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Hi there!
Welcome to the back porch at the Delightful Eclectic Abode! For me, it's all about the view. Our home backs-up to protected wetlands and we have woods, a meadow and river that run behind our house for miles in each direction.
Our porch is a work in progress. The deck is old, and 2 years ago we had a cover put over the porch with skylights.
Meet Dave, my hubby! We created all the gardens and landscaping ourselves. We installed the brick patio and path about 10 years ago.
While hubby and I were laying out the plan, I kept saying I wanted gentle curves and a meandering path. When I came back this is what I got (a straight path). I can't complain. He did a fab job for his first time installing brick pavers (and I helped)
He said it didn't make sense to have a meandering path. I learned to not complain and to improvise. See the ground cover in the distance? It sort of creates the illusion of a curving path don't you think?
New garden gate sometime later in the season. We're looking and gathering ideas. Maybe a white wrought iron gate?
We just kind of winged-it with no plan in mind. We're happy with the way it turned out. It's still a work in progress.
This is the one half of the porch.
and.....this is the other half. I love that the porch is an extension of our eat-in kitchen dining area. It's great to walk right out onto the porch. It's wonderful when it rains because I can leave the doorwall open and the kitchen doesn't get wet.
One of the best things about our porch is taking naps in this big ole comfy chair! I just close my eyes while listening to the sounds of nature.
Sometimes a soft wind gently blows my Corinthian wind chimes and it sounds heavenly. In the distance I can hear birds and the water spashing in the garden fountain.
I love to sit outside during a rain storm and stay dry and cozy.
and.....it's nice having my new potting bench with all my handy gardening tools nearby.
It's a great place to arrange freshly cut flowers from the garden.
I love our porch and there are a few changes I'd like to make but for now.....it's my favorite place to be!
Today I'm linking to Rhoda's Porch Party at Southern Hospitality! Head on over there for some great inspiration!
I'd love to hear from you so don't be shy....comments are the best gift!
Please stop back to what else might be happening at the Delight Eclectic Abode!
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Come along and join me for two separate garden tours.
The first garden belongs to a friend of mine named Jan. She lives near me and has a wonderful woodland garden. Visiting her garden feels like being at a country estate. Her home sits at the end of a quiet street with a river down below surrounded by woods.
Jan's garden is serene and zen like. We sat on her porch a spell and listened to the wind rustling the leaves and enjoyed the soft sound of wind chimes.
This little fella made a few sounds pecking on the wood.
Good thing she has hand rails to help navigate some of the steep paths.
The scent of these roses were heavenly!
Molly wants to come out and investigate.
Sweet little Lilly.
The next garden belongs to Sally. I met Sally this weekend at her garage sale. While swooning over her garden, she asked me to feel free to explore and walk around.
I gave her my blog card and asked if I could come back to take photographs. She said her garden was open and that I could come back anytime to take photos. That was very kind of her. I brought a friend of mine with me who lives just a few short blocks from her.
This is Mary Jo who will be our tour guide today.
Sally's yard is quite small but once in her garden it doesn't feel that way. Everything is layered beautifully. She tucks little things in between plants so there is always something interesting to discover.
She has lovely paths.
She even made her garage part of the garden!
Both gardens are absolutely gorgeous!! One is surrounded by meadows and forest, the other garden is on a small little plot of land. Both are simply delightful!
Come on back for more garden photos and garden tours. I'll be featuring lots of gardens this summer!
I would love to hear from you!
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Update! Thank you so much Rhoda for featuring my $8.00 table. Now I just have to decide what color to paint it.
If you're visiting here for the first time, I hope you'll come back for a visit please don't be shy and leave a comment. I could use a few new followers too (hint, hint) :)
If you haven't visited Rhoda from Southern Hospitality, please do because you won't be disappointed!
Here is the originial posting about my garage sale adventure:
Today was a beautiful balmy, sunny day with temps in the 70's. A perfect day for hitting a neighborhood garage sale! I've always enjoyed thrifting but now it's even more fun since I started painting and fixing things up. Annie Sloan paint here I come!
Hi there! Today I'm partying at Southern Hospitality for Today's Thrifty Treasures. I've got a few things to show you because I scored big time!
The sale was in a classic historic neighborhood called Normal Park, Ypsilanti near Eastern Michigan University. It's a lovely well-kept neighborhood with mature trees, lovely gardens and various styles of architecture ranging from the late 1800's to the 1940's. I adore neighborhoods where all the homes are different.
Too bad I left my camera at home, but I needed both hands to carry all the loot! Hubby was hesitant to come with me today, but he had a blast too and even found a few things for himself.
Look what we found!
A classic Sunbeam Mixmaster from 1948! It isn't in perfect condition, but isn't that what we all love about vintage? The best part....it works and only cost $3.00!
Dave got a little irritated because I asked the woman to plug it in so I could see if it worked. He told me for $3.00 who cares if it works. It matters to me! What good is something if it doesn't work?
Here are some of the other items we scored. Let me tell you, I AM addicted to garage sales.
Soon I'll need a storage shed NOT!
Next up......ta da!
A nice little bookcase for $5.00. Can you guess where this might go?
Yep! All this stuff will go and the bookcase will go on top of this table.
UPDATE!! Here sits the little bookcase. I think it looks more like a potting bench now. Who knows, I may repaint another layer of paint and age both a bit. I'm sure I'll try a few different looks until I get it just right.
Look what is written on the back. Wondering who Caroline was and if she loved this bookcase as much as I will? My promise to you Caroline.....I will cherish this and make her even prettier and pass it on one one day to someone else who will care for it too.
Next up.....
Love the legs on this table, cost $8.00.
The poor woman who was handling the money at this sale was confused. I think she may have dementia. I handed her $20.00 and she gave me $34.00 back. When I pointed it out to her, she got even more confused. It's so sad to see that confused look.
My mom had Alzheimers disease.
This is the cutest! It reminds me of one of those warming dishes for breakfast when you stay at a fancy hotel. The cost, $1.00. On the back it says "Golden Maize" made for Farberware by the Sebring Pottery Co. Sebring, Ohio. It even has the patent number on the back of the plate. It's so pretty and it's in great condition!
Wonder what Kelly from Eclectically Vintage will think about this for a gazing ball? I'll go over and ask her!
This kind of looks like a cherub waiter don't you think?
This one's for you Kelly. If you haven't visited Eclectically Vintage, pop on over there and take a look at her blog. She is one talented lady and very friendly and welcoming too!
We also stopped in a neighborhood called Old Rosedale Gardens in Livonia, MI and bought a couple of small things. The best part about this neighborhood? I met a couple of gardeners with amazing gardens. They invited me to come back and take photos.
A peek at some blooms from The Delightful Eclectic Abode garden.
Off to bed soon so I can enter dreamland and process what to do with all the loot from the garage sale!
Hope you're having a good weekend. What are your plans? Any new projects or are you chilling and enjoying your back yards?
Ya'll come back now to see what's happening at the Delightful Eclectic Abode.
I'd love to hear from you.
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