Ashes & Fire

Thanks to NPR, I've been able to listen to the new, yet-to-be-released Ryan Adams album. It's...different, but the same. The music reminds me of the good stuff. The old stuff. The theme, however, is surprisingly hopeful and upbeat, but has enough of a melancholy sound to keep someone like me listening.

With lines like, "Lighting in the sky above, blink and see the traces. Everything you are to me is bigger than the spaces" and "I wanna lay my head forever on your shoulder. Stay with me, my love; now and when we're older" I have to thank Mandy Moore. I was afraid their marriage would ruin him to good music. On the contrary - my apologies, Mandy.

There you are, Ryan. I've missed you so.

I realized that I haven't posted ANY pictures of my fall decor. For SHAME! I caved and decorated a bit earlier than my norm this year. (We had our big family open house last Saturday and I wanted the decor up and in action!) So, without further rambling...

Our front porch. Home warms my heart.

I feel like lighted pumpkins are to die for. One can never have too many lighted pumpkins. (I wanted the super-duper nice ones from Pier 1 but was nowhere NEAR about to pay $90 for ONE PUMPKIN?! Get real, Pier 1.)


Entry/exit to the garage. Picked up this 'lil piece of cozy at The Lob (or, Hobby Lobby) for 50% off. It borders on too kitschy but had just enough charm to reel me in.


My wrought iron pumpkin tealight holder :) Not the most practical since tealights can only burn for so long, but has a certain fall splendor, none-the-less.


In a last ditch effort to bring a fall statement to the living room, I picked up these amaze-balls fall sprigs. I switched them out for the purple and white blossoms that usually live in this vase. Voila! Fall!


Another lighted pumpkin. Yeah, that's right...


This little guy will always have a special place in my heart. I got it in 2008 (?) whilst perusing the quaint shops of Poulsbo, WA with my mom and Amanda. (This is the bookshelf in the loft...which is finally complete. Pictures to come!)

Aaaaaaand, cat's out of the bag. I sent my sisters pictures of my fall decor and threw this one in, just to shake things up a bit. I can now shout it from the rooftops! I'M GOING TO VISIT/SURPRISE MY SISTER FOR HER 30TH BIRTHDAY ON OCTOBER 19TH!!!! In case you can't tell (which, let's be honest...this isn't the neatest craftiwork I've ever done; I was excited and in a hurry), I'm walking out my front door with a suitcase, wearing a posterboard with pictures of Seattle/Poulsbo. (And yes, apparently I'm making this trip in sweatpants and a hoodie...with a bad wedgie.)

Had to throw this guy in - can't wait for Sluys Bakery!! They sell pastries AS BIG AS MY HEAD.

Also, it's officially on the itinerary: Breakfast at The Oak Table and a day trip to La Push and First Beach (shout out to Twilight fans everywhere).