06/03/2021
It never really feels like summer is here, until the sunroom porch is cleaned, de-bugged, bedding changed and "opened".
Sunroom is a generous name. Let's face it, this room is basically a glorified mudroom. It's a 30 year old aluminum add-on to the back of our house. It's a little wonky, the windows don't open and close easily, and it's comfortable to use for only about half of the year. But I love it.
The "tree" outside of the porch window is a huge, old crepe myrtle, holding bird feeders of all sorts, including suet and hummingbird. And also, corn for the crazy squirrels.
It's fascinating to lay on the bed and watch the constant stream of bird activity, coming and going. Just a little further out in the yard, my husband makes sure the bird bath is always full. It's a dine -n- bathe opportunity.
I take advantage of the wonderful finds at the local thrift shops to dress the porch. I picked up the bed throw last year at Goodwill, along with several of the pillow cases and the table coverings. The salmon colored tablecloth is vintage- I remember my Grandma having a blue one in the same style, in her breakfast room for years. The table topper is a folded cotton shower curtain that seems to go beautifully with the bed throw. I made the "curtains" last year, using a super inexpensive, unbleached cotton. I used my Hobby Lobby coupon and bought several yards, cutting it with pinking shears and hot gluing a floral trim to the top. I usually use them for a few years, and wash them once a year. It's a super inexpensive way to soften the wall of windows.
I don't have a green thumb, but I'm trying. Most of my plants were found in the clearance section of Lowes, when they were on their last legs. It's a learning process, but so fun and rewarding, figuring out where each one grows best. They all winter in a sunny bedroom, and live happily in the summer and fall on the porch. They'll all be re-potted and fed soon.
Of course, my faithful fluffy buddies are almost always with me, so of course they enjoy the porch, too. Mazie and Floki change it up, laying on the floor to see when the neighbor dogs come out, so they can go out and bark like fools. But they also enjoy a nap on the daybed, as much as the humans in the house. And who can blame them?!
