A Table for September, Some Skeleton Scenes for October, and My Scary Shoes!

A “Blast From the Past” Post

I am excited about checking my favorite websites today, because I am excited to see all the new fall ideas. Here in Texas we are still experiencing hot, humid mostly 90 degree days, and I would also be very excited to get some fall weather to go with everyone’s beautiful fall decorations.

However, regarding my own decorations and posts, I am wavering about putting up my fall decorations right away as it is still so “SUMMER” here. So instead I decided to re-share some of my old fall posts here, and then for the next two weeks, I will share some new summer tables that I have really been wanting to do all summer long, and did not get a chance to make and share yet. After those two weeks I will move into my new fall tables and decor.

Today I decided to link some of my favorite posts from past Septembers and Octobers – and after those links, I’d like to share a little about my “Scary Shoes” in the hopes that you will be saved from some “horrors” of your own!

Click the titles above the photos – in blue type – to see the full posts from the past.

Woodland Critters Come to Our Autumn Tablescape

Please click on the above link to see the original post from the past. The post includes lots of pictures and details about each item used. Happy Fall!!

To see the whole Autumn Critters Tablescape, please click on the link above the pictures, or this one: Woodland Critters Come to Our Autumn Tablescape

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Choose a World for Your Skeletons – “Hair-Raising or “Happy”?

If you click on the link above this picture, it will take you to my first skeleton scene, and my first skeleton post. We started the skeletons during Covid 19. At that point most schools were not in session, and families were taking 1-2 walks a day – right past our house – as many were “bored to tears” with the lack of activity and variety in their lives. We thought our skeletons, might brighten some days!

As we are a community on a lake, it seemed only fitting that I start with lakeside scene for my skeletons. The above scene is “At the Beach”

Each Week Brought a New Scene

The skeleton scenes changed each week, and as you will see in the next post, the scenes got more and more complicated each week. Our “change the scene day” was Wednesday, and we were so excited to hear that many neighbors made a point of driving or walking by to see the new scene each Wednesday!

Each skeleton post includes lots more pictures and info about my skeletons – brand, store, etc., where and when to buy, as well as info on all the props, costumes, lighting, and tips on setting them up and ways to keep them “holding their positions”. I hope you will take the time to check out the “Choosing A World for Your Skeletons Post”.

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Astros Skeleton Baseball Team has a “Thrilling” and “Chilling” Start!!!

The Astros (our favorite Major League Baseball team) were heading to playoffs in October of 2022, and we decided that our Astros skeletons should play every game that the real Astros were playing. We actually made the decision to do the “Astros” as one of our scenes at the beginning of August – as my friend Susan and I had a lot of sewing to do, before the Astros could become a team.

The skeleton baseball team was our most popular Skeleton scene. And as the Astros kept playing, we kept “changing” our competitors jerseys throughout each series.

Click the blue title above the pictures or the following link to see how we made the uniforms and posed the skeletons in our “Lakeside Ballpark”. Astros Skeleton Baseball Team has a “Thrilling” and “Chilling” Start!!!

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Astros Skeleton Baseball Game – Held Over by Popular Demand

Finally our real Astros and Skeleton Astros made it to the World Series!!! We played the Phillies, and we were very happy that our Skeleton Team (as well as the real team) was covered by Fox News, KHOU, and the Chronicle. Check out this post to see our Astros decked out for the World Series in their traditional rainbow jerseys, while the Phillies wore their red jerseys – as they play the most important game of their season, and for many, the most important game of their life.

This post contains all the details, and photos of the “Skeleton World Series” as well as links to the two TV news reports and the coverage by the Chronicle. Also included are hints and instructions on how to make the outfits and the pitcher’s mound, what size skeletons to purchase, how to make the catcher’s gear, where to get the baseball gloves, ball caps, etc. Click the blue title above the pictures to get the the full post, or click the following link: Astros Skeleton Baseball Game – Held Over by Popular Demand

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Coming Soon – Astros Skeleton Team Celebrates Their World Series Win!!!

In what can only be described as a “Fairy-Tale Finish” our real Astros won the world series, which means that our Astros Skelton Baseball Team won the World Series too!! As the final game of the World Series neared, I began planning how we would celebrate the World Series Win with our skeletons. Our neighborhood had conveyed their enthusiasm for the Astros Skeleton Team, as well as the real Astros team, throughout the whole month of October, and so it seemed only fitting to allow the Astos Skeleton Team to celebrate non-stop during the first week of November.

We did this by re-enacting the minutes after the World Series win!! We posed the Astros players, players’ families, and fans, as the game was won, and the trophy awarded. We showed the Phillies, as they mourned their World Series loss.

This post has not yet been published but is coming soon! Please check back to see the celebration!!!

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“Scary Shoes”

What follows is a “mini” post, that I have been unsure if I should post or not. There really isn’t enough info on this topic to make it a “stand-alone” post. But on the other hand it is something I want to share so others may escape the “horrors” I went thru.

Because I’m writing this post in October, I’m guessing the title, “Scary Shoes” may have made you think of a witch’s boots. But these shoes are a different kind of scary.

This month we were meeting some friends for lunch, and I decided to dress up a little. After picking an outfit, I picked out some comfortable flats to go with it. The shoes I picked were ones I’ve worn for years and ones that have never caused problems for me. I hadn’t worn them lately, as lake life finds me in tennis shoes or water shoes – most of the time.

The above shoe is a different colored version of the shoes I wore to lunch. I love their ankle strap, and their soft leather.

As we walked around the shops, and restaurants, I noticed I was “slip sliding” away, so I walked V-E-R-Y carefully and was ok. When we got back to the house, I considered carrying my shoes and walking barefoot, but I thought I would be fine, and didn’t really want to walk on the scorching hot concrete with bare feet. However, as I stepped out of the SUV onto its running board … My feet slipped out forward, and I fell backwards, landing with my BACK on the running board. Long story short – I ended up in the hospital with 3 cracks on 2 ribs. It was very painful and required a three night stay in the hospital, as the cracked ribs can often limit the expansion of the lungs, which will then make pneumonia more likely.

When I came home, I checked out the bottom of the shoes, and found that they were smoother and harder than they used to be. They are also much, much, more likely to cause a fall. I tested the shoes by hand sliding them across our granite kitchen counters, and realized the shoes were exceedingly slippery. I threw the blue version of these shoes out immediately.

Then I started researching and was surprised to learn that “rubber” soled shoes, as well as other shoes, have soles that can actually break down chemically over time. I had never noticed this before. I’m guessing I often wear out other parts of my shoe before the outsole of the shoe goes through this change. Now that I was aware of the possibility, I checked other pairs of my shoes, and realized the same thing has happened to my keds tennis shoes – who knew Keds could become slippery???

I plan to check all my shoes, to see if they have become slippery – before I wear them!

I’d love to hear from you – Has this ever happened to your shoes? Did it cause you to fall? I sure hope not!!

Although this chemical change in the soles of shoes can be a problem for a person of any age, I’m wondering if it happens to older people more often, as older people (myself included) may have a lot more pairs of older shoes.

I hope this post will help you, and thru you, will help your friends and families, so that you can can all avoid the “horrors” of “Scary Shoes”.

On a funny note, although I threw out the shoes I was wearing when I fell, I decided NOT to throw away my other slippery shoes, but instead to label the insole – “Do Not Wear” and then to pack the offending shoes away with my skeleton collection. So my loss has just provided my Halloween skeletons with a much more varied wardrobe of shoes!!

Link Parties

Following is a list of websites I really like!  They are listed under the day of the week where they also host a Family Friendly “Link Parties” aka “Blog Hops”.

If you click on the name of the blog (in blue) on the evening of the day of the week they are listed under, it should take you to the Link Party, where many bloggers have joined with them to share their own ideas.  I love how the link parties connect you with both a great blog, and other blogger’s ideas as well!  Many thanks to all these bloggers for bringing so many ideas to all of us!!! 

You can actually find these link parties any day of the week, by clicking on the website name below, but once you click, you may need to scroll thru a few entries to find the link party you are looking for. 

Sunday 

Life as a Leo wife (Nikki), Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly),  Décor Craft Design (Mel) ,A Labour of Life (Linda),  Ducks ‘n a Row (Sinea),  Love My Messy Messy Mess (Katie)   host “Happiness is Homemade” Link Party.  I love checking out the home decor, holiday decorations and current projects of all the hostesses as well as the ideas from their link party ! 

Life and Linda hosts “Love Your Creativity Link Party”.  I love checking out Linda’s gorgeous holiday decorations and tablescapes, and her chandelier decorations are a beautiful finishing touch!!

The House on Silverado  hosts – “Sundays on Silverado” link party. I am fairly new to Niky’s site but am loving her holiday decorating and her new grandma stories!!

Ridge Haven Homestead  – “Sunday Sunshine” Blog Hop.  In addition to the blog hop, I am enjoying reading about Laurie’s homestead, the “off the grid” lifestyle they are living and the cabin they are building. 

April J Harris – hosts Hearth and Soul Link Party monthly on the first Sunday of the month. I am enjoying reading about April’s traveling adventures, as well as her projects at home!  

Monday

Life Tales Books Blogspot  hosts Will Blog for Comments Link Party. Jennifer is a Photos and Story Treasures Consultant, and I am enjoying her ideas on photos and memory books, as well as her link party!  

Holly-Pink Lady(Holly) and Sunshine and books blog (Sarah) host “Hello Monday Link Party”. In addition to the link party, I am enjoying Sarah’s book recommendations, and Holly’s recipes and party ideas.  

Between Naps on the Porch hosts  “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters”. I love seeing Susan’s amazing home projects which are very inspiring!! I always come away with some great ideas from her posts and from those who have linked up!! 

The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will get you to the link party on Esme’s site as well as getting you to some great recipes and other ideas!

Charlene at A Pinch of Joy hosts “Busy Mondays”. Charlene’s website is all about home decorating, and holiday decorations and recipes. The first two things are things I love to do and the Recipes are things I like to eat!

Good random fun blogspot hosts The Good.Random.Fun. link party  Tamar’s website has some great photography, interesting places to visit, and thoughts on many things. Recently, I enjoyed reading about Hanukkah celebrations! 

Beverly at Eclectic Red Barn, Nicky at  Life as a Leo Wife, Michelle at  Moms are frugal and a few other hostesses host “You’re the Star Blog Hop” I love checking out these websites and the link party for holiday decor, crafts, money saving ideas and tablescapes. 

Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life   hosts  the “Inspire me Tuesday” link party. Marty has an eye for design and decorating, and turning your house into a home. I always enjoy reading about her projects. 

Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly)  and Penny’s Passion (Penny) host the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” which often opens on Tuesday evenings. I have enjoyed Beverly’s Red Barn project and her projects and decorating . Penny’s website has both projects and recipes I have enjoyed reading about – and more – see “Thinking Out Loud” under “Thursday” in this list. 

Jenerally Informed  hosts the “Happy Now Link Party”. Jen from Jenerally informed and Leslie from playmates to parties host “happy now” which brings many craft and decorating ideas and recipes for fun holiday foods. 

Perfectly Imperfect-LWL hosts the “Tell It To Me Tuesday Link Party” which brings many decorating ideas, recipes, and ideas for family activities. 

Kim and Cassie from Lou Lou Girls host the the “Fabulous Party”. Lou Lou Girls post unique recipes, family activities, DIY and party ideas! 

Marci at Stone Cottage Adventures hosts “Tuesdays with a Twist”. Marci posts on gardening, sewing, recipes, crafts and books! Marci’s link party contains many other fun ideas as well. 

My Wee Abode (Julie) hosts the “Tuesday Turn About” Link Party. Julie is turning her small home into a charming coastal farmhouse home. Her website and link party include great home decorating, DIY, craft projects and recipes.

Wednesday

Karin’s Kottage hosts the “Karin’s Kottage Link party”.  I am also enjoying keeping up with Karin’s Italian Palace remodel! as well as her decorating ideas, crafts, grandchild activities and home projects. 

French Ethereal hosts a “Share Your Style”  link party where decorating, recipes, fashion, tablescape styles are all shared. 

Esme Salon recently began hosting a “Wordless Wednesday” photography link party – I can’t wait to link up!

Creatively Beth  hosts the “Creatively Crafty” Link Party. Beth’s website contains wonderful craft posts, including amazing up-cycle, from scratch, and Dollar Store Crafts. Beth’s link party contains a variety of family friendly posts including recipes, crafts, and holiday decor. 

Ridge Haven Homestead hosts the Homestead Blog Hop.  I am also enjoying reading about the off the grid home that Laurie and her family are building. 

Karin at Fifth Sparrow No More, hosts “Whimsy Home Link Party”. Karin posts about Finding the Beauty – in decorating, travel and faith and family! 

Cecelia at My Thrift Store Addiction hosts “Vintage Charm” link party. What Cecelia does with her thrift store finds is so creative!

Lydia at  Pandora and Max hosts the “All Seasons” Link Party. Lydia’s recent blog entry was all about her trip – and the sunsets are a “must see” – fabulous!

Thursdays

I often participate in Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. I have been following Susan for quite a long time, and absolutely love her Tablescapes!!! I also love the ideas shared on her Tablescape Thursday link party! 

Katherine’s corner hosts the  “TFT – Thursday Favorite Things” blog hop.  I love the assortment of wonderful decorating, recipe, tablescape, and inspirational ideas found here. 

Southern Sunflowers   hosts their “Home Matters Link Party” at 8 CT on Thursday.  I have really enjoyed linking to their link party and the various decorating, recipe, tablescape and craft ideas found on this website and their “Home Matters” Link Party. 

Penny’s Passion  hosts the “Thinking Out Loud Link Party” which often begins on Thursday. Thinking out Loud is a great post published each Thursday, and covers many interesting topics. Today the topic was “elf on the shelf – for empty nesters” and I love the traditions Penny has started in her home. So cute!

Roentare.zenfolio blog hosts a photography link party each week.  The photography is absolutely gorgeous, as are the places he and his wife photograph! 

Good Random Fun  hosts the “Little Things” link party, which I enjoy. Its a place for sharing and reading about lots of different topics and ideas. 

Marsha in the Middle and Melynda, from Scratch Made Food for Hungry People, and Lisa, from Boondock Ramblings host “Weekend Traffic Jam” which goes live on Thursday at 8:30 pm CT. Marsha posts about Fashion and the link party contains holiday decorations, fashion, and recipes (to name a few of the family friendly links). 

Friday

Stephanie at Crazy Little Lovebirds hosts the “Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.” It is a gathering for home decor ideas, recipes, tablescapes, reflections, etc. I am enjoying being a part fo this group. 

Building Our Hive hosts the “Funtastic Friday” Link Party which includes recipes, home decor, tablescapes, crafts, travel and other family friendly posts. 

Cindy at County Road 407  hosts the “Farmhouse Friday” Link Party, which begins at 6:30 am CT each Friday and features home decor – all styles; holiday decorating, tablescapes, crafts, etc. 

Andrea at The Cottage Market hosts “A Morning Cup of Joe” link party. Both the website and the link party feature DIY projects, Recipes, home decor, crafts and holiday decorations. 

Erika at A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea at Momfessionals, host “Friday Favorites”. Both websites and the link party feature family activities, home decor, fashion, entertaining, recipes, and holiday decorations and traditions. 

At Lou Lou Girls Kim, Cassie and Amber bring lots of good recipes and family activities to us and also host “Fabulous Friday” a link party that brings us recipes, holiday decor, family activities and many other family friendly ideas! 

Carol at Answer is Choco hosts BFF Link Party. Carol’s website contains lots of ideas about crafts, scrapbooking, recipes and many other things!

Saturday

Pieced Pastimes  Hosts “Saturday Sparks Party”  which includes home decors, recipes and holiday fun foods, tablescapes, crafts, etc. Among the many things I appreciate at Pieced Pastimes is the first picture of many posts, where Suzanne shows her current view at home (in New Hampshire) I love her wonderful view in all weather!

Pam’s Party and Practical Tips hosts the “Dare to Share Saturday” Link party – which includes some great party ideas, recipes and crafts!

Comments

I treasure your comments, and would love to hear your opinions about the post! I’d also love to hear about your Fall decor and Halloween Decor, and any tablescapes you do or celebrations you have at this time of the year. If you have time to comment, please scroll down to the comment section at the very bottom of this post. Please know I won’t ever share your email address with anyone.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by at the lake!!

Above – A Blast From The Past – Halloween Greetings from 2015 with our Dog Captains – our Beloved Toy and Buddy – Halloween 2015

From our Texas Home to your Home…

Happy Fall Y’all!!!