My life is to make everything around me beautiful.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

The Front Porch



The front porch is an American "invention" or idea. I don't think it is established anywhere else in the world, but certainly started and adapted to the American way of life.

I think most of us think of the front porch pretty much like the one in the picture above - cozy, lots of wicker or wrought iron with cushions or, at least, comfy furniture. Sipping a glass of lemonade on a hot summer afternoon. Maybe sandwiches or cookies on a plate. Then we'd certainly have the requisite flowers adorning the area. Perhaps geraniums, wisteria, climbing roses. Most likely there would be white posts and columns with a colored ceiling or floor. Maybe your dog or cat lazing around. Aaaaah, I can picture it now. Pillows and throws on chairs or settees along with a favorite book. If you're very lucky you'd have a porch swing to rock back and forth on while lazing on during this warm afternoon.

Front porches can be different things to different people, but to all of us it is just a nostalgic part of our
lives growning up . Mine now happens to have a concrete floor but I do have railings and a beautiful birdhouse chime hanging out there. I have a red wood bench that will probably get another coat of paint soon - maybe white. I have 2 adirondack chairs, an outdoor rug and some pictures hanging on a wall. There are a couple of urns filled with (oh, horrors!) silk hydrangeas in them. (That way they can stay out all year round and still add a bit of color in this dry and cold climate in the winter desert.) I even have a little plaque hanging on the wall out there that says "I only count the sunny days." All in all, it is a peaceful area and a reminder of the great American invention called "The Front Porch."

It also "calls" to passersby who wave and say "hi" to us when we are out there. The front porch seems to have gone the way of the dinosaur in some areas but I believe it is coming back. That way perhaps it'll bring a little graciousness and civility into our lives once more as families and friends and soon-to-be-friends congregate there.

Happy Front Porching!! :-)

5 comments:

  1. Aww Connie, I LOVE THIS! (You KNEW I would!) What a wonderful treat for us all. Thank you for doing this.

    Porches are just one of my fave things. I can prove it too! I just finished a blog post that has a photo of a porch decorated with a live goat! I purposely put the photo last on the blog... cuz I wanted it to linger in folk's minds. Can't imagine a goat being decorative? How about a donkey named, ahem, Jack? You gotta see it to appreciate it.

    I will be back over and over to see your next treat for us.
    Devonia

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  2. hi there! i love your blog!!! Your background page is just gorgeous too!!!!! Talkto ya soon!
    suzanne

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  3. Love all the pretty pics you are posting. Wow on that PINK House! The sitting area in that bedroom really does it for me!

    I just love front porches ~ and am ga-ga over wrap around porches. Maybe someday.....sigh.

    Big Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  4. Oh Connie, you KNOW how much I love porches! This one is fabulous and very welcoming. Thanks for sharing.

    Bertie
    Aunt May's Cottage

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  5. Connie, I love this post and the picture! I have always wanted an old house with a wrap around porch! I have a porch all along the front of my porch and I love sitting out there and watching the boys play. And it is so fun to decorate it for the seasons. It really is like another room in the warmer months!

    hugs,
    Amy

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