7/1/13

Budget Patio Decorating

32 comments

     Happy first of July friends. Summer as usual seems to be flying by.  With the 4th just a few days away I wanted to share with you our patio.  We have a small covered front porch that DH and I use more frequently.  But our patio still gets it share of use.
As I was tidying it up yesterday I realized that everything out here has been re-done from it's original state.  Our picnic table was the sorriest of things and looked ready for the fire-pit. A couple of years ago, DH tore it apart and made it like new again.  To see that post click here.
I was going to set a complete table out here but my 2 year old grand-daughter thought we were playing kitchen and restaurant so I just set out my burlap place mats with jean pockets that I made a few years back.  


Another angle.  DH drilled a hole so that we could use an umbrella with our picnic table. 
I wonder if I can paint the umbrella too. It's only a few years old but the sun has faded it out quite a bit.
The chair was a gift from my daughter and I have it filled with petunias.
DH just finished the railing.  It too was old and the paint was chipping like crazy.
He tore the whole thing apart and made it like new again.
To see that post click here.
You can see that my clematis has just started to bloom.


I love petunias and I plant them quite frequently.
Here I have one of two old fashioned metal lawn chairs that I bought at an auction years ago.
I think I paid $20 for the two of them.  A few years ago DH gave them a new paint job.
To see how he did that click here.  
I have an old table covered with a patriotic tablecloth and ready to use for plates and as a place to set some snacks.
I made the patriotic pillow last summer after seeing them on Etsy.
No pattern necessary they really are quite easy.
The wrought iron set was purchased about 20 years ago.  They originally were black but last summer I spray painted them a cheery red. I made some simple cushions from outdoor fabric, a lot cheaper than buying them in the store.
To see more click here.


An old tea pot becomes a fun little planter.
Just drill some holes in the bottom for drainage.

Another view of the recently redone patio fencing.

I found this shelf at a garage sale for $5.  It was new from Home Goods and still had the tags on it.
Hubby used dry wall screws to anchor it to the stone, and now it's a handy little planter.

Over here you can see my other old patio chair painted a dark blue.
And the other side of the  patio fencing that DH recently re-did.

An old deep metal pan becomes a funky planter with just a few holes drilled in the bottom.


I bought this old coffee pot at an auction and it's become one of my favorite planters.


A view from our picnic table.

Thanks for stopping by, I sure would love to hear from you.
Cindy

I am joining the following fun blog parties.
Tweak it Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
Tutorials and Tips @ Stone Gable
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

6/29/13

Farewell to June.

10 comments


Guess who I got to meet up with last week?
Little Calista and her Mommy and Daddy!
It had been six long months since we saw her pretty little face.
My son and his family flew to Canton, Michigan to visit my daughter-in-law's mom, sister and grandfather.
Hubby and I decided to make the 500 mile trek around the lake and the city of Chicago since this would be their only visit to the Midwest this summer.

At first little Calista who is 22 months was a little stand offish towards me.
However it didn't take long for her to warm up.
Such are the struggles of being a long distant grandparent.



We had such a nice visit with them.

It was short but so worth the drive over.
Hopefully we will be able to fly to Phoenix in October.
With the heat wave they are having I think that it might be a better month to go.

On the other hand, we have had a rather cool and wet summer so far.
Although there have been some beautiful days in the low 80's I think we've only hit 90 twice so far.
Just past week we ran our AC for the first time and that was more because of the high humidity.
My plants however are loving it!
My baby's breath is as full as it's ever been.
My clematis is just starting to fill in.
I trimmed it way down in early April and I am so glad I did.
It's coming back so much better.


And this spirea plant has grown to rather gigantic proportions.
After it's done blooming I think a little haircut is in order.
Well I just hate to say good-bye to June.
It's always been my favorite month.
I guess that's why it goes so quickly.
And now on to the 4th and the rest of summer.
Cindy