Happy Monday, friends!
Well, this week, it’s just the littles and me on Nantucket as yesterday, Andrew and the bigs flew back to McKinney for a few days for work and sports camps. Andrew was so sad to leave the island (and especially the weather!), but my teens were sure excited to go see their friends for a bit. The little girls though? The littles girls are ECSTATIC that we’ve gotten rid of those big two and now, the three of us can do whatever we want. Ha! They literally made a list. They took a sheet of paper and markers and made a list of things we need to do while they’re away. Needless to say, I’m about to be very busy 🙂 .
So many of you have asked to see our yard here on Nantucket, so that’s what’s on tap for today. Andrew and I are “yard people”. We love working in our yard, entertaining in our yard, watching TV outside on the patio, and just being in our yard. We love our yard in McKinney so very much, but we have also enjoyed this little space too. This fall, we’re going to modify the yard just a bit (extend the patio, etc), but for now, come on in and take a look.
Come on back, friends!
We’re really grateful for our lot. We have more space than most homes on our street around all four sides of the house. This has been a great place for the dogs and kiddos to play.
When Andrew and my dad brought up all of our furniture on the U-Haul that included the patio table and big pots (we like to buy these pots at Jackson’s Home and Garden in Dallas).
It also included those four blue chairs. You guys know how much we LOVE these chairs in McKinney (in red), well, we love them here too. They truly are the best outdoor bang for your buck!
We already had hydrangeas in the front, but we planted more in the back.
You gotta have a Solo Stove for s’mores!
And as crazy as it probably sound to my Texas friends, it’s cool enough here at night even in July that you need a heater too 😉 .
Since it’s daytime, the DFW lights aren’t turned on…
…but these belong here while the airport code for Nantucket…
…belongs in McKinney 😉 .
We bought our table and chairs at Restoration Hardware and the lanterns and pillows at Pottery Barn.
On this side of our house, we have a bike rack with six bikes for six Shulls 🙂 .
And on the other side of the house, we still have significant space with another outdoor porch and…the outdoor shower. So many of you have asked to see it. You guys, I’m going to miss it dearly. We have an outdoor shower in McKinney too, but I don’t take advantage of it like I have here (it’s not private, so you have to be careful when showering). This one though is private and perfect for six people coming and going from the beach and other outdoor activities.
Come on in…
I mean, pretty basic but the water pressure is amazing, and it can get nice and hot. Why is there a mirror in there? So that Andrew can shave!
I would have shown you the other side of the porch and yard, but those crazy kids had the scooters, bikes and total chaos out. I’ll save that for another day.
In the meantime…
If you want even more info on our yard, make sure you check out my 25 KEYS TO MAINTAINING OUR YARD…
…where Andrew and I go into detail over everything from our garden to how we water, drip lines, patio furniture and care…
…and so much more!
You can see that post HERE.
Also, make sure you check out…
…my 25 KEYS TO OUTDOOR SUMMER ENTERTAINING too!
Plus, if you’ve missed any of the other posts on our home on Nantucket, you can catch those below:
Now, I’m off for a fun day with my littlest loves. If I’m being honest, it feels wrong to be here right now without the other three. I don’t tend to get emotional or choked up about much, but when I came home from the airport yesterday, and they weren’t there but so many little remnants of them were all over the place, it really emphasized in my heart that this has turned into a home. We have “lived” here…all six of us…all together for almost two months. I don’t know if that will ever happen again, and I’ve truly enjoyed every minute of the togetherness.
See you tomorrow. xx
polly pover says
Your yard is beautiful….classy and cozy! Do you have a septic and well? What do you do about the shingles beings wet all the time from the shower? I love an outdoor shower in the summer and prefer to shower there!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awww! Thank you! We are on town water and sewer here. The shingles are cedar and are tough enough for the elements on the island like water and salt.
Erika Slaughter says
Those hydrangeas are looking extra colorful right now! Absolutely gorgeous!
Elspeth says
What a fun bonus space outside! I love the table and fun blue chairs! Have fun with your littles this week!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Jeanie says
Your yard is so pretty! The hedge makes it really functional, well defined and private.
Amy Scott says
I have loved the Nantucket content and will be sad when you leave. See, even the readers are emotional! It’s been my fave content of all the many years I’ve been reading. It will be challenging as your kids grow older, but it will still be worth it to carve out the time to be there.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you so much, Amy. xx
Beth Knecht says
Love so much how you are embracing all of the newness! I’m not great with change, but I love how you are soaking in each and every day!
Sheaffer says
Wow! What an amazing space! AND THOSE HYDRANGEAS!!!!
Kristen says
The best thing about my family’s cape house is hands down the outdoor shower! There is really something about the water pressure and the fresh air!!!
Stacie says
Just curious, do you have a post on your pool at home? We’re thinking of putting one in and I’d be interested in reading about yours? Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t know that I have one specific post on just the pool, but I do have so many on the yard that probably includes bits of it.
Liz says
The yard is beautiful – I get why you spend so much time out there – so lush and those pink/purple hydrangeas wow!
Love love the outdoor shower – nothing feels better after a day at the beach than that.
Enjoy your last few weeks of summer there! 💕
Paula McKaughan says
The yard is absolutely beautiful, Shay! I got a little teary eyed myself about part of the family leaving. Have fun with the littles this week! 🙂
Karah Stracener says
Those hydrangeas are absolutely gorgeous!! I love your outdoor space. Enjoy your week with your littles. 🙂
Laci L Murray says
Those hydrangeas have all my heart!!
Margaret says
What a wonderful yard-and those hydrangeas!!!
Kathy says
Beautiful yard! I love the colors of the hydrangeas!
CF says
Just a heads up, the piece on the top of the your solo stove is upside down 🙂 it should go out/up instead of down/into the stove.
Laura says
What a beautiful and useable space. I really like that there’s enough shade. It’s a really great spot to sit and read or have your coffee in the morning.
Susan L says
Oh my word!!! The hydrangeas 😍😍. The entire backyard is such a beautiful, relaxing oasis. Your house is adorable. I, too, have enjoyed all the Nantucket content. I would have loved to see what you would do there for Christmas. Amazing I’m sure. Thank you for taking us along.
Heather says
How is the crime on Nantucket and do you guys intend to bring everything inside while you’re away? Will you have someone come by and check on your house and start your car every so often? Love the Nantucket content and fascinated how it works with a second home states away! Thanks
Mix and Match Mama says
We have some amazing year around neighbors, a great HOA that maintains so much, and we have a service (we started using them when we closed in November) that checks on the house/maintains/etc while we’re away. We have a fierce alarm system too 😉 . It’s been an adventure! Thank YOU so much for following along! xx
Grace says
Shay, it all looks amazing! I am truly inspired to start working on my space even if just for a firepit for smores or a glass of wine:).
Debbie Alsip says
Those hydrangeas! As someone who bought and planted them for the first time this year, I’d love to know what you did to get them to look like that. Maybe it’s the soil and temperature, but mine in Arkansas don’t look like that!
Mix and Match Mama says
I 100% think it’s the soil and the temperature. They thrive here on this island!
Paula R. says
Shay, Thanks for taking us along for the ride this summer in Nantucket. Following your adventure has been so fun and given me such “summery vibes” even though I’m living vicariously through you, ha! No matter what future summers hold for your family, you carved out a blissful summer to be together in Nantucket… and I know you will always cherish it.
Your back yard is gorgeous and those tall hedgerows are just dreamy. What a peaceful space. The outdoor shower is such a wonderful feature. I did have to chuckle as I noticed the shaving cream cans placed up super high on the top of the shower shelf, ha! I can’t believe your amazing hydrangeas! They are beautiful. Soak up these last days before heading back-to-school. Hoping you get some respite from the heat when you go home. I’m excited about this upcoming autumn season being the gateway to “the most wonderful time of the year.” There is always more to look forward to.
Jennifer says
So beautiful. Will you do a big haul at the end of summer to bring the kids bikes home? Can you leave the patio furniture out there during the winter? Just curious! Your family will all have the best memories of this summer together! I have to admit I am jealous of the cool temps especially at night. We have been sweating in Texas all summer.. and it isn’t even August yet! UGH!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
We will not. We have a storage unit here on the island, and we’ll load that up before we leave with bikes, etc. I’m enjoying this weather as much as I can right now!
MS says
With three dogs, does their urine burn your grass and how do you keep up with that? It’s a constant struggle for us. Any tips would be so appreciated!
Mix and Match Mama says
Hmmmm…I don’t seem to have that problem at either home. Maybe because my dogs are so little?
Stephanie G says
Oh my gosh, same struggle here. I am constantly hosing down their urine!
Stephanie Mason says
Can you please share the tv stand and TV you use for outside ? I don’t find anything like it
Mix and Match Mama says
Of course! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DNV8WW7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
LISA says
Outdoor TV link?? I’ve never thought of putting one outside on a stand…genius!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh gosh, this is an Andrew question!
Melinda says
Will you hire someone to maintain your yard in Nantucket when you are back in Texas? Since it gets colder in Nantucket than Texas, how long will your gorgeous flowers last? Your yard is very inviting!
Mix and Match Mama says
Our HOA here maintains our yards (front, back, flower boxes, etc), so they’ll keep it looking lovely while we’re away.
Debbie says
Looks cozy and welcoming as expected. Enjoy it!
Sarah Madsen says
I agree with the other readers, we’ll all be sad when the Nantucket content is over for the summer!
But, I do want to encourage you- I just turned 24 and my parents own a lake cabin (this will be our 12th summer) and it is our beloved family escape. It is not as far as Nantucket, but I just want you to know how much of an impact this house and area will have on your kids. I dream about our cabin/little lake town when we aren’t there and my brothers and I have grown up going and it’s really all we know in terms of how to spend our weekends.
Even during our busy teen, school, and sport years, we craved the get-away on the weekends and almost always chose the lake over sports, school activities, etc. Of course our parents let us choose if there was an activity that we weren’t required to be at, but we just loved the lake so much that it is part of who we are now.
At 24, 22, and 21, we text weekly to make sure we are all (or almost all) planning to be there so that we can spend time together just like the younger days, bring friends up, play games, boat, cook out, etc. So even as your kids get older, just remember this place is leaving a mark on their hearts and hopefully they’ll choose it for years and years to come! xoxox
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwww! Well this just filled my heart. Thank you so much, Sarah!! xx
Kristy Moore says
I’m so glad you Momma heart is cherishing these special moments. Boy does time go fast and in the blink of an eye your littles are leaving home! Know that you and Andrew have done a wonderful job raising Christ loving children who I can tell are beautiful and caring people. Enjoy the rest of your summer! I have so enjoyed watching your family for many, many years and will continue to be (slightly) jealous of the adventures you guys are up to! 😉
Pamela says
The back yard is so cozy and inviting. I was looking for a chaise since that’s a view we see in many photos of you while reading. I am amazed at how much you have done in a short amount of time and no doubt will be making tweets here and there. One suggestion, a handrail by the back steps for the more “mature” family.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you! We don’t have a chaise out there, but hope to add one this fall when we spruce it up a little bit.
Kacey says
There’s just something about an outdoor shower <3
Andrea says
Those hydrangeas are KILLING me!!!! So so so gorgeous!!!
Tara says
Oh I will miss the ACK content as well it’s been such a treat! I still need to plan a visit there! Curious since when your home you and Erica speak so often have you missed your girlfriend time since being away?! I’m sure the family together time has been super sweet though!
K.K. says
I feel like all of these photos are like looking at a magazine spread!! BEAUTIFUL, Shay!!!
Jess says
Do you have a garage? Curious how you’ll leave the vehicle behind?!
Mix and Match Mama says
We do not have a garage here. It would be nice if we did!
Kimberly says
I bet the girls are glad to have Mom all to themselves! Precious time for you three!
Alexandra says
Omg I love how tiny and cute the yard is. So so sweet. The hydrangeas really make it pop too!
Sharon says
Love your outdoor shower. We are debating adding one to our lake house which sleeps 15 but only has two bathrooms. And I really want the kids to rinse off the nasty lake water before getting into beds! Did you add it? Did you add a water heater? I was thinking of not adding a water heater since if you are showering at the lake it’s hot outside (TX) and the temp of the water probably feels great, but maybe we should. Just wondering if it ever will actually get used! Love your outside!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh I think you will love it! We didn’t add it to this house, but we added it to our home in McKinney and were able to connect that one to our existing water heater (which is what they did in this house too). I think hot water makes a big difference. Even in Texas, I know my kids probably wouldn’t want to use mine if it had cold water. It was pretty easy to add!
Emily says
Do you leave your solo outside all the time at both houses? Was thinking about one for our backyard and I don’t want to have to drag it bag to garage each time.
Mix and Match Mama says
We do!
Lizzie says
Hi! Random question because I’m furnishing a new house and came to this post to see if you have favorite bath towels? Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh good question…the answer is no. My towels are such a wide variety of Target purchases, Pottery Barn…anything white. They’re all very random.
Lexie says
Do you and/or Andrew still use the Clarisonic ?
Love the backyard!
Mix and Match Mama says
Andrew does, but I stopped a while back. I didn’t stop for any real reason other than I just didn’t keep buying the replacement heads and stopped.
Donna Rackley says
I absolutely love your yard and house!!
How much longer before you have to leave beautiful Nantucket? I know that the kids start back to school here in Corpus Christi next week on the 9th. I bet you will really miss Nantucket when you have to leave!