Deck Sanctuary




Thought I would show you the beginnings of my summer deck.  This deck becomes another room in our home during the summer months.  This is where I love to hang out on my lounge chair and read and soak up sun and also where Terry and I sit and have a nice El Fresco dinner on occasion.








I love this little bistro set I found at Walmart for $89.  It is the perfect size table for eating out on this small deck.  Does not take up a lot of room yet still allows for 4 people to eat.  The umbrella is smaller too and just shades the table and not all my flowers like a big umbrella does.  I am hoping to find a nice crochet table cloth at the flea markets to bling up the umbrella a little bit.





This is my little sanctuary.  I have my slipcovered lounger and I can read and soak up some sun on a pretty summer day.




Love being out here on a sunny blue sky day.




Cute pillows, a great garden hat and good magazines always!







I am so happy I have two vintage bikes.  This is the front yard bike. 



This is the back deck vintage bike.     Love to dress them up with flowers for summer.





I have this old chippy and rusty park bench out on the deck.  







A lot of you that have been following me know I love to mix in vintage salvage pieces with my flowers.  Old chippy windows and this piece of old door with the Potting Shed sign painted on it.  It hangs over an old picket fence potting table.























Down off the deck is my flower beds where I put in the 3 knock out rose plants Terry gave me for Mother's Day.









I even take a little time to decorate Terry's shed area.  I have had this little fire truck for a few years and love to put a plant in it outside his shed.  We live in a lake town so I loved when I found this Cottage rental sign a few years ago.










Love to sit and enjoy a summer night sunset from the deck.

Adding a PS here.  Since I did up the pictures for this post I had a "mental health" day with a friend on Friday.  We went to Morris the cute town I talk about often that has really sweet shops.  One of my favorite shops is Vintage and I found this vintage crochet table cloth to put on top of the red umbrella to bling her up just a little bit.  

I have this attached on the corners of the umbrella through the netting so I can easily take it off to wash it when it gets dirty after a rain.  For now I am loving this piece.  It is a wee bit small but it does hide the glaring red of the umbrella a little bit.  Still on the hunt for cute chair pads for the chairs.


Hope you enjoyed the garden tour of the back deck.  I still have time to decorate and play back here but I am enjoying the beginnings of my summer deck.

A sweet thank you to my daughters and friends that gifted me gift cards to my favorite nursery Johansens Farms for my birthday and mom's day.  With Terry still not finding a fire chief position and with being on a tight budget,  I worried how I was going to have my flowers this year so the gift cards were such a blessing to have to start out my summer flowers.  I feel so blessed.
:)



Have a wonderful week.  We are leaving for a trip to visit my mom in Florida this week.  I will be taking a little blog break while I am gone.  I will have Spotlight on Saturday for you to meet and get to know a new blogger.  So be sure to come by for that.  Happy Memorial Day.
Kris
:)

83 comments

  1. I love your deck and yard, Kris. That crochet tablecloth really works well on the umbrella, and Terry's corner with the firetruck is adorable. The Sunset Dr. sign is special to me - I formerly lived on a street by the same name, and serendipity took my daughter back to that same house. :) Have a wonderful time and safe trip.

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  2. Your yard is just as charming as your house, Kris. The flowers are lovely. It's still too cold to plant anything here yet...the color in your yard is dreamy. Enjoy your visit with your mom.

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  3. I always look forward to your summer deck post!!! Beautiful!!!
    Enjoy your visit to my neck of the woods. :)
    Hugs, Gee

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  4. Kris, you excel at making the outdoors wonderful! It's one thing to be able to grow plants...I can do that. But to make it so livable and pretty is really a gift for you.

    I love your Garden Tours sign. If I were crafty I'd make one of those. :)

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  5. So gorgeous! Would love to spend a week on that deck!!!! Except I can never seem to sit still for more than 10 minutes at a time. Sigh.

    Happy Sunday Kris!!

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  6. Do you get a lot of people who walk past your house in the summer just to see all your gorgeous flowers? It's beautiful and I love that little button heart pillow! One day you're going to wake up to find me sitting on your lounger! ;)

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  7. Your deck flowers are just amazing! I love all the over-flowing pink and white especially.

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  8. Your summer deck is gorgeous! The pink flowers against the white is very pretty.

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  9. Your summer deck is gorgeous! The pink flowers against the white is very pretty.

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  10. Your summer deck is gorgeous! The pink flowers against the white is very pretty.

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  11. Kris, I will miss you . :):) I love your home inside and out. The deck is just fabulous. All your wonderful pieces of "junk" just add to the beauty. Blessings for a safe trip to and from. xoxo,Susie

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  12. Kris your deck and gardens look absolutely beautiful!!

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  13. Your back yard deck looks fantastic.. so comfy and beautiful.. I love both vintage bikes.. I'd love to hang out there any day.. just lovely you did an amazing Job.. Happy Sunday with love Janice

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  14. Oh I love your deck and your flowers look amazing. Gorgeous.

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  15. Kris,
    I always look forward to your deck/garden posts. Your touches turn it into a magical retreat sprinkled with pixie Fleura dust. (You do sport that adorable pixie hairdo). Your BD and Mother's Day gifts from your daughter were so thoughtful. The bright Pink and White flower theme this year is very stunning, love all your architectural pieces mixed in. Enjoy the long weekend and your vacation mon amie.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  16. Your back deck looks beautiful with all the pink and white flowers.

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  17. Your back deck is AMAZING..... I would spend every spare minute I could out there too!!!!! I love how you mix the architectural salvage pieces in with your flowers :o) Have a safe and fun trip!!!
    Happy Memorial Day!!!
    ~Des

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  18. Kris - Your deck is already just gorgeous! You work magic with those flowers. They are so pretty. Love your umbrella with the lace on it. So cute. Travel safe.

    Judy

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  19. what a gorgeous spot!! your flowers always amaze me! love the addition of the crocheted umbrella top, looks perfect. Have a fun week!

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  20. sooooo flippin gorgeous...can I come over now?

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  21. Pure pretty, Kris! I just love all of your lovely deck and garden decorations and plantings...such a cute idea to use the crochet piece over the umbrella. And that little fire engine...so thoughtful and cute. Hope you have a lovely weekend,,,xo

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  22. Every photo you show of your home and outdoors is absolutely magazine-worthy! Did the little bistro table come with the umbrella?
    Brenda

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  23. Your gorgeous deck truly looks like a wonderful sanctuary!!! It's so beautiful with all of your flowers and fun porchy pieces. So glad you took that "mental health" day...so needed I know! Have a wonderful trip!
    Mary Alice

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  24. Every photo you show of your home and outdoors is absolutely magazine-worthy! Did the little bistro table come with the umbrella?
    Brenda

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  25. Kris, such a beautiful space! I love the color of the flowers with your white backdrop of furniture! Simply gorgeous!!

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  26. It's just heavenly Kris............I can't believe how full it looks already !!!
    I haven't really even started outside yet ( the pool's still green lol )
    Terry's area is gorgeous with the fire truck - I just love that your garden reflects the two of you !
    XOX

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  27. Hi Kris, your deck is so inviting and you have it dolled up so wonderful. Love the addition of the lace tablecloth. Oh and the red firetruck is precious. Wishing you a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
    Hugs, CM

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  28. Your back deck is stunning and I can't believe how full your flowers are. Did you buy them like that or did you pot them? they are simply stunning. Love the table and chairs and the vintage table cloth on the umbrella.
    The firetruck is darling..
    Have a wonderful visit with your mother and take care.
    xxoo
    Mary

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  29. I have so much enjoyed my garden tour here--it was worth a lot more than the 25 cents asked on your little sign! I've stopped to turn the screen to show each of the pictures to my husband, so much inspiration. It has been a real treat to see these beautiful areas of your garden.

    Have a lovely time visiting with your mother,
    Dewena

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  30. Your flowers are looking so beautiful already this year, Kris! I love what you did by Terry's shed, I don't recall ever seeing that space, how very sweet! I almost bought a vintage bike the other day but the price was, well, too high so I'll wait for another day, can't put it in my front yard anyway (HOA)! Enjoy your trip, hug your mom lots and let all the 'stuff' go for a few days! Blessings, Cindy xoxo

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  31. What a beautiful garden. I love that fire truck. I hope you have it secured so no one can take it. It is in such good shape. I hope your husband finds something. Have a wonderful time with your mother.

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  32. I can't wait till our deck is usable. Yours is charming with your added touches. Love the signs.

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  33. I always love seeing your deck all "decked" out, Kris! : ) It always looks so pretty and inviting. It must be heaven to sit in that beautiful lounge chair and just enjoy all your flowers and décor out there. That table and chairs set looks like the perfect size for your deck.

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  34. Your deck is beautiful and love all the attention to detail. I'm not a sun kind of girl so I always sit in the shade, i burn really easily! Love the fire truck and your two vintage bikes. I found one last year and have it chained around a big old tree in the front gardens. I've been working on our back porch and have been sitting on it but not showing yet until my back gets better. I love the town of Morris, its such a cute and charming town. Do you go to the French Market's along the canal? Tomorrow its not suppose to rain so I guess you'll be out there sitting in the sun!

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  35. Oh, Kris, you have such a talent for creating sweet and charming atmospheres, both indoors and out! It's all so pretty, and invites one to indulge with a cool drink in the heat or a hot one in the cold, but always, always, a beautiful magazine to leaf through!

    Thanks for sharing your lovely decorating!

    Poppy

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  36. Oh my goodness, SO beautiful and I have lounger envy. That looks like such a delightful spot to rest and relax!!

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  37. Oh such a beautiful deck and yard! Thanks for the tour! How do keep your chaise clean? What about when it rains?
    Deb

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  38. I love your deck and yard! I have been on the lookout for a bicycle for my yard too, yours are so pretty. I would love to relax on your deck. The tablecloth on the umbrella is gorgeous, pure genius. Enjoy your visit with family. Hugs,

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  39. Im so happy you were able to purchase your flowers this year. I know how they brighten you day and your space. Your deck is lovely and I like that you change up the flower color every year. What a brilliant idea to use the tablecloth on the umbrella. Have a good visit with your mom and know I'm still praying:)

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  40. Hi Kris
    I just love love love your deck!!! the flowers are just breathtaking and the crochet cloth on the umbrella is fabulous. I will want to do that now. Love it all. Enjoy your time with your Mom
    have a great day
    deezie

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  41. Love your deck and I can see why you spend time out on its beauty!

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  42. if someone could just bring me one of those pretty drinks with an umbrella in it please..... I am heading to Kris's deck to spend the day!

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  43. Kris, your flowers and hanging baskets are gorgeous!!! You've decorated everything so beautifully and I love that you were able to find that pretty crocheted table cloth for the umbrella! Oh, and of course I love the little fire engine too. ;)

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  44. The flowers really pop against all the white and it's so lovely! But HOW do you keep all that white so white????? I have white cushions that came with my outdoor chairs and the squirrels peed on one of them!!!!

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    1. Everything out there is washable. I do not leave the pillows outside that was for post pictures. The lounger cover is a heavy denim and washes nicely. You have to tell those rude squirrels to quit peeing on your stuff lol! I do not have that problem with critters. We have a basset hound so the squirrels and other animals pretty much stay away from out back yard because of the scent of the dog. My dog is 13 years old and could not catch anything critter out there but they don't know that so they stay away!!!!
      Kris

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  45. Kris, I love your sanctuary! So beautiful! And how sweet that your family made sure you would have your flowers this year. I sure could use a mental health day! I love the crocheted table cloth you found, its perfect on the umbrella. It sure is a good day to eat out on the deck today. Hope you're enjoying your holiday weekend :)

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  46. anyone ever offer the quarter for a garden tour? Glad we get the online one for free!

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  47. Your flowers look fantastic already. Ours are still small. They haven't started to go crazy yet. I'm trying to talk John into letting me put some neat items on our deck. Wish me luck. Enjoy your trip

    Cindy

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  48. Kris you never cease to amaze me! Your blooms are so beautiful, it's just like another room of your home. I'll bet your and Terry really enjoy sitting out there and enjoying the beauty. Have a lovely week with your Mom. I just came back from spending a few days with mine and it was a very choice experience. XOXO Jo

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  49. Kris
    I was just going to let you know I had a white tablecloth I would send you, but I see you've found one already!
    Your outdoor lounging space is just as beautiful as the indoors of your home (maybe prettier with all of the flowers:>))!!
    Have a wonderful time visiting your Mom!
    blessings-Kimberly

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  50. I love the pink flowers and the white. The crocheted table cloth is perfect on the top of the umbrella.Everything is stunning.
    Hugs
    Alessandra

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  51. Oh my goodness! Everything is just beautiful!!! Love all the touches of pink and the vintage bikes! Just precious!

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  52. I absolutely love your deck, Kris, and since we've been friends for awhile, I look forward to seeing what you do each spring! I love the bistro table. Did the set include all four chairs? If so, what a deal!! And I love that comfy lounge chaise. I've probably asked before but do you bring all the cushions indoors before rain is predicted or are they waterproof?

    So neat that you were gifted with the certificate for plants. That always helps us gardener-types! And I love how you decorated around the shed. My project this summer is to pretty up around ours.

    Jane x

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  53. Your back deck is so pretty! I love all of the beautiful flowers and charming garden accessories. Using a crochet tablecloth over your umbrella was such a great idea! I never would've thought to do that. Hope you're having a nice week in FL. We're going there next week!

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  54. So pretty! I love the lounge and the tablecloth over the umbrella. I'm in my gazebo which is MY summer home! We eat almost every dinner out here too. Harsh sas winter makes us REALLY appreciate the summer!

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  55. In the words of Frank on Everybody Loves Raymond......"HOLY CRAP"....Kris, girl, this is so breathtaking, I can't stand it. It is just absolutely beautiful. Is it in a magazine somewhere ? I should think so.
    I know you are on a trip to see your mama...hope you are having fun. I had planned to spend the rest of this week, just hanging out, not doing a whole lot...well...NOW, thanks to my new favorite bloggy friend, I will be looking hi and lo for a small, bright red umbrella....I have a cute little table and chairs and I had no idea IT NEEDED A BRIGHT RED UMBRELLA until you told me. :)
    Oh, and while I'm out, I will keep an eye out for a vintage bike to fill with flowers. I didn't know I wanted one of those, either....
    hugs to you

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  56. Stunning! What a beautiful little oasis!
    Jennelise

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  57. What a happy, beautiful place to be. Each one of your photos is a treat, makes me want to run out and dress up our own garden a little bit right now. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous deck and garden.

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  58. Love it all......so pretty!!! And that little fire engine is too adorable for words!!!

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  59. Beautiful, and what wonderful, thoughtful gifts. Have a good visit. xoox Su

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  60. Your decorating is so unique. Who would've thought to put the tablecloth on the umbrella? Love it.

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  61. Hi Kris! You have an absolutely stunning back yard. - I just love your lounge area and oh my, the cute fire engine! If this were my backyard, I'd be taking a lot of mental health days, lol. Following! Jane

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  62. Kris,
    Your deck area looks outstanding!!! Luv that potting area and that old bike is darling. Thank you for sharing at my Show and Share Party and enjoy your time with your mom.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  63. Your outdoor areas are decorated so beautifully just as your indoor areas are!....I cannot get over the gorgeous flowers...you always have an abundance of Mother Nature at its best. Love every inch of your outdoor spaces....must say that the fire truck space is the cutest and the deck so very romantic....definitely feel as though you are at at amazing Bed and Breakfast!...Gift cards to your favorite garden center is such a great idea...Glad you had a great day out with your friend and the crocheted table cloth looks amazing on the umbrella...you come up with the most creative ideas!!!....Have a great week with the family Kris!!!

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  64. You've got a little slice of heaven out there, Kris. The flowers are abundant (wonderful daughters of yours), the seating is so inviting, and there's so much for the eyes to take in. I was just going to comment on your great idea to put a crochet tablecloth over your umbrella and then I scrolled to see you found one - it looks fabulous! And I am swooning over that rustic white bench!! Have a wonderful week in Florida!

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  65. Very cozy spot you have there Kris and styled as beautifully as the inside of your house. Yay, glad you found the perfect crochet table cloth. What did you do with the chandelier that used to hang above your lounge chair? The flowers hanging there now are beautiful but that chandi was so delightfully quirky!

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  66. This is a gorgeous place to spend some time on a sunny day!

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  67. I don't think I've ever seen a more delightful sanctuary! Kris, your vintage decor with your stunning flowers are truly fabulous! I'm sitting here in awe of all the beauty on your back porch, oh and your bikes...oh dear! Everything looks ready perfect for a magazine piece!
    Enjoy your time in Florida!
    Nancy

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  68. Oh my gosh Kris, I just love your back deck, it's all so beautiful! Love that slip covered lounger chair and the two vintage bikes! So pretty!! Hope you had a nice time in Florida! Kimberley :)

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  69. Kris, your deck and flowers always amaze me every year! Simply gorgeous!!! Love the tablecloth added to the umbrella. Only you would think of that. I painted my bike aqua this year and just planted it last week. Trying to decide where I want to display it this year. Love both of yours!
    hugs,
    Jann
    Jann

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  70. As usual I am late to the party as this is my first visit here. Your photos are lovely, your displays enchanting and your generous personality oozes from your posts.
    Too bad we live so far apart... I work for an auctioneer and the goodies we come across are endless. Maybe for your Hubby its a good thing that distance separates us!
    Enjoy your trip.
    Susan

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  71. It looks absolutely beautiful Kris! What a wonderful place to hang out. Love all the pink flowers, and those bikes are fabulous.I hope you have a lovely trip.

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  72. Okay, I need to come hang out on the deck with you!

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  73. Your deck looks beautiful. Such a lovely space to relax :)

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  74. I missed this post,Kris- I was off on Sunday...anyway....I saw that Brenda posted a link to it today so had to pop in. I told her I wanted to slap you cuz your backyard/deck/gardening skills are so amazing. You do SUCH a beautiful job, Kris.I am just plain green-eyed with jealousy---oh- wait---my eyes are green anyway- xo Diana

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  75. This is my first visit to your site and I loved everything. Your flowers are so full and lush and of course, your deck is gorgeous. I will be back. Happy summer.

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  76. I LOVED the garden tour!! It's so gorgeous, I can just imagine it is your santuary! Love the addition of the bikes. I am in the process of restoring a Victorian walled garden for mental health patients and had added an old high nelly bike to one of the walls. I had the baskets planted up ready for better weather. Sadly, some horrible person broke in last week and stole our bike. Worse still, it had belonged to a patient that had passed away. There's some wrong'ns out there! Have a great trip!! Jen x

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  77. My God woman... this looks like Heaven! I haven't started a thing out on our deck as it still needs to be cleaned and sealed... guess if I want it done I'm gonna have to do it myself. Only wish my outdoor living looked anything like yours on it's best day, month or year! Hope you enjoy your little slice of Heaven this year, it's just gorgeous!

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  78. Hi Kris! I love your deck! It's always so beautiful, inviting and full of sweet cottage touches! I have no idea how you keep your flowers looking so lush all summer long! The heat on our deck usually fries mine! We get full sun on it most of the day so it gets really hot! I love that little bistro set you found! Eating outside is such a treat - it almost feels like being on vacation! The roses Terry gave you for Mother's Day are gorgeous! What a lovely, lasting gift! I think I need to drop by and stretch out in the sun for a little while :) Enjoy your Sunday, my friend! Hugs, Leena

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