| As summer gasps its last, we are noticing many | | | | mums. They can be used separately, or combined, |
| changes. Although they start stealthily and subtly, | | | | in countless ways, to create any kind of display, focal |
| they will soon seem sudden and stark (as in, "geez, | | | | point, or accent piece, from whimsical, to elegant. |
| it's only 6:30, and already, it'stark!"). With the leaves, | | | | Of course, since pumpkins can be incorporated into |
| and the temperatures, dropping, some people are | | | | any ornamental piece, you can't have too many of |
| beginning to retreat to the indoors; but that's a | | | | them. Luckily, at this time of the year, there are |
| terrible waste. This is one of the most beautiful | | | | more than enough of them for everyone. You'll find |
| periods of the year, and there's no cause to hide | | | | them at farmers' markets, supermarkets, and |
| inside, as, even in colder regions, there's still plenty of | | | | hundreds of pumpkin patches, where you can pick |
| time for outdoor living. That means that there's no | | | | them fresh. |
| need to rush outdoor furniture into storage, either. | | | | In fact, choosing your pumpkins is as much fun as |
| | | | | using them. Make a day of it, and go on an outing, |
| No matter what it's made from, it can easily take the | | | | visiting roadside stands, nurseries, and farms. Get a |
| fall weather. So, just leave those porch chairs and | | | | whole bunch of them, in all sizes, along with |
| outdoor sofas where they are, and sit back, relax, | | | | cornstalks, bales of hay, straw, Indian corn, and the |
| and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. While you're at it, | | | | many other types of gourds that are available. |
| you'll find the inspiration for some spectacular outdoor | | | | Place pumpkins along your porch railings and steps, |
| décor in the kaleidoscope of autumn's colors, and | | | | and use them with leaves, twigs, acorns, and berries, |
| the materials for creating it in its many fruits, flowers, | | | | to make centerpieces for your outdoor dining |
| and vegetables. | | | | tables. You can even use smaller pumpkins to make |
| | | | | candle holders. Stack up some hay bales and |
| Chief among these, obviously, is the pumpkin, which | | | | pumpkins around outdoor lampposts, and put fall |
| has long been the reigning symbol of the season. | | | | wreaths and Indian corn on your front door. |
| Its uses are myriad, and extend well beyond its role | | | | The possibilities for making fall decorations are |
| as a jack-o-lantern. That's one of many Halloween | | | | endless, so get out there and celebrate this |
| decorations, anyway, which are completely different | | | | magnificent, yet fleeting, season. Deck out your |
| from fall adornments. Indeed, the latter are natural, | | | | porch, patio, and gazebo, and have some fun |
| and can include nearly anything that is now growing | | | | outdoor get-togethers. To make things even more |
| wild. | | | | festive, dress up your porch swings, gliders, and |
| Some of the most popular of these, besides | | | | Adirondack chairs with some outdoor furniture |
| pumpkins, are leaves, twigs, vines, corn stalks, hay | | | | cushions and throw pillows that feature gold, crimson, |
| bales, berries, acorns, and fall flowers, especially | | | | burgundy, yellow, russet, and brown. |