Porch Revamp

I have never been an outdoor person.  Maybe it comes from my need to have order and cleanliness.  Or maybe it comes from being an only child growing up in an urban area.  We moved out to the country, where my family roots go deep, when I was 11.  Fourteen years later, I am embracing the beauty and space. 

I especially love our current home.  My grandfather owned it in the 60s and 70s before building his current home.  How cool that now 4 generations of our family have lived in this house?  (Side note:  5 generations of my mom's family have lived her her house!)

This year, I've taken it upon myself to really spruce up the yard and porch.  I have been keeping myself super busy, so I don't feel lonely.  Scott found full-time employment on a dairy farm which is a dream for him, but he works anywhere from 12-19 hours a day.  (Another side note:  I was working on Hayes genealogy recently and discovered that Hayes men have been farmers for at least 10 generations.  It is truly in his blood!) 

I apologize in advance for the mix of cell phone pictures from 2 different phones and from my camera.  I took pictures with what was convenient.  I made grids of all the pictures for viewing simplicity as well.

The first one has a whole bunch of garage sale finds that I used on the porch.  The flowers are all violent and salmon colored impatiens as well was the green sweet potato vines.

• The two hanging baskets say Hope and Faith.  Bought for 25 cents a piece and I spray painted them to match my color scheme of grape and oregano.  The metal stand was given to me by my mother-in-law, Kay.  The bowl was from a garage sale for 75 cents.
• Wire basket with clay pots came from a sale, I already had the goblet in the center.  I think the basket was a buck with pots.
• Small medicine cabinet, I painted grape from a baby pink.  I think it was also a dollar.  Filled it with old tins I have collected over the years.
• Another dollar find, a stylized vertical American flag out of wood.  It's probably 3 feet tall and hangs next to the door.
• Wicker loveseat also came from my mother-in-law.  The inset shows the old wood stain that was chipping away.  Painted it oregano and bought the cushion at Meijer for $25.

• The Hayes sign came from Scott's grandparents house.  The hanging baskets were garage sale finds for $3 a piece with the coconut liners, plus a spare liner.  Filled with salmon impatiens.
• The hanging baskets were originally white.
• I spray painted the basket grape and the chains are oregano. 

• The first picture is the start of the dream.  I made an amaaaaaazing trip to Countryside Greenhouse that I wish could have lasted much longer.  DOLLAR MENU PLANTS!  However I had both kids, it was like 90 outside so about 1 million degrees inside, so things went south fast.  I got all the stuff I came for and can't wait to go back next year when they new BIGGER location opens.  These are sweet potato vines in 3 different shades.
• All lined up and ready to go in.  Bought two flats of impatiens at a local greenhouse to fill miscellaneous planters, including these.  Scott built the box for me out of (you guessed it) garage sale wood!  $2 for the boards.
• Everybody is in and happy!

Next post... the new flower beds!