Wednesday, October 13, 2010

A Do-it Yourself Fire Pit for people that are NOT Do-it-Yourself!

My husband and I are not handy people. Not even an ounce when it comes to building things. However, after watching a step-by-step video on good ol' Lowe's website, we felt very confident we could turn some stone blocks and a run-of-the-mill fire pit bowl into something a little more special. It was so easy! The hardest part was trying to get the blocks home. Not realizing how heavy they are, we split the 68 rocks into 2 trips back and forth to Lowe's, and almost popped a wheelie in the Jeep after realizing how heavy the load was!

First step, take the cover off the bowl and place down where you want to start building. Layer the blocks in a circle around the cover.


Second Step, just start layering the next level, staggering them from how you built the first layer. Each layer will take 16 blocks for this particular bowl, which was 35" across.

This is what it will look like once you have all four levels complete. You can do 3 layers, but we wanted it a little bit higher.
Next, if your fire pit came assembled (as did ours, since it was the last one, a perfect floor model that they took $30 bucks off, score!) you will need to take the legs off it, so you are just left with the bowl. Place the bowl on top of the rock layers, making sure that the lip has enough overhang.
Eventually we would like to get some snazzy furniture to put around this, but for now, these $17 ace hardware adirondack chairs will have to suffice. We haven't lit it yet, I think we will christen it next Friday night when we have family coming over for my husband's birthday.

Cost breakdown:
64 Lowe's rocks - $2.48 ea+, minus 10% coupon I had = $143
Lowe's fire pit - $60
Adirondack chairs - (we already had two!) $34
Total Spent: $237, which I don't think bad, as alot of people I know have fancy installers come and built them one. Another plus? Its totally moveable since it doesn't have to be cemented down. So when we finally figure out next spring what we want to do with our yard, it can easily be transferred.

Halloween Mantel

I started decorating & cleaning today for our Halloween Soiree that we are having next Saturday. Today I spent a little time working on our living room Mantel. Thought I would take a quick break to share a photo of the finished product.....


Linking up with The Stories of A to Z for her fabulous Fall Mantel Party.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Living Room Part Deux

I am linking up with http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/ for Show Us your Life Friday. I am a little late in the game, but I figured why not. This past week she was showcasing Living Rooms. Here are a few photos of mine:





Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Summer Wrap Up

I figured I had better do a summer wrap up , since Fall will be here next week already! I definitely lost track of time this summer, as being unemployed right now, has its benefits with being able to take some great little trips.
Below find some photos of our trip to Cape Cod this July. The house that our friends family rented was fabulous - loved each and every room.


Sunset from Rock Harbor Beach across the street from our house.





Back view of the house Family Room

Fabulous Paper Mache Fish that hung over the doorway of the family room/dining room.

Hydrangea centerpiece I cut from the front bushes.
This house was loaded with those beautiful flowers!


Loved this fabulous Kitchen! We cooked almost every night here, especially since there was a wonderful fish market directly across the street on the bay.
Front view of "Harbor House"
We are counting down the days until our Cape vacation next July !

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Look who's one!

This past Saturday was my nephew Cooper's 1st Birthday! Where does the time go? I feel like he was just born a couple of months ago. We decided to do a baseball themed party since his middle name is Fenway and his dad is a lover of all things Red Sox!
Here is the tent that we rented since it was going to be almost 90 degrees.....

Trail mix that his mom made up for the little ones that couldn't eat all the fun snacks....




Baseball & Bat favors for the kids
Cotton Candy!



Popcorn from the popcorn maker

Red Sox cake that I made!



The Birthday Boy Turns One!!!!
His first taste of cake. He was so mad!
Hmm..maybe this doesn't taste so bad!


Cooper and his Uncle Tribbs


We sent an invitation to his party to the Red Sox team and they sent back a little note
 and a bunch of little fun things!

Friday, June 11, 2010

Welcome to the World!

Our new nephew, Cayden Joseph was born May 23rd at 1:15 p.m. We are so happy that he is here
and is so happy and healthy!


Big Brother Nick arriving at the hospital!