My Colorful Back Deck

I have been working on freshening up the back deck for a few weeks now.  We still have tons to do and hopefully will be doing quite a few big fix ups and repairs later this summer but for now I've just been in cosmetic mode.

  The Mr. is basically unavailable to work on things around here due to his work schedule right now.  He is working 6 days a week with only Saturdays off.  This schedule should end in about another 3 or 4 weeks but until then, all our bigger projects will have to wait.  No worries, this is part of his job and happens every year and half, and we are used to it.  He used to get NO days off during these, so we are very thankful for our Saturdays and have been spending those on the water.

Soon we will tear down the old platform where the hot tub used to be.  We are going to build large steps here out to the yard that look similar to the ones above.  The temp steps were built to test out if we really want more steps here...we do and they will be large and open.  We also need to redo all the railings as they are the originals from when we bought the house and are in very bad shape.  I'm really looking forward to that since I've never liked how skinny these railings were anyway.  LOL!  Busy times ahead here.

But let's look at a few of my cosmetic updates as promised...

One big change was I moved away all the pots that were cluttering up the edge of the deck.  I really like a more cleaner look when looking out to the back yard.

I decided it was a nicer look to group more of the pots together with various plants and flowers rather then having so many here and there.

I just got this flowering plant on Sunday and need to actually plant it in the pot but this is where it is going.

Out in the yard, I've tried to create a few appealing visuals.

An old pot looks great next to one of our old bird baths, that I see needs more water.  Ooops!   Remember my yard is woodsy and worn now okay?  Not manicured and perfect.  LOL!

I have so much shade and love my ferns.

As you can see I like them everywhere!

My beach umbrella is back out to add more shade around the table with a fun splash of color!

I also got these two gorgeous hanging baskets on clearance from Lowe's because they said they were dying.  What?  I don't see any dying going on here do you?  They are called confetti baskets because of the multi colors of flowers.

I love the multi colors since they compliment my umbrella.  I thought they would be perfect.

Well that's a little bit more of what I've been up to outside. 

Right now I am sitting inside with a terrible chest cold.  I haven't been this sick in so long and am really frustrated to have gotten this because it is so beautiful outside.  My throat and chest are so sore from all the congestion.  I hope I can get this thing out of here fast!

So for now, it's resting and computing!

Thanks for stopping by to Take a Look.

Have a great day!

Mary

Osama Bin Laden Dead!

"Ding Dong!  The witch is gone, the witch is gone.  Ding Dong the wicked witch is Gone!"

Wow!  I am still wrapping my brain around this one!  I missed the announcement last night and am just now seeing and hearing all the reports.

  My facebook page is loaded with friends who were chattering about the announcement of this last night by Obama.  It is also loaded today with many images of victory over his death.  This is BIG and just wouldn't be right if I didn't acknowledge this today for my Meditating Monday post.  It certainly is now tops on my mind this morning!

This is such great news!  There must be so many families who are starting to feel a bit more hope and maybe even a bit of closure after their terrible losses.  Can you imagine how they must feel?

  Just think, not only are there families and friends who were affected by his horrendous acts of violence on 9/11, but all of those families and friends of our loyal soldiers who have and who continue to sacrifice their lives searching for him and the fight against terrorism.  With all of them I am rejoicing! 

A great big huge "THANK YOU!" to our US Special Operations Forces!!!  Job well done!!!

Mary

Royal Wedding Congrats

Congratulations to Prince William and Princess Katherine!  What a beautiful wedding for such a gorgeous couple!  I stand with many wishing you all the best in your marriage! That was fabulous!

This photo from Chris Jackson/Getty images

Calling All Country Princess's!!!!

You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of Prince William and Lady Katherine at 4:00am EST along with The Decorative Dreamer.   Please RSVP straight away! 

I am soooo excited!  How about you?  Seriously!  For some reason I was not really into the whole Princess Diana thing, but dear sweet Katherine has stolen my heart!  Why?  Well because she is from the country side, rather Ralph Laurenish, IMOP, and of course because the dear sweet "classically gorgeous" woman is brunette!

  Honestly, I just love her style!  So to honor such a lovely woman on her wedding day I am inviting you to join me in your finest boudoir attire for the most re memorable occasion.

I've two large sofa's so there's plenty of room!

And I'm sure you will find something here to enjoy.

Well start with a bit of lemon tea to awaken our spirits.

I've also set out a few pirouline wafers and shortbread's for those who may be a bit hungry this early in the morn.

Of course well be using the Waverly paper plates and napkins in honor of our British royalty.

Then when it is time for....

William and Kate to say their vows....

We shall have a Mimosa toast!  What say you?

What's that?  So you don't think you have a thing to wear?

Of course you do!  I will be wearing one of my oldest and finest satin gowns and a silk robe.

And because I don't own any gorgeous slippers I will wear my newest blingy flip flops from Kohls.

Since I do not own a tiara (although I really should have been give one) I will wear my fabulous trademark wedding jewels.

Purchased for myself when I was a very young adult from an antique store.  I bought the necklace myself, then my mother surprised me with the bracelet that matched after going back to the antique store and tracking it down.  I just adore the pink rhinestones!  I have always felt them befitting the finest of weddings and have literally worn them to a few!

It is my understanding though that if you don't wear a tiara, the next best thing I understand is....a fantastic hat!  Well, sorry ladies, I don't have one of those either.  But I do have a fantastic straw hat and a beautiful genuine cameo given to me recently by mother...soooo...taaa daaa!  I'm believe I am ready!

How about you?  Are you ready?

Will you be attending?  I certainly hope so!

Please pardon my late arrival to..

Tablescape Thursday

 but I am sure you will understand there was much to do today in preperation for the wedding.

Let's all get to sleep now dahlings..we have such a busy day tomorrow!

Ta Ta for now!

Love, love,

Lady Mary

Easy Breezy Blue Porch

Hey Yall!  I thought I'd show a bit of what I've been up to while I've been taking a break from blogging.  I've been freshening up my screen porch.

  I showed you earlier last month my older iron table and chairs that I spray painted blue and mentioned that was the direction I wanted to head with my porch this year. 

Well, I think I'm off to a good start, let's take a look and see what you think!

I'll start with the baker's rack. 

I added this great box that my FIL had in his attic.

As you can see, it's not old just fantastic!  I can understand why he wanted to keep it.

On this shelf I used a few elements that all seem very relaxing to me.

The glow of warm lantern, my "Relax" sign and....

....Lavender, and a sweet little birdie.

On the next shelf, a few Herbs, finally, Yayah!  I have been wanting to grow my own Herbs for some time but have never done so, ever, can you believe that?   I cannot wait to try them out!

This is actually Lime Thyme.  It's smells so good too!

And so does this Basil!  OMG!  It's Greek Basil.

And on the very top shelf, a little more blue, birds, and Herbs.  Hey that rhymes!  LOL!

This oregano is also Greek.  I chose my Herbs by the way they smelled.  That way I think I will also enjoy the taste of them too.  I bought the French Lavender when I bought my Herbs, they all came from a garden center.  The little Herb markers I got from Michael's $1.00 isle last year.  They even came with the pen to write, how cute!

Pretty basket I found recently at a thrift store.  It may be getting sprayed white soon.

I found this fabric at Hobby Lobby and just love how it matches perfectly!  I made a runner for the table and some throw pillows for the chairs.  I think it really just brings the whole look together!

I have really been enjoying using my porch this past week.  I am so excited that the weather is finally getting better and we are moving on from the pollen season too.  Creating a cozy and relaxing porch has also got me thinking about our vacation this year.  I've been working on planning that as well and am getting really excited for summer time! 

I just love this time of year, don't you?

Hope you all had a very blessed and happy Easter!

Mary

Taking a Break

I had prepared a really great post for you today for Wellness Wednesday that was about HOW to handle criticism WELL.  Let me be clear I was not advocating criticism but if your read the whole post you'd known I was speaking of HOW to handle it because it is always there.  Apparently blogger didn't recieve it to well, haha, and jumbled it up.  No matter how many times I tried to fix, it would not cooperate, so I deleted it.

The spacing was so horrible it gave me a headache to read.  Since I've been having some issues with blogger, have work to do to prepare for another Initial Outfitter party for Thursday, woohoo, and our Spring Break starts next week, I'm giving myself the gift of more time.  Additionally, I want to prepare my heart for Easter, so I've decided to take a break from blogging.

Until then, wishing all of you a very Happy Easter!