Outdoor living

Ryan and I spend a lot of time outside in the spring and summer. We love to grill and eat outside on the deck. Plus, with all the gardening planning I'd like to think we are going to do, outdoor time will SKYROCKET.

And, darn that Ballard Designs. Their outdoor catalog just gives me all kinds of "ideas." Ryan's not a huge fan of my "ideas." They usually take time and money - both of which are hot commodities at our household.

So, here's my latest - I really wanna spruce up the deck more. Make it look like an extension of our home. (I'd like to think this means cute, comfortable and a wee-bit stylish.)

Our deck looks kinda like this now:

Cute, I think. I'd like to think it's better than it looked when we moved in:

(Note: I throw in old photos more for me than you. It helps me feel a lot better - and spend a lot less money - by realizing how far we've come. It helps me be thankful for all we have.)

And, here's our "new" patio set. I love it with all that I have in me. The chairs were from Ryan's parents and my grandpa. The umbrella was a gift from my aunt. The table was a clearance item at Lowes. They are like little orp

hans that found their home. And, a home sweet home it is.

How fab would it look to spruce it up a little. Maybe with a few of these outdoor accessories in complementary colors to our red, sage and green look we've got going?

Like this fabric, my newest love - Tuscan Stripe. It is SO our home. Isn't it?

So, I'm thinking about saving my allowance for a few pillows ...

And a large sisal-looking outdoor rug...

What do you think? Are outdoor fabrics just crazy or would I be simply crazy not to snatch up my perfectly-matched-to-our-house-colors rug and pillows?

Sound off!

(And, while you are at it - how are we going to convince Ryan that this just may be a necessity? I throw around the word "necessity" too much.. it's lost its power.)