~~~Summertime: Front porch and Back Deck!!!~~~

 HI everyone! I hope you all had a fun, long weekend and remembered those who have and are serving our country so that we have our freedom. The weekend isn't just about cooking out and burgers but all about those fallen soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for US! Now, I am linking to "The Great Outdoors Linky Party over at Thistlewood Farms so wanted to show you the front porch and back deck all ready for SUMMER living and dining! We are starting at the front door. I made this wreath, new this year in the spring. I removed the tulips and hyacinths that I had in it and added some imaptiens, because that is what is planted in the pots. This second picture is our front porch.

 The copper pots were a gift from my son several years ago. I love the patina they are acquiring. PLease excuse the empty hook. It now has the hummingbird feeder on it;)

 The black bamboo lanterns on the tables, I purchased last year at Home Goods. It is so nice in the evening to light them and the ones hanging above. It provides a nice welcome for guests or just wonderful ambiance for Joe and I when we sit out there. The pillows on the chairs were purchased at CTS last year. They are SUNBRELLA fabric and were only.....$4.99 each!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't get them in my cart fast enough:):)

 It has been sunny and HOT and humid the last 3 days so I couldn't get a real good picture in some of these shots.

 When I went to plant the spikes I had to plant them off center because the spikes from last year were coming back!!!! That has never happened before and it might be due to our very mild winter! I hope they just grow together and fill in.

 I plant salmon (really wanted ORANGE) and red impatiens in these pots so that it still looks pretty in the Fall! The colors go great with the fall decorations.

 In this pot is impatiens and ivy. I love to have something trailing down.

 This is a fushia. I love them and usually don't have great luck with them but had to try once again:):)

 Now we are moving out to the back deck. I got this wonderful bench at Lowe's 2 years ago. It is metal and has the branch motif. It is so pretty, I just love it.

 The green bench cushion came with it and I added some other green pillows and 2 more of the ones that match the front pillows.

 The table and chairs are all set for eating breakfast, lunch and dinner out here. I LOOOOOVE eating outdoors when the weather is nice. In the morning this is shaded and having breakfast out here and listening to the pond waterfall and the birds is the perfect way to start the day.

 In the corner I have a hibiscus tree. It has wintered over in the house for 2 winters now. I had to cut it back but it is now covered in new growth and hopefully will begin to flower again soon. I also have a gardenia and a ponytail palm here. They were all in the house for the winter.

 In the 2 corners near the house I plant palm trees. I wish I was in a tropical place so I pretend!!!! These past few days have FELT like we were in the tropics though!

 On each side of the bench I have tuberous begonias. As you see, I also have several ceramic frogs sitting around. We have real frogs in the pond so it seems appropriate to have the ceramic ones on the deck.

 This is a white lantana. I have never tried one here before but thought it might trail soon too.

 In these shots you can see the pattern on the bench too.

 Across from the bench is this little table and chairs. There is a dahlia in the pot and a pair of frogs. One is telling the other a secret:):) I think he might be saying, "let's go jump in that pond"!!!!!

 Joe built me window boxes on all the decks the first year we lived here, because we had no yard yet! And, I wanted to plant some flowers. Last year he made new ones and we stained them black. They look so pretty against the color of the house and decks.

So that is the tour of the porch and one deck. We also have a deck off the breakfast room where we grill and one off of our master bedroom. I will show you them in another post. Have a great week everyone!!!!! I will also link to these parties:

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Meet Me Monday http://youaretalkingtoomuch.blogspot.com/

Motivated Monday at Be Colorful

Making the World Cuter Monday at Making the World Cuter

More the Merrier Monday at DIY Home Sweet Home Project

Savvy Homemade Monday at Home Savvy A to Z

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

It's A Party on Thursday at A Creative Princess

Show and Share on Thursday at Southern Lovely

Open House Party Thursday at No Minimalist Here

Share Your Creations on Thursday at Kristen's Creations

Remodelaholic's Anonymous on Friday at Remodelaholic

Addicts (not so) Anonymous on Friday at Addicted 2 Decorating

Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Sew Darn Crafty Sunday at http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Thanks so much for stopping by! XO, Pinky