Crunch Time and Sunday Morning Coffee

Do you ever feel like a switch flips after Labor Day? One moment, summer feels endless, and the next, we’re racing toward fall, holidays, and the end of the year. It’s crunch time.

That’s exactly how it feels right now for me and the blog. It’s as if the treadmill started running on high speed, and I’m doing my best to keep up!

A large two-story house with a steep brown roof, white exterior, black shutters, and a central walkway leading across a green lawn to the front door.

Season 5 Volume 35

Thanks for joining me for Sunday Morning Coffee. This is a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun.

Collage with a cozy interior featuring a dining area, kitchen, and coffee-themed text: "Sunday Morning Coffee.

About Me

A craft room features shelves of organized supplies, a desk with craft materials, a computer monitor, and a chair covered with a floral-patterned cloth. — The not-so-organized current state of my craft room!

Why It Suddenly Feels Like Crunch Time on My Blog

The fourth quarter of the year has always been the busiest for My 100 Year Old Home. With fall decorating in full swing, Halloween projects, Thanksgiving entertaining, and, of course, all of the Christmas content, there’s never a shortage of ideas or deadlines.

But this year feels even more exciting (and yes, a little crazy). We’re heading to Portugal soon for our bike trip, which means I’m working double-time to create, photograph, and write content so everything keeps moving smoothly while I’m away.

Twelve hand-painted Christmas ornaments with different holiday designs and numbers, arranged on a white surface with green pine branches at the top. — The first craft for A Handmade Christmas.

On top of that, I just kicked off the first of sixteen weeks of A Handmade Christmas. Can I tell you how much I am loving this series? I have identified thirteen (of the sixteen) holiday craft ideas and have already completed four of them. Every single one has brought me so much joy to create.

Honestly, I can’t believe how much fun I am having dreaming them up, shopping for supplies, and then seeing them come to life. Sharing these projects is my favorite part of what I do, and even though it adds to the workload, it never feels like work.

A well-organized craft room with sewing machines, shelves of supplies, a dress form, and floral decor on hardwood floors under pendant lights.

Still, the sheer volume of content this season can be overwhelming. Between blog posts, photos, Instagram reels, newsletters, and the behind-the-scenes planning, there are so many moving parts. My team and I are already looking ahead, trying to anticipate what we can streamline and how to make this holiday season the smoothest path possible.

A craft room with rolls of wrapping paper, ribbons, scissors, paint, fabric, and other art supplies neatly organized on shelves and a table.

Even with the planning, though, there are moments when I feel like I’m juggling pumpkins in one hand and Christmas ornaments in the other!

But here’s the thing: I wouldn’t have it any other way. I genuinely love this time of year, even with the deadlines and the long days. There’s something about the transition from fall to winter that fuels my creativity.

A well-organized craft room with wall-mounted storage units filled with supplies, a large work table, chairs, and a rolling office chair on a grey rug. Two pendant lights hang from the ceiling.

The ideas keep flowing, and I want to capture them all. Every time I sit down at my desk or stand at my craft table, I get that little spark of excitement that reminds me why I started this blog in the first place.

So yes, it feels like crunch time. Yes, the treadmill is running fast. But I love it. This season gives me the chance to do what I love most: create, share, inspire, and hopefully bring a little bit of handmade joy into your homes.

And even if it feels like a sprint right now, I know the reward will be worth it when I see all of these projects come together over the next few months.

Here’s to the busiest, craziest, and most wonderful time of the year!

White pumpkin with multiple paint bottles and brushes on a table prepared for painting.

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A group of seven white pumpkins of varying sizes with metallic silver stems, perfect for pumpkin crafts, arranged together against a plain background.

Halloween Autumn Harvest Festival 7 Artificial Pumpkins

A spool of white and green twine, reminiscent of the delicate hues of an oyster shell, is shown against a pristine white background.

Wrapables Cotton Baker’s Twine

A hand holds a shell with a blue spiral pattern, surrounded by a circle of opened oyster shells.

20PCS Oyster Shells 3″-4″ Flat

Acrylic Paint Set, 24 Assorted Colors

Mod Podge

Pro Grade, Paint Brushes, 5-Piece

My Latest Project

A brick walkway runs alongside a house with white siding, tall windows, dark shutters, and a lush garden featuring flowering plants and climbing vines.

We Love Our New Front Yard Landscaping More Than Ever

It has been four months since we refreshed the landscaping in our front yard, and every time I step outside, I can’t help but smile. What was once an overgrown canvas has morphed into the most charming and welcoming view, and I am so grateful we made the change. Watching everything begin to fill in and flourish has been one of the highlights of this season.

From the very beginning, my vision was to create a space that felt timeless and relaxed, something reminiscent of a country garden that looks like it has always belonged with our home.

A two-story house with gray siding, black shutters, and white trim. A brick path runs along the front garden with blooming flowers and neatly trimmed grass.

I wanted it to be beautiful, yet simple, with a natural blend of plants and flowers. Four months later, the beds are full of color and life, and that country garden look I had hoped for is beginning to shine.

One of my favorite changes is how the new landscaping has transformed the light around the house. The French doors along the front now glow with natural sunlight, something I hadn’t fully appreciated until the shrubs and old growth were cleared away. In the afternoons, the rooms are filled with the softest golden light, and it makes our home feel warm and inviting, both inside and out. It’s a subtle change, but one that makes such a difference in how we enjoy our space.

A white two-story house with dark shutters, a steep roof, columns at the entrance, a small balcony, and a well-maintained green lawn in front.

The plantings themselves are a wonderful mix of climbing vines, soft greenery, and cheerful blooms. I love the pinks and whites that are sprinkled along the walkway, and how the trellises are beginning to fill in with climbing roses. The garden feels alive and ever-changing—there is always something new to notice, whether it’s a bud opening or the way the flowers seem to dance in the breeze. The simple palette of green with accents of color feels elegant yet unpretentious, just what I had hoped for.

I also love how the landscaping has enhanced the charm of the house itself. The brick walkway feels more welcoming, framed by flowers, and the dark shutters stand out beautifully against the lighter tones of the new plantings. There is a softness to the front yard now, as if the garden and the house are working together to create a single, cohesive look. It’s not overly formal, yet it feels thoughtful and curated, which is precisely the balance I wanted.

Two-story house with steep roof, white shingle exterior, black shutters, centered front door, and manicured lawn with path leading to entrance.

Every time I walk up the front steps, I feel a sense of peace. Landscaping can be such a transformative project, not only in how it changes the look of a home but in how it makes you feel. For us, this new garden has created a sense of joy and ease. It invites you to pause, to notice the details, and to enjoy the simple beauty of flowers growing in the sunshine.

We still have months and years ahead as the plants continue to grow and fill in, but already, the transformation is remarkable. This front yard now feels like an extension of our home—a welcoming, light-filled, and joyful space that makes me so happy every single day.

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My Biggest Challenge This Week

A bright living room with a white armchair, a beige sofa, a round wooden coffee table with yellow flowers, and large windows letting in natural light.

As I get older, I’ve come to realize just how much of a difference lighting makes in a home. The proper lighting doesn’t just brighten a space—it creates warmth, makes colors come alive, and sets the entire mood of a room.

That’s why I recently had an electrician out to our home to help with a few updates. We looked at changing out some of the existing fixtures, and I’m especially excited about the idea of adding recessed lighting in our family room. It’s one of those upgrades that feels subtle but completely transforms how a space functions day to night.

I also have one significant change to tackle: saying goodbye to my ladder chandelier. About ten years ago, I made this chandelier myself, and it has been such a fun statement piece. But as much as I love it, practicality has to win. The chandelier hangs a little too low, and more than once my boys have had to duck to avoid hitting their heads on it.

Many times, they still hit their heads.

It’s time to replace it with a fixture that still has personality but hangs high enough to keep everyone safe and comfortable. Sometimes the best design decisions are about both beauty and function.

the-waco-airbnb-dining-room-3 — I still have a ladder chandelier hanging in the Waco house, and it’s here to stay for a long time!

Two gold wall sconces with white lampshades, mounted above a nightstand beside a bed. A remote control and color adjustment bar are also shown, indicating adjustable lighting.

Battery Operated Wall Sconces Set Of 2

Rectangular black metal chandelier with exposed bulbs hangs above a round wooden dining table in a modern kitchen with arched cabinets and warm lighting. — Farmhouse Dining Room Light Fixture

Rectangular gold metal chandelier with six exposed candle-style light bulbs, suspended from the ceiling in a modern kitchen. — Gold Linear Chandelier

A rectangular mustard yellow and white patterned throw pillow rests on a white sofa, with a potted plant in the background.

50 Mustard Yellow Decorative Lumbar Pillow

Two green throw pillows are placed on a brown sofa with a white faux fur blanket. A framed abstract artwork hangs in the background.

Faux Linen Green Throw Pillows

Folded beige and cream plaid throw blanket with fringed edges, displayed on a white background.

Modern Farmhouse Plaid Collection Cotton Fringe Throw Blanket

Complete 80% of my blog content over the next three weeks to prepare for our trip. I will be writing blog posts as we travel so I can share our amazing bike trip!
Finalize the last few A Handmade Christmas craft projects. (I keep changing them as I come up with something better.) Yikes!

10 Unexpected Ways To Use Dried Hydrangeas

A skillet filled with penne pasta, grilled chicken, chopped tomatoes, fresh herbs, and grated cheese, with a blue-striped pitcher and flowers in the background.

This Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe looks amazing!

A blue and white striped vase with pink roses is on a table, next to a large blue and white vase with pink tulips and a decorative plate with a blue floral design.

I love this DIY Handmade Paper Vase

A bright sunroom with wicker furniture, white cushions, a coffee table with plants and books, lamps, and large windows letting in natural light.

I need one of these! What Is a Fainting Couch? Why Designers Are Loving This Classic Style Again

Collage showing various handmade bat plushies and crafts with the text "40 Halloween Bat Sewing Projects" in bold letters.

You’ll Go Batty Over These 40 Bat-Themed Sewing Patterns for Halloween!

A ceramic mug with a handle, featuring a green and brown floral pattern, lies on its side on a wooden surface next to twine and scissors.

Farmhouse Ceramic Vase with Handle, Beige and Green

A wicker basket filled with assorted dried flowers and grasses in various colors, including white, cream, pink, and yellow, neatly arranged in sections. — 10 Kinds of Dried Flowers

Nine ghost-shaped white candles, three of which are lit, are displayed on a wooden stand and a white surface. Each candle has two black eyes painted on it. — 10 Pcs Halloween Ghost Candles

And what a week it was!

To Die For Christmas Cookie Recipes
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10 Things You Shouldn’t Do When Hosting Christmas
The holiday season is magical, but let’s face it, it can also be stressful, especially if you’re hosting Christmas. Between planning meals, decorating your home, and ensuring everyone has a wonderful time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, you can reduce…
Christmas Living Room Decor
Every year, when December arrives, our living room decor becomes the heart of our home. It’s where we gather, unwind, sip cocoa, admire the lights, and reflect on the memories tucked into every ornament and garland. And this year, continuing my…
The Best DIY Christmas Pillow
This is one of my favorite Christmas craft DIYs: my Christmas Tree Pillow. It’s easy to make and looks store-bought, but it’s handmade. Shapes and colors are the key to this easy DIY Christmas pillow. Are you ready to see just…
Christmas Decor in the Family Room and Sunday Morning Coffee
What a week it’s been! Between adding Christmas decor to our family room, a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner, and attending a beautiful wedding in Georgia, my heart feels full. I love weeks like this, the kind where your calendar is busy, but…
DIY Velvet Christmas Ornaments – A Handmade Christmas
It’s hard to believe we’ve reached week thirteen of my A Handmade Christmas series! Here are my handmade velvet ornaments. Every week, I look forward to creating this series: sixteen weeks of handmade holiday projects designed to bring creativity, warmth, and…