DIY Life

Just two hours from my north Florida home are some of the nation's most gorgeous sugar sand beaches. Sadly, I don't get to dig my toes in that heavenly sand nearly as often as I'd like. So, I've started toying with the idea of bringing some of that beachy feel home to my own yard for year round enjoyment.

Looking around for easy, affordable ideas I discovered two fabulous, beach-themed garden projects from Sunset magazine. One is a super-easy container garden, the other is a more involved -- but still mighty doable – landscaping project. Both could bring a delightful dose of beach attitude to your home turf.

Strapped for time or cash? Take inspiration from the "Beach Garden in a Pot" container project. Pick a large and pretty ceramic pot and plant it with a grouping of plants. Next, mulch the surface with sand and decorate your heart out with little pieces of driftwood and sea shells.

Everything is expensive nowadays, and let's face it -- a summer vacation just may not be in your budget this year. You don't have to sacrifice family fun just because you can't get away, though; instead, follow my tips for a frugal staycation filled with old favorites and new adventures!

Come on in -- the water's fine!
No staycation would be complete without a day at the beach or pool, and you've got lots of cheap options.

• Got a friend with a pool? Bum a visit, and bring burgers and hot dogs for everyone. You've done your share -- and gotten a free day of swimming.
• Find a state park (here's a list of all U.S. state parks) with a lake and beach. They are usually only about US $5 per car; they often have BBQ pits so you can cook your own meals, and you could even rent a canoe.
• If you live in the mountains, you can probably pull over to the side of the road and frolic in the rocky river for the day, like we do when we visit New Hampshire. That's free, folks!
• Living near the ocean is quite a perk, and can cost anywhere from free to about US $20 per car. If you are coastal, you've got to take advantage!

Last week we kept busy with low-key sick day activities, and thankfully, we've recovered and are itching to get outside.

My boys are curious, and with that comes endless questioning about the world around them. If your usual walking path is losing its luster, and you're getting tired of questions about the same rotten log, it might be time to mix it up a little. I've gathered together some crafts that celebrate nature and use materials found in their environment.

After the break, I'll share some of these nature-based activities and crafts that will cater to their outdoor interests.

My daughter loves to watch the cartoon "Lil Bill". Repeat episodes come on every day, so I have the theme "Spring is here, Spring is here, it's the best time of the year" stuck in my head. The episode reminds me that the snow is slowly melting and it's about time to go to the beach.

Maybe it is too early in the year to go to the beach yet, but somewhere in the world it is spring or even summer. That means it is time to think about decorating your home for breezy summer days. What better way to do that than with seashells? Kathy Peterson has excellent suggestions on exactly what and where we can decorate with seashells.

Using seashells as a table centerpiece is a marvelous idea. Decorating with seashells in a roomy bathroom is ingenious, especially is you use seashells to spruce up a mirror. You can use shells to pretty up your fireplace too, as well as your lampshades, pillows and curtain tie-backs, and to decorate a baby mobile.

You can decorate pretty much anything with seashells, but like Kathy recommends, keeping your theme simple is the key to a successfully and tastefully decorated abode.

Summer is officially over and it's time to pack up summer things and make room for fall and winter. I have lots of old beach towels that just aren't going to make it through another summer. Our local thrift store isn't interested in them because they can't sell them, and they cost the store time and money when they end up having to throw the towels out.

I'd really rather not throw these out, so I went looking for ways to re-purpose them. After the break I'll let you in on 10 uses for old beach towels. I'd love to hear your ideas too.