I did not include the pictures of the rest of the dining room in the tablescape pictures because the post was already too long. I also wanted to reflect on some things going on with my personal metamorphosis and ponder on them. So bear with me as I bear my soul and heart this week along with the dining room.
I rarely change the Hoosier or buffet vignettes. But infected inspired by all of your wonderful fall decorating blogs out there, I made a few autumn changes in the dining room.
Lately my Hoosier has held some creamer, sugar, and tea or coffeepot displays. I usually have pitchers and teapots on top of the cabinet. I decided to wind the autumn garland around the wooden candle holder to give it a fall touch. I put it on the Hoosier with the decorative acorn pots from this tablescape. Adding one of my fall Wal-Mart plates, I felt done and liked the simple, autumn look.
For the past few months, my buffet has held the same vignette: pottery plate and matching cake stand with cover, cobalt blue Depression glass refrigerator dish in criss cross pattern (my grandmother’s), and a pitcher and matching platter of unknown origin. I used the large platter in this tablescape as a basis for the sand and seashells of the beach. When we cleaned out my grandmother‘s house, we came across this platter. My mother did not remember it, and it looks barely used. A number of years ago, I happened upon the pitcher in an antique mall and snatched it up. I love that I have the matching pitcher and platter that I got in two completely different places. Neither are marked, so I have no idea the maker or age of the pieces.
For fall I added the Depression glass tidbit tray used here because its burnt orange color goes well in an autumn tablescape. I used it to hold some of the fall faux fruit and vegetables. I also used another of my Wal-Mart pumpkin plates for additional decoration.
If you look carefully in front of the plate, you will see a pair of fall leaves peaking through. If you are familiar with my hobby, you are absolutely correct if you think those leaves are salt and pepper shakers!
To make this display more “fallish,” I added a fall garland which matches the one in the living room and a pumpkin plate, last year’s Dollar General purchase.
I was pleased with the overall look, and how my decorating style has continued to change and grow. As a matter of fact, the past year has been one of changes. I did a huge metamorphosis from a working mother of over thirty years to a retired empty-nester. The change was not difficult; instead, it was welcome and wanted. I dived into retirement, staying busy with home and other activities. I kept my house clean for the first time in years and did a major organizing and cleaning project of the entire house. I began tablescaping; I caught up on reading the books that I wanted to read; I watched empty hours of reality TV without feeling guilt; I got involved more in some extracurricular activities.
My life felt full and busy. Then I was asked to take a short-term teaching job, which I wrote about here. Suddenly my time was not my own any more. I was more stressed about working than I had ever remembered being, and I was drowning in everything that I needed to do. I was either doing it half way or leaving it undone, neither of which felt good.
Two weeks ago, I finished that job, and once again, my time became my own. I felt relief and happiness. I began slowly getting back into my routine, knowing that I was not pressed for time and could do things as I felt like it. I relaxed for the first time in weeks, and I began to revel in cleaning, organizing and decorating my home again.
Then two days ago everything changed again. My friend and I have been talking for quite some time about going in together in a small part-time business. We finally took the leap. I have been wanting this for a long time, so why am I so nervous? I am once again completely stressed and feeling a lot of pressure. I also accepted a major leadership responsibility with an extracurricular activity that I am in. I’ve done this particular thing before, so why is it stressing me out so much more than in years past? In years past I was juggling work and home and still managed to take on this responsibility and do it well. Why is it different now? Why is taking on a part-time venture so stressful when it is what I wanted?
I don’t have any answers. I know that they next few weeks will be long and stressful. Hopefully, they will also be rewarding and fulfilling. I am unsure of what yet another metamorphosis will lead to, but I am open to God’s call on my life. I am praying for the Lord to calm the stormy seas of my heart and to see me through the next few weeks. I covet your prayer for these things as well.
Tablescapes by Bev 
I love that sometimes God calms the hurricane, and sometimes God calms His child in the midst of the hurricane. I give thanks that you know where to look for your source of peace in the middle of turmoil. Isn’t it interesting how sometimes even wonderful things can be the source of stress? For me, it’s often because I’ve told the Holy Spirit where I want to go instead of waiting for the Holy Spirit to show me where I’m supposed to go. I keep having to relearn that lesson. Your Fall vignette is lovely. Salt and pepper collectors seem to have such fun with their pursuit. Yours are perfect in your design. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay
Thanks so much for your comments! I really needed them this morning.
Your fall vignettes are so pretty ! I love the arrangement of plates! As for the worry, I too have found myself full of worry and stressing about things I would normally do with ease. I decided part of it is age for me, just a natural progression in my life. I too have struggled with the worry and have prayed for peace and strength to carry out the projects in front of me. Caring for an aging parent, children and grandchildren that I try to help as I can. So much more illness around me and not to mention the stress of our current economy. Only God can calm the waters and I will add you to my prayers.
~~Linda
Thanks so much! I need all the prayers I can get.
You have very nice autumn decor 😉 visiting thru Sunny Simple Life
JoAnn
Thank you!
Great salt and pepper shakers! Ditto what Cherry Kay said. I find that when I am doing His work and in His way, then my life is much calmer. Or at least I perceive it to be. Blessings. xo marlis
Thanks for the encouragement!
stopping by from thursday favorite things blog hop! am now a follower! would love to have you visit!
sarahseay92.blogspot.com
Thanks! Your blog looks great.
Hey Bev,I’m visiting you from StoneGable…I’ve enjoyed reading your words…May God richly bless you with the strength you need to live life at it’s fullest and a happy heart each and every day!!
I’m loving your Fall decor, especially the old/new plates/platters.
Thanks so much! I love the plates as well.
beautiful in so many ways. God bless Thank you for sharing at the Thursday favorite things hop. Big hugs!
Dropping by this post from your link on your Pink Saturday post for today. I was interested in seeing what metamorphosis (that is spelled right, just doesn’t look right, hmmm) you were headed into. I’m glad the teaching job is behind you. When I quit as my husband retired, I did some heavy-duty bouncing about all kinds of things. It was like “great” and “NOT” all at the same time. We stayed so busy w/our lives and our RV’g plans fell apart, so we felt stranded for a bit. It was rough. We still tend to be sedentary until 5pm – as if were were behind desks still. So odd. And it’s been a number of years (with some very stressful events tucked and shoved in there too). I get a little nervous when I pick new things to be involved in . . . it’s hard to say no to some things and hard to take things at a handle-able pace too. Hard to tell what’s what sometimes. Looking forward to hearing how it goes for you. Take care, Jenn
Thanks so much for your remarks. I feel the same way you do about what is hard to discern.
How fabulous! Happy pink Saturday!
Your comment at my PINK Post is always appreciated.
Glad you are sharing your lovely fall decorations on your hoosier cabinet and it is a treasure! I must say you certainly are fortunate to be able to tackle new experiences and I am sure you will find the right answers. I appreciate you sharing the post about the Dollar General mini cooking pots and decided to shop there. Thanks to you I was able to find these darling and very useful pots.
Thanks
Glad you found them! I know I will get a lot of use out of them.
Change can be difficult. I have loved calling my time my own – it frees me to do, be the person I think God wishes me to be. I volunteered for a lot a few years back – doing ‘good things’ that I was just not meant to do. Knowing and finding those things that you know fit you and you don’t feel stressed out about is wonderful. I always tell my husband – anything else really is a waste of precious time. I hope all works out well for you and you find peace in doing these things. I appreciate you sharing with A Return to Loveliness,
Kathy
Thanks for the words of encouragement!
Love that hoosier. As to the stress…its probably because you get used to doing things a certain way and for a change everything is clean and tidy and the way you wish it could always be…and then with the added workload it’s back to the non perfection sort of life? I used to have a super clean house…I can’t keep up with it all : work full time, home, kids, grandkids etc. It’s looking pretty good and I have alot of landscaping to deal with as well…but I know about the heavy cleaning that needs done and until I do it I stress myself out MORE by THINKING about it than by the actual work. Are you like me 😕 🙂
Sounds like you have got me pegged!
Your Autumn decor looks beautiful. Wow and congrats on the new venture! It is so exciting and nerve wrecking at the same time. I can’t wait to hear all about your new journey! Thank you for joining TTF. Have a great day.
Thanks! I will be doing an update post hopefully sometime this week.
I am so glad you shared with Home and Garden Thursday too – great post very insightful.
God Bless,
Kathy
Thank you so much for your sweet comment.