Alma your cute white pumpkin plans to stay! Give her a name! I LOVE your Dining Room. The Molasses color is perfect. I don't do white walls either! LOL Your Grandmother's sampler is beautiful what a great momento! I keep snowmen up all year why not your Santas? Love the PS Santas by the way! I've always wanted a PS Santa wall and I still may do it someday. Thank you for the visit. It's not rainy here in KS but the sun is peeking in and out. Enjoy your day!!

I think you should name your punkin Wilson like Tom Hanks named the soccer ball in the movie where he was marooned after his plane crashed. After all, that punkin has followed you everywhere and kept you company. :-)

I think you should keep the pumpkin too. Could you share the titles of your samplers? They are wonderful as well as the santas. Thanks for sharing your dining room. Have a wonderful day, Marie

I prefer colours on my walls rather than white too! I love your dining room colour, it's so elegant. And I thought I recognised the sampler in the first picture (Pennsylvania Christmas Sampler by The Goode Huswife) - it's been on my to stitch list for ages!

I enjoyed the tour.....now on with the rest of your house! Definitely keep the pumpkin.....named of course!
Paulette

Beautiful dining room. I love color...and how nice your pumpkin looks against the wall colow. She must stay.

Thank you for the tour. Your dining room is lovely, a great gathering place for your family. I may have to borrow your idea of using maps on switch plates.

It's nice to see that you leave Santa up year round. I have some holiday things out myself year around, but my older brother makes fun of me. Now, I can take solice that I am not the only one that does so. I also love your samplers. I would like to know the names of them as well, exspecially the on of the house and flower opposite the large Mary Little sampler.

Loved the tour. Loved the dining room. Loved the pumpkin. And I really LOVE the thumbtack idea.

Here in humid Florida Mr. Pumpkin would not have lasted that long...you are lucky! :-D I love that the curtains are thumbtacked in place, sounds like some of my projects... *wink*

What a gorgeous home! I am so envious!! And yes, keep the pumpkin- and give her a name. :) How cool that she has not rotted out, must be all the good stitcher vibes she's getting! Keeps her youthful!

Love your dining room and especially the color! I'm not a white wall person either (too cold looking...brrr) and I think the pumpkin is terrific but she needs a name :)

Can we see some more of your house???

Thanks for the invite! And I am sooooo thrilled you buck the trend and have such rich color on your walls...white walls always say to me the resident couldn't think of anything else.

What I loved most is the cleverness of the map switchplates. What a subtle way of giving yourself a little getaway in the mind. I'm inspired and thinking postcards of some of my favorite beach destinations have got to find their way into my master bedroom. I wonder did you just cover standard switchplates or buy the clear ones and instert your maps?

I love the Molasses! I would like to paint my walls dark colors but unfortunately I can't convince anyone else in the family. My ten-month-old pumpkin on my front porch would love to have a visit from your pumpkin whenever s/he wants to come visit!

Thanks for the pictures of your dining room. It is gorgeous! I love the color on the walls and everything else (especially the tacked up curtains) :-) Your pumpkin definitely needs a nane.

I enjoy the visit thank you so much for it !! Your dining room is so charming !!! You must spend pleaseant time with your friends and family in !! You should keep your pumpkin...In the book "country quilts for friends" written by Anne Sutton and Margaret Peters, pumpkins are decorated with button eyes and fat quarter...so funny !!!
I love too your plates ...It's a pity we don't see them closer... I hope i'll travel to Avonlea one day... I've read and read and reread Ann of Green Gables... and enjoy each time those books....

amitiés de France
Lucette

I love your dining room...but everything you design is awesome, too! White walls don't work for me either, I love the warm feel you have created for your family. You are such a talented lady!!

Dear Alma,
It is cloudy and dark here in MN. I can only wish that it would really rain. I feel fine in your slightly dark dining room.

I vote for giving the pumpkin a name. When you asked us to examine the picture of your dining room, I thought the pumpkin was a hat. It is so well traveled that it deserves a name. I also love your window treatments even if you use tacks. I have to have thermal shades or very beefed up thermal drapes. My dining room is medium forest green so I have no problem with your molasses color walls and think it looks gorgeous and rich.

I love the way your shears drape! I wouldn't change the way they are hung. Love all of the colors in your diningroom. Thanks for sharing with us. Have a great day.

I love the way you decorate, I too have used tacks to hang things, whatever works and you like it do it!
The pumpkin has a right to stay after all look at what it has been through.
You need to go to Prince Edward Is. it is a wonderful place, I went several years ago with friends, we went from one end of the island to the other, we loved it! Have you ever seen the series Road to Avonlea,it is made by the producers of Anne of Green Gables. It doesn't have Anne but it has Sarah. This series is very good.
Like your grandmother, I have a granddaughter named Leila, she is adopted from China,she is so sweet.
I check your blog first thing in the mornings, thanks for sharing.

Ronnie

I like the Wilson idea for the pumpkin only I think you should make it Wilma....Wilma the widely traveled-white pumpkin....

Love the Molasses color...I'm really tired of white (except in pumpkins!)

It's the great white pumpkin! Of course she should stay :-)

You know, whatever works for your window treatments is a good thing! There's a great decorating blog I like, where there is a whole section called "Window Mistreatments", you can check it out here:
http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/search/label/window%20mistreatments

This peek into your home was fabulous! I hope we get to see more as it's been a real treat!

Here's a better link for the window "mistreatments", just to share an example of one she's done :-)

http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/2008/02/window-mistreatments-401.html

Your windows are beautiful of course!

Oh yeah it's been rainy and dark. How about all the racket about 6:30 this morning? Scared our pup half to death.

I love Mary Carol's molasses color; in fact, we had a big spot of it on our entry wall before picking another color. Isn't it cool how MC has each of the rooms in her new store in a different one of her paint colors?

Your dining room is so comfortable and inviting looking, and obviously your pumpkin really likes it too. Yup she needs a name.

Thank you so much for the lovely visit. My day was rather dull until then. Your home looks so warm and inviting. I was at the SB retreat and feel a little sad I missed being introduced to the white pumpkin.

Alma, I love your dining room. It has such a warm feeling. The color really accents everything. I am slowly changing over to dark walls. You mentioned Anne of Green Gables. I recently listened to a book on DVD "Before Green Gables" http://www.beforegreengables.com/ it was wonderful.

http://quiltsandotherhobbies.blogspot.com

Your dining room is lovely. Thank you for honestly showing your "holiday" pieces that are still out. I feel much better. I still have a sled on my front porch. The older I get, the more behind I get sometimes. An optimist would say that I am ahead for the next season! Have a good week!

I just love your Molassass walls! Brown, deep and rich and cozy, is my favorite color. When my DH and I met, my living room was dark brown and apricot. His was gold and blue. Guess whose color choice won when we bought a place together? I miss my cozy brown!

Your year-round seasonal decorations get a thumbs-up from me. I have a few that I cannot bear to hide away during the rest of year, too. :D

(how embarassing - please overlook my misspelling of Molasses!)

Alma: This is just what I needed today...a little virtual vacation to your house. Lovely! Your grandmother's sampler is gorgeous. A couple of years ago I couldn't part with a Lumina pumpkin either. It didn't travel, but it stayed out on a glass pedestal for 2 years before it rotted. She needs to stay out to keep up with the latest scoop!!! Her name? SHE!

Thank you for the invitation, I really enjoyed my visit. Your dining room is lovely and I loved seeing all your special touches that make this room warm and cozy...I say keep this sweet pumpkin, she's part of the family. Nearly one year old, I think a celebration is in order:)...hugs, Linda

Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us, I love the molasses wall. I also love the idea of covering the light plates with maps of where you want to go, I can see me doing this in the near future.

She is a keeper but you had better get her designed into a pattern before you lose her. Dianntha

Dear Alma,

Thank you so much for the tour of your dining room. I LOVE the "Molasses" wall color and your black painted hutch! We definately think alike! My husband just finished painting a small table & vintage bookshelf a color named "Lincoln Cottage Black".

I think that it's charming and homey to leave seasonal things out all year - to remind us of happy family gatherings.

Will we be treated to more room tours? (hint, hint)

Hugs,
Holly

P.S. (How about naming the white pumpkin "Boo"?)

What a lovely dining room!
It looks so warm and welcoming...

Alma--you must name the white pumpkin! And she must come with you to the retreat in Virginia Beach in October! Perhaps the sea air will aid in keeping her from 'degrading'...

Hugs,

Maggee

yep , you should keep her. she fits right in. I love how all your stitcheries look on the walls.

Your home is lovely...keep your gorgeous pumpkin too...she is a true stitching friend.

Alma,

Your home is lovely and I think the pumpkin should stay!

I love how you tied up the ends of your tablecloth! I'm going to try that trick because my tablecloths are always too long..

Michelle

thanks for inviting us in!! i love those plates!!

Karenv- Yes you are right Pennsylvania Christmas Sampler by The Goode Huswife is up year round in the dining room. Barb actually stitched one row of this sampler for me while we were traveling. Makes it more special to me.

Sheila - I covered regular switch plates with a bit of PVA glue. Cut the map to size adding 1/2" all around for a fold over. The PVA glue is from Paper Source. (google Paper Source and you will come up with their web-site.)

Paulette - Will do the rest of the house...but have to clean first!

Rebecca - Will try to get the names of all samplers. I know the one above the Good Housewife Christmas sampler is by Cynthia Bradford of Little by Little. I love her samplers...they are so whimsical. They are easy and fun to stitch.
The one you are asking about is Sunflower House I think. It's by Janet Miller of The City Stitcher. She did great cross stitch designs. My "Mary Little" is really "Eleanor York" by Janet.

Will answer more later! Have to do the dinner thing....cook ....eat....dishes.
I know it says Greg Allen...but it's really me!

Alma

Hi
It's Polly, the professional and very busy stalker - I loved the visit, now just move onto another room so I can see what I need next. I do want you to know I have the patchwork dishes you have - and I am now wondering if you have the new ones - indigo/white. I will shoot you a photo, I love them.
Always a treat to visit - I will come again, but then don't most stalkers - they are hard to get rid of.

Thank you for the lovely tour of your dining room! I felt like I was actually visiting. Have a sweet day!

Your dining room is unique and inviting. I like the Santas, and I think Miss Pumpkin should stick around. If she's chosen not to go anywhere, why kick her out. She's a keeper.

Thanks for the invitation to visit your dining room! It's gorgeous, and it looks so comfy and inviting. I love everything about it and everything in it. Tacking your curtains up is such a nice idea and also your map covered switchplates, and I love how your tablecloth is tied in big knots at the bottom. The color is very attractive, and your stitching is lovely!

As for your pumpkin - I would keep her! I would spray it with a clear acrylic sealer.

Alma, thanks for the tour. I love the molasses color and I'm trying really hard to branch out into some color around here. Too much white. Don't feel bad about the tacks, I use pins to hang my wallhangings. Now how tacky is that? Nancy in WI

Alma,you are such a gracious hostess! Thank you so much for sharing with us your beautiful room and treasures. I have to say that I just love your blog. I always feel like you are talking just to us and you always make us feel so welcome! Have you always been so talented with your decorating? And yes, keep the pumpkin! She has awesome presence! I liked the way she wears her scarf while sitting upon her ice bucket throne (at least I think that is what it is). I wish our pumpkins lasted more than a couple of weeks, but out here in the southwest, it's hot, hot, hot, even in October. I do miss the crisp fall air. Can't wait to see more! Carol in Arizona

Thank you for sharing your dining room with us! I loved seeing it! It's amazing how long that pumpkin has lasted. But I admit we've managed to keep some gourds that long as well. Keep her around and enjoy her!

I say keep her, she knows too many stories ;)

Your dining room is lovely and that color is wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Sharon

Beautiful room the pumpkin is very interesting, no suggestions there. Your husband gets extra points for those dishes, lovely. CJ ok;-)

I love your diningroom! It's so cozy and warm. I can imagine how it must feel to be actually there. I could spend hours of stitching in your dining room! Your pumpkin is definitly a keeper! But.... don't name it! It's not a pet or anything. It's only a piece of fruit that happens to travel a lot and now is doing a great job decorating your diningroom!

Wonderful photos, Alma! Thank you for show us!

Alma, I am going to talk about this from the Pumpkins point of view. You do not know that he/she does not already have a name given over a year go when he/she sprouted from the sweet flower on the mother vine. I am thinking that you have been a perfect Foster Mother and yet, somethings have to be left to the Mother. If you are looking to call the pumpkin, I would recommend a name that is simply descriptive "White Pumpkin"....WP for short. Hope this helps....Given your penchant for contests, I feel a name the pumpkin contest may have been where you were going. See you in Virginia!

Love your diningroom! I noticed that your samplers are framed under glass. Is that your favorite method? I'm always torn as to how to frame my stitchery.
Cindi

Yes, White Pumpkin has definitely become a creature full of personality who is very good company :-).

I think you should name her.

Your dining room is absolutely beautiful! Thanks for the invitation and Yes, do keep that wonderful pumpkin!

Thank you for sharing your talent for home decor. What a beautiful home you must have! Love the wall color and the map idea. The corner cupboard is beautiful. Skies are very dark here now...storms are brewing...time to pick up my stitching.

Alma - I've been lurky over your blog for a while and decided to respond to this post.

I love the walls of the dining room and everything about it. I'm going to use the map switch plate idea! it is great.

The pumpkin should stay. Name her Flossie!

I think you should give her a name and tiara, since both me and my little girl read your blog and we are both considered Princess's we are in favor of keeping her!!

Thanks for letting us take a look at your lovely home

Michelle and Belle

Lovely pictures.
Keep the pumpkin. She holds lots of memories for you.

Alma, I loved looking at your beautiful home. The colors of the walls are lovely and you are right, it sets off your lovely samplers. I say keep Miss Pumpkin for at least another year. Jane

Love your dining room, the paint I picked out for my guest bath is a similar dark warm brown- I am so tired of the light colors in that bath! Keep the pumpkin, ours never last very long here in FL.

Miss Pumpkin may not be around forever, so I agree with ohiofarmgirl...she needs to be immortalized in a needlework design.

And whatever you do, be nice to her for, as someone else mentioned, she knows ALL the stories and secrets. I'm sure there are some that should be kept in her head. :)

Alma,
I simply love your name. My favorite aunt was named Alma. She was a very talented lady, just like yourself. I was very surprised to read about the light switch plate, with the map of PEI.
How funny that is. I live only about 1.5 hours from PEI. You would simply enjoy this beautiful island, that's why it's called Canada's Playground.
I have so many of your patterns, but its seems a have too many projects already started and besides that I have a 6 month old granddaughter, which I hope to have her stitching.
Thanks again for the wonderful designs.

I LIKE your clear thumbtacks. Rods are way overrated anyway. :-)

i love that you incorporate family names into your samplers. You have inspired me to do the same. I haven't cross stitched for many years and am now doing my first on linen from your You're Invited book. I am loving the look of it!

Yep, give her a name and let her stay, anything that tenacious should get to stay as long as she wants! I love the colour of your walls, my dining room walls are dark green, such atmosphere from dark walls, can't get that with white!
Lizzie XX

I say do what pleases you not what some so-called-trendy magazine says! There are no white walls in my house except my halls and dining room are cream. :) And I'm another vote for naming the pumpkin Wilson - that's the first thing I thought of when I read your story! Thanks for sharing Alma, I needed a lift after a lot of bad news at work today.

I think your pumpkin should apply for frequent flyer miles! Loved the tour and would love to see more.

If you do it... then it's okay! I have been challenged with window treatments for a new house... I like your solution:) My husbands family is from Rhode Island and their last name (on his mothers side) is Little. Humm? any chance of a connection? Oh, as for the well traveled pumpkin... I would refer to it as a summer squash! The name could change i.e. Summer, Autumn... you could even make a vintage tag for it with it's seasonal name.

Alma,
Your home is lovely and how nice
to share the photos with us!
As I have no email address for you,
I would like to say here a big
'thank you' for the scissor bag that I won in your give away! It
arrived today and I know it will
be great for not only my scissors but also for a small project.
Thank you for your kindness....

Alma, thanks for the visit, I loved it :)))

Alma, I officially tagged you on my blog. You are supposed to tell us 3 little things which make you happy :))

I just did mine :)
Have a good week end
Veronique in Paris.

Thanks for the lovely visit into your home. I love it. WHAT? Do you mean there are people who put Santa away? How in the world do they expect him to see naughty or nice?? :-) Prudance needs needle and thread!
You have been 'awarded' on my blog:
http://needleinhand.blogspot.com

I love your dining room. My favorite thing is to see what other people stitch. It's always interesting that so many of us have stitched the same samplers, Santas, etc. We must all have terribly good taste!

I do not know how I reeached your blog but......wow I love the colour you painted your rooms . Wonderful work you've done! Terrific paintings and cross stich works . I love them all.
hugs from Italy
simona

I buy a white pumpkin every fall. The one that I bought in 2007 lasted until a month or so ago. I still have the one that I bought in 2008. It's just sitting on my kitchen floor..I guess it needs a more predominent place! And I never thought of a name.

Your dining room is beautiful.

I'm late with this comment I know but I saw a pumpkin that had been decoupaged with little squares of paper all over and it looked just gorgeous. Not sure if it would stop her rotting eventually but it would give her a new lease of life! Bx