A Little Backyard Birthday Fun

Last weekend our family celebrated

my youngest son turning 18!

Birthdays have always been a big deal at our house

since the kids were tiny.

The passing year always celebrated 

with a chosen personal theme

to highlight that years interest.

Obviously as they have gotten older

birthdays have changed.

Although I must say

my 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 out

this weekend.

It is so easy to know what to do for young children

but teenage boys has had me trying several different scenarios.

We decided to have everyone 

meet at the house for 

drinks and appetizers

and 

then

go out to dinner

and then

back home to the backyard 

for cake and presents.

It turned out to be a nice balance 

of entertaining at home

but 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 presents

were finished

I had the backyard set up for

a  simple game of 

bean bag toss ...

as well as chairs and a fire pit set up

for 

night time s'more making

with 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.

Again

birthdays for teenage young men

don't have the same open

over the top decorating acceptance.

So cloth bunting and balloons 

with colorful textiles mixed in

still managed to  say

Hurray it's celebration time!

Having a birthday gathering 

in the backyard

was just the inspiration

I needed to begin

the summer fluffing of the backyard!

The back tends to get a little unruly looking

in the winter months of non use.

But in the summer months
the backyard

it my favorite space to entertain!

My  fluffing list of to do's 

is now underway

with the promise of 

a summer of backyard memories

to 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 inside

and

 now they are exploding into the back yard.

My biggest excitement with

succulents

is how they are a plant that just keeps on giving!

This circular arrangement

was made with just 

five new plants.

The rest were just cut 

or actually pulled off

from my existing plants

that 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 moist

the transplant ends up successful!

Not only did the old plants

finish off this arrangement

but the original plants

look so much the better after the trim.

In my year of experience 

working with succulents

I have realized although 

they can go a long time without water

they truly thrive with light

regular waterings.

Until next time ...

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life