I am SO looking forward to the few outdoor projects we have planned! Hopefully we'll get to at least one this spring, but even if we don't, it's been so fun getting ideas from my BFF Martha. One of the things I want to do, is put on a pergola. Our backyard is bit of a wind tunnel, so umbrellas or awnings are a bad idea. Plus, I think pergolas with some kind of flowering vine growing up it for shade is not only practical, but pretty.
Now let's take it a step further! I thought about stringing some pretty icicle light underneath, but I like these ideas better. You can get really nice decorative outdoor lighting at Target for your umbrella or deck cover-(above), (below)-Martha actually used jelly jars as hanging votives. So cozy and beautiful!!! Also, you could use the bug repellent candles to keep from getting bit or crawled on. This really is a craft ANYONE could do.
Here's the link to learn how: http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=4301608f8532f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&backto=true
Another idea from my Martha archives is using fake flowers and Christmas lights. Take a standard string of green Christm
as lights and string them under your umbrella, pergola, porch cover, or whatever you have... you could also use this as a table decoration. Then brake off one of the fake flowers you picked up at the Dollar store (so cheap) and pull out the plastic stamen. Push the center of the flower through the small bulb and repeat until they're all done. It's really pretty, like a vine from heaven. -OR a luau.
as lights and string them under your umbrella, pergola, porch cover, or whatever you have... you could also use this as a table decoration. Then brake off one of the fake flowers you picked up at the Dollar store (so cheap) and pull out the plastic stamen. Push the center of the flower through the small bulb and repeat until they're all done. It's really pretty, like a vine from heaven. -OR a luau.
6 comments:
Great posts lately. I also love that Pres. Monson talk - so much that I need to do better. I taught on gathering to Zion in Sunday school last week.
Here's a great salad recipe - if you don't have tomatillos (which we never have here), you can always put in a few tablespoons of green salsa.
http://www.according-to-kelly.com/2007/05/caf-rio-dressing.html
And you serve this salad with the sweetened pulled pork (or chicken) and then I do an assembly line with beans, cheese, avocados, corn, and chips. It's always a big hit.
Your spring posts are so nice to read - we just had another 6 or 7 inches of snow yesterday. At least the weather isn't bad - it's sitting right around freezing.
You've gotten me in the mood for outside decorating! I've actually done something really similar to the mason jars. For one of our weddings I bought some clear glass hurricanes similar to the one on this page (the short one)but without the indentation on the bottom:
http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/CandlesFragrance/tabid/485/CategoryID/100/List/0/catpageindex/3/Level/a/ProductID/444/Default.aspx
I know I didn't pay that much for them, so you could find them for much less. Then I wrapped wire around them and made a "hanger" out of the same wire. A little sand in the bottom and a votive. We hung them around the yard. Really pretty as it got dark to see them sparkling throughout the gardens.
Sorry, I thought pulled meat was on that link...all you do is take boneless chicken breasts (or probably thighs would work too), or some kind of pork and then throw it into your crock pot with 1 cup of salsa and 1 cup of brown sugar. Sometimes, if I'm making a big batch, I'll add more salsa and sugar in equal parts. Cook on low all day and shred it.
I love the fake flowers and Christmas lights idea. Nothing like a good old vine from heaven, right!?
I vote luau!!
hugs to you!
Go look at Melissa's pergola. James Built it for them.! I want one too!
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