Today’s Fetching Friday shines the seasonal spotlight on what’s in a summer season fun and activities to anticipate, emulate, and participate in.
That Friday feeling of fun, adventure, happiness and joy mirrors the essence of summer- the June to late September time of year serving as inspiration for this what’s in a summer season scroll.
Two outdoor living features close together in postings support what most of us know to be the case when it comes to good subject content- too much of a good thing is a great thing when it comes to summertime outdoor living lagniappe.
[ lan-yap, lan-yap ]
Louisiana French, from Spanish la ñapa
:something given as a bonus or extra gift; by way of compliment or for good measure.
Outdoor furniture, decor accents and the like attract dirt, dust, pollen, creepy crawlers, and garden variety grime over the course of winter and early spring.
It’s just an outdoor living lagniappe fact that outdoor spaces and places demand attention at the beginning of the fun in the sun season.
Give your outdoor oasis a look see through the lens of polish and refresh.
Clean what pieces will greatly benefit from a brush-sweep-soap session, and assess the situation of items not so worthy.
Clear the deck so to speak of debris, replace rotten/rotting/missing boards, secure loose ones, nail down pop ups, and sand down signs of splinter or potential problem areas (ouch!).
Do you refresh or has the time come to replace outdoor furniture, umbrellas, pillows, and cushions?
When it comes to the decision to refresh or replace, weigh initial cost and difficulty in replacing item against budget friendly-ample retail availability.
Add dish detergent and Borax to a bucket of water. Dip a soft bristle brush into the cleaning solution and proceed to scrub cushion in a circular motion cleaning the entire surface.
Allow at least five minutes for the cleaning solution to penetrate the cushion.
Using a garden hose, rinse the cushion thoroughly in order to remove residual cleanser.
You’ll want to use an old towel for the next step. Pat the cushion with the towel in order to absorb as much of water as possible. Prop the cushion(s) upright in a sunny spot and allow to air-dry until completely dry.
Vegetable and herb gardens unite and produce- it’s your season to be in the spotlight and on the patio dining table in seasonal cocktails, dishes, and salads.
A Few Sprigs of Garden Herbs (Lemon balm, Basil, Rosemary, Thyme, Bee Balm, Sage, Mint, etc.)
Filtered water
Honey
Ice
Directions
Add tea bags, fruit, and herbs to your half gallon container. Cover contents and fill jar with filtered water. Seal the jar tightly and set it out in the sun for 4-5 hours. Once the tea is finished steeping add honey to taste while it’s still warm. Strain and serve over ice.
Store any leftovers in the fridge.
Please note, make sure to make Sun Tea on a very warm day (85° plus is what I use). Also, make sure you’re using a good filtered water. You don’t want bacteria growing in your sun tea… yuck! You can swap out the honey for flavored simple syrups!
There’s something so delicious about the combination of a warm evening and a cold summer salad.
Summer salad season exemplifies the crisp, the chill, and the complement of garden tomatoes topped with a dollop of mayonnaise, fresh asparagus spears spritzed with lemon and sea salt, and vinegar marinated cucumber slices.
Good lighting lights the outdoor livin’ it up night setting a relaxing, inviting, and aesthetically pleasing backyard bistro scene.
Candle filled glass jars and holders hanging around, twinkle string lights wrapped tree trunks and branches, tabletop lamps or paper lanterns- all super ideas!
Iron chandeliers purchased at auction have become outdoor candle chandeliers.
Votive candles with battery operated LED versions in flicker fabulous mode replaced standard votives, and the look and the ease of operation confirms its patio practicality.
Simple is always a welcome guest at any outdoor gathering. Nothing is more simple, and might I add simply elegant, as a glass container filled with string/fairy lights.
Regarding design and decorating, when I love and appreciate the look of a space I interpret the core design style influence and fashion to my own taste in the style of the original.
In the style of the French tradition, an apéro, short for apéritif, is the planned or spontaneous pre mealtime custom of cocktails and converse with the inclusion of savory bites.
Summer evenings seem tailor-made for an in the style of apéro featuring light bites and tasty beverages to enhance the idea of relaxing and connecting.
Easy plan, prep, and presentation begins with super easy items picked up at your local grocery store in taste and flavor combinations light yet flavor packed.
In a mixing bowl, toss together canned fruit with juice of one lemon. Cover and chill 1 hour. Add two Tablespoons of honey to a small container of Greek yogurt and you’ve got the dressing.
Garnish with avocado slices, yogurt dressing and a fine dusting of black pepper.
Pick up a luscious lemon layer cake and proceed to sweetly impress with the addition of fresh blueberries and lemon slices topping it all of with a generous tablespoon of lemon curd and/or whipped topping.
Sweet summer s’mores because who doesn’t crave s’more sweet moments.
Spending time outdoors is a big part of summer fun, making it easy to understand why outdoor living spaces have become extensions of the life lived within our home- a retreat of heart and home.
Consider this summertime outdoor living lagniappe hints and inside information a little something extra for your summertime let’s patio times.
Memorial Day weekend kicks off the unofficial start of the summer season, and with that comes “we’ve been having fun all summer long” activities associated with fun in the sun times.
Shopping farmers markets and strolling American flag lined main streets for treats and treasures goes with the summertime territory.
Included in this forever memory is cross-stitch pillowcases, crisp cotton sheets fresh from the clothesline, a vintage chenille bedspread, and a bedside window raised just enough to allow the morning breeze to fill the room with the scent of African violets.
Summer will always be hot, delightful, and golden.
Cold drinks and cool creeks right this way.
Texan family members refer to any and all soft drinks as cold drinks.
Tennessean family members refer to any and all soft drinks as a col cola. Not cold cola or coca-cola, but a truncated version of the two.
It’s true what you’ve heard; most Southerners do in fact refer to any and all brands of carbonated drinks as Coke.
Speaking of Martha Stewart- salute to 81 years young looking summer chic gorgeous on the cover of Sports Illustrated 2023 Swimsuit issue.
Thin patty grilled hamburgers and frosted mug root beers from Reed & Bell Drive-In was the summertime treat and the taste of my childhood.
We always parked and walked up to the counter window to place our order, and our mother would indulge my brother and me by letting us sit in the wooden school desks painted in primary colors of red, yellow, and blue situated under the shaded overhang.
Sipping on an arctic cold frosted root beer while waiting for our hamburgers to cook and listening to the hum of the fans overhead rated summer fantastic.
In our summer travels down the highways, interstates, farm-to-market, and backroads less traveled by, wonderment and nostalgia ride shotgun.
Points of interest past and present fill mile after mile with sights appreciated, underrated, and outdated.
Beauty is in the eye and heart of the beholder, the mind and memories of the observer.
Summer’s big bang theory proves we’re all big kids at heart.
Creating a space around an attitude of relaxation and unwinding at home requires outdoor living features and accessories tailor-made to suit your lifestyle.
For a shell of a good look begin with a clear cylinder vase(s) of your size choice, add decorative craft shells and starfish, and drop in a pillar or LED flameless candle.
Classic black and white is always so chic, and according to trend spotters, this fabulous color combination is on-trend for the 2023 outdoor living decor season.
Summer breezes usher in touches of tropical times, and for around $3.00 a pink with tropical green leaves swim float becomes a chic and festive centerpiece ring sitting pretty with a vase or planter full of seasonal floral or a themed ice bucket placed in the center.
Among the many Southern sayings in my dad’s rotation was the infamous “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
Simple logic flanked by deep wisdom, folks.
This proven advice applies to the still popular choice of a clear beverage dispenser equipped with a spigot for displaying-holding-serving liquid refreshment to wet your whistle.
Chilling out with cool libation of the leaded or unleaded kind goes hand in hand with as the character Bick Benedict from the movie Giant puts it where we can sit and talk… and the breeze can get at us.
Although the Classic 43 in. Gold Metal Console Table in gold is not an outdoor piece, it is a piece that I would definitely include in my outdoor living space for a focal point party presence.
You know—a take it outside for the event then bring it back inside afterwards piece.
Dedicated outdoor living kitchen areas range from state-of-the-art outdoor kitchens complete with elaborate designs and every creature comfort known to trend to a card table, galvanized beverage tub, and a hibachi grill.
You’re the captain of the SS Whatever Floats Your Boat, and when the goal is to create a serene and stylish space, a harbor, if you will to relax, connect, refresh, and still the day into evening, there is no wrong way of achieving the goal.
Cool sips, light bites, late suppers, and tasty sweet treats delightfully entice and satisfy the taste for a light nosh on a hot summer day into night.
Summer is soon to be, and with its arrival comes the propensity to ready your outdoor spaces with spiffy summertime, and the outdoor livin’ is easy decor.
Mother’s Day moments and musings bring joy to the heart, create cherished memories, and often are responsible for bringing a sentimental tear or two to the eye.
“A mother’s arms are made of tenderness
and children sleep soundly in them.”
—Victor Hugo
“Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.”
—William Makepeace Thackeray
What I count as the greatest blessing of my life continues to amaze me, capture my heart, and bring much joy and happiness to each and every Mother’s Day.
Seems a piece of paper really is important in the grand scheme of a treasured things. This silhouette proves a precious and priceless keepsake.
Flowers began arriving at the first of the week in deliveries for no other reason than I absolutely love fresh flowers from the floral department and local farmers market.
Flowers depicted through art bloom forever (or until your taste changes).
Gerardina Jacoba van de Sande Bakhuyzen
Home is where the Mother’s Day celebration brunch will be this year featuring a menu of light, sweet and easy house favorites.
Classic Traditional Home
How lovely is this artichoke flower vase.
Inspired Mother’s Day celebration ideas show love and gratefulness in ways beyond retail.
It is my honor to celebrate the mothers, grandmothers, new moms, moms-to-be, and women who are like a mother to so many as they enjoy their special day.
Horse racing enthusiasts, socialites and celebrities will flock to Churchill Downs this Saturday to view the Run for the Roses.
Known as the most exciting two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby as well as Churchill Downs is grand in history where tradition and excitement run first place.
Horse races are run on dirt courses and turf races.
Dirt is not something I recommend dressing out a lovely party food table in. I mean come on, who wants to decorate a party food table with dirt?
Anywho…
Emulate the look of a turf race with a faux grass table runner. Spanish and/or reindeer moss pairs well or as stand alone centerpiece additions.
Gallop on down to the local fabric store or shopping site of choice and pick up a yard or two of horse-racing-equestrian-jockey-rose themed fabric and proceed to create tablecloth, runner, and cocktail napkins keepers.
I can’t sew to save my life, but I am a whiz with a roll of hem tape. Mark your hemlines, heat up the iron, roll out the desired amount of tape, and voilà, table linen magic is made.
Faux rose bouquets placed in inexpensive vases, champagne buckets, on trays, or in trophy cups works beautifully as well.
Gather stems together tight and wrap with decorative ribbon.
Incorporating the traditional aspects of horse racing into my Kentucky Derby party ideas such as riding boots, horseshoes, and a riding helmet or two is not as difficult as one would think.
Spring is a great time of the year in retail sales to locate a pair of riding boots on sale or clearance. Riding boots will work perfect in my Kentucky Derby party ideas scheme.
Saturday’s centerpiece will become fall’s fashion boots.
Scatter about tabletops, prop and position around serving trays, centerpiece embellishments, cake toppers, monogram with party attendees initials as take home favors- you get the idea.
Garnish: fresh lavender sprig, fresh mint sprig, lemon slice
Directions
In a glass, combine bourbon, Lavender Simple Syrup, and lemon juice. Add ice. Garnish with lavender, mint, and lemon, if desired.
Lavender Simple Syrup
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lavender buds
1 ounce fresh mint sprigs
Directions
In a small pot, combine 1 cup water and sugar, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and add lavender and mint. Cool completely. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
8 fresh mint sprigs for garnish or more to desired taste
Directions
In a large saucepan, bring, water, sugar, lemon juice and mint leaves to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until sugar is completely dissolved.
Allow mixture to cool.
Strain cooled simple mint syrup and discard mint leaves.
Fill your mint julep cups with crushed ice, ½ cup Ginger Ale soda, and ½ cup mint syrup. Stir to incorporate flavors.
Adding a dash of Creole seasoning or Louisiana hot sauce along with a handful or two of chopped walnuts to store bought pimento cheese brings the c’est si bon to the party.
Encore presentation worthy for sure, I feel confident in suggesting the use of vintage beauties such as this one for Kentucky Derby party pieces.
The Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich, a Kentucky original recipe created in 1926 at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, is a perfect Derby Day menu choice.
This recipe from SheKnows plates turkey, bacon, Parmesan cheese, tomatoes and a heavy-handed dollop of bechamel sauce together in all its delicious, rich and Kentucky tradition glory.
If baking does not fit into your party schedule or itinerary, consider picking up your favorite cake at a local or grocery store bakery and adding embellishments of choice.
Springtime weather along with in season sources lights, designs and perfects the walkway/pathway to maximum curb appeal satisfaction.
More than a tomayto, tomahto difference, walkway and pathway will b0th get you to where you’re going but here’s the difference according to The Spruce and Merriam-Webster.
Walkways serve a more utilitarian purpose as a passage or path for walking and/or connecting different areas of a building, garden path or park sections.
Pathway is defined as a meandering avenue of sorts, usually made from casual, vintage and/or rustic materials.
Achieving visually appealing curb appeal instantly and affordably is not a home maintenance myth.
Paint renews the old, spring sales give good return on your investment, a stone walkway leads to wow factor, and new exterior lighting fixture(s) deliver function and style.
Home Depot is currently having a spring Black Friday sale, and the 5 bags for $10 deal on bagged wood mulch in color choice of red, black or brown affordably times sprucing up beds and killing dreaded weeds with at home lawn and garden curb appeal detail.
Color comes alive not only in the exterior paint choices applied to trim, shutters, doors, and columns, but in the landscaping details and accents selected to showcase entry, porch, lawn and garden.
Annuals color up planters, baskets, and beds for sure, but may not match with your curb appeal master plan.
Last fall before all hell broke loose with Dave’s health I walked the driveway and front sidewalks taking inventory of exterior projects to be addressed sooner than later.
Taking note of chippy shutters and gables along with faded columns and trim it suddenly became“paintfully” obvious curb appeal was lacking.
Painting the exterior gives new life and new look to existing features.
On the topic of creating curated details let me share with you a favorite faux feature we ran with when we remodeled.
Behind the shutters in the image above is a window from the original dining room design.
Dave boarded up existing windows fastening shutters to newly constructed frames. Dummy scroll shutter dogs serving strictly a cosmetic purpose were added to achieve the look known around these parts.
Springtime is the right time for enhancing curb appeal with first impressions make lasting impressions themed projects.
1 Peter 1:3:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
“The day the Lord created hope was probably
the same day he created spring.”
