Hello friends! It’s been a while. I’ve missed you, but I contracted Covid back in September, and although my case was mild compared to others, it was still horrible. Thankfully, no one in my family got it, and my husband did such a great job taking care of everything, as well as my parents who sent over food:-) My mother also had to can the rest of my pink tip beans, so I’m incredibly thankful for how my family stepped in❤️
It’s taken a while for me to feel like doing anything, but I’m back! I finally finished up my fall porch, so I’m sharing that today in this post as well as a video on my channel, I’ll link at the end.
Welcome to fall at Whispering Pines! I did not buy anything but used pumpkins, gourds and cornstalks I grew along with wildflowers, branches, bows and pillows I made as well as accessories from this family property.
I had the velvet pillows, so I added a couple that I made from scraps of fabric. I love the country, farmhouse look of the calico-type fabric and the bold, bright fall colors.
I have a vase that fits inside the wagon wheel hub so I just arranged leaves and flowers I picked instead of buying mums.
If you’ve been around awhile, you will remember that I make all my bows by ripping strips of fabric, then putting the strips together exactly like you would when making a bow from ribbon. I love the versatility of this – especially as there are so many more choices, and I love that it is a truly authentic “farmhouse” way of using what you have.
I had a bumper crop of gourds and pumpkins, and placed some in this old colander.
My husband made the wood top for this iron garden table years ago, and I placed some burlap over the top.
I also had a large crop of Jarrahdale pumpkins, so I used a few here along with some Indian corn I grew a few years ago, butternut squash, and another vase of wildflowers, marigolds and branches.
On the front steps, I used corn stalks with oak, maple and crape myrtle branches, and added another vase of flowers.
I do love this rustic, country look because it really just reflects what nature offers. For me, that’s what this season is about. It’s not in the aisles of a store, but outside – on a walk, sitting on the porch, or just looking at a tree whose leaves are different shades of brilliant gold. Taking all that in is exactly what I look forward to doing when this season comes around every year.
I truly did enjoy being able to sit and recover right here while I also celebrated some of the fruits of my labor in the garden.
I’m more than thankful to be right here where those before me have worked this land and lived out their lives. And that’s a beautiful thing in any season☺️
Be sure to watch the video to see some of the behind the scenes as I decorate!!
There are still some fall items in Knight’s Store so come by before they are all gone!
So sorry you had to deal with Covid. I had it in January and still don’t have my full smell and taste back yet. But hopefully our antibodies are better than the vaccines, although, I was grateful for the vaccines in the first place.
Love your natural and very festive porch. The way it should look all rustic, natural, warm and cozy!! You never disappoint and your picture quality is stunning!! Stay well. Interesting your family did not get sick (which is good), perhaps they have natural immunity!
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Thank you Linda🙏🙏🙏 We all had the vaccine, and I’m personally glad because I think that kept them all from getting sick, being in close contact with me, and that mine was not much worse. Our hospitals here were overrun when I got sick and many unvaccinated died. It was scary for sure. Yes – no taste and smell was so disorienting for me, but it started to come back about the sixth day, and is not fully back, but better than it was. I’m so sorry you were sick as well🙏🙏🙏
Anita, oh my goodness, you create such beautiful things!!! I enjoy your videos so much! For years this is how I decorated, using natural elements. We have raised a family on one income so, I would have to be creative. But apart from the fact that we were a single income family, my grandmother never used things from the stores to decorate with! I think it just trickled down to me. Her Christmas trees did not have the traditional bulbs on them but was very natural & primitive. She used dried hydrangeas & other dried things to adorn her tree with, it was a beautiful sight! I have gotten away somewhat from who I am because of trying to fit in. I’m thankful to have found you Anita, you truly are inspiring me to get back to me!! Thank you.
@sunnydaycabin on IG
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Oh Carol she sounds wonderful!! My grandmother was also very creative making things out of nothing. I sure wish she was still to share it all with here now that we live on her property🙏🙏🙏 Thanks for being so encouraging and supportive❤️❤️❤️
Lovely as always! The boldness and richness of the colors is amazing!! I’m also glad you’re feeling better.
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I appreciate that – thank you☺️☺️❤️
Anita so glad you are getting better! You are so talented! I look forward to all your posts for admiration and inspiration. The world is a crazy place right now and your blog is so inspiring for me. The colors are spectacular! My favorite of all seasons. Thank you for sharing your talents with us. Keeping you in my prayers for continued healing.
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Mary thank you for that encouragement☺️☺️❤️❤️
Your porch reminds us that this is “harvest time”. Luscious
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Oh thank you so much – I love that❤️
Your porch is lovely❤️! I do appreciate what you are going through. I am glad you are feeling better. I had Covid in September also and was over most symptoms quickly but shortly afterward developed low blood pressure and tiredness. Getting better each week but still exhausted by 5 pm. Hang in there.
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Oh Cathleen, I sure hope for quick healing🙏🙏🙏 Feeling tired certainly lasted for me as well, and very low temps instead of high. It’s amazing how unpredictable this is.
So glad you are feeling better! Your fall porch is my favorite! Harvest and home are such comforting things and you beautifully share both. Happy Fall Anita!
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Thank you very much Carolyn☺️☺️☺️
I’m so glad you are recovering. The colors and items you chose for the porch, so sublime and rich, with those little splashes of Anita color!!! My favorite time is Fall, and I had to pin your photos, so I can look at them anytime! Hugs, Sandi
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Thank you so much Sandra!! Thanks for pinning as well!!
Dear Anita
I also had COVID in September and it was awful. So thankful for my husband and daughters who saw me through. Thankful that you are recovering and blessing us with such beauty in and around your home.
Karla
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Oh I’m glad you had a supportive family as well Karla!! I’m so thankful for sure:-)
What you have done is so lovely. You have arranged the incredible bounty so beautifully and the photography is gorgeous.
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Thank you so very much!
So happy to hear you are doing better!! Your beautiful porch is so full of beautiful, bold life! I just love that great big tippy pumpkin!
Keep taking good care and thank you for all the delight you share with us!
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Thank you so much!! I love growing the pumpkins and always enjoy the fun ones☺️☺️☺️
Your porch is beautiful! I love the naturalness of it, the pops of orange, the rich beauty of your pumpkins, the wagon wheel, just picture perfect vignettes!! Glad Covid wasn’t too bad. I had it as well last January. So now we both have the very protective antibodies! That is a blessing.
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Thank you so much Toni!! yes I’m thankful for that, and glad you are recovered as well☺️☺️
So beautiful
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Thanks!
this was worth the wait! I always love your porch from year to year and so sorry you had covid. I pinned every single image on your blog, and sent several images to friends who need to follow you and your fabulous styling. sending you big hugs, and best wishes for a lovely fall
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Thank you so much Alda☺️☺️
This is just one more reason that I want you to adopt me as your “other mother.” What a joy it always is to be in and around your home, even if only via cyberspace. I’m SO thankful for your recovery–the world definitely needs more of Anita!
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Aww Sara, you always encourage and inspire me friend☺️☺️ I hope someday you come for a visit❤️❤️
Hello Anita, this is simply gorgeous …
I wish I could pop over for a coffee and enjoy that beautiful spot with you!!
I love the way glorious nature marches up your steps and into your lovely home.
Here across the Atlantic, people don’t really have porches & don’t decorate for Autumn like this …(often just a single Hallowe’en pumpkin) which when looking at your pictures I think is a shame …
I have a couple of window ‘balconies’ which aren’t very practical because of the shutters so I’ve always left them empty, but I am now thinking I should make more of them … those bows are beautiful …
Going to watch the video now !
Glad you are getting over the horrible Covid; it’s great that you were vaccinated before it hit you. Blessings
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Thank you so much Vicky!! The window balconies sound wonderful!!
Hi Anita – First, I am glad you are feeling better. God is good! Second, your porch looks beautiful! I love all the natural elements. All your gourds, pumpkins and squash are fabulous. I hope to be able to grow some myself. Maybe next year. 🙂
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Thank you Lynda☺️☺️ Definitely grow some – I had a volunteer plant in my landscape near my front steps last year, and it produced some of my prettiest ones☺️☺️