happy place

About a month ago we started with a table full of

treasures (actually, this table was filled about three different times)

and we planned, potted and planted

to create our cozy patio and porch.

I really love our house. It's small, cozy, quiet and just us.

There's still a lot we need and want to do inside but our favorite

place is outside so we decided the indoors can wait for the cold weather

and we started working on our outdoor rooms.

This porch area is my favorite part of my house/yard.

You can find me there first thing in the morning reading the paper,

in the afternoon with Lucy reading books or browsing magazines,

and late into the evening chatting with Blake or just

sitting alone with quiet.

Truly a happy place.

I'm still working on the details/accessories of this

piece. The magazine basket is a must-have and on the middle

shelf is a potted succulent masterpiece created by Blake.

It's so much cooler in person - the details of the plants he picked

are so unique and it's doing really well in this location.

The basket on the side holds a throw for some late nights

or early mornings with a chill.

I really want to find some fun unique flea market type

items for this shelf. Everything has to be able to withstand

some of the outside elements. The porch is covered but our goal

is if there is a windy downpour (which we've had some of those) that

we don't have to run outside and bring everything in.

If it gets wet...oh well!

mini bird bath - the dogs are using this more than the birds

Probably hard to see but a little birdie is always on our gate

chirping away. Every time I'm on the phone with my mom

she asks if I'm on the porch because she can hear him singing.

Speaking of birds...I'm embarrassed to admit how much money I'm

spending on feeding these friends...so I won't!

Lucy loves the birds too. She checks our feeders and

can spot the tiniest hummingbird way up high.

She and I should probably start using the birdwatching books

so we can identify who we're feeding.

I can look at Sunset magazine and other outdoor decorating

magazines forever. I know that there are such amazing outdoor

rooms and cozy nooks that far surpass our place -

but this is our little happy place and along with our home we've

made it our own. I love that at the end of the day we have a spot

all to ourselves to unwind, talk or just sit.

I'm sure with time we'll add and do even more but

for our first summer here - I couldn't be happier.

p.s.

a Dutch door is something that I really hope is

in our future. Every house on Balboa Island in CA

has a Dutch door and it just makes the house. It may not be practical

for Utah winters it would be the perfect addition to

our outdoors.

We'll see.

courtesy of Country Living