Sunday Afternoon Daydream #2 (belated)

A day late but yesterday was a little bit crazy. My husband is a children's minister and yesterday was a jam-packed day for us. It being Halloween this weekend we had the church's fall festival, but this year we did something different; we took it to the street. Instead of having it at the church we were able to host it at a local grocery parking lot. It was a lot of work and fun last night but needless to say there was little time for blogging, what with getting costumes together, attaching a 4-5' extension onto my hair(I was Rapunzel), and painting kids faces until way past dark.

I will have to admit this is one of my favorite times of year, I love Halloween. Not so much the commercialization of it, and I'm not really a big fan of the gore fest it seems to have turned into, but I just love the whole idea of getting to dress up and be someone else for a night. I think it appeals greatly to the theatrical side of me, as well as my inner kid that never grew tired of playing dress-up.
I also just love the smells, the colors and tastes that come with this time of year. Normally you won't seem me go near saturated, warm colors, I am a pastel girl through and through, but there is something so magical about fall time. The amazing colors of the falling leaves, the smell of ripe apples and hot apple cider, and the sight of pumpkins decorating the stoops of houses everywhere all signal the arrival of this wonderful time of year.

So if you haven't guessed it yet, this week's daydream is fall decor, more specifically the ultimate symbol of fall and Halloween: the pumpkin!

I think this originally came from Martha Stewart

Source: gardenofsimple.tumblr.com via Kristie on Pinterest

 Follow the bouncing pumpkin for more! ^_^

Besides simply become ripe at this time of year why is it that the pumpkin or Jack-o-lantern has become such a famous icon of Halloween? Well according to history.com the practice originated in Ireland, where it was large turnips and potato that were carved, and then brought the tradition with them to America, the home of the pumpkin. The name Jack-O-Lantern comes from an Irish legend of Stingy Jack. The short version of the tale Jack tricks the Devil several times and ends up making a deal with him so that he Devil can never claim his soul. So when he died, true to his word the Devil didn't take him to hell but he was forced to roam the earth with a burning coal which he stuck in a carved out turnip. As the legend spread people began to carve scarey faces into turnips or potatoes and place them in windows and doors in order to keep Jack and other wandering spirits out.
Honestly I'm rather glad that we switched from turnips to pumpkins, much more appealing I think! Anyways here are some beautiful and clever ways that I found to decorate with this beautiful squash thanks to our friendly neighborhood Pinterest!

Source: craftedniche.wordpress.com via Kristie on Pinterest  

I love this look, wonderfully antique looking.

Source: bhg.com via Kristie on Pinterest

This maybe my favorite way to decorate a pumpkin that I have seen. So elegant looking!

Source: Uploaded by user via Kristie on Pinterest

A nice collection of wicker, wooden, and wax pumpkins >_>

Source: bhg.com via Kristie on Pinterest

Now here's an idea, paint instead of carve, using a doily as a stencil in this case.

Source: creationsbykara.com via Kristie on Pinterest

Here's a pumpkin that you can use year after year, not sure how I feel about them cutting up the Bard this way though :-P

Source: frugallivingnw.com via Kristie on Pinterest

This was just too cute to resist posting, I have a weakness for teacups.

Source: elmundodelreciclaje.blogspot.com via Kristie on Pinterest

Why not make your own pumpkin? This a great little DIY that I might have to try!


Well that's all for now folks! Enjoy your pumpkins and have a Happy Halloween!!!