I've blogged about my porch a lot because it's my sanctuary and it's a source of pride for me! :) We are lucky in this rental, the master bedroom has a balcony off one side. It's not very big, but a few years back, Alex started to make it HIS sanctuary. He screened it in and put up his hammocks...made it into a kind of nautical decor too. This is one end of it. We actually got that hammock at a thrift shop for less than a dollar, it's priceless! We both can fit on it and in the summer, it's just wonderfully romantic with the candles lit and the frogs chirping! :)
This is the other side, we have a small bar outside too so we can have a drink if we want to. I don't know that we'll be this lucky with the place we buy in a few years, but the notion of us each having a screened in area of our own (and to share!) is something we want! To differentiate, we call mine the porch and his the veranda.
I think that it's nice that we each have our own space to enjoy the outdoors, bug-free. We love spending time together, but alone-time is very healthy too and we both appreciate it. It works. Today it's so hot out and Alex is up on his hammock reading a book and I'm here on my porch with the dogs catching up on blogs and recipes!
The only drawback to his veranda is that it's in the front of the house and it's a bit less private than my porch. So yesterday we put up some sheer curtains and it gives the area so much more privacy! He'd also built a fold-able table so we could have meals together up there. The spaces here aren't very big, but we're making the best of them! Last night for dinner we ate on the veranda. :) We made Brie and ham sandwiches on ciabatta bread with fries and herbal iced tea. During the week, it's quiet after 6pm in this village so we like to take advantage. It was so relaxing having dinner, listening to the birds and watching the sun set. No technology needed! :)
Our "candle" area really is a cat shelf!!! Oscar and Leo LOVE being on the veranda. As I took this photo, they were eyeing our sandwiches. Our cats are house cats, we are just too paranoid about the dangers outside for them, so they spend most of their summers out here enjoying the "outdoors inside"!
It's a hot summer day here in the Laurentian mountains and I'm happy as a clam! We will try to do a little fishing this evening if we're not too tired. We're going to have another Cobb salad tonight with fresh lettuce. I'm also going to pick some spinach. I think that the radish is ready, so we'll try that too. I'm LOVING my garden and the beautiful summer weather! I am sending out all sorts of positive happy energy to everyone reading this!!!
PS: Black fly bite count: 16 and ITCHY!!!!
PPS: The car's alternator is shot...sigh...when it financially rains, it pours...now only if it would reverse and money would rain down ON ME for a change!!! What can you do? That's what emergency funds are for!!! But do you ever feel like you just can't catch up?
PPS: The car's alternator is shot...sigh...when it financially rains, it pours...now only if it would reverse and money would rain down ON ME for a change!!! What can you do? That's what emergency funds are for!!! But do you ever feel like you just can't catch up?
I like the hammock, you could play pirates ship in that space. :-)
ReplyDeleteBug free is really good!
Well, aren't you just all hygge! I love seeing and hearing about all you do to make your home with Alex so cozy, relaxing and chock full of feel goods. You set a great example for me to follow. I know it's not all a bed (or hammock) of roses (automotive problems - ugh)) but there truly are so many little things I can still do (as you do so well!) to bring more of a hyggeligt atmosphere into our home sanctuary.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I got three black fly bites on my underarm, above my elbow four days ago and they STILL itch and the tissue is a swollen lump about 2" x 5". They truly are devils from h-e-double stick!
Thanks Gill! It's a nice little space and when the wind blows and the hammock and lanterns start to rock a little, it really does feel like a ship's hull! :) Bug-free is the only way to go...
ReplyDeleteHi Mama Pea! :) You're so right, it's hygge-licious! :))) After I read that book, the one we both have, I realized I was doing lots of cozy stuff...but you're right, there are so many little things we can keep doing.
ReplyDeleteOmgosh, those black fly bites...I have some from a few weeks ago and they still itch. I'm guilty of scratching them to bits and they last longer though. I got 2 just under my chin above my collar bone...yeegods what do they want with that area? No meat! lol...I think Alex got nearly a dozen tonight after we ventured out fishing...we didn't want to put the DEET on, figured the wind would help out, but those little buggers were hungry.
Rain, do you have plantain in your area? You can grind it up and make a poultice for bug bites. You can also make ice cubes with by grinding it up and freezing with aloe, and rub those on, or even grind up chickweed. I love my porch too, and it faces the highway, but I still love it. We'll be dolling it up today for the upcoming party. I am freezing radishes today. I hope you enjoy yours too.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristina! No, I've never seen plantain up north here, I used to see it when I lived in Montreal. I'm actually considering getting an aloe plant if I can find one. We do have aloe gel that I've been applying, but those bites seem to take months to disappear on me...likely because I scratch them...I hope you have a nice time and everyone enjoys the party!
ReplyDeleteoh god...bug bites! i couldn't live where there are black flies. i am so allergic to any kind of bite. i got two mosquito bites 3 weeks ago and i am still itchy from them. i love the porch and veranda and the cats look so cute laying out there!
ReplyDeleteBlack flies (and all annoying, bitey-types of insect) are the bane of my outside existence. I love how you have made your special spaces - hygge, indeed! Isn't eating your own lettuce the BEST? I am working my way through mine and am thinking about putting in a second planting - I have volunteer mustard popping up around the raised beds, too. I love volunteers! I have a feeling that, wherever you and Alex land, you will make it incredibly special.
ReplyDeleteLove the veranda and the fact that you can eat outside without being eaten alive. Black fly count 1600 and just accepting the itch as part of me ... hahaha i am sitting in my backyard, with my three !!!! Goats , my kids and annoying flies ... at least they dont bite. Its too hot for blackflies today
ReplyDeleteRain - we're like you in that we love together time (in the hottub, sitting in our comfy chairs in the morning discussing what jobs are to be done that day, watching movies, etc.) but we also need alone time. for jam - that's when he goes fishing. i like to go on our canoe and boat rides, but i let him fish in private or i suntan at the river and he goes out fishing. we also split up our jobs in that some jobs we do together, some jobs we do apart.
ReplyDeletethat veranda and your porch are both gorgeous areas and i am glad that you each have a place of your own.
re-read my email, ok?
sending much love to you all! your friend,
kymber
What a lovely spot to relax!
ReplyDeleteThose are two happy looking cats!
ReplyDeleteThe Veranda appears to be the location for some fine relaxing and thinking.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah....not being able to 'catch up'...I think that started when I was about 5! LOL! You are so right about individual spaces...everyone needs them! Dinner looks good and I love both your porch and Alex's veranda! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Joyce :) The cats love the veranda because they aren't allowed outside but they still get to see everything and every smell out there!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan :)) I am enjoying the lettuce. I did a second planter but I will do a few more when I get the containers tomorrow. It goes fast! I try really hard to make things cozy since we don't have 100% control over what we can do, being a rental. I always try to work with what I have!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh Nik, I think I should give in too. Black fly bites are just a part of my complexion now. I just rubbed a paste of baking soda and a little water on my bigger bites and it SEEMS to have taken the itch away for now! I hope it works long term. I got two bites on my temple and I don't want scars from mindless scratching! I have to check out your blog to see your new babies! :))
ReplyDeleteHaha...ya I look like I have chicken pocks or something. Blackflies and mosquitos are bot even really bad here. Noseeums or Sandflies are the worst. And they itch the worst. U wanna scratch right down to the bown...lol
DeleteThanks Kymber :)) I can't wait to be in a more private setting and have our porch and verandas there! One of our neighbours likes to listen to country music blasting from her car while she's on her porch suntanning....duh....grrrr....crazy lady. Anyway, we are making the best of this situation until we are able to get to a better one!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Debra! :) They are very happy! :)
ReplyDeleteHi TB :) Yes, it's a good area to relax and think. I think that a lot of thinking happens when we are both in our own cozy spaces.
ReplyDeleteLol Sam, I know the feeling! I can't catch up and figure I never will so I'll just roll with it! :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE that last photo! And I love that you have been able to create some nice little spots in your house for personal reprieve. The sheer curtains are a brilliant move. Well done.
ReplyDeleteVery cosy space!!! One needs a sheltered screened in place anywhere in Canada to get away from the biting bugs!
ReplyDeleteJust catching up after a typical whirlwind weekend...
Unless you are incredibly lucky I think most people live with some sort of debt...its inevitable in this day and age. And sadly cars are one of the biggest expenses we will take on...that and a house! Just keep smiling! :)
Off to read the rest of the weekends blogs!
I love your outdoor porches!
ReplyDeleteI wish mine was enclosed at the moment. So many mosquitoes this year!
But I had a new floor put in the wee cabin instead! It had a 30+ year old orange carpet which had to go ;-)
Screen in the porch next year? I say that every year.
Hi Rain, I enjoyed your pictures a lot. Both areas look very soothing. I agree, alone time is very important. When at my remote cabin, I feel much more relaxed with only Nature and the natural sounds of various wildlife. I'm also glad we don't have Black flies.
ReplyDeleteHi Sis :) I feel the same way...chicken pox but they're bigger spots and ITCHIER. We don't have sandflies, I don't think I could take another variety of biting bugs!!
ReplyDeleteHi Leigh :) Thank you! I'm a big fan of sheers. I never feel comfy if I know anyone can see inside my home! The sheers are great, we can spy on the neighbours and they don't know ha ha! :) Great hobby when we're bored, lol!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dianna! :) I think that (besides childhood), the only time I was out of debt was in 2012 when I had finally paid back my car and my one credit card. It was blissful, but not realistic. I think debt is just a part of life, so I'm okay with it. The alternator was $445 but the car is humming beautifully now! We're broke but happy and safe! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Tammie Lee :) I agree that 30+ orange carpet should have to go lol...though I do love orange. I hope you get to screen your porch in, I'm sure in your woods you have lots of biters.
ReplyDeleteHi John :)) Thank you! I'm so envious of your alone time, that's actually a setting where Alex and I will be likely moving permanently in a few years. He said he wants to live somewhere, where we have to canoe in to get home. I doubt we'll be that lucky, but we want to be quite remote and away from society! I can't believe you don't have black flies there, how wonderful!!
ReplyDelete