Backyard & Patio UPDATE

It was only a few short weeks ago when I revealed via our Instagram account that the Dosser Duo would FINALLY be getting around to showing some TLC to our backyard and patio.

We didn’t exactly know what this whole makeover idea was going to entail, but again, we knew it was time to do it anyway. Proverbs 16:9, right? “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Steps. Yes, steps! We needed steps in our backyard. Surrounded with rocks. Lined by bricks. A rock garden. We needed a rock garden! And plants, the kind Marissa (me) will have a hard time killing. With those plants we needed pots to host them. Chairs to anchor them. Pillows to comfort them. A side table to hold the wine glasses, and topiary wreaths to spice up the storage shed. And all in a matter of days….I mean weeks….this sad little slice of our backyard has now become a cheery space. Here are some more pictures from the progress, and one of me testing out our wheelbarrow turning radius at Home Depot. Clever, I know. Aside from the finished product reveal picture, my ultimate favorite is the stylish laborer in the tube socks and work boots.

After finishing the rock garden, we turned our attention to our back patio. Equally as sad and uninspired, this patio had great intentions that needed to be expanded on. With the help of friends, J built a beautiful overhead cover for the space months ago. But truthfully and sadly, I then left the space untouched….until now. Check out where started from:

And now we’re here:

If I was going have a covered patio, then I wanted to create spaces that we could use the heck out of. We love entertaining and having our friends over, so first priority was ample seating. Comfort seating. Couch seating, even. One that we made with cinderblocks, no less! 

Then we needed an area to prep our meats and veggies for the grill. I shared my secret on our social media pages regarding this already, but this area was made possible with the help of a Home Depot work bench. For $60 bucks we got the guy home, threw some weatherproof stain on him, and set him up for kitchen prep shop. Yes, yes, we could have easily built one for ourselves. But with a long list of custom orders already on our plates, we decided to forge on with a pre-made table that I could get home and style within seconds. Becauseeeeee, I'm always antsy do that that, yo.

After grilling is done, there needed to be a place to chow down. We all gotta eat, tater! I revamped this Craigslist castoff with some white exterior paint, threw some chairs around it, and called it a day.

That is until I realized we needed a space for our bebidas…aka dranks. The little corner nook next to the door leading from the kitchen seemed like the appropriate spot. Picked up this small Galvanized table (rust resistant) and slid it under a sign that was from our wedding day decor. 

I really liked the way the area was taking shape, but thought it could use a couple of plants to warm it up a bit. Did I just say plants again? Let’s pray the Miracle Gro Gods are in my favor.

In addition to the greenery and rose bushes, we also added some string lighting and lanterns that I found on clearance.

Overall, it took us about 2-3 weeks to wrap up the space. Still have plans to do some curtains under the patio, lay more sod in the backyard, and apparently (as requested by my husband) we are adding an outdoor TV in the near future. But until then, you can find me over yonder prepping our veggies like it's going out of style. We hope you enjoy our updated space! Come see us!

Women Inspiration: Joanna Gaines

Last fall, I treated my mom and me to tickets to Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Fall Workshop in Waco, TX. Along with learning some fun ideas for fall decor, the workshop also included Joanna personally sharing the testimony featured in this video (posted below). 

To be honest, I teared up the moment she spoke our Lord’s name. Along with the welling tears, I had goosebumps up and down my arms and legs when she mentioned the connection between her faith and her professional success. To her, there was and is no separation. God is near to everything she does. God put an amazing call on her life, and because she recognizes the God given talents she has been given, she uses her life and her gifts to honor Him. Wow! I was so moved, so inspired. If it weren’t the least bit creepy, I would have sprung out of my chair and thrown my arms around her for a good ole sisters-in-christ-lets-hug-because-you-get-me sort of thing. But again, that would have been creepy, so I just stayed in my chair and smiled a smile so HUGE that (unintentionally) wound up being creepy anyway.

You see, I knew I loved Joanna before this workshop, but good lawd, after hearing her speak about our savior, putting him first in life and following his will, my obsession was at an all time high. I ADORE women like her. Women who “get it” and are humble enough to see all the amazing, amazing things God has put in front of them. Things that they couldn’t have possibly done by their own power. Women who not only see those blessings, but act on those blessings, and take nothing for granted. Not a day. Not a moment. Not a second. Women who aren’t afraid to leap out of bed in the morning with insane enthusiasm and look forward to brining him glory in the that day. Women who grasp the concept of how short life is, and appreciate the precious gifts of sunrises and sunsets. With each waking moment, women who try to be the best they can and do all that they can, but sometimes fail at doing it all - unapologetically. Women who own it and may fall flat on their face, but always know there is something bigger and better right around corner. 

And on the contrary, women who soar in their daily and professional lives, but never get too big for their britches and remember to give credit where credit is due. (Ie…throwing up the Hallelujah praise Jesus hands! ) Most of all - I love, admire, and am inspired by women who take risk. I’m talkin’ outlandish “why-is-she-doing-that-throwing-caution-to-the-wind-and-just-GOING FOR IT” type of women. Whatever transpires, win or lose, women who live courageously knowing that God is going to be there to guide them, protect them, prosper them, and catch them if they fall. That’s the type of woman I aspire to be every day of my fleeting life. Fearless and Full of Faith. 

What type of people are you inspired by?