Porch Peeping

Yes, it's almost that time again...............front porch living is looking inviting. Yesterday I put actual garden chores on the back burner. It was a beautiful day, perfect for outdoor cleaning early in the morning. I tackled the porch to rid it of the remnants of pollen which was unbelievably heavy this year and caused me much discomfort. That's what comes from living in an older neighborhood surrounded by huge oaks and pines. Bombarded with acorns and leaves all Fall and Winter and having to rake same for months on end, then coated with choking yellow pollen much of the Spring................but then shaded by a gorgeous green canopy to temper the heat and humidity of Summer in the South!
Many of you enjoyed "visiting" my porch last Spring............a few of you were even able to stop by in person..........and everyone seemed to enjoy seeing me bring home treasures from SuzAnna's Antiques to give the porch a welcoming feel.
The Endless Summer hydrangeas have come back with a lovely vengeance! These two on each side of the fountain have leafed out and are covered in buds. My rose Peace has it's first blooms, and the Jasmine is climbing fast up the porch posts.

As you come up the front steps, the hydrangea visible through the pickets is the Nikko Blue I planted a few weeks back to replace the 15 year one that was killed by last year's late Spring frost. You can see the budding blooms are huge already - I love them this lime green color before bursting into shades of blue, I think perhaps I found a nice healthy plant. I do adore hydrangeas and have a lot planted throughout the garden.

As you step on to the porch you are greeted by a pretty lady, my French mirror which I'm still scared to hang on a wall indoors due to it's weight, the COTTAGE sign, shabby wall sconce, urn etc. Note the SIMPLIFY sign is still there and I'm still in the process of trying to do this.............so hard though!

The small table holds some of the old books I'm 'aging' outdoors - they are getting a little rough looking and the edges are curling at long last.

If this is your first visit you will note the porch is quite small, just room for three wicker chairs - can squeeze in a fourth if necessary. At the far end stands the the wild chartreuse green potting bench discovered with squeals of joy last Spring at SuzAnna's Antiques. This was built of several components and is such a fun piece to display revolving collections of pots, bowls, jugs, birds and birdhouses, candle holders, glass bottles with seasonal blooms..................a spot to rest your wine class, lemonade, or cup of tea...........and I promise a slice of cake!

The paint is peeling on the back of the potting bench. I was ready to scrape and repaint however I just love this look of the blue peeking through the chartreuse green so have decided to leave it for a while. The Jasmine is blooming and smells divine. Cut back last year, it's growing quickly now and will soon travel along the back of the bench and blue Morning Glories will be climbing up from a pot placed below, so the peeling paint may be hidden by late Summer!

The small candolier was given a good wash and new blue candles will be lit if you stop by in the evening.....................

.............and above hangs another wrought iron and crystal candolier which, along with the rustic lamp, casts a romantic glow while we raise a glass and toast to friendship and good times.

Update on the Porch Wrens: You may enjoy knowing that the four baby wrens are still in the garden and I see them several times a day. They seem to circle our property all day long, merrily chirping and still with their parents, stopping at different spots to eat such as the roof of the gazebo, the side garden under the bird feeders, the privet bushes etc. This photo below shows their nest - I removed it from the wall planter yesterday - it's a beauty and I must find another larger glass cloche to put over it. The one next to it under glass is last year's nest from the kitchen window box - same family of wrens I'm certain. The mama wren is now returning every evening around 8 PM to spend the night back in her corner of the porch ceiling - we're not sure where the babies sleep, but think they could be in the trumpet vine on the arbor or up under the roof of the gazebo. These are just the perkiest, cleanest, sweet birds - I love that they have made our home their home!

I always look forward to viewing your garden - and be sure to stop by the front porch if you're in town!