Decking the Tiers with Gingerbread Cheer

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! This is my little space to share what’s been on my mind and to invite you to link up and do the same. And today, I can’t stop admiring our newly decorated tiered tray—decked out in the cutest gingerbread theme!

I’m loving our gingerbread-themed tiered tray in the kitchen window! This year I pulled it together using only decorations we already had—no new purchases needed. Thankfully, Hobby Lobby has carried gingerbread pieces for the past few years, so I’ve been able to collect a fun assortment to use.  

Let's take a look at each level of the tray ~

Our kitchen window is big enough that I can truly have some fun with the layout. I get to sprinkle the decorations all the way across, giving each little gingerbread piece its own moment. It feels like the whole window turned into a tiny gingerbread village!

I’ve had so much fun putting this gingerbread-themed tiered tray together, and I’m so glad I could share it with you today. It’s amazing how a few cute pieces can make the whole kitchen feel festive. Wishing you a season filled with cozy moments and a dash of gingerbread magic!

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Gratitude, Gatherings, and All Things Thanksgiving

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  This is a time when I talk about something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm sharing our newly created Thanksgiving tiered tray decor!

This past weekend, I pulled out all the Thanksgiving storage tubs and started adding a touch of the holiday throughout our home. It’s always so much fun to unpack the decorations and decide where each piece goes! Earlier this week, I shared a look at our fall mantel on the blog — if you missed it, you can catch up on that post HERE. Now that the mantel is complete, it’s time to move into the kitchen and show you how I’ve dressed up our window for Thanksgiving!

I started by placing a bundle of wheat in a vase to anchor the look and give it that warm, harvest feel. From there, I spread out some leaf garland to add texture and color. Once the base was set, I had fun layering in all the other pieces — a mix of seasonal accents that brought the whole Thanksgiving look together.

One of my favorite pieces in the display is a set of wooden Pilgrims and a Native American figure that I bought at a craft fair back in the 80s. They’ve been part of my Thanksgiving decor for decades now, and I love how they’ve held up through the years. Every time I unpack them, they bring back such warm memories — proof that some decorations truly stand the test of time!

We have so many pumpkins! I couldn’t resist scattering them everywhere — big ones, small ones, and everything in between. I like to say I spread them like glitter all over the kitchen window, adding a fun pop of color and a little extra festive charm to the whole display.

The Thanksgiving turkey stands proudly watching over the whole scene, tying everything together. It feels like the finishing touch — the piece that makes the entire display come to life. With the turkey in place, the kitchen window feels complete and perfectly ready to welcome the season of gratitude.

And that wraps up our little Thanksgiving corner in the kitchen! I love how cheerful and cozy it feels every time I walk by. The mix of wheat, leaves, pumpkins, and those nostalgic wooden figures brings such warmth to the space. It’s a simple setup, but it captures everything I love about this time of year — gratitude, tradition, and a touch of homemade charm. Let the countdown to Thanksgiving dinner begin!

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Mantel Full of Pumpkins and Fall Feels

This weekend, I pulled out the bins of fall decor and got to work giving our home a seasonal refresh. There’s just something about pumpkins, leaves, and warm tones that instantly make everything feel cozy. Today I’m sharing a peek at our mantel, all dressed up for fall!

I love how the eucalyptus garland worked with the fall leaf garland—it’s like they were meant to be together! The combo gave the mantel just the right amount of fullness and that layered, cozy look that feels perfectly fall.

The big pumpkin picture came from Hobby Lobby a few years ago.  I'm so glad I snagged it because I've used it every year since then!

From one end of the mantel to the other, there’s no shortage of fall charm! Leaves spill across the top, and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are scattered throughout, creating the perfect touch of autumn magic.

I couldn’t resist adding a little more fall magic below the fireplace too! A few pumpkins and cozy accents on the hearth helped complete the look and make everything feel warm and welcoming.

I’ll definitely be a little sad to take this one down—it’s been such a cozy reminder of everything I love about fall. But with Christmas right around the corner, I’m already dreaming up what’s coming next!

A Spooky Skull Mantle for Halloween

Hello!  Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  This is a time when I share something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm sharing our spooky skull mantle!

There’s something timelessly striking about a skull-themed Halloween mantle—dark, dramatic, and just a touch mysterious. This year, I leaned into the moody side of the season, blending classic black-and-cream tones with pumpkins and black crows to create a look that feels both haunting and refined.

I picked up a new mantle scarf from HomeGoods recently. I’ll admit, it wasn’t my first choice—there was another one I absolutely loved, but I hesitated, and when I went back, it was gone! So this one ended up being my second pick.

The mantle scarf’s design included a scattering of crows, which immediately sparked an idea. I decided to lean into that dark, mysterious element and carry it through the rest of the display by incorporating skulls. The combination of crows and skulls adds an eerie sophistication to the space—just enough to hint at Halloween without feeling too heavy-handed.

Once the mantle was set, I couldn’t resist adding a few extra touches to the left and right sides of the fireplace. A couple of Halloween accents here, a pop of texture there—it really helped pull everything together. Now the whole setup feels festive from every angle, not just the center!

Overall, I’d say our skull-themed mantle turned out to be a real winner! It strikes that perfect balance of spooky and stylish, and I love how all the little details came together—from the crows in the scarf to the touches of black and white throughout. It feels festive without being over-the-top, and it makes me smile every time I walk by.

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2024 Front Porch

Last weekend I took down our sunflower wreath and put up our fall one.  I wanted to touch up our side planters and panicked a bit when I walked into Michael's and there wasn't so much as a single pumpkin to be had.  WHAT?!?  It's only the middle of October!  Okay, note to self:  finish buying fall decorations by August.

Luckily, I ran over to At Home and they had me covered.  I found a leaf garland and metal pumpkins that would serve my purpose.

We've had the black planters for years, and I love updating them with seasonal and holiday decor. To keep them stable during strong winds, we've placed several bricks at the bottom.  They were a great purchase!  

Available HERE

Available HERE

The wreath is new this year.  I picked it up from a local craft Facebook group.  The creator, Brittany Liberton, did a great job!

The orange buffalo plaid rug (available HERE) adds a vibrant pop of color as well.  I picked it up from Amazon.  Two of the three pumpkins on each side of the door are real and one is fake.  Can you tell which one isn't real?  

After my small panic attack, I think I pulled off a nice fall porchscape.  I'm immediately going to start thinking about Christmas before all those decorations are gone too!  

2023 Valentine's Mantel

Love is in the air in our family room!  The mantel is all decked out and screaming for love.  Take a look ~

I was hoping to pick up a couple new items this year.  One quick trip by Hobby Lobby and it was easy to find a few treasures to bring home.  The heart banner is made from wood so I'm sure it will be around for years to come.  

The XOXO artwork also came from Hobby Lobby.  I found it in the section with the kids' decor.  You never know where you can find just the right thing!

The flowers were a great filler and adds a touch of airiness.  

These decorations will be up through Valentine's Day filling the family room with love!

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Thinking Out Loud Thursday - October 24, 2019

Happy Thursday friends!  Here with this week's edition of Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  I'm thinking out loud about some little things recently that have put a smile on my face, so buckle up because I'm all over the place today.

Last weekend Eric and I decided to pop over to Kansas City to attend a Halloween party we were invited to.  We knew it would be a quick trip because Eric had to work on Friday and Sunday, but we had 36 hours off together and wanted to make the most of it! And it was well worth it.

When we're in the KC area, we love to try new BBQ places.  This trip, at the suggestion of our friend Linda, we dropped in Jazzy B's.  Her sources had suggested we give it a try and they definitely knew what they were talking about!  The owner, Brandon Simpson, was working and made our experience even better by sharing his description of the menu items and making suggestions on things we should try.

Guys - it was mouth-watering, finger-licking delicious!  This little restaurant, located in Lee's Summit, would be easy to drive right by.  Trust me - pull in and try their food.  And don't forget to order an appetizer and plenty of sides!

Before we left for our speedy trip to KC, I got a package in the mail that definitely put a smile on my face.  My friend, which also happens to be my sorority sister, makes jewelry and I had ordered one of her rings.  She's so talented!  Just look at it ~

You can check out her creations on her Facebook page at TouchedByGina. I have my eye on a cool necklace that I'm hoping Eric gets me for my birthday.  I just love wearing unique jewelry and it's a bonus that I also happen to know and love the creator!  If you're in the market for a one-of-a-kind gift, make sure to check out her page.

One last thing I'm thinking out loud about today - last night Ian and Kayla came over for dinner and I just love the way the tablescape turned out.  I picked up some new salad plates at Home Goods and they were perfect for the fall look I was trying to achieve.  They were magnificent with the felt pumpkins I'd picked up in the dollar bin at Target.   Don't you just love it when a look you have in your brain actually turns out!

Now's it is your turn - what are you thinking out loud about today?  Link up and share!

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