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Destinaton Deck – Opening the Patio

April 28, 2017~ backyard, Cocktails, recipe, Summer

In case you guys have been hiding under a rock at the bottom of the sea a la Patrick Star, I’m in the middle / home stretch of the Spring One room Challenge – You can catch-up // here // – and I’ve been working on all of our outdoor spaces. So I’m technically in the process of creating my very own backyard destination already, in fact I’m almost done.

As such, when Wayfair said they wanted hear our advice for making our patio a destination for dinners and drinks all spring and summer long, I jumped at the opportunity! I love hosting, and you’d think that after many events and occasions that I’ve become somewhat good at it. We always plan for the big stuff, but making sure you have what you need for a casual drink with a friend or an un-expected visit is a bit trickier, especially this early in the season. To quote Bob the Draq queen “Stay ready, that way you ain’t got to get ready.” 

Other drinks in the TGIF Cocktail series:

Maple Whisky Milkshake  // Chocolate & Coffee Icecubes // Spicy Pomegranate Margarita // Cocktail Freezies // Pink Pearl //  London Lemonade // Blackberry Mint Julep //  Peach & Honey Moscow Mule

*Wayfair Canada sponsored this post, but all thoughts are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that make PMQ for two possible.

Opening the backyard patio for spring is usually accompanied by a fresh drink and an afternoon spent reading in the shade. I've got my top 2 tips for creating a welcoming and inviting patio / deck / seating area in any yard on the blog.

After much head scratching and lots of humming and hawing, I’ve come up with my list of tips for opening the patio this season! You guys will like this, my list is really short and consists of 2 things:

  1. Have a go-to drink at all times

Depending on where we are in the summer’s calendar I’ve got a hankering for a different drink, and can be anything for a Gin & Tonic, to a London Lemonade (anything to keep those mosquitos at bay) and even a Ceasar.

Speaking of which, my first patio drink this season was a Canadian classic // here // – the Ceasar! I like mine loaded a little differently with a pickled green bean and some bacon.

I’ve included a quick recipe below for your enjoyment in case you’re not familiar with this Canadian cocktail:

1 oz (30 mL) vodka
2 dashes hot sauce * I only added 1 dash
4 dashes Worcestershire sauce *I only add 2 dashes
3 grinds fresh cracked salt and pepper
4 oz (120 mL) Mott’s Clamato Cocktail

for rim:
celery salt or Mott’s Clamato Rimmer

for garnish:
pickled green bean // here // 
Bacon slice

Step 1: Mix all wet ingredients in a shaker (or each in each glass as you go). I use my vintage shaker because it looks cool, but also because it has drink recipes on the side in case I run out of ideas.

Opening the backyard patio for spring is usually accompanied by a fresh drink and an afternoon spent reading in the shade. I've got my top 2 tips for creating a welcoming and inviting patio / deck / seating area in any yard on the blog.

Opening the backyard patio for spring is usually accompanied by a fresh drink and an afternoon spent reading in the shade. I've got my top 2 tips for creating a welcoming and inviting patio / deck / seating area in any yard on the blog.

Step 2:  Rim a highball glass with citrus and rimmer. If you’ve never seen this done, run a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass so that it’s coated in citrus. Then up-end the cup on a plate with celery salt and turn it until all sides are coated.

Opening the backyard patio for spring is usually accompanied by a fresh drink and an afternoon spent reading in the shade. I've got my top 2 tips for creating a welcoming and inviting patio / deck / seating area in any yard on the blog.

Step 3: Add more ice to the shaker and stir. * you don’t want a warm Ceasar – trust me.

Opening the backyard patio for spring is usually accompanied by a fresh drink and an afternoon spent reading in the shade. I've got my top 2 tips for creating a welcoming and inviting patio / deck / seating area in any yard on the blog.

Step 4: Load your freshly created drinks onto a tray and head out the door to your seating area!

Opening the backyard patio for spring is usually accompanied by a fresh drink and an afternoon spent reading in the shade. I've got my top 2 tips for creating a welcoming and inviting patio / deck / seating area in any yard on the blog.

Opening the backyard patio for spring is usually accompanied by a fresh drink and an afternoon spent reading in the shade. I've got my top 2 tips for creating a welcoming and inviting patio / deck / seating area in any yard on the blog.

Back to that list of things to do to make your deck welcoming and inviting this season:

2. Make yourself a quiet little spot to sit in the shade, read a book, and enjoy a drink

I found a darling conversation set locally, but I’ve had my eye on a few through Wayfair // here // & // here // & // here //.

I’m not usually keen on matching furniture and sets, but for a yard you kinda want everything to work together, and they don’t usually sell comfy club chairs on their own, so going with a set is best!

Opening the backyard patio for spring is usually accompanied by a fresh drink and an afternoon spent reading in the shade. I've got my top 2 tips for creating a welcoming and inviting patio / deck / seating area in any yard on the blog.

Opening the backyard patio for spring is usually accompanied by a fresh drink and an afternoon spent reading in the shade. I've got my top 2 tips for creating a welcoming and inviting patio / deck / seating area in any yard on the blog.

I’ve moved my trusty orange garden stool outside for the season // here // **They’ve sold-out of the model I have** . It will be a roving side-table for whoever needs it, wherever! You’re not likely to miss it against the grass, and it’s high enough that on those hot summer days you won’t have to drastically adjust your arm height when it swoops off the chair to graze the rim of the glass and pick it up.

Opening the backyard patio for spring is usually accompanied by a fresh drink and an afternoon spent reading in the shade. I've got my top 2 tips for creating a welcoming and inviting patio / deck / seating area in any yard on the blog.

One thing I am very excited to showcase is this expandable privacy screen with faux boxwood and berries // here //. It’s all UV resistant (so it won’t fade), it’s graded for hot summer days, and can be expanded or retracted accordingly. We’ve added it against the newly installed fence between our yard and our neighbours’.

I have a funny story about the fence though, it was added in January by the housing association… in January.  So of course they left a mess and churned-up our yard in the process, but at least we have a little bit more privacy now. It’s also only 16ft long, so it doesn’t do much, but hey! We didn’t have to do it.

The large umbrella is a treat to ourselves this summer // here //. I am very happy to have a sexy new umbrella for some portable shade. We had an older one that I painted last summer // here // but it didn’t last the winter in the garage after it fell to the ground -unbeknownst to us – and froze / unfroze in the water the seeped through the doors all spring. Needless to say, it was caput when we finally extricated it from it’s icy hell.

Opening the backyard patio for spring is usually accompanied by a fresh drink and an afternoon spent reading in the shade. I've got my top 2 tips for creating a welcoming and inviting patio / deck / seating area in any yard on the blog.

What would you do to open your patio this season? Tell me! I’m still looking for ideas.

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13 Comments

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Comments

  1. Emy says

    April 28, 2017 at 8:55 am

    I have the same issue with things matching too well. It feels so hard outside. I just want everything to disappear so that all I see is nature. Hubby wants color everywhere.

    Love how you disguised the fence. And your deck area looks so cozy! What a lovely place to relax.

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      May 8, 2017 at 3:00 pm

      I’m glad I’m not the only one! I take an eclectic approach to my interior decor, and I want the outside to feel like a natural continuation. It’s not always possible though is it?

      Reply
  2. Ainsley says

    April 28, 2017 at 10:50 am

    Caesars are one of my favourites!

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      May 8, 2017 at 2:56 pm

      you coming for a drink then?!

      Reply
  3. Lidia says

    April 28, 2017 at 3:12 pm

    Caesars!!! My fave drink – that and Fanta! (ha ha!) Beautiful space and the blue and yellow look smashing together! xo

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      May 8, 2017 at 2:56 pm

      Oh my goodness! I don’t think I’ve ever met a legit Fanta fan! I have now though 😉

      Reply
  4. Nance says

    May 3, 2017 at 6:51 am

    I am so glad you highlighted the berry expandable faux fence thingy…lol…I am really going to consider…I too have a pmq after years of being in a house with a beautiful deck…not so much now…ugh..chain link!!!…it’s actually unsightly…so you have given me hope..but I’ll need A LOT! !

    Reply
    • Ariel says

      May 8, 2017 at 2:45 pm

      You totally should! It’s a lovely alternative to growing vines (I find we don’t have a long enough season to make it worth it), and it can move with us!

      Reply

Trackbacks

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  5. Spring Bar Styling with Stirrings • PMQ for two says:
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    […] actually wrote a recipe a few springs ago for a Ceasar as a way of celebrating the opening of patio season (!), and I think it still holds just as well today as it did then. However I’d add that the […]

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Hi! My name is Ariel and I'm the voice behind PMQ for two. I create bright, bold, colourful, and eclectic home decor, DIYs and lifestyle content.

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Ariel - PMQ for two (she/her)
This living room has been so many things to us sin This living room has been so many things to us since we moved in (including the distinction of being the first space we made over, and over). It’s also been a space that evolved with us as our needs changed. And now, while we plan what the next one will look like, I wonder if it’ll have a marble fireplace... probably not. 
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