Rain Barrel Solution

Last summer I got this rain barrel which was on sale, but I never hooked it up, mainly because it rained so much last summer I didn't need to water my garden, but also because getting a rain barrel is only half of it, then you need a diverter/overflow control gizmo to set it up.  I looked around for something in a reasonable price range.  There are some ingenious systems out there, like this for $29.95:

or this for $34.50:

but I wasn't about to pay almost half what I paid for the barrel itself!  My whole goal was to SAVE money on water!  So I went to the home store and picked up this in the gutter section for $2.39!

When I want to collect rainwater, I angle it like this:








 










 
And when I don't, I simply tuck it in to the bottom part like so:
 






I can live without all that fancy overflow control stuff.  I figure, I'm in my garden often enough; if I notice the thing's full, or if I'm going out of town, it takes half a second to reposition it.  Works for me!

Score!

Have you guys heard about the Habitat for Humanity Restore? It's a wonderful charity that takes old/surplus building supplies, sells them, and uses the money to help build homes for people in need. I'm always up for supporting a good cause!

We were browsing there the other day, looking for some material for remodeling our master bath. We didn't find anything, but I spotted this and my heart started beating wildly:



What, a gross old stovetop? That looked like someone had puked inside it? Yes! It was exactly what I had been planning to replace our nasty old cooktop, but it retails for around $1600.00 so it was still a pipe dream. But this baby was $195.00. Yes you heard me, $195!!! I had the hub grab it and after a quick cleanup, some grunting and groaning, and a couple runs to Lowe's, my cooktop went from this:



Let's get a closeup on the icky stains:



To this:





It cleaned up wonderfully, and gives our kitchen a nice sleek look!

Since we had to pull everything out from under the stove in order to install the new one, I figured I might as well reorganize! Here's the before:


I know, I know. So I installed some pegboard on the sides so I could hang stuff, put down my favorite contact paper from Target, and voila!



I might actually want to cook now! I know, my life must be so dull that I get so excited about a cooktop, but you guys understand, I'm sure.

Be sure and visit your local Habitat Restore regularly. You never know what you may find!

I'm linking up

Coyote

This guy has been hanging around the neighborhood for a while. My daughter saw him in the woods weeks ago, but suddenly he's coming close to houses, and runs down the streets. I love the wildlife we get here, but I can't help being concerned for the neighborhood dogs and cats. So far he seems pretty scared of people and dogs.

Summer Dreams

What is there to do on a mid-winter day but dream of summer? I can't wait until I can do some of my favorite summer things, such as..

going to baseball games

rescuing baby birds

finding baby bunnies hidden in the yard

enjoying my first batch of home-grown strawberries

spying baby foxes on my daily walk

having the whole school (practically) over to play

What's your favorite summer memory?

Merry Christmas

Cantering

Here's a video of my daughter cantering her horse for the first time. I'm so proud, she looks great!

A Tray Makeover

This summer has gone by so fast and I haven't taken the time to blog about it. Sorry! I'll resume my blog with this tutorial.

HOW TO MAKEOVER A TRAY.

1. Buy an old ugly tray at Goodwill.

2. Upload image of ugly goodwill tray. Have your computer die. Spend 3 weeks attempting to salvage your hard drive. Give up. Just be glad you still have your AFTER pictures.

3. Paint it a glossy black and decoupage it with some pretty paper. Add some flowers and admire its place in your sun room.



4. Watch as your cat inches closer and closer to your newly completed work of art.





5. Accept the inevitable...