Here & Now: Fading into Fall

Hello Readers: I'm experiencing some technical difficulties, so Adam's Kitchen Chemistry will go live tomorrow morning! For now, I offer you tomorrow's post today...

Autumn seems to come with its own photographic filter, tinting everything with pale silver and antique gold. My camera is full of Fall. The pumpkin on my doorstep, a basket of apples, foamy caramel lattes, leaves kicked and scattered on long walks.

Fall Tablescaping: Plaid & Patinated

The table is all set for Adam's second Autumnal Soup post tomorrow. Without giving away the chef's secrets, I'll just say I was inspired to create a warm and rustic tablescape to compliment the ultimate comfort food...

Soup's on, and we'll serve it piping hot tomorrow!

You're Invited (If you DARE)

The First Annual WarLock Family Halloween Extravaganza looms on the horizon! This morning was spent assembling the invitations, which feature Tildy WarLock's grumpy question mark face...

Did I doubt my sanity as I painstakingly snipped each tiny whisker? Clearly, yes.

My perfectionism boggles the mind.

If you're a Bay Area blogger, blog-reader or general party person, would you dare attend our Extravaganza? Say boo if you'd like an invite!

Here & Now: Meet Tom

Ah, Halloween. The holiday when my Gothic fancies seem perfectly normal, when I can bedeck my house in creepies and crawlies and let ALL of the skeletons out of my closet...

I found this handsome fellow at Target. His tag tells me that when I light the wick, orange wax should begin to drip from his eye sockets! I'm anxious to try him out (though sorry to have to disfigure him permanently!).

He certainly does have a winning smile, but if you look closely you'll see he's an orthodontist's nightmare. That's a serious case of Tom Cruise Middle Tooth Syndrome!

Re-Acclimating

I'm back from my visit to Seattle and taking some time to get over a cold and get used to the heat! It's 80º here. Forget about 900 miles, I feel like I got transported back in time to, say, July. Quite unnatural.

Next week I'll resume daily posting, and I've got quite the lineup. Adam will rejoin us with his second Autumnal Soup recipe, I'll share some of my adventures in the greater Seattle area, and (best of all) I'll redefine what it means to go all out for Halloween. Mua-ha-ha-ha-ha! (<--- Evil laugh.)

Take a look at my Mom's spooky decor. I have a lot to live up to!

Postcard from my Vacation

Hey all- just checking in before I'm off to Ballard to browse my favorite shops with my Mom. I'm taking so many pictures that I'll have blog content for weeks. But, until I'm back in Berkeley on Tuesday night, I'll be spending most of my time with Paige here...

Can you blame me???

Back soon,

Elizabeth

Blue Mood

No, not sad- I'm quite happily immersing myself in all the colors of the Northwest, especially the chilly blue of the Puget Sound.

 I wake up in this gray and blue bedroom, just the shades of the waves outside my window. 

(Doesn't my Mother have lovely taste? I'm tempted to make this a permanent vacation...)

These pale periwinkle hydrangeas were begging to be photographed in downtown Edmonds.

So much prettiness, and it's so nice to be home.

I promise I won't let the blog get too quiet,

Elizabeth

Word to the Wise: 101 Things to Put in Apothecary Jars

I'm kicking off my Seattle visit with a shout-out to local blogger Maggie Morgan of Maggie Rose, who just published her first ebook, 101 Things to Put in Apothecary Jars. I can't divulge the 101 decorating secrets within, but I can tell you that I'd never thought of idea #12 before, and that suggestion #40 would fit into my decor nicely!

When I get back to Berkeley, I'm going to be putting Maggie's tips to the test in my own collection of apothecary jars- because right now they're just filled with air!

I'm off to enjoy the Northwest! Wishing you all a beautiful weekend,

Elizabeth