Thursday, August 27, 2009

I Love My Screened-In Porch!

the porch

a view from the porch

Of all the spaces and places in my house, the screened-in porch is my favorite. From my kitchen, the room where it seems most of my time is spent, I can take a break and step out onto the porch to experience the peace of the birds flying from tree to tree, the heat from the sun, the flittering of butterflies, and the sight of tall, luscious green trees with a perfect cloudy blue sky as a backdrop.

During the five or six months of warm weather and sunshine, I sit on the porch as much as possible; only my busy life prevents me from being there more.

Reading on the porch is very relaxing. I pull out the leg rest from under the chair, position a pillow at just the right spot behind my back, give the dog a chew toy or bone, and then attempt to get totally absorbed in a book. This works well when it’s just the dog and me. During the summer, that’s not often. The girls always have a reason to interrupt – but they’re okay – as long as I don’t have to listen to any whining. Sometimes, one of them may get a book and join me. They, too, are part of the complete picture.

In addition to good reading time, my other reasons for loving the porch:

---Lunch or dinner on the porch is like being at an outdoor cafĂ©. Sometimes I’m joined by one of the kids or my husband or all of them.
---Conversations with my husband are always good when we’re sitting on the porch.
---The sofa on the porch has provided me with some of my best Sunday afternoon naps – the kind that don’t give me a headache as I’m waking up.
---Talking on the phone is more fun on the porch. There are no dishes staring at me waiting to be washed, or any other domestic chore. I laugh a lot during these conversations.
---It's a great place to have a morning cup of tea while listening to sounds of nature.
---During a summer storm, I stand on the porch a minute or two listening to hard, pouring rain – until the lightening sends me in.

I haven’t always had a screened-in porch. As a teen, my equivalent was a roof covered porch on the front of the house. After waking up on a “don’t have to be anywhere day,” I’d go outside to the porch into the slight coolness of the morning to “wake up my face.” My mother would say, “Wait until you get my age – you won’t be able to wait for your face to wake up. You’ll have to PUT it into place!”

Throughout the years, a porch of some sort has been a must. Before I moved into a tenth floor apartment in 1984, I had to check out the balcony to make sure I’d have my serene, outdoor space, even if it was overlooking the parking lot, accompanied by the sounds of traffic on I-395. I still got my “fresh” air!

It’s nice to have a place (or two) in your home to veg out.

Where is your special place?

14 comments:

Jessica L. Brooks (coffeelvnmom) said...

wow that's beautiful! I don't really have a favorite place...though I do retreat to the backyard quite a bit just for the silence but it's not for the view!

Anita said...

COFFEELVNMOM, I just came in from the porch after having a cup of tea. Now I'm stopping to blog. I really don't want to tackle my list of things to do, but I will.
After seeing the "coffee" in your name, I added my "tea" respite to my list of reasons to love the porch.
I think your backyard IS your "place." Let's give SILENCE its due!
Enjoyed hearing from you!

Cynthia Wilson James said...

This is beautiful...so peaceful. Reminds me of growing up in the country. Thanks for sharing!

Anita said...

IN SEASON MOM, Glad I could bring back good memories. Hope you can find time to make lots of new memories with your husband and girls, or by yourself!
Great to hear from you!

Unknown said...

I would love to have a covered porch but then again, here in the desert, it's a bit too hot right now to enjoy it. In the meantime, I like enjoying some peace walking the walking trail or playing the piano or drawing and painting with music going.

Thanks for visiting my blog! I'm now following you!

Bernie said...

I always go outside and walk across the street where there is an open space to the sky. I wish upon the first star, usually something that is a problem for one of my children and then I walk to the corner and back and go up to bed. So I too love my fresh air fix.

Also you beat me by one year in having your last baby. I had mine at 41.

Anita said...

CHOCOLATE, I enjoy walking and playing the piano too. I talked a little about how I learned to play in my 5/1/09 post. Although, I am very much a novice, it is a great stress reliever.
One of my daughters loves art; maybe her interest will rub off on me.

Anita said...

BERNIE, Isn't the night time sky beautiful! I was at a football game last night and watched it turn midnight blue(the color in my crayola crayon box when I was growing up) and then to black.
And...here's to having kids over 40 and to staying young with them!

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Anita,

I've been traveling and using an odd computer here and there. Thank you for visiting my blog. You are appreciated. I will catch up to you much better when I return home.

I love your porch!

Anita said...

Hello Midlife Jobhunter, good to hear from you. Enjoy the rest of your travels!

millie garfield said...

Thanks for dropping by my place!

I would love to spend time on your porch - it looks so inviting.

I have a balcony with a great view but the problem is, the sun shows up in the afternoon and it can be very hot out there.

In the morning when it's cool out there, I have things to do.

Late afternoon is my time to have a cool drink or make some phone calls. Nice. ;-)

Anita said...

MILLIE, my instincts tell me you're living a good life. Enjoy your beverage on the balcony today, tomorrow, the day after...

the mom said...

Your house seems lovely! I love wooden floors. I also see you've got some Swedish design in your screened in porch ;•D
The green outside is a dream, is it all your garden?
Our house is not that nice, we're renting. But the fireplace is great!

Anita said...

THE MOM, thank you for the compliments on my porch and yard. We live in a house that most people would consider large. When we first moved in, it felt strange, but I have learned to love it, but not necessarily for its size. Mostly, because it's a nice surburban neighborhood with good neighbors, and because of the porch, the garden/yard, and the way that the sun comes into the windows. It's comfortable.
Do you live in a surburban area or in an urban area with shops, traffic, etc.? I still like the city, but I've not settled into surburban living. :)