Sunday Family Dinner

This past Sunday I hosted the usual Sunday family dinner. Nice to take the stress off my parents from time to time plus we wanted to do a meet and greet of sorts with a possible new furry addition to the family. I had a beautiful fall arrangement from the Black Tie event the night prior I was able to use which really made the table.

 

Essentially just whipped out some of the pretty china, decided to mix and match patterns, added in some fun funky anthropologie napkins, candles, painted antlers, and pumpkins and we were good to go with a fun fallish table.

I love the purple mason jars I nabbed a few weeks ago. I think they do different colors every year and it's fun to have a mix of options. Something about drinking out of a mason jar that intrigues me.

 

The whole back patio got a little fall sprucing. Plants that were looking a little haggard were replaced with fresh new mums, pretty pumpkins were added, and the dirt and grime swept away. Can't wait to enjoy several more dinners al fresco during this perfect weather time of year.

 

 We initially had planned to eat before it was pitch dark, but with fall approaching and it getting dark so fast that just didn't happen. So we dinned by candlelight which actually turned out quite fun. I really really need some of those fancy string outdoor lights!

 

When Beauty is Right Outside Your Backdoor

I have a sever case of wanderlust at the moment. I am itching for an exotic trip somewhere - anywhere - that is different and pretty and adventurous. All that time living overseas spoiled me and has me wanting to live overseas again, or at least take fun trips. Sometimes we are so used to our surroundings it's easy to forget how lucky we have it, or how beautiful our own backyard truly is. Last night was one of those nights I was reminded.

 

I had curtains, a cool dresser, and a few others things to deliver to the shed and on my way realized what a gorgeous gorgeous summer night in the country it was. The perfect temperature and beautiful skies. The corn is high and green, the yard and trees look amazing, it was peaceful. Such a way of God saying hello you don't have to travel thousands of miles for beauty or relaxation. It is right here in your backyard if you just take the time to stop and appreciate it.

 

 It would have been the perfect night to sit on the porch and read a book. Just soaking in the fresh air and sun setting. Sadly I had errands to run but I am forcing myself to go spend a night or two in the shed quite soon. I need to learn to relax more, allow myself more downtime at home not only on vacation.

Patio Sprucing and Table Refinishing

Here are a few before pictures of my back patio, it's looked like this for probably 8 years or so. I need to paint that garage wall and add something pretty to help camouflage the brick.

 

 

 

Not awful and use able, I just didn't love it anymore. Especially as the cushions had seen better days and some of the paint was peeling. I found a few sets I "liked" but didn't love and I wasn't ready to spend $1,000's on new stuff I wasn't head over heels for. I decided on a whim to see what I could find at my favorite goodwill and I hit the jackpot. For less than $50 I walked away with six chairs and a way sturdy table.

 

 

I threw on the trusty painter/project clothes and set to work cleaning, polying like crazy, painting, and refinishing.

 I also finally tacked the cute potting bench that was also a thrift find a few years ago. It is now party ready. I have since added a few extra flowers for color and still need to figure out what I want for a new top.

I actually really liked the natural stain on the chairs so just added outdoor poly and recovered the seats with outdoor fabric.

 

The table received several coats of white outdoor paint. It is already chipping a little as the weather just wasn't cooperating when I painted it. But I'm letting it go as I want it to look somewhat worn and weathered. I will re-evaluate and touch up as needed at the end of the summer.

A few candles, pots, and a fun galvanized tray and I'm ready for dinner parties.

 

Last year the neighbors almost threw these gorgeous chairs away. I rescued them from the curb and love the weathered/worn look. This is how I want the table eventually. A few fun SAMs pillows, a thrifted afghan, and it's ready for s'more making.

I wish I would have taken more pictures of the whole patio blooming with flowers and herbs but this is as good as it gets for now. Amazing what a small investment and a lot of elbow grease can do to warm up a space and make it feel fun and new again. I for sure spent less than $150 total on the table project. Excited to set the table and host a dinner party.

My Bedroom Needs Refresh

My bedroom is in desperate need of a little pick me up. A little botox of sorts. It's not awful (well if you discount the color samples on the wall) by any means. I actually still love the bedding. It's just way too heavy for spring/summer so I have come to terms I need to use it int he fall/winter and the something lighter the other times.

 

 These pictures were all snapped quick when I was home and we actually had a tad bit of sun. I did zero staging obviously and it's slightly messy. Mostly just wanted a few before. I want to strip the woodwork as it's peeling in several places. I also want the walls more of a dark charcoal color. I am open to any perfect charcoal color suggestions. I like dark dramatic bedrooms.

The biggest issue is what you see here. A HUGE armoire that I love and it's pretty but it's huge, and a after the fact closet that is way useful but not pretty at all and takes up a ton of space. There is another closet in the room so tearing this out won't ruin the only storage. As useful as it is I really think I need to tear it out so back to the original room shape and move the armoire to it's location. Thoughts?

 

Then I could put a pretty mirrored dresser on the other side of the bed as well. More uniform and much more open feeling. I need to switch up the art arrangement some also. I like both pieces but the one is too small. Maybe move the location or make it more of a gallery style wall.

 

Spring Front Porch

 

I love this front porch, for some reason I think big front porches are so inviting. Only thing better would be if I was located out in the country with no neighbors just fields and cows. Luckily it is set back far enough from the street and neighbors that it's oddly private. It was filthy though from a few years of just a quick hosing off. So I finally bit the bullet yesterday and moved everything off the porch and scrubbed away. Even the floors by hand. Now it feels fresh clean and ready for lots of summer cocktails and book reading.

Who am I kidding? I will probably sit here a handful of times at best as I do a horrible job of sitting and relaxing at home. But I do need to work on that! I don't always have to be "busy" and I also don't always have to shop or go out to relax. I could enjoy my house and my own company right?!? Maybe???

I need a more summery wreath but I love this spring one so much tempted to leave it up for the duration. I also need a better mat but haven't found a new one I love yet.

 I did stay in Friday night and enjoy a nice fancy pizza hut pizza on china and a delic glass of wine. Of course this was pre-cleaning when everything felt like layers of dust. It was still enjoyable though and fun sitting there protected from the elements as the rain crashed down outside.

The porch swing was my grandparents, the cute little rustic bench my grandpa made years ago, and the bright rug is from Mali (mission trip). Such fun memories in each special piece.

Spring and my Obsession with Flowers

Spring comes and is always such a welcome sight after a long dreary winter. The minute the plant stands pop up I am always drawn in and inevitably by at least a few spring blooms. I just can't resist!

It also becomes so much easier to motivate myself to wake up a little earlier in the morning or carve out a bit of time each evening for an outdoor run or walk. Everything just looks so pretty this time of year as the grass starts to green and all the tress bloom.

 

Even downtown Omaha and its plethora  of cement, high rises, and cars becomes gorgeous and enticing for noon walks.

Before you know it I have become a crazy obssessed garderner braving plant sales in the rain, and never able to asist "just one or two" plants as I run an errand. Even Tracor Supply the farm store had plants that I just had to buy.... It's bad I tell ya!

 

But so worth it as the post start to fill with color, the yard looks fuller and lusher, and eating outside becomes the norm. This is such a beautiful time of year and makes living in the Midwest sooooo worth it. Can't wait to enjoy every last minute of spring with lots of patio dining and bonfires.

 I blame my mom and grandpa for this crazy addiction to flowers and plants. They both have always had a love for all things green and growing. My mom has a gorgeous yard that is acres of landscaping, gardens, you name it. At least I have a smaller lot so can keep things slightly under control. I may need a third job just to pay for all the pretties I can't seem to resist though!

Grandpa's Lilacs

I am soooo lucky to have the opportunity to make my grandparents home (my mother's home) my own. It is so chock full of memories that could never be recreated. I actually cried last summer when I thought for a few days it was time to move on to someplace new. Silly I know.

One huge benefit of this home is a huge lilac tree in the backyard - that luckily multiplies some with replanting - that was pride and joy of my grandpa. Now every spring I am reminded of him and his love for all things gardening/flowering. I look forward to picking this fragrant blooms and enjoying them throughout the home and sharing with others. Even cuter is my other grandpa now brings me lilacs from his yard when he comes to visits.

 

Before I know it the peonies will be in bloom and another gorgeous sweet smelling reminder of my Grandpa VanEvery.