We officially have patio furniture!
Slowly but surely we’re turning our rental house into a home.
(Source)
The addition of the outdoor furniture that we bought on Saturday at a consignment store makes our screened-in porch feel so much more inviting. It still looks pretty bare-bones right now (I’d like to add some cushions and plants out there), but I’m already excited for outdoor dining once the weather cools down a bit.
Until then we’ll be dining in our “breakfast nook!”
Tonight’s dinner featured grilled sweet Italian chicken sausage and roasted fennel.
Thank goodness this fennel was much less expensive than the ridiculously overpriced fennel I first bought at Whole Foods.
I loved this meal, though it made me crave my super easy version of Italian sausage with peppers and onions. I think I’ll have to add that to the dinner menu next week.
I hope you’re able to relax a bit this evening and enjoy your Tuesday night (possibly with an episode of Glee?). See ya in the morning!
Stace says
Completely random, but that pic of the italian chicken sausage is def commercial ready haha! Happy Glee night!
Nicole says
Dinner looks good! I am envious of the screened-in patio. I like being outside, but don’t like eating where there could be bugs so that is the perfect solution!
The Kidless Kronicles
mel says
Hey Julie, did that small meal fill Ryan up? My husband eats ALOT and I always have to make him double or triple of what I make myself! Or like for your dinner, I would have had to add a salad, chips and salsa, and another chicken sausage in a bun for him! haha. Just wondering how you and Ryan handle this! Have a good night
peanutbutterfingers says
he actually ate another sausage after he finished his first one. 🙂
Mama says
I love the furniture and would be happy to help you with making cushions, if you like. The extra touches we can do with fabric that you pick will make everything so much more you! I’m all yours now that I”m home from my wandering… 🙂
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
Oh I love that furniture out there in the porch. Looks awesome!
I am such a fan of easy dinners….hello easy evening! Enjoy yours 🙂
Millie says
I always get a quick laugh when I read blogs from other parts of the country. Here in good old Wisco, while the days are still pleasantly warm, the nights are already becoming quite chilly. Eating outdoors in the evenings will soon be a thing of the past. Glad to hear that you still have a couple of months of “patio weather” ahead of you.
Casey @ Pocket Full of Sunshine says
Furniture looks great. 🙂 I saw that sign on Pinterest too—adorable!
peanutbutterfingers says
the source of everything amazing!
Anna @ Food Fitness and Frolicking says
I’ve never tried fennel before..hmmm!
I love eating fancy dogs for dinner..so quick and easy!
Mallory @ It's Only Life, After All says
that dinner looks delish! i recently just bought some italian-style chicken sausage myself. can’t wait for lunchtime tomorrow. my italian grandparents eat raw fennel after a meal- they say it aids in digestion!
Sweet and Savvy says
Awll glad to see the rental is looking like a home!:)
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
We have a picnic table but no patio furniture yet… you’re doing better than me – we’ve lived here over a year! 🙂
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
Love the “Rental Sweet Rental” sign!!
Suzanne says
We finally got patio (well, balcony in our case) furniture a couple months ago after living in the same apartment for over a year! Ours was off our registry at Crate and Barrel. I love having that space when the weather’s nice. We’ll often hang out for our hour or so after we eat with a bottle of wine and just relax. So nice 🙂
Kristin @ STUFT Mama says
That “rental sweet rental”l sign is awesome! I’m jealous of your nice patio! 🙂
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says
All about the Tuesday night Glee!!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
I have actually never tried fennel! Looks great though 🙂
Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy says
I have never tried fennel before. The furniture looks great, and so does the new grill!
Cait's Plate says
Oooh LOVE the onion addition!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
I don’t think I’ve ever tried fennel, I’ll have to if I see it in the grocery store!
Sana says
You totally have to get the Rental Sweet Rental sign!
peanutbutterfingers says
isn’t it adorable!?
kathleen @ the daily crumb says
i have yet to try fennel on its own, but that version looks delicious!
this is a random question, but do you guys eat on the earlier side or does it get dark later? it has been getting dark SO early in chicago and my dinner photos are just awful as a result!
peanutbutterfingers says
we are old fogies and eat really early… around 5:45 or 6 on most days. but it doesn’t get dark here until close to 8pm – that will change soon!
Danica @ It's Progression Not Perfection says
I love the patio furniture! Having a place to sit/eat/relax outside is so wonderful.
Meg says
Your house is so pretty so far, I love the adorable decor and the patio furniture – hooooraaay! 🙂
Sara @ RunnerWife says
I have to say you are doing such a wonderful job on your home! I wish I had your talents with decorating! You place looks beautiful!
Kathy says
Hi Julie,
I am in the process of renting my home, so I just want you to know that I am praying that I get renters as good as you and Ryan are. It’s nice to see someone look after a property like it’s their own. Your land lords are lucky to have you guys. Fingers crossed I get the Canadian version of the Fagans to rent mine..lol
peanutbutterfingers says
i wish we could rent from you!
Kathy says
meeee too…haha
Brandy @ Let's Grab a Coffee says
Glee was ok…but have you been watching ‘The Other Girl’ after it?
Fave new show. For sure. 🙂
peanutbutterfingers says
no! i need to!
Brandy @ Let's Grab a Coffee says
Except don’t watch “The Other Girl”, that’s not a show.
Haha, woops.
It’s “The New Girl”
Joelle (On A Pink Typewriter) says
Yay, that is so exciting that your house is coming together! That sign is funny. 😉
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says
Oh no I forgot tonight was Glee night!! Ahh I’m so behind on real housewives, jersey shore, and now glee. 🙁 I fail at tv watching.
Kanoe says
Can I say YUM-O??!! The sausage looks delicious. I have also never tried fennel. What does it actually taste like? Kinda looks like an onion. Hmmm… Tonight will be my NCIS night not Glee but enjoy your night as well LOL. 🙂
peanutbutterfingers says
it almost has a licorice taste to it.
Khushboo says
That hot dog look great….I bet rutabaga fries would be an awesome side!
Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled says
That’s awesome that you’ll now get to eat outside. It always feels like we’re on vacation when we do it.
I see BBQ dinners in the winter!
Gen says
Hooray for new furniture! 😀 hahaha I remember when we moved here, we had to wait a month for our container to arrive with all our stuff in it!
Lauren says
You are definitely putting your special touch on this home. 🙂 It’s coming together so well Julie.
Amy says
I seem to be like a lot of other people…. I’ve never had fennel. What does it taste like? It looks like it would taste like celery….
peanutbutterfingers says
it tastes almost like licorice… but more mild.
Jodi says
I’ve never tried fennel, but I hate licorice. 🙁
The owl and the pic look so modern and cool! I also couldn’t help but notice that shiny new grill 🙂
Becky @ Fit Chick on the Fly says
Your tredmil workout looks very similar to mine this morning, except I did 3 miles instead of 5. Good luck @ your 10k this weekend! I’m running my first half marathon in Disney on Saturday night! **SCARY** =)
Hope says
I love the patio furniture! It looks really nice!
I’ve never had fennel before. I don’t think I would like it because I hate licorice.
Mary Ann says
Julie –
What brand is that chicken italian sauage? Since you love it so much, I would like to try!
peanutbutterfingers says
alfresco!