How to Build an Easy Peasy Plant Stand

Anyone else have a citronella plant? I have never seen them before, but found some at our local nursery and decided it would be the perfect addition to my cozy, back porch. It smells divine and will hopefully keep the mosquitos away. 

A $1.50 garage sale basket and some leftover porch 2" x 2" spindles came together in about 20 minutes to make an outdoor plant stand for my citronella plant.

Heavy Metal Thrifty Thursday Finds

It's been a hot minute since I have posted--life in the spring is always busy. 

I haven't done much thrifting recently, but did find a few fun things this week. Metal seems to be what my eyes have been drawn to and I found some treasures I am loving. 

Thrifted Back Porch Decor

Last week I headed back to Montana to help the youngest move out of the dorms and into her first rental home (where I painted the cabinets), and then I got some bonding time with my precious 6 week old grandson. On the way home I decided to check out a few of the small town thrift stores along the way. I was not disappointed. 

A metal hose holder for $1 was a must since I already had a vintage, metal hose reel on my back porch (SEE HERE). I wasn't sure how I was going to use it until I spied a rattan lantern in a box that was just coming in. For $2 I knew it needed to come home with me too. I am guessing this was originally from Pier One or World Market--it is fairly heavy duty and well made.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! While driving home at dusk earlier in the week, we could see the humongous, pink, super moon rising above the trees. We quickly pulled over and walked towards the moon, trying to capture its beauty with cell phone cameras--it didn't work. As we turned around to leave, I saw the sunset setting and still reflections on calm water and snapped some decent photos of that instead of the moon. Sometimes, turning around, changing our focus, gives us an even better view. 

Jesus was everything the Pharisees thought he shouldn't be. He loved those deemed unworthy of love, he broke the rules and laws, he taught in new ways with new ideas, and folks simply did not understand or trust him because they were so focused on the big, shiny religion and laws they had known for so long. Jesus helps us when we are looking at something a certain way to turn around and see an even better picture with him if we are willing. When we have a new perspective and understanding about something--a verse, a rule, a religion or church, a way to love--it can be difficult to recognize the beauty in it because we have been so set on seeing what we want to see. Don't be afraid of a different view. It is okay to find truth and beauty in something you weren't even looking for.

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.