Unfortunately, this is the last montage of this series. You can set aside some time this weekend to stroll around your neighborhood and uncover the beauty of what the neighbors came up with this year to ensure that kids as well as their parents enjoy the fall before the winter season begins. Smile!
HAPPY FALL!

I am so amazed at the imagination of the residents in my and nearby neighborhoods. You can enjoy the various montages they display in front of their homes during the season. The displays range from the simplest to the most elaborated. Thanks for your efforts and originality, I enjoy your decorations daily. Smile!

​Fall is a good time to find natural materials in the garden, parks, road, anywhere really. I just realized that my huge fern went dormant this year earlier than in others. I guess that a reason could have been the awful drought that we had and continue to have this year.
 
Anyway, when I saw the dried mess it came to me that I could use it in an arrangement either in its natural form or sprayed in gold.
 
Well, here is the end result. A trip to Walmart for 3 small pumpkins, an old .25 cents yard sale find and a flower and scarecrow that I had in my craft room. Boom, an arrangement was born, smile.
 
You will need: Total ($6.11)
1 small or med. size basket and oasis to stick the flowers. (.25)
Any dried natural material, ferns, astilbe, leaves, … (0)
A seasonal silk sunflower (.40)
½ yard of green ribbon (.50)
1 small about 12” scarecrow ($1.99)
3 small pumpkins @ .99 cents ea. ($2.97)
 
Directions
Stick the dry material in the basket oasis.
Stick the scarecrow and the sunflower.
Tight a bow on the basket handle.
Place the 3 pumpkins in front. DONE!

I love to see how many neighbors adorned their homes with lovely fall designs. They make my morning walks so fulfilling, therefore, thanks so much for your efforts.

Today we are looking at a series of amazing simple expressions of art. It doesn’t matter how big or small the fall decorations are; they have a meaning to the owners.

Good example; my cover photo is so simple and yet so special. It has two small pumpkins under a beautiful American flag, even Mr. squirrel made an appearance, smile.

This design gave me the chills when I walked by the house. It reminded me of our men and women in the military, who leave their families and risk their lives to protect us. It reminded me that I was born in a country where we have so many freedoms, an amazing constitution and government structure.

We are blessed to have communities across the nation that cares for the elderly, the homeless, mentally ill, disabled, the environment and even those who come to our country for seeking protection from their own countries. I am so proud to be an AMERICAN!
GOD BLESS THE U.S.A

 Well, either if you love it or hate it, the 2019 FALL Season is already here. I don’t feel it yet, since the days continue to be hot, the trees are still packed with green leaves and the almighty rain is being missing since I don’t know when. It’s been a dry, almost total drought in many areas of the country.
 
The sad reality is that we all have to roll our sleeves and start working on gardening chores. Here are some of my hacks for the season:

​FALL HACK # 1: LAWN CARE

• Seeding, feeding, watering… (Oh, and this is my husband’s advice, since I am not a lawn guru, smile)
• Rake those leaves, please and collect them. They are not good to sit over your lawn and another benefit is, they don’t fly away to all your neighbor’s yards, smile.
• Since there is little to no rain, you must water the lawn at least 1 to 2 inches per week and up to 3 times/week.
• Is best to water it in the morning, however, if you work and come home after 5, do some watering then, is better than nothing.
• Finally, before cutting the lawn, raise the mower a bit higher to avoid injuries as the result of dry conditions. 

FALL HACK # 2: FALL FLOWER ARRANGEMENT MATERIAL

• Collect all the flowers left to make your last fall flower arrangements. Your garden may have an abundance of astilbes, roses and hydrangeas.
• If they are not totally dry, hang them in a dry place, (your garage or basement) until ready to use.
• Collect different types of pinecones, and acorns for your fall/winter arrangements.

 
FALL HACK # 3: SERIOUS GARDEN CLEAN UP

• Discard dead plants and shrubs, rake leaves.  
• Clean your outdoor furniture, decorative items and put them away until next spring.