A Cultivated Nest

Home Sweet Frugal Home

I don't know about you, but I know our dollars are not stretching as far as they used to. Grocery prices seem particularly bad and with the drought in the midwest are only going to get worse. We've also had a significant change in our healthcare costs. We used to have no deductible and only had a co-pay to see a doctor. Since July we've had $2500 deductible (which I met when I had a $10,000 CT ... Read More about Home Sweet Frugal Home

A Pretty & Frugal August Fireplace Mantle

I recently tweaked my fireplace mantle with some really easy DIY projects and re-using items that I already had. I think it's a cute mantel just in time for back to school! Must say I'm really happy with it! I re-used all those colorful books that I used in July's fireplace mantle makeover. Books make great lifts for objects and of course are perfect for a back-to-school vignette! ... Read More about A Pretty & Frugal August Fireplace Mantle

Planting Under Mature Trees

I wanted to share with you an on going project that I started way back in March. Basically I widened the liriope circle around a clump of trees and started adding some new plants under the tree canopy. That area really needed some renovating as you can see in the before photo. Under planting trees with plants (not ivy or grass) can have beautiful results as long as you follow some guidelines. ... Read More about Planting Under Mature Trees

Faux Barnwood Letters

I finally did something with the unfinished chipboard letters I got from Hobby Lobby a long time ago. I made them look like letters sawn from old barnwood! Faux barnwood letters! The regular price of this size letter is $1.99 and I got them at 40% off. If you wait eventually everything in that store goes on sale. I haven't tried tracking their sales cycle but I'm sure their sales are ... Read More about Faux Barnwood Letters

My Flickr Photostream

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let you all know that I'm working on a ACN Flickr Photostream. I'll be posting new photos there and also moving some old photos. So come by and check it out. Here's the link : A Cultivated Nest Flickr Photostream ... Read More about My Flickr Photostream

An Orchard – Big or Small Is a Lovely Idea

When we moved into this house we had an old apple tree, a whole bunch of crabapples and an apricot tree on the property. Now the apricot was planted right outside the backdoor and every summer we'd have to dodge the bees as the fruit dropped. NOT a good idea. So that had to go. The crabapples also had to go. There were literally 6 old crabapples here - beautiful in the spring but there was no ... Read More about An Orchard – Big or Small Is a Lovely Idea