Tea Party on the Patio! #virtualteaparty2021

On By Widow BadassIn Adventures in Food, COVID-19, Home Improvement

Okay, okay…technically I don’t have a patio. I have a balcony. But I have it tricked out like the fiercest patio you can imagine…or at least it WILL BE once Jeff Bezos sends me a coupla more items. I came close last year but due to my arrival time on the island and pandemic-induced scarcities, last summer’s effort was lacking a few items that I had deemed necessary for peak enjoyment. And I know it’s only April, but we are very very close, people! Already! (If you’d like to see last year’s balcony, click here.)

I managed to get my hands on a couple of baskets of fuchsia this year…and I got some really great lights, to replace last year’s misguided valiant attempt at solar lighting for my north-facing space. So excited for my new patio lanterns!

I feel ya, Bruce.

I’m still waiting on a privacy screen for the railing, and comfier cushions for my benches, and some plants (impatiens, maybe…) for my railing planter box and then I’ll be done…uh, I think.

Here’s Balcony 2021 so far, with improved lighting! “Those patio lanterns, they were the stars in the sky….”

By the time I got to Vancouver Island and was settled enough to go plant shopping (early June of last year), all the hanging baskets of this shade-loving plant were completely GONZO. I was SOL, for 2020. So I leapt at the chance to pick up these beauties at Ye Olde Superstore this week.

There’s a problem though, with these baskets. Can you see it?

It only took me a day to realize that when it came to watering these babies (I have 2 of them), I would also be watering my bench cushions. EVERY. DAMN. TIME. What to do, what to do? Surely there was a ready made solution out there? Yes gentle readers, there was. In glorious see-through plastic, and in Jeff Bezo’s garage…otherwise known as Amazon. Hmmmm. I thought I might be able to MacGyver something mahself instead. So that is just what I did.

Is it still technically MacGyver-ing if you picked up some shit stuff at Ye Olde Dollarama? Asking for a friend. Astute, long-time readers will notice that I remembered to pack my dick pillows, when I moved to Vancouver Island. Once seen, never to be unseen…
Not too shabby, eh? Cheaper AND prettier!
Actually it only took the galvanized tins and the large S hooks to create these drip catchers, so I have the other shit stuff handy for any future MacGyver-ing I might be inspired to do.

By now – if you are still reading – you are probably wondering what all this has to do with a tea party so I’ll get to the point. THIS. It’s this:

My first cuppa of 2021 on the patio balcony! Accompanied by a warm banana oatmeal muffin.

I decided that overripe bananas were taking over my limited freezer space so that means only 1 thing around Chez Badass: time to dig out my tattered copy of Muffin Mania and make me some muffins! I used this recipe:

GOOD? Wow. I really waxed rhapsodic over this one, didn’t I? After almost 40 years, this recipe still is GOOD. Oh, and I used butter instead of margarine. And gluten-free flour instead of wheat flour. And quick oats instead of rolled oats. And I forgot to add the baking soda.
AND. THEY. WERE. STILL. GOOD.
It was only when I started filling the muffin cups that I vaguely remembered that this particular recipe makes way more than a dozen muffins. Eighteen, in fact. You’d think I could have written that down at some point, next to “good”.
The final half-dozen, fresh out of the oven.

The thing is, banana is not my favourite flavour in baked goods. But somehow this recipe works for me. I think the oatmeal tones down balances the banana flavour a bit. And using gluten-free flour gave these muffins a delicious cake-like texture that I don’t remember from when I made them with regular flour.

So if you came to my house in April we’d be sitting out on my balcony under the new patio lanterns, drinking tea and eating banana oatmeal muffins. And singing this song:

Yes, I would make you sing it along with me. Start practicing, because I got my first dose of Covid-19 vaccine this week. (Whoop whoop!)

Rock on,

The WB

P.S. Thanking the lovely hostess of the Virtual Tea Party, Su…go check out her blog and see what she is serving this month!

63 thoughts on “Tea Party on the Patio! #virtualteaparty2021”

  1. I had to click the link to figure out the pillow. You’re right, it can’t be unseen again. I also love the design of your mug, though I couldn’t find any phallic symbols in it.

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  4. Hi Deb! A gorgeous patio and like I said when I saw the photo on FB, I can’t wait to join you with a cup of tea (aka a glass of wine!) By August the weather should be perfect and now that you are at least partially vacced, we can see how many of us we can stuff on that patio!!! ~Kathy

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    1. Thank you, Ally 💕 My current living space is much smaller than I have ever lived in, so I have to make every inch pleasing and liveable. I think I am almost there. 😁

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  12. Pingback: Virtual Afternoon Tea, April 2021 | Zimmerbitch

  13. You are hilarious Deb. Love your McGuyver-ing and the fab results. The video isn’t available to we Kiwis apparently; not even the title, so I won’t be singing along. But that’s probably a very, very good thing. Especially if you have neighbours, or dogs in the neighbourhood. 😂

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  14. Your patio looked better than fine last year, but this year it is “tricked” out. The pillows are a fun inside joke when people come over. I only found it because you said it was there.

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  15. I saw it after you pointed it out but it’s hard to notice so I don’t think you’ve got any neighbours who will report you for it!
    Love your space! Looks relaxing and you’ve maybe inspired me to get some patio lights for our trees!

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        1. These particular lights do not come in solar. I went looking specifically for plug in lights this season, as I don’t get enough direct sunlight to power solar for more than an hour or two in the evening.

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  16. The Misadventures of Widowhood

    What a cool space you’ve created! Love that little seat at the end with all your pillows. I had to check out the dick pillow too. Took me a while to find them but so worth the laugh after I did. I’ll probably be copying a few of your ideas after I move.

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  17. AJ Blythe

    Your deck is looking lovely! Are you still planning on finding somewhere to buy or are you happy where you are? I know you have a lovely few from you balcony (I hope the privacy screens won’t block it). Great decorating, Deb. I need you at my place! Sadly the video isn’t available in Oz, so I’ll leave you to sing solo 😉

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    1. Damn! That’s too bad about the video. I might start looking for a place to buy later this year…or maybe not. Renting is so carefree compared to home ownership…I am really enjoying it. Plus the real estate market here is pretty crazy. People are buying up places in a panic, which is great for sellers but not for buyers. I have the luxury of picking and choosing when/if to make my next real estate purchase. I wonder what will change as we get out of this pandemic. The privacy screen will only cover most of the safety railing so plenty of views will still be had, and I won’t feel so much like a goldfish in a bowl when I sit out there. Thanks, AJ 💕

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      1. AJ Blythe

        The market is crazy here as well (definitely sellers market). Only problem is, if you sell, you probably have to buy so there isn’t much point, unless you are moving somewhere cheaper.

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  18. Love your pillow, cheeky woman! Thank you for the recipe this month, but must admit not being terribly fond of cooked bananas. The additional deco on the balcony is wonderful! So glad you got the flowers you wanted & found such a great solution to their little “problem.” xx (And congrats on getting your first – let’s swap stories about the experience after we’ve gotten our second. 😉)

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    1. Thank you, Del 💕 The first shot knocked me flat the next day. I hear it’s even worse with the second. Apparently I won’t get my 2nd shot for many months…probably not until August.

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  19. Hi Deb – well that’s brilliant … all settled (well nearly!) – that’s clever with those pee pots for the fuchsia – love those plants! Actually they’re (the pee pots) pretty … and then the balcony – it’ll be brilliant when it’s all done and ready to go – and yes … it starts warming up quickly at this time of year. Enjoy – is all I can say … bananas and all – the muffins look delicious – cheers Hilary

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  20. debscarey

    MacGyvering? I’ve never heard that term but I LOVE it! I think I shall try your banana muffins as I’ve a horror of bananas when they become ripe and the little devils positively race along, catching me out if bought in bunches which are too big. The only way to eat them then is in banana bread, but muffins sounds like a perfect way to mix up the experience – thank you Deb 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Deb 💕 The term MacGyvering comes from an old TV show in which the genius hero (MacGyver) was able to solve problems and get himself out of sticky situations by creating contraptions out of basic items. Also on another TV show, the Simpsons kids’ aunts are madly in love with the actor who played MacGyver, and it was referenced frequently on that show. I admit I never have watched the show myself but that doesn’t stop me from stealing the term. 😁

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  21. I absolutely love your batio. Did I just rename it?? 😉
    It is so welcoming and lovely. I would spend my entire day out there.
    Drinking, eating, sleeping…

    Those lights are adorable too! We have lights all around our back patio too!

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  23. I thoroughly enjoyed that (except for the video which won’t load for us). I’m enjoying my patio too right now. It’s great to have the extra living space in the spring. I’m slowly working on my contribution to What’s On Your Plate and noticed my recipe is marked “very good.” Any little tips like that are helpful. I got a recipe from a fellow blogger who’s recipe included a whole spreadsheet of tips (she knows who she is…wink wink). Love all your colors!!

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    1. I am so sorry about the video. I suppose it has something to do with licensing or rights or something like that. It happens to me too sometimes and it’s aggravating. Looking forward to seeing what’s on your plate, Tracey! Thanks 💕

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  25. First of all, I’m a HUGE fan of your dick pillows; they’re the best! So colorful that you almost don’t notice they’re pornographic.
    Your lights are super cute too. I did notice the issue with your potted plants and I was thinking, why not just take them down to water them? But then I remembered if I did that, I’d have to get a step stool out ’cause I’m short and it would be an issue. Your McGuyver idea is GENIUS!
    I do hope you added more notes to your GOOD recipe for next time.
    Enjoy!

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    1. Thank you, Suz 💕 I need a step stool even to water these guys, let alone take them down. I am height-challenged too, I must admit. I need to MacGyver a watering can with a longer reach…

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  26. I ADORE the tin drip catchers! What a great idea…and one I’ll keep in mind. I’ll be doing my own patio design next month. Yes, mine is a patio…hubby did the light strings in February, table & chairs are on order (20 week delivery time – pandemic!), and I still haven’t sorted through plants. But I’m really looking forward to playing with design.

    Reply

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