Foodie Friday-Memorial Day

A Day To Remember...

...OUR VETERANS.

Read this story.

As you begin to prepare for the holiday weekend and bar-b-ques and friends, take a moment to reflect on WHY we have a 'day off'.  The freedoms we enjoy are fought primarily by young men and women who have given their lives to put themselves in harm's way, many giving the ULTIMATE sacrifice.  Take time and pray for these brave warriors and the families they leave behind.  It is hot (and I complain about Atlanta - shame on me) and sandy, dirtier than we know with none of the conveniences we take for granted each day.

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After thoughts and reflections of those who serve and you are enjoying your friends, a layered salad is great for a get-together.

Brownie kabobs - YUM!

Sunflowers would be a great addition to a party table.  They remind me of "America" right along with apple pie!

Have a safe weekend.

♥

One of the easiest and most refreshing ways to update your space is by changing the wall color.  How long has it been for you? 5 or 10 years? 

Call Moore Designs and let us help you.

Don't let distance be a barrier, we can design for you via the web!

Garden

I enjoy the beauty of beautiful gardens but am really not much of a gardner and playing in the dirt is more of a chore than enjoyment.

I love how the birdies share the feeder!

Because I am a 'visual' person I do what I can to make it easy on myself and plant as many perennials as possible. Last year we planted a ground cover in this bed and this year it really took off.  The fist pic is early spring and you can see the transition of blooming which unfortunately is a short window of time and the last pic I took today.  Since I'm not a gardner I can't tell you the names of everything.  :( Behind the bird bath, something is coming back that I know has yellow flowers! And in the foreground will be dwarf butterfly plants with purple blossoms. Ladyslipper Nursery is extremely knowledgeable and so helpful and they directed us on plants that bloom at different times so there will always be something colorful blossoming in the yard.

Love how this single jasmine plant has taken over!  Helps hide the Big Green Egg that has made its way onto the deck. A few years back I got Mr. MD to get the grills (yes plural, and a smoker) off the deck.  Remember to get your grills out of the line of sight from the windows where you look out onto your garden. They are not a pretty visual.

Early spring until now!  Like I said I can't remember the names of plants and this silver one has taken over and gotten taller than the daisies that will be blooming soon.  These have a tall shooting stalk with a small cluster of yellow buds, they are super hearty and can be chopped, which I will need to do after they have bloomed.  I like varying heights in the garden but the front should not be taller than what's behind!

I love when the azaleas bloom but again they are pretty for just a couple of weeks.

My hydrangeas are on their way!  I love to watch the transition in color.  They start off blue and then turn that apple green which I really like.  I have found too, that if you wait until the end of season just as they start drying on the vine, you can cut them and bring them in and put in a vase with barely any water and let them finish drying and they will stay pretty.  If you like to cut them during the season, they will last a few days for inside enjoyment.

I hope one day to have some land around me and not be encased in a subdivision. I really wanted to put some fun string lights along the deck railing but the location of the electrical outlet makes it impossible.

I know a funny picture.  

I bought solar lanterns at Target and after being in the sun all day they illuminate the deck at night...love it!

How are things shaping up around your casa?

♥

One of the easiest and most refreshing ways to update your space is by changing the wall color.  How long has it been for you? 5 or 10 years? 

Don't let distance be a barrier, we can design for you via the web!

Project Monday

I've had several projects going on around here at the casa.

Last year I bought these outdoor director chairs at HomeGoods and left them out all winter.  

Time for a change...so I had some new covers made. Will definitely bring inside this winter!

I need to 'work' on the outdoor table.  A HUGE disappointment from Ballards, stain not holding up well at all.

I learned from Tara Dillard about 'vanishing thresholds' meaning your outdoors should be an extension of whichever room looks out at the garden.

Next...the front door...

I stripped the varnish off and painted it a couple of years ago. Go here to see.  It really takes a beating in the heat. 

A friend of mine gave me this 'sander deglosser' and I thought I would give it a try.

It takes the sheen off of existing paint so that new paint will adhere.  I really didn't have it in me to strip the whole thing down again. At the bottom where the paint was bubbling off I used a sanding block to smooth the edges.

I decided to darken up the paint a bit.

Turned out great.  At the bottom where it looks like I 'missed a spot', it's actually where the weather stripping is folded under.  Mr. MD isn't around to help with that, will put on his 'to do' list! 

How is your front door looking?

Frame for powder bath mirror.

I just did one for a guest room bath a few weeks ago.

I picked the same moulding with the intent of a different finish. 

Starting with ASCP Coco...

...I used some silver and gold 'rub 'n' buff' paint rubbing on with my fingers, then used a gray/black craft paint and 'dry-brushed' it on.

Don't forget to paint the backside.

Make sure glue is on outside so it doesn't show once mounted.

The boards were really long and one had a slight bow in it, Mr. MD thought he could get it out by wetting down the wood and putting weight on it to straighten it out.  Unfortunately it didn't work.  :(  I now have heavy books on all corners and am leaving for a week and will try again to mount this weekend. I'm a 'get 'er dun' girl and I don't like these little hang-ups! Sure don't want to have to start over.

Now is a great time to get some of your outdoor projects done before it gets too hot outside!

♥

Do you need help updating or creating new spaces in your home?  Call MD, we'll pull it together for you. Don't let distance be a barrier, we can design for you via the web!

Foodie Friday

I love sweets, don't you?

Summer Tiramisu with Strawberries

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Are you hostessing a summer soirée?  I love having desserts ready to pull out of the refrigerator that have been created ahead of time!

Don't forget to make a pretty setting for your dessert table!  It doesn't have to be over the top, just a simple long stem in a tall vase is a nice statement!

♥

Do you need help updating or creating new spaces in your home?  Call MD, we'll pull it together for you. Don't let distance be a barrier, we can design for you via the web!

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Spring Tables

I am in the middle of designing some fun tables for a birthday bash for one of my girlfriend's at the beach.

Over time I have collected some interesting table ideas on my Pinterest boards.

You know I am flower girl because on all of my 'Foodie Friday's' I include flowers for your tables!

This is my take on the burlap runner...

...which was the base for a lovely brunch for a group of women.

Aren't these barrels a creative base for a table top?

Remember when your flowers center your table to make them tall enough to see through and not block the person across the table.  For a buffet, be sure and vary the heights as shown!

This is a great idea for outdoors.  

These types of glass vases are reasonable at WalMart, TJMaxx, IKEA, etc.

 I like these lanterns and plan on incorporating some at the beach.

I adore tulips, these look so good in the silver!

I'm fairly certain this was created in the fall but can easily be adapted for spring/summer.

One thing I did for our party is make a banner.

First I used a sea sponge with green paint on craft paper.  Then with a flower stencil I worked pink and orange paint and then with black paint wrote 'happy birthday' for the birthday girl.  Simple.

Visit my Pinterest page to find all of these and more table designs.

Do you need help updating or creating new spaces in your home?  Call MD, we'll pull it together for you. Don't let distance be a barrier, we can design for you via the web!

Follow on Pinterest.

Follow on Facebook.

Follow on Twitter @RenaeScottMoore 

Follow on Instagram mooredesigns