At Home: Get merry and bright!

 Rituals are an important part of our lives, even if they can be boring at times.  My official marker for winter is an appointment to get the tires changed on our car.  It's happened. Winter is officially here, even if we only had a dusting of snow followed by torrential rain.<br /><br /> Each year as I  approach the end of November, Christmas creeps into my thoughts.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qNGVabOk9jqKKsfJvGqHT8N5jd-BHKIxPxhY2Ys4uQ69fNYbhyphenhyphenaOQcx9rKEQ0YlWiGbGCzl4xVnLlnjk5V2wXo5NzNl9Fwd-9krsf81ywmq6CZfDk8Au7yi4HqBZoH7YGr_erIvEpHfL/s1600/red+chair+merry+christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="red chair, Christmas sign, outside porch, Christmas decorating" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qNGVabOk9jqKKsfJvGqHT8N5jd-BHKIxPxhY2Ys4uQ69fNYbhyphenhyphenaOQcx9rKEQ0YlWiGbGCzl4xVnLlnjk5V2wXo5NzNl9Fwd-9krsf81ywmq6CZfDk8Au7yi4HqBZoH7YGr_erIvEpHfL/s1600/red+chair+merry+christmas.jpg" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/christmas/decorating/best-christmas-decorations/?sssdmh=dm17.769744&esrc=nwdc_bonus111414#page=3">source</a></span></div><br /> While I love to look at all the seasonal additions other people make to their homes, and I marvel at the time and creativity it takes to decorate, I keep things as simple as possible.  I'm a vicarious decorator,  enthralled by others' efforts and the numerous possibilities without the physical work and outlay of cash.<br /><br /> Here's a good example.<br /><br />Every time I visit my daughter's house I am greeted by her inviting red door (now there are boxwoods in the planters) ...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RU3TV9YWjAcS5Ryx1TBHLrrb_zTKzGT16XuQ5z4JC-Ld9sHbHDPOftDor8DWr5lW5fUswfyPjhfKuJqjahVmErSvt3P73PFQtVDkx6egVI1dfLHmmn6FoYw3TDd-gzvqtR3PyDTgbgJU/s1600/photo+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="red door, front porch, Christmas decorating, " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RU3TV9YWjAcS5Ryx1TBHLrrb_zTKzGT16XuQ5z4JC-Ld9sHbHDPOftDor8DWr5lW5fUswfyPjhfKuJqjahVmErSvt3P73PFQtVDkx6egVI1dfLHmmn6FoYw3TDd-gzvqtR3PyDTgbgJU/s1600/photo+(6).JPG" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="303" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: start;">and covered porch large enough to have two tables, a bench (made by her dad) and a chair.  </span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy44JQ6IAPsnk7gx5_YCoMSh4_WvIEYcWIop5EtqEU_9Xy2tWHbdxvm3xbiGx0Gh_Zyyq4dbGgso7Sov61Nk7bzU8TwIVMz4qt1aMXvV_zqHRUknoYNVMY5vMfcIYFxwiyBlVo8CbSbdP2/s1600/IMG_1244+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxeZu7C-5rfUwQi1yKoJhK1PFjHGt_CR4WfnkN2eezXvXouHsMSRhqnld2y4N9THWHA1i2e_QMOqyb90ZQg0YpIvb4IReF3M6NaZOL7eg-e4eJV7yeu3gWbIU4UMiemjddLKGGPD9Mosl/s1600/photo+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="black and white patio, porch, outside decorating" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxeZu7C-5rfUwQi1yKoJhK1PFjHGt_CR4WfnkN2eezXvXouHsMSRhqnld2y4N9THWHA1i2e_QMOqyb90ZQg0YpIvb4IReF3M6NaZOL7eg-e4eJV7yeu3gWbIU4UMiemjddLKGGPD9Mosl/s1600/photo+(5).jpg" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: start;">This space is calling out for Christmas decorations now that the cushions are stored for the winter. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't get me wrong, my daughter  doesn't need my help to decorate, and she's very independent.  For the last several years she's had some great looks for her front door, but this is the first Christmas for the bench on the porch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9GTrj7OB3mAvnZtFurrIolmHgrzTXSNdKKnrfDp7J4JHKcAFhh7iGyF06fwiXSMx8-YLTs1hcHC3OLagiNinmooQ1mSPTLro5b2LXB2tbenJxLXwtB4pc6JBEGENpbHr_QUXeNEk_fg-/s1600/photo+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="red door, DIY natural wreath, outside decorations, Christmas patio, porch" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9GTrj7OB3mAvnZtFurrIolmHgrzTXSNdKKnrfDp7J4JHKcAFhh7iGyF06fwiXSMx8-YLTs1hcHC3OLagiNinmooQ1mSPTLro5b2LXB2tbenJxLXwtB4pc6JBEGENpbHr_QUXeNEk_fg-/s1600/photo+(8).JPG" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> 2013 Wreath made from  her garden shrubs </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy44JQ6IAPsnk7gx5_YCoMSh4_WvIEYcWIop5EtqEU_9Xy2tWHbdxvm3xbiGx0Gh_Zyyq4dbGgso7Sov61Nk7bzU8TwIVMz4qt1aMXvV_zqHRUknoYNVMY5vMfcIYFxwiyBlVo8CbSbdP2/s1600/IMG_1244+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="feather wreath, red door, Christmas wreath, porch decorations" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy44JQ6IAPsnk7gx5_YCoMSh4_WvIEYcWIop5EtqEU_9Xy2tWHbdxvm3xbiGx0Gh_Zyyq4dbGgso7Sov61Nk7bzU8TwIVMz4qt1aMXvV_zqHRUknoYNVMY5vMfcIYFxwiyBlVo8CbSbdP2/s1600/IMG_1244+2.JPG" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="312" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012 Sparkle and glam wreath </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXK575F3bro2uN1TXFMYWa5SwxPNUg1r3CTUvIiOaDZW00AbfCQHCv7kHviC3FHOcsfp6LVGrUIK1Q4IquyngQCkGilhrNjF-_gbpaapg2osCb2hLBR4o7z-Xfv7yjNDVpIpCCCaLft2W4/s1600/IMG_1245+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="snowballs, planter decorations winter, outside, porch, Christmas " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXK575F3bro2uN1TXFMYWa5SwxPNUg1r3CTUvIiOaDZW00AbfCQHCv7kHviC3FHOcsfp6LVGrUIK1Q4IquyngQCkGilhrNjF-_gbpaapg2osCb2hLBR4o7z-Xfv7yjNDVpIpCCCaLft2W4/s1600/IMG_1245+3.JPG" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="297" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012 Glowing snowballs and white sparkle twigs</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">  What I liked about the feather wreath and snowball planter was its longevity into the winter months.  If you are putting effort into a project, you should aim to get the most from it. </div></div><br />This is a "what if" post... what if I had that porch.  If my daughter is reading this now, she's rolling her eyes. I'm always on about something, and in the end she'll do her own thing as daughters usually do. <br /><br />Let's start with the boxwood planters on either side of the door.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYAxtvn2JB9qGo_GtffE5HqYjEus6Iw8Snb1XSb3bnwP1QC7-S0zLSag2ByB7IzfcbO-rafXUozQ0ICJB8rRmw7Cvxd9H1xnHc8A9PLQA3QpOrF0fifpBKTMuC1Wl5dhy13ivxh6u4lIk/s1600/boxwood-+planter-Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYAxtvn2JB9qGo_GtffE5HqYjEus6Iw8Snb1XSb3bnwP1QC7-S0zLSag2ByB7IzfcbO-rafXUozQ0ICJB8rRmw7Cvxd9H1xnHc8A9PLQA3QpOrF0fifpBKTMuC1Wl5dhy13ivxh6u4lIk/s1600/boxwood-+planter-Christmas.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://henhouse.ca/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></a></div><br />I have the cedar and my daughter has lots of silver balls.  Anchoring things because of the high winds is always a challenge.  I use tree ornaments and stick a wooden skewer  through the top and down into the soil. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUqAKp2bf0B1pAyG2B2Bq4zCw5CLjMhDnwmcT7e_F6RZdW3xqwQalxgCt23UvZr6ey2WjHBwOave7rqyLnuM4oBmqx6EK-AxXIa6SGfFWyfix00IFUmLONQtWADduoeLVpKp-h0Gefc3v/s1600/outside-foilage-berries-planter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUqAKp2bf0B1pAyG2B2Bq4zCw5CLjMhDnwmcT7e_F6RZdW3xqwQalxgCt23UvZr6ey2WjHBwOave7rqyLnuM4oBmqx6EK-AxXIa6SGfFWyfix00IFUmLONQtWADduoeLVpKp-h0Gefc3v/s1600/outside-foilage-berries-planter.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.deborahsilver.com/blog/tag/red-twig-dogwood/">source</a></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then there's  twigs and berries to add height and colour.  This is a great solution when planters bank a door because the added height and colour would be at eye level. </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgX9l2sYT-DFrMmGSISHt1QiPylIV-IsA1UQHa0rsyClMezAhYXhlvzx5Ch2STZYui57WxbNhQmhYiv3lEy8Z5uUHNMQ-eB_PgFksMbwl0IgOg3bUDtK6fjeHQy7MWX8qNIMICju0Xz9au/s1600/bench+greenery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="porch decoration, Christmas, natural elements, silver balls" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgX9l2sYT-DFrMmGSISHt1QiPylIV-IsA1UQHa0rsyClMezAhYXhlvzx5Ch2STZYui57WxbNhQmhYiv3lEy8Z5uUHNMQ-eB_PgFksMbwl0IgOg3bUDtK6fjeHQy7MWX8qNIMICju0Xz9au/s1600/bench+greenery.jpg" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/christmas/decorating/best-christmas-decorations/?sssdmh=dm17.769744&esrc=nwdc_bonus111414#page=12"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></a></div><br />Following the dictate that simple is best, here's an idea to build on. This is an easy look to achieve and it invites modifications.  Not sure where you would ever find  gigantic pinecones in our neck of the woods, but you could certainly carry off the rest of it and make some bright additions. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR_0ypU1_3_HDlce1M8JvMMP0CBivaEmdt2DQLzAyyaidEDM8qmNCjwCdcDff0K1eM4sfBNDm39PEzWjZ9LxjAnPmCxnq983krL29AWoxeqCBRdPRP7j5A5J4cqDlAWeR5MA_9DVP51Lv/s1600/benchblanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="front porch, plaid blanket, natural Christmas, black bench" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR_0ypU1_3_HDlce1M8JvMMP0CBivaEmdt2DQLzAyyaidEDM8qmNCjwCdcDff0K1eM4sfBNDm39PEzWjZ9LxjAnPmCxnq983krL29AWoxeqCBRdPRP7j5A5J4cqDlAWeR5MA_9DVP51Lv/s1600/benchblanket.jpg" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="260" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://5thandstate.blogspot.ca/2011/12/christmas-house-2012.html">source</a></span></div><br />How about a plaid blanket or plaid pillows for a nice splash of pattern and colour?  A definite considering plaid is very in this year (so I've been told).  I'm thinking about the  red plaid scarf my daughter just purchased.   It  could be folded around a summer pillow and pinned.  A piece of fabric would achieve the same look.   Presto!  Job complete - one plaid pillow.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyU2yGnQ38d6Exq2K5tVSgRuoMpt0uQz2B-sQNLC2Poio9xQTdQjnvwepdonRdQ_nZ6bSWUEEl3X5L82qbjAXBPDnZLm4a-NzqOx-_fXGQ9YzCNqGWzQDYQTO6GW394D6-_xCKQhxAYoC/s1600/OB-plaid+pillows+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="black bench, plaid pillows, Christmas decorations, porch, " border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyU2yGnQ38d6Exq2K5tVSgRuoMpt0uQz2B-sQNLC2Poio9xQTdQjnvwepdonRdQ_nZ6bSWUEEl3X5L82qbjAXBPDnZLm4a-NzqOx-_fXGQ9YzCNqGWzQDYQTO6GW394D6-_xCKQhxAYoC/s1600/OB-plaid+pillows+.jpg" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a simple idea along those lines I just whipped up.  I know how much my daughter  loves happy little signs!  Not!  </div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">or.....</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Nj0FsNCXNqU_r0R9t75SW_du11-F0k4bp59Hgh9Oh0o1UH7qGq4C35QIFRDrAGTRbr1M0jFtw9_6F2p8Jq_s_-seEQAzkcHHgs2qp4Ddo4P3dZi9a23ofcNVGHwlj54uc5LpoWjIe-1V/s1600/burlap+pillow+christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="burlap pillow, red chair, red polka dots, porch, outside decorations" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Nj0FsNCXNqU_r0R9t75SW_du11-F0k4bp59Hgh9Oh0o1UH7qGq4C35QIFRDrAGTRbr1M0jFtw9_6F2p8Jq_s_-seEQAzkcHHgs2qp4Ddo4P3dZi9a23ofcNVGHwlj54uc5LpoWjIe-1V/s1600/burlap+pillow+christmas.jpg" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/113072921/similar?ref=error_page_redirect&filters=christmas+burlap">source </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> you could make burlap cushion covers with stencilled polka dots (a great kid friendly project)....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOD_1ESXj099BEnJCqPen4o2hMsrx9jXE416F5HusNyiREjuUbjLBzQ356g4CugqgZEeCjyhTc2djJDqBtfLyFalotQOYrFUHqJ4hv_kZAGAjFVpD0OnB1jGktA9kifTD8Ccs_HO4HsYI/s1600/blanket+pillow+outside+christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="red pillow, red blanket, outside decorations, Christmas, porch " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOD_1ESXj099BEnJCqPen4o2hMsrx9jXE416F5HusNyiREjuUbjLBzQ356g4CugqgZEeCjyhTc2djJDqBtfLyFalotQOYrFUHqJ4hv_kZAGAjFVpD0OnB1jGktA9kifTD8Ccs_HO4HsYI/s1600/blanket+pillow+outside+christmas.jpg" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/catmomlydia/">source</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> you could use a  plain red blanket and blend it with  the summer white/black cushions for a very graphic look</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">... and </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just a few simple changes to pillows </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHM_BEETKu2z8S_Jcc76lGIb776A52crl0q0QQtFYdB01i-PTozzgddpAhxZ5lcuuqeDOT6CWXH4RpZxvd9VxJFx1nyA-VYVm19ruurmKxh-Gp4pZkk9xBDCFxXqWIz4yX_Hqy5wMNGHk/s1600/OB-Porch+at+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHM_BEETKu2z8S_Jcc76lGIb776A52crl0q0QQtFYdB01i-PTozzgddpAhxZ5lcuuqeDOT6CWXH4RpZxvd9VxJFx1nyA-VYVm19ruurmKxh-Gp4pZkk9xBDCFxXqWIz4yX_Hqy5wMNGHk/s1600/OB-Porch+at+Christmas.jpg" width="497" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and add bright arrangements for the table.... </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM626qq-jSM-MrS4IaoDUaneSTrVq3dWfxJaS53_5DwNDF9AL_-xGDQHg5D-tvKvUeyeuvOstEkrVzweGAIRN8Djk75zIIrxrV7ATZwGjVlxtLQMYHoDx8oFuDyRk2iGZ0stB8wc7Ohks/s1600/e9db4d8d26c24c1179a88ddcc33c198e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="outside decorations, red lantern, red table, natural Christmas, porch " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM626qq-jSM-MrS4IaoDUaneSTrVq3dWfxJaS53_5DwNDF9AL_-xGDQHg5D-tvKvUeyeuvOstEkrVzweGAIRN8Djk75zIIrxrV7ATZwGjVlxtLQMYHoDx8oFuDyRk2iGZ0stB8wc7Ohks/s1600/e9db4d8d26c24c1179a88ddcc33c198e.jpg" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="288" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.theyellowcapecod.com/">source </a></span></div><br /><br />Then there's always lanterns and greenery for the tables.   Get the spay paint out if you already have black lanterns. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_k1sH9YNAA2xDb_V6jnzSAQU2dYo9Un-AIdj0296rxi6_cPnf271xzIf9WzB-BsDUc4ovYnhezyvrs0B_djqdreS4oXsOsZovmCeq4pe76jskRjbtox-JNct8EprWqgPB4U8HZSk-Amfx/s1600/lit+twig+balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="natural Christmas, twig balls, outside decorations" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_k1sH9YNAA2xDb_V6jnzSAQU2dYo9Un-AIdj0296rxi6_cPnf271xzIf9WzB-BsDUc4ovYnhezyvrs0B_djqdreS4oXsOsZovmCeq4pe76jskRjbtox-JNct8EprWqgPB4U8HZSk-Amfx/s1600/lit+twig+balls.jpg" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="258" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lit twig balls are always a big hit, and they could be added to any container depending on the size.  You can also spray paint twig balls and just go with colour and no lights. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTew8gbVMAZreGdKJcNrNLXF2oNEsWyIIKiygP0-B4H_yK-nSDr4V_sC33WwBUIVmF1GUUcMNu19L6yf7FEgi6tWHPGqUJPAFIC0yawgbiSaIFigtEivq7dHFSJzjz2Ek9zUrgKDbWk6Aw/s1600/photo+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="natural Christmas, red container, bird planter, winter decorations, porch " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTew8gbVMAZreGdKJcNrNLXF2oNEsWyIIKiygP0-B4H_yK-nSDr4V_sC33WwBUIVmF1GUUcMNu19L6yf7FEgi6tWHPGqUJPAFIC0yawgbiSaIFigtEivq7dHFSJzjz2Ek9zUrgKDbWk6Aw/s1600/photo+(7).jpg" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Why not take an idea from my sister Vera's  red bird themed <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.ca/2013/12/a-nature-inspired-christmas.html">Christmas pot</a> from last year?  It continued to look good for months after Christmas. </div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebWoUBH8aGgScNcLEgsZBOXZYvMkG9lCsFFtVqL-w7TFyAMKqK7mOHNXJb_5ZP-s9gNXblvzAz_A4dxss1ZuFHUtaR59XGNKcSrYtw8oNUrdF5hITVG2uPu4nyF9N6KXycdcBTGc7cvkf/s1600/skates+wreath+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="swag, door, skates, Christmas decorations" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebWoUBH8aGgScNcLEgsZBOXZYvMkG9lCsFFtVqL-w7TFyAMKqK7mOHNXJb_5ZP-s9gNXblvzAz_A4dxss1ZuFHUtaR59XGNKcSrYtw8oNUrdF5hITVG2uPu4nyF9N6KXycdcBTGc7cvkf/s1600/skates+wreath+.jpg" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="313" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.paintedhomedesigns.com/2011/12/o-u-t-d-o-o-r-c-h-r-i-s-t-m-s-d-e-c-o-r.html">source</a></span></div><br />Love the idea of skates in a swag for the front door.  This would be super easy with a red door and lot of accessible greenery on one's  property.   And I just found my daughter's  little white (now yellowish) skates in the storage room clean out!  Ideas! Ideas!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvT01G57xnOgrldq19OZI03QQB5bBDrf_P_eMdVSwAzrHGibkAsGC7_AXcHNP2QbmXWfkFeHdYqFoacOgp6qVHf670T36U9qUMBhH0uECm2J4Fmn4LsPgqfdCyxb72BZ24ixHo2O9N_wJ/s1600/wreath+bench+christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bench, wreath, Christmas decorations, outside" border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvT01G57xnOgrldq19OZI03QQB5bBDrf_P_eMdVSwAzrHGibkAsGC7_AXcHNP2QbmXWfkFeHdYqFoacOgp6qVHf670T36U9qUMBhH0uECm2J4Fmn4LsPgqfdCyxb72BZ24ixHo2O9N_wJ/s1600/wreath+bench+christmas.jpg" title="Designing Home: Get merry and bright" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or just give in and put a  plain old wreath on the bench. How simple is that?</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">No pressure! <br /><br />What are you doing with your entry for Christmas?</div>

At Home: Get merry and bright!

 Rituals are an important part of our lives, even if they can be boring at times.  My official marker for winter is an appointment to get th...

Read more »

A Pretty Place to Read Magazines & Drink Rose

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xN7aizMujfQplu7_n4YNRu4HMeDaXbu6xPNLXIWJvJwvkhxiSDVyvfWAG1CWrh51QSJ1ZUbl4vmp_azBK-jyXIp-lFgI3lhZxguLYii0GnlTA7eaav_bPGeVqz52p3F2OlkOvG2aKaQ/s1600/AD+tumblr_n3enlx98991r96pomo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xN7aizMujfQplu7_n4YNRu4HMeDaXbu6xPNLXIWJvJwvkhxiSDVyvfWAG1CWrh51QSJ1ZUbl4vmp_azBK-jyXIp-lFgI3lhZxguLYii0GnlTA7eaav_bPGeVqz52p3F2OlkOvG2aKaQ/s1600/AD+tumblr_n3enlx98991r96pomo1_500.jpg" /></a></div><br />* <a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architecture/2012-11/anthony-p-browne-retrospective-in-memoriam-slideshow_slideshow_item11_12">Anthony P. Browne in Architectural Digest</a>.  Photo by John Wadsworth<br /><br />Excuse me for being a bad blogger lady.  I'm navigating unfamiliar waters here. <br /><br />Not only am I outnumbered by boys, a situation this girly girl is not often in, but I'm also trying to figure out how much wrestling is too much for an 8 month old and how many times I can ask my son not to jump over his brother's head before I threaten to take away everything that is precious to him. <br /><br />Give me girl drama any day. <br /><br />I can handle a three hour phone call about why your friend might not be talking to you and what you should do about it.  I'm just not so sure what to do about breaking up a headlock situation or how to respond to things like "I need to go fight the dog." <br /><br />Don't get me wrong, my boys are super sweet and actually fairly well-behaved in public, but you take your eye off of them for one second in their natural habitat and well, it's suddenly cage fighting practice.  I knew this day would come, but I'm surprised it's so early.  It's all very fascinating, brothers, boys, the joy of wrestling.  So if my blogging is few and far between lately, know that I'm just fine, I miss you and I will be back as soon as I can!<br /><br /> * This post is brought to you by Golf Magazine (yes an entire magazine devoted to golf), which I let the baby tear to pieces while I typed.  Sorry Kip!

A Pretty Place to Read Magazines & Drink Rose

* Anthony P. Browne in Architectural Digest .  Photo by John Wadsworth Excuse me for being a bad blogger lady.  I'm navigating unfamilia...

Read more »

An Estate in Portugal

Morning y'all!<br /><br /><i>First, I must give a shout out to Mister Kip.  It's his birthday today! I won't bore you with a post about how awesome he is and what an amazing dad he is and how glad I am he was born so I could have a nice, loving husband, BUT he is the best and I'm excited to celebrate with him today.  Love you Mister!!!</i><br /><br />I came across this estate listed on Sotheby's that just kind of makes me "Spring happy" - you know, where you hear "Here Comes the Sun" in your head as you watch the flowers bloom, and you run to take a Zyrtec, but then you come back to take a deep breath and exhale all of the stale stuck-in-your-house air that you've been breathing for the last 7 months.  Maybe it's all of the green.  I think it's beautiful. <br /><br />It's called the <a href="http://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-481-4000016833/quinta-patino-unique-property-cascais-li-">Quinta Patino Estate</a> and it's for sale for a cool $10 million in Portgul.  NBD.   I'm pretty sure no one in Kansas City can get away with a blue and white mural on the outside of their house. I love it. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBrmU-oJIxb28KPSxoG7PD_H-wW_OFSTSsJdq21aGbFFybFWNOX_do6vZyflkduDdAm2zI0BTTNiYIdFdW86fwUgdNasRyAfJMWdHXUsYSngAU8XNDJpHRMxuwr8u9oqNu6xEIEV3PXg/s1600/Quinta+Patino+imagereader.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBrmU-oJIxb28KPSxoG7PD_H-wW_OFSTSsJdq21aGbFFybFWNOX_do6vZyflkduDdAm2zI0BTTNiYIdFdW86fwUgdNasRyAfJMWdHXUsYSngAU8XNDJpHRMxuwr8u9oqNu6xEIEV3PXg/s640/Quinta+Patino+imagereader.aspx.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw61bZnhP2tvcPfZR80LAA6VWdfo67hfr7VIhz8BGIcJqv5k4O8SVorZtAqOdYmJnT9W_uEMrddN3C1NmKxgA2alRIAEZZcVQXylU1i6SwmxkPP9VxcgYvF1ZwqpOIMoV91x4TKmD9ps0/s1600/Lovelies+Outdoor+Space+Green+Maison-DuJour-Quinta-Patin%CC%83o-Estate-Lisbon-Portugal-015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw61bZnhP2tvcPfZR80LAA6VWdfo67hfr7VIhz8BGIcJqv5k4O8SVorZtAqOdYmJnT9W_uEMrddN3C1NmKxgA2alRIAEZZcVQXylU1i6SwmxkPP9VxcgYvF1ZwqpOIMoV91x4TKmD9ps0/s1600/Lovelies+Outdoor+Space+Green+Maison-DuJour-Quinta-Patin%CC%83o-Estate-Lisbon-Portugal-015.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a7xe43sF6Raj_jhQTGloDjtSIXich-D9_j3RPXzErDxRJ-fpGkbTl_uZCQIeVV5QJ4NHnc_tUYqHCSQXnlf90CJL1AovY4-6sxyIKHoZcjGYtkdJoG-mfcDZJMS2H9ADmI9oafTotw0/s1600/Quinta+Patino+2+imagereader.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a7xe43sF6Raj_jhQTGloDjtSIXich-D9_j3RPXzErDxRJ-fpGkbTl_uZCQIeVV5QJ4NHnc_tUYqHCSQXnlf90CJL1AovY4-6sxyIKHoZcjGYtkdJoG-mfcDZJMS2H9ADmI9oafTotw0/s1600/Quinta+Patino+2+imagereader.aspx.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2DEsIDVbeGzDIrBZabRtvMYuX2-4QuH0TM39EduwKFMnCDymuybg1SBAs0XeYepx3BQT9wcXhT_-oUtPhsxOjmf9Kr22JyPynizJJIRoDCE6l0NgSZASX89opNLEPS8AjOEEA_2RfTY/s1600/Quinta+Patino+3+imagereader.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2DEsIDVbeGzDIrBZabRtvMYuX2-4QuH0TM39EduwKFMnCDymuybg1SBAs0XeYepx3BQT9wcXhT_-oUtPhsxOjmf9Kr22JyPynizJJIRoDCE6l0NgSZASX89opNLEPS8AjOEEA_2RfTY/s640/Quinta+Patino+3+imagereader.aspx.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6z5ZG0H8Vn-vOq6oewzm0HsbgAMFZwEtV0HTzay5dBJQfU5zlxyMONCVJR_JK9fIMJDAuxWsLRMNBRFqd1Cmw1JfWdz18-7cwxQ3N7XLgNruzClZ3chvYo6E8husyktRZLRXgPBJpDJU/s1600/Quinta+Patino+4+imagereader.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6z5ZG0H8Vn-vOq6oewzm0HsbgAMFZwEtV0HTzay5dBJQfU5zlxyMONCVJR_JK9fIMJDAuxWsLRMNBRFqd1Cmw1JfWdz18-7cwxQ3N7XLgNruzClZ3chvYo6E8husyktRZLRXgPBJpDJU/s640/Quinta+Patino+4+imagereader.aspx.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqLjTR6BtoqVhyoJapTuVyC0BDw7aRJSBF6EGUE0DPyMgeqpKuJ_6_CJXPq17YZV7a4-eAxXypm1JoMH4tr_Uj8N630xSW33F8hWQfzQ-V8TXfYnJ7lP_Jb-yFt_kTqDzrv2HXBvZ-mA/s1600/Quinta+Patino+5+imagereader.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqLjTR6BtoqVhyoJapTuVyC0BDw7aRJSBF6EGUE0DPyMgeqpKuJ_6_CJXPq17YZV7a4-eAxXypm1JoMH4tr_Uj8N630xSW33F8hWQfzQ-V8TXfYnJ7lP_Jb-yFt_kTqDzrv2HXBvZ-mA/s640/Quinta+Patino+5+imagereader.aspx.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5ZmQK7egghr-dLiU07MsrwlwSY8WlMjJrXyDil-SDRnIhQpNv-LiwDLPTetLiD3bzLRDFlvag1_3z7P4L8YWhFBDFyhiUc9abZy3TUhPf-zddsudTaD4Q4ARKDG385cH9B3KaVYIVUc/s1600/Quinta+Patino+7+imagereader.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5ZmQK7egghr-dLiU07MsrwlwSY8WlMjJrXyDil-SDRnIhQpNv-LiwDLPTetLiD3bzLRDFlvag1_3z7P4L8YWhFBDFyhiUc9abZy3TUhPf-zddsudTaD4Q4ARKDG385cH9B3KaVYIVUc/s640/Quinta+Patino+7+imagereader.aspx.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBF4B3Zz5GuT7SP39jDB904rayFZulX-TKnCiHvz5NZSrQ6GkjluuKA2u_H5WE9kyOM4NT-Vy-BGazPYRayo1RhSpzkqanRL2YfCZPHyIBx_78S-dhBQeEN1k11xou8zv1wKo0XkB5d8/s1600/Quinta+Patino+8+imagereader.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBF4B3Zz5GuT7SP39jDB904rayFZulX-TKnCiHvz5NZSrQ6GkjluuKA2u_H5WE9kyOM4NT-Vy-BGazPYRayo1RhSpzkqanRL2YfCZPHyIBx_78S-dhBQeEN1k11xou8zv1wKo0XkB5d8/s640/Quinta+Patino+8+imagereader.aspx.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Have a lovely day!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br />

An Estate in Portugal

Morning y'all! First, I must give a shout out to Mister Kip.  It's his birthday today! I won't bore you with a post about how aw...

Read more »

Let's Pretend It's Not Going to Snow

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB5J6mDXa4A161igHzyGZ-0ZVIh8NGhR9JO2Ggkq6JHjjMe8yJGD1bse9NPJALUS72Srg6XiqDDTAreDNF-b_AF48ExZfBREHJBAMIzg9aMxMAsnTkPv4lwJZ828WmyIHoXyeXj5bqCc/s1600/Timothy+Corrigan+Pool+Outdoor+Living+Cliffwoodpool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB5J6mDXa4A161igHzyGZ-0ZVIh8NGhR9JO2Ggkq6JHjjMe8yJGD1bse9NPJALUS72Srg6XiqDDTAreDNF-b_AF48ExZfBREHJBAMIzg9aMxMAsnTkPv4lwJZ828WmyIHoXyeXj5bqCc/s640/Timothy+Corrigan+Pool+Outdoor+Living+Cliffwoodpool.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />You know when the weather guy is scared to say the s-word (snow) that it's bad.  I don't think it will actually snow, but they are threatening a mix of white slushy stuff tonight and I'm pretty sure everyone out there with kids is going cray cray right about now.  I'm choosing to ignore it.  Instead, I will pretend that this is my backyard because how amazing would that be.   <br /><br />I'm also working on a moodboard for our basement.  Kip bought us a new fancy flat screen for downstairs and my goal is to make the basement the main TV watching area (mainly because I'm tired of all of the toys upstairs).  Since it doesn't look like we'll be going outside anytime soon, I'm going to play around with the indoors some more.  <br /><br />Have a good Monday y'all! <br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">{<a href="http://www.timothy-corrigan.com/gallery/outdoor-living/47">image via Timothy Corrigan</a>}</span>

Let's Pretend It's Not Going to Snow

You know when the weather guy is scared to say the s-word (snow) that it's bad.  I don't think it will actually snow, but they are ...

Read more »

Blue & White Backyard Barbecue

<div style="text-align: left;"><i>**** </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Obviously, I want to take a moment to say my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Boston today.  It's scary and sad and I'm glad I don't have to explain this stuff to Edward yet.  It's been comforting to see this Mr. Rogers quote floating around the social media world: </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, '<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8081105280448879922" target="_hplink">Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping</a>." </i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>That's a good one.  Thinking of you Boston! </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>**** </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And now for the portion of the blog, where we pretend these bad things don't happen for a minute ...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm dying to have a backyard barbecue.  Actually, I'm dying to just spend time in our backyard.  So far those days have been few and far between.  Edward and I are like Boo Radley/caged animals right now, especially after being sick and housebound for an entire week.  <i></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm kind of in love with the new <a href="http://www.serenaandlily.com/The-Monaco-Collection">Monaco Collection from Serena & Lily</a>.  It's blue and white and made of sustainable rattan and plastic.  Plastic y'all.  Plastic lives forever.  It's genius.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EZCTRcFaz-j9An2u3B19r_xE0_w_sWewQ9Fza8KlkqDqwzztfE2gBM5mZAd80v3hyphenhyphenVkcX0gO7U7zHuEYifv53gX1Dl4ABQ9WG3wyKTFz1vRbvmMlfaD9nzf0Gpy-b4xoo9igp6zpiNE/s1600/Serena+&+Lily+Monaco+Bar+Cart+TB-ACC43_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EZCTRcFaz-j9An2u3B19r_xE0_w_sWewQ9Fza8KlkqDqwzztfE2gBM5mZAd80v3hyphenhyphenVkcX0gO7U7zHuEYifv53gX1Dl4ABQ9WG3wyKTFz1vRbvmMlfaD9nzf0Gpy-b4xoo9igp6zpiNE/s1600/Serena+&+Lily+Monaco+Bar+Cart+TB-ACC43_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.serenaandlily.com/Summer-Preview/Summer-Preview-Monaco-Bar-Cart">Monaco Bar Cart</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVsK0IgcnLDSVm7A8RQvw619fF2r5Qz-04xu1YLWJldH6OdhcJoFRTNBBLanUpfhftTTy1mG-faNW3p2mELzQ5UmVRDH1FSXzBTRX_8NksvVrPxRPv01HXfGX_ZOOb3sOA5IeAIXUPdg/s1600/Serena+&+Lily+Monaco+Dining+Chair+CH44-01_3_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVsK0IgcnLDSVm7A8RQvw619fF2r5Qz-04xu1YLWJldH6OdhcJoFRTNBBLanUpfhftTTy1mG-faNW3p2mELzQ5UmVRDH1FSXzBTRX_8NksvVrPxRPv01HXfGX_ZOOb3sOA5IeAIXUPdg/s1600/Serena+&+Lily+Monaco+Dining+Chair+CH44-01_3_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.serenaandlily.com/Summer-Preview/Summer-Preview-Monaco-Dining-Chair">Monaco Dining Chair</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXVdtAPyImZbgJR5KO9uIABrgeTCsdSKwyBpgQImmwOoktWY0JOSXyx-wiwsDTrjH3esLty0PDwiFyL-Dni29z5_BF7-0LspSuAsGScndjzPq55VB_DSa8zZti45oKsyddcLSxC-RMPs/s1600/Serena+&+Lily+Monaco+Dining+Table+TB-ACC42_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXVdtAPyImZbgJR5KO9uIABrgeTCsdSKwyBpgQImmwOoktWY0JOSXyx-wiwsDTrjH3esLty0PDwiFyL-Dni29z5_BF7-0LspSuAsGScndjzPq55VB_DSa8zZti45oKsyddcLSxC-RMPs/s1600/Serena+&+Lily+Monaco+Dining+Table+TB-ACC42_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.serenaandlily.com/Summer-Preview/Summer-Preview-Monaco-Bistro-Table">Monaco Bistro Table</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj2iGfVypzOORjR-SmTqXxhYvoOrQm2Jsn0nwMbXdRuz5WpU19ypb2taq0Kwb5c0UWf1rmWrv9Gnbj4QA09daPVItlM6PdUZLpeap8P_5iQ_HuOTmJkMMwAiCawbAEi2FfehbhoBWg5A/s1600/Serena+&+Lily+Monaco+Lounge+Chair+CH47-01_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj2iGfVypzOORjR-SmTqXxhYvoOrQm2Jsn0nwMbXdRuz5WpU19ypb2taq0Kwb5c0UWf1rmWrv9Gnbj4QA09daPVItlM6PdUZLpeap8P_5iQ_HuOTmJkMMwAiCawbAEi2FfehbhoBWg5A/s1600/Serena+&+Lily+Monaco+Lounge+Chair+CH47-01_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.serenaandlily.com/Summer-Preview/Summer-Preview-Monaco-Chair">Monaco Chair</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-6UwL2xZ8THF3mnh0sGL_Xp3grqlGGWbLcYQeD10-SgoJ30ynIYgforT-hErrI5A7_YouWgf8d-9dYDZ6TDzDZ7bf0fQ2iwgW1B8_x0he35wW7c49qsmXIwUNLK7GZQkHWY7Nji0thw/s1600/Serena+&+Lily+Monaco+Loveseat+CH46-01_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-6UwL2xZ8THF3mnh0sGL_Xp3grqlGGWbLcYQeD10-SgoJ30ynIYgforT-hErrI5A7_YouWgf8d-9dYDZ6TDzDZ7bf0fQ2iwgW1B8_x0he35wW7c49qsmXIwUNLK7GZQkHWY7Nji0thw/s1600/Serena+&+Lily+Monaco+Loveseat+CH46-01_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.serenaandlily.com/Summer-Preview-Shop-All-Monaco-Loveseat?utm_medium=CS">Monaco Loveseat</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think it's adorable.  And since I'm talking barbecue, I have to mention my new obsession, <a href="http://meatmitch.com/index.html">Meat Mitch Barbecue Sauce</a>.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40gByjmzgbQkwcPxeqVQ89WLgg3edOA8U8fdEXSpvq2CIzz2qkrgUtqWaX-j1vgaGKtbFuxeHOenM6XZe5kJcQGhp7kQJSIwmCJyFIq6u0pn4wv9TOiTf17vvxddax95fPyns1YhJJMA/s1600/Meat+Mitch+41hIRGTboYL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40gByjmzgbQkwcPxeqVQ89WLgg3edOA8U8fdEXSpvq2CIzz2qkrgUtqWaX-j1vgaGKtbFuxeHOenM6XZe5kJcQGhp7kQJSIwmCJyFIq6u0pn4wv9TOiTf17vvxddax95fPyns1YhJJMA/s1600/Meat+Mitch+41hIRGTboYL.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Best barbecue sauce I've ever had (and we are swimming in that stuff here in KC).  It's local, but I think you can buy it <a href="http://store.allcustomwear.com/meatmitch/category-sauces-and-rubs.html">online here</a>. It's <i>rully, rully</i> good.  It has just enough kick to keep it interesting, but not so much that Edward won't eat it.  You can literally put it on anything.  We will be using this a lot this Summer.  (Summer, what's Summer?  It's an elusive time in Kansas City when people could go outside and swim in a pool and complain about the heat.  Heat, what's heat?  It's a state of warmth not recognizable to anyone born in the last 7 months.)  Sorry I'm being so dramatic.  I need to get out of the house today ;) </div>

Blue & White Backyard Barbecue

****  Obviously, I want to take a moment to say my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Boston today.  It's scary and sad and I...

Read more »