A Stitch in Time

We all have heard some of the old wives' tales. I think the reason that they have been around so long and bear repeating is that they have meaning. And, we are supposed to learn from them. What they implied oh so many years ago still stands. So wouldn't you think that someone who has been around as long as me would have learned a thing or two? Apparently not. Lol

I think I have told you that between the heat and the storms, I pretty much avoided a lot of time outside this summer. And that meant that I avoided maintenance as well. I got snagged when I finally went out to address weeds and that was a killer. And, today, I decided that I would tackle the cushions on the pool furniture. My actual plan months ago had been to move the two cushions at the close end of the pool to the far end and then buy new ones for this end. I'm not sure why because there are more trees at this end but these cushions never seem to have as much mold on them. Of course, the cushions that are my favorite have been out of stock ALL summer. I kept checking and they never got restocked...and, obviously that won't now happen until next summer. 

Knowing that folks would probably be sitting out here at the party-and although not dressed as much as for a wedding, I'm thinking they will be dressed nice enough that they wouldn't want to sit on a moldy cushion-something needed to happen.

And so it started. Why didn't I learn my lesson and, no matter how hot, keep ahead of this mess throughout the summer? I used every kind of concoction I could think of and scrubbed like a crazy lady and I now have one end of the pool good to go-well, as far as seating goes that is. I scrubbed cushions and all of the other chairs and tables as well as cleaned the two fountains and got all new, clean, fresh water going through them. And, that was about all my back could handle at that time so, here I am to take you into the living room.

Welcome. There are a few new things and a few things moved around but not the biggest change from last year. I don't have an abundance of just "Thanksgiving" decor-because, honestly, with everyone going straight to Christmas, there is never an abundance available to buy-so some of the "autumn" has made a return

I brought the framed pumpkin picture from the kitchen into this vignette. I did it because of the white pumpkin but now that I look at it, I'm not sure that the color of the flowers in the picture work here. We shall see.

In an effort to get a bit more Thanksgiving into the room, I used a handful of old book pages tied up with an image I printed and then burned the edges to give the look of age.

I bought this large gold leaf dish last year at Walmart and was happy to find almost the same but a bit smaller this year at my local Publix grocery store. You will see it in a minute and I like the way it helps connect some of the different areas in the room.

I added the copper color to the tin pumpkin last year and put the wood one in the opposite cubby...but, last year I left the candle in the wood one and I didn't like the difference in height between the two. This year I removed the candle and just added a topper to the candle holder and I was good to go.

I love these chairs so much and sit here often...

...but, they are very deep and just needed something. I put the two bolsters that I bought in St. Pete on the chairs and they will remain throughout the year and I will add a seasonal/holiday pillows when I have them. These "pumpkin" velvet pillows are so pretty that they just had to make a return for Thanksgiving along with that throw I found at Walmart..

This area definitely got a total change up because there is no longer a lamp on the chest since we hung the sconces. That only becomes a problem when I have something hanging from the mirror because then the largest item can't go in the middle and it makes balancing things a bit harder. I'm not sure this vignette will make the cut but it is here for now. Even raising the Pilgrims up on the little stool just doesn't make the balance I feel it needs.

And here is where that small leaf dish landed. It adds just the pop of gold needed.

So that is the living room for now. I am going to grab a quick lunch and then head back out. Fingers crossed I get the rest of the pool area done today before the dogs arrive tomorrow morning. I'll focus on inside things while they're here and then head back out again next week. I did give myself a bit of a break and asked the handyman if he could fit in a pressure cleaning of the pool deck for me. That is something that I usually do myself but there are just not enough hours in the day right now. Lol I am hoping he finds the time to squeeze me in-we shall see.

Until next time, stay safe and stay tuned.