Feeling like Fall

We finally have fall weather and I love this time of year.  Oklahoma temperatures wane back and forth from fall to summer with a quick freeze mixed in just to taunt me!  It's such a challenge for gardeners.  I haven't planted any outdoor fall plants yet but did manage to make a little bouquet with some grocery store sunflowers and mums for Mom's bedside table. 

Fall is my favorite season and I wish it lasted for so much longer!  The rich colors, smells of cinnamon and pumpkin spice make our home so cozy.  I did light the fireplace once when the temperature dipped down into the thirties.  I managed to get most of my patio plants moved into the greenhouse for safe keeping and still have some rearranging to do to make it easy to water everything

 this winter. 

I waxed and sprayed some pumpkins to deter the squirrels from munching on them and hope I can get them to last until Halloween.  

I'm planning on decorating the front porch tomorrow and getting some tulips in the ground.   

Happy Fall!

Critter Proofing

 I love fall!  
The colors and flowers of fall just make me happy. 
 I planted a fall pot for the patio and purchased a few pumpkins for the porch but needed to critter proof them before setting them outside.  

We have squirrels, skunks and opossums that love to 

come by for a meal.   I have found that a coat of Mop & Glo makes my pumpkins not only pretty but less attractive

 to all those fall critters.

When the wax dries I follow it up with a coat of bug spray that I reapply if it rains. 

The critters don't like the smell of the spray and 

don't bother the pumpkins.

Thought I'd pass along my method of critter proofing pumpkins.

Happy Fall Y'all  !! 

Celebrate Fall-Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival

Fall is my favorite season!  I love spring and summer too but fall just feels cozy and comfortable and the  foliage colors are beautiful. 

Pumpkins, pansies,  football and sitting by a fire just makes me happy and I finally get the urge to "bake" something!  I actually "celebrate fall" with warm cinnamon rolls,  a cup of  hot chocolate or spiced teas.  This time of year I love to make homemade soups and chowders.

On our recent trip to California we discovered that the little coastal town of Half Moon Bay also celebrates fall in a big way!  The climate  is perfect for growing  gigantic pumpkins 
-some over 1,000 pounds!   




They have an annual Art & Pumpkin Festival complete with parade and the largest pumpkin contest.  The 41st festival is next weekend and what a great family venue it will be!  We were there a little too early for the festival but the little town was all a buzz getting ready for the big event!  Everyone told us about it and made sure we got a personal invitation.  
What a great small town to live in!

We have decided to plan another trip keeping this is mind. We discovered this charming little historic area of Main Street which parallels Coastal Scenic Highway 1 and had fun shopping and dining along the picturesque street. 

 I took some fun photographs along

 downtown Main Street.    A picture of the corner grocery...

A great outdoor cafe filled with art and pumpkins!

Tile mosaic of Half Moon and a 
signature pumpkin. 

Hand painted and decorated pumpkins.  I especially  like this couple..her hair is made from spray foam insulation and he is wearing the cap from the spray can.  How fun is that?!

The City Jail with the Haunted House in the background...can jails be cute?? This one is!

A purple garden cottage shed in the front 

yard of an artist's studio. 

Mexican heather in full bloom.

Beautiful old church from the 1800's.

A great indoor courtyard with beautiful hand painted murals.  We noticed how many wonderful artists display their work indoor and out in this beautiful area of inspiration!

An old spooky butler greeted us at the door of this gift shoppe. 

Another great mural...this one depicts all the landmarks around Half Moon.

Fabulous flower filled boxes in front of  Pasta Moon-

 a great Italian restaurant!

Side yard of  a Victorian home on Main Street covered in bougainvillea..love the fuchsia pink!

Harvested pumpkin patch on the outskirts of town.

Big brussel sprouts in the next field 

ready for harvest.

We  had a lovely stay at the Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay -really a dream spot on the California  coast!  Bag pipes played at sunset as we sat with blankets next to the firepit listening to the ocean waves crash....

I love fall!

   I'm linking this week with 
The Tablescaper's  Seasonal Sundays
Susan's Outdoor Wednedays
and Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday