One October afternoon when Kole was around 4 years old we came home from the grocery store and I set the pumpkins we had just bought outside for him to spray them off with the hose. They were a little dusty, but I was mostly just trying to keep him entertained for a few minutes while I unloaded the groceries. Like most little kids he loved water! He had such a fun afternoon spraying them off.. along with the rest of the yard and house. :) The next October when we bought pumpkins at the grocery store he asked if he could spray them off again. They needed a good cleaning after all.
And so began our pumpkin washing tradition!
The two of us now have a date together every October. We go to the store and pick out our pumpkins and then he gives them a good cleaning and waters the other plants while I sweep and decorate the porch. It’s one of our favorite traditions and I’m sure at some point he will out grow it. At which point I will cry and make him continue regardless. Someday he will be all grown up and he and his wife will come over when it’s time to wash pumpkins and decorate the porch.
Hope she’s cool with that. ;)
Fall porch for 2020! I kept it really simple this year.
{Striped Jute Rug/Hey There Pumpkin Mat/Baskets/Similar Wheat Bundle/Similar Wooden Crates HERE or HERE} *affiliate links used
Just pumpkins (added the bright orange this year!), wheat and mums stacked on wooden crates. (You can find lots of fun wooden crate options here or here.) My mums haven’t bloomed yet but will be stunning when they do!
As long as I don’t kill them first.
{Striped Jute Rug/Hey There Pumpkin Mat}
I just used the same two rugs I used last year. Still love them both so much!
My favorite additions this year are the orange Black-Eyed Susan Vines! Aren’t they pretty!? So fun for a Fall porch. I put them in these beloved baskets I’ve used on my porch before and throughout my home. I might still look for something to put on my door although I say that every year with every Fall porch! Then before I know it it’s time to take down Fall and put up Christmas so it never happens.
I guess I’ll just take the pressure off of myself early and decide that it’s done even without something on the door.
That felt good.
Nothing like a few pumpkins and a cute door mat on the porch to make life a little sweeter each day.
Along with time spent with favorite people.
{2017}
Who are growing way too quickly. Happy October friends!
From my pumpkins to yours. ;)
{POST SOURCES}
What a sweet tradition for you and Kole. Yep, his wife better like coming over to wash the pumpkins! LOL Your porch looks quite lovely. I like the simple look. My eye travels nicely over the space. Thanks for sharing, Erin! Hope you have a fantastic week.
Thank you Jeanne! Enjoy your week too! :)
sure do like the look and the beautiful story that goes with it.
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Thank you so much Carol! Sweet of you! :)
It’s beautiful! I always look forward to your front porch decorating posts (along with all of your other posts of course:)). You give me so much inspiration for decorating. Happy Fall!
That makes my day Julie! Thank you! Happy Fall to you! :)
Erin, your “really simple” looks so pretty!! I have a tiny front porch but there is always something to welcome the NC changing seasons – makes me feel good to change it out – even though a small space.
That sweet helper of yours is growing so fast!! How do they (toddlers) all of a sudden get taller than their Moms?! :(
PS – I think his wife will be thrilled to have such a creative mom-in-law!
I totally agree Patty.. decorating a small space can make a big difference! Our previous homes/apartments had tiny porches but just adding a wreath on the door and a cute seasonal mat cheers things up immensely! :) I bet you are getting the most stunning Fall in NC! We lived in Virginia for a few years and I miss Fall there so much. Absolutely stunning. Thank you for your kind words.. let’s hope Kole’s wife is ok with me! ;) Happy October! xo
Do you have multiple bunches of the wheat together or is that what the bunch looks like? Your porch is so beautiful!
Thank you so much Kim! I just have one bundle although I bought mine at Home Depot so the one I linked is just a similar option! It might be smaller than the exact bundle I have so check the size!
! HELP – SHipping on the wooden crates is $185 when they only cost $16 each ?? this source you have linked is located overseas. Really been looking for these – Please LMK if you have any other sources closer to the Easter US. I’m in MD and would love a few.
Other than that I totally adore your style :-) purchased many items on your blogs
Thank you so much Monika! Ok.. I just fixed the wooden crate links! So sorry about that. I linked to a couple of main pages that you can go through to see different options and then at the bottom I added a few more similar options. Mine have sold out so all of these are just similar options I’ve seen on-line. I hope it’s helpful! xo
Love your tradition with Kole…and that you said you’ll cry when he outgrows it, then make him continue anyway! That’s so me! Some things our kids just have to endure to make us happy! I’ve been loving those mint-ish green pumpkins I’ve been seeing this year, so unique.
I totally agree MaryJo! They owe us! Ha. ;) Thank you! xo
Love the black eyed Susan vines! Did you get those at a local greenhouse?
Aren’t those fun!? Thank you Becky! I found them at Home Depot! That’s where I got the mums too. :)
What a sweet tradition!! The color palette you have here is so lovely. The pop of green with the vines is striking but makes the other colors so soft on the eyes. Love it!! Warm and welcoming and festive! Happy Monday, Erin!
You made my day Genelle! I’m so happy you like it.. thank you! I hope you’re enjoying Fall so far with your sweet family! xo
Hey,
Great story.. and as the father of a 1 and 3 year old, my wife and I can definitely relate. I laughed at the part where you said you’ll cry and make him do it anyways! :)
Thanks for the sharing and the decorating ideas!
God Bless and enjoy the Carolinas!
Thank you!
Erin – Fall is my favorite season, so I love seeing all of your decor! Your home is beautiful!
Thank you so much Debbie! I hope you’re having a good week! xo
Just stumbled across your blog and am an immediate fan! The yellow-flowered shrub to the right of your porch appears to be yellow trumpet vine, though I’ve never seen it in shrub form… is it something else?
Hi Barbara! You are just too kind and completely made my day. Thank you! I’m so happy you found me! It’s nice to “meet” you. :) I shared the name of those yellow and purple flowers in the post below!
https://www.thesunnysideupblog.com/2018/07/rugs-dresses-jewelry-flowers/