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!

Come Inside SuzAnna's

The first new dealer I met setting up her wares in SuzAnna's Antiques new addition, was Cindy, recently relocated to our great town from Dallas, Texas - welcome! I can see she will bring her creative spirit to the shop as she, like me, worked in design and advertising over the years. I managed to get a picture of this really neat little shabby French blue shelving unit just as it was about to be removed - SOLD! The lucky gal who found this to take home was happy.

The fabulous large blue transferware bowl and pitcher caught my eye, how could it not, wish I had room for it at my house. I'll be back soon to chat again with Cindy, she is certainly stocking her corner with pretty items.

In another corner this dealer has some good pieces, and look at that sparkly Paris sign on this lovely painted chest of drawers. Unfortunately I haven't a space for the chest but would have grabbed the sign however it was not for sale.

I thought this tin piece was a perfect shabby pink - notice how SuzAnna's super building guys (their hubbies did much of the work - great job Bruce and Tony!) made the addition look old and shabby, both outside and in. The use of old wood makes beautiful walls to display all these charming items.

Can never have too many shelves to display our dishes..........................come on own up, you know you have a collection too!

Dangly crystals, light bulbs..........so many combinations designed into gorgeous chandeliers. Always the prettiest, romantic lighting options.

This elegant chair is one of a matching pair - I can see it reupholstered in a natural heavy linen, the wood frame perhaps painted and distressed in French blue grey.

Always room to add another pretty rose to a room............delicate china cups for tea, and love those rosy bowls.

Have you noticed how candelabras seem to be popping up in all the decorating magazines - this one was really heavy with the marble base - I had trouble not allowing myself to be persuaded to take it home!

Hope you enjoyed visiting SuzAnna's new addition - think you'll agree there are some lovely treasures here just waiting to go to some lucky gal's home............you just know I'll have to stop by again very soon and show you more.

SuzAnna's Antiques - Bigger and Better!

You may recall I mentioned my favorite shop for treasure hunting here in Raleigh, SuzAnna's Antiques, has been busy building an addition. This past weekend I stopped by to find Susie, Anna, and many family members and friends, as busy as bees as they reorganized the shop...........and met some of the new consignors who have spaces in the addition. They are bringing in fabulous furniture, lighting, china, decorative items etc. Some gorgeous treasures were asking to be taken home - can see I'll be visiting often!

The outdoor area is still being redone - but even with the hodge podge of stuff there were some interesting items visible.

Before entering SuzAnna's outdoor area, one can't help but stop to view Sam's colorful Spring garden offerings at his cute little shop, Country Porch Antiques. The flowers and plants were great - I bought petunias, potato vines, verbena, and a large, beautiful rhododendron.

Sam will offer more local vegetables and fruits as the season progresses - I bought local strawberries which are just coming in and were really sweet and good.

Next post I'll take you inside the new 'rooms' at SuzAnna's and show you some of the lovely things that caught my eye.

Back to Brixham

Today I hope you enjoy the second episode of my trip around the Devon fishing town of Brixham. It was a 'must stop' on my trip home to England last Autumn.

The harbourside buildings reflected in 'Jenny's' seafood case.

Looking across busy Brixham harbour, just visible is the full size replica of the Golden Hind Elizabethan sailing ship (left in the photo below). The original ship took Devon born sailor and adventurer, Sir Francis Drake, around the world between 1577 and 1580. He was the first British seaman to circumnavigate the globe.

While browsing around the harbour, one comes upon this statue. Prince William of Orange from Holland landed in Brixham in 1688 during the Bloodless Revolution and claimed the throne of England as William III.

Leaving the harbourside where tourist pubs such as the Sprat & Mackerel are plentiful, small alleys lead into the town and here one finds quaint local pubs with typical British names such as The Hole In The Wall.

On laundry day pegging the washing out to dry between the stone buildings adds a somewhat medieval note......................
...............and the local fish don't have far to travel from the fish market, where the daily catch is unloaded, to the restaurant's deep fryer!


More delectable offerings from 'Jenny's tiny stall.

Radiating a warmth of its own, Brixham nestles in the rugged cliffs at the southern end of the English Riviera. Here, life in Brixham centres around its pretty harbor, where you will absorb the many flavours of the town, and in the bustle of one of Britain's busiest fishing ports.

...............from The English Riviera Holiday Planner 2008...................

As he took in the view of Tor Bay whilst imprisoned aboard the ship Bellerophon, Napoleon is reported to have said........

"What a beautiful country".........he was so right!

Across the Bay

Sadly, three friends lost their fathers within the past week and although my own dad passed away in 1976, it started me thinking about him and how much I always enjoy visiting his hometown when I'm on a trip home. After 'crossing the pond' and getting settled in my hometown, Torquay, a trip across Tor Bay to the busy fishing port of Brixham where my dad grew up is always on the agenda.

This map below shows Tor Bay on the south coast of the county of Devon - the open water beyond is the English Channel looking directly toward France. When you look out from the shore you'll think you're on the Mediterranean. Sparkling blue waters warmed by the Gulf Stream, palm trees and a mild climate year round, grace a magnificent coastline.

Best way on a sunny day is to take the ferry across the bay. This is a 30 minute windy ride with scenic views of seaside communities, coves and beaches, with farmland rolling down to the red sandstone cliff edges. Below is Torquay harbour looking back toward the town's seven hills populated mostly by hotels.

Once out on the open water you will see people enjoying the Bay in yachts - sailing conditions are ideal for much of the year and many international and championship races are held here. These pictures were all taken in October of last year - a brisk wind and choppy sea, quite exhilarating.

Arriving in Brixham Harbour, small hotels, B & B's, and the homes of local fishermen climb up the hillsides.


In their prime, Brixham's fleet of fishing trawlers were admired throughout Europe. The skills of trawling were perfected at Brixham. Today some of the original impressive heritage sailing vessels have been restored and can be seen out on the Bay or moored alongside in the harbour. During WWII many trawlers were requisitioned for the evacuation of the British Forces from France, and in 1944 the harbour was used by the US Army for embarking prior to the invasion of Normandy.

Nobody visits Brixham without trying the local seafood offerings. Right on the harbour are a number of stalls selling fresh seafood such as whelks, mussels, cockles, prawns and crabs. We asked our ferry captain where we could get the best fresh crab sandwich and he steered us to 'Jenny's'......................it was certainly a great choice. Sitting at outside tables on the harbour edge, the friendly Jenny herself was feeding us in no time, serving her mouthwatering fare on pretty blue patterned china, no Styrofoam plates here - a woman after my own heart!

The whole grain bread held the freshest, sweetest crab ever, and the garnish of cucumber and fresh steamed prawns made for waterside dining at its best.

Crab pots and the bow of an old fishing boat.

Hope you enjoyed joining me on this Devonshire trip. Next post, before leaving this quaint town, I'll treat you to a few more historic facts and views around Brixham.