Once we had the date on the calendar, it was time to do what I love most...decorate! Having the patio was like having a new room to accessorize. It meant a few trips to Home Goods and Target and you know I love any excuse to shop.
The first thing we started with was the table. Luckily enough, my dad had just bought a new table for his pool area, so he so generously gave us his old one. It just needed a little TLC and with some Soft Scrub and elbow grease, my hubby had that set sparkling. It was really transformed.
A few weeks before the party, we picked up some odds and ends like citronella candles and torches. Next on the list was an umbrella for the table. I had heard that the Christmas Tree Shop had some, so Dan and I headed there after work one night. Dan suggested the red one, so we went with it. Sometimes I do actually listen to him! Our house is blue with red shutters so we thought the red would really tie in well. Plus, I had forgotten that I picked up some red and white stiped pillows a few weeks ago at Lowe's for our bistro set on the back deck.
We had the umbrella for awhile before we actually tried to get it into the stand that came with my dad's table. We didn't realize, though, that the stand was rusted. There was no way to get the new umbrella into the old stand. I may have cried a little bit when we discovered this.
The week of the party we went shopping for all the food. That was the easy part. The day of the party I had a half day of work thanks to summer hours, so I spent the day prepping. Earlier in the week I had promised myself I wouldn't go crazy with this party. It'd be easy. Just a few people over for some food and drinks. And then I went crazy. I came to realize, though, that for me, half the fun in having a party is the prep work that goes into it. I love setting everything up and having it just right. So when I say I "spent the day prepping," I literally mean the entire day. From the time I left work, I did not stop. In fact, I logged my 10,000 steps on my FitZip by the time the party rolled around.
First things first, I HAD to get an umbrella stand. I went to Lowe's and Target and they were both out. So on a whim, I decided to try the Ski and Sun store. They had a bunch of them, thank God! I bought one in white to match the table. I was downright giddy.
Once I got home, I set to work. I dragged the 50 pound stand to the backyard and put up the new umbrella. Now I was even breaking a sweat! I used the leaf blower to clean the patio, strung lights around the deck rails, put out the tablecloth, plates, napkins, etc. and set out the red and white striped pillows. Everything was starting to look pulled together outside, so I headed in to make some appetizers. Once Dan got home from work we put out the coolers, set up the drink table, and put out the cornhole boards. Dan even cut the grass in the back so that it was perfect.
When the party was about to start, we lit the citronella candles and put out the bucket of bug spray. When I finally had time to see how everything came together, I was thrilled. It was exactly how I had imagined it to be. We all know I love when a plan comes together.
We had a great time that night. The food was delicious and we used the fire pit for the first time. More importantly, though, the patio served as a great space to catch up with friends. The only downside were the mosquitos who seemed to actually enjoy the bug spray we all put on. We ended up inside later in the night, but that was ok. I'm so happy we have the patio to enjoy and it's like an extension of the house. The next night, the hubby and I spent some time sitting on the back deck with the lights I strung twinkling against the dark night. It was so quiet and peaceful.
Since that night, we haven't had a chance to enjoy the backyard again. Life just gets in the way sometimes. Hopefully we'll be able to have a few more relaxing nights outside before our friend winter makes its return.
Be well,
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