This & That - End of Summer 2023

It's Labor Day weekend and in my world, Fall begins AFTER Labor Day.  My birthday is at the end of August and, when I was a little girl, that meant school would be starting in the next week or so, meaning Fall had arrived!

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These days it seems like Fall begins it's arrival in July.  The stores are stocked with faux leaves and pumpkins, the Back-To-School ads start, and I've even seen some Halloween decorations.  

Seriously, can we stop rushing things and just enjoy the season we are in?

Ahh, summer, when the flowers are blooming, fresh vegetables abound, yard sales are in full swing, and it's warm and sunny.  

Except for this year.  Yes, the flowers and veggies made their annual showing, but the weather has been cloudy, rainy, and humid - not the typical upstate New York summer at all.  

In spite of the disappointing weather, things were still happening around here. 

When we sold our house 2 years ago, I wanted to take my favorite rose bush with me.  Sadly, that wasn't going to happen. 

I'm still amazed I grew that!

Since the rose bush couldn't come with me.  I cut 6 canes with the hope of rooting them.  I did my research and followed the directions to the letter.  Sadly, one-by-one, the canes turned black, moldy, and died.

Except for one last cane.  I trimmed it, dipped it in rooting hormone again, and stuck it in the soil.  

Then I waited........until this summer.

Miraculously, there was a bud that bloomed! 

 

I was SO excited!  Since the rose bush is still quite small, I need to prune and nurture it so it will grow larger.  I've never done this before - wish me luck!

At the beginning of July, I had surgery on my knee for a torn meniscus.  My knee pain has been around for about 2 years and it was quite a journey to finally have surgery.  Now, at the beginning of September, I can honestly say the knee is improving with each week.  

I'm walking and doing my exercises but there are things I will never do again, like kneeling - complicating the task of cleaning.  I found this wonderful electric scrubber.  Not only does it scrub the tub, it does floors, sinks, and anything else you can think of!  If you are a person who has trouble kneeling or doing squats check it out.  It's been a lifesaver for me!

In August, I decided to cut my hair. It was time to embrace my curly hair and I did it!

I now have 'wash & go' hair.  What a time saver!

I also was invited to lunch with my fiber arts friends.  We dined in a beautiful backyard surrounded by gardens.  Of course, it started to rain, but we had a large umbrella over the table and we stayed dry!

No 'This & That' would be complete without sharing some yard sale finds.  Since last time, I've found a few more goodies.

First, this bookshelf/curio that was listed on Marketplace.  I loved the curves and when I contacted the seller, she offered to bring it to me!

I'm working on it right now and will be sharing the finished product on September 23rd.  Be sure to stop back for the reveal!

Next, this little crock called to me at a local yard sale.

 It's about 6 inches tall and was only $2. 

I also found this sweet little foot stool. 

How could I pass it up for that price?  I'm going to try cleaning it since the needlework is perfect.  The wood also needs a little help.

I think this is going to be an easy makeover!

Last, but not least, I spotted this:

I'm calling it the 'mini dough bowl'.

There was no price on it and when I asked, the woman said, "Oh, a dollar.  I just like wooden things."  Out came the dollar!

I'm off to do some more work on that bookcase and to pull out some of my Fall decor.  Before you know it, "They" will be telling me it's time for my Christmas decorations!  

UGH!

Please tell me I'm not the only one who hates to rush the seasons!