Friday, September 28, 2012

Defending Autumn



This post was written in September 2012, 
shortly after the first days of fall,
(and before I discovered linky parties!).
Thought I'd share it again, 
in celebration of the coming season. 



It’s been about five days since the arrival of autumn and although I screamed it from the hilltops at 12:06 am last Saturday, precisely six minutes after it was officially announced, I, unfortunately, did not welcome it as graciously as I would have liked.


For example, I could have baked an old-fashioned apple pie, placed a pumpkin or two on the front steps, heck, even outfitted myself in a tacky orange-y accessory, but no…I did nothing. I did not act. 


I simply assumed that it would show up on my doorstep, fresh and crisp and clean, the way it always does. I thought that it would stay a while, at least until I had the chance to make it feel at home. 


Nothing fancy, you know, lighting a fire, cracking a few walnuts, cuddling up with a great book and a cup of hot cocoa, or, just spending a cozy evening chatting with friends on the porch, watching the brown and brittle leaves scatter about like playful kittens with a ball of yarn.


But I did nothing. I was still preoccupied with its popular predecessor, which was hanging around way too long, and in fact, is still hovering over us, causing trouble with its heat waves and humidity, making perfectly happy people moody and tired. Clearly, smart alecky summer had overstayed its welcome and it was time to go!


I needed to take action, make things right. Fast! Needed to shoo away that sneaky sizzling spirit, at least in my house, where I had some control of the atmosphere! 


It was vital that autumn’s presence be seen and its scent be released throughout the premises, so that, in one sole and sensational step, autumn would assume its rightful throne, and with it, reign supreme for the next three months of the year, as nature intended!


And so, amid a rustic canvas, armed with a few pieces of faux foliage, fragrant cinnamon candles and some ceramic pitchers fortified with fresh fall flowers, an autumn fortress was built, by a dedicated soldier, on the marble mantelpiece, in the centre of the room, where it is distinctly visible to all, including summer! 


Thanks for visiting!

35 comments:

  1. LOVE the bright autumn colors! Your mantel is gorgeous and that painting...oh my I love it! Thank you for visiting us At The Picket Fence and for joining in on Inspiration Friday! We hope you'll be back often. :) Have a lovely weekend.

    Heather

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  2. Beautiful fall decor!! Love all the colors :)

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  3. i think
    you welcomed the season
    in a lovely way
    with your gorgeous mantel

    so glad
    you joined the fun
    at Fridays Unfolded

    following you
    and your delightful blog now!

    alison

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  4. Beautiful!! I love the leaves on the painting!! It's gorgeous...did you paint it? I'm now following you and would love for you to follow back!! All the best ~Deanna

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  5. Nice combination of trans-season colors, it is fun to celebrate all the different flavours of the seasons

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  6. First time here, you have an amazing space here and a truly beautiful home. Loved the painting, the colours so beautiful and apt for fall. Admire the way you have decorated the mantlepiece, those colourful vibrant flowers are such a great way to bring in a slice of nature. Pretty indeed.

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  7. WOw Poppy - gorgeous photos!
    Thanks so much for the invitation to " pop " by !
    Your newest follower - would love a follow back when you have the time
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  8. Hi: I too love that fact that Autumn has arrived. I wish our weather would cool down too. Love your beautiful home and the Autumn display. I am so glad I stopped by to visit. Blessings, Martha

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  9. What a gorgeous early fall mantle! I love the leaves on the painting... perfect. Sending lots of crisp Canadian fall air your way! :)

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  10. Welcome to autumn!! Gorgeous vibrant mantlescape, Poppy! Very autumnal indeed. All you need is a big, roaring fire (and cooler temps). We are enjoying wonderful weather in DC. I'm looking forward to bringing out my sweaters and a few throws for the house as we keep the heat low, haha :)
    Cheers ~
    Loi

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  11. Your colors look lovely! I mantle is perfect .. Such pretty flowers.

    Leslie

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  12. I just love your colors! So pretty! :)

    Have a lovely week.
    ~Liz

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  13. I'm so glad I found you through Mockingbird Hill and I'm following now! You write beautifully and the pictures are wonderful. I'll be sending a link to your site to my best friend, who came here from Greece when she was six and lives in Hamilton. She's going to love this! ~ Maureen

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  14. Stunning Autumn colors! I love your arrangement on the mantle. Looks like you have a beautiful home.
    Blessings,
    Leslie

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  15. Thanks so much for the kind comment on our living room, and thanks for stopping by! The scenery in Crete must be something. Very pretty colours.

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  16. Very nice! Love that painting! Thank you for joining me at HSH!
    Sherry

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  17. So pretty and bright! Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  18. Lovely post, Poppy! Your painting is beautiful and I love all your pretty fall decor!
    Have a happy week ahead!

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  19. Your autumn mantel is lovely, Poppy. Did you put up the same arrangement this year?

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  20. Hi Poppy and Happy Autumn. Your share is so eye catching and fresh. I personally, never do much of anything when Autumn arrives. I am one of those unfortunate souls who is sad to see Summer end and Autumn arrive, even with all of it's beauty. Once it is in full bloom of colours though, then I begin to finally come round. Hmm. maybe I shall go purchase a lovely gourd for my table, or something. Happy week~

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  21. Oh Autumn looks beautiful in your home and upon your mantel...will you decorate simarly this year?

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  22. Looks like you gave autumn a proper welcome Poppy.
    Judith

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  23. The rustic canvas is the perfect way to start with your decorating! How lovely are all of the colors of Fall! Enjoy your week...and happy decorating this year!

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  24. Given I had missed this last time around, I was pleased to read it this evening. I feel the need to do some apple picking in the near future and pears are needed!

    Have a glorious week, Poppy.

    -Karen

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  25. These photos from last year are just oozing with Autumn Poppy - I hope we get to see what you do for 2013!!!
    Just to throw a cat amongst a pigeons - it's Spring where I am and not at all Springish - wet, wild windy and cold....
    A lovely post
    Shane

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  26. Last year I did not welcome fall either. Now that I am blogging, I am more aware of the seasons.

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  27. beautiful and very colorful.
    hope you can visit my Inspire me Monday

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  28. Gorgeous vignettes and photos and that painting is stunning. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  29. Your images are so vibrant, Poppy. Love the mantel display. Thanks for sharing at my HOME.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  30. Hello my Xpat friend. :) Your autumnal mantle looks very pretty. I returned to Canada after several months in England and am here for a couple months before I go back to E again. So now I want to redecorate the house to make it feel more autumnal too. Hope you have a lovely rest of the week and it's been nice catching up with you again.

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  31. Well! I think you did a good job of working fall in to your brightly colored home. You know I love using lantana in a pinch! :)

    Thank you for joining in for Fresh-Cut Friday!

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
    ~Liz

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  32. Love this! I'm welcoming fall with open arms! We've only two more days of hot weather and then it's supposed to cool off dramatically! I hope you'll stop by and link up with my homemaking party, if you've not already.

    Blessings,
    Sarah

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  33. Oh my your mantle is so pretty! I am so glad you pulled this one out of your archives. Your room is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us! I am so glad you discovered linky parties!

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  34. Cute post! I am sure that fall appreciates this :)

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Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate hearing from all of you! Have a great day!