Porch Party: Before and After pics

 

 

Welcome to Rhondi’s Porch Party! Please visit her at Rose Colored Glasses for a list of participants. Rhondi did this last year, and it was the second blogging event I participated in.  Thanks Rhondi for doing this again, so that we can all see the great looking porches of our blogging friends-both old and new.

When we bought our home in 2003, it had this hideous red deck on the back. We loved lots of things about the home-mostly the location-but this red deck was not one of them! It was my dream from the beginning to add a screened porch to the back of the house. It didn’t take us too long…we did it the summer of 2005, and were in the middle of construction when Katrina came along. The porch was a great help then since the roof was on and we were able to spend lots of time there since our power was off for 6 days. It was definitely the coolest spot in the house.

This is the outside of the house today with the porch added. The porch includes 2 sets of French Doors, but we screened about 3/4 of the porch and left one area open.

 This picture shows the area that was not screened in. We use this area for grilling out.

An interior view…..

 Another view that shows the wicker. The wicker was originally white or tan, and was bought at different points in time from garage sales, flea markets, etc and spray painted the same green color. The cushions were covered from tablecloths I bought on sale  for $1.00 each at Walmart. I didn’t sew them…took the lazy way and pinned the fabric to the back of the cushions. LOL

 Something I enjoy doing is picking up accessories at thrift stores and garage sales for my porch like this little rabbit in a planter.

 Pillows from the thrift store………………

A cute little ladybug house-found at a flea market.

And this Southern Living at Home basket to hold house plants. One of my favorite spots is the porch. I love to admire the flowers through the comfort of the porch. These purple coneflowers are really putting on a show right now!

A hydrangea planted next to the open part.

A view looking into the woods. I got the tea cup bird feeders ‘free’ at an estate sale…bought enough other stuff, so they were just thrown in! 

I hope you enjoyed visiting my porch! It is one of my favorite spots at my house.

Thanks for stopping by…be sure and visit the other porches on Rhondi’s site!

Diane

2nd Time Around: Free garland for the porch

Welcome to 2nd Time Around! Here’s where you can share your thrifty second hand treasures by creating a post and linking to Mr. Linky. Last week we had some issues with Mr. Linky…he was in and out all day. Hope he cooperates a little better this week.

These three pictures are some garland that I got at my daughter’s most recent garage sale FREE! Vikki from Magnolia Memories brought some stuff to Kelli’s garage sale including this green beaded garland. Kelli noticed it and suggested I get it for my porch. So, Vikki just gave it to me!

I love the way it dressed up this table on the porch and sparkles in the sunlight. This picture was made in the early evening with the flash.

Sometimes it is the most simple things that bring the most pleasure. Don’t you agree?

Thanks for stopping by!

2nd Time Around: Accessories for the porch

Welcome to 2nd Time Around. Here’s where you can show off your second hand treasures-stuff from garage sales, estate sales, flea markets, thrift stores, estate sales etc. Just create a post and link the name of the post to Mr. Linky below.

I’m always on the lookout for second hand items that I can use to decorate my screened porch. This little set of three flower pots and wire stand was my daughter’s. She had a yard sale when they sold their first home, and I grabbed this up! It now has a new home on a bench on the back porch.

This little animal print birdhouse was another one of my daughter’s rejects. In her first home, they had a room that she decorated with an animal print theme. I found this bird house for her at a garage sale quite a few years ago. When they sold that home, she decided to sell all the animal print accessories. So, I bought the birdhouse from her. Guess you can say that I bought this twice! And for a cheap price both times I might add!

Thanks for stopping by!

Trash to Treasure: Thrift shop pillows

Due to a head cold and being busy with other activities, I've let Trash to Treasure creep up on me! I haven't been to the Thrift Store or a garage sale in over a week!

So, I looked in my 'drafts' folder and found a post I started and didn't finish. Even though I've had these little treasures awhile, I thought would it would be appropriate to share today! I am so ready for a little warmer weather so I can enjoy my porch again!

This two little pillows were bought on the same day at the Hope Village Thrift Store. They both have a home on my screened porch on the wicker lounger. I really love the garden message on both of them! I think I paid one dollar each for the pillows.

I hope to continue adding to my porch when the weather gets warmer by shopping the Thrift Stores.

Please link your Trash to Treasure below so we can all visit you! Thanks for stopping by!

Southern Living Thermometer

It has been unseasonably cold here in Mississippi. I stepped out the front door yesterday and the temperature on the thermometer was a chilly 27 degrees! That's cold folks for here in November!

A while back I told you I would show you my Southern Living new products a little at a time. This thermometer was one of the products I bought for 1/2 price! We really enjoy it-it is right outside the front door, and easy to check.
I had to stop a minute and snap these pictures of the ducks on the lake. It made me so thankful for my warm home! We have lots to be grateful for don't we? I wonder if they were prepared for the cold morning?
There are lots of other Thankful Thursday posts on Rhondi's blog at Rose Colored Glasses.
Hope you have a wonderful day, and I'm hoping it warms up a little here.

A Great Looking Chair!

I wanted to show you what my cousin Amber did with the throw that she bought at the estate sale on Saturday. Click here to look at the post. Amber has great taste, and I wish she would start a blog. All of you ladies who are interested in home decor would LOVE her ideas and taste.

This picture is from her screened porch which is on the second level of her home overlooking a beautiful lake. I really like the rustic look of Amber's porch. Note the little fairy garden on top of the barrel next to the chair.
Below the picture, I copied and pasted what she told me about the chair through an email.

From Amber:
I also wanted to show you what I did with the blanket. During Antique Alley, I bought this Amish rocker from Ben. Vickie got one like it a couple of years ago that was in perfect condition and I have been so envious ever since. The one I got from Ben had been painted forest green and burgundy! Yuck! I thought I would have the patience to strip it, but after I got started, I discovered why the Strip Shop charges what they do. That's when I decided to get out the trusty black spray paint. It's not the same as Vickie's, but it is so comfy and I think the blanket just sets it off! I paid $50 for it and most of the ones I've seen are in the $600 range, so I think I can live with it. It's on the screened porch, as is the table I bought at the other sale. I'll send you a picture of it when I have a chance. Also, I found some precious brown/ivory zebra fabric to cover the cushion of the bamboo chair. When it's finished I'll send you a pic of it, too. We had a really good time Saturday, too. It was a perfect day, especially to ride around in Vick's car...I'm glad y'all had fun, too.

Thanks Amber for sharing your chair and porch with us!

Can't you tell that she has excellent taste?

Thanks for stopping by and please leave Amber a comment! She checks my blog on a regular basis, and I know she would like to hear from you all! Maybe we'll make a blogger out of her afterall! LOL

This Weeks Garage Sale finds

Even though it was a holiday weekend and people around here were busy preparing for stormy weather, I managed to go to a few garage sales. In addition to the radio in the post below here are pictures that highlight a few of my purchases.

This little table lamp for the screened porch

4 more animal print pillows to add to the ones on the daybed in the bonus room.....this day bed was from a garage sale several years ago and was once at my daughters home. We haven't really done much to decorate there...it is just a hodge podge of furniture. I'm trying to turn it into a media/craft/play room...on a budget of course!

And 3 tiger oak chairs for my daughter-hers are similiar, and she only has 5. Now she'll have 8! They will have to be recovered of course!

My mom is doing really well and going to the sales with me again. She is not finding a whole lot these days. She did get some brand new Mary Kay products from the same place I bought the radio....the lady having that sale is in my aerobics class and we knew she could be trusted! She was a Mary Kay consultant, and has decided not to do it anymore.

Thanks for stopping by and remember to comment if you want your name in my giveaway drawing!

Pink Sat, a talk with myself, and a watering can

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound is hosting Pink Saturday. Since I've been participating in this, I am always looking for something pink to photograph and write about...and I'm always looking for something for my screen porch.

I found this pink watering can at Tuesday Morning. So I bought it and killed two birds with one stone as the old saying goes!

I didn't buy it at first. Have you ever seen something, not bought it, then went back later and bought it? That's exactly what I did. I had a conversation with myself about the watering can. It went something like this:

• you're only buying this because it's pink
• well, it really is cute and would look cute on the porch
• well, why don't you just think about it, and come back
• if it's not there when you go back, it's not meant to be
• oh, there it is...guess you should treat yourself to it!

When my daughter saw it, I thought she would say something about how cute it was. I wasn't sure if she liked it or not. She just looked at it and said.."but you really don't like purses that much do you?"

So, whether she likes it, you like it, or anyone likes it...it's mine now and happily perched on a table on the screened porch. The only thing that is important is that I like it! Right?

Hope everyone has a happy Pink Saturday! And, go out and buy yourself something pink.

Thanks Beverly for all your effort!

Diane