Heirloom Tomato Panzanella

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo02ErdPAGOM3Zh-ShmDp_AYRklu0XU2cPBaOgUh9r_lKUxBJC4_e4drbjzkyvVH4oQGVd0yHLCqy40JKu6as3lAu7hcV8C6DiQmFgGyKH10JfRHL0hRqZPHoeirMzGtIq_VvXdpHXG8/s1600/IMG_9952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo02ErdPAGOM3Zh-ShmDp_AYRklu0XU2cPBaOgUh9r_lKUxBJC4_e4drbjzkyvVH4oQGVd0yHLCqy40JKu6as3lAu7hcV8C6DiQmFgGyKH10JfRHL0hRqZPHoeirMzGtIq_VvXdpHXG8/s640/IMG_9952.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When produce season is in full swing, it is great to have a recipe that utilizes the vegetables that look great at the farmers markets - this was our loot from last weekend.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb47GJH2WLlGtGpot_K1hlHWnYvlel9ynujaWLRIcXoOhFpmAHz5eH5A9mKQlyIYHp1y5xxM2_d8t9xeANjJ05bRzdnU2mMnGrWgg2HDXwEKm43FqeoesUuBhf_FOh0MlIX0hEJ434xz8/s1600/IMG_9991.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb47GJH2WLlGtGpot_K1hlHWnYvlel9ynujaWLRIcXoOhFpmAHz5eH5A9mKQlyIYHp1y5xxM2_d8t9xeANjJ05bRzdnU2mMnGrWgg2HDXwEKm43FqeoesUuBhf_FOh0MlIX0hEJ434xz8/s640/IMG_9991.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Panzanella is the perfect summer salad to serve with anything - a piece of grilled fish, chicken, steak, shrimp... burgers, kebabs, sandwiches, anything.  The homemade croutons just slightly soak in the vinaigrette.  So good.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuL-wDwfKh6xRtAlibEpvlijncwIcLrpU7TEYQXyz-3TBsnVWkUeBmkDqbv4jwcp4JrVxcGpxL2w05nkjCxYNDdLug-jWO_-XcdLq6ByDVGH2CUHESxzUvmfh-17nWp9d533VycHKFCR0/s1600/IMG_9976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuL-wDwfKh6xRtAlibEpvlijncwIcLrpU7TEYQXyz-3TBsnVWkUeBmkDqbv4jwcp4JrVxcGpxL2w05nkjCxYNDdLug-jWO_-XcdLq6ByDVGH2CUHESxzUvmfh-17nWp9d533VycHKFCR0/s640/IMG_9976.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I saw all of the beautiful heirloom tomatoes at the market, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOyku-lZP_fEBMtny00HVi9VumbuDyUa1UQXMPYBjK7VWg5OluaC8ucZxAsU8fopmrgDD0gBJyiJULEykyybXXt7HEgj5wVGcAYaMuCu5YnxgH4Y8MoyARZv3zdzXK3AXITJNHbcW6SA/s1600/IMG_9997.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOyku-lZP_fEBMtny00HVi9VumbuDyUa1UQXMPYBjK7VWg5OluaC8ucZxAsU8fopmrgDD0gBJyiJULEykyybXXt7HEgj5wVGcAYaMuCu5YnxgH4Y8MoyARZv3zdzXK3AXITJNHbcW6SA/s640/IMG_9997.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It uses the best summer vegetables & herbs (peppers, tomatoes & basil - you can add cucumbers, too).  The best part is all you have to do is chop vegetables, stir together a dressing and make croutons - which, by the way, is much easier than you'd think! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG39_4amhEmLopI_tcVEjUbBHc_N3eK9fD10pvszRDwy5iY979aFH3OlxUQbgAfLeVLFT3qwnB1m93dEHNOhgOiQgiCnHTTnGabh2GBMvR_uhXRqV3E16RppPBcc3qcs7jvcTc-43z-xo/s1600/panzanella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG39_4amhEmLopI_tcVEjUbBHc_N3eK9fD10pvszRDwy5iY979aFH3OlxUQbgAfLeVLFT3qwnB1m93dEHNOhgOiQgiCnHTTnGabh2GBMvR_uhXRqV3E16RppPBcc3qcs7jvcTc-43z-xo/s640/panzanella.jpg" width="425" /></a>Heirloom Tomato<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Panzanella </span></i></div><a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F07%2Fheirloom-tomato-panzanella.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-cT5PCU1Di6g%2FUfaKBMH3l-I%2FAAAAAAAATGM%2F6uW62bbT-Wo%2Fs640%2Fpanzanella.jpg&description=Heirloom%20Tomato%20Panzanella"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a><br /><br />Croutons : <br /><div style="text-align: left;">3 tablespoons olive oil <br />1 small loaf of good bread (6 cups)</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes<br />Sea Salt & Pepper<br /><br />Vegetables : <br />1 teaspoon kosher salt <br />1 pound of tomatoes (I used heirloom tomatoes)<br />1 yellow bell pepper<br />1/4 red onion </div><div style="text-align: left;">4 large basil leaves </div><div style="text-align: left;">3 cups of arugula<br /><br />Dressing :<br />1 teaspoon garlic <br />1/2 teaspoon Dijon<br />3 tablespoons White Wine vinegar <br />1/2 cup olive oil <br />1/2 teaspoon sea salt <br />1/4 teaspoon black pepper<br /><br />For Croutons : </div><div style="text-align: left;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and place them on a baking sheet.  Drizzle the bread with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake for 7-10, tossing after ever couple of minutes until slightly browned.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For the Vegetables : <br />Cut the tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers into 1/2-inch cubes.  Cut onion into thin slices.  Add all of the vegetables to a bowl along with chopped fresh basil. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For the Dressing : <br />Whisk together dressing ingredients with a fork.  Pour over vegetables.  Add croutons just before serving.  </div><a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F07%2Fheirloom-tomato-panzanella.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-cT5PCU1Di6g%2FUfaKBMH3l-I%2FAAAAAAAATGM%2F6uW62bbT-Wo%2Fs640%2Fpanzanella.jpg&description=Heirloom%20Tomato%20Panzanella"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a> <script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

Heirloom Tomato Panzanella

When produce season is in full swing, it is great to have a recipe that utilizes the vegetables that look great at the farmers markets - this was our loot from last weekend. Panzanella is the perfect summer salad to serve with anything - a piece of grilled fish, chicken, steak, shrimp... burgers, …

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The easiest & cheapest vintage grain sack pillow covers ever!

As part of my living room refresh project, I decided to update my throw pillows with something more in line with the vintage style I've been loving lately.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/ea/03/30/ea033036bc17998a6af0ccb084a9272e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/ea/03/30/ea033036bc17998a6af0ccb084a9272e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/189854940510816042/" target="_blank"><i>Source</i></a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5a/d1/a3/5ad1a3c5d835eedfe0bc1c2f45010b96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5a/d1/a3/5ad1a3c5d835eedfe0bc1c2f45010b96.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/228135537346738195/" target="_blank"><i>Source</i></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />They're just so cozy and homey and lovely. I can't get enough.<br /><br />I went to Pinterest first and saw a lot of DIY grain sack pillow covers, but I didn't want to deal with finding the perfect linen fabric, then painting/printing/stamping anything on and I don't own a sewing machine.<br /><br />After looking everywhere online, I wasn't loving the prices of the real deal. I was finding a lot of knock-offs but they just didn't look and feel like the real thing. I knew there had to be a way to make my own without a sewing machine.<br /><br />Then I started searching for just the grain sacks and found several styles in many different conditions. They started at around $10 on the lower end, all the way up to $50+, depending on the type and condition. I noticed that the width on many of them were the same width of my pillows, and the length was just over double. I figured I'd have the perfect amount of material to make two covers.<br /><br />I didn't mind a little wear and tear (it just adds to the character!) so I scored a nice vintage 19x42" Bemis sack on Etsy for $22 shipped.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZJe_vTL3fIJLX_C_YLjuZ94WOC5T5eKaJJA68u63fu0MPAmCtcklb4XGlGBInDItmo0biHDe28Fu6UvlU7nCILlqtl9-J2J4kcz171J9JMotcj_iytjGoq2GUEj6VccjXpgvRLfkrWWF/s1600/IMG_0836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZJe_vTL3fIJLX_C_YLjuZ94WOC5T5eKaJJA68u63fu0MPAmCtcklb4XGlGBInDItmo0biHDe28Fu6UvlU7nCILlqtl9-J2J4kcz171J9JMotcj_iytjGoq2GUEj6VccjXpgvRLfkrWWF/s1600/IMG_0836.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />It was perfect.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pcdOm8HGp8g6dxRGZoojjLTFCEH2OtK8vxUZ_YEuN0PKdYYh3TFY-oNGLgXqacajYqj3XhAeTfr0hZ19MYHowM6sYRPs4talUMPN4tpIPohXYWj825_e399Npuyl-k3YBovWWNYMso3D/s1600/IMG_0833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pcdOm8HGp8g6dxRGZoojjLTFCEH2OtK8vxUZ_YEuN0PKdYYh3TFY-oNGLgXqacajYqj3XhAeTfr0hZ19MYHowM6sYRPs4talUMPN4tpIPohXYWj825_e399Npuyl-k3YBovWWNYMso3D/s1600/IMG_0833.jpg" /></a></div><br />See where I'm going with this?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMicfmW23okDOU1EYPqoRCfwa8nb2vnhJomOEr8NpAW0dGkHaQGfptw4azb1E9lrH5J1HnEXvlHM9BQQh5Lwo3WVHdG6XNfhHZMfUtdyQQrwvUP9I4KcS8hdtuyhwFLn45tqBrzJVAmF7E/s1600/IMG_0831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMicfmW23okDOU1EYPqoRCfwa8nb2vnhJomOEr8NpAW0dGkHaQGfptw4azb1E9lrH5J1HnEXvlHM9BQQh5Lwo3WVHdG6XNfhHZMfUtdyQQrwvUP9I4KcS8hdtuyhwFLn45tqBrzJVAmF7E/s1600/IMG_0831.jpg" /></a></div><br />The design was right in the center which means it would be split, but I didn't mind the mostly plain pillows at all. If you wanted to center the design you could always pick up two grain sacks or find one with a design at the bottom.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYlAyBgX73RbxysKXZTxHoISXP-NUdppDN7ilFdHoFHZ-T5IJMEj9XTRRibSbdhfHP-Q8a1RjQu-AihC7B5p_nKVjuoNtaqjlqZzAmMj8HFs9oLq9uo7wK4rbR0E175hPKCeDqC8G7HFs/s1600/IMG_0832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYlAyBgX73RbxysKXZTxHoISXP-NUdppDN7ilFdHoFHZ-T5IJMEj9XTRRibSbdhfHP-Q8a1RjQu-AihC7B5p_nKVjuoNtaqjlqZzAmMj8HFs9oLq9uo7wK4rbR0E175hPKCeDqC8G7HFs/s1600/IMG_0832.jpg" /></a></div><br />To split it evenly I measured the center and drew a line...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluixcTwbbGmpEDK1FzDOvLuDo-mZNy-lRYMXR6VhHppYMP2Qs5F6Q_s3GKoMRkwPjSrsy4WeGuRkqfBZahYuR1Pls5o0Egvjg3F6iSxzPbwW3thFtOhV9CKz69-Fd6AFI_aZoPL8Lt-XP/s1600/IMG_0837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluixcTwbbGmpEDK1FzDOvLuDo-mZNy-lRYMXR6VhHppYMP2Qs5F6Q_s3GKoMRkwPjSrsy4WeGuRkqfBZahYuR1Pls5o0Egvjg3F6iSxzPbwW3thFtOhV9CKz69-Fd6AFI_aZoPL8Lt-XP/s1600/IMG_0837.jpg" /></a></div><br />Then I made my cut. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PS82tmoIk3YTsxuqUX95y2TcaOwx1NA1-9utQtCr53_RRrLAnRT8nXB6IvV4nqlx9uktpmdZuJ9XALVI6TNu4iYmBTwLqhoElsnBSt7DQZDCIz3ObDnfoJ2RPCi8CATQlDLKR4cSTCl1/s1600/IMG_0838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PS82tmoIk3YTsxuqUX95y2TcaOwx1NA1-9utQtCr53_RRrLAnRT8nXB6IvV4nqlx9uktpmdZuJ9XALVI6TNu4iYmBTwLqhoElsnBSt7DQZDCIz3ObDnfoJ2RPCi8CATQlDLKR4cSTCl1/s1600/IMG_0838.jpg" /></a></div><br />I didn't want the rough cuts showing, so I turned to the one and only Stitch Witchery:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcBQS6Hjc3p47c5L0RsOyuEF_56nVZE0iwHgo1uzcyRro010b0-04s5su41epvZRUY8z_p4iQ-DxVrpUNjwXfZrywPQNGiCr8IEagNdYCCcPc_35amAfeUP-Lq5eZ-e4MpRxkMfNxxd8J/s1600/IMG_0839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcBQS6Hjc3p47c5L0RsOyuEF_56nVZE0iwHgo1uzcyRro010b0-04s5su41epvZRUY8z_p4iQ-DxVrpUNjwXfZrywPQNGiCr8IEagNdYCCcPc_35amAfeUP-Lq5eZ-e4MpRxkMfNxxd8J/s1600/IMG_0839.jpg" /></a></div><br />For the first cover that was open on both ends, I had to stitch the bottom shut. I flipped the cover inside out, made sure it was lined up, and ran my stitch witchery across the bottom:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7t6M-ChXJn94sLDDayrdo8Ik1P8pq9tiynciLy6_RdRf93nf-khX_mpeWDO0wvqiCVj3ahtaFHE36MULSzhBtYpiYf6CULH2W3I9J4m5wzFdwzRUIQVPtg6eJFrHZ6FJYd391x-AChATW/s1600/IMG_0840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7t6M-ChXJn94sLDDayrdo8Ik1P8pq9tiynciLy6_RdRf93nf-khX_mpeWDO0wvqiCVj3ahtaFHE36MULSzhBtYpiYf6CULH2W3I9J4m5wzFdwzRUIQVPtg6eJFrHZ6FJYd391x-AChATW/s1600/IMG_0840.jpg" /></a></div><br />The result:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sodXkWo02ldS64Bed-O7zejyLTRufOacKSCCiAEVqh8mKvYWoeFuDi05KUeVl-8UVjV1BX4zDB318DOQqHhMZS1Zh1nwNqQeZbuA5fUwMitv-kwZnPK4fuyDkzIoQQSCfHgBGCQiRvLJ/s1600/IMG_0842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sodXkWo02ldS64Bed-O7zejyLTRufOacKSCCiAEVqh8mKvYWoeFuDi05KUeVl-8UVjV1BX4zDB318DOQqHhMZS1Zh1nwNqQeZbuA5fUwMitv-kwZnPK4fuyDkzIoQQSCfHgBGCQiRvLJ/s640/IMG_0842.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The top of this cover already had a nice hem from the factory, so I put it aside and addressed the rough cut on the second cover.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgli6jt8jrTZ8O8ToIetu6UcgekQX0mXD_MHhEjTCET_0VgR1pG9rzuijS6tO8dfRMqtaUqbY7TmATSfIjND-fY0K_2BMK-eqV3FM-g2z3X746V2-xLdzGs3_iD6MTcCQGib6deysXI700n/s1600/IMG_0843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgli6jt8jrTZ8O8ToIetu6UcgekQX0mXD_MHhEjTCET_0VgR1pG9rzuijS6tO8dfRMqtaUqbY7TmATSfIjND-fY0K_2BMK-eqV3FM-g2z3X746V2-xLdzGs3_iD6MTcCQGib6deysXI700n/s1600/IMG_0843.jpg" /></a></div><br />For this one I just had to fold the edges onto the inside all the way around the opening.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkwzbNea47C26adeRsUqa-pM-IWc-XEujhfw13uPC2TCKksG18rccD6dIuurxwBxeY0auLd2oGtykRNA6Ub3V7E3R5vhGBobIPtnAFUEVB6ztqLGOd_pRQrKWCh037wT95mUGzrFNZnm2/s1600/IMG_0845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkwzbNea47C26adeRsUqa-pM-IWc-XEujhfw13uPC2TCKksG18rccD6dIuurxwBxeY0auLd2oGtykRNA6Ub3V7E3R5vhGBobIPtnAFUEVB6ztqLGOd_pRQrKWCh037wT95mUGzrFNZnm2/s1600/IMG_0845.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />And that was that! I ended up with two perfect pillows with one open end...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe2_x-E6h2PKn4jLaOsXo76bCbyCFXWC125BQv7K00eRYDZVr5luWpCjAUAHs5ayMJrlSAsgU3BAPypeK5lV8g2qBXAKOSUTGmArlbkWvs8cVdz83ljGG3GjDK7NI_1fVGg1OAf4v7cRs/s1600/IMG_0846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe2_x-E6h2PKn4jLaOsXo76bCbyCFXWC125BQv7K00eRYDZVr5luWpCjAUAHs5ayMJrlSAsgU3BAPypeK5lV8g2qBXAKOSUTGmArlbkWvs8cVdz83ljGG3GjDK7NI_1fVGg1OAf4v7cRs/s1600/IMG_0846.jpg" /></a></div><br />I didn't want to close the seam permanently because then I could never wash the covers or swap them out down the road. I couldn't sew a zipper on either, so I thought about sewing buttons on it and almost went for it, but then I remembered these pillows I purchased from <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00200693/#/40200691" target="_blank">Ikea</a> because I loved the little bows:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/ursula-cushion-cover__0216079_PE371573_S4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/ursula-cushion-cover__0216079_PE371573_S4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />So I went through my leftover fabric stash and found some linen:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGz9qwhhP7pphPwQR2zSe8fcBq4k9HzihhXmYlkDNwUjx7PVkckq_uvZbLbRajDx1pBGbe-6f-q51PBQLLIfPSutlX62mHEqYmNY0ZqP5-KSK2PU8_jeGjXbUXzHhDGCqgHVYSxA2bcGo/s1600/IMG_0851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGz9qwhhP7pphPwQR2zSe8fcBq4k9HzihhXmYlkDNwUjx7PVkckq_uvZbLbRajDx1pBGbe-6f-q51PBQLLIfPSutlX62mHEqYmNY0ZqP5-KSK2PU8_jeGjXbUXzHhDGCqgHVYSxA2bcGo/s1600/IMG_0851.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I cut it into six strips, then made little notches about 1" down with my Xacto knife:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwdRQm07tSRlWBniFFMIAxnawxxd8B2kYnWKFAnRAsXJZ8BRukFoYZudUrWgyG5-o5yOjm8Jq-DiSt0EZ3GNDA-EOfJeL0Ee01sCijrSTOIh_o9ebVLOnmYJkBDNZoT8ThWUhdj5wDfxs/s1600/IMG_0852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwdRQm07tSRlWBniFFMIAxnawxxd8B2kYnWKFAnRAsXJZ8BRukFoYZudUrWgyG5-o5yOjm8Jq-DiSt0EZ3GNDA-EOfJeL0Ee01sCijrSTOIh_o9ebVLOnmYJkBDNZoT8ThWUhdj5wDfxs/s1600/IMG_0852.jpg" /></a></div><br />Then I threaded each tie through and made knots:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fNFsMFb4JRxoQzxyMDV6ONnlFmdRL_tRRih8lnXnA9om1sNu_zAMHMEPhn2Z7w2qLV1gE8kAQg8lp35O98fVihg8YpW02PpPBpkWB8vwOJ5boC4cgZ8xVygaSxzzUTqN3J3SEuxs5IDk/s1600/IMG_0853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fNFsMFb4JRxoQzxyMDV6ONnlFmdRL_tRRih8lnXnA9om1sNu_zAMHMEPhn2Z7w2qLV1gE8kAQg8lp35O98fVihg8YpW02PpPBpkWB8vwOJ5boC4cgZ8xVygaSxzzUTqN3J3SEuxs5IDk/s1600/IMG_0853.jpg" /></a></div><br />And in less than one hour, I had my very own vintage grain sack pillows:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuWoLTDInTichcfo4JGwFzilVqsrClMqBMYqSTkdLsq7lWzHfB2dBzgmaBO2gDWia7iSwqordFR6IhrHEpS0KpYtj53yHTLTdNdChXRseixU8mMMUtG4hRY_YST491UB0UJ8UbF5B-IXO/s1600/IMG_0863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuWoLTDInTichcfo4JGwFzilVqsrClMqBMYqSTkdLsq7lWzHfB2dBzgmaBO2gDWia7iSwqordFR6IhrHEpS0KpYtj53yHTLTdNdChXRseixU8mMMUtG4hRY_YST491UB0UJ8UbF5B-IXO/s1600/IMG_0863.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcNp9gZB3NdAon6oWf3yd3Md5g_cWsIQ0Z5K6DVnYDlXnn5aG3EsJt8OUfiIuz80ekcodo_F_i4jgdVHAETy3HNFwxORkYhMQxPAeEL-vMMarEiZLw010FmpRKGLJcxx0Oq3FKLJ02iQ0/s1600/IMG_0857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcNp9gZB3NdAon6oWf3yd3Md5g_cWsIQ0Z5K6DVnYDlXnn5aG3EsJt8OUfiIuz80ekcodo_F_i4jgdVHAETy3HNFwxORkYhMQxPAeEL-vMMarEiZLw010FmpRKGLJcxx0Oq3FKLJ02iQ0/s1600/IMG_0857.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOT10TWtoqtPw89W6dedxAdeYyBvTybwvkk98gQ5a-lt2SRcrhhPxgv5dxHLHj41Gq-8mDl3KAlTSjW2CrvDPIgaDtfnKDZgPMzltCOkUcX66vDhOBgmEe_VpkNf0T5rvnbG5yI0pqot9/s1600/IMG_0865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOT10TWtoqtPw89W6dedxAdeYyBvTybwvkk98gQ5a-lt2SRcrhhPxgv5dxHLHj41Gq-8mDl3KAlTSjW2CrvDPIgaDtfnKDZgPMzltCOkUcX66vDhOBgmEe_VpkNf0T5rvnbG5yI0pqot9/s1600/IMG_0865.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ahhh... I love them. They're the perfect addition to our home, and specifically our updated couch... more on that next week!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />

The easiest & cheapest vintage grain sack pillow covers ever!

As part of my living room refresh project, I decided to update my throw pillows with something more in line with the vintage style I've been loving lately.SourceSource  They're just so cozy and homey and lovely. I can't get enough.I went to Pinterest first and saw a lot of DIY grain sack pillow cove…

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New Product Color Swatches | The New Store

As I've mentioned in the last couple of posts, I'm working on putting together an online shop to be part of the blog.  I'll carry a collection of my "everyday essentials" like the parchment paper sheets, cellophane bags, custom labels and stationery.  I'm also planning to stock "everyday entertaining" items like hemstitch linens and candles.  The products I've ordered are elegant enough for special occasions, but can (and should!) be for everyday use.<br /><br />I've been working on my collection of color swatches that my products will feature.  You'll be able to order embroidered linens, stationery, candles & custom labels in coordinating colors to compliment your home or the season.  I've gotta say - designing the color collection was the best part so far.  I received the coordinating collection of candles yesterday and the colors were <i>so</i> stunning - soft and sophisticated colors (even the bright ones).<br /><br />Here is what I have so far... what do you think?  Am I missing your favorite?  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzTttk6ZaNbnLe13N6MmyZ5r8nkk-_kQynXpCSThs_7GDd8GjBfck_WvlJvQi34X3dyc47ZWOhbHim5mBT7H_zCVNI6luEotaZzQQyz6G4FVhf6ERzFXfnEFtXecr0D_G15NPINbRGOE/s1600/swatches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzTttk6ZaNbnLe13N6MmyZ5r8nkk-_kQynXpCSThs_7GDd8GjBfck_WvlJvQi34X3dyc47ZWOhbHim5mBT7H_zCVNI6luEotaZzQQyz6G4FVhf6ERzFXfnEFtXecr0D_G15NPINbRGOE/s1600/swatches.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The store will be launching in just a couple of weeks - I can't wait for you to see what I have collected!

New Product Color Swatches | The New Store

As I've mentioned in the last couple of posts, I'm working on putting together an online shop to be part of the blog.  I'll carry a collection of my "everyday essentials" like the parchment paper sheets, cellophane bags, custom labels and stationery.  I'm also planning to stock "everyday entertainin…

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Summer Peach Inspired Brunch Menu

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QDPPkrOO8jNTwFSru2inC_kX456Wtd_JjqeMXxgWX5vOPivwyxygCHkbDVNBR17OvVNk3kZczjlbdXoHAGYKPiGg2OAu9v6d6wzuPPI1qNKQhf7t9tzQDC8CgBSUv9Mmnd8D4qoFlvE/s1600/peach-smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QDPPkrOO8jNTwFSru2inC_kX456Wtd_JjqeMXxgWX5vOPivwyxygCHkbDVNBR17OvVNk3kZczjlbdXoHAGYKPiGg2OAu9v6d6wzuPPI1qNKQhf7t9tzQDC8CgBSUv9Mmnd8D4qoFlvE/s640/peach-smoothie.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>As I mentioned, we hosted some friends for brunch a couple of weekends ago.  The table setting was simple and easy (all gathered from my yard) and menu was inspired by the first good summer peaches.  <br /><br />We started the morning with these Orange, Banana & Peach Smoothies and ended the meal with Peach Sugared Scone "Shortcakes."<br /><br /><br />Orange, Banana &<br /><i><span style="font-size: large;">Peach Smoothies</span></i><br /><br />2 cups of peaches, sliced<br />1 banana<br />2 cups of orange juice<br /><br />In a blender, combine all ingredients.  Add more oj if it is too thick, and add more banana if it is too thin.  Chill for 30 minutes before serving or serve over ice.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSJ67xWWVhD8fxy-3Dx1bbz6BpQ-9lKuXpfD7wJVLma2L28G0uZuEBznQU9CGpIqk9N2oZkgy7oPisa77W-_fQWaFItzaNoLdshIk4_O8Ruo6ZrHlXY-IZnykxrhdrEscSreV7uXX7OQ/s1600/IMG_9774.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSJ67xWWVhD8fxy-3Dx1bbz6BpQ-9lKuXpfD7wJVLma2L28G0uZuEBznQU9CGpIqk9N2oZkgy7oPisa77W-_fQWaFItzaNoLdshIk4_O8Ruo6ZrHlXY-IZnykxrhdrEscSreV7uXX7OQ/s640/IMG_9774.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br />Here is the simple setting that I posted last week - a random assortment of herbs, vines and flowers from our yard in an "organic" style bouquet. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMcDOAWi6NDyDx7qMgOaq5RlLNPWpm2F1EAM_kylke_p9ZzFciF9BRXDnh7atBZ56hUfxSiel1fQGdFuuG_vZk7reZQfEG3LJQp_jONwsaPjRX8j6-rnsEUA6IRs2a1ivU_h_7aSbS60/s1600/IMG_9746.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMcDOAWi6NDyDx7qMgOaq5RlLNPWpm2F1EAM_kylke_p9ZzFciF9BRXDnh7atBZ56hUfxSiel1fQGdFuuG_vZk7reZQfEG3LJQp_jONwsaPjRX8j6-rnsEUA6IRs2a1ivU_h_7aSbS60/s640/IMG_9746.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The bacon getting ready to be baked - 325 degrees for 18-22 minutes.  The BEST way to fix bacon.   We've been having our fair share of bacon lately... <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/07/bacon-avocado-heirloom-tomato-sandwich.html">Bacon, Avocado & Tomato Sandwiches</a> almost everyday for lunch!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HL91dTGDm6pcsM6YXTTlRT7ARFrPTp9HZvl-L5_TrfD2h_fDZXgTGoMfQ976Qwo5iUG6Yhei4FPSzuNhn3pgQHt-7wKe58f40G1HSn2j6MStW32xOxqLXkPhX4xLqu1t2O5cpb_5M6o/s1600/egg-strata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HL91dTGDm6pcsM6YXTTlRT7ARFrPTp9HZvl-L5_TrfD2h_fDZXgTGoMfQ976Qwo5iUG6Yhei4FPSzuNhn3pgQHt-7wKe58f40G1HSn2j6MStW32xOxqLXkPhX4xLqu1t2O5cpb_5M6o/s640/egg-strata.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/10/white-cheddar-chive-egg-strata-recipe.html">White Cheddar & Chive Strata</a> (you might remember it from a brunch we hosted last fall?)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOJcRuzykXf4-4_dRpzOPSisC7LDZm86lytuUJgu2ajcksFNzbi2EPNhX4HL_COn4Ntb_vyd4EKd1TrIGMkmoZdlWVjY_MD8zgcuWEcgwXFmgIHP0gUrplTJrCgScav68DfYlNM-8MDyk/s640/IMG_7071.JPG" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOJcRuzykXf4-4_dRpzOPSisC7LDZm86lytuUJgu2ajcksFNzbi2EPNhX4HL_COn4Ntb_vyd4EKd1TrIGMkmoZdlWVjY_MD8zgcuWEcgwXFmgIHP0gUrplTJrCgScav68DfYlNM-8MDyk/s640/IMG_7071.JPG" /></div><br />A big fruit platter (not actually pictured here - forgot to take a photo!) that was inspired by <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/03/east-hampton-weekend-mill-house-inn-new.html">this platter (that is pictured...) we had in East Hampton</a>.  I love how they presented the fruit in individual bowls on a copper tray.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dW0bvrGJUXgnlt-QXegTDRUn0Hy6STkhqaKxV34VwvF6A2rtgDUxirwasV0oPY_Xuowt3zMwVFv_bzJjMaAAg2B2RBTCWY3GJ1eEv-E2MVEGf8CKtLpL52RdHthyphenhyphenKlTA16JCI5-Fr1o/s1600/peach-scones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dW0bvrGJUXgnlt-QXegTDRUn0Hy6STkhqaKxV34VwvF6A2rtgDUxirwasV0oPY_Xuowt3zMwVFv_bzJjMaAAg2B2RBTCWY3GJ1eEv-E2MVEGf8CKtLpL52RdHthyphenhyphenKlTA16JCI5-Fr1o/s640/peach-scones.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />And the "dessert," <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/07/fresh-peaches-with-sugared-scones-and.html">Peach Sugared Scone "Shortcakes" with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream</a> that I posted about last week.<br /><br />.....<br /><br />Thanks for sticking with me this week and last - I've been busy ordering and organizing everything for the new store that will be part of this blog.  Tomorrow I'm doing a photo shoot of some of the new products with new recipes... stay tuned!!

Summer Peach Inspired Brunch Menu

As I mentioned, we hosted some friends for brunch a couple of weekends ago.  The table setting was simple and easy (all gathered from my yard) and menu was inspired by the first good summer peaches.  We started the morning with these Orange, Banana & Peach Smoothies and ended the meal with Peach Sug…

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The 7 Hour Pond

<i>Let me preface this post by saying this is a Brad project. It was his idea and execution (he even took half the photos)... I simply contributed some manual labor and a few opinions. And this post.</i><br /><br />Summer is upon us and we've been turning our attention to the outdoors lately—prepping the backyard for pool parties and gatherings.<br /><br />The latest project came about when our neighbor had several large rocks he was getting rid of from his yard. Brad offered to take them off his hands which sparked the idea of building a rock pond.<br /><br />We already have one lovely pond back there (the real reason we bought the house...)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YzVIGVpfexclQOypcvdNnnc0sV7CJxm01_flO8wRKjWcY699G-fFPDp8k_-FvdjHYfaxV-0hUiMnKEDzwAs6PPPmaM9GUED5O2FQ296ALn9UfICWGoo8BmEz_1pLyJ2Bk-xCb_jJmWp2/s1600/IMG_8286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YzVIGVpfexclQOypcvdNnnc0sV7CJxm01_flO8wRKjWcY699G-fFPDp8k_-FvdjHYfaxV-0hUiMnKEDzwAs6PPPmaM9GUED5O2FQ296ALn9UfICWGoo8BmEz_1pLyJ2Bk-xCb_jJmWp2/s640/IMG_8286.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCQG3s0WbPu0vnWiYF2-ppRByOnqmev18JxjxU7cdNpOyGv-iz6WVy-bg1dEZZW-CDZm05l-FwQ2x4IHVPRAvR1fWkmHOsd1gei4oxpSQHl9Rc-er4Erg-JJ0jV397hYfF5Xpz-mttuda/s1600/IMG_8282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCQG3s0WbPu0vnWiYF2-ppRByOnqmev18JxjxU7cdNpOyGv-iz6WVy-bg1dEZZW-CDZm05l-FwQ2x4IHVPRAvR1fWkmHOsd1gei4oxpSQHl9Rc-er4Erg-JJ0jV397hYfF5Xpz-mttuda/s640/IMG_8282.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />But you can never have enough water features, so Brad picked a spot and started to plan it out.<br /><br />This underutilized patch of bark and random shrubbery was the perfect location:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XwFq2vujCkCrLqone6v3upgIqs00EMYpFIesKrSuDy9aASh85ZIv1v5lA3XIrhRnYlRPSrswHIOwvoIGikqbBrVUnyc4cyKyy0reyllAJq0053Exq9BZ84g5_Fqk_g009kgDJQEI4Pv8/s1600/IMG_2205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XwFq2vujCkCrLqone6v3upgIqs00EMYpFIesKrSuDy9aASh85ZIv1v5lA3XIrhRnYlRPSrswHIOwvoIGikqbBrVUnyc4cyKyy0reyllAJq0053Exq9BZ84g5_Fqk_g009kgDJQEI4Pv8/s1600/IMG_2205.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here it is from a distance:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-_DmpFO4lbPJCJruiRYuUNxkg6fU5tkHD3-U3Ot8hu1I_6QkXDaT-D4pTLeHcEo8rjf0w7mB8JqAOTqO3gP5rFY4BqPc_l694Q4M8Ct-1Lt7UiXNGOtag1NaFjqxG8gNI0H9h1uDdf3d/s1600/IMG_2074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-_DmpFO4lbPJCJruiRYuUNxkg6fU5tkHD3-U3Ot8hu1I_6QkXDaT-D4pTLeHcEo8rjf0w7mB8JqAOTqO3gP5rFY4BqPc_l694Q4M8Ct-1Lt7UiXNGOtag1NaFjqxG8gNI0H9h1uDdf3d/s1600/IMG_2074.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Here are the rocks we inherited, and the overall layout and size we thought worked best after Brad cleared out the bark.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iOcPsKZytBh06iiByDVhNKSsV4T7F12bXcepqYOlzwcGQ7LNxpc-YbtgiEx8N_RUWi0UTk8glF_k6dcOhquyAbyjDjneYqEl6saFe0E37nZbKZ3csRE7wij3z7_Gq0ysMIt8HbPPRIt4/s1600/IMG_0763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iOcPsKZytBh06iiByDVhNKSsV4T7F12bXcepqYOlzwcGQ7LNxpc-YbtgiEx8N_RUWi0UTk8glF_k6dcOhquyAbyjDjneYqEl6saFe0E37nZbKZ3csRE7wij3z7_Gq0ysMIt8HbPPRIt4/s1600/IMG_0763.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE291p4jlCVSI0LjgvaoRPgMO7cGMW2fv-vQQLNf4U4jPZImh65ZTvm2rDPc-9vTqMu0AqjA-bYj0SgxGQS3_F_4sZWXyN1h5wfXS5rJWivUNjjVTzjZ36dGK_wKv7iR7sIEaZmDlUNk5x/s1600/IMG_0764.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE291p4jlCVSI0LjgvaoRPgMO7cGMW2fv-vQQLNf4U4jPZImh65ZTvm2rDPc-9vTqMu0AqjA-bYj0SgxGQS3_F_4sZWXyN1h5wfXS5rJWivUNjjVTzjZ36dGK_wKv7iR7sIEaZmDlUNk5x/s1600/IMG_0764.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Mission #1 was to figure out exactly how to build the pond. Brad did some research and tossed around ideas of using rubber liner, concrete and liquid rubber, or a plastic pre-molded pond. After weighing the options, we both decided a plastic pond was the easiest way to go (and cheaper, too).<br /><br />A quick Google search brought up <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_128971-1569-LP7118_0__?productId=3389466&Ntt=plastic+pond&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dplastic%2Bpond&facetInfo=" target="_blank">this pond</a> at Lowe's for $99.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/039694/039694711817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/039694/039694711817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It was the perfect size and a nice shape, so Brad picked it up on his way home from work.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-ds4delPUSdoIDCY7IxY3rUrLrnxZwjHW9sB15-tDBWR_a6Zyn4CXuhNIgBGVYTHlIsxL5UDvGqUxS6pOgRW6MO_D4FAtjLy5Tiwcg6-ywGbUfcsGkLTAI7q_HA9Ve0fV-WOpGaar9Wz/s1600/IMG_0769.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-ds4delPUSdoIDCY7IxY3rUrLrnxZwjHW9sB15-tDBWR_a6Zyn4CXuhNIgBGVYTHlIsxL5UDvGqUxS6pOgRW6MO_D4FAtjLy5Tiwcg6-ywGbUfcsGkLTAI7q_HA9Ve0fV-WOpGaar9Wz/s1600/IMG_0769.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYQFXo7tELxrY-IAYTs23fxDb6bwfzcA2qRhLbLpxekAoOl9Sr4E0xQAcDJusMUW9eHDYDe8hZFGDjkdxu6GomxV2pAlVG5EBGtlBuXaTEr4fkzNr8k-r0OEnhr2-n6LoAnt83SzKW954/s1600/IMG_0770.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYQFXo7tELxrY-IAYTs23fxDb6bwfzcA2qRhLbLpxekAoOl9Sr4E0xQAcDJusMUW9eHDYDe8hZFGDjkdxu6GomxV2pAlVG5EBGtlBuXaTEr4fkzNr8k-r0OEnhr2-n6LoAnt83SzKW954/s1600/IMG_0770.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Then it was time to dig....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzx5Sd0usqE7ATsevs42VpXjqXn0_5BTD8dVC7tTFPFjjbRlyktF-ecIeBSwSztE7AHpxtZPFnms-RlGSee4a8qvDcjAQl_q6lvim-sFSTZomak88CEZwdkqKBj-F1u3Dq8gH0WuirCF8H/s1600/IMG_0771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzx5Sd0usqE7ATsevs42VpXjqXn0_5BTD8dVC7tTFPFjjbRlyktF-ecIeBSwSztE7AHpxtZPFnms-RlGSee4a8qvDcjAQl_q6lvim-sFSTZomak88CEZwdkqKBj-F1u3Dq8gH0WuirCF8H/s1600/IMG_0771.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYQFXo7tELxrY-IAYTs23fxDb6bwfzcA2qRhLbLpxekAoOl9Sr4E0xQAcDJusMUW9eHDYDe8hZFGDjkdxu6GomxV2pAlVG5EBGtlBuXaTEr4fkzNr8k-r0OEnhr2-n6LoAnt83SzKW954/s1600/IMG_0770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-ds4delPUSdoIDCY7IxY3rUrLrnxZwjHW9sB15-tDBWR_a6Zyn4CXuhNIgBGVYTHlIsxL5UDvGqUxS6pOgRW6MO_D4FAtjLy5Tiwcg6-ywGbUfcsGkLTAI7q_HA9Ve0fV-WOpGaar9Wz/s1600/IMG_0769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Not gonna lie, this part sucked. It was a painstaking process to dig everything out perfectly to the shape of the pond. The process was basically dig, test fit, dig, test fit, dig, test fit, dig test fit, repeated 300x for over two hours.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLugEevmuODoMh09DpBxvATHG1ynApzeYTdZLzhd5KlyD90a0ubFfBz06Zh2ppQbgqOJci4EjGZi7BOldAfNF-8eXZoEGRvYKzJ9ooP4eTFBPbmdf_ye_O9AreaIjTIHCtONE9EbKuYUc/s1600/IMG_0772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLugEevmuODoMh09DpBxvATHG1ynApzeYTdZLzhd5KlyD90a0ubFfBz06Zh2ppQbgqOJci4EjGZi7BOldAfNF-8eXZoEGRvYKzJ9ooP4eTFBPbmdf_ye_O9AreaIjTIHCtONE9EbKuYUc/s1600/IMG_0772.jpg" /></a></div><br />Lucky for us, we live in an area where the top layer of earth is just soft sand. We were also lucky that we didn't run into any surprises... like roots or pipes. My shovel actually hit of one of our pool pipes but it was right on the edge of our pond area and just barely out of the way... whew!<br /><br />Finally, we got that sucker in.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3cuKtlR57Plf-Lf8AnCB_3fKmkCdmrtwbp7bQ4jN3wSMVh-wKZaMBwXDpX5bkU5NM4m7imHtc6drqlC5ZTE2cOkv9ka1BDP7ZGZe5UsOg0L-Wg_kyhlBMj0tCNo9xUETWlmCyfOtkmjK/s1600/IMG_0773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3cuKtlR57Plf-Lf8AnCB_3fKmkCdmrtwbp7bQ4jN3wSMVh-wKZaMBwXDpX5bkU5NM4m7imHtc6drqlC5ZTE2cOkv9ka1BDP7ZGZe5UsOg0L-Wg_kyhlBMj0tCNo9xUETWlmCyfOtkmjK/s1600/IMG_0773.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />After cleaning it out and replacing the dirt/bark around the edges, we started filling up and arranging the rocks around the edges.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7msZNVhjyukw6EYqvR3_0D8Y9kiaK0cwY6_7JUIDgPRhGVqqXF4bA4UDrGimldu9HmMrcVxQvar6mm2jCAJj8WGHyaSW53nXSxhtExSI-8e48F2BBacmn1bV7q2VI1eauQzpuQxUZvdN/s1600/IMG_0774.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7msZNVhjyukw6EYqvR3_0D8Y9kiaK0cwY6_7JUIDgPRhGVqqXF4bA4UDrGimldu9HmMrcVxQvar6mm2jCAJj8WGHyaSW53nXSxhtExSI-8e48F2BBacmn1bV7q2VI1eauQzpuQxUZvdN/s1600/IMG_0774.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We quickly realized we didn't have enough, so Brad went to the landscaping store the next day and bought another 160lbs more.<br /><br />But a rock pond is not complete without a few things—a filter, a pump, and some plants.<br /><br />Brad purchased this <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_81665-60084-UVFS_0__?productId=3345492&Ntt=smartpond+uv&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dsmartpond%2Buv&facetInfo=" target="_blank">UV filter</a> complete with a fountain from Lowe's for $129.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkfZQKAzSB-cu2xHjmBmqW3S5yfCj03q0LF3FLAlqqvurHx1Fm7l1IWfTl3O2qSJshBIkAnxUFC2wSd3hQUZRcddYDBG1xkTpT0gIZRLoqPyGSBp4u_PPTJ-FFxboeYRtaY47IVOrVd7m/s1600/IMG_0776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkfZQKAzSB-cu2xHjmBmqW3S5yfCj03q0LF3FLAlqqvurHx1Fm7l1IWfTl3O2qSJshBIkAnxUFC2wSd3hQUZRcddYDBG1xkTpT0gIZRLoqPyGSBp4u_PPTJ-FFxboeYRtaY47IVOrVd7m/s1600/IMG_0776.jpg" /></a></div><br />The UV light inside the filter cleans algae and keeps the water aerated. It also has a fountain and LED lighting which Brad thought was the coolest thing ever. It even changes water patterns.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPypCtwbRnNst0HkQuGVRmC_LvLH_-ZnWk1vxyeHmUWYxmASIdQxjiWLr05O4p1mhkM0HUERst8iCaZhqCYq2cyHg1TRDRJKyUbk_4vyxlSXerey6MYmnmDdAQZBwQ85ZHR9YUeTe2_CnP/s1600/IMG_0778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPypCtwbRnNst0HkQuGVRmC_LvLH_-ZnWk1vxyeHmUWYxmASIdQxjiWLr05O4p1mhkM0HUERst8iCaZhqCYq2cyHg1TRDRJKyUbk_4vyxlSXerey6MYmnmDdAQZBwQ85ZHR9YUeTe2_CnP/s1600/IMG_0778.jpg" /></a></div><br />My favorite part is the waterfall. For this, Brad picked up a simple <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_248380-60084-FP170AS_0__?productId=3027990&Ntt=smartpond+pump&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dsmartpond%2Bpump&facetInfo=" target="_blank">pump</a> at Lowe's and 5 feet of clear hose for $45:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlY_scPLiwCCl_AO0MpB278qDiNIUWndVYe4Bu5B7YxsDPLMTzmz1vbavO9qfhffe32gFs2aHhGjEvg09bmZlu3wwC8j3_PFTsNvhscCgQClWm-sxhiGulEXCwrl095ybONTof8ojBjhQ/s1600/IMG_0782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlY_scPLiwCCl_AO0MpB278qDiNIUWndVYe4Bu5B7YxsDPLMTzmz1vbavO9qfhffe32gFs2aHhGjEvg09bmZlu3wwC8j3_PFTsNvhscCgQClWm-sxhiGulEXCwrl095ybONTof8ojBjhQ/s1600/IMG_0782.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />To build the waterfall, we stacked the largest rocks at the back of the pond and strategically fed the tube up and over, (hidden by the rocks so you can't see it) keeping the pump submerged at the bottom.<br /><br />For the finishing touches, Brad got a few water plants as well as a handful of other plants to landscape the surrounding area.<br /><br />And after two afternoons and about 7 hours of work, our pond oasis is complete!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOohqNFEczMI46bh8V2X0xN9iSHHBwUpCVIxTZwxbhP8rOdymAz7H1BBb2LXGxW4Q_DbC9zdSIthPHwvYq7jKo4jZYZZNFt6eF_wy15RARLN5wtPZWxVp1Flpq-SeBL-nPgs2hX4Qw4O_/s1600/IMG_0809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOohqNFEczMI46bh8V2X0xN9iSHHBwUpCVIxTZwxbhP8rOdymAz7H1BBb2LXGxW4Q_DbC9zdSIthPHwvYq7jKo4jZYZZNFt6eF_wy15RARLN5wtPZWxVp1Flpq-SeBL-nPgs2hX4Qw4O_/s1600/IMG_0809.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oEpWjS3_qVj7sYbAign5BW1J1bdshsZR2vQ4wLw10oPPnSL0qD3XH_L0W897AiS8ajhtZzrosabjfCohVA0RpshyBZzwwIfzLpGSUFqk3SBdFryy1qN137Jn5aXXF2k4OPCdAh6TZ0Mt/s1600/IMG_0810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oEpWjS3_qVj7sYbAign5BW1J1bdshsZR2vQ4wLw10oPPnSL0qD3XH_L0W897AiS8ajhtZzrosabjfCohVA0RpshyBZzwwIfzLpGSUFqk3SBdFryy1qN137Jn5aXXF2k4OPCdAh6TZ0Mt/s1600/IMG_0810.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9Jt4nCReDYRfClWTqXFzII1rZOScF8lrTTNCu0uh89PMHR3YDLB3lSjxyv6giCzZ9_NubjSu3zGFznQ9tDZITzJy2GEkFVG3lecEst28FQVSZRDWYDeutKskcjUjHR-LqfqK1ISP5UB7/s1600/IMG_0807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9Jt4nCReDYRfClWTqXFzII1rZOScF8lrTTNCu0uh89PMHR3YDLB3lSjxyv6giCzZ9_NubjSu3zGFznQ9tDZITzJy2GEkFVG3lecEst28FQVSZRDWYDeutKskcjUjHR-LqfqK1ISP5UB7/s1600/IMG_0807.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuX-Nz-XhRXTARlT6Sk5b_xB9WIHweUKzCMOd0HLQ-5oOSFcNUlrorOlozJJd43zvNt9mPtSebLsEXkiWCkRogsE-0LkpDB_ThuUbPcznkTcX63afXH8KMPDHmUrYHnIF2xEMzMxK7wPF/s1600/IMG_0812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuX-Nz-XhRXTARlT6Sk5b_xB9WIHweUKzCMOd0HLQ-5oOSFcNUlrorOlozJJd43zvNt9mPtSebLsEXkiWCkRogsE-0LkpDB_ThuUbPcznkTcX63afXH8KMPDHmUrYHnIF2xEMzMxK7wPF/s1600/IMG_0812.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0YjN2kJlx-irC7vnxGCZi9jD-qG0Rsk9gHONHePV2_KQKvmBDdypXir7ayA0l6pZSuv9Q4TlHc2p9NeiuM4Zh4XOr97NTytE0u1bhuSMWsq3tAEwpVrCylVy3GQ4jqNtDsU9Q3RggLZy/s1600/IMG_0817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0YjN2kJlx-irC7vnxGCZi9jD-qG0Rsk9gHONHePV2_KQKvmBDdypXir7ayA0l6pZSuv9Q4TlHc2p9NeiuM4Zh4XOr97NTytE0u1bhuSMWsq3tAEwpVrCylVy3GQ4jqNtDsU9Q3RggLZy/s1600/IMG_0817.jpg" /></a></div><br />Don't mind our gator... he doesn't bite (too hard).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZxY2oQW3cc7bq4MuVKBmrMDYUYiJT4S-9aZR55STJkfdG3bZcz2VVDanzpgsAIVW7FK_xK3yDjtFHMTUZ4LJZGIeBoiSW0wmoEcxnSB9zTGbmkQrA1pI3gJBWG_iB7ApBHu_OxqdKFOl/s1600/IMG_0816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZxY2oQW3cc7bq4MuVKBmrMDYUYiJT4S-9aZR55STJkfdG3bZcz2VVDanzpgsAIVW7FK_xK3yDjtFHMTUZ4LJZGIeBoiSW0wmoEcxnSB9zTGbmkQrA1pI3gJBWG_iB7ApBHu_OxqdKFOl/s1600/IMG_0816.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here's a couple evening/night shots to show off the lighting:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hGGz0IA_dNhvYCpHEgKdpaDoThRRCDSo584eFpimbYlHtWll_rAiwFCEAM9BIm0VrNwz4J5QjLcM66mGUy3ia6E0c_XNUHvT0HIgH31nW253Vp8mvVDDPMkR3QCGwwhgCMd2v5cjb-Ap/s1600/IMG_0793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hGGz0IA_dNhvYCpHEgKdpaDoThRRCDSo584eFpimbYlHtWll_rAiwFCEAM9BIm0VrNwz4J5QjLcM66mGUy3ia6E0c_XNUHvT0HIgH31nW253Vp8mvVDDPMkR3QCGwwhgCMd2v5cjb-Ap/s1600/IMG_0793.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMS37Ph0xsO5PnuMQhk7MTDyYl0TDGrrVQ_o0azvqyaii9aLUVoWmLW0uRngI98gtTu84VQOxybf3Elmfb43RG2kYyO6TGNTQetWZ_CAsfZr99eWI2H1ajxwf4tFwcqqoiB2qbjPN_LBc/s1600/IMG_0828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMS37Ph0xsO5PnuMQhk7MTDyYl0TDGrrVQ_o0azvqyaii9aLUVoWmLW0uRngI98gtTu84VQOxybf3Elmfb43RG2kYyO6TGNTQetWZ_CAsfZr99eWI2H1ajxwf4tFwcqqoiB2qbjPN_LBc/s1600/IMG_0828.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7msZNVhjyukw6EYqvR3_0D8Y9kiaK0cwY6_7JUIDgPRhGVqqXF4bA4UDrGimldu9HmMrcVxQvar6mm2jCAJj8WGHyaSW53nXSxhtExSI-8e48F2BBacmn1bV7q2VI1eauQzpuQxUZvdN/s1600/IMG_0774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1Yy0OxrczoQugFacRxt97UhRbY-sWowaKGOWT0BL7riK9ThPcOzIwjzsS4gPPog32Z5bMIWp0lDMnukvRT22FmVTMOiPcZ1AJBbUsHr-Qb8GVGx5fdlHa0WxxliwgbwH5OtWloBROZp9/s1600/IMG_0830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1Yy0OxrczoQugFacRxt97UhRbY-sWowaKGOWT0BL7riK9ThPcOzIwjzsS4gPPog32Z5bMIWp0lDMnukvRT22FmVTMOiPcZ1AJBbUsHr-Qb8GVGx5fdlHa0WxxliwgbwH5OtWloBROZp9/s1600/IMG_0830.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Project materials cost breakdown: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pond: $99</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Filter/fountain: $129</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pump/hose: $45</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rocks: $27 (we paid 17 cents per pound, most were free)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Water plants: $50</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Landscaping flowers: $27</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Grand Total: $377 </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not the cheapest project, but still a whole lot better than paying a landscaping company! I'd say it was a good call on Brad's part. I'm glad one of us takes initiative on outdoor projects. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Working on some new living room accents for the next post... check back soon for that!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7msZNVhjyukw6EYqvR3_0D8Y9kiaK0cwY6_7JUIDgPRhGVqqXF4bA4UDrGimldu9HmMrcVxQvar6mm2jCAJj8WGHyaSW53nXSxhtExSI-8e48F2BBacmn1bV7q2VI1eauQzpuQxUZvdN/s1600/IMG_0774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7msZNVhjyukw6EYqvR3_0D8Y9kiaK0cwY6_7JUIDgPRhGVqqXF4bA4UDrGimldu9HmMrcVxQvar6mm2jCAJj8WGHyaSW53nXSxhtExSI-8e48F2BBacmn1bV7q2VI1eauQzpuQxUZvdN/s1600/IMG_0774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7msZNVhjyukw6EYqvR3_0D8Y9kiaK0cwY6_7JUIDgPRhGVqqXF4bA4UDrGimldu9HmMrcVxQvar6mm2jCAJj8WGHyaSW53nXSxhtExSI-8e48F2BBacmn1bV7q2VI1eauQzpuQxUZvdN/s1600/IMG_0774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br />

The 7 Hour Pond

Let me preface this post by saying this is a Brad project. It was his idea and execution (he even took half the photos)... I simply contributed some manual labor and a few opinions. And this post.Summer is upon us and we've been turning our attention to the outdoors lately—prepping the backyard for …

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