Jun22
Woohoo!
Jun21
DIY Coasters
I’ve been wanting to make these coasters for my son for awhile. I finally remembered to buy the tiles last time I was in Home Depot. You only need 4 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ tiles (Home Depot 76 cents ea.), Mod Podge, a sponge brush and scrapbook paper, cardboard or even a photo. I used the cardboard from beer 6 packs – they’re so colorful.
I cut the cardboard in 4″x4″ squares. Applied Mod Podge to the tile and also to the back edges of the cardboard. Pressed the cardboard onto the tile, then I turned them upside down and put some weight on them with a box of tile grout I had sitting in the mudroom.
After they set for a few minutes I applied 2 coats of Mod Podge to the tops. Each coat in a different direction. (don’t judge my crooked cuts, lol)
I added some self adhesive felt bumpers to the bottoms and that was it! Love them and so did Jason!
I’m addicted and want to make more, the possibilities are endless, lol! (Using postcards from a vacation trip would be awesome too.)
Jun19
Simple Outdoor Table
I saw this on Pinterest. It looked super simple (it was) and I did have another extra plastic 1/2 barrel planter. So . . . .
I couldn’t find the wood circle I wanted at Home Depot but I did have a couple of these old 3 legged tables I haven’t used since I moved.
I found this huge piece of cardstock/posterboard at Hobby Lobby for $3.
I flipped the poster board over, traced my old table top and cut the circle out.
Then I Mod Podge’d the posterboard to the top of the old table top. (You could mod podge anything to the top or even just paint it) The original tutorial didn’t do anything to the round, they just covered it with wine corks or you could use marbles?
I bought these “bumpers” at Hobby Lobby along with this heavy beveled 24″ glass round that was clearance for $13.50.
I had another 1/2 cinder block that I put inside the barrel to weigh it down (you could use a bag of sand). I inserted the wood top into the barrel. Then attached the “bumpers” to the lip of the plastic barrel and put the glass top on.
Voila!! Simple and functional! Here is the original link – the wine corks look super cute too:
Jun15
Garden Coming Along
To be honest – I feel like I’ve dropped the ball this year on my gardening! I was either out of town or the weather was bad so things didn’t get into the ground as soon as I’d hoped. I did get this bed going though. The two larger tomato plants on either side of the bee bath already had like 3 months of growth on them when I bought them. My four bell pepper plants in the front row are doing well and actually the cherry tomato plant in front of the bee bath isn’t doing so bad either. Those were the 4 for $12 and the bigger tomato plants were $15 each, all from Home Depot.
Woohoo – one bell pepper so far! I need some bees to help my flower buds along.
Jun14
Adding a 4×4 Post
When I strung my outdoor lights last year they hung a bit on the low side. I decided this summer it was time to shore them up! I bought a 4x4x8′ pressure treated post. I already had an extra planter (plastic barrel from Costco) and I have left over cinderblocks from the original back porch. I also had some left over concrete bags from the pumpkin patch fence Jason put in for me. I set the 4×4 post inside one of the left over cinderblocks and per Jason’s instruction, I poured the bag of concrete inside the block and the planter, added the water, stirred it a bit and that was that!
You can see in this pic how low the lights hung. I was able to raise them about a foot.
I predrilled the hole and then screwed in an eye bolt. I used zip ties to attach the cable wire and light strands.
I’ve had this cute cow hanger for a couple of years, lol. I knew it would come in handy some day! Added a hanging plant to the opposite side of the 4×4 to help counterbalance the weight of the lights. Those industrial light strands are pretty heavy – hence using the cable wire to string them.
Added some dirt and some plants over the top of the concrete in my barrel. Now I just need to remember to drill a few drainage holes. Love!
Jun12
Weekend with Belle!
She wanted to do a “project” so we cut some watermelon into shapes. The heart shape was her favorite!
Look at those sweet tiny fingers, lol.
This girl could enter a watermelon eating contest! She loves watermelon!!
Time for some sprinkler fun . . .
Grammy needs to get the weed eater out!
My neighbor across the street saw us in the front yard and brought over a brand new swimming pool she had bought for her ducks but never used – PERFECT – thanks Shelley!
After a bath in the “princess tub” it was time to help with dinner. Hot dogs in cornbread muffins, of course!
Then to top off our day, a little home-made ice cream – yum.
Jun9
Homemade Ice Cream!
Summer has arrived and it’s going to be in the 90’s this weekend! A bit hot for me but it is a good time for some homemade ice cream. Amie bought this Cuisinart for me a few years ago for Mother’s Day. There is nothing like homemade ice cream. I love this recipe and if you have a Cuisinart Ice Cream maker then you really need to give this a try. Here you go:
Chocolate Mint Chip
1 cup Whole Milk
½ cup Granulated Sugar
8 oz. Choc Chips of your choice (I used mint chips cause I had them & I measured out 1 cup of chips for the processor and add the rest of the bag to the final process)
2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream – well chilled
1 ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
In a blender or food processor fitted with a metal blade, pulse sugar & 8 oz of chips until the chips are finely chopped (easier to melt). Heat the whole milk until it’s just bubbling around the edges. Once milk is heated – add to food processor with the sugar & chips, process until well blended. Then transfer to medium bowl to cool completely. Once cooled, stir in the heavy cream and peppermint extract. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes or longer.
Turn machine on and pour chilled mixture into your freezer bowl through the lid spout. Let thicken about 25 minutes. Then I add the rest of my chips from the bag and let it thicken 5 more minutes. Eat it now or put into a freezer container to harden. ENJOY!
