Summer is Almost Here and Sunday Morning Coffee

Memorial Day weekend is here, and with it comes the unofficial start of summer!

I always look forward to this holiday weekend as it feels like a reset button has been pressed, and the season of sun, gatherings, outdoor dinners, and long, lazy evenings is finally upon us.

A clear blue swimming pool in the foreground with a large white house and green trees in the background under a bright blue sky.

Season 5 Volume 21

Thanks for joining me for Sunday Morning Coffee. This is a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun. Let’s get started!

Collage with a cozy interior featuring a dining area, kitchen, and coffee-themed text: "Sunday Morning Coffee.

Order my book, A HOME to SHARE, here!

About Me

Pink and purple flowers line a brick pathway leading to a white house with steep gables and large windows, surrounded by green lawn and trees on a sunny day.

Summer Is Almost Here, and it’s Memorial Day Weekend

This year, our home is more than ready to welcome summer. We’ve been prepping for weeks, checking off our to-do list one project at a time. After a good round of pressure washing, everything looks bright and clean again, from the patios to the pathways. There’s something so satisfying about watching all that winter grime instantly disappear.

We also spent time planting fresh flowers and greenery throughout the backyard, and it’s made such a difference. I went with many whites, soft pinks, and summery greens this year, keeping it classic and cheerful. With every bloom, the backyard feels more like an oasis.

Then, there are the new custom cushions. I can’t believe how much they’ve transformed our outdoor seating area. They’re thick, plush, and so comfortable that I’ve already spent hours lounging with a book (my phone and a cold drink). I protected them with a fabric spray to stay fresh all summer, even with sunscreen, sandy feet, and the occasional barbecue sauce mishap.

The beach house in Ventura where we celebrated the new year.

We kicked off the holiday weekend and are splitting our time between Pasadena and Ventura. Let me say it’s the perfect way to start the season. The weather is glorious. Warm sun, cool breezes, and just enough cloud cover in the mornings to remind us we’re still easing into summer. Being near the ocean always reminds me how lucky we are to enjoy both the comfort of home and the calm of the coast.

Whether we’re lounging on the patio at home or walking barefoot in the sand in Ventura, this weekend is about slowing down, gathering with friends, and soaking in all the moments. It’s also a time to reflect and remember those who served and sacrificed for our country. We’re grateful for their courage and carry that gratitude with us as we enjoy the freedom to be with those we love.

As we dive into the summer season, I’m looking forward to backyard dinners, coastal escapes, cold drinks, homemade ice cream, and plenty of time spent outdoors. I’ve got a few summer projects up my sleeve, too, because I can’t resist a good seasonal DIY.

So here’s to the long weekend, the start of something sunny, and the joy that summer always brings. Whether at home, traveling, or just taking it slow, I hope your Memorial Day weekend is full of rest, fun, and sunshine.

Let’s kick off the season—summer is (almost) here!

The deck on our third floor with Arhaus furniture, a fire pit, and dinner decor items.

Two round woven wicker trays with raised edges and built-in handles are stacked together, one slightly tilted over the other, on a white background. — Rattan Round Serving Tray, Set of 2

Beige woven placemat set with a cup and saucer saying "GOOD MORNING," placed alongside a gold knife, spoon, and fork in a neat arrangement. — Beige Placemats Set of 8

Colored Wine Glasses Set of 6

My Latest Project

A neutral-toned living room with a large white sectional sofa, a round white coffee table, and framed photos arranged in two rows on the beige wall.

Our New Sectional is Here, and It’s Perfect!

After months of searching for the right sectional, I found it, and it just arrived. We ordered a modular slip-covered sectional from Sixpenny, and I couldn’t be happier. I checked every box on my wishlist, and it looks even better in person than I imagined.

We needed something stylish, comfortable, and practical. I love the relaxed, lived-in look of slipcovered furniture, and this one is easy to clean and super family-friendly. Its modular design means we could customize the configuration to fit our space perfectly.

One of the biggest wins? Regular seat depth. Dave is not a fan of extra-deep sectionals. We are tall, so it’s not a problem that our feet don’t reach the floor. The regular depth is just more comfortable on the lower back. And somehow, Sixpenny delivered on comfort and proportion.

And Sixpenny is having a 20% off sale right now!

Bright living room with a large white sectional sofa, round coffee table, wall art, and floor-to-ceiling windows letting in natural light.

Best of all, it was on sale and more affordable. It’s the piece that works for everyday lounging, entertaining guests, or curling up with a good book.

And I do need to give my daughter-in-law Charlotte the credit for finding this brand!

I’ll be styling it soon with a few new pillows and throws, but for now, we’re enjoying it every day.

I may sometimes use affiliate links on this blog, which means a small commission is earned if you make a purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

A tall, white ceramic vase with a narrow base, rounded middle, and flared top, placed on a plain light surface against a white background.

Sullivans Tall Farmhouse Vase

Battery Operated Wall Sconces Set Of 2

Two beige and white decorative pillows with geometric patterns on a light-colored sofa, with a plant and a book placed nearby. — Ivory Embroidered Throw Pillow Covers, 2

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My Biggest Challenge This Week

A beige sectional sofa with patterned pillows sits against a taupe wall displaying six framed photos. A round coffee table holds a vase of pink flowers, a decorative box, and a shell-shaped dish.

After the sectional was delivered and installed, I assumed that was all I needed to do in the family room.

But I quickly realized there was a problem!

The new sectional is much longer than our 25-year-old Pottery Barn sectional, and my frames on the wall didn’t fit!

A living room with a white sectional sofa, yellow and floral pillows, a round white coffee table, wall art, a lamp on a side table, and a decorative chandelier. — BEFORE

I quickly ordered four more, had some photos printed at Walgreens in 30 minutes, and added four more to our wall! It was an easy fix!

Six framed black-and-white landscape photographs with gold frames are laid out on a surface, possibly for arrangement or hanging. — Screenshot

Four gold-framed pictures are arranged in a grid on a brown surface. A hand holding a pencil traces the corner of one frame. — Screenshot

Inserting the new photos and hanging the four new frames took less than an hour.

A living room with a white sectional sofa, round white coffee table, flower arrangement, and framed photos arranged in two rows on a beige wall. — AFTER

Black and white photo of jagged rocks in calm water, centered within a white mat and gold frame. — Master & Co. Foundry Metal Gallery Wall Frame

A white ceramic bowl with a ribbed design on a conical base, shown against a plain background.

Ceramic Fruit Bowl

A collage of nine framed photos showing a family with a newborn baby, including group photos, close-ups, and individual baby portraits. — Sheffield Home 9 Piece Gallery Wall Frame Set

Glaze, fire, and finish five handmade clay projects!
Harvest vegetables and drop them off to friends. (There is too much to eat.)
Head to Northern California for Grandma time.

A bowl with white rice and stir-fried chicken pieces, red bell peppers, green onions, and sauce, on a marble surface with a fork.

I could make this Easy Kung Pao Chicken every night of the week!

Four images show chocolate desserts: a stack of blondies on a cake stand, a pan of brownies, a plate of chocolate chip cookies, and a loaf of chocolate cake with frosting.

Happy Happy Nester shared her Favorite Chocolate Recipes!

A mason jar of homemade strawberry jam with a decorative label sits on a table, surrounded by fresh strawberries and a cut lemon in the background.

How to Make Strawberry Jam: A Simple Homemade Recipe

Sticks, leaves, grass, and snail shells arranged on concrete to resemble a smiling face.

I love 34 of the Best Summer Crafts for Kids.

Bright living room with a fireplace, mounted TV, bookshelves, cactus, window seat with orange curtains, round table, and a neon heart light on a shelf.

Casting Call! NYC Area: Are you a woman who loves football? Apartment Therapy is looking for a superfan who wants to upgrade her game day decor!

Twelve empty and filled glass jars with metal lids are arranged, with one jar open and a sheet of round black labels included. Some jars contain colorful contents. — Quilted Mason Jars, Set of 12

A stack of four pink ceramic dinner plates with a speckled design and a natural clay base.

AmorArc 9.5” Ceramic Large Pasta Bowls

Milk White 6″ Mosser Glass Cake Stand

And what a week it was!

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