Spring fever

I am so ready for Spring! The last time is snowed here was April 2nd- I guess the April fools day joke was on us. In thinking about Spring I'd like to do a mini-makeover on our deck. You know I like my mini-makeovers. 

We have a pretty good sized deck and will likely use it for the entire warm season. I see it as an extension of our kitchen and living room so it will be dual purposed. Dinners will be eaten out there, breakfast on weekends, and lots of lounging and playing. We already have a 5 foot table with chairs - I just have to get the cushions out of storage- that I'm working with. I'd honestly like to update the chairs though. There's nothing wrong with the current chairs we have but I'd like something a little snazzier.

SOURCE

The table we have is just like the one pictured above so adding a few new 'beachy' blue chairs would definitely provide an update with the look I'm going for.

And how cute is this for our little family of 3? It wouldn't take up too much room and that leaves more room for things like a water table for the tot and a grill for dad :) Plus is stows away easy so we can bring out the bigger table for when we have company!

SOURCE

But a fire pit  That would be the icing on the cake! We could then take advantage of cooler evenings and still enjoy being outdoors. This would require extra supervision because our little guy would most certainly be curious about it (although he completely understands 'hot'). 

SOURCE

Majority of meals this summer will no doubt be grilled. Grilled sausage and pineapples for breakfast, turkey burgers for lunch, and chicken with grilled corn for dinner. Dessert?! Ah grilled watermelon! I never would have thought to grill watermelon but the Neely's have an amazing recipe that I have been waiting to try since they first aired it. 

I wanted to get hubby a grill for his birthday (in June) but I don't think he will be willing to wait that long. My husband has been known to grill during Super Bowl Sunday so you see why waiting until June isn't going to work. We already have 2 (yes, 2) charcoal grills at my parents house. We will be using those for things like slow cooking ribs, bigger parties/ get-together's, etc. We are going to be investing in a gas grill for everyday use. You know turn on and turn off without using and potentially wasting charcoal.

I'm ready for the Rolls Royce of grills (not that I really know what that is). But bring on multiple burners, grill lights, side tables, and bun warmers! Yep, clearly I know what I'm talking about. I probably won't even turn it on once. I'd much prefer to handle dessert.

SOURCE

We will probably start off small, you know nothing too extravagant. Just something to make some delicious summer memories :)

SOURCE

I also want to add an outdoor rug to the equation. I'm not sure why but I think it will make it a true "outdoor room". But my common sense is telling me that a) it won't stay clean due to food spills, dirt, rain, etc. and b) you will want to keep it clean so why bother. Either way I came across these rugs and I adore them!

SOURCE, SOURCE, SOURCE

Add in some accessories to spruce it up and I may have just probably made my husband nervous :)