A Swim Among Friends

“What is a friend? I will tell you…it is someone with whom you dare to be yourself.”
~ Frank Crane

This is such a great quote for today.  With my two oldest daughters being away at camp, my younger daughter, son and I all spent the day with dear friends at their beautiful home.  The reason this quote is so appropriate is because this friend is someone who I never have to be anything but 100 percent me!  How do I prove this?  Let’s just say I spent today in a bathing suit in a pool.  That is the biggest “dare to be yourself” I can give you.  I do not do bathing suits or swimming with just anyone.  Nope … you have to be someone extra special to swim with me.  I cannot really swim so I am a little afraid of the water and let’s just say I am very very afraid of a bathing suit.

This friend always makes me feel good.  She laughs at my jokes, compliments me on my “talents” and thinks I look good even in a “mom” swimsuit.  She makes me feel at peace with myself and there are not many people in this world who can do that for me.  I love this girl and I feel so blessed that she came into my life.  Now … let’s take a look at her incredible backyard where we spent our afternoon.  This yard is as calm and peaceful as my friend.  We were so lucky to be invited to spend the afternoon.

No this is not a posh resort … this is my friend’s backyard.  I think she did a beautiful job with these flower pots!

Just imagine sitting in this hot tub on a crisp fall evening with a fire blazing in the fireplace.  Wonderful!

I just love all the stone details.  The rectangle things sticking out of the hot tub are waterfalls.  So pretty.

We spent a little time under these umbrellas today with our glasses of passion fruit ice tea.  I took this picture before she put the cushions out.  The good life.

 

It is so nice to have a completely private backyard – especially when friends in “mom” suits come over.

Ringo says Hi!

Dolly isn’t quite sure how she feels about us being there.  She is so sweet.

Full view of the pool.

 

 

Her hibiscus plant was in full bloom.  Gorgeous!

 

And just to make you all really jealous … a screened in porch that overlooks the pool and backyard.

This driftwood cross was the birthday gift I gave to my girlfriend this year.  I saw it while I was on vacation at the beach and knew it was perfect for her.  It has a place of prominence on the screen porch fireplace mantle.  I am so glad she loves it as much as I thought she would.

Stunning outdoor fireplace!

Someone has been reading my blog!  She planted these succulents after reading my post on succulent planters.  It is so fun to see other people taking my ideas into their own homes!

 

Isn’t this such a incredible arrangement on this rustic little table?  I love it!

Someone beat us into the pool.  YUK!  He definitely had to leave before we got in.

This is the most amazing backyard and we enjoyed ourselves so much.  The water temperature was perfect, the sun was shining and friends were laughing.  A perfect summer day.  My daughter and my friends daughter have been friends since they were 7 and 8 years old.  Here they are then:

And here they are now – 7 years later:

Wow!  Have they grown up or what? They look and act like sisters and they were born on the same day exactly one year apart.  Weird huh?

If you think this backyard is gorgeous, just wait until you see the inside of this home.  I can’t wait to photograph it and share it with you soon.

Hope your life is more summer day heaven than wasp in the pool havoc!

Missi