Chickadee Home Nest: summer

Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts

Saturday, March 7, 2015

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!).

DSCN4130 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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Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!

NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

Sunday Blog Hop at http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/

Sundae Scoop at http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

Monday Show and Share at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Inspire Me Monday at http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Monday’s Blue Monday at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

Market Yourself Monday at http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

Monday Just Something I Whipped Up at http://www.thegirlcreative.com/

CraftOManiac Monday at http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/

Mondays Something to Talk About at http://www.karensuponthehill.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Tuesday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,

Tuesday’s Simply Klassics at http://www.simplyklassichome.com/

Too Cute Tuesday at http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/

Wednesday at Tea Rose Home at http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/

Wednesday’s Hoo’s Got Talent at http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/

Centerpiece Wednesday at http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

DIY Design Wednesdays at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com\

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Thursday Your Turn to Shine at http://blesserhouse.blogspot.com/

Share Your Style Thursday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Fresh-Cut Fridays at http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com

Fridays at The Thrifty Groove at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Friday Tatertots and Jello at http://tatertotsandjello.com

Friday Bacon Time’s party at http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com

Fridays at Bloom Designs Online at http://bloomdesignsonline.com

Friday at Shine on Fridays,

Fridays at Stuff and Nonsense,

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Friday Favs at http://www.naptimecrafters.com

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturday Strut Your Stuff at http://www.sixsistersstuff.com

Spotlight Saturday at http://www.classyclutter.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Gone to the Birds--The Screened Porch is Ready for Summer

Technorati Tags: chickadee,screened porch,url,search engine,previous post,hyperlink,decorating,home decor,summer,bird houses,tole tray,marjolein bastin,watering can

Planting flowers certainly make me feel ready for summer, but we’re not really ready for summer at our house until the screened porch is hosed down, everything is dusted and cleaned, and our wrought iron shelf is accessorized. What activities are must-do on your list to feel ready for summer? Mulching? Painting a fence or other garden accessories? Getting the grill ready?
This year (well, for now anyway), the shelf ended up with a bird/birdhouse theme:

We bought this shelf several years ago at a wonderful antique shop near our home. We thought it was a “keeper” that would work no matter where we lived (even Florida!), and though we haven’t moved, it’s still a keeper. For one thing, I love wrought iron. I love its filigree designs that contrasts with its rusty spots and the strength it conveys.

Birds/birdhouses and shells…some of my favorite things. The shell houses were a bday present from my coworkers years ago. They made them for me, and they’ve held up really well!

This chicken-wire cloche was a purchase late last year from Bombay (see my Bombay Company post here), and I’ve already used it several times for various vignettes. Good purchase. Love it.

The lighthouse candleholder? Another nod to beach and shells. I suspect there will be a switch mid-summer to a more beachy theme.

This tray is not tole, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT. It’s so sweet, and so detailed.

I have a “thing” about houses…well homes. Log homes, bungalows, doll houses, decorative houses, bird houses, beach houses, farm houses, big houses/little houses, twig houses,… I bought this one years ago, and I’ve used it in a million different ways.

Now, THIS ONE…this tray IS a tole tray…the hand painting is exquisite. A gift from my mother several years ago.

I’ve had the blue enamel spatterware coffeepot for many years, but I don’t remember if I bought it new, or if it’s old. That’s okay; I’m not planning on making money off of it. :) It’s the perfect watering can!

According to eBay posts, the “object” on the right is a minnow bucket… :) (I knew it had to do with fishing…as in holding the fish once caught, I thought—quite the fishing expert I am). All I know is that I like it, and it was my husband’s grandfather’s, and so it holds a place of honor where we can enjoy it.

Ahhh…how I love this timeworn watering can—it was a bday present to me from our youngest son. It has a lovely, now-faded Marjolein Bastin (what else?) CHICKADEE decal. How sweet is that? This gift came loooonnnnnnnnnnggg before our own little chickadee came along.

Another corner of the porch also has gone to the birds! The birdcage is the one we used for our son’s wedding back in November as a card holder. Now, it’s put to another good use to bring back happy memories.

The plants in it are an Italian parsley plant that’s perfect for stepping right out onto the porch to snip a bit for dinner, a miniature African violet, and of course, a CHICKADEE. A chubby robin sits nearby, keeping company to the many that hop around our yard.