Today was just about perfect! Temps toying with 80, relatively dry after a week of daily showers. All in all a beautiful day to enjoy lunch on the deck under the shade of the trees!
Seems a bit fancy, you say. I say — why not? Take the chance to decompress a bit, to enjoy lunch with the song of birds providing background music.
From the elevated deck I can see most of our backyard except for the lower patio and the grassy area to the right.
I've not paid much attention to the garden this year. Spring was spent nursing a broken bone in my elbow. Summer alternated between recurring monsoons and sweltering temps with sky-high humidity. It may have been good for the garden but not so much for the gardener!!
The ferns, heuchera and other shade-loving perennials I planted along the stream have begun to fill in nicely. Another round of planting this fall and perhaps next spring should complete this area.
On the table I've used outdoor-friendly melamine plates and an acrylic goblet. They're set on two placemats that pick up the colors in the salad plate. Turquoise flatware and napkin with fringe amp up the festive feel, joined by a bucket of cheerful flowers. Sadly I didn't have any from my garden to add to the mix. You can see cute pics of the marauders on my Instagram.
Finn doesn't know what chicken salad is, but he's sure he'll like it!
One of my favorite spots in the garden is on the swing which looks across the pond and up the stream.
Chicken salad, grapes and lemonade somehow taste better al fresco!
I love the sight and sound of the waterfall where the stream meets the pond.
Several of the koi have grown quite large over the summer.
At this rate of growth we may need to re-home some of the fish so the pond doesn't exceed its carrying capacity.
I frequently enjoy eating al fresco in late summer as you may remember from Dining Alfresco with Lemon and Lime, At the Bistro Table or Tea and Muffins on the Bistro Table. Spring and even portions of the autumn and winter months are also lovely for outside dining here in north Georgia.
Thanks for joining me. I hope you find a lovely spot for a leisurely lunch as the temps begin to cool!
Shared with these parties
I've been eating lunch and breakfast outside, but you just encouraged me to set it up pretty today! Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeletewww.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I highly recommend it, Mireille!
DeleteSo nice to have lunch in style. The weather looks perfect.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
I agree completely, Amalia!
DeleteThat looks simply perfect! And look at that gorgeous pond! I love eating outdoors. Our problem is that it is often simply too hot. Visiting from The Crazy Little Lovebirds Link Party.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Eating outdoors is wonderful, and like you, I hardly ever do so in summer. Too hot, too humid. But this week has felt more like autumn. I’m lucky to enjoy dining alfresco during spring and fall, and sometimes in winter too.
DeleteHi Sandra thank you so much for participating in the Huisvlijt Linkparty. Your post was featured!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nicole! I really appreciate it.
DeleteWhat a great spot, and nice setup for yourself, Sandra. Sorry to hear of your broken elbow! My son-in-law fractured his elbow ice skating a long time ago. He ended up becoming a PA for an Ortho specialist, lol. As I recall, he did not have surgery. Did you? Your garden stream and plantings are lovely! July was very wet, hot and humid for us, but August has just been dry, hot and humid. Last week the weather broke in a good way (temps and humidity), but we could really use some rain.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to tomorrow's hop!
Somehow I lost my balance moving a heavy planter on the patio and fell against the house when Finn figured he'd join in on the fun with all four feet. Sheesh! A small piece of bone broke off -- no surgery possible, but it's mostly healed now. Catch up with you tomorrow!
DeleteSandra, your back yard is lovely and what a sweet spot you have chosen for an al fresco meal. It looks delicious by the way. Love the koi pond and am curious as to whether they stay there all winter? We've nearly completely our deck and I'm looking forward to dining outdoors again next summer. I'm convinced that food tastes better outside, especially at a pretty table such as your. I'm sorry about the broken elbow and I hope it has healed. Take care down there.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim! I really enjoy breakfasts and lunches there. Yes, the koi and goldfish stay in the pond all year long. In late September we cover it with netting to keep the leaves out. The pond is a bit over 3 ft deep so the fish pretty much hibernate at the bottom of the pond over winter, stirring on the warmer days. Some of the littlest ones don't make it but the bigger ones seem to do fine. Of course our winters here aren't that severe.
DeleteIt's so important to take time to enjoy our homes! Featuring you at Wednesdays in the Studio!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Jennifer! Thank you for the feature.
DeleteOOoooh, Sandra! Your garden, pond and stream are lovely!!! I don't know that you have to worry about the koi growing too big. They had huge koi in these small square planter/sitting areas at Ala Moana shopping center when I was a kid (I used to pet them) and I think most fish only grow to the size of what the water area is/will hold. I bet yours are about full-size now. Wow, though! What a lovely place to sit outdoors and just feast on the fruits of your labor. Makes me think I should put on bug spray and go eat out on our back patio while the weather is decent. ;)
ReplyDeleteHappily shared your post at SYS #467 for you today,
Hugs,
Barb :)
Sandra, your garden is so peaceful. That's so nice that you enjoyed lunch while relaxing in the garden. Thank you for sharing with us at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.
ReplyDelete