Summer...almost?

Here in Northern Cal we have had very cool weather. Our Memorial Day was the coldest I can ever remember! We had a rainy and cool weekend and this week promises to be the same right through the next weekend. Our Memorial BBQ was kind of a bust. I was so excited to finally use the pool here at our new home. We have lived here for almost 8 months now and due to pool equipment or weather, we hadn't had a chance to really splash in it yet! We finally got the pool clean and actually heated.

Last weekend we also made a decision and bought some backyard furniture. It took us a while to decide, but I am very excited to get some new things back there and make the yard my own. The previous owners had done a lovely job of landscaping and left us a ton of Smith and Hawken teak which we appreciated. There is quite a lot of it and I am going to get rid of a bit of it. Some of it has been here about 20 years or so.

 I am really liking the new aluminum coated furnishings that are available for outside right now. We have one set that we bought from Smith and Hawken before they closed. (Such a shame that was!) Now I have bought 3 chaises that are from Tropitone that look like wrought iron, but are the aluminum with wide straps. I like these because they have no pillows to worry about or store during Winter and I can hose them off if the kids eat sticky popsicles on them. I love how the teak looks, but hate the upkeep on it.

Tropitone is a California company and has been around for more than 40 years. My Grandparents had one of their sets in the yard of their very mid-century modern home in the 60's and my Aunt is still using the pieces on her deck in Discovery Bay! That was a pretty good testament to their quality for me. It seems almost like you are condoning tanning by purchasing chaise lounges, but I really adore how they look around the pool.  Just the idea of a chaise plus a book makes relax. My family and I always flock to them any place we stay. I thought it would look nice with my red umbrella above them. I will post pictures when I get them out there. (And it's not raining!) Now I just hope I actually get time to sit on one and read a bit this Summer or enjoy a margarita with a friend! I starting to think we are becoming Seattle here!