The Last Days of Summer

As a former student and teacher, September has always meant school and heat.

I remember my mother taking my sister and me to Bullocks in Pasadena every August to purchase our back to school clothes - pleated wool skirts and sweater sets.

But, it was always too hot to wear our new outfits until mid October.

Last school year, I remember calling Steve on the first day of school and asking him to please buy me a fan "NOW"!

But, this September is different.

It is hot, the beach is perfect and my uniform of shorts and t-shirts is just right for the weather.

While Steve was on his run, I set the table outside.

I bought sunflowers at Trader Joe's today

and they looked perfect on the table.

A handmade pitcher (a reminder of a fun vacation in Taos) held the sunflowers along with a bit of a greenery from the garden.

I bought the tablecloth years ago at World Market planning to recover a chair seat with it, but the chair went to live at my sister's house before I got around to recovering the seat.

 I chose the silverware pattern when I was 8 years old and made the ruffled napkins last summer.

My newest dishes have not been used yet and they looked great on the blue and yellow tablecloth.

It was a perfect summer evening to be outdoors.

The direction we were facing at dinner made us realize what a jungle we have going on in the back corner - hopefully we can get Victor to come to our rescue to trim everything back.

Lulu was not impressed with the table setting and once the table was cleared, she couldn't wait for her walk on the beach.

Walking with Lulu in each morning and each evening is doubling our enjoyment of these last days of summer.

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I am joining these fun parties

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays

Elizabeth and Co. - Be Inspired

Lavender Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Party