How to : Improve Pool Deck | Behr Concrete Stain

Before & After 

We recently purchased a new home.  It has a ton of great features, but it needs a bit of work.  The first task we decided to tackle was the pool and pool deck. 

The pool prior to any change.  

The first thing we did was drive down to the pool supply store and purchase a ton of chlorine and other pool cleaning supplies.  I have no idea how much my husband put in the pool, but it made a huge difference almost immediately.  

My husband took a deck broom and scrubbed the pool deck with chlorine.   This cleaned the deck, but also prepared it for the concrete stain.

The husband scrubbing.

The cleaned pool deck.  

My Father-in-law already owned the Behr Concrete Stain in the color Fresh Cement.  It's what he uses on his pool deck.  He brought what he had over for us to test out.  

Although, it was a huge improvement it wasn't exactly what I had in mind (I wanted white).   The stain soaked up in the patio and required quite a few coats.  

Behr Concrete Stain in Fresh Cement.

We ended up going to Home Depot to purchase 5 Gallons of the concrete stain along with a fluffier roller brush (to soak up the stain better). 

Standing on the Behr Concrete Stain in Fresh Cement.

We chose the Behr Concrete Stain in Ultra Pure White 6050.  I still took a booklet home to make sure that I made the right decision.  I did!

And two liberal coats later we had a very white pool deck! I don't think it could have turned out any better.  

Behr Concrete Stain in Ultra Pure White 6050

Another view of the Behr Concrete Stain in Ultra Pure White. 

We still have a lot to do on our house and I would love to take you all on the journey with us!

If you have any questions about the Behr Concrete Stain feel free to comment below.  It was a very easy product to use and it made a huge improvement.  

Thanks for checking this post out!

How to : Pot A Plant

I have been plant obsessed lately. Well, over the weekend there was a Plant Festival.  Naturally, I had to go.  I packed up my son at 7:45AM and we made our way down to buy some plants.  

Radio Flyer Big Red Classic ATW 36" Steel Wagon

Graham had never rode in his Radio Flyer before.  He seemed to enjoy it.  He had a bottle of water, a toy truck and some peanuts (to feed the birds and squirrels along the way).  

When we arrived he wanted to pull the wagon.  

We left with White Birds of Paradise.  They were 3 for $20.  It was a deal that I could not pass up.  I love these plants because of their huge palm like leaves.  

We have a lot of work to do on our new house.  And I'm not really sure where I want to plant these at the moment because they get HUGE (10'-20')! So, for now I am just going to pot them.   I also thought this could be a great opportunity for me to start blogging again.

Now let me show you How I Pot My Plants: 

Step 1 :  I measured the plastic pots that the plants were in originally.  They were roughly 9" in diameter and height.  

I went to a local nursery and purchased these terracotta pots.  They are roughly 15" in diameter and height.  I wanted something larger that gave the plants some extra growing room.  

Step 2 :  I took the plant to check and see roughly how much potting soil I need to put in the bottom of the pot to get it to the right height.  

Step 3 : I took a rock and placed it at the bottom of the pot to cover the hole.  I don't know if you can tell from the photo, but this rock is U-shaped and covers the hole, but it's still lifted to allow water to escape.   You can also use wire mesh. I just didn't have any at the moment.   

This step keeps the potting mix in while still allowing water to escape.  

Step 4 :  I filled the bottom of the pot with potting soil.  

Step 5 :  I'm just checking to make sure the plant will be at the right height.  

Bracelets 

Step 6 :  I'm tapping all the sides of the plastic pot.  This helps loosen the plant for easier removal.  

Step 7 :  The plant is out!

Step 8 :  I broke up the roots to give them a little room to grow! 

Step 9 : I'm centering the plant into the pot.  

Step 10 :  I filled and patted the gaps with potting mix.  

Step 11 :  Completely Saturate the Plant.  

Step 12 : All Wet! 

All Done!

I hope you all enjoyed this post!  Thanks for checking it out!

Taking More Pictures! DITL 4/365

As I stated yesterday one of my goals in 2014 is to take more pictures.  So, to start the year off right we did just that! 

I love my little family!  

Graham started sprouting a tooth (It became visible on December 29, 2013).  It's on his bottom left side. I have been trying to get a good picture of it, but it's very difficult.  This also means "gummy smiles" are nearing the end. 

We attempted to get a good family picture at the beach.  They didn't turn out that great, but I am still happy that we did it! No regrets taking advantage of the photo opportunity! 

Oh!! The love I have for this child! 

He is my greatest achievement. 

P.S. You can watch peek into my life.   Day 4 of 365.  I will be uploading a new day in the life video every morning around 9AM EST!

DITL : Dolphins, Beach, Tacos & Sopapilla Cheesecake Recipe

I know Cinco de Mayo is really just another reason to get drunk in the US.  It's basically like St. Patrick's Day.  No one really knows what were celebrating, but major alcohol is called into play.  

My husband and I didn't drink anything.  However, we did create a Mojito Video for the holiday.  

We did have Tacos though!  How very festive of us!

And I made Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars.  (I googled Mexican Desserts and this one sounded great)

It was really easy too!  

You can see the Sopapilla Cheesecake being made at 7:24 in the video below.  

Ingredients

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent rolls
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• Optional :  Honey 

Directions:  

1.  Preheat an Oven to 350 degress.

2.  In a bowl, blend together cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar and the vanilla.

3.  Take a 9" x 13" Buttered Baking Pan. 

4.  Unroll 1 of the cans of crescent rolls into the bottom of the pan. 

5.  Place the cream cheese mixture on top of the Crescent Rolls.

6. Cover the Cream Cheese with the other can of unrolled crescent rolls.  

7.  In another bowl, combine remaining sugar, cinnamon and butter.

8.  Dot the cinnamon mixture on top of the crescent rolls.

9.  Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes.

10.  Optional : Drizzle on Honey.

11.  Set Aside to cool.

12.  Once cooled, cut into squares.

13.  Enjoy!

The Husband & I went to party this weekend in the neighboring city of Casey Key.  We had a little time to spare before the party, so, we took a little drive over to The Jetties.  

The water and weather were absolutely gorgeous this weekend.  

Altogether, I would say my husband and I had a great weekend.  How was yours spent?!

DITL : Coffee, Ulta Haul & Grumpy Hubby

And just some food for thought: 

TTFN!

DITL : Hubby Punch

My husband and I had the pleasure of spending the entire day together this past Wednesday (technically, I started filming/shooting Tuesday Night).  So, we decided to post a day in the life video on our channel TheCurrentCouple.  Here's a glimpse of our day though photo and video!

Thanks for watching,

Lorraine