Long Weekends = Weekends Outdoors

I take every excuse I can to get outdoors (if you're a regular reader of my blog you already know this), but even more so on a summer long weekend.

Whether it's walking the beach at sunset, rollerblading a lakeside trail, horseback riding through the forest, or sitting on a patio having drinks with friends we really do need to take advantage of the short summer season we have!

We can't all get away for the weekend or a holiday and  taking that into account, why not turn your back yard into your own retreat?

Lonny Magazine has an amazing gallery of patio, deck and outdoor spaces. I have included some of my favorite and hope these inspire you to turn your home/space into your own holiday getaway space..that you get to enjoy everyday!

LOVE everything about this space...literally EVERYTHING!

The chairs, the brick wall, the coziness....and of course the Hermes blankets!

Love the idea of using tall shutters for privacy....and the wicker/rattan furniture, animal print rug & french doors....

That pool....

An outdoor fireplace!

The greenery, the brick patio and the huge expanse of windows to let the outdoors in...

Rustic stonework...

Wow....I could just wander and lounge in this atmosphere all day....

So fresh and lush....

Beachy....can almost hear the waves crashing!

A great day to night setting....

The modern pergola - like structure mixed in with the rustic details like the brick shed....

Have a seat and enjoy a latte while reading the morning paper...

Modern, Cali style....that enormous daybed!



Another perfect place for the perfect cup of coffee!



Literally a melding of the indoors and outdoors...feels like a Tuscan villa.

Cheers to a long weekend....I'm off to the lake and I hope you have the opportunity to get outdoors, relax and enjoy yourself!

RR

Patio Season Has Begun!!

Last summer got away from me and before I knew it, the snow was flying...I wasn't going to let that happen this year!

I got out my design magazines and this backyard patio/lounge in Style at Home Magazine has the feel and aesthetic that I am hoping to achieve...

My inspiration......

The clean lines, the simplicity, the greenery...

Hostas, cedars, herbs.....black, grey, cream and green...

I plan on also doing a similar fence with horizontal fence boards...

I love this gate/entrance way...I hope to also do something similar to this as well...

And with that......

My backyard makeover had begun! 

A HUGE THANK YOU to my brother, Mike McDonald, of Toronto who has his own home reno/construction business (website is in the works) for putting together this gorgeous patio that I use on almost a daily basis (weather permitting).

Mike dug it out ...wheelbarrow load after wheelbarrow load....and I was able to use the sod in other areas and the top soil in the flower beds surrounding the yard.

We put down gardeners 'paper' to help prevent weeds/grass growing up through...It was a very, very productive first day!

Then came the gravel....I ordered mine from Dirt Cheap in Kitchener. Mike wheelbarrowed every load from the driveway, levelled and then tampered it. Then, the limestone sand went on before the stones were placed.

And......VOILA!!

The stone is pressed concrete from Rona in Guelph and they get their stones from Triple H Landscape in London. I had really wanted to try and source as much as I could from smaller, local companies...and  was absolutely able to with great success!

Cheers! The first glass of wine on my new patio!



The monster fern is from a local nursery in Guelph.



The patio set (I'm still putting all the pieces together) is from The Bay. The coffee table is a rustic crate I found in my parent's neighbour's barn! I did the planters myself, with coleus from Meadowville Garden Centre in Guelph and planters from Home Depot.

This is what it's all about....a friend and I enjoying a summer evening (Canada Day to be exact) on the new patio....

Thanks SO MUCH again Mike...I LOVE IT!!

RR

I hate to say this...but....

...I'm SOOOO ready for Fall!

 

The muggy, humid and damp weather today reinforced that I'm ready for Summer to wind down and can't wait for the cool, chilly weather of Fall to ramp up.

 

I'm ready for the Fall colours....the sweaters....the riding boots....and I'm hopingthe squirrels make quick work of the walnuts from the trees in my backyard.

 

We did some 'antiquing' this weekend and made some great finds.....

 

 

For only $8...how can you pass this up? The colours, the tones, the shades.....it will make a great back drop for an autumn vignette...

 

 

 

These 2 pieces really caught my eye....I didn't walk out with them but I think I have to go back! Any excuse I have to explore the cute shops in the town of Neustadt, I'll take!

 

 

My boot collection is sitting there...waiting for the cooler weather..almost begging for me to wear them! I'm going to have such a hard time not buying a new pair to kick off the season...

 

 

I walked in to my parent's home this weekend to find a bouquet of sunflowers on their kitchen table...LOVE them!

 

 

 

I also walked in to see that their furniture has been delivered!!!! Well done Mom and Mike on your selections (yes, that's right, my Mom and brother picked out the furniture and I wasn't even there to help!)

 

And....

 

 

 

.....My Dad and brother had put the final coats of stain on this gorgeous wormy Maple dining set made by our Mennonite neighbour, David. There are 2 leaves and 8 chairs total and he did EXQUISITE work!

 

If you are interested in a set, just send me an email to rusticretrievals@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

I was at my parent's this weekend as it has been one year since their house fire. We sure have come a long way....a new home has been built, they are all moved in and we are already making new memories!

Right after the fire, we found this angel in the ashes....she was once considered part of our Christmas decor, but she now holds a place out on display year round...watching over us...our true guardian angel!

 

This past week also marked one year since the tornadoes tore through Goderich....The first time I visited after the storms rolled through....I cried....Canada's prettiest town had some open wounds, but I know they will heal without many scars left behind.

 

 

Earlier this Spring I went for a walk along the lake in Goderich and this is a picture from that day.

 

I hope you all had a great weekend....I sure did! It was full of mixed emotions, but most importantly, it reinforced that as long as we continue to push forward and persevere, anything is possible!

 

RR