4 Sisters Brunch with a Pig

I've got a little story to tell you . . . the names may have been changed to protect the innocent . . . the facts may be embellished (literary license) for entertainment . . . but the rest of it, well, you can bet the farm on it.

There once were 4 sisters who gathered together for a special Mother's Day brunch . . .

They dined on the 'balcony' (fancy way of saying upper deck) on a table sprinkled with sunflowers, and one giant sunflower that was the center of attention.

Sunflowers were their mother's favorite flower.

soften the faux grass edge with reindeer moss and the tray with a extra long burlap scarf (actually just a fabric remant I fringed and use randomly throughout the year ;)

The 'Magic' Sunflower standing in the faux grass was super easy -- after I learned this fun trick from Jonathan Fong of Style with a Smile TV. All it takes is a metal surface (in this case, a gorgeous Covington Tray) and a magnet hot glued to the base of the flower stem (for fresh flowers you'll need to glue the magnet to a flat head nail and insert the nail into the flower stem). I've used Gerbera Daisies with great success, but since this sunflower was top heavy I used a larger magnet and even placed a few rocks around the base of the stem in case a breeze came through (I didn't want it to fall into my sister's fruit salad . . . or did I ;). Anyhoo -- the bigger the flower head, the bigger the magnet base I always say.

The youngest sister doesn't cook . . . but she sets a cute table.

And included a little gift at each place setting.

A pretty little fabric bag filled with jewelry.

Some of the sisters are bossy, so their stemware charms make them feel in charge.

Many trips to the 'beverage station' were taken . . .

. . . where they were greeted by . . .

. . . another proud sunflower (this one in a vase) and an old soda crate filled with succulents,

mimosas are a brunch staple

a Pig (planter) holding a bottle of champange next to a pitcher of orange juice.  Pigs always make an appearance when the sisters gather (long-standing 'who's the biggest pig humor). 

And of course . . .

MoM!  The lady who made their lives possible.

The sisters exchanged funny cards (tucked behind mom's frame) . . . kudoos to the one who brought the most hilarious and original card to the party!

The sisters will likely stay on 'the balcony' most of the day.  Brunching with a PiG and . . .

. . . thinking of the lady who loved sunflowers that brought them all together.

Resources for the wonderful pieces that dedicated their time and patience to this brunch ►
•  PiG -- a gift from a sister (of course) made in Mexico, she picked up at a locally owned West Texas import shop.
•  Tuscan (turquoise) Pitcher, and Tuscan Tidbit & Saucer, retired Southern Living at Home products
•  Gramercy Beverage Server, Willow House
•  Emerson Wine Glasses, Willow House
•  Frame of my gorgeous mom, a gift from my (oldest & wisest) sister
•  Sunflowers, Large Stemmed from Hobby Lobby; Small Paper (sprinkled on table) Pottery Barn
•  Juniper (green) Vase (with iron frame), retired Southern Living at Home product
•  Soda Crate filled with Succlents, garage sale find repurposed over here
•  White Tablecloth, efavormart
•  Burlap Table Runners, made from fabric yardage bought at Hobby Lobby
•  Covington Serving Tray, Willow House
•  Faux Grass & Reindeer Moss, Hobby Lobby
•  Black Rocks, Pottery Barn
•  Cabbage Leaf Placemats, Grandin Road (only seemed to be carried at Easter, every year)
•  Emerson Iced Beverage Glasses, Willow House
•  Gallery Flatware, retired Southern Living at Home product
•  Villa Stoneware Dinnerplate, retired Willow House product (ask me :)
•  Tuscan Accent Plate, retired Southern Living at Home product (ask me :)
•  Drake Firefly Lantern, Willow House
•  Sara Blaine Jewelry Bag & Willow House Jewelry by Sara Blaine, available here
•  Sunflower Garden Seat, Pier 1 Imports (many moons ago)
•  Pillows on Bench, Embroidered Scroll from Willow House

Thanks so much for stopping in :) this post is being linked up with ►
•  Between Naps on the Porch, Tablescapes Thursday
•  504 Main Tickled Pink Friday
•  Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt it Friday
•  Serenity Now: Weekend Bloggy Reading
•  Stuff and Nonsense: Friday's Unfolded
•  At the Picket Fench: Inspiration Friday
•  The Shabby Nest's Frugal Friday
•  French Country Cottage, Feathered Nest Friday
•  Thrifty Decorating, Thrifty Thursday's
•  Saved by Love, Thrifty Thursday
•  The Shabby Creek Cottage's Transformation Thursday
•  Brandy Craft's Get Your Brag On
•  Embracing Change Creative Inspirations Party
•  DiY by Design Swing into Spring Party
•  Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
•  Salt Tree Open Call Tuesdays
•  Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Tuesdays Treasures
•  Addicted 2 Decorating's Addicts (not so) Anonymous Party
•  Seasonal Sundays with The Tablescaper
•  Six Sisters Strut Your Stuff Saturday
•  Petite Hermine Sunday Linky Party
•  Organised Housewife Linky Party
•  My 1929 Charmer Sunday's Best
•  Under the Table & Dreaming's Sunday Showcase
•  Funky Junk Saturday Night Special Patios
•  Simply Klassic Home - Simply Klassic Sunday
•  Tator Tots & Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party

RePurpose a Vintage Soda Crate - Succulent Planter

I apologize for my tardy posts -- I have been enjoying our beautiful North Texas weather.  My front flower beds and garden demanded attention and I couldn't resist being outdoors.
I scored some beautiful flowering plants from our local Boy Scout Pack and the soil was just soft enough for me to plant them without asking for Mr. V's muscle -- he was very surprised to come home to the front flower beds all gussied up.  I hope my {un-green} thumb can keep them going strong.

I also popped over to Home Depot and scored some succulents to add to my weathered soda crates I ran across at a garage sale . . . LAST YEAR!  Mr. V has placed them out by the curb twice on trash day and I felt it was time to put them to use.  If he saw them in the garage again he might just load them in the back of his trusty pick-up and take them to the dump himself.    I inherited my father's tinkering trait and I fear I always 'have a plan' for the goodies I run across.   It is WAY beyond feathering the nest at this point -- so I can no longer use that excuse after almost 18 years of marriage.

Are you a shopper of The Home Depot ? You should join their Garden Glub ::: to receive a coupon for $5 off your next purchase of $50 or more, good through 4/30 and more $$ saving coupons just for being a member!   This offer expires soon -- so take advantage now . . . Your garden & planters will THaNK YOU!

Here is what I created out of my $1 soda crate

I had never heard of K.C. Love brand prior to finding this crate -- however, after a bit of googling I found out some cool info on the company founded in 1919!

My plan is to use the soda crate planters as part of a summer centerpiece for a few patio / swim parties.  I think I will ignore them enough that they will thrive -- at least I hope so.  The succulents do not require much water so I am not too concerned that the wood will rot out quicker than the plants will outgrow their space.  I also added a bit of cork to the bottom of each bottle square prior to adding the soil.  Hmmm . . . looks like our teak furniture needs a little T.L.C. too, time to bring out the oil!

I was so happy how it turned out that I made two.  I plan to give the 2nd succulent crate to one of my favorite Pickers -- who goes estate sale shopping with me.  I know she'll love it and will give it a good home.

☼UPDATE ::: Check out how I have already used my crate as a centerpiece in our Buenos Noches ~ Couples Sunset Dinner!

Speaking of good home . . .

My little dove watches my every move out on the patio.  Yes, she is still 'on the nest' -- I even think she is looking a little bored with it.  Patiently we wait . . .

Today I created some amazing centerpieces for a neighbor that I can't wait to share with you!  I am delivering them to her late this afternoon, so I cannot share them until she has a chance to see them herself.  I will post pictures tomorrow -- hope they inspire you!

OH - and I forgot to post the 3 Winners of our Shop and Go Totes!  They have already been contacted -- in fact their totes are on their merry way to them as I write this!
Congratulations to ::: Cindy O, Shannon H, and Andrea R!  Thank you so much for entering the giveaway!  Watch for more giveaways soon -- I love surprising fans with FREE Goodies!!

I am linking up to Rhoda's Southern Hospitality Thrifty Treasures and Tip Junkie's Homemade Projects. Beneath My Heart's Best DiY Projects for April . . . and Uncommon Design's -- Uncommonly Yours Linky Party, Centsational Girls Garden Party

Hope you and your family are having a beautiful Earth Week (yes, we are beyond Earth Day).