Autumn's Bounty.

Autumn is that time of year when I step outside and really appreciate all that God has given us. I breathe deep and smell the Earth. I look around and see bright oranges, reds and yellows popping from the trees.

But why 'leave' (ha, I made a funny) it all for the trees? Bringing the outdoors in is a great way to celebrate the Harvest and decorate for Fall!

I'm anticipating the changing of the trees so I can make this amazing Leaf Garland from Martha Stewart. It's sweet, simple, and keeps the Leaf Collecting truck from chuggin' down my block more than once! Done properly, Martha swears it'll last all season. You can't beat that.

If you live in a no-leaf zone, try Martha's Gourd Garland; it's just as cute and practical. I wish I had a sweet little wood fence just like this one to hang them on. Gourds are another great way to decorate. They can be carved just like Pumpkins and most are edible. What better way to celebrate Halloween than to carve a creamy colored Butternut Squash into a Ghost then devour the insides?

And one can't forget the almighty Pumpkin. King of the Fall decorations, Pumpkins come in so many shapes, colors and varieties it'll make your head spin! Josh and I enjoy taking a trip Heritage Farms which is nearby and spending the day perusing the fields for that perfectly poised Pumpkin.

Pumpkins, along with Gourds, are sturdy veggies. Go ahead and buy in early October. Create beautiful outdoor or indoor displays and leave the little (or big) guys in a cool,dry place. Come Halloween, you can carve what you like and the rest will last into Thanksgiving. If you plan on creating an outdoor display, rest your orange moons on newspaper to keep out ground moisture.

And let's not forget Corn Stalks and Hay Bales. Decorating with these items couldn't be more Eco-friendly! Both are leftovers from harvested wheat and corn and are inexpensive and readily available. While I've seen some grocers charge an arm and a leg for Corn Stalks, I suggest checking the classifieds or stopping by that local farm you always gawk over on your way out of town.

See, wasn't that easy? Being Eco-friendly and chic is so easy, I barely even mentioned it! Don't worry you can thank me when your porch is covered in Pumpkins and Hay. Look for Pumpkin Farms in your area, that way you can have a whole day of fun and support the locals. Happy Gourding!

(all photos from MarthaStewart.com)