Transitioning Into Fall Decor

Even though the weather is still quite warm

here in SoCal

(as in it will probably hit near a 100 degrees this week)

I have begun my transition into fall decor.

I call it fall light.

Right now it is  the simple introduction of some 

natural shades of oranges 

into my blue and white summer palette.

This is the first year I have decided to make small 

relaxed strides

in my seasonal change out

instead of taking it on all at once

and

 it has been a much more joyful experience.

I am always so delighted

with the simple change of accessory color.

My simple carnation arrangement

trayed with beach rocks and other treasures

has brought me so much joy

every time I walk into the living room

reminding me

that our true Autumn is around the corner.

It was our traditional Labor Day apple picking

that brought back bushels 

of styling freshness.

Not only was apple picking a most lovely way for

the family to spend the day together …

I was able to bring back

some perfect Autumn styling ingredients!

I love fall styling with apples!
It's easy and instantaneous!

For me apples speak to new school year beginnings ...

times spent with family and  friends …

cozy times cuddling inside!

First off this year

 the home grown   dahlias

on my dining table

were replaced with a large 

gorgeous basket filled to the brim with

 fresh picked apples!

Apples made their way to 

announcing this weeks family meal theme …

where tortilla soup was served in cream tureens …

For the place setting 

I simply integrated some brown wicker

into my blue and white scheme

with some  floral linens

to tie the 

transitioning fall decor together.

Apples made it onto the bar

in the most simplest of manners

by just setting them out on the bar trays!

Introducing natural elements

into my decor

is one of my very favorite

instant seasonal style tips!

Mixing apples into vignettes

is instant fall color and mood!

My courtyard is still summer thriving

so I am just introducing

some focal points of falls oranges inside.

I was just smitten with  the colors in these cone flowers

when I saw them

so I bought them right out

and 

found the perfect home for them

by planting them in my vintage coal bucket.

I set a hanging color bowl
in my terra-cotta urn
with no planting involved!

Because I have been decorating seasonally
for So many years by now
I have learned
my very favorite short cuts.

By getting the biggest impact
from the least amount of effort
I am able to truly enjoy
bringing the changing seasons
inside my home
as a reminder

to truly celebrate and enjoy
whatever your season in life is today!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy
as you style your life

Apple Picking … and Reflecting On This Season of Parenting

This Labor Day found us in Oak Glen 

apple picking 

as per our usual family tradition.

I have written here and here about our tradition

and

 it always has me in a sentimental mood afterwards.

Sometimes it's a really beautiful thing

having a blog that is part online journal

as I have been able to capture so many 

transitioning seasons of our family
in words and visuals.

For in truth

all of life is a transition

from one stage to another

just some stages seem to have more definable jumps.

I love being able to go back and read through the years

of something as simple as apple picking with our family.

This yearly activity 

has captured  many of  our family seasons

and has me reflecting on this years family season.

I must say

I must not have read the parenting book all the through

because when i was younger I thought parenting ended for the most part
when children turned 18

and

now I realize parenting just changes shape

but is still a constant in life.

I realize in trying to move on to my next chapter

sometimes I move too far ahead in celebrating the empty nest idea.

Because this summer mine isn't empty.

My darling daughter is home searching for her

grown up after college career  job

and

my youngest is working his way through 

Junior College before he transfers to the four year college.

So there is a lot of trying to figure out how this

new family season

can best play out for all involved.

I must admit my youngest of three

has a very different life than

his over protected siblings.

Most likely why he has been able to 

live at home for college beginnings.

By the third time around

I realize hands on parenting at this age

is a done deal
with no need.

Hunter is a most respectful young man and a joy to be around.

I am also ever so proud of what a hard worker he has become.

Besides college full time

he is working at UPS part time …

on a shift that starts at 3:30 … AM.

And he is still able to carve out time for successful relationships.

I see my parenting role with Hunter

as one to offer support.

I still do try to arrange my schedule 

as to be home to make meals for him

between his coming and goings of work and school.

As much to provide a strong base to venture successfully out from
as well as I really enjoy talking and spending time with him.

I am ever so proud of the man he is becoming.

My darling daughter
after deciding she wasn't sure about grad school
after all

is in the throes of career job searching

and
 it has been 

fraught with many ups and downs

and almost theres …

This summer has been trying on both 

Ellis and I.

She was not looking forward to moving home 

after four years of being on her own

and

I had finally become happy with 

our family of three
 routines.

Ellis and I had many talks about 

her moving home 

before she did

trying to talk in advance 

to avoid the many mine fields

that could come about 

from two adult women sharing one roof.

I must say for the most part we have done 

really well
with respect and kindness
and have had some great times together.

But I know we both are anxious for the next chapter to begin.

Maybe too anxious

at least on my part.

I have felt myself becoming more and more tense

with the situation

resulting in bouts of irritability

that surpass the situations.

I emotionally moved out of

lets make the very best of the situation

into

when will this end!

But I realize now

not for why it might seem.

For Ellis truly is one of the easiest of people to get along with.

I know now I wanted it to be over

to protect my heart.

I have always been one if something is going to hurt

I just want to jump in and get it done

not have it hanging over my head.

But parenting 

doesn't work that way … does it.

I realize I must straddle 

the having her home here now 
and
  savoring it wholeheartedly 

with 

the impending heartache of when she leaves.

Because this time when Ellis leaves

she won't be coming home for 

school breaks or summers any more.

Ellis will be setting up her own home and life.

It will be yet another transition

and

season for our family

as she moves towards having one of her own.

So I realize

I must not hang back in fear disguised as irritability

but I must 

step back all the way in

with my head up

and

my heart strong

to savor and enjoy

this season

that is our family.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

Ponte Family Estates

My magical trip to Napa this year

had me recently missing visiting wineries

so we decided to drive east of our Orange County home

to Temecula.

A drive of just more than an hour

Jeff and I used to visit  the Temecula wineries often

before kids.

So it had been quite a while since we went out

and
 really explored the area.

And just like our kids have grown up

so too have the Temecula wine region  in the last two decades!

Changing from a few handfuls of mainly 

mom and pop wineries

into some top of the line destinations like

the Ponte Family Estate.

The Estate is  comprised of a beautiful hotel and restaurant

surrounded by 300 acres of working vineyards.

With it's  picturesque views and stunning property 

the Ponte Estate has become a highly  sought  after destination wedding venue as well.

The hotel architecture is inspired by the prevalent 

Spanish Missions that were built by Father Serra

and
 his men in the late 1700's up and down California.

The in is set up in a horseshoe shape with
an expansive open ended grassed courtyard.

Large canopied terraces line the buildings

all opening out to …

the views on the property that are truly magical!

Set a short walk away from the hotel

is the tasting room and restaurant.

The restaurant features alfresco dining

and a most delicious produce driven menu.

Everywhere on the patio has been beautifully styled

right down to even the bus stations!

The styling detail I was most taken with is 

the basket that appears from the seating hostess

to place your purse in while dining.

You can look across the patio and see a beautiful collection of baskets on the ground

all keeping the guest purses  clean!

I am always absolutely taken with such attention to detail!

The food  at the Ponte restaurant was fabulous as well!

My favorite salad this summer was made up of

 watermelon, heirloom tomatos, barrata chees, basil

with an herbed  balsamic dressing.

Summer perfection in my book!

Well that and maybe a little closing desert

with a most marvelous port wine!

Our alfresco lunch in Temecula

at the Ponte Family Estate

was definitely a summer weekend highlight!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

 as you style your life