My husband and I had to go out on Saturday to attend a memorial service. It was sad of course, as these affairs usually are. The deceased was a wonderful man who died way too soon after fighting a long battle with cancer. I have to speak candidly (when do I not?).
I have always thought that there are good funerals and bad funerals. The service we gave for Mom has to have been the best one ever. Respectful, thoughtful and appreciative words were spoken, laughs were had by all, the food was splendid and she would have enjoyed the event, could she have attended. Another funeral I heard about but did not attend was for an old lady who was a quilter and had lived a long life and had been loved by many. Her daughter put on a one woman quilt show at the church in her mother's honor so everyone could appreciate her art. The service for my friend Carl was steeped in Jewish tradition and culture. His wife sang in a clear beautiful soprano. See what I mean? Those were Good Funerals.
The one we went to on Saturday was a Bad Funeral. The family had become divided after the patriarch's demise, and the stepmother is feuding with the two adult children over her husband's business holdings. Lawyers have been retained. There was much weeping and recrimination and anger in the eulogies. If the deceased had been present he would have been appalled. My DH and I could not get away from the place fast enough.
I have completely digressed from my intended post which was to have been about the Joy of Autumn. Sometimes I sit down to blog and I just never know what is going to spring from my fingers.
After the very Bad Funeral, I made my DH take me out to lunch. After soup and splitting a pizza at the California Pizza Kitchen in Monterey, feeling much improved, I dragged him over to Pottery Barn. I think he realized he was going to have to do something major to make up the morning's unpleasantness to me, so we went Shopping. He bought me candles and a cool glass dish to make an arrangement in, and a whole bunch of seed pods and acorns. We went home and I spent the afternoon cheering myself up by redecorating for Fall.
This is my family room mantel arrangement. Can you see the little bird? I had to come in close for the photo, otherwise you see the tv looming over everything.
That pumpkin is actually a candle! Pottery Barn has them in several sizes and in orange or white. I had intended this for the coffee table and my husband said, "Oh, I don't think you want to put it there. You know the dogs will get into it". Did I listen? Nooooo. I put it on the coffee table, thinking it would be safe since I was going to watch it like a hawk while we sat in front of the television. DH fell asleep first, and I was soon to follow, stretched out on the couch. I woke up at 11:30 to find two of the green seed pods chewed to crumbles right at my feet. Now this arrangement sits in safety on the kitchen table.
32 responses to “Happy Autumn”
Hi Nicole, I love your decorating! You have the knack, gal! I went to Anthropologie this weekend and got some great fall napkins etc…can’t wait to get in the Autumn Mode which is hard when it’s still 90 in Chico!
Hi Nicole, I love your decorating! You have the knack, gal! I went to Anthropologie this weekend and got some great fall napkins etc…can’t wait to get in the Autumn Mode which is hard when it’s still 90 in Chico!
A splendid remedy to a Bad Funeral.
A splendid remedy to a Bad Funeral.
What a great tribute to a man who should have been honored correctly from his family. You did an outstanding job on your fall decorations.
What a great tribute to a man who should have been honored correctly from his family. You did an outstanding job on your fall decorations.
I’m so sorry for the Bad Funeral. Your decorating is wonderful. I love that white pumpking candle – thank goodness those naughty dogs didn’t get into that!
I’m so sorry for the Bad Funeral. Your decorating is wonderful. I love that white pumpking candle – thank goodness those naughty dogs didn’t get into that!
I can’t have fresh flowers much anymore because one of my cats knaws them to death as soon as I’m not looking. Sorry about the bad funeral. Good solution to a bad day though. Fall decorating is one of my favorite things to do.
I can’t have fresh flowers much anymore because one of my cats knaws them to death as soon as I’m not looking. Sorry about the bad funeral. Good solution to a bad day though. Fall decorating is one of my favorite things to do.
Isn’t it great how a shopping trip can color your world from dark to light! I’m like you – I always thought a funeral was a celebration of the deceased’s life, not a feud of their material possessions! So glad that what came out of that were some wonderful fall arrangements, even if the puppies put their mark on them! Cheers!
Isn’t it great how a shopping trip can color your world from dark to light! I’m like you – I always thought a funeral was a celebration of the deceased’s life, not a feud of their material possessions! So glad that what came out of that were some wonderful fall arrangements, even if the puppies put their mark on them! Cheers!
Sounds like the perfect way to rebound from a Bad Funeral. Oh I miss being in your kitchen (heavy sigh). I love your fall decorating – so elegant!
Sounds like the perfect way to rebound from a Bad Funeral. Oh I miss being in your kitchen (heavy sigh). I love your fall decorating – so elegant!
I know what you mean about the good and bad funerals. My dad was a minister for many years and once told me, “When I went to seminary, I assumed that I’d enjoy doing weddings and dread funerals, but as it turns out, sometimes it is quite the opposite.” Well, at least the candles are neat!
I know what you mean about the good and bad funerals. My dad was a minister for many years and once told me, “When I went to seminary, I assumed that I’d enjoy doing weddings and dread funerals, but as it turns out, sometimes it is quite the opposite.” Well, at least the candles are neat!
I consider myself a bit of an expert on funerals. Due to my job role I have been to a lot more funerals than Joe public. I’ve been to one or two that are either make for being made uncomfortable or so pathetic because there are family or friends there. On the other hand I’ve been to one or two that have been very uplifting.
I consider myself a bit of an expert on funerals. Due to my job role I have been to a lot more funerals than Joe public. I’ve been to one or two that are either make for being made uncomfortable or so pathetic because there are family or friends there. On the other hand I’ve been to one or two that have been very uplifting.
I still think you need that squirrel from Pottery World…..
I still think you need that squirrel from Pottery World…..
Sorry about your bad funeral.Yiur decorations are nice I bet the dogs thought it was xmas while you both slept.LOL
Hugs Mary.
Sorry about your bad funeral.Yiur decorations are nice I bet the dogs thought it was xmas while you both slept.LOL
Hugs Mary.
What a shame that people cannot rise above themselves at a time when they should be honoring another’s life. I agree, though, that shopping can sometimes wipe away the negative (at least for a while!!). Love that candle.
What a shame that people cannot rise above themselves at a time when they should be honoring another’s life. I agree, though, that shopping can sometimes wipe away the negative (at least for a while!!). Love that candle.
I hate hearing about bad funerals….but was delighted the story did end on a shopping splurge for you and eye candy for me. You’ve decorated lovely!
I hate hearing about bad funerals….but was delighted the story did end on a shopping splurge for you and eye candy for me. You’ve decorated lovely!
Your arrangements are beautiful, I especially lke the one in the glass square containers. When and if you find out the name of the quilt, would you publish it on your blog. Thanks so much, enjoying checking in each week to see the what’s up with your terriers.
Your arrangements are beautiful, I especially lke the one in the glass square containers. When and if you find out the name of the quilt, would you publish it on your blog. Thanks so much, enjoying checking in each week to see the what’s up with your terriers.
Very nice. I love fall, too. And, oh yeah, I can totally relate to the dogs eating your decorations. I can’t put anything out near the dogs (two Jack Russell Terriers). I have a lovely glass cloche that a friend gave me last year for my birthday. I think it would look wonderful with a little bird’s nest or some kind of leafy display. But where would I put it? Waaayyy up high on top of the bookshelf? That’s the only place the wild things couldn’t reach. Sigh.
Very nice. I love fall, too. And, oh yeah, I can totally relate to the dogs eating your decorations. I can’t put anything out near the dogs (two Jack Russell Terriers). I have a lovely glass cloche that a friend gave me last year for my birthday. I think it would look wonderful with a little bird’s nest or some kind of leafy display. But where would I put it? Waaayyy up high on top of the bookshelf? That’s the only place the wild things couldn’t reach. Sigh.
You have such a lovely style with color, creating, putting just the right things together…all this is gorgeous.
You have such a lovely style with color, creating, putting just the right things together…all this is gorgeous.