My Summer Deck: A Few Changes

Are you ready for summer?

I adore summer, but this year, 
 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 
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.

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.

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. 

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.

Creeping Jenny spilling out of the rustic box 
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. 

My herb garden has been planted.

Bee balm has replaced sage this year;
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:

Best of the Weekend

Metamorphosis Monday
Cooking and Crafting with J & J

Tweak It Tuesday 
The Scoop 
Wow Us Wednesday 
Wake Up Wednesday 
Share Your Cup 
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