It’s time for us to start thinking about getting our homes ready for fall and the fast approaching holidays. The more you can do to prepare and be organized, the less likely you’ll be stressed, which means you can enjoy your family, friends and the holidays more.

Keep it simple. Start with your outside front entryway. Try adding some potted plants such as colorful mums, which will last a long time. How about a few pumpkins and gourds displayed together on a small table, or by the front door. Of course, you can carve the pumpkin with your children for Halloween. Then simply replace the jack-o-lantern with a new pumpkin and your fall arrangement will continue to welcome visitors.

Continue your “keep it simple” fall decorating inside your home by including some colorful fresh produce, which is readily available at this time of year. Make a centerpiece for your table. Several varieties of apples and nuts along with some fall leaves, purchased at your local craft store, will add some nice color and texture to your display. Don’t forget to protect your furniture surfaces. Fresh produce often become soft overtime.

Finally, change out your placemats, furniture throws, decorative pillows and even your bed linens with fall themed pieces. This will give you a chance to clean the linens you’ve been using all year. When Spring arrives, they will be fresh and clean when you bring them out again.

PROBLEM:How do I know what lamp shade to buy to replace my old shade?

SOLUTION:There are 3 things to consider when replacing a lamp shade. Do your homework before shopping for your replacement shade and you'll be sure to have a perfect fit and look!!

GET THE PROPER FIT: Shades should skim the top of a lamp. No hardwre or sockets should be visible when you look at your lamp while standing in the room. You can control the fit of the lamp shade by adjusting the height of the harp that holds your shade. Harps are metal brackets than can be changed and come in heights ranging from 6-12 inches. The higher the harp, the higher the shade sits on the lamp. You can also purchase risers, which come in varying sizes from 1/2 " - 2". These screw onto the top of your harp to raise the shade to it's proper look.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHAPE: If a lamp has a square or rectangle base, that shape can be mirrored in the shade for a balanced look. Most lamps look better with a shaped shade, rather than the cylinder or drum shades that were popular several years ago.

MEASURING LAMP SHADES: Shades are measured with a yardstick or ruler. Take the top dimension, the bottom dimension, and finally the side. It's important to know if the top wire is recessed. If it is, make sure to note how far the wire drops down. The top dimension is the least important since it refers to the shape of the shade and has very little to do with fit. The side dimension is most important, but remember harps can be changed so that a shorter shade will fit.

Here's an old favorite, with a new twistGREEN BEAN CASSEROLE. Don't just follow the recipe on cream of mushroom soup can. Make if from scratch.

November/December - Holiday Decorating - CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR HOLIDAY DECORATING... WE HAVE A FEW APPOINTMENTS LEFT TO HELP YOU GET YOUR HOME READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!

January 17th - Whitfield Presbytarian Church Women's Luncheon - The 10 Commandments of Decorating.