porching it

We are ever so lucky to have a large three season porch off the

summer kitchen.  With 12 windows, it offers sun & breeze.  One

of my vacation "to dos" was to refresh the porch with its mix of

second hand furniture.  Dave repainted the floor a forest green,

which highlighted my love for green in all of the shades of nature.

I threw an old blue floral comforter over the comfy couch and made

sure that bits of red, green, and blue were anchored with white.

With two ceiling fans, a place to grab the right shoes or boots when

heading out the door & tables for eating or setting loads on their 

way in or out...this is a versatile space.  Yesterday, we added buffalo

check valances in a perky shade of Apple green...I will add more of this
color as I nip & tuck over time.

As I type this, I hear the rustle of the breeze through our cottonwood 

tree, one of several pairs of wrens singing, and the melody of a farm

yard wind chime.  Porching it!

porch-ing it

I have been off from work this week.... first full, unplanned week in a long time. Had been to that place where I was just bone tired, drained physically & emotionally. The wonders of time off, phone off, no even peaking at office email--waking each morning with a "let the day unfold" attitude.

So here is where I sit today...coffee, two barn cats (Whisper & Chestnut) asleep on the wicker chair, and a gentle rain falling.

They call this a "stay-cation"....I just call it bliss.

Kari

getting ready

With our May Barn Sale no longer just down the road, but around the corner...we continue our preparation. This weekend on the list was to move heavy furniture in the hayloft to their "look at me" places, clean & sort the porch & potting shed (taking lots of goodies up to the hayloft for the sale), and wake up a few gardens. We started with the porch, unloading it all to the the yard (oh my how did we ever have so much on one porch?), then cleaning & rearranging. We also carried down a harvest table from the barn to await a new spot on the porch. As I'm scrubbing the porch floor, a van pulls up in our driveway getting just to where ALL the furniture is waiting for the Great Sort....the man gets out with a, "see you have some antiques for sale" looking at all the furniture & such across the yard. Made me smile..."not just yet" ~~~~~ Our Spring Barn Sale arrives on May 12 & 13! And we are indeed getting ready!

Porch inspiration:

picture credit

I Adore Ceiling Fans!!

 

Remember the show, Trading Spaces -- one of the first decorating shows to draw in a fan base --- I mean viewers NOT ceiling fans.  They ripped out ceiling fans quicker than they could throw paint on a wall.  I always shuttered for the poor home owners that would tag their fan as "off limits", only to find it gone on the great reveal. 

So when we bought the farm in 2006 --- I almost felt we were breaking a decorating taboo to install not just one ceiling fan -- but SEVEN ceiling fans!  I finally had the high ceilings to support these beauties.....not to mention no air conditioning.  These guys were essential!  And they were a first for me!

So, now Summer means Ceiling Fans!  And, we ADORE them...absolutely, positively.  "Do not take down my ceiling fans -- Or Else!" reads my 7 notes!

What is a porch without a gentle breeze?

And, I love love love the swirly energy efficient bulbs sneaking out from the end of a sweet fan shade. 

Adds a touch of modern to charming.

So -- would you let Paige & Company tear out your ceiling fans?

Who even remembers Paige & Company of Trading Spaces fame?