During the last few weeks, our home has been filled with various family members visiting from out of state. With cooler-than-average weather and a bit of rain, we spent plenty of time in our favorite local restaurants. From casual lunch places to more formal venues, one trend I noticed was the use of simple wine bottles as water carafes.

Although glass bottles can be recycled in most cities, why not remove the label and call it a carafe instead? A few days ago, that’s exactly what I did – and it only took about 5 minutes. Add a few slices of lemon and you’re ready for summer al fresco dining!

(Image: Lauren Zerbey )