Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

I have a good friend, Elana, who has told me about her house and her yard before, but I had never seen it.  The way she talked it sounded like her own personal haven.  Last week we had dinner with the girls and I got to experience her home and back yard.  Today she is inviting us over for a peek inside her home. 

Elana is the epitomy of reducing, reusing and recycling.  She is doing her part to make sure her carbon footprint is very miniscule.  She even makes art out of her old wine bottles and an empty frame.

Things that some people might consider junk, we consider art and wouldn't dream of throwing it out.

Look at these incredible sculptures made from old car parts for instance:

A good friend of hers made these because

he knew she liked "junk."

Look at these ingenious planters!  No need to buy expensive pots, use what you have.

Like an old tree stump!

Or how about an old mop bucket?

Much better use than what it was

intended for if you ask my opinion.

No?  Well, how about an old

metal pipe?  No one was using it anymore

so why not?

Oh, how I love sweet potatoe vine!

Elana told a funny story of how her sister was

over visiting one day and said that she did not

dare put her purse down because she was afraid Elana

would plant something in it!

Probably very true too!

Or how about using some old fence slats

to hang a potted plot on just

to give it a little somin' somin'?

Her yard is full of wildflowers

that are just flourishing.

Why not paint your own mural on the side of

your garage?  Why are we so afraid to make our

homes our own?  Why don't we surround ourselves with

beautiful things, beautiful art?  Why do we

pick neutral colors and leave our walls

bare just because we might sell one day?

Enjoy your homes now.  Make them

your own personal haven

These ladies make me happy and make

me wanna dance!

Elana also made her own paintings

for her home.

Forgive me if I am wrong, but I do

believe they are John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett,

and Jackson Browne (right order?)

And last, but certainly not least, here is a

bench that she made from an old deck that

she tore out.  Perfectly good wood, just a new purpose!

Thanks for having me over and allowing me to

share your talents with my readers!