"When the Frost is on the Punkin"
James Whitcomb Riley 1853–1916
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock,
And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens,
And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it's then the time a feller is a-feelin' at his best,
With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.
They's something kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here—
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossoms on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees;
But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.
The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,
And the raspin' of the tangled leaves as golden as the morn;
The stubble in the furries—kindo' lonesome-like, but still
A-preachin' sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill;
The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;
The hosses in theyr stalls below—the clover overhead!—
O, it sets my hart a-clickin' like the tickin' of a clock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.
Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps
Is poured around the cellar-floor in red and yaller heaps;
And your cider-makin's over, and your wimmern-folks is through
With theyr mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and sausage too!...
I don't know how to tell it—but ef such a thing could be
As the angels wantin' boardin', and they'd call around on me—
I'd want to 'commodate 'em—all the whole-indurin' flock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.
That is one of my favorite poems from childhood. My grandmother gave me a book of poetry that I read until the cover was worn off. I always think of this one in Fall, and it brings back so many wonderful memories of autumn past. sigh:-)
Now on to the porch...I was "inspired" you could say, by an episode of "Curb Appeal" to put some color on my porch. My husband thought I was crazy, and you might also. He actually loves it now, my mother--not so much.
By the way, the sign was on my great grandfather's house here when he bought the property in the early 1900s. My father let me have it. My mother has not noticed that I have it yet. I sprayed a coat of marine varnish on it to keep it from weathering. It's been hanging outside, though, for 100 years.
Yes...I did it. Red barn and fence paint on the french doors and the post trim. It looked great on the house on Curb Appeal so I wanted to try it. I really get tired of white.
We decided to do the mullions black, and that I really like. I'm thinking the trim needs to be black too, but not sure about that.
I bought this wreath years ago at a local nursery and decor shop, Savannah Farms. I really love it! I bought several of their Christmas items and they hold up so well year after year.
We also did this door, which is technically the front door, but we use the french doors more often.
Well, we are loving it and it is definitely different! We would like to replace the railings with black iron, and hope to someday actually add a great room here, so all this would go eventually. However, in this economy, I'm only dreaming of a new great room:-)
Thanks for stopping by!! I hope you are enjoying beautiful Fall weather like we are here in Western North Carolina. The children and I had so much fun gathering all the corn stalks from my parent's garden and dressing them up! This is my favorite time of year, so I try to soak up every moment of it. It is gone all too soon.
Anita
I'll be joining:
Outdoor Wednesdays
and
Wow Us Wednesdays
and
Vintage Inspiration Fridays
and
Wow Us Wednesdays
and
Vintage Inspiration Fridays
so be sure to stop by!!
Just beautiful! I love what you have done with the doors. I bet people are scrambling to get a seat on your wonderful porch! As usual the colors just pop right out in all your pics. I just LOVE your photography!
ReplyDeleteOh Anita! I love your fall harvest decor on the front steps and other spots. And that sign of your grandfathers is wonderful. How nice that you can have it to hang on your veranda. I also love the barn red doors and trim on the posts. It all looks very beautiful. We too have had some gorgeous summery weather here in NB so I'm enjoying it while it lasts. Have a blessed week! Pamela
ReplyDeleteAnita, your home looks wonderful all decorated for fall. I love the colorful accents on your doors and home. It looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteLove the paint!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Anita!!!! I love every single bit! The poem makes me think of my childhood on our farm and your porch looks FABULOUS!!!! You have outdone yourself once again! I love it!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks just beautiful!!! I love all of you fall touches!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect poem and the photos complement it so well! I love all the cornstalks and scarecrows. I love this season too!
ReplyDeleteAnita, your fall decor is just to die for! Oh my heavens, your home is just beautiful and that front door and porch, beyond gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteNancy
Just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Kathy
Just beautiful and I love the poem. I had never heard it but it's just so cute.
ReplyDeleteI love the color you added to the porch. The door trim would look great black.
Oh I just want to come and sit on your porch with a cup if coffee. Have missed you!
ReplyDeleteLook at all your wonderful fall inspiration. Love the red doors. Thanks in advance for joining the party.
ReplyDeleteOh Anita!! I am blown away by the transformation!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the accent colors!
And your fall decor is amazing!
But that 100 year old sign made me tear up! What a treasure!
You have such a beautiful home!
What a beautiful porch! I love the color and the rug brings out the color more. You did a great job with the furniture, too. Not too much, just right. I like your flower beds with the driftwood too!
ReplyDeleteAnita -- I have those same doors - I have been inspired :)
ReplyDeleteEVERYTHING looks so festive and fall :)
Blessings!
Gail
Wow! Everything looks great. I love the pop of color around the doors. So unique I think.
ReplyDeleteAnita, I just saw you post over on Wow Us Wednesdays! Your blog is just amazing! The photos are so pretty; and your home is gorgeous!! I am adding you to my faves!! I am a newbie to blogging and your newest follower. I hope you will follow me too. God bless you!
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful home & yard you have been blessed with! I love how you decorated the outside. something I have not done for years! I do like the color of the doors (barn red) and black mullions. my first visit, enjoyed it much! ~Faythe @~GMT~
ReplyDeleteI love the way you've painted those doors -- my back doors are white --- this is a great option.
ReplyDeleteI just love your scarecrows and the barn red color that you used on your house. Everything looks so warm and welcoming.
ReplyDeleteWow! I am in love with your porch! Everything looks so warm and inviting!
ReplyDeleteAhhh!!! I love your porch and decorations. There are many in blog land, but I just gave you the prize. It's all wonderful, and I love your whole porch as well. Hands down, my favorite part is the old sign. I love the mullions black. (I love that I now know they are called mullions...)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Simply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love your fall decorations and your new paint on your doors. I think the white trim looks good as is.
ReplyDeleteI'm your newest follower and would love for you to follow me.
Have a wonderful day!!
BEAUTIFUL Anita!! Martina
ReplyDeleteAnita, your place looks fantastic! I too like fall BEST.
ReplyDeleteJoyce M
Great post, your porch is gorgeous, love those corn stalks!!! thanks for linking up with VIF, xo
ReplyDeleteThe corn stalks are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteGreat fall decor.
Thanks for sharing.
Michele
Love all the corn stalks! Your fall decorating looks great!
ReplyDeleteLove the sign and the new red color on the doors! I love color (I have red on my doors too!) I think it looks great on your house.
I think you did it right leaving the white- especially since you have white on the soffits, posts and the railing.
I absolutely LOVE what you did with the front of your home!! The decorations are beautiful but the way you painted it, is stunning!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Debbie
I absolutely LOVE what you did with the front of your home!! The decorations are beautiful but the way you painted it, is stunning!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Debbie
A few years back we put a few corn stalks in our yard around this time of year. Even though there was no corn on them, the mere presence of the stalks sent our neighborhood raccoons into a frenzy of destruction, including our bird bath, LOL! I'm enjoying your stalks and decorations even more because we can't have them in our yard. I vote 'yes' on the nice brick red paint accents.
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE your porch! I think you should just leave the trim around the doors white because it coordinates with the white trim on your porch posts. Those colors are so rustic and earthy. I really like them. They are PERFECT for this Fall season and your rustic decor. You made a great choice. Love all your cornstalks too. It's like living on a farm!
ReplyDelete