It seems to take forever for Autumn to show up in Southern California. Here it is in December and I noticed the neighbors trees had finally turned golden.

When I drive to work I drive down a street that has beautiful trees that turn golden and red with a touch of light green. And for a brief moment I have Autumn. I love the feeling. I tell myself I simply must move somewhere that actually has autumn. And an Autumn that happens in November and not December.

Autumn here only lasts for a few weeks before the trees are bare, and winter is here. On this particular day all the trees had turned golden. I marveled on the drive home how pretty all the trees where. When I parked my car, I looked up and noticed the glory of the golden leaves I just had to capture it, if only to remember Autumn for more than a week.

I watched this video on making little dog scarfs.  I was excited to see something for a small dog.  Most patterns out there were for large dogs, and this pattern was great for Penny and Olive, but she also gave instructions on how to make it larger just on case.

 

For the written instructions, she also put it out on her blog.

https://poshpoochdesignsdogclothes.blogspot.com/2010/11/12-collars-of-christmas-8-button-dog.html

 

I found some cute yarn at Michael’s Craft Store in Pantene color palettes which intrigued me.   It was enough yarn to make several but I figured the pooched only needed one.

It was quick and easy to make.

 

I got some props to make it look more autumn.   Since I live in Southern California there is rarely any Autumn scenes naturally.  Work with what you have.

 

Penny was up first and she has no patience for Mom’s silliness.  Fortunately Penny does follow commands and actually sat there when I told her to.

I know my dog, and I read in her eyes “What did I do wrong Mom”

Nothing Baby….. you are a good girl.

Thanks Mom!  Here is a little tongue action for your camera.

I wish I could be over there, by the grass and look for squirrels.

Not so fast little one.   Must wear the pumpkin hat now.

Ummmm Mom, I dont think this is cool.  My friends will laugh at me.

Penny, you don’t have friends….you bark at every dog you meet.

Mom…..PLLLLLEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

OK baby, I will let you go……  So where is Olive.

When ever I tell Olive to “stay” she thinks she is in trouble.   She has to look at the sky and avoid eye contact.

La-dee-da….. I don’t see you…..

Olive look at me…..please Olive baby……

You are almost there Olive…. you are not in trouble.

 

Show us your pretty face and new fancy collar.

Thank you Miss Olive…. you are free to go.

Yesterday was my annual pool party.   I use to do the annual Christmas party but it was getting so hard for everyone’s schedule.  There were too many activities to do both on my schedule and my family members to pull of the Christmas party in December.

My brother in law was always kidding me, but seriously inviting himself over to swim in my pool.   So I started this tradition.  Dogs and all.

My theme this year was Nautical or more ocean themed, Tropical and Patriotic.  LOL

I had bought new chair cushions that were a blue and green coral because the other cushions were getting a bit flat and out of shape.  Hence the ocean theme,  Since my outdoor tableware was a tropical pattern and it was the 4th of July weekend my theme automatically became the Naut/Trop/Pat theme.

To start with Eli (my brothers dog) had to wear his new patriotic bandana.  Little does this dog know that he is going to be exhausted by the end of the evening.  Eli has a fear of the water and thinks it is his personal responsibility to try to save everyone out of the pool.   Get ready Eli, it will be a crazy day.

Penny can smell the ribs cooking and is really looking forward to a bone or two.  But she is being very patient.

Penny is a sweet natured Terrier Mix that has a bad habit of nipping at people when the other dog gets excited.   More about the other dog later.

Penny’s DNA is a complete surprise to me.

She is a terrier mix, but I guess she is more of a Chihuahua/Australian Shepherd mix.  Her fur, when long, does look like a Australian Shepherd, and maybe her legs do look like a Chi’s, but I thought she would have more terrier in there.

Oh well, I digress.

The other pooch at the party is the “Head of Security”, my Maltese Olive.  She barks her head off at any potential stranger. Which can be very annoying.  This in turn gets the other dogs worked up.   Penny then nips, Eli growls.  All this because a little white fluff ball says “This is NOT a DRILL, I repeat, This is NOT a DRILL”  Barkity barkity bark bark BARK BBBBAAAARRRRRKKKKKKKKK.

Do not be fooled by her cute dirty little face.   She means all business.

Here she is with her Uncle Doug who is trying to get her to behave.  LOL, good luck Doug.

Crazy, fat bellied, dirty face Maltese.   God I love you!

The night before the party I made some cute Ocean themed framed pictures of my appetizers and drink menus.

I think they are real cute.  I designed the background using Photoshop Elements and used mostly Lorie Davidson images.  I don’t remember the font name but it looked like a Pirate font to me.

We put cut flowers into mason jars and added some American Flags.

So how do you add a patriotic theme to a tropical dinnerware set?   Just add some star stirrers.  LOL.   Yup it creates the theme just right.

Please note the appetizer plates match the fabric of the chairs.   I just loved this octopus I found at Joann Fabrics.  He really made the ocean theme complete.

Appetizers made and put out.  Please notice the dog nose on the lower left corner of the picture.  Eli must check everything out.  Especially if he can smell it.

Wide shot view.  Notice the large movie screen.  I bought that at Amazon and it is amazing.  It is portable and can easily be put up in 30 minutes or less.  Depending if the helper will let you read the instructions.

You can get it from Amazon HERE.

Guests have arrived, my sister kicking back with a Sangria.  You can kinda see the cushions that match the plates.

My grand niece Kenzie playing in the pool with Eli.  Eli loved the shooting water.  He was completely drenched by the time the day was over.

Here is a video of Eli playing with Kenzie as she shoots water in the air.

Eli trying to save Kenzie.  This poor dog ran around the pool all day long trying to save us.  He did manage to save a few pool toys.

My beautiful niece took a selfie at the party!

By this time I stopped taking pictures as I was in the pool, eating, talking and enjoying myself.

By nightfall we watched “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” on the big screen.   We had popcorn and theatre boxed candy.

When it was over it was around 11pm, so everyone went home, tired and happy.

Until next year!!

Its party time!!!

Pool and Water!!!!!

I planned this wonderful event and we had fun!!!!

The Decorations

This is the green corner of my garden.

Chairs and Cushions from Target

Afton Chairs

Bird Pillows

Outdoor Seat Cushions in green

Green Garden Stool by Sam’s Club

 

This is the orange side of the garden.   Sorry the photo is funky, I was really taking a picture of the garden stool for my sister.  We decided to use a navy blue garden stool instead.  Thank Goodness that SAMS Club had the stools on sale.   Yahoo!!!!  And speaking of clearance, I got the second set of chairs on clearance.  AND I got the last two chairs.  Yahoo!!!!

 

Coral Afton Chairs by Target

Navy Blue Cushions by Target

Orange striped lumbar cushions by Target

Navy Blue or Orange Garden Stool

 

I made these seat covers for these chairs.  I used the same material as the big chairs and sofa.  I love these folding tables from Lamps Plus.   I have the navy and the light blue ones.  The candle holders are from Joann Fabrics.

Monterey Table and Chairs in Ocean Blue and Sky Blue

 

 

 

 

 

So I wanted to add some extra things on my patio cover.

In the morning the sun beats down on you that I decided to make an awning to cover the area.  It was a tricky process.  The material was not really wide enough, but the angle was also wonky based on the patio curving.  So I actually make a long strip of fabric and made a rod casing at one end.  I ended up putting a cheapo curtian rod in the end and dropped it onto the rails.  It was fell between the slats and stayed put.  At the other end I looped it over the end rail and then ran it behind a rod that holds the curtains.

I also added some patio lights.   I just attached them to the slats by using a plastic tie cord.  But the cool part was we added the lights to a switch that we can turn it on via remote.

And of course there is the overhead ceiling fan.  Which I love!   A great find at Lowes!

Patio Fan

Remote Light Outlet Switch Set

I had a pile of old vintage signs and I wanted to put them somewhere in the yard.  I finally found this cool bench from IKEA to hang them on.

The only problem with this bench is it is suppose to be anchored to a wall.  I did not want to that so I got creative and my brother helped me add braces to the back.  So now it is real sturdy

The bench opens to store stuff, what I dont know.  But one day I will put something in there.  LOL

IKEA Applaro bench

Vintage style tin signs

So since I was projecting the movie across the pool, I needed to have a larger screen than I wanted.  But it is pretty awesome.

It is a portable screen that I can take camping, or over to another persons house as well as let friend borrow.  Very easy to put together

Visual Apex ProjectoSCreen144HD Portable Movie Theater Projector Screen

 

Candles placed in holders  (these are awesome remote color changing timer candles perfect for outdoors)

Games placed out, and appetizer plates are ready.  These plates are cool because they are melamine and look like paper plates.  Very cute.

The mason jar makes a wonderful flower vase, it is from World Market which is AWESOME!!!!

 

Cards Against Humanity Game

Melamine plates

Mason jar Vase

Outdoor candles

Box of towels just waiting to be used.

Drink central…. Mason jar for margaritas and some Raspberry Lemonade for those who don’t want booze.  Of course I had to use paper straws.  Reminds me of the past.  LOL.

 

I actually did not have enough matching plates and stuff so I had to go out and get some new stuff.   LOL  No problem!

Most of it came from World Market but the bowls were from my local Vons Grocery store.  Of course I had mason jars already!!!

Fiji Melamine Plates and Bowls

Green Mason Jars

Hotel Dinnerware

Napkins

Acrylic Glasses

I replaced the old outdoor rug with this awesome one from World Market.

Penny, my sweet pooch had to bring her chew toy out for the party

Outdoor Rug from World Market

Music was playing from the speakers that I hung from the patio.  I dont have a picture but believe me.  We listened to 1950’s tunes from Amazon Prime (love Prime and the free stuff you can get)

Wireless Speakers

To hang all this fun stuff from my patio (curtain rods, speakers, ceiling fan, solar lights) I use these AWESOME hooks.  Nobody has these, nobody, thankfully this man created these hooks, I love them and use them all over my patio.

Aluma Hangers

FOOD

We had ribs, cowboy beans, Potato salad, berries and a tart for dessert

My sister made the potato salad.  My MOM use to make the best potato salad and when we eat this it reminds us of Mom.  Same with the cowboy beans.  A favorite from Mom.

We played Cards Against Humanity and laughed and laughed until the food was ready.

My brother laughing and having fun!!

 

My Sister Janice and her husband Barry.  Barry won the game!!!!  You can see th awnings behind the curtain rod from this shot.  As well as the other stuff hanging from the patio.

 

After dinner we swam and goofed off.  When the sun went down, we watched a movie on the screen.

We watched the Homesman.   What a great movie with Hilary Swank and Tommy Lee Jones.

We had popcorn, and movie snacks.

It was a good party, we all had fun, and the dishes went unwashed until the morning!!!

If you have any questions about my decorating or recipes, please let me know.

 

 

So spring is in the air, and my head turns towards gardens, outdoors and pretty things placed in my backyard!!!

I had seen on pinterest, many watering cans with jewels coming out of the spout and I wanted to make my own!   I must have been thinking about this for 8 months.  Today I sat down to do it and it only took me less than hour and it was super easy.    8 months planning.  1 hour to make.   LOL, isnt that always the way it happens.

 

To start with I searched for a watering can.   My neighborhood is Southern California is definitely not a rustic antique, flea market kind of town.  Goodwill charges a fortune for basic junk, and finding any gems is basically impossible.  So I resort to Amazon!   Amazon will find me a watering can.   I first searched for a rustic galvanized watering can but then decided to go with a enamel coated watering can is an assortment of colors.   The trick of this purchase is you could not guarantee which color you would get.   Lucky for me I got the color I wanted, a nice cool aqua.

To find your can, check out Amazon here.

There are 5 delicious candy colors available, but it is random so keep an open mind.  Of course if you live in a wonderful place with fun junk or awesome flea markets go for it!

Make sure you get a watering can that the spout head comes off either by screwing it off, or prying it off with tools.  Just make sure you can get it back on.

 

GATHER SUPPLIES

I found crystals and acrylic crystals at a variety of places, JoAnn Fabrics, Michaels, Amazon and Hobby Lobby.  I think they even have beads at Wal-Mart.   I just grabbed beads that were clear or blue (so it looked like water).  I had wanted to have some drop crystals for the end so I actually used some crystals that I had from QVC (Valerie Parr Hill).

I also got some 30 gauge wire.   Definitely can buy that at the places I mentioned above.

I doubled my wire and either did a small bead at the end of the jewell to keep my jewels from falling off

or if the jewels were chained, I just ran the wire thru the top and added more crystals.

 

I then just created different strands with a variety of jewels.  Some were all clear, some mixed with blue.  What ever tickled my fancy.

I really used no tools except my fingers.  I just placed each bead on the wire and then added another until I was satisfied with the look and length of the strand.

Taking one strand, I inserted into the sprout hole and pushed it thru until it went out the back opening.

I did this with each strand mainly focusing on the inter circle of dots on the spout.  However you can choose to use all the holes or focus on the outside holes with the one middle hole.  Really it is up to you.

 

I decided to stop at 6 strands because some of my beads were very bulky.  If you are doing many small beads you may want to do more

 

Once I had all the strands into the spout.   I decided to twist the stands together and tie it into a knot.  Then I twisted some more to tighten up the strands to the base of the spout and then I bent it onto itself to keep it from coming apart.  At this point I forced it back into the spout opening.

 

Now I twisted the spout head back onto the can

And now I am finished.   Oh my goodness it was so fast and easy.  Have no idea why I dragged my feet so long to make this project.

 

I had gotten a shepherd hook from JoAnn Fabric for 50% off to hang my can off of.  The weight of the jewels automatically tilted the can so it looked like it was watering.  Cool.

 

Here I am watering my rock….LOL, only kidding.

This is where my flower plate garden is going.  So far I only have one flower plate, but have the supplies to make several more.

 

 

 

 

In this pic you can see my lone flower plate.  No I did not make this one.  I bought it off Etsy.   You can also see my solar cattails that glow at night.

As soon as I get my flower plates done, I will share with you the process!

 

Thanks for looking!!!