Sundays on Silverado #6

The Weekly Recap:

Estate Sale

Last weekend we held an estate sale at my parents’ house. It’s been a difficult journey these past several months of sifting through all their belongings, fluctuating between happy memories and overwhelming grief at the same time, all in the midst of a pandemic. Now just to sell the house and tie up some loose ends, which I’m hoping will finally bring some much needed closure and allow us all to do some healing.

Labor Day BBQ

After the stress of dealing with the sale, it was nice to spend Monday surrounded by people I love.

My husband made pulled pork on the smoker, and I made some family-favorite sides of Calico Beans and Corn & Tomato Salad (with our fresh garden tomatoes!). We also served up some of my Easy Refrigerator Pickles on the side, which went great with our BBQ feast, and made a big pitcher of one of our favorite drinks of the summer: Iowa Girl Eats Watermelon Jalapeño Margaritas.

For dessert, I served Dutch Letter Bars, which suprisingly ended up being one of the most shared and viewed posts on my blog ever. Apparently, Iowans are very serious about their Dutch Letters. 😂

My mother-in-law also brought over some brownies (which I didn’t get a pic of) and this gorgeous Blackberry Coffee Cake. Yes, it tastes as good as it looks!

Hello Fresh

We are continuing with our 3 weekly meals from Hello Fresh, which really helps make these busy work-weeks easier, while still allowing us to relax over a delicious meal and a glass of wine. You can try it too, by clicking on my link to get $40 off.

Fig Balsamic Chicken with Arugula and Roasted Pototoes

Self Care

Working on my projects and my blog is therapeutic for me. Mark worked late (until 11pm!) one night this week, and I spent the time home alone creating my Fall Apple Tiered Tray and writing the post about it. It’s a great way to take my mind off all the other “stuff”, and just live in my happy place for awhile.

By Friday, we were both done. Mark was worn out from working so late the night before, I was worn out because…teacher+pandemic+Canvas. If you’re a teacher, you know what Canvas is, and you probably have nightmares about it like I do. If you don’t know what Canvas is, count your blessings.

Because we were Friday-tired, even whipping up a Hello Fresh meal was not an option. Instead, we blended up a couple of wine smoothies, and cuddled under the blanket in front of the fireplace for a couple of hours of our new binge-worthy show, Yellowstone.

If wine smoothies and Yellowstone aren’t a part of your life right now, you’re missing out. Just sayin’….

Pumpkins, Mums, and Lattes

I had planned to wait a bit longer before going all “pumpkin-y”, but today the farm down the road had all these beauties lined up.

And before I knew it, all these ended up in my car…😁

Then, I went with my husband to Home Depot. And this happened….

So at this point, I just embraced it and added in my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season for the win.

And finally, to round the day out, I fired up my new fall-scented candle in my office, for a warm and cozy atmosphere as I wrote this post. I guess my porch is getting decorated for fall tomorrow after all. 🤪

Pumpkin & Bourbon? Yes, please.

A Sweet Surprise

I discovered this sweet surprise on my front porch this afternoon from the most adorable neighbor family. 😍 The kind note that went along with it was just what I needed.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Please, take a moment to thank your teachers. You can’t even begin to imagine the workload and the level of stress they are enduring right now. A simple gesture like this makes such a difference. Thank you sweet neighbors! You melted my heart. ❤️

Sundays on Silverado Features of the Week:

Okay, let’s get to this week’s features! Fall is definitely in the air for others besides me, as there were such cute fall-inspired posts linked up this week!

Fall Porch Decor by Living on Cloud Nine

I definitely had Andrea’s front porch in my head as I was tossing pumpkins in my car this afternoon! 🤪 You should take a peek at her post for the full view. Her whole porch is beautiful!

Transitional Tablescape by Masterpieces of My Life

Mary Jo’s post includes so many things that are right up my alley! I love setting a pretty table, and this one with vintage mason jars, white dishes, and gray buffalo plaid napkins was speaking my love language. I love everything about it.

Hanging Halloween Bat by Two Chicks and a Mom

How cute is this? We may just be getting started with our fall decorations, but Halloween is right around the corner. This bat project is simply adorable.

Thanks to everyone who joined in on the link party! I hope you’ll party with me again!

Happy Sunday,

All features have been pinned to the Sundays on Silverado Pinterest board!

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20 thoughts on “Sundays on Silverado #6

  1. Aw, what sweet neighbors! Those cookies look delicious. I love all those fall decorations in your trunk; you’re house is going to look amazing. Pinned that blackberry coffee cake recipe and I can’t wait to try it.

  2. Hi Niky! Wow!!! Thats a fall haul. I’m so jealous and can’t wait to see how you decorate your porch. I haven’t see fresh pumpkins yet, but I did have my first pumpkin spice latte of the season yesterday! I’m feeling it. Thanks so much for the party & I appreciate the feature of my transitional tablescape. It was a fun one to put together. On a side note, so many of us are extremely appreciative of everything teachers are doing for our kids right now. I ran into my daughter’s kindergarten teacher the other day (my daughter is a junior in HS now) and I was asking her how it’s going. And she was describing her days with 5 year olds remotely. It’s not easy for everyone involved. Praying we all get through this stronger than ever; God bless us all.

    XO- MaryJo

    1. MaryJo, thank you so much for your kind and supportive words. Lots of prayers going up from this end, too. My favorite Bible quote is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you…” I have to trust it will all be okay. 💕

  3. I find it hard to get too excited about fall decorating since I’m facing at least another month of summer temps and humidity. Maybe if I start slow…
    I know how hard it is to deal with your parents’ estate. It took us nearly a year to deal with the fallout of my MIL’s unexpected passing, taking control of the sheer amount of stuff she left behind, repairing and repainting her house, and selling it. At the end we were too exhausted to feel much. Take care

    1. Yikes, I can imagine the heat makes it hard to feel like “fall is in the air”. 🤣 I’m sorry to hear of your MIL’s passing. It’s impossible to be prepared to deal with the grief as well as the logistics, and coping with both at the same time. Thanks for your kind words.

  4. Love love love all the pumpkins and fall feel of your front steps…
    Yellowstone!!! Oh my goodness. We’ve watched the series and wow… all I can say is wow. We love it and hate having to wait until June for next season. So many questions…. you’ll see.. 😉
    When I was in college, Northwestern inOrange City, I had my first Dutch letter during their Tulip Festival. Oh my word. Melts in your mouth. Had them again when living in Holland, Michigan.. not only during their Tulip Festival but frequently at several Dutch Bakeries. I’m going to try your recipe soon.
    Niky, I really enjoy your blog and get great inspiration for our home. Thank you for opening up your home and sharing a little glimpse of your world. ❤️

  5. Awww thank you for including my porch as a feature. I am heading out to get my pumpkins for a new scheme this year. so much fun, Have a great of your weekend!

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