Table Talk Saturday

Thank you for joining me to a bit of table talk Saturday! This has been the craziest week full of surprises. Some pleasant and others stressful…

Let’s begin with a little table talk while we are gathered…

I am looking forward to a Saturday filled with a bit of creativity with a new project. I’ll be taking you along for the journey of refinishing two chests that will replace nightstands in our bedroom. To paint or not to paint is the question. Wish me luck!

And then in the next few weeks I need to begin an office make over! Wallpaper removal has started. UGH! One of my least favorite tasks.

It appears that all of the garden and flowers are ending their growing season earlier than usual. This takes me to harvesting more of my limelight and other hydrangea for another wreath to dry. You can find how I do it here.

Are you a creative person?

This week finished adding carrot cake jam to the pantry for gifting and gathering. This is a jam that can be made long after the harvest season…so if you want to make it closer to Christmas for gifts, as long as you can find pears? You are golden.

And a tip for those jar tops regardless of what you put inside? Ribbon from Sam’s Club for the lids is one of my favorite toppers.

This week, Jennifer, at Cottage on Bunker Hill, shared how she changes out artwork with the seasons. Follow her for her free images to print at Office Depot or Staples.

Now I have a dilemma on where I want these!

This week on the blog…

I am such a softie for making gifts for Christmas that it requires me to think well ahead. Giving thought and allowing time in advance just makes creating gifts more joyful and less stressful during the holiday season of hurrying and scurrying.

If you can make heartfelt selections, whether you make gifts or not, it’s meaningful when you think of favorite things that the recipients would enjoy.

Which brings me to the bowl cozies that I am making for Christmas gifts. Because they have brought such unexpected joy to use for my husband and me (he’s addicted to them on soup nights!), they seemed a perfect gift for some on my list.

Also a perfect gift for those people who have everything, hostess gifts, teachers, hair stylists, etc.

Have you made your Christmas list yet?

I know, Leslie, SLOW DOWN! Summer’s not even over yet!

Are you transitioning your home for fall yet?

Again, I’m not looking forward to summer ending…but, already leaves are falling here. I’m NOT ready for that!

I still need folks gathering on the screened porch and with feet under my table.

There will be time enough for fire pit evenings, picnic table gathering, and flannels to take over.

Do you do Fall Cleaning?

I know spring cleaning is a thing…and perhaps because my season of canning has been so busy, I can attribute the extra layer of dust and cleaning to neglect, right?

But, never have I found my home in such need of a fall deep clean!

Are you finding that this time of year?

I have already cleaned deck rugs that were getting covered with tree sap and rolled them and put them away for spring. That was a new and needed trick this year.

Time to transition porches for seasons, too.

Although its too early to plant new fall perennials or change my plants in containers just yet…I’m looking through magazines and Pinterest for inspiration on new transitions to my front porch and the screened in porch.

I’m being inspired by these planters.

I’ll begin pulling out fall decor in the next few weeks and toss what looks “past tired” and come up with new ideas that bring me joy for wreaths, pots, rugs and decor for both.

I’m headed to an Orchard with a friend soon to find apples and maybe even a pumpkin or two if there pumpkin patch is open when we visit.

Preparing to finish my canning season with apple jam getting ready for fall gatherings where this will be enjoyed for brunches.

Can we have a bit of table talk about plants?

I am truly not very good with houseplants. I’m trying to do better on transitioning my plants that need to come back inside.

Repotting some of them will have to take place and soon so they can settle in.

Do you harvest herbs? I’ll freeze some and dry some again. If you need some inspiration about both, you can find that here.

And a tiny bit more finds from the web…

Before those leaves change and fall from the trees, here’s a creative project for you. I can so see these created by little ones for Christmas gifts. My friend, Jennifer, again for the win on this one! I need her inspiration in my life.

Happy Saturday, friends!

Thanks for joining me here,