Autumn Decorating - Part 1

Hi friends!  Once again I find myself absolutely behind on blogging.  I've decided no more promises, from here on out it's whatever will be will be.  I'm tired of apologizing and feeling guilty all the time. I will be the one who blogs off and on as I pretty much always have so no more apologies okay, I am what I am.  LOL!  Now one thing I will apologize for is two of my photos have my embroidery watermark on them.  I shared these pictures earlier on my Facebook page and used my watermark app on my phone.  I have two watermarks that I use, one for the decorating page and one for the embroidery page.  I got mixed up and watermarked these with the wrong one.  Mulit-media tasking not my best thing.

Well here we are in SC about to be hit by Hurricane Matthew and I am sitting here blogging.  How's that for crazy timing?  Luckily, I don't live on the coast but have family who are making their way up and have made as many preps as we can for what may come our way where we live.  We are also praying God will protect all in the path of what looks like a very terrible storm.  Please pray for all in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina!

Last week we finally started to have a bit of a cooling streak  and I was inspired to put out some more of my fall decor.  I have put a bit here and there but never did the full fall decorating until last week.  I have also decided I really like a more simple approach to fall decorating.

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I love the warmth of Fall Colors this time of year.  However, those bold oranges, reds, browns and golds can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming to to me.

In the den I only did a small splash of fall on the mantle using what I had and reworking a few older floral designs.  I am so very pleased with the simplicity and sparkle of it this year.

The bamboo floral arrangements I've had for several years now after purchasing them from resale.  I pulled all the old cattails and leaves out and add these wispy looking grasses with feathers that I've had for a few years as well.  I think I may have actually stuck them in with the older floras that were in here one year.  Anyway, I decided to just use the grasses and feathers alone with some copper berries that I had from Christmas.  I used to use these berries on my Christmas tree in the dining room but stopped using the copper a few years back.  I hung on to them and recently put them in my fall boxes.  I'm so glad I did because I think they look perfect for fall.

  I added a little more bling with my mercury glass candlesticks and a splash of autumn color came to life with these orange electric candles. You can't see it in this photo but there are tiny crystals around the edge of the candlestick by the candles.  So glam!  I love the contrast of the orange against the backdrop of my teal plates on the wall.  So pretty!

Speaking of orange and teal.  Do you remember my orange pillows I bought last year at Kirklands?  Well their back!  Perfect next to the teal pillows don't you think?  This color is so lovely but definitely not something I like year round.  It's just too bold of a color for me to use year round but I do believe it would definitely work in here year round.

The coffee table got a little bling and orange and teal as well.  I just adore pulling out my beautiful glass pumpkins every year.  They were such a wonderful find back when glass pumpkins were all the thing.  Now, it's white and gold polka dot pumpkins, you know the Kate Spade look.  I like that look too very much.  I also really love the copper pumpkin I have too that I purchased from Stein Mart of course.  I keep toying with the idea of changing out the raffia on this vase.  I've had this way for a few years now.  I really like it but I think I'm ready for something new.  We shall see!

So there you are!  That's it for my fall decor in the den.  Not much too it but when you have a large open room like this one is, it really is quite enough, at least I think so.

Thanks so much for popping in for a peek.  Hoping to get back before Christmas to show you some more fall goodies because I really have done a splash more here and there all over the house.  It feels great!

Take care everyone!    Linking up to a few Friday Parties today if I can find them @....

Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Hugs and Waves!                                                                                                                                               Mary

My 10 Personal Faves

Hey blog friends!  I have challenged myself to get at least one blog post out a week.  It's quite a struggle right now with all that I'm juggling.  I've made a promise to myself so I'm  really going to work on being more committed to this.  I love blogging, taking photos and most of all I love sharing, so I hope there are atleast of few of you who are still following.

Today, because I just kinda feel like this might be fun or useful to someone out there in this big old world of ours, I'm sharing some of my personal faves.  If you don't find any of it useful to you now atleast you will now know a little more about me the woman behind the blog.

First up, is this;

No.1 Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara by Rimmel.  



I found this product last year after experiencing a loss of eye lashes.  I am serious!  I don't know exactly why, but for some reason on both of my eyes I literally had a gap right in the middle where I had no eyelashes.  This freaked me out quite a bit because you see, I have a double row of eyelashes.  Anyway, I researched quite a bit and found that it can happen from hormonal changes as you grow older or even under stress, both of which I was experiencing.  I also tend to think it had something to do with a different mascara I was using to lengthen my lashes.

After doing more research I wanted to find a product to get my lashes back to normal.  I found several that were a bit more expensive but this product was also listed and was readily available at Target.  It is listed as having a natural grow lash complex with procapil that helps to grow and restore lashes.  I can vouch for this 100%, that it works!   It does not smudge or clump and is fabulous and is why it is my number 1 pick to share with you.

In keeping with the makeup end of things my second fave pick to share is;

No.2 Neutrogena Skin Clearing oil free makeup



I have worn this makeup for years now and absolutely love it!  I used to only wear Clinique for many years and switched to this after wanting to find a lesser expensive version of the same product.  This is it!  The salicylic acid in this makeup does not dry out or irritate my skin but does help to control shine for me.  It stays on and fresh all day long without ever looking to over done.  It's a great product!

My number 3 pick is the Oil of Olay Cream cleanser products.  I personally prefer to use the product on right shown below.

No.3 Olay Total Effects 7 Nourishing Cream Cleanser.

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However for some reason I am having a very hard time finding it in stock at my local stores.  Believe me when I say I've tried.  I usually start looking for it weeks before I run out so I won't have to find something else.  This past month I started looking early and had a very hard time.  Needless to say I had to get something else so went with the Olay Regenerist Luminous Cream Cleanser.  I like it very much as well, though it does have microbeads. I prefer a smoother cream mainly because I have contacts and don't like to take a chance of get anything gritty in my eyes while washing my face. I rarely use a moisturizer and I truly believe a cream cleanser is why I don't need too.  It is moisturizing enough.  Usually I only use a moisturizer if I am not wearing makeup and thats so I will have an SPF 15.

My next favorite pick is shown above and below.  It's less about the products but more about the acrylic container.

No.4 Bino Acrylic Makeup Containers



I first came across this container and the one above just a few summers ago.  I actually saw the one my hairbrushes are in first at TJ Maxx but didn't buy it.  When I went back I couldn't find any.  I looked for months on end and couldn't find it so I bought the one the q-tips are in.  Finally this one above started showing back up in the stores and I got it.  What I love about the Bino line is their acrylic is very heavy duty.  It's not thin like some of the others can be and is very durable.  I love that about their products and I love these in particular because of the depth and the shapes of the containers themselves.  They don't spread out all over the counter and are deep enough to hold my brushes, hairspray etc.  Storage space is very limited in my bathroom and this keeps my everyday items handy and organized.

No.5 Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion



You have heard me speak before about loving my lotions, especially my bath and body works lotions. What I haven't ever said is how much I love a good daily moisturizer too.  I have very dry skin and absolutely have to use a lotion every day.  It just doesn't feel right if I don't.  I also have keratosis pilaris on my forearms and thighs.  It's a hereditary condition of small red bumps.  This lotion was recommended by the dermatologist to help control that.  I had been using other products because I was trying to save some money but have recently gone back to this because I found a two pack at Sam's Club that made this so very affordable.  I've feel like I am already starting to see an improvement on my arms as well.  It's a very light weight feeling moisturizer going on yet stays moist all day.  So worth the money!

No.6 Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Sunscreen

As I said above I am very choosy about my skin products.  I have been using this sunscreen lotion for the past several years as well.  It is also another one of those products that can be hard to find.  I love how it makes my skin feel so nourished, doesn't cake or clump, smells tropical and truly works.  I love to be in the sun and reapply often because I prefer to use the 30 as opposed to a 50 so I can get a tan.

No.7 Martinique by Tommy Bahama

If you like a light tropical smell then you will love this product.  It's almost a fruity floral if you will but its very subtle and light.  Perfect for summer socializing.  I recently went though a few weeks where I was on a quest to add a few scented products.  I rarely wear a perfume or cologne and usually my bath and body products are as scented as I get.  But I do occasionally like to spritz on a little something.  Two of my older favorites are Jessica McClintock and Far Away by Avon.  This summer though I wanted to find something new to me and Martinique by Tommy Bahama is what I came across.  It was instant love and a great price at Ross of all places.  I first found it first at Marshalls but then went next door to Ross and they had it also for a few dollars less.  Our Ross keeps their colognes in a case and they are wrapped so I'm glad I got to smell it first at Marshalls where it was not wrapped or else I may not have bought it there.  I'm kinda funny about buying from department stores not just because of the extra costs but I always feel like I am being pressured by sales people when smelling the colognes.  I know I'm not really and that they are just doing their job to help but I often feel over encouraged at times.  Buying expensive perfume when I don't really like it is just something I avoid at all costs.  LOL!   I'm guessing perhaps this scent may have been around awhile now, but if your like me and a little behind, a little on the thrifty side and want to try something new.  This is a good one!

No.8 Wire Rotating Earring Tree



If you are a jewelry hoarder like me you will love this earring stand.  I actually have several different types of jewelry stands, cases, ect.  These shown here are some I keep out on my dresser.  I find that having a selection right on my dresser helps me decide quicker, is convenient and is a great reminder to wear that jewelry I have invested in.  Working retail and buying wholesale I have been able to acquire quite a bit.  I love throwing on bracelets, earring and a great necklace when I go out.  Now that I am home I've slowed down quite a bit on what I wear but it's here looking at me and calls out to me every morning.  Yes, yes, yes, I love jewelry...that really should have been my no. 8 pick but I had to narrow it down so I focused on the earring tree.

I love the wire rotating earring tree because it is more vertical in space and holds quite a bit.  I purchased this from Michaels, this year and I think they also had a larger rotating tree as well.  This is the smaller one. It holds quite a bit and doesn't take up a lot of space on your dresser.  If your looking to organize your jewelry a little more this earring tree is a must.

No.9 Zukes Skinny Bakes

Sorry ladies, but this is for dogs.  You will understand why I decided to put this product on my personal faves list in just a bit but for now let me tell you why I love it.  First off, it is low calorie and my little baby girl needs low cal just as much as her mama does.  She has low level pancreatitis so she has to be careful what she eats.

I found these snacks at Pet Supplies Warehouse and bought them on a whim.  I can tell you the berries in the them smell wonderful and my little one just loves them to death.  I hope these are not just a seasonal flavor because were going to be in trouble if they are.  We call them her "skinny girl" treats.  We can say to her, Do you want a "skinny girl?"  and she will bark and squeal.  So funny!  It feels good to give her something she likes that is also good for her.  Your dog will love these if you can find them too!

No.10 Maizey the Cavachon



And finally my No.10 (most personal fave of all) is my adorable little dog Maizey. She is now 2 and half years old.  She is a Cavachon, a cross between a Bichon and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  This little one has filled my heart with so much joy, I can't even begin to express how much.

Having a pet to hold, snuggle, care for and spoil after your kids have left the nest is a wonderful thing.  As you can see above we take her lots of places with us.  She goes sailing with us, she goes visiting, she goes on vacation with us and even enjoys just riding in the car.  Try and try as we have though, she just doesn't care for the pool.  Maybe one day.  She is now loving her Mommy being at home with her.  When I go upstairs to work in my embroidery room I will tell her I am going to work and ask if she wants to come.  She now immediately goes to the stairs and waits for me to carry her up.  Yes, I said spoiled, didn't I?  While upstairs she snuggles up under the desk where the embroidery machine is and lulls off to sleep with the noise.  When I'm finished I tell her its time to get off work and up she'll pop and we go downstairs.  Crazy little thing!

I feel so blessed by this little dog and I can honestly say it's been love a first sight for the both of us.  If  you are ever feeling lonely, get a dog, it's the best therapy you could ever have.

Well, that's my faves my friends!  Sorry to be long winded but I hope you enjoyed your visit.  Thank you so much for dropping by and for reading all the way if you did.  I'd love to hear from you too if you'd like.  I love to hear a few your faves along the same lines as the ones I've posted here today.  Hope your having a great week!

Hugs and Waves,

Mary

 

Wanna see the new bedroom color?

Well....if you do your going to have to go over to my new blog!  Follow me over here now at;

www.thedecorativedreamer.wordpress.com.   Please???

New Color in the Bedroom

Hi Friends!  I am hoping this post will serve dual purposes here today!   I am conducting a trial post on the new blog to see how I like it and I get to update you on my master bedroom.

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Well I have to say as far as posting goes, I am struggling quite a bit but I am optimistic. Figuring out how to add pictures to a post is easy, figuring out how to get rid of duplicates in the Media picture file is a challenge.  Would love a tip on that if anyones out there.  Anyway, enough of that let's get to the good stuff.

I wanted to share my new bedroom color with you today because well, I love it!   What a change from the parakeet green I had in here.  I still have some very dated furniture and a few unmatched linens now but we will get there eventually.  The new color is called Breaktime from Sherwin Williams.  It is a bluish greenish color that is just so perfect in this room.

I am not sure why, but I am guessing it has to do with the exposure from the light of all the windows certain colors can be really off in this room.  I tested at least five different colors in here before this one hit the mark for me.  Most colors came out either to blue, too green, or too gray.  Blah!  I will have to show you a color that I tested in here that is in my sons bedroom.  It was so gray in here and in his room is a tranquil blue-green.  Weird!

I also went on a search for a new quilt that would compliment this new color. This one works though it's a little bright. I really wanted something with a pattern but couldn't find what I wanted that would pull in the coral from the cornice boards. They are definitely staying.  I have a beautiful very large quilted white bedspread I normally use but since Maizey has decided she loves our bed I didn't want it getting ruined.  It wasn't cheap so in the closet it went until winter when we can use it under another quilt.  Oh the sacrifices we make for our pets right?

I certainly don't mind though, she is my heart!

I have kept the white pillow sham out that has our initial embroidered on it.  I love this idea I had to do this back when I worked at the embroidery shop.  I am thrilled that I can now do this for others as well on my machine.  I decided to just put one large last name initial on the sham instead of having two different sets of initials on shams.  With my white bedset I used three standard shams instead of the two king sized ones.  This blue quilt set sold the king shams with the quilt so that was that but the white still works here. Eventually I may get a white bed skirt as well, or something with some white in it.

 For those who want to dress up their linens without spending a lot on embroidery this single initial is a great option.  Even if you were to do both shams with a single initial it's a great choice because lets face it, most men really don't care if their initials are on their shams or not.  I have listened to so many ladies struggle with whether to put their husbands initials on the shams or just theirs. Then there is the whole font issue.  Hubby doesn't like script but wife does, he want's his masculine she wants hers feminine.    I know to each his own, but here's a nice compromise just in case!

I think this shot shows the best real shot of how the color actually looks in my room.  The camera and outside lighting in here is doing funny things to change it up a bit, but this is pretty dead on.  It is such a relaxing and tranquil color in this room.  I cannot tell you how much I love our room.  As you can also see I've been very hesitant to put anything on the walls in here too.  I want to keep it breezy and light and uncluttered.

I would love to hear what you think of the new color?  In fact I would just love to hear from any of you in general.  Just drop me a quick reply to let me know if your here, that would be great.  If you're so inclined I would love ideas on what color to repaint my hutch in here.  My dream is to one day replace the furniture with soft white washed or grey washed furniture but that's further down the road.  Tips, ideas, suggestions, I would love to hear them all!

Thanks so much for stopping by y'all!

Hugs and Waves,

Mary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You bring the Seafood...

....and I'll bring the rest.  Cause restins about all I can dooo....on my stay vay-cay-shuuunnnn!

Sounds like the beginning of sad ole country song doesn't it?  Haha, I thought so too.  No worries, dreamer friends, this post and the beautiful summer tablescape I have set to join some of my friends over at Tablescape Thursday promises to be anything but sad.

  True to my pen name, I am dreaming, dreaming, dreaming of the beach though.  This is the first year we have not booked a vacation in I don't know how long!  We decided not to make any plans because we've got one son doing an out of state internship for the summer (in very pricey downtown Atlanta) and another who has made a very hard earned recent job change.  This summers scenario made for a very difficult family vacation plan to come together.  Additionally, with me not working and being at home again it seemed like a good year to cut out that one big expense.  You see we are beach people, those local SC people who as close as we are, still have to go to the beach prime season despite that it's the hottest, busiest and most expensive time of the year.  But not this year, and while I am missing those beautiful waves it's actually also feeling like a bit of relief.   So don't be sad for me because I do have a beautiful boat on the lake just a stones throw away, a pool in my backyard, and time at home to enjoy it this year. Who knows maybe we will catch a weekend down there at some point.  Life is still pretty darn good here you know, in fact it's really pretty awesome! I am so thankful!

   I have been enjoying my beachy decorations quite a bit more this year since I've been missing the ocean.   It's so fun to have a beachy attitude.    I also really enjoyed putting together this beachy tablescape in "The Mermaid Lounge", and I hope you'll enjoy it too.  So enough of the chit chatting and woes me, let's get beachin gals!

Welcome to Mermaid Lounge!  It's ever evolving and has just received a few more shifts of furniture this week.  The table got moved over to make room for the bakers rack which meant the chandy had to move too.  It's always in progress out here!

There was one single element on this table that inspired the setting.  I will get back to that in a bit if you don't figure it out first but I'll give you a hint.  It has a lot to do with the location.  Heehe!

One of my most favorite things about tablescaping is when you start off with a bit of inspiration that just leads from one element to the next.  That's how this one came together for me.  It was so exciting to have everything I needed right in my cabinets to pull it all together.

I knew right away somehow I was going to use my iridescent oyster plates.  I just had no idea it was all going to pull together so well until it was all done.

I started off with two layers of placemats to add a bit more texture and color.  I then added the white shell embossed dinner plates bought from a thrift store a few years back.

Then I decided to add my blue and green swirl melamine luncheon plates.  I can't recall right off the bat where I purchased these but will add it later if I remember.

Finally, it was time to top it off with the beautiful iridescent oyster plates purchased several years ago from either TJ Maxx or Marshalls.  They were sold as a set of four.  I have seen these in many different colors over the years but still love the clear ones I got because it reminds me so much of shells and beach glass.

I started thinking the plate looked like it need a little something and since I had no seafood, I then remembered I have these beautiful silver pickling forks maybe?  IDK!  Anyway, I thought they would be so cute as an oyster fork.  They have our initial on the back because they are part of many pieces of silver from both sides of our family that were engraved and handed down to us.  It's a southern thing, yes, and it's true, I did come into monogramming very naturally.

For my flatware, I knew my bubbly looking, hammered stainless was going to perfect.

I am especially thrilled to finally be able to pull out these glasses I've had for years.  The bubble glass tea with multi colors on the bottom came from Stein Mart.  Kinda looks like a coral reef doesn't it?  Well, maybe if your a dreamer like me you'll see it.  Haha!

My stems are also blown glass with embossed shells in a teal blue.  So refreshing!

The little vintage mermaid fits in perfectly don't you think?  I love her sweet little self  with her adorable little headband.  I thought the rope styled napkin ring pulled it all together even more for me, don't you?  Yes, you think so too, don't you?

  And because you all are so smart I bet you already guessed that this adorable little Mermaid was my inspiration.  I know you did!  If you follow either of my FB pages or my Instagram page you already knew because I shared this adorable set of napkins with everyone as soon as I made them.  That's right, I stitched this out myself on my machine.  I am still stitching away and enjoying it so much.  I've added lots of lighter weight and smaller designs to my collections for linens.  I am doing embroidery for others now as well.  Because I am enjoying my embroidery so much is part of the reason why I have been so absent on the blog here lately.  It's all good though.  If you'd like to follow along on either of my Facebook pages, just click on the links here at:

 The Decorative Dreamers Embroidery 

and/or

 The Decorative Dreamer.

 Please make sure you LIKE the page when you get there so you will get my updates.  If your interested in anything yous see on those pages, send me a message if I can help you.   You can also find me on Instagram and Pinterest too as The Decorative Dreamer.

I stalled for just a small bit on the centerpiece because my space was so limited on this smaller sized table.  Then I remembered I had this very tall stem glass my son gave me when he worked at Home Goods one summer while in school.  After I had the stem in place, I remembered several other pieces and then it came together so fast.

I even had everything I needed on hand to fill the stem.  Well, okay it's not quite filled but its just enough.  I layered a bag of white sand, then a few shells, sea glass and more shells.  The shells were a bag from Stein Mart a few years back and the sand and sea glass were from the dollar tree.

My old ceramic beachy S&P shakers from when we had our camper are still so adorable.

The willow basket candle holders were from Wisteria several years back and were the perfect heights for the sides of the tall stem.  I pulled out the clear glass that is usually inside of them and added my mercury glass jars for extra shine in between the wood.

  And here it is, and that is how it all came together!

 Thanks so much for stopping by today and if your feeling kinda beachy and you'd like to bring some seafood...well, come on over!

I hope you all are having a wonderful summer!  If you happen to have a moment I'd love to hear from you too!

Hugs and Waves!

 

Give me a Sunday Morning Full of Grace

...a simple life and I'll be okay, here is small town USA.

Good morning dreamer friends!  How are ya?  This Sunday morning I was up early and enjoying all the beautiful visions out in blogland.  Y'all sure do have it going on and looking good!  I am always so amazed at how much others are able to accomplish when I barely am able to keep up with what we have.  I sure haven't been keeping up with blogging like I had hoped to.  One reason I haven't kept up with posts is because I've been waiting for something great or something inspiring to show you.  You know, something pretty to see!

So I ran outside to take a few shots, because I think there is beauty in my backyard.  Then I stood there looking around on this dreary morning and thought beauty?  Maybe....for me, maybe not so much for you.  Last night we had a few rains that came through and well, our backyard looks much like the morning after today.

I couldn't help but notice I had left my beach towel out and it got soaked in the rains, The chair cushions are a little damp but not as much as they could be because they usually end up staying in this position all the time because we don't like the cats getting cat hair all over them.  And then there's the puppy float below that sits around the pool all summer but rarely in it just waiting to take our dog (who never wants to get into the pool) for a ride.  It sits out because even with all this decking we have, we still don't own a deck box for storage.

Storage that is well needed to store things like floats and the pool brush that is laying on my patio table.  Yes this one here below.  Thats right, that the one with the paint project that still needs finishing, the one with 3 white chairs and the last black chair sitting there like an outcast.

Even with the sun just now starting to peek out as I type, I resisted the urge to wait on a post.  I could have waited until the sun was all the way out and shining, and I could have waited until I cleaned things up a bit more.  I could have waited until I finished all the little things I want to get done.  But friends, I if I wait, and I stage, and I make sure everything is spot on, well then, your not getting the true picture here and that is what I want you to have today.  I want you to know that as I live and breathe in a dreamers world, I also stay grounded in reality that is full of grace.

At first glance, I thought my deck was looking quite enjoyable,even after being soaked in the precious rains.   I thought with all the color I've added this year I'd go up the steps to get some closeup shots.

I could have moved the camera just a bit so you would see only the ferns and the beautiful Ivy geraniums.  I could have angled it just perfectly so you wouldn't see the small deck planter I insisted my husband include on this deck when he built it.  You know the one, that I now dread because it has thrown off the whole balance of the deck for me with the planters but we are too thrifty to just yank up all those boards and replace them until they actually need it.

I could have zoomed in close on the Tomato plants to show you only the green parts.  You didn't need to see that they are struggling did you?  

Or that the small leftover florals I stuck in the these pots aren't really going to take off like I had hoped they might, and if I'm going to add more to them, well then perhaps I should.

You might find these flowers quite pretty and doing very well if you overlook the fact they are still in their original containers.  The truth here is I intended to leave these in their actual containers but I had also intended to cover the containers with burlap and twine.  Hasn't happened yet!

Nor have I found the perfect pot for this beautiful plant even though I have found the perfect spot for where I want it to sit when I find that beautiful new pot I want.

Yes, honestly I know what you are thinking now. How much more of this do we need to see right?  

 I could have skipped sharing this photo too.  What is there to look at here?  A ladder laying in the side yard, that the Mr. needs to put back up.   Never mind the fact that its there because he stores it under the house and it's near the entry underneath.  It's not pretty to see is it?  But it has a story.  He pulled it out because we can hear something through one of the vents in the house...something like a creature moving about. EEK!   We are pretty sure it is a possum that has figured out a way to get in and out near the heating and air conditioner units but we cannot catch him yet.  Well let me rephrase that...hubby cannot catch him yet. I want no part of it!  I want to call the exterminator.

Sorry, I get sidetracked, let me refocus on the backyard again.  All righty now, yes I could have cleaned up all the spent blooms that have fallen off my beautiful hibiscus plant before taking pictures...

...and cleaned up all the ones from gardenias too.  Could have, should have, right? 

Lastly, (because I know your getting a little disappointed or bored by now) I could have angled this shot a little better as well right?  You didn't have to see the dirt we piling in the corner  behind my newly planted palm to try and level it off from the slope that happens beyond the fence.  

And just like the poison ivy that is growing up my deck, I didn't have to share any of this with you.  I could have kept it all perfectly posh when sharing.  I could have shared only that which is the most pleasing.  I could have just not shared at all as I have a tendency to do when everything isn't perfect.  Yes, I certainly could have let the poison of feeling inadequate, of feeling less then choke out the joys that I do have and that I do see.

  When all I  (or you) can focus on is the ugly, something is wrong.  It's time for a reality check.  It's time for a step back and to take another look.  Thank you God for showing me that pesky old poison ivy vine. The one that if left unchecked will grow and grow and choke out everything around it and causing an itch that won't go away untreated.

My life is certainly not picture perfect.  I certainly don't have the best of everything and a lot of what I share is not going to take your breath away and I'm not going to pretend it does.  

But did you notice among all the chaos, there is life going on?  What some of you probably don't see here in these pictures is someone who is living and loving her reality.  I don't begrudge those who have finished up this and that because I know how hard you work for it and I'm glad to see it.  I work for it too but I've also learned to slow it down more and to focus on enjoying it more as well.  It's okay if everything doesn't get finished quickly.  It's okay if I seem to be jumping from one project to another before totally finishing one.  It's been crazy this summer so far and so much has gotten done really yet all I seem to be able to share with you in my blog is the outside.  LOL!  

I guess I'm sharing outside again because even among all the ugly,  I can still see the beauty in what is and how far things have come.

I remember when we built this pool I had a vision of this planter area between the deck and block wall being filled with gardenias.  It has taken several years to fill in nicely.

This year that vision has come true in abundance, and it smells devine!

I've also had a plan to save money on plants this year because I'm not working outside the house anymore.  My plan included buying less, but also searching for discounted plants.

I purchased lots of flowering plants that were marked down because they were either neglected or in need of pesticides.  I also looked for very large pots of flowers that were marked down so that I could divide them and spread them around.  Husband hit them once with the strong stuff but I have also been treating them with a spray bottle of dish washing liquid mixed with water.  The combination will kill bugs on contact but not harm your flowers.  I'd say they are adapting well wouldn't you?

My very inexpensive water feature got a boost this year when I repainted the urn pot blue to match the pool and the containers around it.  Suddenly the cheap PVC pipe even looks better to me.  Not to shabby for a makeshift fountain.

Yes, we have a ways to go outside and sometimes I wonder if it will ever be what I'd like to see.  

But look how far we have come!  Sometimes that all it takes to see the beauty of things.  A step back and fresh perspective and heart of grace.

Thank you Lord!

Have a blessed Sunday friends!

Hugs and Waves!