Welcome Home!

Forget about the calendar. It’s what’s blooming in the pots on my front porch that tells me what time of year it is.

In spring and summer cheery red geraniums take front and center. In the winter, boughs of pine and other aromatic evergreens and sprigs of red berries reach up through the snow.

In the fall, my favorite season, chrysanthemums take center stage.

Right now, two big yellow planters overflowing with cushiony purple mums are the first things visitors see. Pretty soon, the mums will be joined by a crop of bright orange pumpkins.

Containers make it easy to have seasonal color all year. In this week’s issue we’ve got suggestions for frost-hardy plants, and the right pots to plant them in, to help you bring a little color to your porch or patio.

We talk to a woman who has big plans for a little antique show and sale – another favorite activity this time of year – and we introduce you to a man who uncorked his imagination and created a stunning do-it-yourself project.

The days are a little shorter, the leaves are beginning to show their true colors and that first frost is just around the corner.

It’s a good time to harvest the bounty of great ideas in HOME. Enjoy!