Surprise MOM With A Colorful Backyard Blooming With Style

Well hello there! Welcome to the May blog hop. I’ve joined up with some very talented blogger friends to share with you today our fabulous outdoors spaces. For those coming over from Styled with Lace, welcome and so glad you made it. Kim and Lacey never disappoint! If you’re looking for inspiration, you’ve come to the right place. Now put your sunglasses on and let’s head to the Backyard for a Mother’s Day treat.

Old Man Winter is Gone

Well this last year was brutal weatherwise for Upstate New York. It felt like a bad version of the film Groundhog’s Day. But the five months of living in a snow globe has finally ended! AMEN! We now have beautiful blooming trees, rolling hills and flowers popping up everywhere just in times for Mother’s Day and our hometown Lilac Festival. 

Labor of Love

Every year just before Mother’s Day I ponder over what would be a great gift for my mother. She’s the kind of woman when she wants something she just goes out and buys it. With that in mind she’s really difficult to buy for. Growing up, she would to tell us “All I want for Mother’s Day is for you and your sister to help me in the yard.”  So what better gift this year then to turn back the clocks so-to-speak and give her the gift of setting up her back yard and planting perennials. We started with the plantings on a picture perfect Saturday afternoon after a quick trip to the local flower market.

When The Cat’s Away The Mice Work Their Tales Off

On Sunday while my mom was at her real estate open house my step-father and I set up all the backyard furniture and there was a special addition to the arrangement this year. A brand new teak bar cart!

We brought out the all weather outdoor carpets made from recycled plastics. These amazing rugs are a breeze to clean up and do not fade! What’s better thank having a durable colorful rug outdoors? We put up the colorful striped umbrellas that served as our inspirational color palette. 

From there came out the cushions and an array of weather resistant fabric pillows. These fun patterns bring the indoors out. We are never short on pillows. Can you tell that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree? 

This year I surprised mom with Lodi outdoor entertaining cart  from Raymour & Flanigan.  This bar cart serves as the perfect portable end and serving table. I set it up for outdoor entertaining but this versatile cart could be used for planting too. I could even see this in my art studio holding all my painting supplies. Hmmmm. I might need two….

To dress things up I planted a succulent garden in one of her delft bowls, and brought out her cobalt blue dessert plates, blue and white table linens and turquoise ombre flutes to celebrate her successful open house. 

Are you a fan of succulents? I am! Fresh and Faux.

Just as you enter the backyard by way of the slate stone path are two tall clay urns that welcome you in. We mixed perennials and succulents to add texture, color and height. 

Let’s Bring This Outside

Turquoise and blue are my favorite colors to decorate with. It was a no-brainer to bring these colors outside.  In the Summer we are constantly eating outside to enjoy the warm weather. My step-father has even set up outdoor speakers in the backyard so that we have the best tunes. 

We brought over to the outdoor living room more potted plants in large ceramic pots. Each year we purchase my mom a flowering annual plant to add to the backyard garden. 

Magnolia Trees are my favorite! They’re in full bloom now in NY!

There are statues around the backyard and although Saint Francis has some chips he still remains our favorite bird feeder. 

St. Francis Gardens: Providing Food and Water For God’s Creatures

*Gardens honoring St. Francis are full of color, sound, scent and movement, and birds and butterflies abound. … Predictably, St. Francis of Assisi is a popular saint for nature-lovers, and gardens are often dedicated to him.

We finished the backyard makeover just in time and my my mom couldn’t be happier. She looked out from the window over her kitchen sink and was so surprise at all the color we added this year. It’s one less thing on her to-do list.  We had a wonderful space to unwind in before our weekly Sunday night dinners. 

Shut The Front Door

We can no longer use the front door. a family of robins have called my parent’s Spring wreath home. If you look closely at the top right you can see the nest. Come on in thru the garage because this mom is fiercely guarding her babies! 
 

Marvelous MOMs

How will you be spending your Mother’s Day? Are you one who likes to get out and do something or one who likes to get away from it all and chill? I am a chiller.  We will be spending the day with my family and I haven’t asked for much. I do need a new pair of flip flops and my car needs to be vacuumed. LOL! hint hint…. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend! Now you’re ready to head on over to my California friend Ashey’s Modern Glam Home. You will love all great ideas and her recent renovations! 

xoxo Amie

Make Sure to Visit These Other Great Blog Posts!

Martha | Simple Cozy Charm

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Amie | Meme Hill

Ashley | Modern Glam

Summer | Summer Adams

Judy | Life is Better at Home

Yuni | Love Your Abode

Joan | 2 Ladies and a Chair

Amy | Crazy Chic Design

Bethany | The Posh Home

Janine | Happy Happy Nester

Jackie | Finding Lovely

Rhonda | Hallstrom Home

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