Repurposed Thrift Store Hose Reel

When I spied an old, metal hose reel at a new, local thrift store, I knew I could find a way to use it somewhere. And for only $5, it definitely needed to come home with me.

It took about 5 minutes to decide where it's new home was going to be--on the back porch wall between the back door and kitchen window. And while I like it as is, I came up with lots of fun, different ways to use it.

It makes a great bottle holder. I wouldn't leave the bottles out there all of the time, but the hose reel makes a unique way to hold favorite wine and liquor bottles when entertaining outdoors. Set up a table underneath and you have an awesome back porch bar spot.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! I love looking for signs of spring on our daily walks--trees budding, grass getting greener, ducklings swimming, flowers blooming. I know the long, cold winter is over because I can clearly see the signs. As a kid one of my favorite church camp songs was "they will know we are Christians by our love". The actions and words of people who know and love Jesus sadly are the very things that keep many people from wanting a relationship with Jesus. People are not seeing signs of love that match up with our proclamations of it.  When words and actions do not match, are inconsistent, it is hard for people to see or to want any part of that kind of love. Loving Jesus does not mean we are perfect and that we will not fail to demonstrate his unconditional love. But, it does mean we must try. Our every day actions must communicate the kind of love that we see in Jesus's actions--non-judgmental, inclusive, peaceful, life giving love. Will they know Jesus by our love?

Thrift Store Porch Decor and Stenciling a Flower Container

It's Thrifty Thursday and today I am sharing more of my back porch decor. I thought I'd be ready to show you the whole back porch by now, but I am still tinkering and we have had some inclement weather (or really nice weather which has me out hiking or kayaking). An old, metal $2 thrifted stool and an ice cream bucket were a perfect addition to my back porch decor.

How to Make a Funky, Colorful, Summer Centerpiece from Thrift Store Finds

Today is not Thursday, but ho hum, I am still sharing my Thrifty Thursday project. I decided it was time for a new centerpiece. I wanted something sunny, bright, and funky for summer. Yes, I know we still have a full two months of spring, but the sun is shining and I am ready for bright colors.

Temporary Seasonal Vignette Activity Baskets

Since moving and becoming an empty nester, I have approached some of my home decorating choices as if we have constant company. We don't, mostly because of Covid, but our door is always open and we hope to have more visitors this summer. 

Maybe it is the former teacher in me or maybe it is the traveler in me that loves a good VRBO, but I like to have interesting, unique things for guests to look at or play with. I want stuff that has personality and a little soul. Putting together basket vignettes with fun things is the perfect way to do this. A basket vignette is easy to change, add to and take away from and gives a table some visual interest.

Thrifty Thursday Sneak Peek Back Porch Decor

It's getting warmer, okay not today, but most days lately are warm enough to have a little outdoor sitting time. When we moved this last year and bought a new house, the back porch was definitely a plus. It is covered, off the kitchen, and has a great view. I am starting to decorate it for summer use and I am using mostly thrift store finds to put it together. I hope to show you all of it next week, but today I am sharing a sneak peek item, a wood whirligig, thingamajig from the thrift store.

This was a $2 thrift store item that I think was homemade. 

Stencil A Herb Starter Garden Box

Do you ever spy something in someone else's cart at the thrift and think, "Darn, I would have grabbed that if I had seen it first,"? That is what I thought when I saw this green, wood box, basket, handled crate. 

When I saw the lady who had it put it back on the shelf, I snatched it up. With the plastic liner in it, I knew it would make a great seed planting starter box. 

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday and Happy Easter! I have reached that stage and age of life when I consider all of the other professions that I might have also enjoyed had I just realized it in my early twenties what I loved. One of those careers I now know I would have enjoyed was that of a botanist or arborist. I love trees and have been learning more about them. Did you know that trees help each other out, move, feed, and shelter each other? On one of our favorite walks there are numerous examples of a cedar and a white pine growing together. Two completely different species of trees happily sharing the same space, supporting and helping each other thrive, not competing. Jesus came to teach us about love and how to love each other above everything else. Jesus ALWAYS chose love and people before doctrine, before law, above differences and above sin. If we do not learn to love like God does, loving and helping people before worrying about differences and doctrine, we will not grow and thrive. Love first, love wholly, love without reserve and rules.