I get several garden catalogs with outdoor furniture, garden art, outdoor rugs and outdoor curtains. After I saw the outdoor curtains, I begin to think how nice that would be to keep the sun off our screened in porch in the afternoons and to keep the dust and pollen off the table and chairs.
The curtains ran $59.00 for an 84″ long, 50 inch wide panel. They also sold tension curtain rods for $49.95 that would extend 48″ to 86″, which would be the size I needed.
Grommet outdoor curtains sold in catalog.
I decided to try to imitate the look for less. I needed something that could withstand the sun and moisture, and would have grommets at the top. I checked several stores and found what I was looking for at Lowes. I purchased two gommeted shower curtains with a leaf pattern on clearance for $12.98. Those where the last two they had, so I purchased a white one of the same style for $19.00. Then I bought three tension shower rods for $13.99 each.
I was excited about the look. If you come to my house and wonder why I have shower curtains hanging on the deck, let me just tell you… it has been a wonderful thing to have the dust, pollen, and hot sun blocked out and I don’t think the look is too bad either. See for yourself.
Shower curtains outdoors.
Another view.
Another view.
It would look even better if I had two shower curtains per section to make them fuller, but that will have to wait for another payday.
I also needed a flower arrangement for my deck table that could stand the elements. At a local antique store, I was able to purchase plastic “wildflowers”. When I was checking out, I was discussing how I hated to use those styrofoam pieces to hold the flowers. They would be easier to wash off if there was no styrofoam involved.
I was given a good tip by the guy that was checking me out. In their store, they use crumpled newspaper to hold the flowers in the arrangements. I ended up using the crumpled up tissue paper that he wrapped my flowers in before he placed them in the bag. It held the flowers in place better than anything I have tried before. When they need cleaning, I can remove the flowers and tissue, hose the flowers off, let them dry, then replace it all. Can life get any easier?
So now I have imitations of outdoor curtains and flowers.
I think it is okay to have imitations if they give a look that is close to the real thing.
The definition of imitation is… “a thing intended to simulate or copy something else”.
The Bible says that we should imitate God… “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God…” Ephesians 5:1-2a (NASB)
Are you an imitation?
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