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).

Cool & Breezy ::: Paint Your Porch Ceiling Blue

We are definitely in the midst of patio season here in North Texas and we're gussying up our digs for late spring and early summer entertaining (before it gets unbearably hot). 

As I work on my wish list and project list, I thought I would share an idea that is worth all of us to consider . . . Painting your Porch Ceiling Blue :::

via Southern Living

This example from Southern Living is a playful nod to traditional Southern Haint Blue. A fan keeps the area cool on warm days, and curtains add privacy to the space.

The painted blue ceiling of this porch makes it just right for relaxing! Pale blue softens and diffuses light. It’s relaxing and more welcoming than white.

... Because pale blue ceilings look like the sky, they create the illusion of infinite height and seem to prolong daylight. As an added bonus, they supposedly keep bugs away. Could be insects are tricked into thinking the ceiling is the sky—not a good place to build a nest. It’s more likely that the pest control power of pale blue paint goes back to the days when it contained lye, a known insect repellent.

Pale blue paint has another benefit, too. Carolina low country legend has it that pale blue paint wards off Haints, spirits of the dead caught in a restless limbo between the physical world and the hereafter. Haints can’t cross water, so the Gullahs applied it to surfaces like porch ceilings, shutters, doors and window trim to keep them away. That’s why it’s called “Haint Blue.”

You won’t find Haint Blue at the hardware store, though. Haint Blue is a generic term that covers the many shades of blue that evoke water and sky. The best color for your porch ceiling depends on your exterior color scheme, porch orientation and the style of your house.

My opinion is that it is worth a try (the bug part, not so much the spirit part), especially on porch ceilings, gazebo ceilings, etc.
See tips & sources for Haint Blue Paint as well as here.

For 59 more Breezy Porches & Patios ideas, check out these Southern Living pics.  

And -- make the most from your patio with even more tips from Southern Living.

Speaking of making the most from a patio --

My little turtle dove pair has made their home and is 'on the nest'!  They've been swapping turns since I spoke about them last week in my FLoWeR PoWeR HaPPy HouR post. 

Which begs me to question . . . the incubation period of their eggs.  About 2 weeks -- Thanks Wikipedia :)

Psst . . . don't forget to ENTER to WiN the Shop and Go Tote GiveAway!  Hope you are having a great week!

My Love of Tote-able Totes & a Give-Away!

I hope you all had a wonderfully beautiful weeknd! I enjoyed some welcomed family time and it was perfect. We are definitely in the SWiNG of SPRiNG around here and are days are filled with school activities, day trips and yard work -- which is never ending (but I think we are getting ahead of it -- ah, finally!)

With all our running around it helps to keep some easy to clean, easy to pack, and easy to carry totes handy.  There are many versions available, but I must admit Willow House's Shop and Go Totes are ideal . . .

Source

They fold up easily, so I keep a few close at hand in my purse -- when I make a 'quick' run into Target -- I receive a 5 cent discount at checkout for each reusable bag I use. {it all adds up!} . . . Read more about Target savings over at The Frugal Girls.

Perfect little gifts to keep on hand too -- next time you are meeting some girlfriends for lunch, how sweet would it be to hand them a tote with a little gift card attached (Target, Whole Foods -- you name it).  They'll love it -- a sweet little Busy Mom's Treat -- we all better plan a lunch prior to Mother's Day :).

A must for travel!  Used at the airport to keep your suitcase from going over the weight limit.  My sister Liela is an avid Cruiser and she won't leave the boat without them.

I use it in the garden, when I am clipping florals or herbs, and yes, {*sigh*} picking weeds.  So much easier than lugging around a bucket! 

And while Willow House suggests 'Hand Wash Only' -- my family and I toss them in the washing machine repeatedly without a problem.  I'll drip dry if my load is destined for high heat, otherwise they go in the dryer too . . . and we've been doing this for years!

For 25 reasons to Go Reusable, check out the scary reality of how plastic bags are hurting our environment here.  :(
For 101 other uses for the Willow House Shop and Go Totes click here :)

Psst -- don't forget Earth Day is celebrated on Sunday, April 22. 
Now for the Give-Away!

Up for GRABS ::: a Set of 3 Shop and Go Totes delivered direct to your door!

There will be 3 Winners -- 3 different winners, each winning a Set of 3 Totes!

I created a Google Doc form for entries. This prevents any of our email addresses from being harvested by blog-crawling harvester bots (ooooh!), 

• Simply leave a comment for one entry. (Make sure you leave your e-mail address, so I can contact you if you win!)
• For a second entry, visit my facebook page and if you like what you see, become a fan -- Come back to this post and leave a second comment letting me know you are a NEW Fan!
• For a third entry, subscribe to my newsletter and leave one last comment letting me know you have (or already do.) The subscribe box can be found here or within my website here.

The giveaway will run through Saturday, April 14, 2012, at midnight EST. It is only open to readers over the age of 18 and living in the lower 48 US states.  THREE Winners will be randomly chosen and announced on Sunday, April 15.

Psst -- I am using Random.org's integer generator to choose a random winner.
THANK YOU in Advance & Good luck, everyone!