Hello Friends! Today is our bi-monthly Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop. That’s where my friends and I have a theme and we each share how we use it in our homes and lives. This month it’s all about jars and bottles and I’m sharing old jars and dining outside – the perfect combo. Before we start I want to say welcome if you are a first time visitor. I’m really glad you’re here. If you are hopping over from Le Cultivateur, thank you! Doesn’t Emily have great ideas? I’d love to spend the day with her just so I can see for myself her creativity at work. She has such a talent for beautiful vignettes!
If you missed July’s fabulous hop, check it out here. May’s hop is here and March is here! So many great ideas! 🙂
Old Jars and Dining Outside – The Perfect Combo!
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Mason Jars used as vases for flowers
I don’t know about you but when the weather is nice, I love dining outside. I don’t care if we are having fried chicken and biscuits, pizza or a big fat juicy steak, it tastes better outside. Now that fall is almost upon us, I’m taking advantage of it. As a matter of fact, I ate all by my lonesome outside a couple of days ago. Well let me clarify, I wasn’t actually alone.
Mason jars used to hold battery operated fairy lights
Sherlock, Scout, Cooper, Mac and a dozen cows were right there too. Thankfully, I only had 4 little eye balls staring at me. The rest weren’t interested in my burger. It was all going so well until I looked up and the one that realized I wasn’t going to give him a bite wandered off into the big pasture where Sherlock and Scout were hanging out for the day. If you don’t know this, we got Scout not only to keep Sherlock company but to be his protector.
Fairy lights in Mason jars hanging from rod over table
It’s a bit odd to think a little donkey with itty bitty feet is going to protect a big, somewhat intimidating, Mustang from predators but she does! It’s a God given instinct. Sherlock loves Scout. He also likes his naps so when he is sprawled out looking dead, she watches over him making sure some scary skunk, crazy armadillo or coyote doesn’t sneak in and try to eat him. She is good at her job.
Vintage bottles used to hold fresh greenery stems as a quick centerpiece
We’ve tried to teach her that our dogs are not predators and stomping them is a giant no-no but she seems to only remember that when we are there to firmly remind her. If we aren’t right there, she trots over checking out what has decided to invade her territory. This time it was Mac. He’s getting old and is pretty much deaf. As soon as I noticed, I ran towards the fence line screaming Maaaac at the top of my lungs quickly realizing hollering at Mac is like whistling up the wind – it’s a waste of time. But I kinda freak out and yell even louder making the Mister come outside to see the commotion.
Vintage bottles with fresh stems as an outdoor centerpiece
He can tell I’m a little panicked. I’m sure I have a look on my face as I’m wondering how much time I have to get over to the gate, find Mac and scoop him up. Do I take off my flip flops and go barefoot to better dodge the cow patties or do I keep them on and maybe fall face first in cow patties? It’s a real struggle. Thankfully as I’m headed to the gate to start running towards Scout, I hear the Mister screaming Mac several different times. He says it loudly, then high pitched, then low pitched, then loudly again as he’s clapping his hands. All of this trying to see which pitch would make Mac turn his head. We have taught him sign language but he has to see us first.
Mason jars keep silverware handy
This goes on for a comical minute when Mac finally turns his head towards a noise. What pitch, I do not know but we’ve got his attention. I’m clenching my teeth and waving my arms telling him to get his butt over to the other side of the fence and he’s looking back at us with a look of oh hi mom, what are you doing over there. Ugh. Pleasant day over. I took what was left of my mood and my food and we all went in the house.
I thought I was totally over enjoying the outside. Then I looked at my picnic table with my new favorite birthday gift from my kiddos. The over-the-table rod from Terrain. I love it! It didn’t take long to change my attitude and get back out there and enjoy the rest of the day. This time though, the dogs never left my sight. We often joke that since Mac’s brother Cooper is going blind (but can hear) that things would be easier and safer if we’d tether them together.
Mason Jars hold tea lights for wonderful evening light
Anyway, here are a couple of ideas to help you see that old jars and dining outside is the perfect combo and a total mood changer! I use Mason jars as vases for flowers and to keep the silverware handy. Using the jars to hold tea lights and sometimes fairy lights to create a wonderful ambiance is a go-to around here as well. If you don’t have vintage bottles, you can use coke bottles or medicine bottles to hold fresh stems clipped from surrounding trees. An odd number of them gathered together make a quick and beautiful centerpiece.
Using jars to hold stems makes your table special
If you only have time for one meal together, have it outside. Even if it’s pizza with paper plates, add a few Mason jars with flowers from the garden during daylight or add tea lights at night. You’ll be surprised when the conversation lingers, and the laughter and happiness stays around a bit longer.
Now it’s time to see what my friend Debra at Common Ground has done. But don’t forget to check out the rest of the ideas below! 🙂
Happy Decorating Friends!
This looks like such a beautiful way to relax and unwind Cindy, thanks so much for putting this hop together. I love your outdoor table and how you incorporated the fairy lights with your jars and bottles too. It’s all positively magical. I would hang out there in a heartbeat 🙂 Pinned and loved as always, CoCo
Author
Thank you CoCo. I plan to hang out there a lot this year! Fingers crossed it works out. 😉 My intentions don’t always go as planned.
Hi Cindy,
I’m envisioning you running and dodging cow patties.
Love mason jars and use them for our coffee bar and other purposes in our home snd of course for flowers.
Cindy
Author
Yeah, I’ve had to dodge cow patties more times than I’d like to remember. That’s why the 4-wheelers are so handy. And I think using the jars for flowers is my all time favorite look. Thanks for stopping by today!
So pretty & magical Cindy!
Author
Awe, thank you Marie! I am loving that new over-the-top bar! I can hardly wait to use it again!
I’ve been noticing those over the table rods; what a wonderful contraption! Awesome Bday gift! Trying to figure where I’d like one of those…Love your sunset pictures with the flickering fairy lights; such a beautiful, pastoral place to be!
Author
It truly is a pastoral place to be when it’s cool outside and the humidity is low. And I loved that rod gift! My kids are awesome! 😉
I love hearing all the antics of your farm menagerie. Hilarious! It’s easy to let a little extra effort keep us from enjoying being outdoors. Our biggest problem here in sw Missouri is flying critters. But there’s nothing like sitting around a campfire with a delicious meal and beautiful candlelight at the table. Thanks for putting the hop together Cindy. Hope you’re having a great weekend.
Author
LOL, thank you Debra. It’s always something. And if by flying critters you mean bugs, we have plenty of those. It’s almost Love bug season (not sure of the real name). I can see a few already and soon they’ll be covering every front car bumper from here to Hades. I’m looking forward to the deep fall or winter weather too so we can light those fires! Enjoy your weekend!
I loved reading your tail of the antics going on at the farm. The other day I was wondering to myself if Scout was a pet or if Scout was purchased to protect cattle. Now I know that Scout protects a horse. My mom still owns the farm that I grew up on and the guy who rents her land for cattle has a donkey in with them for protection from Coyote. Coyote weren’t around when I was a kid but they’ve made their way into my area of Virginia. We even have them in the city! Sherman and I saw a giant male one day when we were walking behind an abandoned school. (I kind of digressed…)
I love your outdoor table and that over the table rod is fabulous! I’ve never seen one of those and it’s a fabulous invention, perfect for lights and flowers like you show. Enjoy your meals outdoors!
Author
Antics is what goes on around here for sure but not on purpose! LOL. We hear packs of wolves at night. Haven’t seen any but you can tell they are close by. Scout is a pet/protector/my sidekick and I cannot imagine the place without her. Especially all that hollering she puts out. 😉 You’d love her Paula.
You have such a pretty setting there and the way you used the mason jars just enhances the whole scene. I love reading about your adventures. It sounds like there’s never a dull moment there! Thank you for letting me join this great group of vintage loving friends!
Author
Never a dull moment is a nice way to put it. 😉 It’s hard work but when it’s time to relax, it’s the best place to be. So glad you joined our group Angie! Happy Sunday.
Oh your poor doggies. I love eating outside even if it is just me, it’s so fun to watch the birds and hear them singing. No matter what i eat it just tastes better outside besides watching the changes in nature in the Fall is so pretty. I love your birthday present, enjoy and have a great day.
Author
You are so right Marlene and I bet being outdoors in your fabulous gardens is so tranquil! I’m looking forward to fall. Happy Sunday!
Cindy, I enjoyed reading your story and laughing. I have been thinking on purchasing the over the table rod, love the mason jars hanging from it!
Author
Life here is comical most days and the animals keep things interesting for sure. As for the rod, you will LOVE it Pam. I know y’all are going to get sick of seeing it because I plan to use it quite frequently! BEWARE – LOL!
Talk about a Big Mac attack. Woo wheeeee! I am so glad that everything turned out well. LOVE that rod from Terrain.
Author
Oh girl, Mac decided since he can’t hear anything (us yelling at him to stop) he’s doing all the things we told him not to do the last 12 years! He’s lucky he’s so loved.
Cindy, I loved your gorgeous set up of bottles and jars for outdoor dining (and you’re right – food does taste better outdoors) as much as I loved hearing about your farm animal’s antics. One thing is for sure – farm animals will keep you busy – one way or another! 🙂 Thanks so much for putting together such a fun filled blog hop!
Author
My pleasure Michelle. This season it’s all about super simple. No fluff! Hope I can stick to it. And I hope y’all can get outside soon and enjoy it! I still cannot even imagine how bad it is there. 🙁
That is hilarious. I can just see you skipping over cow patties. Yikes. Your tablescape is gorgeous. I love the twinkle and sparkle of the glass and tea lights.
Author
Skipping over cow patties is a graceful way of putting it. 😉 Animals keep us on our toes – literally! Other than that though, it was a gorgeous day. Thanks Katie, happy Sunday!
I love decorating with old bottles too.
Author
I know you do Rachel because I saw your amber bottle decor. So beautiful! Great group of ladies. Hope you have a great week and are able to sit out on one of your fabulous porches and enjoy it.
I absolutely love this idea!!! So creative and adds such a magical touch! I am going to try to recreate something like this!! I absolutely LOVE it!!!!!! Thank you so much for the inspiration and for hosting this fun blog hop!!!
Happy new week!!!
Emily
Author
If anyone could recreate something similar that would actually work, it would be you Emily. You are awesome at that! Glad you love it. I do too! Hope you have a wonderful week as well.
Cindy,
This is all so gorgeous and romantic! I am totally smitten with all things outdoor candlelight. That rod with the hanging jars is a knockout!
Author
Thanks Christy. I love that rod too and have already come up with new ideas for decorating with it!