When I started blogging, I had no idea it would take me all over the place, to areas of the state I’ve never been to, nor would probably not have a reason to go to, except for an invitation. One of my readers, Melinda, lives north of Birmingham, on Chandler Mountain and her hubby raises tomatoes and she has a little business of growing pumpkins. And for several years, she’s had a Pumpkin Party, inviting friends and relatives, and friends of friends to stop by her house for a Fall pumpkin party the first weekend of October, with lots of good food and of course, pumpkins galore.
So, me and my hubby drove up to Chandler Mountain on Friday and really enjoyed seeing everything that Melinda and her sisters had put together. On the way, we stopped by Williams Market in Trussville, to see if they had some fresh peach pies ready.  And they did. If you want to get in a Fall mood, stop by one of the local markets for an eyeful of autumn color.
Scare crows, pumpkins and lots of mums.
The colors are a riot of explosion this time of year.
They have the biggest pots of mums I’ve ever seen and grow them locally.
A quick snack of a peach pie and we are on our way up the mountain to the Pumpkin Party.
We followed Melinda’s instructions and went directly to her house,where she greeted us with a smile and a warm welcome. She had really outdone herself and everything looked SO welcoming and Fall-ish. Melinda was dressed in the color of the day herself. Either that, or she’s an Auburn fan. 🙂 
There were so many photo ops, I went crazy taking pics.
Just beautiful!
They live up on a mountain and out in the country, in a beautiful setting by a pond. The tomato fields are on the other side. 
And under a huge Wisteria-covered pergola, the food was set up. This candolier had tiny pumpkins perched on top and hung in the middle of the food table. So lovely!
The dessert table was spectacularly furnished too. She said that her sisters had helped her with all the food and it was all just scrumptious. 
A beautiful place for an outdoor Fall party.
I loved this table! They had everything looking so pretty. Check out this old tool box piece that was repurposed as a plate and napkin holder. Genius! And the tables were covered in burlap. Melinda, have you been reading my blog!? 🙂
Check out the thick vines of that wisteria. And then feast your eyes on the gorgeous display of fresh veggies and dips, cleverly served in clay pots and pumpkins which were marked with a Sharpie to identify each one. I love this.
We sat at this adorable rustic table and chairs and feasted on the bounty. If food is involved, we will be there! 
This little sweetie was so cute and really hoped that we would drop some morsels her way.
On the front porch, Melinda’s door wreath was beautiful.
And pumpkins for sale were abundantly scattered all over the porch.
Welcome to the party-goers.
Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere.
All sizes and colors.
So cute.
Melinda wanted me to come inside and take a peek and she had so many cute things to see.
I have to say, I’m glad I don’t have to decorate around these guys. 🙂 My hubby is not a hunter, but down South, many women have them around the house (I’m SO sorry!). 
Melinda did some really cute things with these pumpkins. Simply adding tacks gave them a whole different look.
She closed in one side of her porch for a long and narrow sunroom and really has used it to it’s full potential. 
This white farmhouse table was so cute with the black chairs.
An old telephone table sits by the backdoor.
And a clever way to divide a space like this is visually with a piece of furniture. See what’s hiding behind it? An extra bed. How genius is that?!
This was the window treatment above the bed, burlap and branches. Too cute!
She said this was an old barn door from some relative, I think, that she used to hold old family pictures. I love this idea!
Outside by the pond is a rustic birdhouse that Melinda made. I love this too.
Welcome Fall with a pair of old outdoor chairs.
This is beautyberry growing abundantly and it has the most intense pink berries.
I hope you enjoyed going with me to Melinda’s Pumpkin Party on the Porch. Thank you, Melinda, for inviting me, it was a delight to meet you and your family and to share in the Fall festivities at your beautiful home in the country.
So, if someone in the area wants to invite me to a special party or gathering, I’d be glad to hear about it. You never know, I just might show up, camera in hand. That was so much fun!
I was lucky enough to get in on a Before and After contest this year at One Project Closer for my dining room redo. Now, they are voting for Favorite project out of all the ones featured, so PLEASE, my dear readers, go over and vote for me! I’ll win a $150 gift certificate and you know what I can do with that.
What a beautiful place Melinda has! Her adorable touches look like they are at every turn. I enjoyed every minute I “visited” through your blog. Oh, (major sigh) to live in the South…from a girl in the Desert of the West.
Oh wow! It looks like you had a fantastic time! Thanks for sharing your pictures. I especially love the pictures of her sun porch. Just gorgeous.
A photographer’s paradise! Love that sun porch and the pumpkins used as tureens. I am married to THE hunter, but I put my foot down on dead animals hanging in the house early in the marriage…that’s what offices are for 🙂 It’s worked for a long time! Thanks for sharing this!
Absolutely lovely! It really puts a girl in the mood for fall.
My favorites: The pumpkins scattered all over the porch. Too cute!
The sunroom. I know where I’d be all the time if I lived in her house! Love the colors, the way the room is arranged and the bed behind the furniture. What creativity!
The pumpkins with tacks and used as dip containters. Clever!
The barn door with family pictures.
Everything is so lovely and tastefully decorated for fall.
Rhoda, thank you so much for sharing this! This place is just fabulous! What a decorator Melinda is! I LOVED it!
Really, really enjoyed that! So many fun and Fallish things to look at. And inside so many clever ways to decorate. I liked the pumpkins scatterd on the front porch too and I especially liked the dips in the pumpkins and squash and the veggies spilling out of the clay pots! Thanks for all the photos!
Oh how FUN! REALLY fun!! Thank you Rhoda and Melinda!! What a wonderful place to visit – everything is delightful – loved it all, the pumpkins, the doggie, the porches, the home, ALL of it.
Thank you Rhodie – it was just like being there!!
Love,
Kim
What an incredible feast for the eyes! Oooooo! Happy, happy fall! (I really needed this view this morning since a front blew in yesterday bringing back our Houston Bay Area heat and humidity . . . but it’s fall in my HEART!)
What a warm and welcoming home Melinda has! Thanks to you both for sharing it!
Grins (and a little sweat)!
Pamm
What beautiful pictures!! Looks like a little slice of heaven.
Happy Fall!!
Thank you so much for sharing your visit to the Pumpkin Party – how fun! Melinda has a lovely home, too. I love the sunporch; especially the farm table… and the chair beside the telephone table with the cute gingham fabric: love it, too!! And I want that big pumpkin that was only $5, please!!!!
Pumkpins are just so cheery! Looks like the pumpkin party was too much fun. That arrangement with the vegetables in clay pots and the dip sin the pumpkins is oh so cute – must steal and recreate! Thanks for sharing.
Great photos of a fun fall adventure!~Patti
Rhoda, Thanks, for sharing all the fall pics and for inspiring me to get in high gear and do some decorating around my house. I’m not having a fall party, but if I was I would want you to come. Thanks!
This was a wonderful tour! Everything is so interesting..so many good ideas. I especially liked that white table with the mismatched black chairs…fabulous!
♥, Susan
oh Rhoda – what fun to see her special haven. Wow, Melinda – what a cozy setting you have. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Oh, my I wish I had gone with you guys. What a great day to visit and party. Great ideas she has for decorating.
What a fun outing, lots of fun ideas and fallishness! I really liked the little studded pumpkins, a different twist on decorating them. . .Thanks for sharing!
Oh, what a wonderful pumpkin party! Loved the roadside stand, the table with the pumpkin veggies and dips, and the pics of the enclosed porch especially!
WOW! Next time, Kevin and I want to hide in your backseat and come along with you!!!
What an amazing day you described. And that place looks so beautiful! LOVED this post!
Layla
I’ve enjoyed your tour at Melinda’s while having my coffee this morning. What a treat! Great photos. These belong in Country Living magazine.
Jane