Today I will be sharing photos of my never before seen sleeping porch, along with some ramblings about my life. Y'all know I ramble. I don't own a cell phone and today is the first day I have plugged in my
computer in weeks. This post is a way to let folks and family know I am still
alive over here in the mountains and all is well. If you are trying
to call me..sorry- home phone currently is on "off" mode. I will resurface again at a later date.
Amazingly beautiful warm weather and pleasant gentle breezes are currently undressing the trees in the woods and on the mountains that surround my tiny farmhouse. This is my least favorite season of the year because it leaves me seriously missing my favorite summer season and many 'never hot enough' but still beautiful bright blue sky summer days. Having lived in CA for 38 years and then WA state for many more years and Alaska for three years, I would not trade one day here in the Appalachian mountains for a day back on the West coast or Alaska. However, I would pick Alaska over the previous states I lived in before NC. It's been over five years since I planted roots here in Western NC and I have not one regret. It is not the place for everyone, but for me, it is perfect. I love it here for now.
Years ago I used to yearn for a covered porch and while shopping online only for my farmhouse it was on my list of "must haves". Praise God, HE he gave me the desires of my heart. Currently, I am enjoying the solitude of my covered sleeping porch, be it in the day or the night hours of the best Fall ever. I am an introvert and a happy and content loner, so I am making the most of the beautiful, sunny, warm Fall weather and hiding out for my much needed days in solitude. I am thoroughly enjoying these warm lazy days alone (except for my fur children) on my sleeping porch, while sipping fresh mulled hot apple cider or Turmeric tea, and enjoying good eats and reads.
All through the summer months I have had a slew of friends, neighbors and acquaintances stop in to visit and often share a meal or drinks. It is just a Southern Hospitality kind of thing to do (chat and visit and entertain) and I am trying hard to get used to it and be better at it. It is not always easy to share my time or home with others as I prefer to be alone for the most part. But, I know God has something to say about this all, so... well - I try to listen and open my home and share time with others, even when it's not my first choice or always easy for me to do. I do thank God for the nice folks I have met here in the mountains and a few of them are near and dear to my heart, and they understand my need for down or alone time. To them, I say Thank You for understanding.
I have never in my life experienced feeling lonely and as every true introvert knows, spending time with folks tends to be for the most part, very draining as opposed to energizing. It's been a super busy 'get together with friends' kind of year and I am utterly exhausted and am finally taking time again for myself to honor my deep needs and desire for silence, peace, time alone and much desired privacy. This porch quite often serves as a place to hide out.
I have in the past shared many photos of my privacy fence that surrounds my deck. I had vintage wavy glass windows installed in the fence just to confuse the builder. Not really, just because I like to add a new spin here and there in my home and yard decor. Patio furniture and an umbrella table offers seating options on the uncovered deck and a comfy chalk painted chair and Ikea daybed offer covered seating.
My vintage farmhouse porch used to be a wrap around porch. I had it partitioned off to form two separate porches instead. It just works out better that way for my dogs and my desire to have a separate porch where the dogs don't fill my daybed with their hair. As it is, I pass out lint k9/hair rollers to guests like party favors.
Former yellow truck painted white and left outside to rust |
Being that an outside mattress would get moldy, stinky and attract mice on a porch, I choose to use an air mattress on the daybed. I dab or spray peppermint essential oil on the comforter to repel mice and it works really well. Y'all know I love to decorate so this wrought iron shelf works great for me to switch things out as the whim strikes me. I use lots vintage saucers and cups on the shelves and around my patio and on the fence to add pops of color. I purchased pillow covers to change out the accent pillows with the seasons. The covers don't take up much space which is super important in tiny or small homes. I store them under the daybed inside plastic bags and totes.
Vintage teacup holds faux succulent from the dollar store |
Reading nook on the covered porch. |
Vintage chicken feeder filled with faux succulents |
Faux mini pumpkins and faux succulents are a great easy care choice |
- I hope each and every reader is making time to enjoy natures Fall gifts this season. Please remember it is never to late to have a happy childhood. Make time to play.
Tonita