Vintage suitcase filled with squash and pinecones.

I’m a big fan of vintage style. And I love decorating with vintage containers. I use them in my garden and in my home. Let me show you a few ways you can use vintage containers in your decor as well. With the weather turning cooler, the gardening season is winding down. But I’m still using vintage containers in my garden. They’re a great way to show off your autumn displays.Read More →

Picnic table set for an autumn picnic

Autumn is the perfect time to go on a picnic.  The weather is cooler but not yet cold.  The changing colors of the leaves are so beautiful and inspiring.  And you get to spend time outdoors with friends and family.  But do you ever struggle with getting out the door?  You intend to go on a lovely picnic but can’t seem to make it work?  I want to share myRead More →

Park style bench with pillows and 2 pots filled with pumpkins

Usually when I talk about porches I am referring to the porch on Pinecone Cottage.  But today I want to talk about the porch on the front of my house.  It’s very sad looking right now and needs a redo.  By this time of year the flower pots are looking scraggly and it’s time to add some cozy to my furnishings. Do you need a fall update for your porch? Read More →

The fall season is a wonderful time for gathering natural materials for your autumn decor.  I look to nature to provide much of my autumn decorations and embellishments.  Not only do I enjoy the gathering process, but the colors and textures are perfect for the fall. I would like to share some of the natural materials that are ripe for the picking.  And give you some suggestions on how toRead More →

A fall pillow on a red metal chair on the Autumn Garden Porch

It’s feeling like Autumn… well, just a little. The mornings have a crispness to them. The sun hangs at a lower angle, which diffuses the light differently. And the garden is slowing down. Definitely not as many zucchinis growing in the autumn garden. So what’s a gardener to do when the season is slowly changing? Embrace it! Every season offers some enjoyment and beauty in the garden. As we moveRead More →

Do you have a potting bench in your garden?  A place where you can plant seeds and pot your flowers?  This is something that I have been thinking about for some time.  While I do have a potting bench in Pinecone Cottage, I don’t really want to be dragging in potting soil and water.  So I decided to create an outdoor potting bench. I’m using an area behind my gardenRead More →

A turqoise table set for lunch

One of the best birthday presents I ever received was a table. Actually, it was a Turquoise Table. And I love my table. Have you heard of The Turquoise Table? It’s a book and movement by Kristin Schell to help connect people and build communities. The premise behind the Turquoise Table is to set a table in your front yard and then be available to your neighbors. I have beenRead More →

Decorated porch with flag and bunting

Don’t you just love a good porch?  It offers a great way to enjoy your yard and garden on a warm summer night or a crisp fall morning.  Whether you have a massive wrap around, a full size or a postage stamp size porch, they can all provide wonderful benefits.  These 6 tips for decorating your porch can help you to make the most of this space. Here are someRead More →

Oilcloth garland hanging from garden shed roof

I’ve been working on a new craft project. One that I can use outdoors to decorate my garden for the season. I enjoy making banners, garlands, and bunting, but typically they don’t do well outdoors. So I decided to make this oilcloth bunting for my garden. Oilcloth is water-resistant and therefore can handle the moisture from the sprinklers. This fabric is actually made from vinyl with a cotton mesh backing.Read More →

School is winding down, vacations are scheduled and the days are definitely getting longer. As summer rolls around, we spend more time outdoors in our yards and gardens. We have company over more often and many times these get-togethers will occur on the spur of the moment. Here are some tips for easy summer entertaining to make your summer life less stressful. 6 Tips for Easy Summer Entertaining… Keep ItRead More →