Happy November!
Phew. If you are reading this post that means you made it to the other side of Halloween in one piece! Bravo! Today I will take all of the Halloween porch decor down and try to put my house back together. I see random costume pieces and empty candy wrappers EVERYWHERE from where I sit. And of course, I will snag the Reeces and Snickers from the boys stash. I gave them life- they can give me chocolate, right? 🙂
Alright, it’s time for another Front Porch Coffee Talk! Grab your coffee (and your warmest jacket) and meet me on the porch. It’s a cold one!
The rain almost prevented us from being able to trick-or-treat but fortunately it cleared just in time. The temperatures were FRIGID but we had a great time! The day started around 75 degrees and went down to 32 last night. Wow- the boys are at peak years for just truly “getting” Halloween and it is so fun to experience with them. I know my days are numbered for family costumes but until then…. we are going to go for it!
It was “INCREDIBLE!”
We wrapped up the Style My Closet Challenge yesterday and I will sharing a full recap of the month on Monday. It was so fun and I hope you found some inspiration along the way as well! But I must admit, it felt great to be able to wear whatever I wanted this morning. 🙂
1….2…..3…. Let the official holiday season begin!?!?!? Are you feeling it yet? I have to admit that I have been enjoying some time on Pinterest looking through holiday posts and am starting to think about gifts. I am working on some fun Thanksgiving posts for the blog and then will be in full Christmas mode. But, this picture made me laugh.
Have you noticed this new mulit-colored manicure nail polish trend? I am not sure if I am brave enough to try this at the nail salon, but I did give myself a DIY version the other night. I love wearing all of these fun fall colors at once for fall! I had these shades on hand it was fun to dig through my nail polish bottles and find five colors in fall hues.
Our neighborhood usually goes all out for Halloween with a food truck and party. But this year, because the weather had 100% rain in the forecast, we decided to skip the food truck. Which means I had to have dinner ready! I made my go-to chili (here is my recipe)… the crock pot is always a good idea right? And for the first, time, I made the Trader Joe’s cornbread. I feel like I am always sharing random food here, but that is what girlfriends do, right? Anywho- I highly recommend this deliciousness! It is fluffy and cake- like. 
Mama got a haircut! Woo hoo! I notoriously have long hair. And to many of you this probably still seems long! But I got several inches chopped off and feel like a new woman!
Around this time of year every year, I dream about owning a set of Thanksgiving dishes. I know this may sound like a weird wish but I think it stems from my Grandparents having a set of brown transferware at their farmhouse that I fondly remember growing up. I was able to track down the pattern this week through my Aunt who sent me a picture…
…which then sent me down a complete rabbit hole researching brown transferware options. I think I am in love with Spode Woodlands – Wouldn’t this just be such a fun pattern to collect and mix and match? It’s just so classic! I mean, it is not practical at all since I would really only use it once a year. But it’s fun to dream! I also think it would be a fun way to commemorate different family vacations every year like a souvenir based on what part of the country you visited.
(source unknown)
Do you have Thanksgiving dishes or brown transferware? Do tell me all about it down in the comments!
GUYS- I have a confession. I listened to my first EVER full podcast this week. I guess you can call me a late adapter! My friends have been recommending them and for some reason I just didn’t get it. Well, wouldn’t you know that Amanda over at Dixie Delights mentioned Bear Brook and I started it last Sunday while I was exercising. It was so good that I ended up exercising twice as long as I planned just so I could listen to more! That is what I call a winner. I listened to the whole thing between exercise, folding laundry and driving carpool by Wednesday. So let’s hear all of your faves! I am hooked.
Happy weekend!
xoxo
Heather
I have brown stoneware that my mother used in the 70s. Aloha by Chadd‘s Ford.
Just looked that pattern up. Love all of the browns and golds- love it!
I have Evesham gold. It has fruits and berries, etc. I think it’s beautiful, but my daughter and daughter-in-law hate when I use it because it cannot be put in the dishwasher because of the gold trim. LOL
Just looked it up- so pretty! But yes, I would agree with them on the dishwasher aspect LOL!
Several years ago I decided that since I host Thanksgiving each year, I would purchase the brown transfer turkey plates. It didn’t matter the manufacturer. I waited until AFTER Thanksgiving that year to start the hunt. Many ended up coming to me via Ebay. I now have around 30 plates of various turkey patterns (all in the brown).
Every year relatives and friends love to admire the plates and which one I chose for them. Yes it is fun to add different tablecloths and napkins each year. Just as one does at Christmas when unboxing decorations, it is fun to unbox the plates and admire the colors….hello old friends!
Look to Craigs list and FaceBook Marketplace for used pieces at incredibly low prices. I am collecting blue and white transferware. New is way too expensive.
I have a partial set of brown transfer ware which came to me from my husband’s aunt. It is Tonquin by Franciscan. It can be paired with other dishes; I use it in the fall through Thanksgiving. I have some turkey salad plates to add for Thanksgiving. I have a friend who collects transfer ware turkey dinner plates in any color, which she uses for Thanksgiving. Everyone loves the mix; they are lovely! (She has at least 30!)
Reminder, dear Heather: we are still waiting for a tutorial on your Closet Challenge day 8 knotted scarf!
Thanks. Have a wonderful November!
Forget the dishes. I love the family costumes!
Ha ha! We have fun with Halloween every year. I know someday soon they will want to be ninja zombies or something, but until then we will embrace it!
Heather, I have a whole set of brown trimmed with yellow dishes if you want them! Come get them! Bowl’s, tea pot, d salt and pepper, dishes, serving pieces. The whole shebang! Yours if you want them!