Back To School, Touches of Fall & More Vacation Pix!

Brace yourself peeps, this is going to be a very LONG post!!


My sweet hubby always has the BEST of intentions, as was the case when he kindly remembered to back my USB cord on vacation so that I could download my pictures onto my PC.  Unfortunately, he lost it somewhere between vacation and home and I have been unable to post ANY pictures for the last week.  It's been killing me too, as I've had so many great pictures to share - the rest of my vacation, some Fall decorations and back to school pix of my kiddos!


Our part of the country is perhaps the last to send our kids back to school.  Yesterday was the big day and my oldest daughter, Mallory started her first year of High School!  Yes, you heard me right, I have a baby on the way and a daughter in HS!  Don't worry, it's all part of God's master plan.

My youngest daughter, Amy, began her last year of elementary school, 5th grade.

I was so sad to see them go, as I truly enjoy having them around me during the Summer.  They really keep me company and it seems so quiet around here without them, but not for long, right???
I was able to get a few things done around the house, including pulling out some of my favorite Fall decor.


I started in the Dining Room with my prized nesting pumpkins that I got at a local auction for only $11!!!  I love these guys.

The arrangement on my Dining Room table I put together myself using stems from around the house.

I also added some touches of Fall to the Kitchen.

Colorful Mums.

I pulled this sweet ceramic planter out of someone's trash!!!  I love the colors and the acorns.  Best part is, after Fall I just turn it around!

A cute little scarecrow from Michael's and a dry erase board from Kirkland's in Tennessee.

Got this sweet tassel from Michael's too.

Still need to add some more Fall touches to my hutch.

This is the display on my Kitchen table.  I got the rattan two-tier basket from a yardsale this past weekend for $2 then filled it with some fall picks and gourds.

Another arrangement of Fall colors in my foyer.

The container was a Southern Living at Home find at a Flea Market for $2 that I spray painted Oil Rubbed Bronze.  Have I mentioned how much I love that stuff??

Now I told you this was going to be a LONG post.  I am making up for lost time after all.  I never finished sharing pictures of our vacation two weeks ago to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  While there I always stop at their amazing outlets to visit one of my favorite stores, Kirkland's, which we don't have around here.  If you are a fan of Melissa's Heart and Home like I am, you will agree that Kirkland's has some amazing home decor.  Melissa has done a spectacular job of decorating her gorgeous home with lots of pieces from Kirkland's.


I got this sweet doormat for my front entry.

and this very Tuscan looking dry erase board I showed earlier in this post.

You can't stay in Pigeon Forge and not visit Dollywood, the charming theme park in the Smokies created by the beautiful Dolly Parton.

I captured some great pix of Dollywood with my camera.  While in Tenn. I was finally able to set my camera to "easy-auto".  It was a very "duh" moment.

These gorgeous pix were taken at one of our fave spots in PF, The Old Mill.

The Apple Barn is a great place to have breakfast, with the most delicious apple fritters, apple muffins and apple cider.

One of our favorite hotels to stay in PF is the gorgeous Inn At Christmas Place.  It is decorated year round for Christmas and just oozes with Holiday charm.  There are even doormen to greet you dressed as toy soldiers.  The inside is totally breathtaking and I was sure to take lots of pictures for future reference when decorating.

The front entry.

The front lobby is so beautiful.

Wonder how long it took to decorate this tree???

Every hour, the clock chimes with the bells on the sides playing Christmas carols.

Love how they decorated the lamps with bows, bells and tassels.  I will SO be stealing that idea!

All of the decorations can be purchased across the street at the Christmas Place.  I wanted to buy these pear branches so bad, but they were $24 a piece!!  

So thanks for sticking with me.  I'm so glad to be back.  Back to normal schedules, back to blogging, back to having my camera.  Didn't realize how lost I was without it!  

xoxo,

Kim