Our Summer Vacation

 We just came back from a wonderfully, relaxing vacation!  Any guesses as to where we went and how we got there?  Check out the pictures below and see if you can guess.  No answers from my friends who already know!  :-P  I was playing with filters on some of these pictures, so there are a few that are the same, just different coloring.

Summer on Aurora

Flag Cake for Patriotic Holidays

I know I already posted today, but I thought you might like to see the INSIDE of the cake I posted about earlier.  I found the tutorial at Glorious Treats.  Be sure to stop by to see how it is assembled!  Very neat!

I hid the baking and assembling part from my boys.  They didn't see it until the white, whipped cream icing was on it.  Under the whipped cream icing, I made and Italian buttercream and layered and crumb coated with that.  Yum!  My red is a bit pink, but I love pink, so I didn't mind!

Happy 4th of July!

Are you hosting a barbeque?  Are you going to one?  We were going to have a party, but decided against it because we are heading to NY City tomorrow.  I can't wait!  I think we are going to focus on SoHo and TriBeca.  Any suggestions of places to go with two boys ages 8 and 10?

Anyway, I did decorate my table in my screened-in porch, so I'll share that with you.  I also made a cake with some decorating help from my little guys.  I love the way it turned out.  So homemade looking.  Sometimes it is nice to just get everyone's hands in there and make something that was "made by me".

Admittedly, the tablecloth is a bit much, but I thought it looked really kitchy and fun.  The pillows and napkin rings and the banner were made by me.  Most of the other place setting stuff was found either at a thrift or a dollar store.  Including the $3 tablecloth.  Love that!

Happy 4th! 

Summertime in Our Backyard...

Summer is finally here in upstate NY.  We JUST got out of school on Friday and the weather couldn't be better.  I thought I would share with you my little corner of paradise.  My husband and I have been working really hard to get the weeding, trimming and mowing done, the pool nice and clean and all of my pretty summer stuff out. 

First, I have to show you how pretty the laurel is in our area.  These white flowers are like little lanterns that open to reveal a pretty little pink polka dots.  I love it in my pink pail.  This is on our back screened-in porch.

Next, is the small flower bed.  My boys and I ripped out all of the rocks from around the bed because you could barely see them because of the weeds and grass growing through them this spring.  So, the other day, we spent the day taking them out and putting them back after my husband weed-whacked around the garden.  It looks so much better!

 I found these pretty little flowers growing in this garden.  So pretty!

This bench is beside that flower garden.  I had planned to paint it, but now that I've taken pictures of it, I am thinking I won't paint it.  It has such a nice patina!

What do you think?  Paint or no paint?

I used the hedge clippers and cut all of the hedges on the back of the house.  I still have more to do on the side of the house.  They will be done soon.

 I also ripped out a dead bush from this small garden on the backside of the pool yard. 

 Another picture of those pretty flowers!  Columbine, if you were wondering.

My dear husband did a whole lot of weed-whacking back by the fence and all around the pool yard.  It is a huge job. I appreciate him so much!

On the stairs of our back deck, I planted some planters full of begonias.  I just love begonias because they never fail me.  I've had them in my house and they bloomed and outside and they bloom beautifully.

So here are a few pretty pictures of those double begonias...

Here is my view from where I sit and read, relax or play on my tablet.  I've changed the umbrella on the table to a real market umbrella and moved the striped beach umbrella over beside me.  Also, I used a heat-proof black paint to paint the fire pit.  It looks SO much better.

Here is my view overhead.  I love paper lanterns. They make me happy. 

 Here is an accidental photo taken while carrying the lanterns out to put them up.  Isn't that neat?

 This is where I plop my butt when I want to relax.  It is nice and shady and I can watch the boys in the pool.  I re-covered the cushion that was on this bench and made matching buttons.  I also made the pillows on the back by cutting an old bed pillow in half (don't use a down one!) and covering the halves to make two cushions.  The bottom of each cushion is thicker than the top. They stand up nicely.

I also repainted the furniture from hunter green to this glossy black.  Love how it turned out.  So simple, but such a huge difference!

This is my outdoor livingroom.  I suggest everyone have one!  The little table will be the next thing to be painted.  It is still the old hunter green.  It will be black very soon!

And here is the actual market umbrella I just bought.  Perfect color!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the little tour of my back yard.  Welcome, SUMMER!!!

Here are some adorable products I loved on Amazon.  Enjoy!

Olympic Fire Mountain Laurel - Kalmia - Very Hardy

K. Van Bourgondien 73915 Double Hanging Begonia Collection (10 Bulbs Per Bag)

Polka Dot Garden Square Dinner Plates (8 count)

Set of 4 Polka Dot Napkins

Pink and White Polka Dot Print - Set Of 4 Ceramic Tile Coasters

Polka Dot Ice Cream Bowls (set of 4)

Terramoto Ceramic Polka Dots and Stripes 9-Inch Medium Mission Bowl, Black

Tropical Flip Flop Paradise Summer Fun Garden Flag

Life Is Better When Shared Birdhouses Large Flag