Ready to decorate for fall

A Little Fall Cozy Is Coming Our Way 🍂☕🏡

Well, friends, I have decided that this upcoming weekend is going to be a stay-home-and-make-my-house-cozy kind of weekend.

And honestly? I am perfectly okay with that.

I don’t have any big plans. No running around. No trying to squeeze a dozen errands into two days. Just me, Mr. C, our home, and maybe a little bit of fall decorating.

Yes, I know. It’s September.

But I am READY. 😂

There is just something about this time of year that makes me want to slow down a little, pull out the cozy throws, change a few things around the house, and make everything feel warm and comfortable.

Bringing Out the Fall Decor

My first project is going to be the living room.

I’m thinking cozy throws tossed over the couches, some fall-colored pillows, a few pumpkins here and there, and maybe a picture or two that has more of a fall feel.

Nothing over the top.

Just enough to make me walk into the room and think, “Ahhh…this feels like fall.”

I’m also thinking about decorating the bathroom.

Now, I don’t normally decorate the bathroom for every season, but I’m trying something new. I’ve decided I want to make each room in our home feel a little more intentional.

So I’m thinking about switching out the shower curtain and adding a few fall-colored accessories.

We’ll see how that goes.

Maybe I’ll become one of those people who decorates EVERYTHING for every season.

Or maybe I’ll decide halfway through that the bathroom was perfectly fine the way it was. 😂

Only time will tell!

And then there’s our bedroom.

We recently changed our comforter, but I’m already thinking about changing it again. I would love something a little darker and cozier for fall—maybe a deep burgundy or a beautiful mauve that works with the colors we already have in the room.

I don’t want to completely change everything.

I just want to layer in a little fall.

Learning to Be a Homemaker

One of the things I’ve been thinking about lately is how much more intentional I want to be about our home.

With Mr. C being retired, he has always been the one who keeps things moving around here. He cooks. He takes care of things. He keeps us on track.

Let’s just say I’ve been pretty spoiled. ❤️

So I haven’t always put a whole lot of thought into the homemaking side of things.

But lately, Mr. C and I have been working on making our home feel better, look better, and feel more like a place we truly enjoy being.

And I want to be more involved in that.

Not because everything has to be perfect.

Not because I’m suddenly trying to become Martha Stewart.

But because I want our home to be a place that feels comfortable, welcoming, cozy, and ours.

And maybe decorating for the seasons is just one little way I can start doing that.

Of Course, I Need a Fall Drink! ☕

What’s a cozy decorating day without a good drink?

And before anybody says it…

NO. Pumpkin spice.

I repeat: NO PUMPKIN SPICE. 😂

Pumpkin spice and I have officially decided to remain acquaintances from a very safe distance.

Instead, I’m thinking about making a Maple Brown Sugar Iced Coffee.

🍁 Maple Brown Sugar Iced Coffee

You’ll need:

• 1 cup cold brewed coffee
• ½ cup milk or your favorite creamer
• 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• Ice
• A sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions:

Add the maple syrup and brown sugar to your coffee and stir until combined. Pour over a glass full of ice, add your milk or creamer, and give it a good stir.

Top with a tiny sprinkle of cinnamon.

That’s it!

It’s fall-ish without tasting like I’m drinking a pumpkin candle. 😂

And We Have to Eat!

Since I’ll be home decorating, I don’t want to spend the entire day in the kitchen either.

So I’m thinking something simple and comforting for dinner.

🍎 Easy Fall Chicken & Apple Skillet

This one is easy enough for a weekend when you want comfort food without making a giant production out of dinner.

You’ll need:

• Boneless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1–2 apples, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: a little shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Season your chicken with salt and pepper and cook it in a large skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove it from the pan.

Add the butter, sliced apples, and onion to the same skillet. Cook until the apples begin to soften and the onions are tender.

Stir together the chicken broth, Dijon mustard, and cinnamon, then pour it into the skillet.

Return the chicken to the pan and let everything simmer together for a few minutes.

And if you’re feeling extra fancy, sprinkle a little cheddar cheese over the top.

Serve it with some roasted vegetables, a salad, or even a little mashed potatoes.

Easy. Cozy. Dinner is done.

A Cozy Weekend at Home

So that’s my plan.

I’m going to put on some music, turn on a few pretty lights, make myself an iced coffee, and start moving things around.

Maybe I’ll decorate the living room.

Maybe I’ll tackle the bathroom.

Maybe I’ll change the bedding.

Maybe I’ll get distracted halfway through and sit on the couch with my coffee.

And you know what?

That’s okay too.

I’m learning that homemaking doesn’t have to mean spending an entire day cleaning, organizing, and making everything Pinterest-perfect.

Sometimes it’s simply putting a cozy blanket on the couch.

Sometimes it’s changing the pillows.

Sometimes it’s adding a little seasonal color.

Sometimes it’s turning on the lights, playing your favorite music, and enjoying the home you’ve created.

And that’s really what I’m after.

I don’t need a perfect house.

I just want a home that makes us happy when we walk through the door.

So here’s to a quiet September weekend, a little fall decorating, a little homemaking, a good iced coffee, and hopefully a whole lot of cozy.

Bring on the burgundy, mauve, pumpkins, blankets, and fall vibes!

Just keep the pumpkin spice latte away from me. 😂🍂

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Cheers,
Karen ❤️

Food Complication for November

My first time at Neighborhood Jam. Everything was so good. Love the fancy cream work! 

Hanging with Coty, Haley, Cherrie and kids. Today is Cotys birthday and we came up to spend time with him. 

Celebrating Hattie’s 3rd birthday. She is such a sweet girl. 

Luther always makes a great salad for us. 

Meatloaf, mash potatoes and mixed vegetables is a great comfort dinner.  Am thankful that Mr. C.  makes sure to have us great meals.

Potato soup in a bread bowl is always the best! I could eat potato soup every week. Although Mr. C. Isn’t a huge fan at all. 

One of our all time favorites is Mexican casserole otherwise known as Dorito casserole. We normally make a big pan and share with Brody. 

Our COO ordered us pizza for lunch. We all like pizza! 

Berries and crème crepes at The Artisan in Durant Oklahoma. I haven’t had a crepe in many years. This was so amazing, full of flavor and light. 

Clifford’s birthday cake. 

Some of our Thanksgiving foods. I didn’t take many pictures of our Thanksgiving meal. 

The appetizers and such. Elizabeth always has the food areas decorated nicely.

My overflowing Thanksgiving plate. It was all so good.

Black Friday shopping called for Panda’s food. 

Mexican food at the Elizabeth and Charles. Chicken enchiladas made by Alisha, chicken Mexican casserole, street tacos with beans and rice. They also had rotel cheese dip, vegetable platter, pineapples with tijin seasoning. Mr.C. and I really enjoyed the meal and company. 

 

Autumn‘s Sweetest Ingredient: Apples!

Nothing says fall quite like apples. Crisp, sweet, and perfectly in season, they’re one of the most versatile ingredients for cozy recipes this time of year. Whether you’re baking, cooking, or simply enjoying them as a snack, apples bring that warm, nostalgic feeling of autumn right to the table.

This September, I’ve been inspired to explore more apple-based recipes beyond the classics. Of course, apple pie and apple cider donuts will always have a special place in my heart, but I’ve also discovered how delicious apples can be in savory dishes. Recipes like homemade apple butter, apple and cranberry roasted chicken, and even pork chops with apples have been catching my attention lately.

I’ll admit, I’ve never been much of a “cook with apples” type of person outside of desserts. But as I get older, I find myself wanting to branch out and experiment more in the kitchen. And since apple season is here, it feels like the perfect time to try something new.

A Little Background on Apples

Apples have been around for thousands of years and are one of the most widely cultivated fruits in the world. In fact, there are over 7,500 varieties grown globally! From the tart bite of a Granny Smith to the sweet crunch of a Honeycrisp, each variety brings its own unique flavor to both sweet and savory dishes. Apples have long symbolized abundance, harvest, and even comfort—which makes them such a natural fit for fall cooking.

So whether you’re whipping up a batch of apple cider donuts or experimenting with apples in a savory roast, these recipes remind us of the beauty of cooking with seasonal ingredients. Apples aren’t just for pie—they’re for adding warmth, flavor, and a little joy to everyday meals.