Are you ready for summer?
I adore summer, but this year,
I'm feeling a tad unprepared, both physically and mentally.
Mentally, I am even less prepared.
This is the first summer that Junior Goo Shoes will be home since he's eight years old.
He has spent the past eight summers at sleep-away camp
but, that chapter is over, as he is too old to be a camper,
and too young to be a counselor.
As happy as I am to have him around all summer,
I'm trying to wrap my brain around the fact that these
kindergarten kids teenagers are driving!
While one of us is super-excited about this new-found freedom-on-wheels,
the other of us is bouncing off the high-anxiety trampoline.
I'm feeling a tad unprepared, both physically and mentally.
Physically, I find myself in the position of needing to lose a few pounds.
If I don't get myself under control,
they will make a movie about me called "The Big Shorts"
or, maybe, "My Big Fat Geek Swimsuit."Mentally, I am even less prepared.
This is the first summer that Junior Goo Shoes will be home since he's eight years old.
He has spent the past eight summers at sleep-away camp
but, that chapter is over, as he is too old to be a camper,
and too young to be a counselor.
As happy as I am to have him around all summer,
I'm trying to wrap my brain around the fact that these
While one of us is super-excited about this new-found freedom-on-wheels,
the other of us is bouncing off the high-anxiety trampoline.
Thankfully, I can head out to my happy place to de-compress, to chill, to moss.
I've made a few changes to my deck this year,
and, if I must say so myself, she is looking mighty fine.
This season's big purchase is a new rug.
I opted for terra-cotta, as a change from the green I previously had.
I opted for terra-cotta, as a change from the green I previously had.
The old rug was never quite right --
It was a little too sea-foamy, rather than yellow-green.
(you can see it here)
When we first put down the new rug, I wasn't sure about the color,
but adding a bunch of green accessories and flowers
helps to tone it down a bit.
In other words, now it's notta lotta terra-cotta.
It was a little too sea-foamy, rather than yellow-green.
(you can see it here)
When we first put down the new rug, I wasn't sure about the color,
but adding a bunch of green accessories and flowers
helps to tone it down a bit.
In other words, now it's notta lotta terra-cotta.
The green and white pillows are also new.
They're from Pier One (nope, I'm not being compensated).
After three years, I'm tired of the floral pillows,
but I don't want to replace them all.
Mixing in the two new pillows help to take my focus off of the old ones.
The bird feeder that was hanging out in the garden nook
has been promoted to a side table on the deck.
The red lantern moved from the sitting area to the garden table.
is one of my favorite things.
I used it in several of my large planters this year.
Empty pots are stacked inside the red metal box
that was filled with flowers last summer.
Green and white caladium makes me especially happy.
Looks nice next to the green and white pillows, right?
I like to change up the jumbo flower pots each year.
This time, I used lots of bright colors.
They'll look better once they fill in a little.
This time, I used lots of bright colors.
They'll look better once they fill in a little.
My herb garden has been planted.
Bee balm has replaced sage this year;
and German thyme is standing in for lemon thyme.
and German thyme is standing in for lemon thyme.
A large fern is sitting in a new pot,
and helps to "green up" the sitting area.
Although I have a few physical and mental hurdles to deal with,
I'm happy to say that my deck -- my sanctuary -- is ready and waiting.
Linking With:
Amy this is a gorgeous place to relax and enjoy summer. Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Kris
So comfy and inviting.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful setting! I too have put on a few!! Need to stop eating so much ,! Uugh
ReplyDeleteYou've done a beautiful job decorating! I'm curious, what do you do when it rains? Does everything just get wet and you have to clean it all before you can use it? I can't imagine trying to put it all away
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda! We have covers that fit over the love seat and two large chairs, so I can leave all of the cushion and throw pillows on. We use the covers every night. For the dining table seat cushions and back pillows, I have a large outdoor storage chest on the deck, where they stay until I need them. If high winds are expected, I do bring the glass lanterns inside; on the infrequent occasions when we have had extreme weather predicted, I have moved the breakable things inside. Otherwise, it all stays where it is.
DeleteIt looks so good. We used to have our patio "styled," but we took all the fun stuff down two winters ago and never put it back up! You have inspired me to redo it....as soon as my kids go to camp!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful, and today is a perfect day to get out there and enjoy it. Love the creeping Jenny. Never heard of that before, but now I'm going to keep my eye out for some.
ReplyDeletexxx
Hi Amy, your deck looks so pretty. I love the furniture, flowers and the herb garden!
ReplyDeleteI need to add more flowers in my yard.
Thanks for sharing this at Cooking and Crafting with J & J. :)
Hope you have a nice week.
Julie xo
I love it all! Do you have a freestanding storage closet for the pillows and seat covers? I'm looking for something like that.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jeannie Marie! Yes, I have covers for the love seat and two chairs, which allows me to leave all of the cushions and pillows where they are. We do use the chair cushions every night. For the dining table seat cushions and pillows, I do have a storage bin on the deck, and I leave the cushions in there until I need them. I can't recall where we got the storage bin - possibly Lowes, Target or Home Depot.
DeleteIt is beautiful - love the colors and welcoming feel!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a pretty spot to sit and relax? Are you a coffee drinker? Do you have your coffee out there? I keep saying I'm going to do that on my patio. But I'm always answering emails first thing!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Such a pretty, inviting place to relax with such a pretty backdrop too. I love your mix of colors....they work well together and for the space. Someday I will do that...I have had the same colors on the front and side porch for 20 years!
ReplyDeleteWell this was a real treat... browsing over your beautiful deck! Everything is lovely, from the furnishings to the healthy, pretty plants! I'm not familiar with creeping jenny. Thanks for introducing me to it, I'll have to try some in my planters! I could spend hours "unlaxing" in this space! :) ~Rhonda
ReplyDeleteWow! I didn't realize that your son had spent so many summers away from home! I guess it will feel weird for him to be home this year. If he's like most kids though, he will be busy with his friends and not in your hair too much! Ha! Your back deck looks so pretty with the vibrant colors you have out there. I'm sure you will enjoy lounging out there.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so pretty!! :)
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to add this to my Recipes and Crafts Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
It all looks wonderful Amy. I especially love the green geometric pillows mixed in to the decor! I know what you mean about shedding some pounds - ugh! Love your sense of humour about it all. Enjoy your summer home with Junior and try not to stress - the teenage years can be a challenge ...
ReplyDeleteYour deck looks an amazing place to sit, relax and chill out - just make sure you do!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Amy, what a lovely outdoor space! The colors are so pretty and vibrant! The setting looks so inviting and relaxing.
ReplyDeleteYour sanctuary is a beautiful spot, Amy. I hope you don't have to use it too often for stress relief reasons--those first driving years are rough, but then the worries over the driver will go on forever, won't they? I love the choices you made, gave me some ideas!
ReplyDeleteSame as you, I really wanted to drop a few lbs before summer - and now it's here, and I'm not ready!! I guess I should get my butt outside and mow, instead of sitting here catching up on all my blog friends. Sigh. Anyway, your patio looks amazing!! What a cozy space to spend some great summer evenings with a glass of vino....:)
ReplyDeleteit's a charming, comfortable and beautiful space and your back yard has such a nice view which I recall from other posts .
ReplyDeleteoh i can recall the times when mine were first learning to drive. UGH. Scary, worrying, etc. Hang in there! :)
Your deck is absolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with SYC.
Your deck is absolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with SYC.
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ReplyDeleteWow, your deck is gorgeous! I love the new rug. I would never leave this space. Enjoy :)
ReplyDeleteYour lovely patio space is definitely the place to unwind with a few low-cal beverages - even water in a pretty glass would taste good while gazing upon your colourful plants and terrific rug. Hopefully your peace and quiet won't be too interrupted but remember, kids grow up fast and one day you'll look back and recall this summer as a special one.
ReplyDeleteAmy your deck is gorgeous! THanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete