Our Backyard for Summer

Happy almost-weekend, friends!! I’m already counting down the minutes until I can retreat to the backyard with a cold drink and good book! Texas Summers are no joke, and thankfully we have a backyard pool to help beat the heat. If we’re home, chances are you’ll find us floating in the pool…or more accurately, playing a rowdy game of Marco Polo or Sharks and Minnows!

I just realized I’ve shared very little of our backyard on the blog, even though our Horizontal Privacy Fence is one of my most-visited posts, so today is all about our hard-working backyard…the most-used space in our house during the Summer months!

watermelon snacks and drinks to serve by your pool during summer

We have direct sun all day long, so umbrellas are key! As are heat-tolerant plants like lantana and periwinkles. I also keep the garage fridge stocked with cold drinks and popsicles so everyone stays cool and hydrated, without having to trek through the house!

pool patio furniture behind backyard privacy fence during summer
Similar Dining Set | Similar Palm Print Pillows | Similar Market Umbrella

rattan tray and platter with watermelon to serve by the pool

I recently upgraded our house numbers, and was thrilled to find these from Design Within Reach on eBay! Can you believe only $10 each, with a ton of finishes available?! That’s more than half off! It’s crazy how such a simple thing like house numbers can add so much chicness, but they really do! (Find the full Design Within Reach Outlet store here.)

(Sidenote: That’s not our real house address, we rearranged them for the photos! I don’t know if you’ve heard, but there are crazies on the internets! 😉

horizontal slats backyard privacy fence with address numbers leading to backyard pool
Metal House Numbers | My Outfit

impatiens in concrete planters by texas pool in summer

serving watermelon wedges by the pool in summer

We’re missing the teen, who’s away at Summer Camp…he and his friends are usually found in the pool, too!

family dipping legs in pool shaded by horizontal wooden backyard privacy fence

family eating watermelon on backyard patio behind wooden horizontal tall privacy fence
Similar Dining Set | Similar Palm Print Pillows | Similar Market Umbrella | My Outfit

cocktail on outdoor garden stool as patio side table

kid jumping in pool behind backyard privacy fence during summer

Maggie is not a fan of the water, so we were shocked to see Mollie hop right in! She legit floats around the pool on a raft the whole time we’re outside!

black and white dog floating on pool float behind backyard privacy fence
Foam Pool Float

family eating watermelon on backyard patio furniture by pool

mom serving drinks by pool behind privacy fence in backyard

mom serving water with lemons during summer in backyard

hanging address house numbers on horizontal wooden backyard privacy fence

family playing cornhole in backyard behind horizontal privacy fence during summer

family playing cornhole in backyard during summer
Portable Cornhole Game

kid kissing dog floating on a pool float in backyard pool behind privacy fence

family opening horizontal privacy fence door to backyard pool patio

We have big plans to build more shady spots and update the stone and patio…but those are projects for another day! What backyard updates did you make for Summer? Adding flowers and new pillows was just the refresh our space needed.

Read more about our horizontal fence here, see our outdoor entertaining here, and all our Outdoor posts are found here.

And happy happy birthday to my darling Mama Sugarplum!! We love and cherish you so much, and I’m grateful for your love and friendship every single day!!

[Shop Our Outdoor Faves from eBay]

 

*Photos by the talented Audrie Dollins. This post is created in collaboration with eBay, but all styles, ideas and backyard frolicking are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!*

 

 

Leave a Comment

24 Comments

  1. Kristin wrote:

    Love the pic of your daughter and Mollie! And Mollie on the float is just too cute! We had a similarly colored sweet girl dog with the same glacial blue eyes.

    Posted 6.28.18 Reply
  2. What a perfect backyard oasis!

    Posted 6.28.18 Reply
  3. Sandy wrote:

    Great post! Mollie and Miss SP together-priceless!
    The non slip patio $urface is really nice-I wouldn’t change it. If you feel it needs freshening, find out if a pressure washer would be safe for it. Mine looks brand new after I power wash-caution advised. Thanks for the fun!

    Posted 6.28.18 Reply
  4. Cassie, I’m so jealous of your backyard! ❤️ I wish I had an outdoor area as well, but seeing as I live in a tiny 300 sq ft apartment… sigh! I’ll keep dreaming! Love your photos! 🙂

    Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
    http://charmainenyw.com

    Posted 6.28.18 Reply
  5. Great pics of a beautiful yard and a beautiful family!!!

    Posted 6.28.18 Reply
  6. Sevahn wrote:

    Cozy and welcoming backyard! I enjoy those Izze drinks too–especially sparkling grapefruit, but they are all delicious! Little Miss makes everything double cute:)

    Posted 6.28.18 Reply
  7. Kathy L wrote:

    Love your backyard! The horizontal fence is fabulous, and all the pictures of your family are beautiful!

    Posted 6.28.18 Reply
  8. Tammy wrote:

    Love that horizontal fence;total privacy! I too have full sun in our small backyard. Gets hot on our deck and now looking into getting a heavier larger umbrella for it as smaller ones get blown over by strong winds at times. Happy summer🙂

    Posted 6.28.18 Reply
  9. Cherise wrote:

    Your backyard is beautiful but your flowers are periwinkles not impatiens! Only pointing this out so someone doesn’t run out and buy the wrong flower for full sun as impatiens can not take that kind of exposure.

    Posted 6.28.18 Reply
    • Susan S. wrote:

      I think they are also known as flowering vinca 🙂 I caught that ‘impatiens’ issue, as well… Impatiens are shade lovers! Cassie…regardless of the plant name, your flowering pots are gorgeous!

      Posted 6.29.18 Reply
      • Cassie wrote:

        Thank you, Susan!!! I’ve updated the post!!

        Posted 6.29.18 Reply
  10. Parker wrote:

    This post came at the perfect time. We ripped out all of our flower beds this week and are starting fresh. Lantana was one of my must haves! Your post made me excited to reinforced how great the new updated are going to make our yard. I really love the pops of color in the pots next to your pool and the cute circular tray!

    Posted 6.28.18 Reply
  11. Your backyard is gorgeous! And your little dog on that float is just too cute!!

    https://www.dressedinfaith.com

    Posted 6.28.18 Reply
  12. angi wrote:

    Yall can’t get any cuter! I mean seriously amazing photos and backyard colors! I love you all!

    Posted 6.28.18 Reply
  13. Billie Pichardo wrote:

    Love all of it! Where are the plastic cups from with C&J?

    Posted 6.28.18 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      They are from Mark & Graham! You can find them linked in the Outdoor Dining post! xo

      Posted 6.29.18 Reply
  14. Alloy wrote:

    Not that many options here, so your house number must be 8050, 8005, 5800, 5008, or 5080.

    Posted 6.29.18 Reply
    • Alloy! Perhaps it doesn’t include any of those numbers! 😉

      Cassie, your backyard is a dream!!!

      Posted 6.29.18 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      Orrrrr, maybe I left a number off! 😉

      Posted 6.29.18 Reply
    • Patti wrote:

      Icky for even saying that 🙁 Cassie – thank you for sharing, it looks SO FUN

      Posted 7.1.18 Reply
  15. Sarah wrote:

    Lovely! And I just want to chime in and say that this post is one of the best sponsored posts that I have ever seen. A fun reference to an uncommon design accent coupled with a source for that idea that offers great pricing, all in an integrated fashion. I never mind sponsored content and am always happy to see creatives paid for their work; I am sure that it takes a lot of thought and planning, and just a terrific job here (no surprise, your voice is always a treat). Wishing you a delightful summer in your fabulous pool!

    Posted 6.29.18 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      Thanks so much, Sarah! I’m very particular about the sponsored content I accept, and make sure it’s always authentic to my style and voice! My sponsored posts should read no different than non-sponsored because I’d never endorse something I’m not 100% behind, regardless of the compensation! xo. C

      Posted 6.29.18 Reply
  16. Ashley wrote:

    Where are your cute earrings from?

    Posted 7.26.18 Reply