Outdoor entertaining

Now that it’s spring I know many of you with a green thumb are chomping at the bit to get outside to the garden. Susan from Between Naps on the Porch has always wanted a potting table, and when she realized it could also double as a serving table for outdoor parties she was sold all over again. Susan got to work planning her build, and here’s the cool part – this is her very first woodworking project! She says she didn’t even know how to use a drill! If you are as impressed and inspired as I am, the good news is that Ana White drew up the plans so you can also build your own potting bench for spring!

This morning I shared a DIY giant Jenga game that would be a blast for outdoor entertaining and family cookouts. How much would Dad enjoy having a handmade cooler stand filled with his favorite beverages on hand during the game? Jenny from Birds and Soap followed plans from Ana White to build one for her hubs last Father’s Day. It boasts a bottle opener, drain, casters, and even bottle caps Jenny’s sweet hubby saved for her crafting. As Jenny says, it is the “coolest” gift you can give Dad!

If you’ve been around any of my sites, you know I come from a game-loving family. So when I came across the idea for a giant Jenga game, I was instantly sold. Emma from A Beautiful Mess felt the same way after playing for the first time at a friend’s house and immediately came home to build her own set. As she says, it is a pretty easy and inexpensive project – just cut some boards, sand them smooth, and then paint them if you want to. This would be a gift that keeps giving for Dad as your family enjoys giant Jenga competitions outside all summer long!

Jaime from That’s My Letter is back again with another catalog-inspired project that is sure to knock you socks off! Jaime turned a large cake pan into a divided lazy Susan that offers the “perfect mix of warm wood and shiny metal.” The generous size of the pan allows plenty of room for utensils, napkins, and anything else you might need for an outdoor BBQ. Between her mini croquet mallet food labels and this lazy Susan, I’d say Jaime is all set for some summer entertaining!

There’s not much that sets the stage for relaxation like candle light. You can see how Serendipity created a little outdoor oasis beneath her pergola …