This past weekend I happened to be driving by a yard sale that looked promising. You know what I mean, the stuff looked like it belonged in a store and not at the dump. It had great yard things, including a red patio set that caught my eye, plus other great finds for the home. (My instagram picture, minus the kitty, of course.)

Yard saling used to be a priority for us when our kids were younger. We bought soccer equipment, clothes, bikes, things for the pool.

And then for our backyard we bought a patio heater, furniture, garden tools – so many yard things.

We’ve literally saved thousands of dollars by being thrifty and yard saling throughout the years.

My finds this week included this red patio set for only $50. It was like brand new and our front courtyard area that Lowe’s helped us with last year was screaming for something RED.

This beautiful heavy tray added the pop of color I was looking for in this corner of our living room.

8 black salad plates for a few bucks. A small side table for the pool area. And my favorite … more than the red patio set, was the monkey tree.

A few sales this year have satisfied my longing for a few new things (new to me), because at the same time, we’re in a stage of life where we don’t want to hold on to too much stuff. We’re actually trying to get rid of stuff. So my philosophy now is if I bring something new into the home, I have to get rid of something.

It works. And it reminds me that I don’t want to be a collector of anything!

What are your favorite finds from yard saling this summer?

The post Yard Things and Bargains for the Home appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

Casual.

Creating a mood of comfort and relaxation.

Informal and gracious.

Autumn brings an un-intimidating, yet celebratory, kind of entertaining.

We can get over our fears of “entertaining” by exchanging that word for something that sounds more casual, like “having people over.”

Having people over.

It’s not about style, or being the perfect hostess.

Having people over.

Creating and sharing a happy occasion.

Having people over.

A reflection of who you are. Whatever your personal style may be.

Having people over during the Autumn season.

Use bargain entertaining items such as these Dollar Tree green wine glasses.

The simplicity of pears for ambience.

Or yard sale napkins and pretty glass plates.

Set out a pot of chili, yummy hearty bread, some chutney and dip, and bake up a simple Autumn dessert.

It doesn’t have to be intimidating.

Keep entertaining simple.

Casual.

Does the word “entertaining” scare you? Have you converted over to a more casual lifestyle of “having people over?”

Catch up on my first 26 Days, HERE. :)

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It’s one of my favorite colors, so you can only imagine how thrilled I was when the Dollar Tree started carrying olive-green tinted wine glasses.

I stocked up, told my friend Jenny about them, and she stocked up too.

Then when I went back to buy more, all the stores in my area were sold out.

But guess what? That is the beauty of your friends stocking up also, because you get to share!

I love green because it’s the color of spring, summer and fall … and Christmas! It’s so versatile, I couldn’t wait to buy more for larger gatherings.

And, did you know you can actually go online to the Dollar Tree to buy items in bulk numbers of 12 or more?

Perfect for entertaining.

I’ve often had readers ask about my glass plates that I use quite often. It was such a deal to buy them at a yard sale, but I did come across these that are also sold at the Dollar Tree.

Again, perfect for entertaining and holidays, showers, you name it …

I’ve been enjoying the “new green.” And was happy when my friend brought her basket of glasses over for a larger party I was hosting.

Replacing the “clear glass.”

For a fresh entertaining look.

Do you like clear glass or colored glass for entertaining?

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You might remember my post here, where I cried out for help in “sprucing up” my $60 yard sale find. Thank you all, through Facebook and through my blog, on so many awesome, creative ideas that you shared with me. I appreciate you taking the time to share.

What’s an easy way to look at something old, with fresh eyes, and make it something new to you?

My sisters and I were out for my birthday lunch, and after shopping in Jacksonville, we headed home to fix up my entertaining hutch. (Really cool shopping at Farmhouse Treasures, in Jacksonville, OR.) My friend, Steph and I had already bought some decals from Target.

-Change up the look
-Something affordable
-Easy to change to a new look, if you get tired of the old

My sis, Di, jumped in and got the ball rolling! (While my sis, Linda, was ironing. Yes, it was my birthday lunch and my sisters really blessed me with good food, fun, help, laughter on my day.)

When looking for things to fix up, I’ve become very practical. I don’t want to fill my home with “stuff” unless it has a purpose, so here’s my perspective on buying second hand furniture:

1. Look at the wood, shape, design, and functionality and evaluate if it’s something you really need.

2. Think outside of the box, and instead of just filling up shelves, use baskets for a cleaner look.

3. Make it functional and store glasses that you actually use, for easy access.

4. Use the drawer space for more than junk. In my case, I store ironed cloth napkins.

5. Make something your focal point. The Pork Board just sent me a beautiful white platter, perfect for the large open space. (From a project we just finished … stay tuned.)

6. More practically, fill a colored container with tea light candles, easy for quick entertaining access.

7. Think in contrast. Black decals add “zip” to the already old wood, as well as a new kind of “fanciness.”

I love what we did. I really was looking for the best quick change, without buying a quart of paint (and getting out all of those supplies).

So, how did I organize, or what’s in the baskets?

I’ll let you in on a little secret of mine. I love paper napkins, especially for summertime entertaining. My friend, Steph, was visiting us from Portland and she took on the challenge of organizing my baskets. By the end of the process, she said, No more paper napkins! You have enough! LOL – agree!

So Steph helped me out. And we finished our project!

Very practical with glasses, paper and cloth napkins, cookbooks, serving platters, and a big tub of tea lights.

Wah-Lah – Complete!

Are you good at looking at a piece of furniture with a fresh perspective, to change things up a bit?

The post Repurposing a Yard Sale Bargain to an Entertaining Hutch appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

Welcome to my backyard!

You may remember a couple of years ago when I wrote about getting free pallets from the local Grange Co-Op, and growing our climbing roses up them.

Then.

And now.

We brought the pallets home and painted them the color of the fence, putting them side by side, making our own trellises. (We have 2 sets in the backyard, too!)

We’ve been enjoying the 2 different rose colors and the fullness of the flowers.

This is my first time to post about this side of the house, which greets you with beauty and color, as you enter through the side gate.

On the left, herbs are slow to grow this year. Lots of rain and not a lot of heat.

Over on the right, we already harvested our strawberries.

Do you ever look for “free” items when working on garden projects in your yard?

The post DIY Free Trellises for Climbing Rose Bushes appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

It’s hard to believe that next week is the 4th of July, because the weather has been cold in Oregon! Brrr! It’s hard to get in the entertaining mood and think about entertaining outdoors when it’s rainy and chilly. But … I did pull out my tub of 4th supplies, which I keep up in the attic.

Every year I stock up for supplies at the Dollar Store for the next year.

It makes for easy entertaining, because all I have to do is invite the people and plan the menu, knowing I already have all the stuff.

For the 4th of July, I find shopping the Dollar Store to be very helpful, because it’s such a simple, easy holiday.

Colors: Red, white and blue
Theme: American flag
Dinnerware: Mix and match plastic, paper, and glass
Tablecloths: Plastic which you can reuse or toss
Who to invite: Friends, family, neighbors, those who don’t have a place to go to
Menu: Traditional American BBQ – make sure and delegate so you don’t have to do it all
Dessert: Homemade ice cream (a must!)

I bought 24 Melamine plates that I store in the tub, and use year after year. They are nice and big, perfect for adults and kids! Easy to wash up and store.

The Dollar Store always carries classy napkins, and each year is different as far as what kind of tablecloths are available. But even if they are plastic, they are $1 and easy to toss out when the night is over.

This year, I love the “geranium” or “red” plant theme.

Stick a flag into the soil. (Oops, flag upside down, I’ll fix for the “big day.”) :)

Add your Dollar goblets on a pretty red tray.

Silverware in a basket.

Now hopefully all of your family and friends are coming with food so you don’t have to do it all. :)

Do you save 4th of July entertaining supplies, or do you buy “new” every year?

The post How to Stock up on 4th of July Entertaining Supplies appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house.

Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next-door neighbor …

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. – Mother Teresa

I love this quote of Mother Teresa’s. It sounds so lovely and I really wish the last line would be a reality all of the time, but I have to admit that for me, it’s not. But it’s a good goal to have and to strive for.

I love how she talks about our houses. I know that as a matter of fact my house is not the same as her house was. But she still encourages us to love others … starting in our homes.

One thing I did this last week was to try a new trifle recipe.

I really appreciate the simplicity of this dessert, and that the ingredients are low-fat. The secret is to use a really good Greek yogurt, because the flavor is actually richer.

I found my $2 yard sale trifle bowl. (I’m getting excited for yard sale season this year!)

I also call this the “imperfect dessert” because it doesn’t matter if the layers are not perfectly put together. It’s quick to make, very few ingredients, and very tasty and healthy for your guests.

My family loved it.

Do you make yummy, healthy desserts for your family using yogurt? What’s your favorite quick and easy recipe?

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