Random thoughts on an almost summer Saturday morning:
1. I wanted to take a moment to celebrate Memorial Day this morning. I think sometimes the true meaning of Memorial Day gets lost in the middle of barbeques and grilling and sales and corn on the cob. As a former navy wife, this day has a special place in my life. It’s a day to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I wish I could put into words the gratefulness that I feel in my heart for all of these incredible warriors for life and liberty, but the words of the third verse of America the Beautiful say it so much better than I ever could:
Oh beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life
2. I’ve been thinking about self-watering options for the planters on the front porch.
I found these self-watering spikes that you attach a water bottle to and insert into the planter.
Do you have any good options you’ve used for self-watering?
3. Are you following me over on Instagram? Be sure and check out my stories for all the behind the scenes of every project. I’m in the middle of stenciling a dresser right now.
(total aside: if you don’t have Instagram no worries. I will always keep posting on this blog. 🙂
4. It was a fun week on the blog. We talked about amazing outdoor decor finds under $25 and talked about 17 simple ways to refresh your home for summer and that I finally figured out how to keep my outdoor rugs in place and I shared the best advice I never gave.
And I shared a fun video over on my YouTube channel that shows how to make a DIY pallet wood letter.
Whew.
That was a busy week.
And now? Let’s distract ourselves with all the fun ideas and inspiration I found from around the web.
This is such a fun DIY.
It’s leaf silhouette art. A make-it-yourself version of high-end artwork.
You can see the DIY here.
This clever idea for a DIY mirror.
I wish I would have thought of this one.
Here’s the link to the instructions.
What a fun idea for a walkway.
She made her own vintage boards.
See the DIY here.
This before and after bathroom.
I cannot believe where this started.
See the before (and the after) here.
And in random news this week:
This outdoor DIY
These tiny bee homes
14 simple decluttering tasks
This fun DIY outdoor side table
This idea for slatted bookshelves
This wreath is so pretty
How good is your color vision?
Indoor gardening ideas
What to say to someone during a hard time
These free fonts are so pretty
And in keeping myself busy news, I’m all about a paper flower DIY.
This is one of my favorites.
And one more for the road.
Did you know I was married to a sailor?
Here’s a picture of us from the first year we were married.
And these?
These are our stories.
Always look forward to Thistlekeeping, my friend! Love hearing about what you are doing, and seeing others projects!
That color test was fun. I got 10 out of 11. The gold fish foiled my perfect score. Always enjoy your Saturday post.
Love your pose story. Use to live in a navy town and learned the truth about a navy (or service wife). The hardest job in the navy is a Navy wife. Amen!!!
9 out of 11 on the color test. Blacks and browns seem to be problematic for me. Can I just say .... every time I see the before pictures at French Country Cottage all I can think is, "I would have set the house on fire and started over". She is truly a visionary. Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend and thank you for reminding us of the sacrifice of others.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend~ and may the third verse of "America the Beautiful" become more well known! Thanks for sharing ~ I just adore all the stories, links and your Saturday wrap up.
I always look forward to Thistlekeeping, but this one was special - thanks for reminding folks that Memorial Day isn't just the "unofficial start of summer." It's tricky to balance trying to remember your comrades and still enjoy people celebrating what was thought for. Loved the America the Beautiful verse.
Whoops, that should be "fought for," not "thought for!"
You two are the cutest couple ever! Pat
KariAnne - I LOVE the picture of you and your hubby. And I also love it when you just give us random items and blogs to click to. It's more fun clicking all those links and finding new things and new blogs!
I got 10 out of 11- the Raven got me! I'm realizing we follow a lot of the same blogs:) But nice to look at them again and also introducing me to new ones. LOVE the 3rd verse!!! Thank you and your cute hubby for his service♥
I just adore that last photo of you two lovebirds!! xoxo