Autumn is on its way. No don't panic, this happens every year around this time and I,
for one, am very excited. It's time to start planning my decorations for the season. Now some of you may think I'm jumping the gun a little but, for me, this is just the beginning. I look forward to a nip in the air and a few leaves just starting to turn. This distracts me from the heat of the summer and gives me something to look forward to as I'm cooped up in the house. Outside it's over 100 and as humid as the bathroom after a long hot shower. So let's look forward to cooler days and crisp evenings and figure out what to decorate with this fall.

First, I love pumpkins. There is nothing that says fall more eloquently than a pumpkin. As I am writing this there are pumpkins in my garden just starting to set fruit and will be one of the mainstays of my autumn dcor. Now, not everyone can or will grow pumpkins and it's probably much easier to buy them than it is to grow them. Luckily, in the past few years, the grocery stores have started bringing pumpkins in much earlier. You can find them in the stores as early as the beginning of September. This is important as you absolutely must have your decorations up no later than mid September. This way you have plenty of time to enjoy this short season.

Second, you will need mums. Mums say fall as no other flower does and they are so easy to grow and maintain. Put some in a clay pot along with some grasses and maybe some ivy and you have a great looking fall planter. Add a few pumpkins around the pot and you will be the envy of the neighborhood.

Now, we can't forget fall leaves and bare twigs. Both represent the season beautifully and are easily obtained. You can add both of these to a grape vine wreath, along with a bit of fall ribbon and pouf, instant fall wreath. Hang your wreath on the front door; it will definitely charm your visitors. One thing that many people overlook is a gate they may have. Hang a wreath there or maybe an old basket filled with mums, some trailing ivy and a few twigs and leaves. Your neighbors will think you brought in a decorator.

One of the most important aspects of decorating for autumn is, don't skimp. Have more than one planter and don't forget your beds. You can easily add mums and such to your flower beds. Scatter pumpkins liberally around your porch and yard and group them together. Add some corn stalks next to the front door and tie with fall ribbon. Old baskets look great in the fall. Fill them with twigs and leaves; add a few mums if you want. As you get started you'll find yourself being more creative. Go with it and you will realize you are much better at this than you thought.

Finally, as I go out each morning to water I revel in my fall decorations, looking forward to the turning of the leaves the smell of cinnamon and the happy knock on the door of trick-or-treaters. This is fall at its best and there is no other season that brings this sense of serenity and fulfillment. Enjoy it now because snow is just around the corner.

Learn more about this author, Kathy Neilsen.
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