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Across the Fence:  Sweltering Florida leads to Fall dreaming!  |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6594 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6594 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 18 2023 : 08:32:38 AM
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I know many of you are experiencing a brutal hot summer just like we are over here in Florida! It has been one for the records and no changes are coming soon.
So, what has that done to me as I sit inside more in the AC? I have been dreaming of Fall. Plus about two weeks ago, I went into Hobby Lobby for a simple thing and lo and behold Fall had already arrived!! It took me over an hour to look at all the new merchandise and smell all the new fall candles. What a pick me up that one hour ended up! While I was in one of the aisles, I ended up talking with a young woman who was filling up her cart with a few things. It turns out she is a teacher and was looking for new little things to brighten up her classroom. We laughed at how much fun it was to be moving on to Fall despite the suffocating heat right out the store doors! I told her I usually don't pull out any decorations until September one, and she laughed and said, oh no, my stuff is out in August!! Rules are made to be broken!!
I happen to love scarecrows and their place in our gardens and annual fall decorations. I have a couple of Scarecrow decorations so I dug them out and put them in my LogCabin. After all, scarecrows are actually up in gardens now as things ripen and all the critters are looking to eat them as well. What I have always loved about these garden protectors is that they come in many sizes, shapes, and genders. From old jeans to long gingham skirts, there are many ways people put their scarecrows together. The possibilities are endless and always so fun!
How about you? Are you already dreaming of Fall or has your area had more normal weather?
Anyone want to join me in announcing that it is officially Scarecrow season so we can sort of take the long road into Fall? Here is a photo to sort of dream of when you are hit in the face with awful heat and humidity every time you go outside.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
Edited by - Red Tractor Girl on Jul 18 2023 10:18:37 AM |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6919 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6919 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2023 : 09:57:06 AM
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You know me Winnie, I start dreaming of fall the first day of June, I don't wait to the first day of summer. Summer has been oppressive here in north central Texas. More rain than usual means high humidity with heat index in three digits. I don't like to complain about the rain because being in a drought is only a rainless couple of weeks away.
I haven't started decorating for fall yet but I am working on a new wool applique wall hanging in fall colors. Come to think of it my house is decorated in fall colors year-round. Since I have a little house, I do most of my 'extra' decorating on the front and side porches. When it cools off I will decorate my Yellow Rose Cottage.
I think your log cabin is the perfect place for a scarecrow or two and what's a scarecrow without a pumpkin. Winnie you just got to have a pumpkin too.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014
FGOTM Sept 2015 & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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Jokamartell
True Blue Farmgirl
1545 Posts
Karen
Kennewick
WA
USA
1545 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2023 : 7:41:07 PM
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I am so there with you, Winnie and Sara!
As with a lot of farmgirls, I love fall most of all! It's my favorite season. I love being outside when the leaves are different colors and there is a coolness in the air, putting the gardens to bed, and getting ready to hunker down. :)
Karen :)
To quote one of my past preschoolers “Not one of those Karens, but a good Karen”! Haha |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9325 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9325 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2023 : 04:54:58 AM
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You know how very much I love fall Winnie, and we have had quite a bit if rain which so far has kept our temps reasonable this summer.
We have some fogginess this morning which always reminds me of those wonderful fall mornings. The children start school here in a few weeks which also makes it feel like fall sooner. So my fall cleaning gets done a bit earlier here. It is a nice change from southern NJ where the heat and humidity lingered. So glad you posted Winnie. I will be cleaning out our storage room the next few days and may just have to put my fall decor out where it can be handy when the time comes. I don't dare go to HL quite yet, though when I was there a couple of weeks ago I spotted fall things. Didn't take time to look though.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured." 
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4737 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4737 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2023 : 07:26:48 AM
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I see I'm not the only one who dreams of autumn when the summer heat hits. I change out my living room decor with the seasons and found myself wishing I could bring up my glass pumpkins now. I have always loved colder temps and have never been a summer fan, even as a kid. Maybe I should bake a pumpkin pie for us and pretend it is October?
Hope all of you have coolers days ahead soon!
Dawn in IL
First you dream
Then you do |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9092 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9092 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2023 : 07:57:57 AM
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Hi Winnie,
Beautiful picture. Yes Fall is amazing, God really got out his painting supplies for Fall.
Still looking for interesting post cards, will be sure to keep you in mind. Not Fall yet, but it is a beautiful day here today, green with lots of flowers .Summer dresses and sitting on the porch.
Nancy Jo
NANCY JO |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6594 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6594 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2023 : 11:32:52 AM
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Thank-you all for so many fun replies!! It is good to be among Farmgirls who have the same love and interest in Fall as I do. How amazing it is that several of us are already to move on from sweltering Summer.. Dawn, I think baking a pumpkin pie is a great idea! My sister, who loves fall like me, is planning a Sunday fall dinner this coming weekend. She went out and got a small pork roast, potatoes, carrots, acorn squash and turnips to bake along with it too. She lives in North Carolina and is so sick and tired of the constant hot and humid weather every day too. I think it is a great idea to do something like a fall dinner menu or fall dessert to just "practice up" for cooler months ahead.
Sara, I love that you are ready to move from Summer to Fall on June 1!!! I have always said the day after my birthday, which is July 7, is my done with Summer and dreaming about Fall date, but you have me beat! Maybe I need to follow your idea. For those of you who might not know, Sara and I are fall candy corn lovers. Even if we don't eat it all, we just like to put it in a clear candy jar and look at it. My favorite mix is the Brach's candy corn, fall candy corn(with the brown tops and tips) and pumpkins. I love how it all looks. Such a classic too. Fall candy corn mix has been a staple in America for decades , and for me, Fall just isn't complete without it. Sara, your new wool wall hanging sounds very interesting and a great project to enjoy while it is too hot to be outside.
Nancy. I know you are basking in these summer days because you live where the Winter's are long. Plus, your area will have a beautiful fall so there is no hurry to push summer along. It all depends on where one lives, I think.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6919 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6919 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2023 : 11:50:38 AM
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Winnie you are so right it's not really fall until candy corn hits the store shelves.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014
FGOTM Sept 2015 & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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Killarney
True Blue Farmgirl
5084 Posts
Connie
Arlington
TN
USA
5084 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2023 : 3:07:57 PM
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I'll join you !! Our Walmart has Candy Corn!!! Just saw it yesterday!!
Connie #3393
Imagine.... |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
6938 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
6938 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2023 : 3:38:00 PM
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Winnie, I agree that it has to do with where you live when you decide you are ready for fall. We had a very late start for spring and summer here this year, so I am still enjoying my summer. I am not a fan of the 100's we have started getting but it hasn't been enough to make me want fall just yet. I know it will come soon. I really hate to rush it. Everything anymore feels so rushed. Though fall always looks the prettiest! And every time I go into my garden and see my pumpkins getting bigger, it does add to the excitement of the time when I get to pick them.
Krista |
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MBurns
True Blue Farmgirl
1796 Posts
Marlene
Swisher
IA
USA
1796 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2023 : 07:32:07 AM
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I love fall but not until pumpkin spice hits the shelves. It was a late spring here so enjoying summer yet. Can't imagine the high temperatures in Florida. We are in the 70s so comfortable.
Farmgirl friends are fun. |
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AussieChick
Sharpshooter
352 Posts
Cindy
Bend
Oregon
USA
352 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2023 : 08:56:21 AM
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I have to agree with Krista, I love the summer & will embrace it with open arms. We're having temps in the 90s at the moment which is just perfect!! I miss my homeland of Australia, so the summer heat makes me feel more at home. We're heading out to the river to do some white-water rafting this weekend. So much fun to be had in the summer!!
Farmgirl #6058
Farmgirl Sister of the Year 2021
"The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have". |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6594 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6594 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2023 : 10:37:21 AM
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It is fun to hear more thoughts and ideas about loving Fall. Connie, love that fall leaf view and thanks for the heads up that fall candy corn is HERE at Walmart!! Sara, did you read this?? The arrival of fall candy corn is proof that fall will be coming soon and we need to dig out the candy jar and make sure it is clean and ready! LOL!!!
Krista, I do resonate with your comment of not rushing things. We live in a face paced busy and noisy world here in the US. And besides, no amount of wishing will change the Earth's tilt and rotation speed around the Sun. Fall will come when the moment comes for the astronomy to be in place.
Cindy, I know you miss Australia and the distance there is far away so going for a visit takes a long flight. But home is home and we can never make those yearnings change. Where you are now has great weather most of the time and your summers are much shorter than those of us in the lower latitudes. Below the Mason Dixon line , we whine and pretend when the prolonged summer heat and humidity steal away our ability to actually do anything outside. It is almost a tradition down here to start dreaming of Fall early!! LOL!!! Enjoy your white-water rafting this weekend. That should be very exciting!
Marlene, I also look for the arrival of this year's pumpkin spice coffee !! Last year, I saw it in the first week of August so we are not far away from being able to purchase a bag and brew up that first hot cup of coffee. I can't wait either!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2023 : 10:48:33 PM
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HaHa! Fall? nope! not me,,, I just finally thawed out from our long brutal Winter... how ever, ask me again in about 2 weeks... and my answer
just might be, "Oh Heck YA!"... lolololo!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6594 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6594 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2023 : 4:37:29 PM
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Awww, Grace, you do deserve a proper long and hot summer after what seemed like the endless winter this year! I remember when you and your critters were all curled up to keep warm very late in the season while snow was falling outside. Plus, it seemed like forever before the weather was good enough to bring out your two camper trailers to enjoy in the yard. You go girl and celebrate all these warm days to the max and when they fade, you can jump in and join the Fall madness!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
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laurzgot
True Blue Farmgirl
1672 Posts
Laurie
Alvin
Texas
USA
1672 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2023 : 11:04:50 AM
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It has been terribly hot here in TX. too Winnie. I also went into Hobby Lobby a few weeks back and saw all the Fall decor out. It made me cooler just by looking at it. I want to start decorating the house for Fall but will wait until the middle of August.
Hugs,
Laurie
Country girl at heart
"Smile and be yourself everyday."
Sister #8572 6/9/2023
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katydid83
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Kate
Upton
MA
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2023 : 3:43:45 PM
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Ooh, Fall! My favorite season, I am looking forward to it! Winnie, our teenage nephews from Gainesville will be visiting us next week so I bet they’ll be glad to get out of that weather! My parents in Sun City TX already took their trailer north for the summer and early fall. By end of May, they just want to get out!
Right now in MA over the past (I would say) month or so we’ve had super patchy weather, with rain or storms predicted for at least a portion of the day most days. Kind of strange for New England! So the days that have been entirely sunny we have definitely been enjoying out on the patio and in the pool  Temps have been in the 80’s recently with higher temps this week/weekend.
Fall will be especially exciting this year because I am thinking of ways to really maximize it for an exchange student we’ll be hosting from Germany! I imagine some American fall/Halloween traditions have been adopted over there, but probably not all, so he may get a kick out of doing something different! For instance, I doubt he has done corn mazes and pumpkin carving, (and candy corn of course)! And we would like to take him leaf peeping once the colors get nice in early to mid October. S’mores over the fire pit…so many possibilities! We really are lucky to have these seasons and traditions to look forward to!
Kate
Farmgirl Sister #8534 |
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Killarney
True Blue Farmgirl
5084 Posts
Connie
Arlington
TN
USA
5084 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2023 : 7:16:51 PM
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Connie #3392
Imagine.... |
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MBurns
True Blue Farmgirl
1796 Posts
Marlene
Swisher
IA
USA
1796 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2023 : 06:23:14 AM
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I have seen fall decorations in the dollar tree already and bought a few. Love hobby lobby too. Have decorated a little inside. Sorted outside decorations. Found pumpkin spice coffee. So ready for it all. Love fall colors and festivals.
Farmgirl friends are fun. |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6594 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6594 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2023 : 08:18:45 AM
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Connie, love that photo you found!! I am so ready to have pumpkins back in my life too! August is usually the month when the early pie pumpkins from Michigan make it into the stores, and late August is the time the early ripening fall apples show up as well. You know I have my antennae up for the 2023 arrivals this month!!
Marlene, you are ahead of the game for getting fall decorations organized and even starting with a bit inside. And I would agree with you that once you find this year's Pumpkin Spice coffee, you are all set. I also like how you expressed your looking forward to fall as a love of the colors and festivals. I totally agree with that idea and it describes some of my passion as well.
There is no doubt that Summer is full of glorious colors with flowers, backyard gardens, and fields of ripening corn. The long days allow us to linger into the evening outside(provided you don't get eaten alive with the mosquitoes like here in Florida!!!) . But the intense heat and humidity in such a huge part of our Nation has kept most of us inside more. That has led to just being sick and tired of long hot and miserable days that we are now longing for Fall a bit earlier with it's better weather and cheerful colors. This is how I feel about what has been the weather problem, but I know many others have not had the same experience and are still loving the freedom of summer days and outside projects. It so depends on where one lives.
Earlier this week, I was running some errands and listening to a talk show on NPR. The topic was mental health during this unprecedented long hot summer. Callers from all over the US called in to add their comments or emailed one. Farmgirls, we are not alone in feeling pulled down by this serious heat that has gripped so much of the South for most of the summer! Women called in the most or left replies. Some were worried about their hubby's jobs, which are outdoors, the issue of young children being exposed to too much heat, and their overall malaise that constantly being inside brings. People are used to being outside a lot during the summer and so being stuck indoors feels overwhelming. For these generalities, I understand how women, like ourselves who love to decorate our homes, have turned to Fall earlier this year. Many of us , like myself, naturally are inclined to do decorating early because we collect things and enjoy bringing them out every year. But this year , jumping head first into the early fall decorating , is bringing a mental relief from the oppressive heat and what it has done to disrupt our typical summer activities.
I would love to hear if you agree with some of my observations or if you have different ones on how this summer has been extra hard with so much heat. Below is a photo from fall in the Blue Ridge Mts outside of Asheville, Tennessee two falls ago.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
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Killarney
True Blue Farmgirl
5084 Posts
Connie
Arlington
TN
USA
5084 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2023 : 3:51:26 PM
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Hey Marlene, thanks for letting us know about Fall at Dollar tree!
Winnie, I agree with you and the NPR callers! Exactly How I feel, being directly affected by the June 25th storm also.
I can't wait for the change in Weather!
Connie#3392
Imagine.... |
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suny58
True Blue Farmgirl
4365 Posts
Dianna
Jack
Al.
USA
4365 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2023 : 5:44:13 PM
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I'm SO LOVING all the fall images!!! I'm soooooooo ready!! I do see fall items in the stores now, hobby lobby and dollar general however I put my foot down to the Christmas items in hobby lobby! Lol, they make Christmas so commercialized! A sweet farmsister from up northwest asked if I " felt fall in the air" as she does now ( albeit was still warm there too) and I'm thinking as my hair triples in size due to high humidity, uh,nope, just don't feel it yet!!( snort) Fall is my favorite and making the scarecrows SO PUTS ME IN A HAPPY MOOD!! I have several my garden that I dearly love as do the birds!! Lol, not 'scary ' enough!!
Winnie, breaks my heart for the people who have to work in the heat and can't get away from it! I know that a lot of us here in a military town or even in the country keep cold drinks on hand to pass out to our ups, fed ex, postal clerks, line guys, etc. Every little bit helps ya know? Also fresh water for the animals like birds and outside wildlife, and bringing any animals inside till it passes!! Being stuck indoors is so not healthy! As we've seen with many school kids who were forced to homeschooling and not go anywhere during the epidemic. So hopefully they can at least open a window or walk outside for a quick 5 minutes to get some fresh air or even ground themselves. I do that and get Sara to as well.
Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro |
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Lacey
Chapter Guru
169 Posts
Rea
Davis
Ca
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2023 : 1:35:41 PM
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It is nice to see such scenic pictures and think of fall as we out west will see 108 degrees the weekend!!
Rea Nakanishi
Farm Girl Of The Month Jan. 2022
“Action is the foundational key to all success.”
– Pablo Picasso |
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suny58
True Blue Farmgirl
4365 Posts
Dianna
Jack
Al.
USA
4365 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2023 : 1:48:16 PM
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Eeks!! At least we are predicted rain so we'll cool down to 90's!!
Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6594 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6594 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2023 : 08:27:40 AM
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While the heat index hits 110 here everyday, I had plenty of time to finish quilting my scarecrow fabric panel. It is much larger than I envisioned it would be so there was only one place empty enough to accommodate it. Currently, it is hanging above my faux fireplace mantle in my LogCabin room. It is very bright and cherry so I got the idea to drag out my other scarecrow things and create The Scarecrow Village. It gets kinda busy with the village below this big panel but for now I am going to keep it this way to enjoy. The colors are bright and the graphics are fun and it makes me happy to look at it. I think it would be perfect in a real cabin that had taller ceilings and a real fireplace in a big room but alas, I have to use the space I have.
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Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
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Wanda Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
1161 Posts
Wanda
Murrells Inlet
SC
USA
1161 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2023 : 08:52:06 AM
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Oh Winnie, I love your scarecrow themed room, the quilt is beautiful!!
A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel.
Farm Girl #3677
FGOTM August 2022 |
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Across the Fence: Sweltering Florida leads to Fall dreaming! |
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Sweltering Florida leads to Fall dreaming!
