Sport-Brella GIVEAWAY

Outdoorsy peeps, get ready to SWOON over these next TWO giveaways...

Three years ago, to protect our family from overexposure to the sun's harmful rays, we purchased a Sport-Brella (see previous post Made in the Shade) and have considered it an incredible family asset on our annual beach adventures. 

First year with our Sport-Brella beach FORT! Fellow beach-goers are always inquiring about our awesome shelter.

After discovering our admiration for their innovative product design, a lovely Sport-Brella rep sent us their Recliner Chair to review.

Now, they're generously offering up one Sport-Brella and one Recliner Chair (THAT giveaway will be up next week WITH an awesome coupon code!) to YOU, readers!

Just when I thought I couldn't be more in love with this company...

BOOYAH!

This week, all Hearth readers have up to FOUR chances to win an 8-foot-wide Sport-Brella shelter (a $59.99 value!) for the coolest outdoor hang times. Your crew will cozy up, protected from the sun, wind and rain at any locale.

At the beach, fundraisers, picnics, or sporting events— stay outta the blazing sun and comfortably hang with your homies in the sweetest Sport-Brella shade.

Expect double-high-fives when your crew sees you setting up this fort.
WIN IT!

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So, how do you nab the prize?

Leave a comment on this blog post. A randomizer program will select one lucky winner from the comment list on this page to take home the goods!  (1 entry)

Wanna increase your odds?

"Like" From My Hearth to Yours on Facebook for one additional entry. Already on board? Comment separately below and, I do declare, you'll be swimming in that game pool twice! Always trying to increase the odds for regular readers here at the Hearth! (1 entry)

Or scroll down on the right side bar to join up with From My Hearth to Yours on Google Friend Connect for yet another entry. Comment to notify me on this page, stay in the Hearth's loop, and tack on one additional shot at the prize! (1 entry)

Lastly, feel free to share the link to this giveaway on FB or Twitter for one more entry. Comment on this post to let me know you've shared. (1 entry)

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Good luck, everyone, and don't forget to stick around for the Recliner Chair GIVEAWAY and Sport-Brella coupon code coming up next week!

XOXO From My Hearth to Yours

*Giveaway is open to ALL From My Hearth to Yours readers until Mon, Aug 4th 2014 at 9p.m. EST. Winner will be announced on Tues, Aug 5th. If prize is unclaimed after 72 hours, the next number in the randomizer list will be declared the winner.  Free shipping in USA only.

**I received NO monetary incentive for writing this post and earn no commission from Sport-Brella sales. ALL opinions expressed here are my own.
***GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR PLAYING!***

GOODBYE Stink Bugs! We're Fortified!

I told you the move to fortify our fortress from stink bugs was gonna be BIG.

Big…and expensive.

After thorough research, years of experimentation (see Why We've Been FEEDING & SAVING Stink Bugs,

Stink Bug Hideout, and Stink Bug WAR- Phase 1 Tactic) and suffering (read Stink Bugs in the Dead of Winter,
Stink Bugs: They're Baaaaaack!, Ten Scenes of Horror: Living with Stink Bugs, Our House- The All-Inclusive Stink Bug Resort), we finally made the massive move to keep stinkers OUT.

So how'd we do it?

After tearing off the siding on our beloved home, we uncovered the stink bug's secret entryway, the portal, the highway to hell.

Sunnuva…!

Look at that GAP! Easy on ramp on the highway to hell.

It turns out, there was siding UNDERNEATH our siding. Say whaaa?
Quite a surprise when we discovered this bonkers error.

Because the surface underneath the existing siding was, obviously, not flat (as it should have been) there were large grooves that created easy stink bug paths right into our home.

No-freakin-wonder we've been inundated with spawn!
ARG!

Stink bugs (and tons of other creepsters) crawled up these grooves and entered through the gaps between panels.

A problem we had to remedy!
After removing BOTH layers of the existing siding, we got the job done right.

A bug screen was added to the bottom of each section before the new siding was installed.

Bug screen before being folded up.

The screen prevents bugs from creeping through the underside of the siding.

I love you, bug screen.

And then the new siding was installed.

Every crevice was sealed with caulk, and we will be vigilant in ensuring that every possible gap is sealed in the future.

Flashing strips were added to the base of the home to further prevent any access to the fortress.

So now we wait. 

Give us one full year to report results.

Right now, any stinkers inside our home will be trying to make their way OUT to breed, but when "winter is coming" we know spawn will try to breech our walls for another season of hibernation. 

This time…we'll be ready.

Get psyched for us, friends. I think we've GOT this now.

I have to believe.

Pray for us.

XOXO From My Hearth to Yours

"Like" From My Hearth to Yours on Facebook here to stick around for updates, reader tips/comments and news.

Mexican Grass Addiction?

Mexican Feather Grass is definitely my favorite perennial purchase this season.

I'm obsessed with everything about it…

the way it dances in the breeze

the way it feels in my hands

the way it captivates me with its gorgeous airiness. 

I really just can't get enough.

My Mexican Feather Grass admiration has gone so overboard, in fact, that instead of planting it in the ground, I transferred it into a planter so I can caress it while lounging on the deck.

And I do.

If it's in my sight line, I'm over there running my fingers through it…
braiding it
making ponytails with it
curling it around my fingers.

I might get more so I can wrap myself in it.

If you come over and find me crouched in the dirt with a makeshift grass shawl, don't be too alarmed.
This stuff would make a great plant suit.

Sensory therapy, anyone?
Get some soothing Mexican Feather Grass and see what I mean.

Most tactilely stimulating plant ever!

Sidenote: Be prepared for really strange reactions when you, too, run around telling people that you're addicted to Mexican grass. 

Here's to sunny days and gorgeous greenery!
XOXO From My Hearth to Yours

"Like" From My Hearth to Yours on Facebook here to stick around for updates, reader tips/comments and news.