Last weekend our family celebratedmy youngest son turning 18!Birthdays have always been a big deal at our housesince the kids were tiny.The passing year always celebrated with a chosen personal themeto highlight that years interest.
Obviously as they have gotten olderbirthdays have changed.Although I must saymy daughter still has huge appreciation for a great themed birthday party.I shared her latest birthday here.
I was quite happy with the way Hunter's birthday turned outthis weekend.It is so easy to know what to do for young childrenbut teenage boys has had me trying several different scenarios.
We decided to have everyone meet at the house for drinks and appetizersand thengo out to dinnerand thenback home to the backyard for cake and presents.
It turned out to be a nice balance of entertaining at homebut without a meal production.It also made it more interesting to all go out to dinner and then to come back to hang out.
After the ice-cream cake and presentswere finishedI had the backyard set up fora simple game of bean bag toss ...
as well as chairs and a fire pit set upfor night time s'more makingwith time and space for simply just hanging out.
I was quite happy with the simple decor.
Especially the lemonade in the dispenser
served in small milk bottles with striped straws.
Againbirthdays for teenage young mendon't have the same openover the top decorating acceptance.So cloth bunting and balloons with colorful textiles mixed instill managed to sayHurray it's celebration time!
Having a birthday gathering in the backyardwas just the inspirationI needed to beginthe summer fluffing of the backyard!The back tends to get a little unruly lookingin the winter months of non use.But in the summer months
the backyardit my favorite space to entertain!
My fluffing list of to do's is now underwaywith the promise of a summer of backyard memoriesto be made!
I wanted to share my succulent bowl I made for the backyard.
My succulent love is in full force this season.I have shown you my courtyard and how I am using them insideand now they are exploding into the back yard.
My biggest excitement withsucculentsis how they are a plant that just keeps on giving!
This circular arrangementwas made with just five new plants.The rest were just cut or actually pulled offfrom my existing plantsthat I put in last years waterfall planting.I placed them in a potting soil mixture.I have found as long as I keep the soil moistthe transplant ends up successful!
Not only did the old plantsfinish off this arrangementbut the original plantslook so much the better after the trim.
In my year of experience working with succulentsI have realized although they can go a long time without waterthey truly thrive with lightregular waterings.
Until next time ...
As always my friends
I wish you love and joyas you style your life
