So what do you do for the unofficial start of summer? Do you attend a local parade, have a cookout, plant your annuals, decorate for summer? Behind My Red Door we all of the above. As much as I don't like rushing summer just to avoid the heat, around these parts there is no getting away from it come Memorial Day weekend. So if you can't beat um, you join um, right? Just hearing that we were getting temps nearing 90was enough to motivate me to get my annuals in the pots and get my summer decor out of the attic before it turns into an oven. And yes, we did get one a/c out of the attic too - the bedroom one. Just knowing there was someplace to escape to made me feel much better. Isn't that true about many things? We can endure if we know there is an end in sight? I am like that when working in my garden. I can spend a few hours in the heat working away, knowing I can some inside to a cool house. If we didn't use a/c, you would never find me out there working in that heat!I don't do a lot to decorate inside in the summer because my garden and container plants are my priority, but I do have a few fun seasonal things I like to pull out. You have already seen some of my geraniums inside. Last year I made these sunflower and watermelon ornies. I love the colors together. What says summer more than watermelons and sunflowers....
and garden themed decor???
How about a little Patriotic decor...
Or a mix of both...
Yes, that works for me!I even added a little bit of both on the deck with my container plants. Unless and until we get a screened porch here, we don't use the deck very often. It gets too much direct sun all day and an umbrella just doesn't cut it. We can't use those wonderful screened canopies either because of the roof line. But because we see this area from the kitchen and dining room so I make it fun to look at - for me and our guests.
Of course watering cans and birdhouses are perfect accents at this time of year...
along with crows, and bee skeps...
and a wheelbarrow...
or two!
and how about a Garden Angel to watch over us....
yes indeed, that will do!And to answer that certain someone who keeps asking, I know it seems like ALL I do is shop and decorate because that it what I choose to show you but I really do have other things in my life. Like my family and friends and laundry and yard work and volunteer work and cooking and cleaning and so much more. I just post about the fun stuff. I don't choose to share too many details about our family, because they didn't ask to be blogged about. And I am the Keeper of our Home so that is my job after all. I also happen to be at a stage in my life when I have the luxury to be at home and so it is of course a big focus of my time. For all things there is a season, and I am truly enjoying this one. In a few short weeks, my focus will once again change when I become Grammy to Liliana. Angela is already dilated 1 cm and while that can be a slow process, it can also mean Liliana will be here sooner than expected. So in light of that, I am cramming in as much fun as possible before I move into that new season of my life. Not that it won't be fun, but I will be busier with our first grand child and have less time for other things and believe me, I am sooooo good with that.
And doing lunch with girlfriends is one of those fun things I am doing while I can. Tomorrow my dear friend Ina is coming to lunch. Before it got too hot today, I set us a pretty table using an old Patriotic doll another friend gave me years ago. Her body is made from an antique pillowcase that came over from Sweden.
And it is a good thing I set the table and uploaded my pictures today because I almost forgot to add the water goblets..... much better!
One of the items on the menu is a Strawberry, Spinach and Feta salad I saw over on Colleen's And Baby Makes Five blog. My mouth was watering just looking at the picture. She include the recipe so if it appeals to you, you might want to check it out along with all the other strawberry goodness she shared.On Saturday, DH and I have a big project to move some 'burning bushes' that are not thriving where they are so please cross your fingers that it cools off as expected. And on Monday we will have a small family cookout with Jay and Ang and my folks as Jen and Justin will be in NY celebrating his grandmother's 80th birthday. We have a full weekend with family, friends and come outdoor chores. I am sure DH will sneak in some golf - both in person and on TV and while he does that, I am going to do another of my favorite things and that is READ. I am finishing up a good book and then I am going to sit down and go through this wonderful magazine....
Here is a sneak peek for all my blue loving pals....
It is chuck full of prim and Patriotic goodness! Now that is what I call a perfect weekend activity! So what are your plans for this Holiday weekend? Leave me a comment and tell me! I'd love to hear all about them.In some blogging business, I want to point out an error I initially made in my last post. See my new covered jar on the bottom right? I initially said it was made by Turtle Creek. But after Rick Hamlin left me a kind comment (he was so kind and didn't point out my error) I immediately realized my error on my own and corrected before many of you even read the post. I wanted to make sure everyone knows that is one of Rick's wonderful
made in Massachusetts and LEAD FREE Pied Potter Hamlin pieces. The piece on the top right is also one of Rick's pieces. Please do check his website if you have a moment. I am hoping to get to one of his programs in September at a Home Depot not too far from here. I have always admired his redware and I would love to see him at work!
And last but in no way least, because the real reason for this holiday is to commemorate those who lost their lives for us, I want to thank all the men and women in uniform who serve this country so proudly. My solemn prayer is that each of you returns safely to your family after so bravely serving our country. I salute each and every one of you. God speed.
Until Next Time - Hugs, Linda
