My Outdoor Office and Other Summer Dreams

I’m dreamin’ of warm summer days—aren’t we all?! A couple of nights ago the overnight forecast was for between zero and -5°…yes, that’s right: MINUS FIVE DEGREES! In March! Our grandchildren in southern Ohio have missed almost the entire last three weeks of school because of snow and or too-low temperatures!

BUT…it’s looking BETTER! Our local weatherman (the one we watch is a “he”) is now teasing us with a possible HEATWAVE of high 40s next week! Oh, joy! That has me thinking not of spring…no, I’m going in for the full SUMMER DREAMS!!!

As I glanced out to our snowy scene beyond our screened porch the other day my heart wished I could go sit out there for a spell (as you know, the screened porch is my favorite space in our cottage). I thought of the naps our babies (and yes, I too!) have taken out there, the quiet times sitting there doing “nothing” but being, the puttering and happy hours, rocking our babies out there as night falls, visits to blogging friends, birthday celebrated there…and yes, actually working out there.

Working is much more palatable when I can work here:

Just look at that GREEN! Awash in sunshine! And in the protective shade of the porch, a blooming Gerbera daisy, and the happy/going-crazy purple flowers that I don’t know what they are (help! I’d love to know if  you know!!). I’ve had that plant—in the same pot!!—for at least 8 years! Sometimes, when she’s wintering indoors, she still blooms, but she’s happiest in the summer—just like I am!

A close-up might helps those of you serious gardeners to help me identify her. The precious Gerbera was a birthday present from our grandchickadees last summer (yes, I even have a summer birthday—August—the HOTTEST month of the year, and perfect for me!).

This is the sweet note the chickadees’ sweet Mamá added to it: “Thank you for being such a good “Ata” and helping us bloom and grow! OXOX Happy Birthday.” Oh, this Ata does love that daisy!! (I used it in last summer’s Last Hurrah post here.)

But I digress…get me on the topic of summer and I’m off in every direction possible!

One beautiful August day last summer I was fortunate enough to be able to work from home, and as I do every chance I get, I took my laptop to my “outdoor office.” It occurred to me that I needed to capture the blessing—that very moment! Notice that there’s no fancy staging…no glistening glass of iced tea with lemon slices and a bit of mint from my garden. No lovely napkin, or coaster, or long and beautiful iced tea spoon. Just simple, easy, real life happening: Laptop, mouse, Bluetooth, Bible, pen and paper.

First…ahhhh…a moment (or two or three or more) to breathe, to read His Word, to reflect, to write, while basking in His glorious gifts.

 

My up-close view.

This winter I have been working hard to not complain much about His ways with the weather, as I know I don’t know much anything about His reasons. But even through my strongest effort He knows that in my little human heart I CAN.NOT.WAIT until I am feeling, seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling His summer gifts:

~ Bright sunshine (I dare not complain…we’ve had many sunny days this winter);

~ WARM sunshine;

~ Birds singing (they’re singing their little hearts out already; I think they’re as anxious as I am for summer days!);

~ The sound of gentle breezes murmuring through the leaves instead of winds howling through the bare branches;

~ Our wind chimes playing their soft, tinkling music in the breeze;

~ The scent of fresh grass and dirt waking from their long and frozen sleep.

Oh, and I’ve promised myself that I WILL.NOT complain about a hot summer! :)   Please hold me to that!

How ‘bout you? Are you as ready for spring and/or summer as I am? Are you dreaming in spring and summer colors yet? Are you the type who wants to be OUTSIDE every moment of summer? I kid that I’m like a little kid in the summer…I.DON’T.WANT.TO.COME.INSIDE!!!

Oh, and I’ve often wondered if my love for summer has anything to do with the fact that I was born in August. What do you think? Do you love the season in which you were born more than the others?

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From my nest to yours~

Zuni

A Summer Rain—from the Porch

On a Saturday morning a couple of weeks ago we woke up to [more] rain, but it was a hard-enough-to-hear rain that makes you want to stay in bed all day and just listen to it. I admit it…I did do a little bit of that, but then I was anxious to get out to the front porch to enjoy it in a different way.

One of the good things in life is having a front porch—with a swing—and sitting on that swing, warm cup of coffee in hand, listening to the rain and watching as the drops hit the ground and make their own little splashes.

 Listen….do you hear it?! Do you hear the quiet??

 

Yes, siree! It was some awesome sort of summer rain! No thunder, no lightning, just sweet, sweet rain.

My wellies, jacket, and umbrella at the ready, in case I decide to venture out for a walk. Do you have rain boots? If you do, what do you like about them? Do you wear them often? I love mine! In fact, I find them kind of freeing—I can walk anywhere, through anything, without getting my feet or pants wet or the back of my pants splashed!

One of my favorite mugs—from Starbucks—was perfect for my morning on the porch.

And as I enjoyed the rain, I enjoyed our porch, taking the time to enjoy the little “vignettes” that are often overlooked.

This old crate that I’ve had for so long and use so often. Not a clue where/when I got it, but it sure has been enjoyed!

I’ve already mentioned this geranium this year—it’s been absolutely beautiful! It’s hard to tell in the picture, but the red is a black red; the flowers look almost like velvet. The wicker table? A fabulous auction find!

And the “painted” geranium—see how it looks like each petal has brushstrokes? Another favorite this year that I’ve mentioned before. I’m going to try to keep them over the winter in the garage. We’re in Ohio—any advice on how to do that? I would love, love, love to have these again next year.

 

 

P.S. After this sweet reprieve on our porch my husband and I ventured out in the rain—yes, I in my wellies—to a nearby town that has wonderful antique shops. Before wellies I may not have been too interested in that, but have wellies, will go out!

Are you a rain lover? Do you venture out in it? And if you own rain boots do you love them and wonder why you didn’t buy them longer ago like I do?!

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From my nest to yours~

Zuni