My Homemade Patio Fountain

The last couple of years I've been on the lookout for a fountain for our patio.  My top priority was to find something that created a soothing, bubbling brook sound.  I found several fountains that were pretty but they were as quiet as could be and others that sounded great but were way overpriced.  So last year I decided to make my own.  It's not the fanciest fountain out there, but it makes the best fountain sound!  Perfect for summer evenings on the patio.  I meant to blog about it last year but never got around to it.  I snapped some pictures yesterday while I was reassembling it for this year.

Here's what you need:

Large pot

Bucket

Fountain Kit (got mine at Lowe's)

Hardware Cloth

River Rocks

1. Drill holes in the bottom of the large pot.  

This will allow rain water to drain out.

Stanley is such a camera hog!  He tried to weasel his way into every picture.

2. While wearing leather gloves (super important!!), measure and cut a square piece of 

hardware cloth to fit on top of the large pot.

3. Place bucket in large pot, then bend the hardware cloth until it fits properly (again, wearing gloves is a must!).  

Now cut a square opening in the middle of the wire mesh for the fountain head.

4. Place fountain in the bucket and adjust height to desired level.

5.  The fountain kit should come with several different nozzles.

Pick your favorite and securely attach it to the extension tube.

6. Fill the bucket with water and place mesh on top.  

The water level affects the sound of the fountain.  I usually keep mine about 2/3 full.

7. Wash the rocks off and place them on top of the wire mesh.

Then plug in your fountain, close your eyes and pretend you're sitting next to a bubbling creek in Colorado.
That's what I do anyway ;)

Here are some pictures from last year.

Linked to: Thrilling Thursday @ Paisley Passions, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, 
Outdoor Ideas @ Centsational Girl, Show & Tell Friday, Finding Fabulous, Think Pink Sundays @ Flamingo Toes,Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style


 

Beautiful Evening

We've had a couple of gorgeous evenings this past week.  Spring is finally here to stay!  The other night Stanley grabbed his beloved teddy bear toy and headed out to the yard and plopped down.  He knows when it's too nice to be inside!  Anytime I get my camera out, Stanley becomes a little model.  He strikes a pose and holds it until the camera clicks.  

Without further ado, here is Stanley's mini photo shoot...

He loves to grab wood chips and play keep-away.  He knows he's not supposed to chew on them!

I snapped a few pictures of our crabapple tree.  I have a feeling it's not going to be quite as full and beautiful as it was last year since our recent storms have knocked off a lot of buds.

Linked to Debbie's Pet Party! Check it out HERE

Happy Spring!

Stanley's enjoying having the windows open just as much as I am.  Spring is finally here!!

Here's to a great week full of sunshine and beautiful weather...

How About a Little Snow?

I braved the elements this evening and snapped a few pictures of the snow from our crazy storm today.  I am SO done with winter!  The weather better behave in the coming weeks or I may fly south for the rest of the season.  

Here are a couple from earlier today.  

Stanley was sporting his snazzy little winter coat :)

Linked to:

Wow us Wednesday@ Savvy Southern Style

Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Stanley the Snow Loving Dog

I have not been enjoying all the snow we've received lately.

At least our little Stanley likes it!

We love our little snowball!

Check out Debbie's Pet Party @ Debbiedoos Blogging and Blabbing

Happy Snowy Monday

Our week is starting out very cold...

Can you spot a furry little someone?!  

Special Day

Before you think I'm crazy for spending so much time Photoshopping a party hat and party blower on a picture of Stanley, it was for one of my graphic design classes.  We were practicing cutting out backgrounds of photos in Photoshop.  However, I AM crazy enough to celebrate my dog's birthday!  Stanley will be getting extra treats and maybe a new bone or two today.  :)

Dining Room Light Makeover ORB Style!

I've been on the lookout for a new light fixture for our dining room pretty much since we moved into our house.  One Saturday a few weeks ago while hubby and I were out shopping, we made a stop at our favorite lighting store.  We usually just go there to 'ooh' and 'aah' over the outrageously priced light fixtures.  The store was having a huge "garage sale" and was advertising how their prices were being drastically reduced.  For this particular store, that usually means instead of a chandelier costing $900, it's reduced down to $500.  Not a deal in my book.

After looking around for a little bit, I spotted it.  The light fixture I've been searching for!!!  I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the price -- it was originally $250 and was marked down to $40!!!  I think my hubby was a little hesitant since the fixture was YELLOW.  Nothing a little spray paint can't fix! :)

I didn't get the best 'before' picture.  Here it is ready to get a makeover:

I used my trusty Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint.

And here's the after:

We installed a dimmer switch to control the light.  I love being able to dim the light in the evenings.

Here's the old light.  The fixture was way too small for the room and never provided enough light.  I listed it on Craigslist and we sold it for $40!!  That's how much we paid for the new light!  Oh how I love Craigslist!

Here's the view when you walk in the house.  Stanley's always ready to greet us when we walk in!

{Anyone else having issues with Blogger?  It keeps changing my font size and it's driving me nuts!}

Linked to:  Anything Related @ All Thingz Related, Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick, Before & After Party @ Savvy Southern Style, Power of Paint Party @ Domestically Speaking, Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Weekend Wishes

Hydrangea

My hydrangeas are finally blooming!  I was getting a little worried about them but I guess they just wanted to take their sweet time.  Oh well, it was worth the wait. 

Wishing you a happy weekend! 

Garden Update III

Last night when I was watering my garden I spotted my first ripe tomatoes of the season!  There are a couple sweet 100 and yellow pear tomatoes that are almost ready to be devoured. 

I am a little bummed about my garden this year.  I don't know if it's due to the massive amount of rain we received in June and now a dry spell, but a lot of the leaves have turned yellow and most of the blossoms have dried up.  I'm trying not to think about it too much because it really frustrates me!  Last year my tomato plants were so lush and green.  I'm going to blame it on the new dirt we added and mother nature.  That makes me feel a little bit better :).

Stanley loves helping me outside.  He's on bunny patrol and chases those pesky critters out of the yard.  Needless to say, he's feeling like a new dog after his knee surgery!

 

Linked to: Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home, Remodelaholic, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous

Blossoming Crabapple

Wow, where did the last two weeks go?  Thank you all for your sweet comments and emails about Stanley.  His surgery went well and now we are focused on helping him achieve a full recovery.  It's no fun for a dog to have surgery on both knees.  Who wants their activity restricted for 6 weeks?!  Poor guy.

We were out of town for the weekend and came back to find our Crabapple tree looking as beautiful as ever.  I have never seen it so full of blossoms.  I can't stop looking at it!