Old Bones, New Life
People close to me know I love old things. Old photos, old memories, old pieces of history. Recently a friend blessed me with an authentic Kentucky Bourbon Barrel. This lovely relic had great bones. Ooooh and did I get excited at the prospect of bringing it back to it’s original glory.
Old Bones Don’t Always Cooperate
My new treasure was ready for pick up and a new home. Together my friend and I loaded it into my truck. It had been sitting in her garage for a while and it needed some love. The barrel bands were all loose and no longer attached securely. We were extra careful when loading it and even made a point to add a piece of lumber under it’s outside edge so it would not roll or bump around in the back bed of my truck.
Too Little Too Late
Little did I know that wood cast for barrels is beyond secure when barrel rings are attached properly. What I failed to know is that if even one band is loose the barrel can lose it’s integrity. (Insert weeping face emoji here). Upon getting this beauty home (5 mile drive through the city) I realized something was terribly wrong.
Execution failure
My husband, aka the saint, was beyond careful trying to help me get this out from my truck. He took every precaution. But yet, she fell apart to our complete and utter surprise and dismay. Now keep in mind I had every intention of refinishing this piece. Sanding it down, staining it, adding a glass top. A complete spit shine to bring it back to it’s glory days. Now, it lay in a pile of pieces on my garage floor. (Insert additional weeping face emoji here).
Pause And Redirection
After a sleepless night consumed by what to do with these pieces and attempting to figure out how I could possibly pressure fit these metal bands back in place I gave it up to the Lord in prayer and tried to sleep. You see each piece of a bourbon barrel is handcrafted to fit perfectly with the next one in an arched circular shape. My pieces now all lay in a pile with no idea who belonged next to who. I was devasted.
But, I chose not to panic. I chose not to throw up my arms in defeat. Instead I thought about the things I truly enjoy doing in my free time. One thing I enjoy doing is refinishing furniture. I don’t get a lot of time to do those things anymore as I own/run two businesses and have a family, but I do enjoy it when the time allows. I love to garden. I love to drink tea and read. I love being outside. And then it hit me! I know what we can do!! Let’s make a tea barrel.
Creating New Art
To begin again was going to take lots of patience and strength. These metal bands are no joke! My husband Eric and I started by taking each individual piece of barrel lumber and cut it down on the chop saw. We created two different lengths (on purpose) and separated them out. Each length would create a separate new planting container. I know, I know, you can buy barrels at the local big box store and plant them yourselves. YES, you can. But what’s the fun in that?
And what would we possibly do with our free time if we weren’t creating unique projects for ourselves. These are one-of-a-kinds. They are a remembrance to a fun family DIY project and the stories around it. They are a gift of love from a friend. Each day I’m in my backyard garden I think of her and send a quiet prayer up on her behalf.
Planting The Herbs
I decided to plant my shorter barrel with lemon balm, two kinds of lavender, and spearmint. My goal is to dry the herbs for tea later this summer and fall. We put in organic matter to build and lift the organic soil up towards the top of the barrel for planting. It will need a restock next summer I’m sure once it all settles and the twigs and leaves start to decompose. For this year, it’s perfect! I can’t wait to watch it continue to grow and fill in as the long summer days approach.
Pop Of Color
My other barrel is larger. Taller. It has more presence. We specifically cut this side of the barrel longer so it would be taller with the barrel hole in mind. I’ve selected some of my favorite flowers for this barrel in my favorite summer bloom colors of pink and purple. I’ve got salvia, geraniums and verbena. And from my perch on my porch I take in the bright glory of my new favorite planter. As summer continues to warm here in Wisconsin this planter will be a full delight of colors for the enjoyment of myself and my butterfly and bumble bee friends.
Thinking Outside The Barrel
Do you have a piece that could be transformed? I know I’m not the first person to cut a bourbon barrel in half and fill it with dirt, but it was the first time we, as a family, cut a barrel in half and figured out how to piece it back together into a snug fit to create a really beautiful family heirloom.
Every time I look at my barrels, I’m reminded that thinking outside the typical box brings beauty. I could have easily thrown this broken barrel away and discarded it for junk, but instead, we create fond memories and repurposed it into a functional garden bed that will serve us with fresh herbs, tea, and beauty long beyond this summer.
What project could you start? I’d love to hear your ideas!
