This Weekend: Rake Leaves, Go Owling and Get Ready for Halloween
It’s time to pull out the warm throws, tidy those kitchen counters and get the witch’s brew simmering
The leaves are turning brilliant shades of red and gold, and harvest season is in full swing — as the unforgettable Anne Shirley says in L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” It’s a good weekend to go owling, rake leaves, plan a Halloween party and snuggle under a warm blanket with a mug of hot cider.
3. Photograph Your Fall Garden
Snapping photos of your garden isn’t just a good reminder for next year’s planning, it’s also a wonderful way to slow down and get to know your own small patch of nature. Grab your camera or phone and take your time moseying through your garden space.
Early morning or evening provides the best light for photography, so plan your wander for then if you can. Look closely: Can you find signs of spiders, leaves changing color or seed heads? When you’re done, print your snapshots and tack them up on an inspiration board or put a few favorites in a bowl on the coffee table.
An Ode to Autumn in the Garden
Snapping photos of your garden isn’t just a good reminder for next year’s planning, it’s also a wonderful way to slow down and get to know your own small patch of nature. Grab your camera or phone and take your time moseying through your garden space.
Early morning or evening provides the best light for photography, so plan your wander for then if you can. Look closely: Can you find signs of spiders, leaves changing color or seed heads? When you’re done, print your snapshots and tack them up on an inspiration board or put a few favorites in a bowl on the coffee table.
An Ode to Autumn in the Garden
4. Tidy Up Kitchen Counters
Having clean, clear counters makes preparing meals easier and more pleasant. The first step is to remove any items that don’t belong in the kitchen — collect these in a basket, but wait until the end to put them away.
Next, consider whether you really need all the kitchen tools you have out, or if some would be better off put away in cupboards.
Once you’ve winnowed down, give the counters a good scrubbing and place something pretty in the center — a vase of branches, a bowl of apples, a lighted candle.
See how a designer on Houzz worked with her client to remodel this kitchen
Having clean, clear counters makes preparing meals easier and more pleasant. The first step is to remove any items that don’t belong in the kitchen — collect these in a basket, but wait until the end to put them away.
Next, consider whether you really need all the kitchen tools you have out, or if some would be better off put away in cupboards.
Once you’ve winnowed down, give the counters a good scrubbing and place something pretty in the center — a vase of branches, a bowl of apples, a lighted candle.
See how a designer on Houzz worked with her client to remodel this kitchen
5. Hang Up a Fall Wreath
Even if you do nothing else to alter your front porch this fall, simply hanging a wreath can set the tone. Choose a ready-made wreath of magnolia leaves, wheat or red berries.
And if you’re looking for a fun activity to do with a small group of friends or neighbors, a wreath-making party could be just the thing. Provide the foliage and hot drinks and ask guests to bring their own metal wreath frame for decorating.
30-Minute DIY: A Beautifully Wild Wreath for Autumn
Even if you do nothing else to alter your front porch this fall, simply hanging a wreath can set the tone. Choose a ready-made wreath of magnolia leaves, wheat or red berries.
And if you’re looking for a fun activity to do with a small group of friends or neighbors, a wreath-making party could be just the thing. Provide the foliage and hot drinks and ask guests to bring their own metal wreath frame for decorating.
30-Minute DIY: A Beautifully Wild Wreath for Autumn
6. Rake Leaves and Clean Gutters
If you find yourself with a mountain of leaves to rake, that’s a good sign it’s time to clean your home’s gutters and downspouts.
This is an important job to get done before winter comes, since clogged gutters can lead to a leaky roof and even ice dams. Opt to do it yourself if your home is single-story (and you feel comfortable on a ladder) or hire a pro for the job.
It’s Time to Clean Your Gutters — Here’s How
If you find yourself with a mountain of leaves to rake, that’s a good sign it’s time to clean your home’s gutters and downspouts.
This is an important job to get done before winter comes, since clogged gutters can lead to a leaky roof and even ice dams. Opt to do it yourself if your home is single-story (and you feel comfortable on a ladder) or hire a pro for the job.
It’s Time to Clean Your Gutters — Here’s How
7. Start Prepping for Halloween
If you’re planning to host a Halloween party, or if you like to go all-out with decor, this weekend is a good time to get the ball rolling. Gather inspiration — like the spooky porch setup shown here that belongs to designer Garrison Hullinger — and start making some lists. If you need to buy supplies, get that done this weekend so you’re ahead of the game.
Your turn: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
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Simple Pleasures: A Cozy Home for Fall
Find pros on Houzz to help with your fall projects
If you’re planning to host a Halloween party, or if you like to go all-out with decor, this weekend is a good time to get the ball rolling. Gather inspiration — like the spooky porch setup shown here that belongs to designer Garrison Hullinger — and start making some lists. If you need to buy supplies, get that done this weekend so you’re ahead of the game.
Your turn: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More
Simple Pleasures: A Cozy Home for Fall
Find pros on Houzz to help with your fall projects
The great horned owl is a majestic nocturnal creature with a haunting call, but it’s not easy to spot one. For a fun fall nature outing, get bundled up, grab a thermos of something hot to drink and head to a nearby park or wooded trail at dusk. You’re more likely to hear this raptor than see it, but if you’re very quiet (and very lucky), you might catch a glimpse of one as it swoops down to hunt for prey.
Backyard Birds: Go Owling in October