Tiki Party and Talented People

Just had to share this backyard that we visited over the weekend. My husband's co-worker invited us to a Tiki Party. I had never met the couple but fell instantly in love with the amazing backyard that he and his lovely wife had created. They built everything themselves!

And I mean everything! This bar for starters and the bar stools, yes all hand crafted! He built the umbrella stands with flower pots and concrete.

This fun picnic table, yep he built that.  There was a matching lime green one on the other side.

He built this massive multi-level deck and filled it with plants and seating areas. So relaxing and inviting!

Don't even get me started on the inside of their home. Let me just say, this was one handy man!!

I came home inspired and wanting my husband to build us something just as lovely. Now if only he had a wood shop. And yes the "handy man" built his own shed (big, big shed) where he has a wood shop.

I really admire people who can build things with their own two hands, how satisfying that must be!

Have you seen what Sandra can build? This woman is incredible!!  Prepare to be blown away by her talent!

Meanwhile, I'm going to go give myself a manicure!!

House Envy

I'm still here.......just finding it really hard to balance everything this summer. There are just not enough hours in the day to get it all done! I'm sure you all can relate to that!!

Since I'm having a difficult time creating anything " blog-worthy",   I thought I'd share these three beauties with you!

I like to imagine what my life would be like living in such grandeur. Then I remember that I would also have to clean all that grandeur, no thanks!!

As long as I'm out by the pool,  I can temporarily forget what needs to be done on the inside. Having the kids home all day and lots of neighbor kids in and out of the house, let's just say I'm fighting a losing battle. Oh well, you know my motto right?

A clean house is a sign of a misspent life!

Enjoy your day!!

Anyone have any suggestions for easy beach reading? Vacation is fast approaching and I need to make sure I have good reading material.  Outer Banks here we come!!!!

Just finished this book.  Jen Lancaster is hysterical! I think she should do stand-up comedy!

Tween Hoarders

If you have a tween and they are lucky enough to have a walk-in attic inside their bedroom closet may I offer a bit of advice........

A responsible parent must open afore-mentioned attic door AT LEAST once a month!!!

Oh my stars, was I in for a treat this afternoon!!! This girl might just be on the next episode of Hoarders.

And you might want to look under their bed every now and again!!!

I'm Not the Meanest Mom in the World.......

YES that is a dog in my house and NO it does not belong to us! Saturday night I was the " BEST MOM IN THE WORLD " according to my kids. I let Chloe, sleep over! Her owners were away and Miss Emily was dog-sitting and couldn't leave poor Chloe alone over night, so I said yes to a sleep over. You should have heard the cheering!

The joy on their faces!

They made a bed for the dog on the floor but apparently all ended up sleeping in the bed together. (I've got the dog hair covered duvet to prove it)

Everything turned out fine, she's a really good dog and she can spend the night anytime she wants. As long as I can send her home in the morning!!

Cul-de-sac Traditions

The last day of school means the cul-de-sac kids are eating ice cream for dinner! It's a tradition. We all meet in the park with tubs of ice cream and all the toppings and set up a delicious ice cream buffet.

Everyone is required to bring a water toy and then the fun really begins!

 It was a glorious day, just look at that sky!

Then it's on to relay races.

Summer has arrived in the cul-de-sac!!  Soak it up and enjoy!!

I HEART TARGET!!!!

Who doesn't love Target right! I was able to put together two great  teacher gifts for about $20 each. The best part is everything was practically in the same aisle! That store really knows what they are doing and they do it so well!!

But I must credit my awesomely, creative daughter for putting together all the elements of these gifts. She LOVED picking out the different designs and colors. And I think she did a fine job! She also stamped the gift tags, love those! Emily, you amaze me everyday!! I can't wait to see what amazing things are in your future!!

Now quick run to Target!

Color Envy

On Saturday we stopped at one of the largest greenhouses I have ever seen. The amount of color everywhere was spectacular! I have no idea what the flower is in the above picture but the shape is so interesting, any idea what it is called?

I wish I could fill my flowers beds with all this delicious color! However, I have

 really cut back on the number of annuals I purchase, just trying to save money where I can! So I was thrilled when several of my planters on the deck actually reseeded themselves! I even have tomatoes and lettuce growing again in pots that I left out all winter. Is that normal?

So many hydrangea colors on display but this pale lavender is one of my favorites!

My daughter confiscated my camera and took the picture above. She has a really good "eye". You should see all the amazing photos she took with her phone camera. I wish I knew how to get them off the phone and onto my computer!

What's your favorite flower color combination? I never seem to get it quite right, but this year I filled a few pots with purple and yellow and I'm loving it!

It's all in the details

I love exploring new towns. If my husband is driving I'm usually hanging my head out of the window looking at homes and other architecture. Old buildings fascinate me. They just don't build them like this anymore!  I wish they did. The details are just amazing. Makes me wonder if there are any craftsmen that can do work like this anymore?  It's a lost art I'm sure.

Wishing for just an ounce of this character in my home! Not going to happen in your typical suburban sub-division. I crave an older home with character...............maybe someday.

Saturday in the Cul-de-sac

I know it's Tuesday already but I just had to share some shots from Saturday. We got to babysit this adorable little puppy most of the day and my kids were in heaven!!  I'm the mean, old mom who will not let her children have a dog. I know, I'm a horrible person but I am just not ready to make that commitment!They are wearing me down and when the puppy is as cute as this little guy ...it's hard. But I'm still holding out, is there anybody on my side??????

We had our first official pool party! The cousins came, they love spending time together!

That little one was in the pool for about 5 hours straight!

My mom is a fantastic cook. This is one of her signature salads.......it is amazing. She makes an incredible homemade dressing to go with this dish. I must get that recipe, maybe she'll let me share it with all of you. She could seriously bottle it up and sell it, it's that good!

And here's what the husband wore to church on Sunday (they asked him to). A man in uniform, the old ladies went nuts! One lady asked me if she could hug him, I'm not kidding. I told her she could take him home for the day, but she got in her car and drove away.

Oh well, I tried!