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Tag: Autumn

  • Fall Fun – BHGRE Season of Sharing

    Autumn is knocking. Whether you want to go out and enjoy the crisp, cool air or stay nice and cozy inside we have tons of activities, craft ideas, and recipes to fill your Fall!  

    Fall Activities

    Get ready for Fall with these awesome activities. 

    • Start a new family tradition and create unforgettable blanket forts with the kids. Pick a new theme every few weeks to change it up. One night could be space themed–hang twinkling lights and paper mache planets.

    • Uncover some clever ways to add fall flair to your porch.  
    • Check out these incredible tips on how to host a fall backyard gathering! If you set a buffet, don’t forget to disinfect the serving utensils.  
    • Get festive and get decorating.  
    • Apple picking is a great activity to do while practicing social distancing. Try out some of the apple recipes below and donate a basket of apples to those in need. 
    • Create your own family board game. Use the bottom of a cardboard box as the board and create little pieces of out clay. Make your own little world with silly rules and fun twists.  
    • What better thing to do with all that fall foliage than have a pet photoshoot? Don’t forget to film a slow-motion video of your pet plunging into a pile of leaves.

    • Host a virtual paint and sip night! Pick a fall-themed subject to paint and send it to everyone before you start. Everyone can paint on a canvas or regular paper while catching up and sipping on warm apple cider or wine. 
    • We all could use some serious comfy relaxation time. Discover great tips on how to make your home cozier for Fall.  

     Fall Crafts 

     Below are some craft ideas you will Fall in love with.  

    • Click here for some unbe–leaf-able crafts using leaves.
    • Fall is all about getting cozy! Since we’re spending more time inside, discover how to make a weighted blanket so you can stay warm and comfortable.  
    • Create your very own leaf-shaped dish to hold jewelry or change. Press a leaf that you like onto a rolled-out piece of clay. Using a knife, carefully trace the leaf. When you’re done, slowly pull the leaf off and gently curl the sides up. Place newspaper around the edges, so it holds its shape and looks like a dish. Once it’s dried, paint it any color you want and seal it with a gloss or matte sealer to protect the finish.  
    • Here are some simple fall crafts and handmade ideas to make your home ready for autumn.  
    • Discover gourd–geous farmhouse fall decor ideas.   
    • Treat yourself! Make your own Fall scented candles such as cinnamon, pumpkin, or apple. First, find a glass jar you want to use as the container. Double the amount of wax you would use to fill the container and melt it in a double boiler while stirring frequently. Mix in whatever fragrance oil you choose. Place the wick on the bottom of your jar and slowly pour in the wax. Secure the wick while the wax hardens by sandwiching it between two chopsticks. You can also glue cinnamon sticks onto the outside of an old candle to make your home smell incredible. 

    • Find festive fall decoration ideas here. 
    • Make a variety of pinecone creations! Create cute little hedgehogs by making a face and limbs out of clay. Adhere the face onto the pinecone and glue on googly eyes and a small black nose. You could also make a flower bouquet by gluing pinecones to the end of sticks and painting each one a different color. Another option is to design a wreath using pinecones and colorful leaves and flowers. 

    Fall Recipes

    Stir up some delicious food and drinks. 

    Ways to Give Back

    Fall into a charitable spirit with these ideas on how you can give back.  

    • Spring isn’t the only time for cleaning. Go through your summer gear and gather things you can donate. 
    • Be neighborly. Check on your neighbors and see if there is anything you can help them with. Rake the leaves in their yard, clean their gutters, or pick up their groceries.  
    • Make blankets to donate to the homeless and others who need to keep warm. You can recycle your old clothes to create a DIY t-shirt blanket as well.  
    • October is National Book Month so set aside some time to go through all of your books and make a donation box.  


    Click here to view all the Season of Sharing articles.

       

  • Trend Alert from Outdoor Pro Carson Arthur – The Outdoor Fireplace!

    One of the most popular additions to the backyard is the outdoor fire pit with seating around it. Having an area for entertaining that is separate from the patio table has been featured in magazines, websites and all types of social media. Even the designs that I’ve been doing for homes in downtown areas seem to always include high-end wood or gas burning fixtures.

    Before you go any further in exploring if an outdoor fireplace is right for you, check your municipal bylaws. Some areas ban outdoor burning altogether. Others allow outdoor fireplaces but regulate the smoke to ensure that your neighbors are not disturbed. Some municipalities require that grills be in place so that these fire pits fall under barbeque laws. Just because a store in your area sells you a fireplace doesn’t mean that you can actually use it.

    If, however, you’re like me and love the smell of burning wood, the sound of crackling logs and can spend hours watching flames and coals, then there is nothing like an outdoor wood-burning fireplace. That said, burning wood always comes with lots of risks and rewards. Live fires are unpredictable and as a result, can be dangerous if not handled properly.

    When it comes to fire safety, make sure that you allow for at least 6ft. of space between the edge of the fireplace and the chairs. Sparks can easily fly from natural burning fires. If you don’t have sufficient clearance, choosing a natural gas or propane option would be a safer solution. If you do go with wood burning, then make sure you have either a source of water or a fire extinguisher nearby.

    Also, consider where the best spot is for your fire pit and what surface it is going on. The best surface solution is always stone. Whether its manmade pavers, natural flagstone or even gravel, stone is perfect for dispersing heat or flying sparks. I have created fireplaces on wood decks but I always make sure that the area under and around the fire pit is either gravel or concrete. When it comes to locations, wood-burning fire pits need to be away from the house. Smoke always seems to get into open windows or patio doors. Be sure to choose a spot that is away from large trees or anything that is burnable.

    Having an outdoor fireplace can be an amazing way to spend a summer night or even host an après ski party. Just make sure you do a little research first.

    Want an outdoor fireplace (or fire pit) of your own? Click the banner below and subscribe to the blog to enter to win $1000 during the Fall for Your Home Sweepstakes.

  • Fall 101 with Outdoor Pro Carson Arthur

    I can’t believe that I am about to talk about a fall checklist…but according to the calendar and according to the nip in the air at night, its time to start thinking about the end of summer <<Gasp>>. I’m personally a little torn by this. I love the gardening season, but there is something very special about the turning of the season that I also really love. Maybe it’s the autumn leaves or the smell in the air or even the fact that the outdoor temperature is now comfortable even at noon; whatever the case, I’m not too upset that its time to think about putting the gardens to bed.

    There are a few things that home gardeners get wrong at this time of the year. First off is bulb planting. I love tulips and daffodils in the spring, but I never plant the bulbs in the ground until the soil temperature is below 4 degrees Celsius. Being patient when planting your bulbs is so important to ensure that they stay dormant until spring. Also, remember that the squirrels will probably dig your bulbs up if you are not smart about how you plant them. Squirrels like to steal food from other squirrels. They look for areas of disturbed soil thinking that this is where their neighbor has hidden something edible. When you are planting your bulbs, make sure to disguise the area with some leaves so that it looks like the ground is still undisturbed.

    Speaking of your leaves; KEEP THEM. I know that some homes have huge maples or other deciduous trees in the yard and the amount of fallen leaves far exceeds any needs that you may have. However, mulched or composted leaves are the best fertilizer you can get for your gardens. Leaves that have been running through the mower are also fantastic as an insulator. A few years ago I bought a Black and Decker 3 n1 leaf vacuum, blower, and mulcher, and it’s become my go-to tool for creating my own free fertilizer.

    Don’t forget to wrap your plants and trees! Once again, Mother Nature is giving us some early warning signs of another hard winter to come; specifically, all of the cone-bearing evergreens have them at the tops of the trees. This is a sign that we are in for another rough season, which is going to be hard on your plants. Go out and invest in lots of tree wraps and burlap. Having a windbreak is crucial for plants like rhododendrons, cedars and even your rose of Sharon. The key is to wrap your tree snuggly enough that the burlap will stay up in the wind, but not too tight as they break branches. You should also wait until your plants have gone dormant, which is tough for your evergreens. I like to wrap my tender shrubs and bushes at the end of October.

    You may not have to start thinking about these jobs now, but trust me, winter is really just around the corner!

    Need some help with your fall prep? Click the banner below and subscribe to the blog to enter to win $1000 during the Fall for Your Home Sweepstakes.

  • Add Designer Flair to Your Front Porch for Fall

    Add Fun Fall Decor to Your Porch

    Just because summer’s over does not mean you can’t still enjoy sitting in the fresh air. With autumn weather quickly blowing in, now’s the time to give your porch a makeover. From festive seasonal decorations to thoughtful touches, we’ve pulled together a handful of our favorite ways to add fall decor to your porch.

    Stay warm

    First, make sure your porch can be used during autumn. If you live in an area where fall brings cooler temperatures, gorgeous crisp evenings can turn into cold nights. Invest in either a propane or electric patio heater. There are many models on the market. Some of them are set on the ground to warm your feet, while others are hung overhead. A few models look a lot like indoor lamps, adding a warm, room-like feel to your porch.

    In addition to heaters, set out a couple of wool blankets for guests to put over their legs. Not only do blankets keep loved ones warm, they also give a cozy vibe that inspires conversations to run long into the night.

    Buy new patio furniture

    Most people buy new patio furniture during spring and summer. It’s in fall, however, that you should head to your local home and garden stores to check out items on clearance. Choose durable fabrics in neutral colors so the furniture will match any season. Design the rest of the porch around your new seating areas.

    Fall foliage… right to your front door

    Tis the season for collecting brightly  colored autumn leaves. Why not take things one step further by making an arrangement of leaves to enjoy year after year? Pick up a handful of faux leaves from a local fabric store and coat them to handle the weather. Add a little sparkle by sprinkling glitter of various colors over the project as it dries. Try out similar projects with found objects such as pinecones. Finished arrangements can be hung on windows or your front door. Make a large fall wreath by using a pre-assembled twig wreath and decorating it either with silk flowers or fresh marigolds from a local florist.

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  • Fall in Love with Our Fall Pin Love Sweepstakes!

    8289 Pinterest Lifestyle Sweeps October 2015_GOOGLE PLUS_COVERPHOTO_1080x608

    The air is crisper, the nights are cozier, the blankets are warmer, the decor is more inviting, and the food is more exciting. It’s that time of year again… fall is here!

    If you love everything autumn and get creative with pumpkins from the kitchen to the front porch, then celebrate the season with us! Whether you love traditional harvest style, or super spooky Halloween decor, we want to see how you embrace autumn fun. By entering our Fall Pin Love Sweepstakes, you could win $500 to enjoy all season long. It’s easy to enter — just show us your seasonal spirit on Pinterest!

    How to Enter

    1. Follow this link: http://bit.ly/FallPinLoveSweeps
    2. Enter your email address
    3. Find inspiration from our suggested pins
    4. Create and submit your Pinterest Board

    So what are you waiting for? Get started on your Fall Pin Love board and keep adding festive pins until November 30th, 2015. That’s when we’ll get to choose our winner! Good luck, and happy pinning!