The Porch, Garden, & Outside

The previous owners of our home did a lot of landscaping.  

There are tulips, roses, bushes, & plants of which I do not know the name.  One thing I've learned while living here is that a beautiful, manicured yard with lots of plants & flowers requires a lot of time & attention.

At times I've bemoaned the fact that I have to weed all spring & summer or else my yard will turn into an overgrown jungle.  But, weeding has taught me diligence, patience, & there's a certain satisfaction in knowing you're the boss.  That you can tame & control such unruly things & make a place beautiful. 

One of my favorite aspects of the outside are the stone paths that 
wander through the front & back  yards.  

We have these massive, gorgeous shade trees lining the sidewalks 
on the south & west side of the home.  
Lovely shade in the middle of the summer.  

During the Christmas season we put LED candles in the windows.  
One per window.
It's a New England tradition, & 
symbolizes leaving the "light on" at the inn,
letting Joseph know there's room in our house.
I love, love the long, big windows.
It let's in some amazing natural light, 
letting in much appreciated sunshine.  

I love this fence!  
We didn't put it in ourselves, but it just fits the house, you know?  

My flowers.  My "other" babies.  

We love lounging on our front porch.  
A front porch is one of my absolute necessities in a home.  
And must have a porch swing.  
(Can you see the little goose hiding in the photo?)

A welcome doormat makes the home, well, home-y.  

Do you see the little window above the door?  
\It opens up so we can let fresh air in any time of year.  
Helpful, especially when cooking.  
I love these little touches that only older homes have.  

Chairs from D.I. (Desert Industries).  
Table was created by a local ceramic artist, 
who sold to me for $5 at a yard sale.  
She said it was one of her first pieces of work.  

Another D.I. purchase.  We love this rocker.  
The throw blanket was a wedding gift from Pier1.  

This lantern (can you see the candle inside?) is a perfect match for the house.  
Purchased from a little boutique shop.  
When I saw it, I knew we had to get it for our front porch.  

Our garden boxes & strawberry patch.   
Most years we've planted :  tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, 
corn (next to the fence), & greens of some variety.  

This area used to be a lovely landscaped rock garden 
when we moved in.  
We  were sad to take it out but we figured 
we needed a place to entertain, 
so Joseph put in the natural stones.  
Outdoor furniture is from Kohl's.  

Previous owners built this fun fort by themselves.  
The kids love  it & the sandbox.  
When we first moved in, the tree next to it 
was pathetically small.  
Joseph wanted to take it out.  
I wouldn't let him.  
Four years later, it's holding it's own & 
now gives us some decent shade.  


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