Savoring Summer

It's been a while since we last posted.  Kids, summer and school have had our attention lately.
Although summer is officially over, due to the new school year, the girls and I just can't resist taking advantage of the warm nights.  As the girls ran through the sprinkler for probably the last time, I realized I never shared with you my favorite find of the summer.

 

Before we had left for our Forth of July trip to the cabin, I had seen these boxwood topiary at The Home Depot.  I was in love!  They were fab.  But way to much at $100 each.  Still a great price though!  After the trip, everything was on sale, and I couldn't believe there were still some left.....at 50% off!!!

I got two of them for $50 each.  Now I just need to figure out how to keep them alive through the winter!  Any ideas?

 

These pots were actually hanging baskets that were also on sale for under $8 each.  I bought a ton of them and put them all around the patio, in pots, and window boxes.  I saved a bundle! 

 

Although I will miss my beautiful roses, and flowering pots, I can't wait for fall.  It's my favorite season!  I look forward to mums, pumpkins, and falling leaves.  Maybe I'll be lucky and find a great deal for some fall planting as well.  Speaking of planting.....the Fall is a great time to plant!  Plus, most nurseries have all their stock on sale too. 

Thrifty Outdoor Pots

I have been rather thrifty this season with my outdoor pots.  I usually spend a small fortune when they are all said and done.  Well, this year, I was hoping to make some changes.  

I new I needed to replace the pots on the front porch, and lucked out a few weeks ago, when mom spotted some brand new ones with the tags still attached at a local thrift store, Savers.  They were a steel at only $10 each! 

They started out an orange terracotta color, which wouldn't work for me.  So, I put my girls to work with some left over black paint.  They turned out great.

My little helpers.  They are always asking to help me paint and since the answer is usually no, I thought this was the perfect project for them. 

I also saved a ton on the flowers.  I picked up eight huge alyssum, at a $1 each.  I bought them in Crystal Lake at The Green House of Crystal Lake.  Anne and I have been going there for years.  We think they are very reasonable, super nice and always have a great selection.  The kids also love the huge lumberjack and American Indian statues out front.  As for the boxwood, I picked them up at The Home Depot for $16.97 each.  I could of opted for the smaller ones, for $7.00 each, but thought the larger would look better.   

Simple, clean and classic.  At only $31.00 each, pot included, that's some good thrifting.

I even have some on the patio, that I planted last week.  At that time, the boxwood I bought were $4.00 each at The Home Depot.  Now that was a deal.  Too bad it didn't last that long!  These pots only cost me $8.00 each (I have two), the pots are from previous years, and they each have 4 alyssum as well.  Looks like I have some weeding to do!  My next challenge are my window boxes out back.  Hmmmmm? 

Don't forget, we are open this weekend, and Kane County Flea Market is this weekend as well!  Go see our friend Mary from An Urban Farm Girl and Co.  She will be doing her first Kane market for the season, and she has been working her tail off getting ready for it.  Please stop by her booth and give her a visit. She is located in the Arena Building, which is on the main drag, across from the office. Have a great weekend everyone!