Projects Archives - Feet Under My Table

Would You Love the Best Pickled Okra?

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 12 May 2026 20:51:07 +0000

Do you love pickled okra? It is the EASIEST and FASTEST canning recipe ever! You don't want to miss this recipe!

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A Mystery Birthday Party

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 19:18:33 +0000

Last year was a monumental birthday. One of those decades you are certainly in shock when it arrives. How could that number now appear on my cake? Months prior to this became the idea of a mystery luncheon birthday party from a close dear friend. Now, you see, my sister, Vickie, who tells you she isn’t a creative, shared this mystery dinner idea with us years ago. Her idea was such a hit here that we hosted many of them. One of those birthday celebrations was for my dear friend, Ro. The instigator of the big time birthday party. How does a mystery birthday party happen, you ask? Well, it begins with a special friend, a creative husband, sisters and others who try and keep everything from you, if you are making it a surprise. It really works best with a team effort. We have always created mystery dinners, and usually to celebrate birthdays. But, you could actually create a mystery party for retirements, holidays, graduations, etc. For this birthday celebration, a mystery birthday luncheon was planned. First, the guest list is the true compass for the event. Next on to the decorations. A few weeks before, my husband caved and brought me into “some” of the planning. I could help with Flowers, Centerpieces, Linens and Favors… We love to add favors as part of the celebration. For this one, houses were selected and filled with homemade marshmallows. You can find how to create them here. We used cloth linens because those were available and ready to go. Flowers were simple roses and flowers from Aldi and Sam’s Club added to the swan planter and bud vases that we had. Candle holders were Dollar Tree that were added to hurricanes that can be bought there, too. Just a tip: Trader Joe’s carries the BEST dripless candles during the holidays which are the BEST to add to those candleholders. Click here for swan filled planter that was the was the true greeter. Selecting the menu is a big part of the planning. Now, to begin the mystery birthday luncheon–or dinner– you begin creating the menu, with as many items as you like. NOTE: When you are creating the menu, choose if you want to be thoughtful for guests to eat with or without utensils…such as Kabobs… OR items that require silverware, such as, mashed potatoes, casseroles, or meat that needs to be cut. You choose! The planning committee had the original menus and plans from the many mystery dinners that have been hosted in the past. Happily, that group began the creation of name place cards, seat numbers, menus, and programs. That secretive group ticked off details of servers (husbands of the women coming), organization, menu items, invitations, location, slide show, music, and you name it. There were hushed conversations, texts, and phone calls even after I was clued in “a little” into the conversation. So, how does a mystery birthday dinner –or luncheon in this case–work? Everything is a mystery. And to a tablescape, decorating lover? It truly is a nightmare. Because… You see… EVERYTHING is secretive. Everything for the course items are renamed items for everything you NEED to eat or WILL have to use to eat for the meal. So, silverware, napkin, food items, drinks, ALL of it is part of the mystery dinner or luncheon event. As guests enter, they only had a name place card and number of where to sit. That’s it. Guests are clueless of what the items listed are. Back to that menu you select. That’s where the mystery begins. Be creative when assigning menu names…for fun, these were simply birthday party words. No connection with the menu item which made it even more fun. The mystery is that guests have no clue what each item is: when their napkin, silverware, drink, dessert, or food items appear…in what order. They have a sheet to fill out with with what items they want for each course. Guests simply transfer the number of the menu item to their order form. To help the servers, since they may not know the guest’s name, numbers were added to each guest’s place setting next to their name card. But, filling out that form? The guesswork is hilarious! Some people will try to figure each out item on the menu. You choose the number of courses to be served…for this event they chose 4. To ensure which drink each guest preferred, they listed it at the bottom of the menu. Genius. The servers have to be on their game… Guests’ completed menus with their name and number are assigned to each server. With instructions in the kitchen where all of the items on the menu are listed in numerical order. And when the servers bring out the first course? and the rest of the courses? They begin to understand the mystery… They may not have a fork to use until the last course. Dessert may come first…a needed knife may come last…a drink may not arrive until the end…now do you understand the fun of the mystery? And in true fun…each time a cupcake with a candle is delivered, everyone has to sing happy birthday to the birthday person! It gets a little slap happy after a few of those all throughout the dinner or luncheon… The kitchen is a secret, too. No one is allowed in except servers…and servers are given instructions on who they are serving. With their guests menus grouped to an area for each server…the server focuses on what comes out for each course for their guests. Food is kept warm on warming trays, in the oven or on the stove. EVERY item is numbered on the serving piece or wall above. THEN the mystery luncheon begins to unfold… You see, guests see that everyone begins to get different things for each course… Some are singing Happy Birthday with a lit candle delivered to them for a course… While you hear someone tell their server they don’t have a knife to cut their meat… Or they need a drink.. You get the drift. Laughter ensues…people try and figure out what items they ordered for each course and what is coming next. The food menu begins to unfold as it’s delivered among guests. Favors begin to be delivered. Songs are sung, laughter is loud and contagious, and food and drinks in random order and with or without needed silverware arrives. It’s TRULY the most fun AND work you can have for planning a meal. A Saturday afternoon luncheon proved best for this birthday surprise. A request for no gifts. A slide show set to music of the birthday girl in ALL stages of life softly was played in the background during the meal. Students, some student teachers from miles around appeared around the table. People drove for hours and from states away to celebrate this big one. Best friends… Family, new friends, old friends, church friends, work friends…all with feet under our table. Not sure how all of the details got pulled off…but, people I had worked with years ago arrived. Family members flew in. Joy overflowed. And for that? I was truly thankful. A beautiful and memorable celebration that made me thankful for that crazy planning committee…those who served…and helped set up and clean up. Thanks to all of you who joined us! Helped us laugh! and celebrate. Now, WHO will you pull off this celebration for? I’ll be waiting in the comments! Love to all.

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Let’s Make an Easy Homemade Blackberry Jam

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 15:38:43 +0000

What’s your favorite jam? for me? Blackberry jam, hands down. Now, apple jam, peach jam, pineapple jalapeno jam, and carrot cake jam are right there among the favorites. But, today? While you can still find a few blackberries at a local farm or farmers’ market? Let’s make Blackberry Jam. Now, my husband is not a fan of seeds in blackberries. Are you that way, too? If so, simply remove them with a strainer before you can them. As for me? Full on blackberries, seeds and all, are what make that jam so perfect. Whether you are a jam on toast or biscuit fan…there’s something more wonderful about homemade jams to me. I’m not a fan of “jelly” consistencies. But, jams? Full of flavor and fruit? Yes, please. So, when there are blackberries in season? Let’s make that jam. Seriously, only two ingredients. Blackberries and sugar. That’s it. Doesn’t get any easier than that! Here’s the easiest homemade blackberry jam recipe ever. So will you reach for blackberry jam to add to toast or a biscuit? If your feet were under my table for breakfast or brunch, you will probably have it offered as a choice. One of my favorite things to do for guests is have a jam bar…complete with a pan of biscuits so that they can sample them all. It’s always fun to see which jam is their favorite. Try it…promise everyone will love it! But, then there are soooo many choices, right? just to mention a few. What type of jam will be on YOUR table when guests arrive? Perhaps you need to make biscuits and have a jam bar for guests to taste different jams. We did that with guests from Japan in May…loved hearing them talk about which was their favorite. Hope you’ll add this one to your pantry. It’s a keeper. Here are some of the supplies that I use for water bath canning jams. Just click on the link to find things. And if you want to venture a step further into canning different vegetables or meats, I’ve included a pressure canner for canning. Thanks for joining me another pantry filling day! This recipe is a treasured one. So quick and easy and makes the perfect gifts for Christmas… Happy pantry filling, friends,

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A Beautiful Moss Covered Swan Planter

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 14:37:47 +0000

Do you have a favorite floral container? One that makes your heart happy when it takes center stage? Many years ago I created a moss covered swan planter with a photograph as a guide. Although my original creation was discarded years ago, I knew I needed to create another. It’s just simply my favorite. Concrete and molded swans hold their favorite positions in the entryway, my hutch, the screened porch, deck and in the garden. Swan filled planters inside and out… Did I mention how much I love swan planters? Years ago, across lawns around the country were these plastic swans. We often laughed that they were littering the landscape in some of their locations. Sort of like flamingos do in parts of Florida, right? Anyway, somehow, they disappeared. Or at least they were done, old school, and lost from the shelves of dollar stores in our area. Among the contents of my storage closet, I found one more plastic swan hidden in a corner. I guess it felt like one of the unloved toys in the Toy Story. Right? Well, no more. Out came the brown craft paper, glue gun and sticks, bag of moss AND that sad little swan. Here’s what I used: So, let’s begin creating… First of all, cleaning that swan was the first thing that needed to be done. Years of grime needed to be washed, dried and removed and she looked much happier. Protect your work surface with brown paper to make clean up easier. Next, with tools in hand, just begin by gluing and attaching moss all over the outside, giving her a new beautiful coat. All of us need an update, right? Swans included. Pull out pieces of moss and lay across the area you want to attach it…then add glue in that location and attach. Remember– gloves can help prevent burned fingertips when they hit that hot glue! You have been warned…and if you have ever used a hot glue gun, you get it, right? As you glue around the open edge of the planter, make sure that you cover any white edge or inside that may show after you add plants or floral creations. Check to make sure that all of the swan is covered with moss. When finished covering the swan, remove any strings of glue from the moss. Then add a container to hold flowers to the center. I added two small glass hurricanes and two budvases to hold water and flowers tightly inside the swan. The last thing? Select a ribbon for her neck to match your floral creation. Simply add bouquets of flowers from your yard, florist, Aldi’s, Trader Joe’s, Sam’s Club or Costco to complete your floral design. Tuck in a few plants from your yard, like vinca and nandina, to complete it. Are you now a lover of a beautiful moss covered swan planter, too? She’s ready to make her debut for a party. Both sides gloriously beautiful… Can I just say she rocked it?!! I think she could help celebrate so many events… Can’t you see her filled for any occasion? No longer is she hidden in the back of the closet. She will now proudly take her place on my buffet to celebrate the next event! Hope she brings you joy, too! Here are a few more fun ideas if you feel creative: Happy creating, friends!

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Favorite Easter Ideas

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 19:55:38 +0000

Can you believe that Sunday is Easter? Wondering what recipe to share with you guys this week, I realized there are SOOO many great Easter ideas, recipes, place settings, tablescapes, favors and centerpieces…that I might just have to share of a few of my favorites today. Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. Celebrating the reason with Jesus’ resurrection, new life that it represents that is magnified in the landscape, and gathering with family and friends are etched among my favorite memories. Gone are my days of Easter egg baskets and hunts, but favors on the table will still be added. Is gathering important on Easter for your family? Could you use a few more Easter ideas? Now, here we have gathered for many Easter dinners. They often are celebrated with Annie Mae’s baked ham. We have friends who have deviled or dressed egg competitions each year with members of the family trying to see who can make the BEST… Now we aren’t talking about the classic deviled egg, like I shared in this month’s VUE magazine you can find here…how about a bit of ideas of changing it up a bit! A BLT? Honey Mustard? Chive or dill? Even Joanna Gaines shared different versions in her lastest magazine. Who knew we were trending?!! What’s on your menu for Easter? You know me…it doesn’t matter what holiday…or if we serve a dinner or brunch…it can’t be done without a potato casserole served. Green bean bundles are another favorite that can be added to the menu for any occasion…Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter or summer BBQ’s… Sweet Easter Ideas? There may be Easter candy created and added for nibbling… My niece always does a beautiful job of creating sides and desserts. Always beautiful and amazing! This lemon blueberry cake was delish! And then there’s carrot cake…oh, my goodness…so delicious! If you attend an Easter sunrise service, and need brunch ideas? Here you go! I’m always in love with a wonderful brunch. A brunch buffet with this omelet roll is always a favorite. Just click on the link to find this keeper recipe. Littles always LOVE mini donuts added to the menu. Easter Tablescape Ideas I always love setting the table for brunch or dinner. Here are a few of my favorites: From favorite china… To more neutrals… Or spring color added… Or a fun Peter Rabbit theme? You choose the look that suits you for your table. Easter Centerpieces What’s blooming is always a favorite Easter idea for centerpieces here. From dogwood, daffodils and tulips… To ferns… To snowball viburnum that may grace this year’s table… Or azaleas and forsythia, if you have them. Remember to make this Easter gathering one to create lasting memories. Include family favorite recipes, dishes or traditions. Make your menu one that allows you to be present. Look for recipes to prep or make the day before. Set your table early. Here are more ideas to help: May your weekend be full with feet under your table with those you love and memorable moments created, friends. If you have any other ideas or traditions to share with me that you love, please let me know in the comments. Happy Easter, friends!

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Fairy Garden Time

Leslie J Watkins — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 17:40:01 +0000

This morning I thought I would share the sweetest class that our local extension does each year. A free class where they provide everything to make a fairy garden. The littles in my life always LOVE these. So, it’s a fun way to create and give back. Creating the Fairy Garden First they provide the pots, potting soil, and plants for you to begin your creation. Next, you simply choose the houses and figurines to personalize your own. Each table had so many different items to add that ALL of the fairy gardens had their own personalities. Some with gnomes. Others with rabbits. And then there were fairies. There were the cutest Easter eggs. Cute rabbits and animals and more to suit your fancy. After you add in the soil, they provided moss to cover the ground and gravel for walkways. This was my third year to enjoy this event. Do you have little ones in your life who would love this activity? In case the extension office where you live doesn’t host one of these, you might suggest it to your local horticulture extension agent. But, don’t wait for a class to create one of these on your own. What do you need? A pot, potting soil, moss, plants and then whatever cute fairy garden pieces you can find. If you have little ones who want to help create, plant and design? That’s the best. Many of these pictured were created for kids and grands in their lives. My great nieces will be this year’s recipient of the one I created. It truly is magical. Perhaps instead of an Easter basket or gift for the little ones in your life? Then to help you create it? Priceless memories created. And then there was the fairy garden tea party… You can read more about hosting one of those here. Did you see the pumpkin fairy garden last fall? In case you missed it, just click here. Here are a few things I found to create more. Just scroll through and click if you see something that you like. Isn’t this the cutest idea to do with littles during spring break or over the summer? Little ones here will love it. And if littles aren’t around? Perhaps you just need the fun and creativity added to your garden, right? Happy creating!

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DIY Paper Containers for Easter Favors

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 15:51:46 +0000

I am always looking for new ideas for Easter favors. When I ran across a photo of these sweet paper containers to hold favors for any holiday, I was sold. Do you make Easter favors or baskets? Since the “Easter bunny” provides baskets for the littles in my life, these sweet treat holders were the perfect thing to provide as a part of my Easter table scape. Fun. Happy. Easy. This Peter Rabbit paper was my inspiration for these sweet paper containers. And who doesn’t love a great Peter Rabbit anything? When my boys were little, I brought them back Peter Rabbit mugs from a trip to England. Lots of hot chocolate and milk were enjoyed from those little mugs. Today? Can’t wait to fill these with treats and treasures and have at each place setting for Easter lunch. Here’s how easy it is! Can’t you see these paper containers decorating Easter table settings? And, why not use these sweet paper containers to create birthday favors or Christmas “poppers” filled with your own sweet treats. My mind is off to wedding favors, shower favors…you get my drift. So many uses for this simple DIY. How will you fill yours? I’m thinking the littles in my life will LOVE these! Guitar picks among the chocolate for one…lip gloss among the candy for another…the list goes on…now off to fill them! If you make these, I’d love to feature yours on the blog! Send me a photo and how you filled them, and I’ll be happy to share! In case you need more creative Easter ideas: Have fun, friends!

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Ideas for a Home Spring Refresh

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 18:25:08 +0000

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for spring. The snow is still lingering across my lawn in places, but the warmer temperatures should rid us of the last reminders today. Inside? The inside of my home is screaming for a spring refresh. Once I am over winter, spring plants and yellows appear across the landscape of my kitchen, family room, and bedroom. Touches of lemons, yellow flowers and greenery are added among the candlelight. A nod of warmth to the rooms added with a bit of bright happiness. When do you begin your spring refresh? With temperatures soaring to the 60’s this week, my mind has gone into full spring cleaning. Out goes signs of winter and in with spring decorating happens, too. How do you begin to get ready for spring? For me? Here are a few easy steps that you might find helpful, too. 1- Decluttering I don’t know about you, but, pulling things out of kitchen cabinets and closets begins to herald the beginning of spring. A true beginning to spring cleaning. Stacks to take to different charities begins. TIP: I make simple lists of what goes where. It comes in handy if I need a donations receipt to know where I took things to and to justify the amount on each receipt. There’s something liberating about passing things on that still have lots of love and mileage to others who can use them. 2- Closet reorganizations If you are like me, you may have a few closets that are organized, but the organization simply doesn’t work. Please tell me I’m not alone here. So, rearranging a couple of closets is happening. Emptying everything out and transitioning to a new system is needed. Hanging bags that aren’t needed are moved. Reworking of shelves. Even the removing a center chest in one closet that has become a catch all is happening. TIP: Empty the contents of your closet out…I’m not kidding. Then reorganize how you want things to return to storage. I promise you will find treasures among discarding things along the way. 3- Accessory refresh It doesn’t take long with winter weather after the first of the year that accessory refresh is needed. A change out of pillow covers on the sectional in the family room begins. Usually it’s bright greens and yellows there. Anything that adds life and light takes priority. Bunnies come out of their hiding places and once again make a home among the landscape. It’s a good time of year to look at what’s on surfaces- tables, mantels, and bookshelves- to see what can be moved and make spring appear sooner than later. The hutch gets a spring refresh, too. Everything gets removed, shelves cleaned and spring accessories added back in. Makes my heart so happy. Bird nests, spring wreaths, gardening books, and pots of fresh flowers begin meandering their way through the rooms. TIP: Shop your own home for items to switch out before buying more. Honestly, I find things I never remember going through storage areas to switch things out. If you need more ideas of what’s trending this spring, my friend can help you...just click here. 4- Porch spring refresh Since the front door and porch are the first impression that those who enter have for you, take time to clean away the winter residue and add a bit of spring to planters and door decor. Since we go out the front entrance less frequently, birds find it a safe haven to settle in with nests and babies if we don’t watch it carefully. On more than one occasion, I’ve opened a front door to have a mama bird confused and fly inside instead of away from the door. Getting them back out the front door is more challenging than I want to repeat. Just a tip, here. If you are adding a wreath or basket in the spring to your front door? Send birds a message and place an “occupied” sign with another faux nest and eggs nestled to the wreath. It usually helps prevent wreath occupants. Try the nest and eggs trick to help send them to a new location! I have changed out the pots on the porch with different variations of plants during the winter months. It’s ranged from live trees to faux trees, to topiary structures to add something to pots until warm weather and frost passes to allow spring or summer flowers added. I’ll be out this week looking for hardier plants to fill pots until the “no frost” warning makes summer favorites possible. 5- Spring cleaning Can I tell you that perhaps it was the snow day seclusion that had me looking at kitchen cabinets and baseboards? Shrapnel from entertaining and perhaps less time for cleaning made their appearance. A simple cleaning around baseboards. Cleaning out insides and outsides of cabinets…and even refrigerator and oven are great ways to add a spring refresh to your home. Adding new ways to organize the pantry and cleaning out of date products from the fridge and pantry are happening again. 6- Live plants My heart is screaming for adding life indoors this time of year. Until the daffodils, hyacinths, tulips or forsythia begin to bloom outside, and I can add them to sweet planters inside? Well, live plants will be given priority inside. Added near windows are pots of ferns, succulents, and blooming plants. A true spring refresh means that I’m supporting my local tulip farmer, Tulip Lane, as she shares bouquets for sale. Those beautiful blooms always find a home on my table and island. I can’t wait to visit her tulip farm to pick again this year. It’s not too late to plant some of those tulip bulbs inside to get a head start on blooming. Frenchtown Station always inspires me to do indoor planting. There are tiny vases in bathrooms with a bloom added to give a nod or wink reminding me that life will soon begin to awaken from its winter dormancy. I don’t know about you, but, I’m ready! My garden planner has come out, seeds ordered and a few are making their start inside. 7- Room makeovers Now, budget restraints have to be considered with this. I get it! But, there’s something about a new throw…or a new print…a new pillow…or even a complete makeover that starts stirring here. The past few years about this time, there’s been a new makeover in a room. So, what’s next this year to complete a spring refresh here? THE OFFICE. Yep. Since we have a home office and businesses for both my husband and I conducted out of one space..it was overdue for a complete makeover. Do you remember the fire we had a few years ago? Well, a delayed reaction of the equipment used to remove humidity from inside caused the wallpaper to shrink and separate…and then loosen. Making wallpaper removal and a decision about how to make the office more functional a new priority. Be watching. It’s happening! A trip to IKEA may need to happen for more inspiration. Now, if I can just make decisions that both of us agree on, that will be glorious. Send any suggestions my way! Can you believe March 1 is a few days away? So ready to move out of February. Here’e more spring inspiration if you need it! Always the same price, but I just have fun finding and sharing all of them! How are you heralding spring? I’d LOVE to know in the comments! Happy Spring, friends! It will be here before we know it!

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2025 Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 16:58:53 +0000

Every year I make the trip to the annual Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville. It NEVER disappoints. Why attend the Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville? The annual event serves as a fundraiser for Cheekwood and Nashville ECON charities that serve children and families. And your ticket? A tax donation. What an amazing way to support families and gardens. Another reason to attend this event. This year’s 35th annual show felt a bit busier than it usually is to me. It will hopefully provide wonderful donations to each of the charities. This year’s theme: Cultivating Home: Life Well Tended. Benefactors for the Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville benefits always include cocktail parties, famous guest speakers, and other perks. This year’s speakers shared topics from, “Cultivating the Character of Home”- with Brooke Shields and others; “Cultivating the Way We Live”- with Sheryl Crow and other speakers; “Cultivating a Beautiful Life”, and “Cultivating Timeless Design” with other notable guest speakers. Each year the Music City Center downtown hosts the event. The garden rooms and vendors completely fill the space with beauty and inspiration. An Entry garden boasted a fountain centered in the front with a beautiful skirted tent in the back. All throughout the event were large wooden planters filled with beautiful, large holly trees you can see in the photo. The entrance this year was a daffodil filled field dotted with the sweetest lambs created with flower bodies in the richest colors. So sweet. Inglewylde – the West Garden I always look forward to the garden rooms. Now, check this one out. Created by three teams–one for landscaping, masonry/construction, and the wattled archway of grapevine surround that was stunning. The time allowance for creating the spaces each year is 3 days. Can you imagine? This one was astounding to be created in three days. But, then, I say that every year. The grapevine structure and entrance was created in one day. The heart of this garden is it’s hearth. Once a standard of an English garden, the inglenook provided a traveler with warmth and shelter. The concrete/masonry building with beautiful fireplace and wooden roof were completed with their team…and again, can I say it?…in three days. Look at the amazing landscaping around the garden room. Isn’t this garden beautiful??? The fountain in the center of the enclosed lawn was the perfect touch. The East Garden Hartley Room The East Garden room featured a Cotswolds inspired Victorian greenhouse with teak rounded benches and a long fountain invite you just to sit among the trees. And yes, I did respond to the invite, and sit for a bit among those trees. Beautiful inside and out… Vendor Shopping is ALWAYS amazing. The theme of this year’s Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville- cultivating home- was more evident this year. From beautiful antique vendors to housewares and home decor throughout, it did not disappoint. The antiques–from concrete, fabric, prints, furniture and beautiful rooms filled–always amaze me. My favorite plant vendor, Selective Gardener, was there, as well, as many others who always inspire me. If you have an opportunity to attend, please do so next year. It’s my inspiration for home, DIY’s, and gardening every time. My husband joined me this year…and loved all the creativity. This year he got to see everything firsthand, rather than me rambling about it for days! We are close enough to drive in and usually enjoy it for one day. However, your ticket will allow you to attend from Thursday through Sunday, giving you options. Here are previous shows if you’d like to see more: Next year’s show is January 8-11, 2026. Go ahead and add it to your calendar. Well worth the time and money. You won’t regret it. If you are near Nashville, add March 8-April 13 to your calendar to visit Cheekwood In Bloom at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. Hope you were inspired by these glimpses into the show as I was being there. Mark your calendars! Thanks for joining me, friends,

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Favorite Valentine’s Day Ideas

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 16:42:48 +0000

Are you in need of a few Valentine’s Day ideas? Valentine or Galentine’s Day treats? A bit of Valentine’s Day ideas always lifts the spirits, makes life a little brighter, and warms the heart. Toss in a bit of chocolate…and the world seems a better place. Sharing some of my favorite Valentine’s Day ideas today. Valentine’s Day Hot Cocoa Stirs These are easier than the hot cocoa bombs at the height of their popularity a few years ago. Heart shaped white chocolate filled with hot cocoa mix, mini chocolate chips and topped with melted white chocolate, miniature marshmallows and sprinkles make the perfect gift or addition to your hot cocoa bar. Aren’t they the sweetest? Easy and so loved here! Here’s the recipe… Heart shaped marshmallows. That great marshmallow recipe is simply made and cut out with heart shaped cookie cutters to make the sweetest Valentine’s Day hot chocolate. Just a special touch to make your hot cocoa bar a little more Valentine’s Day festive. A Valentine’s Day Tree My granddaughter and I made a run to the Dollar Tree for so many cute Valentine’s Day decorations to add to a skinny tree to decorate for the holiday. We had such fun making all of the decorations added to that tree. Didn’t it turn out cute? Here’s all the details. What was even better? Her mother donated all of the decorations to her teacher for her classroom the week before Valentine’s Day. Love when the creating is shared. Don’t you? Valentine’s Day cookies If you have an embossed roling pin, the print will make these cookies even more special. There are two variations of my favorite cookie for these. One can be found here on the blog. Simply coat the outside edge of either cookie recipe with melted white chocolate and sprinkle with sprinkles. Be watching for the next Valentine’s Day cookie recipe in the February 2025 issue of the Vue magazine. Here are a few more Valentine Ideas from my friends… I think that wreath could simply stay up through the summer. Right? Have you been inspired yet with these Valentine’s Day ideas? I realize it will be here quickly. I’ll add in a few fresh flowers. A few hearts tucked into my front door wreath and subtle touches here and there. Then there’s always chocolate mixed in, right? Why, you ask? Because in this time of dreariness and seemingly unending dark days…it warms the heart, lifts the spirits and makes life a little brighter. I’ll take that! Happy Valentine’s Day!

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