A few Summer Snaps

Summer is flying by. I don't like this one bit as it's my favorite time of year. Luckily it's been a mostly great one so far. Lots of pretty flowers and tasty veggies.

 

A great backyard concert with the amazingly talented Jeremy McComb

Convertible weather.

Picnics and music in the park.

And lots and lots of outdoor runs and walks.

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.

Mother's Day Celebrations

I have the most amazing mother ever. I have always felt extremely blessed to have such a loving caring supportive mom who is also my best friend. Without a doubt she means the world to me and I am lucky to have her. This year she ended up at our cabin over Mother's day with my dad to work on a few things and was going to spend the day alone without her kids. I knew this wasn't her ideal and felt she deserved to have all three of us there best case, worst case at least me. So  I drove up Saturday and surprised her with flowers and a Coach bag. It was the least I could do for everything she has done and continues to do for me. Love you MOM! Sad we didn't take a picture all weekend.

 

Sunday I even made a fancy Mother's day brunch with the awesome strawberry rhubarb french toast I found online and mimosas. 

 

Then we spent the day working in the yard and getting dirt in our nails. Something we both love. Everything from tending to this rhubarb from my grandpa's era at the cabin to mulching a good portion of our yard.

 

It's always so hard to pack up and leave, Sunday night was no exception. I could have went for a few more days in the country. Especially as the sky driving home looked a little intimidating.

 Lucky for my mom she got to celebrate Mother's Day twice as we also hosted a dinner for her Monday night with the whole family. Nothing fancy but a chance for us to show her we love her. My cute awesome grandpa always brings flowers when he comes to dinner. Last night it worked out perfect as I was struggling to come up with last minute arrangements for the table and in he walks with a bundle of snowballs. Thanks Grandpa!

 

Hope all you moms out there had one amazing blessed day celebrating. You deserve more than just a day without a doubt.



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.

Sunday Al Fresco Dining

We had gorgeous gorgeous weather Sunday so it seemed the perfect opportunity to fire up the grill and dine al fresco. I love evenings like this!

No matter what you're eating it seems to always taste better when dining outdoors or on a patio. I don't do it nearly often enough and really need to take advantage of this final month or two of perfect patio dining weather! Bonus in that my garden is full of goodies to harvest for a healthy and delicous meal.