DIY : Succulent Planter

How To Make A Succulent Planter by Home Style Austin
One Excellent Succulent

If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to make a lasting impression, make and gift one of these unique succulent plants.

Once you have the supplies, these “succulent hangers” are surprisingly simple to create. The end result is a one-of-a-kind handmade plant that will surely delight both you and the lucky recipient.

Tips:

  • The material quantities below are approximations; what you use will vary based on the size of your plants and the number of succulent planters you’re making. PS ~ While you’re making one you might as well make more!
  • You may find 4 hands are better than 2! Our friend Eileen lent us her 2 hands which were especially useful during the forming and wrapping stages shown below.
  • Most of the supplies are easy to find; we found plants, soil, sphagnum moss and the garden wire at Lowes, green moss and the rainbow-inspired decorative twine came from Michael’s. The clay soil was the hardest for us to locate but we scored a 40 pound bag of it for about $5 at Hill Country Water Gardens (it’s one of our favorite nurseries). PS ~ 40 pounds of clay soil is deceivingly small. 

Materials: 

1 – 2 Cups  |  Potting Soil
1 – 2 Cups  |  Clay Soil
About 1/4 cup (To Form)  |  Water
1 (or more)  |  Succulent Plants
Two Handfuls  |  Sphagnum Moss, Moistened
Two Handfuls  |  Green Moss, Unmoistened
10 – 15 Feet  |  Decorative Twine
To Hang  |  A Piece Of Driftwood Or A Found Stick (about 6 inches long)
To Hang  |  Some Green Garden Wire (available at most craft stores)

What To Do:

1. Make Dirt.
In a medium-sized bowl mix together equal parts of the potting and clay soil. Add water and combine until the mixture resembles a pliable dough. Set aside.

How to Make a Succulent Planter Hanger by Home Style Austin
2. Form Planter.

Remove your succulent plant from its container and wrap it with enough sphagnum moss to entirely encase the roots. Then wrap the moss-covered succulent with the prepared, wet, soil from Step 1 above, forming a ball. Wrap green moss around the succulent and trim any excess that rises above the edge of the succulent.

How to Make a Succulent Planter Hanger by Home Style Austin
3. Wrap Planter

Using your decorative twine, wrap the planter several times to secure the soil and moss to the plant. A few times I carefully wrapped the twine on top – and between – the succulent branches to help form a well-wrapped “ball.” Along the way test your wrap to ensure the plant hangs level. As we formed the wrapped planter we created 4 extra-long suspensions at each “corner” of the succulent planter and then wrapped the hanging stick (below) to help keep the plant stable in the breezy winds of Central Texas. Make sure and leave enough excess twine at the top of the plant for hanging.

How to Make a Succulent Planter Hanger by Home Style Austin
4. Prepare To Hang

Wrap the excess twine around your hanging stick (from Step 3) to your desired length and tie them off at the top of the stick or tie and tuck the twine along the bottom of your succulent planter. To suspend from a nail or hanger wrap the stick a few times with the garden wire and secure.

5. To Care & Feed
Hang your succulent in a semi-sunny place, indoors or out. Make sure to keep the plant happy and keep it moist by misting daily or by watering liberally or letting rest in a shallow bowl of water. Succulents don’t need to be over-watered but they do need a little love.

Enjoy and please email me with any questions about this project!

Austin Realtor Joe Paul Reider





~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

How to Make a Succulent Planter Hanger by Home Style Austin

Open House in Cedar Park

Join Us For An Open House At 617 Bristlewood Cv, Cedar Park TX 78613Join Us For An Open House!

February 22, 2015
    Sunday 1 PM – 4 PM

    4 bedrooms
    3 bathrooms
    1,854 square feet

Join Us For An Open House At 617 Bristlewood Cv, Cedar Park TX 78613
A few of this home’s great features:

  • This Buttercup Creek home is a January 2015 remodel with tons of upgrades!
  • The kitchen features granite countertops, stainless appliances and a glass tile backsplash. Additional updates include oil rubbed bronze lighting and plumbing fixtures, tumbled stone and glass tile tub surrounds, new paint, new laminate and a new outside deck.
  • Love nature? This home is located on a quiet cul de sac with walking distance to Nelson Ranch and Cluck Creek Parks.
  • Offered at $214,900
  • Download a detailed property report here
  • More pictures of this beautiful home are located on our Facebook event page

Join Us For An Open House At 617 Bristlewood Cv, Cedar Park TX 78613
Can’t make this open house? I can give you a personal tour of this home – or other area homes – at your convenience. Please call or email me with any questions!

Hope to see you there!

Austin Realtor Joe Paul Reider

 

 

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512-222-3302
Web: JoePaul.KWRealty.com

The New Keller Williams Real Estate Mobile AppFree Real Estate App:
If you’re home hunting this weekend or beyond, download my free Keller Williams real estate app – it’s chock-full of features!


Please Note:
All property information in this post is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. I can help you validate any concerns or discrepancies.

 

Open House In Avery Ranch

An Open House at 11113 Persimmon Gap Drive in Avery Ranch by Home Style Austin

Join Us For An Open House!

December 6, 2014
    Saturday 1 PM – 4 PM

11113 Persimmon Gap Dr., Austin TX 78717
    3 bedrooms
    2.5 bathrooms
    2,141 square feet

A few of this home’s great features:

  • This 2-story home was built in 2008 and is located in my very own neighborhood of Avery Ranch, so I know a lot about the area.
  • Extras include: an upgraded kitchen backsplash and granite counters, new carpet and a beautiful front covered porch that will welcome your guests.
  • Runner, Biker or Nature Lover? Just a short walk from this home’s doorstep is Brushy Creek Regional Trail with over 7 linear miles of paved walkways to lakes, parks, fishing docks, picnic areas and more. One of my family’s favorites!
  • Popular area venues include Austin’s newest Costco, the best HEB in Austin that we’ve found, HEB Plus Lakeline, Avery Ranch Golf ClubLowes, Lakeline Mall, the newest Alamo Drafthouse and Austin’s first and newest chicken tender joint worth leaving home for, PDQ
  • Offered at $270,000
  • Download a detailed property report here
  • More pictures of this beautiful home are located on our Facebook event page

Can’t make this open house? I can give you a personal tour of this home – or other area homes – at your convenience. Please call or email me with any questions!

Hope to see you here in Avery Ranch!

Austin Realtor Joe Paul Reider

 

 

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512-222-3302
Web: JoePaul.KWRealty.com

The New Keller Williams Real Estate Mobile AppFree Real Estate App:
If you’re home hunting this weekend or beyond, download my free Keller Williams real estate app – it’s chock-full of features!


Please Note:
All property information in this post is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. I can help you validate any concerns or discrepancies.

 

Cowboy Bark Recipe

A Cowboy Bark Recipe From Home Style Austin

Chocolate Lover?

If you’re a fan of Trader Joe’s Cowboy Bark like I am, you’ll likely love this recipe. Who doesn’t want to take their taste buds on a flavor adventure with dark chocolate, nuts, heath bars and a hint of sea salt?

This recipe just has 7 ingredients – I refer to them as the “Magnificent 7” and after the chocolate is nice and gooey the kids can help decorate these treats … fun for the whole family!

Cowboy Bark is great for gift-giving! I make it for friends and clients … and soon my parents (if they find this post).

Foodie Tips:

  • The chocolate mix is the most important part of this recipe and you can customize it to your personal taste; you can use 100% of the same dark chocolate or a mixture of your own liking. I used a 12 ounce bag of Hershey’s Special Dark Mildly Sweet Chocolate Chips, 4 ounces of Nestle Toll House Milk Chocolate Morsels and a Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate Bar that the folks at TJ gave us just for checking-in on Foursquare. Sweet!
  • You can top your bark with a few of your own special ingredients – we like dried cranberries, pistachios, cashews and of course Texas pecans, the Mother of all nuts.

Ingredients: 

18-20 ounces  |  Chocolate, Melted Warm (see foodie tip above)
1 Cup  |  Mini Pretzels, Broken Into Pieces (Rold Gold or Synder’s work well)
¼ Cup |  Lightly Salted Peanuts, Coarsely Chopped
¼ Cup | Lightly Salted Almonds, Coarsely Chopped
¼ Cup |  Heath Bars, Coarsely Chopped
8-10  |  Chocolate Oreo Cookies, Cut Into Bite-Size Pieces
A Sprinkling |  Gray Sea Salt, To Taste

Cowboy Bark Recipe

Directions: 

1. Line a 10″ x 15″ baking tray with a piece of parchment paper and set aside.

2. Ready all of the ingredients above – except the chocolate – so that once the chocolate is melted you can move swift, like the wind.

3. Place your chocolate mixture into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 15-30 second increments, stirring with a rubber spatula between cycles, until the chocolate is smooth. Do not boil!

4. Pour your chocolate mixture onto your readied baking tray and spread the chocolate evenly with a wooden spoon or large knife. You don’t need to spread to the corners; just keep the chocolate in one continuous “blob.” Perfection isn’t a requirement here.

5. Sprinkle your ingredients on top of the chocolate and top with a sprinkling of sea salt. Lightly press your toppings into the chocolate to ensure a friendly bonding.

6. Transfer your readied tray into your fridge for 30-60 minutes, until everything has “set.” With a blunt knife press into the chocolate – it should break into delightful chunks.

Yields: 20 or more servings, depending on the size of your bark cuttings.

~ Joe Paul ReiderJoe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512-222-3302
Web: JoePaul.KWRealty.com

Love this recipe? We want to hear from you!

 Love Food? In a click and a scroll you can visit more of my favorite recipes!

 Love Trader Joe’s? Read more about some of our favorite TJ adventures.

 

Open House in Austin

9732 Alex Lane Austin Texas 78748

Join Us For An Amazing Open House!
September 21, 2014
    Sunday 1 PM – 4 PM

9732 Alex Lane, Austin, TX 78748
    3 bedrooms
    2 bathrooms + 2 half baths
    2,264 square feet

A few of this home’s great features:

  • This single-owner, 2-story home was built by Saldaña Homes and is located in Southpark Meadows Master Community just 9 miles from Lady Bird Lake and downtown Austin
  • This is a 4-STAR ENERGY home that’s in immaculate move-in condition.
  • Extras include: wood and stained concrete floors, wood framed casing around the windows, a tankless water heater, a sprinkler system, gas in the kitchen (a culinary score!), a gas fireplace, a patio with cedar plank ceiling, a “Texas-sized” laundry room with a sink and more
  • Love nature? Right over this home’s backyard stone fence is Mary Moore Seawright Metropolitan Park with over 340 acres of hiking trails, frisbee golf and more
  • Offered at $315,000
  • Download a detailed property report here
  • More pictures of this beautiful home are located on our Facebook event page

Can’t make this open house? I can give you a personal tour of this home – or other area homes – at your convenience. Please call or email me with any questions!

Hope to see you there!

Austin Realtor Joe Paul Reider

 

 

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512-222-3302
Web: JoePaul.KWRealty.com

The New Keller Williams Real Estate Mobile AppFree Real Estate App:
If you’re home hunting this weekend or beyond, download my free Keller Williams real estate app – it’s chock-full of features!


Please Note:
All property information in this post is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. I can help you validate any concerns or discrepancies.

The Entry At 9732 Alex Lane Austin TX 78748

Fall 2014 Gardening Guide

Austin Fall Gardening GuideThe Fall Gardener’s Resource

This gardening guide has some great suggestions for Fall planting here in Central Texas. Inside there are:

  • 10 tips for a successful Texas garden and landscape
  • Gardening tips by month
  • Local gardening clubs and organizations
  • Local viewing gardens
  • And more

You can download a free .PDF of the guide hereThanks to our friends at Gracy Title for making the guide available to us all!

If you really, really love gardening make sure and download the Native and Adapted Landscape Plants Guide by GrowGreen.org – we have found it to be the best staple for Central Texas year-round gardening.

The Home Style Austin Team wishes you the very best of Autumn … indoors and out!

Austin Realtor Joe Paul Reider

 

 

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512-222-3302
Web: JoePaul.KWRealty.com

Get The Free Keller Williams Real Estate Mobile AppFree Real Estate App: If you’re home hunting this weekend or beyond, download my free Keller Williams real estate app – it’s chock-full of features!

Open House in University Hills

Welcome To 6503 Auburnhill St Austin TX 78723Join Us For An Open House
    October 5, 2014
    Sunday 1 PM – 4 PM

6503 Auburnhill St., Austin, TX 78723
    4 bedrooms
    3 bathrooms
    2,120 square feet

Come visit this Austin home while it lasts! A few of this home’s features: 

  • This 2-story home was built in 1965 and is located in University Hills mere minutes from downtown Austin and Mueller’s hike and bike trails
  • The home is in move-in condition with updates including hand-scraped hardwood floors, Quartzstone counter tops, stainless steel appliances, California Closet designs in the master and 2nd bedroom
  • Oh yes, there’s gas in the kitchen (a culinary score!)
  • Offered at $360,000
  • Download a detailed property report here
  • More pictures are located on our Facebook event page

The Kitchen At 6503 Auburnhill St Austin TX 78723

Can’t make this open house? I can give you a personal tour of this home – or other area homes – at your convenience. Please call or email me with any questions!

Hope to see you there!

Austin Realtor Joe Paul Reider

 

 

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512-222-3302
Web: JoePaul.KWRealty.com

The New Keller Williams Real Estate Mobile AppFree Real Estate App:
If you’re home hunting this weekend or beyond, download my free Keller Williams real estate app – it’s chock-full of features!


Please Note:
All property information in this post is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. I can help you validate any concerns or discrepancies.

Home Style Austin Orzo Salad Recipe

Home Style Austin Orzo Salad
A Great-Tasting Orzo Salad

If you love orzo short-cut pasta as much as I do, you’ll want to try this Home Style Austin house favorite – you might find it becoming a regular side or main dish at your dinner table.

Foodie Tips:

  • You can make this salad ahead of time and let it chill in the refrigerator – perfect to take on-the-go for a picnic or to the office for lunchtime.
  • You can also serve it warm and introduce some protein to make it a main course meal; adding chicken or roasted rotisserie chicken makes this dish delicious!
  • If you’re shy with raw onion you can eliminate it or reduce it to ¼ cup.
  • I added goat cheese to lessen the intensity of the blue cheese flavor (sorry, blue cheese); if you prefer one cheese over the other you can go all the way and use ½ cup of your favorite cheese.
  • Don’t have – or can’t get – Trader Joe’s Artichoke Antipasto? You can substitute 2-4 ounces of marinated artichoke hearts.

Ingredients: 

½ Cup  |  Orzo Pasta (Prepared)
2 -3 Ounces  |  Trader Joe’s Artichoke Antipasto
1 Medium  |  Tomato, Chopped
½ Cup  |  Celery, Chopped
½ Cup |  Red Onion, Chopped
¼ Cup  |  Crumbled Goat Cheese
¼ Cup  |  Crumbled Blue Cheese
½ Cup |  Black Olives, Chopped
2 Tablespoons  |  Fresh Italian Flat Leaf Parsley, Chopped (Optional)
1 Tablespoon  |  Fresh Lemon Juice
½ Teaspoon  |  Dry Oregano
½ Teaspoon  |  Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Directions: 

1. Prepare the orzo according to package directions, drain and chill in the refrigerator while you’re preparing the rest of the ingredients.

2. When the remaining ingredients are all ready stir them into the orzo and chill 1-2 hours.

Yields: 4-6 servings. Enjoy!

Love this recipe? We want to hear from you!

Austin Realtor Joe Paul Reider

 

 

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

 Love Food? In a click and a scroll you can visit more of my favorite recipes!

An Orzo Salad Recipe From Home Style Austin

 

Open House in Allandale

2706 49 ½ Street Austin TX 78731 Front Elevation
Join Us Saturday for an Open House!
September 6, 2014, 1-4 PM

2706 West 49 1/2 Street
Austin, TX 78731
    4 bedrooms
    2.5 bathrooms
    2,603 square feet

Come visit this Austin home while it lasts! A few of this home’s features: 

  • This 2-story home was built in 1953 and is located in Allandale mere minutes from downtown Austin and great shopping
  • The home is in move-in condition with modern updates including hand-scraped hardwood floors, Silestone counter tops, stainless steel appliances, crown molding and a tankless water heater
  • The master bedroom is downstairs
  • Oh yes, there’s gas in the kitchen (a culinary score!)
  • Offered at $579,000
  • Download a detailed property report here
  • More pictures are located on our Facebook event page

Can’t make this open house this weekend? I can give you a personal tour of this home – or other area homes – at your convenience. Please call or email me with any questions!

Hope to see you there!

Austin Realtor Joe Paul Reider

 

 

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512-222-3302
Web: JoePaul.KWRealty.com

The New Keller Williams Real Estate Mobile AppFree Real Estate App:
If you’re home hunting this weekend or beyond, download my free Keller Williams real estate app – it’s chock-full of features!


Please Note:
All property information in this post is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. I can help you validate any concerns or discrepancies.

Brushy Creek Regional Trail Wildflowers

Brushy Creek Regional Trail

Brushy Creek Lake Park
Oh, Brushy Creek

One of the best parts of living in Avery Ranch is the proximity to great golfing, amazing neighbors with Texas-sized Avery Ranch spirit and memorable vistas thanks to Brushy Creek.

I knew we lived a super-short drive to Brushy Creek Lake Park but it wasn’t until one day on my dog walk when we darted between two boulders near Rutledge Elementary that I realized we could pick-up the expansive Brushy Creek Regional Trail (BCRT) just a few minutes from our front door in The Landing – no car involved!

With cooler Texas weather on its way, why not grab the family, pack a picnic and make a day of nature’s greatness? Let’s take an online stroll of some of my favorite moments along the trail. Hint: click on the pics for a larger view!

Ready for big views and curvy curves, like this?Brushy Creek Regional Trail Curves

Even my Labs Boomer and Harley stop to smell the wildflowers.

Brushy Creek Regional Trail - Smell The Wildflowers

In the cooler months the lake’s rising fog can be surreal.

The Fog At Brushy Creek Regional Trail

Luckily, in Spring the bluebonnets of Brushy Creek awaken to remind us of their natural beauty. Don’t they look like a “sea of blue?”
Brushy Creek Regional Trail Bluebonnets

And then there are special bluebonnet moments like this!

Brushy Creek Regional Trail Bluebonnets With Boomer And Harley

And unexpected moments like discovering the “Dino Dig” for the first time at Champion Park.

Brushy Creek Regional Trail Dino DigAnd surprises like finding wild deer looking at you mere feet from the trail. Hello, dear deer!

Wild Deer At Brushy Creek Regional Trail

What’s that big rock doing here? Is this granite? 

Brushy Creek Regional Trail Granite And The Railroad Line

Oh, yes it is! And it has a magnificent story behind it!

Texas Historical Commission Granite Sign At Brushy Creek

When you finish reading the historical marker, why not admire the train trestle’s architecture?! This is the same Capitol Metro train line that runs through Avery Ranch into downtown Austin!

Brushy Creek Regional Trail Train Trestle

Speaking of interesting shapes, look at this riverbed rock formation!

Brushy Creek Regional Trail Rock Formation

And here’s another formation that’s several feet tall!

Brushy Creek Regional Trail - Another Rock Formation

Back on flat ground Boomer and Harley head full steam ahead for open ground…

Dogs Walking At Brushy Creek Regional Trail

 … In search of rippling waters like this watering hole. This spot cooled them down for sure!

Rippling Waters At Brushy Creek Regional Trail

Following the rippling waters will take you to a really, really big watering hole (a.k.a. Twin Lakes Park). We were glad the ducks and geese were willing to share the lake with us. 

Brushy Creek Regional Trail Twin Creek Lakes

Canoeing on Twin Lakes is always fun!

Canoeing At Twin Lakes Park

Gazing at wildflowers along the trail is also fun!

Brushy Creek Regional Trail Wildflowers

“Sunset time” is probably my most fun-time … it makes the perfect ending to a great day at Brushy Creek!

Brushy Creek Regional Trail Sunset

I hope you enjoyed these pictures! Have some of your own you’d like to share? Post them on the Home Style Austin Facebook page – we’d love to see them!

I hope you enjoy all the best of Brushy Creek,

Austin Realtor Joe Paul Reider

 

 

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512-222-3302
Web: JoePaul.KWRealty.com