Outdoor Party Decorating

I just had my birthday party this past weekend and it was just perfect (minus a few good friends that couldnt make it)... an evening surrounded by friends, food, fire and fun! (It was a bon fire and croquet themed party) I wasn't planning on decorating... but then I spent a little too much time on pinterest and got inspired. This is what the drink table looked like:I learnt how to do the tissue pom poms from this site.
The old door and window are from our house... and the bunting banner is made from vintage sheet fabric.

Fire Pit

Last weekend we finished our fire pit. Its huge... at first I thought a little too big, but we had a lunch of about 10 people and it was perfect! It was nice to have space to move around the chairs and to back up from the fire.

Keeping busy...

So my latest endeavor has been to start a garden. I have really been enjoying this new hobby. There is so much to learn... and luckily I have two great teachers, my parents! My parents have an amazing yard. They have been so helpful by generously giving me some treasures from there garden (splitting off perennials and vegetables) and advice on how to keep them healthy!
I have started my yard with side vegetable and flower garden. We used the bricks from our home's old chimney to boarder the garden. Currently we are working on making a patio/fire pit area. This area is in front of the flower portion of the garden. We are digging up the area right now and using the earth to level off the other side of the yard... so right now the yard looks a little dumpy, but don't judge it yet! (below is my quick re-touching of the last photo for how the yard will look)

Yards Are Like Mullets

I find that yards are usually like mullets.... business in the front (grass) and party in the back (garden, patio, deck...). But I think this trend is changing. On my street there are a few house that have these amazing gardens in the front yard and my husband just emailed me some pictures from his friend's front yard. (Pictured below) I love how the planters double as benches.

Maybe a Green Fingernail?!?!

Ok, so I really don't have a green thumb... but I am working hard at it. Last year I grew two tomato plants and recieved two tomatos for my troubles. This year I have started two tomato plants again and check it out........ my first tomato!!!

Just In Time To Say Good Bye!

So we finished our back yard patio just before we decided to move! I love it... I wish we had more time to make use of it. (Umm... that is probably not true. I am super pumped to move) We did the patio with concrete and a plastic form to form the blocks, we put up patio lanterns around the roof and we got a fire chimnea and planter to complete to patio! (Hopefully some day we will be able to update the patio furniture)

Yard Progession

This is our backyard

This our backyard getting worked on... Patio soon to come!


This is our front yard...

Above is the before picture and after is pictured below. (Hopefully you could have figured that out by yourself)

My Milkshake Brings All The Boys To The Yard

I gotta have good milkshakes because my yard isn't going to entice anyone by itself! I seriously think my yard is the dumpiest yard on our block. I have spent a lot of time making the inside of our home look pretty it is time to move outdoors! Especially with the beautiful weather we are starting to get here in Winnipeg... being outside is all I want to do anyways!

Ok, so my 3D skills maybe are not quite as impressive as my husbands. (Click here to see what I mean) But I gave it a go. Top priority is to repave the front cement stoop... my plan is to make it straight and hide the yellow foam insulation. Next on the list would be for two beautiful planters with tall spiky plants. I would love to use slate slabs to make a retaining wall for the garden... but that might be pushing it. New numbers and a new mailbox are also on my dream list. I guess we will see what actually gets done.

My house In the middle of my street....