This Weekend: Raise a Stein, Plant a Tree, Make a Casserole
Dive into fall pleasures with an Oktoberfest gathering, a beautiful new tree or a double batch of comfort food
Laura Gaskill
September 25, 2018
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
With Sept. 28 being National Good Neighbor Day, and Oktoberfest celebrations happening at many locations around the country and world, it’s a good weekend to meet your neighbors, eat brats and tackle a fall project. Here are seven satisfying to-dos for an early fall weekend.
1. Do Some Big-Batch Cooking
With the weather turning crisp and the days getting shorter, early fall is a good time to pull out your biggest, heaviest pot and cook up something delicious. Chili, soups, stews and all sorts of casseroles are just as easy to make in a big batch, so why not double up and freeze a favorite meal? Your future weeknight self will thank you.
8 Kitchen Organizing Ideas for Messy Cooks | Find big-batch cookware
With the weather turning crisp and the days getting shorter, early fall is a good time to pull out your biggest, heaviest pot and cook up something delicious. Chili, soups, stews and all sorts of casseroles are just as easy to make in a big batch, so why not double up and freeze a favorite meal? Your future weeknight self will thank you.
8 Kitchen Organizing Ideas for Messy Cooks | Find big-batch cookware
2. Plant a Tree
Cooler weather means less watering is required for newly planted trees and shrubs at this time of year. And with the energy saved that usually goes into producing foliage and blooms, newly planted trees have an easier time growing roots and getting established.
Planting dates vary widely by region; those in northern regions and at high elevations need to stop planting earlier in the fall than those in southern and coastal regions. If you’re unsure about what to plant and when, consult the regional gardening guides on Houzz or chat with a knowledgeable staff member at your local nursery to find out what will work best in your area.
Why Fall Is the Best Time for Planting | Find shovels and spades
Cooler weather means less watering is required for newly planted trees and shrubs at this time of year. And with the energy saved that usually goes into producing foliage and blooms, newly planted trees have an easier time growing roots and getting established.
Planting dates vary widely by region; those in northern regions and at high elevations need to stop planting earlier in the fall than those in southern and coastal regions. If you’re unsure about what to plant and when, consult the regional gardening guides on Houzz or chat with a knowledgeable staff member at your local nursery to find out what will work best in your area.
Why Fall Is the Best Time for Planting | Find shovels and spades
3. Raise a Stein for Oktoberfest
Running from mid-September to early October, this Bavarian folk festival with Munich roots has gained popularity the world over, thanks in large part to the irresistible combination of beer, brats and live music. Host an Oktoberfest gathering at home this weekend with grilled sausages, sauerkraut and steins of beer. If you feel like heading out, chances are there’s a city parade or biergarten celebrating Oktoberfest near you. Here are just a few locations around the country where you can get your stein filled this weekend:
Running from mid-September to early October, this Bavarian folk festival with Munich roots has gained popularity the world over, thanks in large part to the irresistible combination of beer, brats and live music. Host an Oktoberfest gathering at home this weekend with grilled sausages, sauerkraut and steins of beer. If you feel like heading out, chances are there’s a city parade or biergarten celebrating Oktoberfest near you. Here are just a few locations around the country where you can get your stein filled this weekend:
- Chicago: Oktoberfest St. Alphonsus, Sept. 28 to 30
- La Crosse, Wisconsin: Oktoberfest USA, Sept. 27 to 30
- St. Louis, Missouri: St. Charles Oktoberfest, Sept. 28 to 30
- New York: Oktoberfest Tent — Munich on the East River, Sept. 28 to Oct. 7
- Washington, D.C., area: Lovettsville Oktoberfest, Sept. 29
- San Diego: Oktoberfest in El Cajon, Sept. 28 to 30 and Oct. 5 to 7
- Los Angeles: Alpine Village Oktoberfest, Sept. 7 to Oct. 27
- Spokane, Washington: Spokane Oktoberfest, Sept. 29 to 30
4. Declutter One Satisfying Spot
Decluttering a large space can feel overwhelming. Instead of throwing in the towel, choose one tiny spot and spend 15 focused minutes dejunking it. Pick a spot that annoys you in its current state and is small enough to realistically tackle quickly. Areas that hold the following items are good candidates:
Decluttering a large space can feel overwhelming. Instead of throwing in the towel, choose one tiny spot and spend 15 focused minutes dejunking it. Pick a spot that annoys you in its current state and is small enough to realistically tackle quickly. Areas that hold the following items are good candidates:
- Coffee mugs
- Condiments
- Food storage containers
- Magazines
- Shower products
5. Hunt for Treasures
With many residents of the Carolinas and Virginia out of their homes due to floodwaters from Hurricane Florence (see how to help here), it’s worth considering what you would want to save if you had to suddenly evacuate your home. Do you know where your most treasured items are? If the answer is “stuffed in the back of the garage somewhere,” this weekend could be a good time to go on a treasure hunt. Search through those dusty boxes and see if you can find a handful of real treasures to keep in a safe spot inside the house.
How to Be More Intentional About Sentimental Clutter
With many residents of the Carolinas and Virginia out of their homes due to floodwaters from Hurricane Florence (see how to help here), it’s worth considering what you would want to save if you had to suddenly evacuate your home. Do you know where your most treasured items are? If the answer is “stuffed in the back of the garage somewhere,” this weekend could be a good time to go on a treasure hunt. Search through those dusty boxes and see if you can find a handful of real treasures to keep in a safe spot inside the house.
How to Be More Intentional About Sentimental Clutter
6. Start a Visitor Book or Party Log
The holidays and entertaining season will be coming up before you know it. If you entertain or host overnight guests frequently, a log to record details from parties and other gatherings can become a wonderful keepsake and an invaluable resource. Keep an eye out this weekend for a pretty journal or notebook to use — if you want to start a guest book for visitors to sign as well as a private notebook with party details, pick up two.
Your Checklist for Quick Houseguest Prep
The holidays and entertaining season will be coming up before you know it. If you entertain or host overnight guests frequently, a log to record details from parties and other gatherings can become a wonderful keepsake and an invaluable resource. Keep an eye out this weekend for a pretty journal or notebook to use — if you want to start a guest book for visitors to sign as well as a private notebook with party details, pick up two.
Your Checklist for Quick Houseguest Prep
7. Meet Your Neighbors
National Good Neighbor Day is Sept. 28. If you don’t know your neighbors well (or at all), use this as an opportunity to introduce yourself. Simply spending time on your front porch or in your front yard is a natural way to make a meeting more likely — just smile and say hi when your neighbor happens by. And (speaking from experience) when you do learn a neighbor’s name, make note of it somewhere so you don’t forget.
Your turn: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More
9 Non-Awkward Ways to Meet Your Neighbors
Inviting Kids Into the Kitchen: Suggestions for Nurturing Cooks
How to Buy Healthy Trees and Shrubs
National Good Neighbor Day is Sept. 28. If you don’t know your neighbors well (or at all), use this as an opportunity to introduce yourself. Simply spending time on your front porch or in your front yard is a natural way to make a meeting more likely — just smile and say hi when your neighbor happens by. And (speaking from experience) when you do learn a neighbor’s name, make note of it somewhere so you don’t forget.
Your turn: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More
9 Non-Awkward Ways to Meet Your Neighbors
Inviting Kids Into the Kitchen: Suggestions for Nurturing Cooks
How to Buy Healthy Trees and Shrubs
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You forgot: start to bring your tender potted plants indoors. My house is looking like a jungle...:)
The Texas Hill Country has deep German roots and hosts a number of festivals each Fall. Check out two of the most notable in Fredericksburg and New Braunfels, running late October through mid November.