The Best Day
It happens without me knowing it, the best day. I only realize it when I'm traipsing, reluctantly, back into the house, at dusk, chilly and happy. "It" is the first real day of the "summer," the one where we clean up the yard for real-ish, get new cushions, plant geraniums, smooth out the gravel, start caring what the weather report says for the week.
I found these little vases from Mexico at Goodwill on Friday morning. I think I'm going to do something sort of, I don't know, what is this look — Mediterranean, I guess. Kind of earthy and 70s-ish — less roses, more sage and oregano.
The new Anthropologie catalogs are gorgeous, but my stuff for outdoors generally comes from K-mart, I must say. I usually get a little tablecloth and some new napkins to get started on my theme — $22 for these four naps and cloth. The dishes are the ones I got from cb2 last winter. We've broken most of our glasses in the dishwasher lately. They were too fragile for us, alas.
Oh, the climbing hydrangea. One of my favorite plants. It clings without support. We have it in front and back. It's insanely green. Will probably pull the house down eventually, but, phooey. I like it.
I do like me a little patch o' green grass, too.
An area rug, made of sod.
And the lawn boy is a smokin' hottie. Damn. I like to just sit and observe him working.
FOXY.
Love this day. Love summer. Let it begin.
As always, loving all your photos! I know what you mean about really, finally getting the yard READY for the warm weather. My husband has this thing about his dates that he determines THE TIME to put the patio tables and umbrellas back out. It's coming soon! He did put the geraniums out this weekend (rescued from the shelter of the covered patio roof). I am not much of a gardener, but I am sure wanting to get some flowers for my pots!
Posted by: HeidiAnn | April 30, 2007 at 08:44 AM
Happy Summer to you Alicia. I love a good day in the garden with my husband - makes all that winter rain worth the wait. So green, so lush, so clean, so happy...
Posted by: Kailla (in Portland) | April 30, 2007 at 08:45 AM
I had a thought... don't you know that the Home Depot people are wondering why in the heck they are selling so dang many gallons of Behr's Rivers Edge color paint! Well, it's cuz of YOU Alicia! You really should be getting some sorta cut!
Btw, LOVE the color on my wall!
Thanks!
Posted by: Linda Thompson | April 30, 2007 at 08:47 AM
Yeah, he is a hottie...ummm...naughty!
Posted by: Jane | April 30, 2007 at 09:04 AM
My husband commented last night when we were heading to bed that the whole weekend was a 'great one'. We did have fun. The kids played, we hosted a newly single friend and her family for a cookout and just sat on the porch watching the traffic go by. Small town thing. It was a perfect day. Im glad someone else had one, too.
Posted by: Teresa | April 30, 2007 at 09:09 AM
I have to really start doing something with the backyard.. it is just there is sooo much to even deal with. I am going to have to plan it out first I believe.
Your backyard looks so inviting. AND.. where can I hire a waterboy like that? LOL
Posted by: Beth | April 30, 2007 at 09:15 AM
Alicia, you never cease to put a smile on my face (especially the comment about your "lawn boy"....LOVE IT!)! Love your blog, your beautiful photos...a great way to start the week. Thank you!
Posted by: Gail | April 30, 2007 at 09:17 AM
Are you the cutest EVER? Love the yard shots,I just got a climbing hydrangea this year.. I'm hoping it can take our hot hot weather, its in the shade. You have such perfect gardening weather.
Posted by: Pam | April 30, 2007 at 09:22 AM
Oh yeah, I am all over that earthy, 70s thing. Go with it!
My smokin' hot lawn boy and I planted some cheddar pinks this weekend. There is nothing, I'm telling you, NOTHING like watching a cute dude shovel.
Posted by: carlene | April 30, 2007 at 09:42 AM
Blog lurker alert....I've been a big fan of your blog for months now and just had to leave a comment! It looks beautiful in your neck of the woods....:) I can't wait for those days to get to Michigan. Hope you have another one of those "best days" soon!
Posted by: jessica cornman | April 30, 2007 at 09:50 AM
The sun blessed the Midwest too. After a day in the garden, I blessed mine with a toast of cheap red wine and some decadent dark chocolate.
Love the hottie shots. ;-) I need to find me a lawn boy.
Posted by: Lindsay | April 30, 2007 at 09:50 AM
HAHa the lawnboy shots are classic. He looks like he was hired by a casting agency.
Posted by: jennie | April 30, 2007 at 09:52 AM
i love the little sod area rug. genius. do you mow it?
Posted by: hayley | April 30, 2007 at 09:57 AM
hmmm...the lawn boy is cute...albeit too young for me...what I am loving is those red clogs!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | April 30, 2007 at 10:02 AM
hehehe...it looks like the Cardigan likes the little patch of grass, too! It's just tall enough to touch his/her low little tummy.
Posted by: Denise | April 30, 2007 at 10:04 AM
Audrey looks as cute as ever on "her" patch of grass! :o)
and WHOA! that is one Smokin' Garden Boy! NICE! :o) what a hottie! heehee!
Posted by: kelpkim | April 30, 2007 at 10:06 AM
i'm not sure what looks more tantalizing - the hammock or the lush grass?
Posted by: cindy k | April 30, 2007 at 10:19 AM
BRING IT ON!! We had our first weekend a couple of weeks ago. The BBQ came out as did the lawnmower. I need to get some plants so I can do the planters etc and then we will be all set. I love it. I spent the afternoon out there on Sunday listening to Harry Potter and crocheting my blanket. Utterly blissful and perfect.
Posted by: Gemma | April 30, 2007 at 10:23 AM
Lovely photos! I especially like the last one, it makes me want to wear a summer skirt! :)
Posted by: Posidriv | April 30, 2007 at 10:24 AM
Oh and Lawn Boy! Very nice. There is something about men working with their hands that is so mmmm .... will stop there I think.
Posted by: Gemma | April 30, 2007 at 10:24 AM
I love your garden! Good luck with the flowers! I just planted my purple bell pepper seedlings yesterday
Posted by: Jeannine | April 30, 2007 at 10:47 AM
great photos! i love the patch of grass, too- it's really inviting!
and that lawn boy! nice :)
Posted by: erin | April 30, 2007 at 10:49 AM
Okay I'm trying to get on board, really I am. Right now, my entire world is covered in a sickly, pollen-colored yellow. I'm fighting sinus headaches every single day- and for me, well Summer means 98 degree days and high humidity for MONTHS on end. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I loves ya Posie, but BAH! HUMBUG!
The lawn boy is cute though :)
Posted by: Chris Howard | April 30, 2007 at 10:57 AM
the husband is a hottie!
i used to have one but now live in a SF apartment. no yard, nothing. all i can do is admire the amazingly abundant spring flowers that are carpeting the city. i was nearly overcome with emotion passing by this one old house, overgrown with pink tea roses. i think you would have appreciated it.
at least i get to visit your blog and live vicariously through you! keep us posted on the garden. :)
Posted by: Jennifer | April 30, 2007 at 11:01 AM
I know what you mean. I was in Portland over the weekend and my daughter and I made a trip to the Portland Nursery for plants for pots and hanging baskets. Did a lot of damage to the $. But ooh they looked so pretty.
Love your little patch of grass. I'm in the process of getting rid of grass, but I may have to save a little rug of the stuff after seeing your photos.
Posted by: Pammc | April 30, 2007 at 11:03 AM