To Every Thing There is a Season

We’ve officially made it to the season of fall. Like all seasons, it brings with it change, some good, some bad.

The start of the season included the celebration of a life so special and dear to our family. My precious grandmother’s 5 year battle with cancer finally came to an end. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones. And I know without a doubt she’s now rejoicing in her new heavenly home, completely pain-free, and still keeping watch over us all.

I had the honor of singing one of her favorite hymns at her funeral, which was probably one of the hardest things I have done musically. But the peace of the Holy Spirit was with me, and it turned out to be such a beautiful memorial service.

I know it will take our family some time to work through our emotions of losing someone so special in our lives. There is sadness, but there is also laughter. There is heartache, but also heartwarming memories. And of course, we have hope. Hope in our faith, knowing we’ll be reunited again someday in heaven.

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year. Even through the pain of loss, I am still trying to find the joy in the new season ahead.

My grandma “GiGi” loved decorating and music, just like I do. Growing up, she inspired me creatively in so many ways. I decided she would still want me to be out there doing what I love, so I pulled out all the fall bins from the basement and decked out the house last week.

Decorating can be therapeutic in a way. Self-soothing. Good for the soul.

I think it did me good to see the pumpkins and leaves again like old friends, back to say hello.

A few nooks in the kitchen got a little touch of orange.

I’ve got a pumpkin cream cheese crumb cake recipe that is calling my name to try baking this season.

And the coffee corner got changed up a bit too.

This Anne of Green Gables quote is one of my favorites.

In the living room, I kept my fireplace mantel pretty simple this year with a collection of fabric pumpkins. The white and little blue ones I made last year out of an old bedspread and denim shirt.

I am still really loving this simple frame I purchased from Hobby Lobby at the beginning of the summer.

And of course, give me all the buffalo check everything! Creams and blacks blend well with the bright hues of autumn.

A few other orange pumpkin accents down the hallway add a nice pop of color for the season.

I’m not really one to shy away from bold, warm tones in my home, especially during the holidays. I can appreciate the neutral decor trends that are so popular right now, but it’s just not my “go-to” style.

My favorite color is yellow, and I try to really bring it out this time of year. These mustard yellow accents around my home bring a smile to my face.

Especially this adorable little vintage flash card I found at a local antique shop.

I placed it on top of the cabinet that houses my collection of vintage yellow depression glass. My mom started me on this collection many years ago, and has traditionally given me another piece to add to it each year either for Christmas or my birthday. It is very special to me, and I love any chance I get to actually pull them out and use them!

I also decorated our bedroom this year for the season, which I typically don’t do, but it just felt like I needed another cozy space to retreat to at night. I’ll be sharing more about that in a future post.

On a personal note, I just want to thank each of you who extended your sympathies to either me or my family this past week. I know we all really appreciated your thoughtfulness, kindness and compassion.

Losing someone is never easy, but as the scriptures say in Ecclesiastes 3:

To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven:

² a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

³ a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

⁴ a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

⁵ a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

⁶ a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷ a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

⁸ a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.