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Front Porch Appeal: Festive Porches, Apple Treats & Harvest Moon Fun!
October 01, 2024


Welcome to Front Porch Appeal!

Welcome to October, a month full of seasonal beauty and cozy traditions! As autumn settles in, porches are transformed with festive Halloween decorations, from cheerful pumpkins to whimsical jack-o'-lanterns.

Fresh, crisp air brings the magic of the Harvest Moon, perfect for enjoying a peaceful evening on the porch with a cup of cider.

And with National Apple Month upon us, it’s the ideal time to savor homemade apple treats and share the warmth of fall with neighbors. Let’s celebrate all the simple joys October has to offer!

We are always proud and grateful to have you join us here! Thank you!!




Welcome to the autumn porch! I remember fondly when we made this leaf art from cut-out felt leaves glued onto a backer board, covered in fabric. Very doable and simple!

And don’t forget—Mother Nature will do much the rest, painting the landscape with brilliant fall colors! We look forward to them so much this year.


Thinking of Those Touched by Helene

As we reflect on the recent hurricane, our thoughts are with the individuals and communities whose lives have been disrupted. We know many of our lovely readers are from the states most greatly affected and we send our heartfelt thoughts to you.

This was a cruel reminder of how quickly things can change and how important normal, everyday life is to all of us. We are thinking of your safety, health and peace and cannot even imagine how hard it must be in these early days.

May you find hope in the midst of chaos.


Beautiful October Porches

October is such a dazzling month to decorate your porch, and porch decorations are abundant this time of the year. We love how these porch steps are lined with baskets of colorful mums and bright, orange pumpkins.

About as welcoming as it gets!


Large black pots filled with cheerful yellow mums! We love!


This porch is so welcoming and gorgeous for October. Notice the transition from summer to fall. What a classic and elegant look.


Look for the Beautiful Harvest Moon, Oct 17th

On Thursday, October 17th, we’ll be treated to the Harvest Moon, named because it’s the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. During this time, the Moon’s orbit creates a unique angle, causing it to rise earlier and more quickly than usual.

Picture this: A quiet evening, sitting on your porch with a warm cup of cider in hand, watching the Harvest Moon light up the sky. A perfect way to soak in the beauty of autumn, don't you think?


Enjoy October, the Apple Month



October is National Apple Month, and there’s no better time to savor the season’s crisp, sweet flavors. Here are some delightful apple-themed treats perfect for enjoying on the porch during October’s National Apple Month:

- Caramel Apple Slices – Serve sliced apples on sticks, drizzled with caramel and topped with nuts, chocolate chips, or sprinkles for a fun, easy-to-eat version of classic caramel apples.

- Apple Cider Donuts – These spiced, soft donuts are perfect for pairing with a warm cup of cider while relaxing on the porch.

- Baked Apple Chips – Thinly sliced apples baked until crispy, dusted with cinnamon, make a light and crunchy snack to munch on while enjoying the fall air.

- Hot Apple Cider – Brew a batch of hot spiced apple cider and set up a cozy cider station with mugs for neighbors to enjoy while visiting your porch.


Halloween is October 31st!

Just plain adorable!

Halloween is just around the corner, and it's the perfect time to add some fun, festive touches to your porch! Whether it’s cheerful pumpkins, friendly ghosts, or colorful autumn wreaths, decorating your porch can bring the spirit of the season to life.

Think bright mums, cute scarecrows, and playful, smiling jack-o'-lanterns to make your home feel warm and welcoming for trick-or-treaters.

We'd love to see your Halloween decor, too! Just hit reply to this email and you can attach a photo. We always love that! Thank you.


We like this charming corner of the porch, nicely decorated for Halloween. The cozy orange polka-dot cushions add a festive pop of color, and the playful jack-o'-lantern, topped with a cute witch’s hat, brings a touch of whimsy to the scene.

Such a sweet and welcoming spot to capture the spirit of the season.


This porch is full of delightful Halloween touches!

We especially love the pumpkin "pot" overflowing with vibrant yellow mums on the steps, adding a burst of autumn color.

On the opposite side of the steps, the cute little jack-o-lanterns and festive orange garland create a cheerful look that captures the simple joys of the season.


This stunning porch is the perfect blend of autumn charm and Halloween fun.

Large orange pumpkins and golden pots of mums bring the beauty of the season to life, while the small white skeletons add a subtle, sweet touch of Halloween whimsy, welcoming visitors with their playful presence.

It’s a beautifully balanced, festive display that captures the spirit of both fall and Halloween! Do you agree?


Why not add a touch of Halloween whimsy by hanging cute white ghosts on a line?

These playful decorations not only bring charm to your porch, but when they catch the breeze, they seem to dance in the wind, adding a delightful and magical touch to your Halloween decor.


While this porch has just a touch of Halloween, we love its vibrant and welcoming feel.


Not Your Grandma's Scarecrows

Making scarecrows is a fun and creative way to celebrate the fall season.

Start with old clothes like flannel shirts, jeans, or overalls, then stuff them with straw, leaves, or even old newspaper. Use a pumpkin, burlap, or fabric for the head, and add a friendly face with paint or markers.

You can accessorize your scarecrow with hats, scarves, or even gloves to give it personality. Place your new creation on the porch or in the yard for a festive and welcoming decoration that captures the spirit of autumn!

We have all kind of scarecrow ideas here.


This modern-day scarecrow brings a fresh twist to a classic fall tradition.

Dressed in a lovely printed dress and floral apron, she stands proudly in the front yard, looking as though she’s tending to autumn cleanup. With her modern day hair style, she adds a touch of charm and elegance to the neighborhood.

A far cry from the traditional scarecrows we may remember as kids, this lady is both nostalgic and contemporary!

See more scarecrow ideas here


Fire Prevention Week Oct 6-11

Each year, U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 166,100 house fires involving cooking equipment. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), two-thirds of these fires start with the ignition of cooking materials or food. Oven fires account for 16% of home cooking fires, while range fires make up 62%. (Reference: StaySafe.org)

You may know and practice fire safety in the kitchen but it is also important to teach your children whether they use kitchen appliances or not.

- We've noted that our teenage grandchildren like to cook for themselves especially when their parents are away from home. Make sure everyone in your home knows what to do and heaven forbid, what not to do if you have an oven or range fire.

- We highly recommend you have a fire extinguisher that can put out a grease fire and or a fire blanket nearby (and that everyone knows where they are located). Here are a few reminders about fire prevention:

- If you must leave the kitchen, turn off the stove. Never leave the kitchen while cooking.

- Wear fitted clothing while cooking. Loose sleeves or dangling jewelry can catch fire easily.

- Keep dish towels, paper towels, and other flammable items away from the stove and oven.

- Use only as much oil or liquid as necessary in a pot. Overfilled pots can spill, causing grease fires.

- For grease fires, use a lid, baking soda, or a fire extinguisher rated for grease fires. Never pour water on a grease fire; it can spread the flames and even splash back to burn you.

- Unplug any malfunctioning appliances and have them inspected.

- Store matches and lighters out of reach of children to prevent accidents.

- Keep cleaning supplies away from cooking areas to reduce fire risks.

- Before leaving the house, double-check that all cooking appliances are turned off.

- Test your smoke alarms regularly and replace the batteries annually. After about ten years, the smoke alarms should be replaced.


Being the New Kid



Speaking of Molly Jo Daisy, my children's book character, another book in my series is coming soon. Molly Jo and her brother John will be having grand adventures in the forest behind their home.

Some of my readers say this is a wonderful series for a family to read, filled with lessons for kids and gentle humor that adults will enjoy too. Thank you for taking a look at my book.


Some Themes to Enjoy on Our Site

Perhaps one or more of these are of special interest to you:

- Mobile Home Porches


- How to Build a Scarecrow


- Fall Decorating Ideas


- Ranch Home Porches


- How to Make Privacy Panels for Your Porch


- Wheelchair Ramp Designs and Specs




Finding Joy in the Small Things

Just yesterday Dave said to me, "It's all the little things that make for a wonderful life full of great joy."

I love him for that. May your life be generously sprinkled with little things that bring joy.

Taking the time to appreciate simple pleasures helps us stay grounded and reminds us of the blessings that surround us.


We Appreciate Our Sponsors...

We greatly appreciate your support of our treasured sponsors. Each of them is like family to us and we are very proud of their products. They have been with us for a long time!

Photo courtesy of PCA Products

Look at these beautiful French screen doors - and no center post. Aren't they so lovely on this welcoming porch?

We've been proud to share PCA Products with you for many years and this is one of our favorite products.




Photo courtesy of Vintage Woodworks

This beautiful home features arch brackets, providing a series of graceful arches across the porch.

We are very proud of our sponsor, Vintage Woodworks, a leader in handcrafted house trim since 1978. They can assist you in choosing just the right design options for your home.




Photo courtesy of The Porch Store, Nashville TN They ship all over!

Isn't this a welcoming staircase? The Double Cathedral Porch Railing Panels surely add to the appeal.

The Porch Store products featured in this photo surely do level up the wonderful appeal of this beautiful home.

We welcome you to take a look at all of The Porch Store products on their website.

They have long been sponsors to us and we could not be more proud.




Till Next Time...



We appreciate this lovely illustration courtesy of Saydung89 on pixabay.

We all live busy lives, so thank you for being in our porch family. We appreciate you.

May you enjoy the month of October and all that goes with gorgeous autumn. We hope there are pleasant, colorful days to enjoy your porch. How wonderful that will be!

See you on the porch.

Our best always,

Mary and Dave

Mary and Dave



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