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Friday, June 30, 2017

BEST OF THE WEEKEND 6.30.17







Hey there, friends!
 What's on your weekend agenda?
We're going to a wedding on Saturday,
and hoping to have our toes in some sand on Sunday.
It will be our first trip to the beach this season........
 I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good weather!

 And now, let's get on with the Best party of the Weekend!





We'd appreciate it if you'd follow your co-hosts!


Cindy - Little Miss Celebration | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | G+


 ****************  

We feature all kinds of posts -- 
 recipes, home decor, DIY, gardening, travel, whatevah
so link up your best stuff! 

Non-Bloggers: There are hundreds of fabulous ideas collected here each week;
just click on the links under the thumbnail photos,
and you will be taken directly to the blog post.  

All of our features are pinned to our Best of the Weekend board! 






Last week's most clicked:


Adventures in Thrifting | Run To Radiance



 A few of my favorites from last week:

  Beet Salad Napolean | The Bearded Hiker



Orange Milk Tarts | Decor and Dine


Fresh Farmhouse Family Room Decor | Lolly Jane


 Donut Placemats | Hoopla Palooza




If you were featured, grab our button!





Let's link up!



Tuesday, June 27, 2017

SUMMER DECK......A HAVEN FOR PEACE AND QUIET?





Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Are you enjoying the peace and quiet of outdoor living?

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

After one of the worst springs I can remember, (weather-wise, that is),
I finally got my deck set up for summer,
albeit several weeks later in the season than I usually do
(thank you, cool and rainy month of May 😖).

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Junior Goo Shoes and his friends hauled the chair cushions up from the basement;
 the rug was carried out from the garage;
the shattered glass tabletop from the dining set was replaced 
with a sturdy (we-shall-see-when-a-heavy-wind-blows) piece of acrylic;
weak boards on the deck were swapped out for new strong ones
(they still haven't been painted!)
and summer flowers were finally planted. 

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Even with all of that accomplished, the summer solstice has come and gone,
and we've barely spent any time on the deck.

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

There were few morning cups of coffee........
hardly any afternoons of magazine reading.........
no evening outdoor dining..........
and a scant amount of chats at dusk.

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Part of the reason is that the weather has been uncooperative;
the other factor is that we've just been too darn busy. 

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Thankfully, the weather these last few days has been glorious,
and the pace of life has slowed a bit.  
So today, on a perfect summer day, I look forward to sitting outside 
in my happy place to work on this blog post.
A tall iced latte makes for a nice companion,
and a chorus of chirping birds are pleasant background music.

 Now THIS is what I'm talkin' about. 


Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

What the WHAT???
What is all that NOISE???

Of course today is the day that they come to re-surface our street!
Aaarrrggghhhh!
The machinery is so loud, I can't hear myself write.

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Even Sadie is bothered by the noise.

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

So much for peace and quiet.

I'll try to block out the noise, and concentrate on showing you around the deck. 

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

There haven't been many changes.......
Same furniture........
Same cushions........
Same pillows.........
I added just a few new accessories.

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

One thing I've been wanting for awhile is an outdoor water fountain.
I've envisioned peaceful afternoons, spent reading on the deck, 
with the soothing sound of water serenading me in the background 
(forget about hearing it today, that's for sure).
Believe it or not, I found one at K-mart,
but it's also available here (affiliate link).
It was inexpensive, so who knows how long it will last.

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Unfortunately, even on a day when they aren't paving the street,
it's hard to hear the water gurgling over the buzzing of the air conditioning compressor, 
and roaring of neighborhood lawn mowers.
But, in the evening, when things are quiet,
it is quite peaceful.
It has a little light feature, too, which adds a bit of ambiance. 
I'll admit - it's not as loud as I had hoped it would be. 

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I don't have room for more doo-dads, 
but I couldn't resist this little square basket planter topped with faux moss.
It's filled with lavender. 

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

This pretty tea pot shape filled with flowers was a Mother's Day gift
from my sister, made by a friend of hers. 


Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I'm going wild and crazy with my vegetable garden this summer.
In addition to the usual cherry tomatoes, 
I'm experimenting with green and yellow peppers and cucumbers.
I didn't do any research on how to grow them, 
and have no idea if they are suited to containers,
but I figured what the heck?
I bought them on a whim, and the worst that can happen is that they won't grow.

 I did read after the fact, that cucumber plants should be planted in pairs, 
because they need male and female flowers to cross-pollinate.
I'm just hoping that my single cucumber plant is bi-sexual.
Love is love! 🌈 


Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

A few days ago, I bought a new hummingbird feeder,
since I noticed that the one I got last year was all rusty inside.
Technically, this is not on the deck, 
but since I look at it from my deck, I say it qualifies to be included in this post.
You'll notice the old feeder in some of the photos that were taken before I replaced it.

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

The one thing that changes up the look of my deck each year are the container gardens.
I don't like to do the same arrangements year after year. 


Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I think of my deck as a basic black dress,
and each year I update the look with flower "accessories."
More about this year's container gardens in an upcoming post.

Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Aaaahhh.........finally.
The noise has stopped.
Peace and quiet, at last!


Create an attractive outdoor living space | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

And there goes the neighbor's lawn mower.






Linking with:
Best of The Weekend
Wow Us Wednesdays


Friday, June 23, 2017

BEST OF THE WEEKEND AND SUMMERTIME!







Hi-ya, friends........Happy Summer! 

The summer solstice was marked here in NJ
with 15 hours of daylight on a picture-perfect summer day.
We were able to sit on the deck until almost 9:00 p.m.,
and would have stayed outside longer if the mosquitoes
hadn't bullied us into moving indoors. 

Things have finally settled down here after the frenzy of the last few weeks,
and we're now adjusting to a slower, non-structured pace.
I just love these lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer! 😎 



Are you ready to party?
We'd appreciate it if you'd follow your co-hosts!


Cindy - Little Miss Celebration | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | G+


 ****************  

We feature all kinds of posts -- 
 recipes, home decor, DIY, gardening, travel, whatevah
so link up your best stuff! 

Non-Bloggers: There are hundreds of fabulous ideas collected here each week;
just click on the links under the thumbnail photos,
and you will be taken directly to the blog post.  

All of our features are pinned to our Best of the Weekend board! 





Last week's most clicked:


Do You Want To Learn How To Applique? | Hearth Handmade UK



 A few of my favorites from last week:




Spiral Sparkler and Flag Cookies | The Monday Box



Homemade Snickers Ice Box Cake | Somewhat Simple 


Log Cabin Tour | Fox Den Rd. 


Vive La France! | Handmade By Amalia



If you were featured, grab our button!





Let's link up!



Tuesday, June 20, 2017

PHOTOS FROM THE LAST FEW WEEKS


Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


How goes your first half of June?

It's been incredibly hectic around here,
with mostly good stuff.......and.......some not-so-great stuff, 
but I will stick to only happy things in this post.

I guess you could call this my "photo-stream-of-consciousness" 
from the last few weeks.


My friend's daughter got married over Memorial Day Weekend.  I know this friend since I'm nine years old. She lived down the street from me, and we were inseparable. What a joy to attend her daughter's wedding!


Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


The wedding was at a spectacular venue in NJ. Did you spot the bride and groom in the center of the photo, below?

Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


As soon as he saw me coming with the camera, Mr. Squirrel covered his face. Is he just camera shy, or is there a reason he doesn't want his face plastered all over the internet? 
He looks guilty, if you ask me.

Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


After a cool, rainy May, I was chomping at the bit to buy summer flowers. Do you have a plan for what flowers to buy before you get to the nursery, or do you figure it out when you get there? I go with a plan, but never stick to it.

Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


Flower pots on the front porch were the first to be tackled.

Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


It doesn't feel like summer until the herbs are planted.

Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


Double Jay Jay.

Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


A few shots of my summer plantings........

Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


To be filed under Strange Things: One morning, this bird was pecking at the screen in the living room, desperate to get my attention. I got the feeling it was someone I once knew.

Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


Potato salad on hot dogs -- yay or nay?  The only other people I know who eat them this way are from the town I grew up in, because that's how the local kosher deli served them. To this day, there is no better way to eat a frankfurter, IMHO.

Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


Last summer, a pretty purple-flowered vine started growing out of nowhere. When it came back again this year, I looked it up. Turns out, it's called Bittersweet Nightshade (or Deadly Nightshade), and is classified in some places as a "weed of concern." The berries are toxic, so we've got to keep Sadie away from it. Sure is pretty, though, and the bees like it. 

Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


"I don't feel so good."
"I told you, darling starling, to pace yourself when it comes to seed."


Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


Okay, I'll admit it. When I looked at the school website and saw "Make-Up Day" listed, I truly thought it was a cosmetics event, until I realized it was the date to make up tests. Fortunately, I verbalized that to no one. Except you..

Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


A rite of passage -- SENIOR PROM! It was a whirl-wind of pre-prom pictures at three different houses. Junior GS looked so handsome, and his date looked beautiful.

Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


New York City flower shop on Broadway and 79th Street.

Photo Diary | Ms Toody Goo Shoes


High school graduation! We're so proud of Junior Goo Shoes! Toss those caps into the air!



A graduation party for Junior GS and 35 of his friends in our backyard. As luck would have it, it literally started pouring the minute they arrived, and stopped the minute they left. The kids lasted under the tent for about an hour, before they came inside. I'd rather not think about the cost-per-hour of the tent.




Till next time.........