Plastic Flower Pot Drainage Holes...Without A Drill!

When one of my favorite cra.ck houses, Big Lots, had a summer clearance sale I went ca-razy!  I mean 70% off planters? Yes please!  However, imagine my surprise when I am ready to fill these babies and there are no drainage holes!  I didn't even know they made them that way.

Since I am new to this whole DIY thing, I don't have a lot of the tools.  I mean I have the basics, hammer, screwdriver, wrench, etc.  However, I have not invested in a good power drill.  What's an un-savvy, unskilled DIY'er to do? Improvise! 

A quick search of these here inter-webs proved fruitful. See how easy:

 

The Naked Tree

Before

 

 

My continued efforts to renovate, spring clean, re-decorate and organize are not limited to the inside of our home.  First, I love this tree so much, it was big and leafy and full and beautiful!  However, it was hindering grass and plant growth, overhung the sidewalk and most importantly was a hazard to my house and my neighbor's house.  If there was ever a strong enough storm, branches from that tree would have taken most of me and my neighbor's house out!  So we, reluctantly, had to get her nipped and tucked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boo Thang may have poured out a little liquor for those fallen tree limbs! This country boy was
NOT pleased with having to trim this tree...neither was his daughter.

A couple of our neighbors came out to console E...kidding! LOLOL

We still haven't gotten used to the tree being slimmed and trimmed. However, we are glad it is less of a hazard now.  I applied weed and feed to the grass placing extra care to the patches that normally wouldn't grow.  I also began looking for ideas of what plants/shrubs I want to place under the tree now that things might actually grow there now!

   

Done...Almost!

This is major progress right?! I ran short on supplies, had NO desire to go back to Ikea, ESPECIALLY over a weekend,  then got caught up in another project. However, let me remind you of the before:

Compared to the before picture, this is "may-ja"

Signs of Spring

This plant grows long and strong! I love the pretty yellow blooms.

Spring has always been my favorite time of year; not too hot, not cold and near constant sunshine! When I lived in OH, I craved spring time after the often sunless and cold winters.  The smell of fresh cut grass, the first barbecue and beautiful blooming flowers and shrubs. I LOVE spring.

Never mind I need to clean the beds and add fresh black mulch.

I am NO Green Thumb Goddess though I try every year. While I don't remember the names of most of the plants that have survived my brown thumb, I am SURE I picked them because they were easy to maintain and would thrive in the Texas heat and humidity.

Buds from my lemon bush. Think I'm going to add a lime bush to the mix! 

I have began paying more attention to where the sun rises and sets in my back yard because I want to plant a vegetable garden. When I was growing up someone is our family ALWAYS had a garden. I can't remember ever going to a grocery store for the fruits and vegetables we ate. My grandmothers had gardens and fruit trees, there were wild berries we picked and ate all the time. Yeah, I'm going to grow my own vegetables.

Elephant ears are also one of my favorite plants. 

This is another plant that grows really nicely during spring

This one only blooms during the spring and is so fragrant!

How does YOUR garden grow?

The Pantry Is Empty People!!!!

 



Have no idea what that nasty stain is on the bottom shelf *gag*

How about this wasn't even all of the stuff that was in the pantry! smh

We are currently on Spring Break! B is at her favorite camp for a few days and I have a long list of 'To Do', one of which is to complete this pantry! My head hurts just looking at all this stuff!

 

2013 Project List

 

Our home is cozy, relaxing and un-organized!  I cannot function in chaos! Cleaned closets, orderly cabinets make my heart smile. Every thing having and being in its place makes me happy! 

Currently however, this chaos has gotten out of control! You know when something small breaks or is in need of repair and you constantly say, *"I's gettin to it Pa"; "I'll take care of it this weekend." But then 'this weekend' turns into several months? Well, right now that is my house and the million little projects that I need and want to get done.

I love it when my home feels and looks put together...it sooooo does not right now! LOL Instead of wearing myself out over a month of Saturdays I'm going to do something Pacific specific every month.  My list is general in nature but there may be several components to that big picture.

I am sure I will keep you guys updated as I mosey along but here is the big picture list:

• Complete pantry organization/update
• Update Kitchen cabinet décor
• Create a Home Command Binder
• Organize/update linen closet
• Clean and organize garage (it is soooo bad in there)
• Laundry space makeover (this will be a challenge because that space is in the garage)
• Cosmetic updates to B's room (different curtains,closet system, mirrored closet doors)
• Replace vanity and mirror in main bathroom
• Replace and paint doors throughout the house (there will be shiny black paint involved for one lucky door!)
• Screen door for the door leading to the garage
• Bigger dining table glass and new chairs
• Make curtains for living room (finally!)
• Family room makeover (it just doesnt flow well the way it is currently set up)
• Guest bedroom makeover (it is the keeper of crap right now)
• Master Bedroom and Bathroom remodel (this will be the biggest and most costly project and the one I am MOST excited about) 

With all of the other things I have going on this should be interesting and fun! Stay tuned

Are there any projects you plan on tackling this year?

 *Name the movie

Peacock Feathers!

My co-workers rock so hard! Only in Texas do you have co-workers who live on 5 acres and have peacocks as pets! LOL

The colors are unique and the feathers are long!  I have been threatening to make feathered place-mats ever since I was looking to purchase some a few years ago...they were $40. EACH.

For now they are chilling in a vase in the living room and more in the garage until I decide what else to do with them or find some creative person to make me a few place-mats!

Pantry Organization Ideas

So if you've seen my pantry you know it is in dire need of some TLC.  I am completely embarrassed to have even shown y'all that mess!  I have been combing these here internets and Pinterest (of course) for some inexpensive ideas and I was OVERWHELMED by the sheer amount of organizing people do.  I thought my OCD was bad but girl, no!  There are people that get it in!! LOL

So after sifting through tons of pictures and reading loads of web sites I think I finally have a more detailed idea of what I want my pantry to look like and the materials I want to use to achieve it.  Since my pantry is not the size of walk in closet I have to be extremely mindful of my space limitations. 

Here are a few of my favorite ideas:

This is one of my favorite ideas for cookie sheets and cutting boards
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I love the etching on the jars. Fortunately, I have a neighbor that does this!
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OMG! What an ingenious idea! For the amount of fresh garlic
and shallots I use this is cute and functional!
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This will free up soooo much space on my pantry shelves for storing ketchup, vinegars, etc.
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The more functional ideas I see the more excited I get about actually getting the pantry completed.  I am going to take @NerdGirl's suggestion and paint the entire pantry because I KNOW I will regret it later if I don't!

Pantry Organization Project - What I Want

I am embarrassed that I am putting myself on blast like this...that pantry is atrocious!

What I want to accomplish with the Pantry Organization Project:

•  Effectively utilize all of the space in the pantry, the floor and the height
• Paint or wallpaper. I haven’t decided if I am going to update the puke yellow color that is there now or just leave it as is and repaint the shelves only
• I want to have a designated space for all of my baking necessities, flours, cornmeal, chocolate chips, etc.
• A space for dry pastas
• I have a binder basket full of extra spices that require organization too
• A space for lunch and snack items needs to be carved out
• I want to find baskets for the floor to hold the extra of the things we use often and for miscellaneous items that don’t require designated space but still need to be properly organized
• I want to move all of the small appliances I don't use often out to the garage (which needs major cleaning also) where there is proper shelving to hold all of that stuff, chafing dishes, pasta maker, etc.
• I also want a space for my likka until I find a nice beverage cart to place in the living room
• I want something to hold boxes of foil, plastic wrap, sandwich bags etc.
• A proper bin for the dog food (haven’t decided if this will remain in the pantry or get moved to the garage)
• I want to add a hook or two to hold a couple of aprons
• I want to designate a space for my cookie sheets and cutting boards as well
• A new door...maybe