbors. These are country neighbors, which means that they don't live right next door, just somewhere in the area. In the country, you are just so glad to have anyone near you that even folks living miles away count as neighbors.

Many years ago, long before we arrived on the prairie, our neighbors started selling fruits and vegetables retail to the public. Through the years their business has grown. They no longer have just a roadside stand. In fact, we refer to them as the "Disneyland of Agriculture." Any way you can think of for having fun on the farm is available there. Kids can pick apples, go on a hayride, wander through a cornmaze, feed farm animals, and even play on a playground. Meanwhile, adults can get an apple donut or fritter hot from the bakery or drink some cider so sweet that you will swear someone just stuck a straw in an apple. Best of all, for the ladies there is shopping, lots of it. They have a giant warehouse filled to the rafters with country style seasonal home decor. Anything you might need for fall decorating is available here. (Guess where all my extra pocket change gets spent this time of year.)

The designers here do a wonderful job displaying the merchandise and decorating the store. I just love browsing the building and looking for decorating ideas. They are so nice that they don't even mind if I bring my camera along, so I took a few photos recently. I am sorry that the photos aren't clearer. Unfortunately they don't capture the true beauty of this place either. It is packed with wonderful merchandise.

I admit that I go over there at least once (sometimes twice) a week to see what is new. You see, they even have a clearance area which often has wonderful items at a fraction of their retail cost. It is like getting things at thrift store prices, except all of it is new.

I wish all of you could visit there with me. We would have a fun day eating our way through the bakery and cafe, then shopping until our carts were overflowing. If I ever win the lottery, I will fly all of you in and we will have a grand day in my neighborhood. Blessings to you and enjoy the weekend.

It's here (Fall came in a box this year)

When I went to the post office recently, I discovered that there was a package waiting for me. Once I saw the return address, I was so excited. I knew it was the fall gathering I had won from the giveaway by Old Annie Primitives at http://oldeannieprimitives.blogspot.com/. This was an important moment for me since this was the first time I had ever won anything on the internet.

I didn't open the box immediately though. I waited until my husband got home so he could enjoy the moment with me. Practically as soon as he was in the door though, I started ripping that box open. As soon as I opened the top of the box a heavenly scent greeted my nose. It smelled like fall had been captured in a box and was now being delivered to my door. The spices Annie used on this are wonderful. Now I was really excited. I opened the other end and slid out my prize. I just could not believe how beautiful it was! This gathering has all my favorite autumn items like leaves, and berries, and even pumpkins, and they are all in those luscious colors of fall.

My husband even said, "Wow, that looks like something you would have bought for yourself." He was right, but this was even better, it was a gift!

The new fall gathering arrived at just the right time too. It is definitely beginning to feel like autumn here. The temperatures are falling and the crops in the fields are turning golden. I have my apples, pumpkins, and mums sitting around the house to welcome the season, and now I have my gorgeous gathering as well. Thanks Annie. I think my prize is wonderful.