The Stone Rabbit

PORCH PARTY.....2011

 Rhondi of ROSE COLORED GLASSES is hosting her annual PORCH PARTY!!!

This event is one I really look forward to. . . not because I have great decor to share, but because I love to "porch hop" and see how other folks get their outdoor spaces spiffed up for warm weather enjoyment!

 

The last three years, I have shared my Patriotic Porches.   Sadly, this year. . . I have not decorated for the Fourth. . . .  yet.  I have to say, my DIL can't believe it.

 

I can't believe it.

 

That's the way I  handled decking out for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and even Easter this year, too!!!

 

I went to the effort of hauling the boxes full of decorations upstairs from the basement....only to have them remain in the exact spot until a day or two before the holiday. . . at which point I slapped the stuff out!!!!   Then, it stayed out way too long.  I would finally decide to pack it all up and take it back down to the basement. . . without really having enjoyed the decor that once made me so happy!

Is that a sign of a mental issue. . . .or am I just old and tired?  Lordy. . . .I hope it's a big fat NO on both accounts!

 

SO, I am hoping that, with Rhondi's "gentle push", I will get my self in gear and at least spiff up the porches around this joint.  Then maybe, while I'm on a roll from "porch spiffing", I'll carry that enthusiasm into the rest of my home!

 

So here we go. . . .

 

First, I'd like to share one of my most cherished possessions. . . an old mop bucket.

 

This bucket was given to us as a housewarming gift from my pal Bonnie when we moved here six years ago.   It was filled with the most gorgeous plants.  Ever since, I have enjoyed giving it a new look each summer.  

I used the word "enjoyed" to describe how I feel when I fill this container with foliage . . . and this is why. . . . 

 

it just turns out different and lovely each and every year. 

 

The above photo was taken on May 30, 2011, just before I filled it with plants.  The one below is how it looks today!!!  The plants are thriving and looking so pretty!

 

Here is a shot of our back patio.  It's kinda an "L" shape, with this area being the longest part.  

 

There are actually two big metal tables in this spot. . . with six pots of red periwinkles/vinca and the mop bucket marching down the white porch rail.

This area is not covered with a roof. . . that's still a sore spot with me.  I tried to convince my hubby and builder that we needed it covered, since it faces West.  I lost the fight.  So, it's a hard spot to enjoy in the afternoon. . .and even until the sun sets.

 

This section is the "small end of the L" and is covered by a roof.

 

The windows are  a French door  that goes into our dining room.  If you look closely, you can see our kitty, Twiggy, in the lower left window pane. . . watching me get ready for all of you guys to visit us!!!

 

This little set of table and chairs is a new addition to the patio.  I wanted something smaller than the larger sets we had. . . just to sit at and enjoy a cup of coffee in the mornings or a little meal with the hubby in the evenings.

 

When I saw this at a recent antique show, I had to have it!!

 

My friend, Claudia, was selling it at the Greenwood (Missouri) Garden Show in April!!

 

 

 

So, this little table will be the spot where you and I can visit when you come by during the Porch Party!!!

It'll be a cozy little place. . .and it's covered by the roof!!

 

I decided to add a vintage black and white table cloth, an old berry box, some mini-carnations and a bandana. . . 

 

along with some wonderful old silverplate I recently picked up at a flea market. 

 

With napkins, small plates and a sweet patriotic candle (given to me from my buddy Patty), I'm almost ready for your visit!

 

But, I needed a "theme".

 

So, because it's Summertime. . . and because I'm nuts about watermelons. . .

guess what YOU'RE gonna get to eat today?  

 

Yep, some awesome and juicy and sweet and delicious watermelon!!

 

Of course, I can't stop at one item to serve you. . . no way!!

 

I came up with these terrific angel food cake watermelon goodies, too!!

 

 

Just like the rest of you, I've been super duper busy lately and didn't have time to create some grand little treat, so I picked up little prebaked "loaf" pans of angel food cakes at our store.

 

 

Next I cut them up and "shaped" the pieces to sorta resemble watermelon slices (ya gotta use your imagination here!)  :)

 

Next, I grabbed some pre-made white frosting and some food colors. . . 

 

and went to work!!!

 

First a little pinkish/red. . . then. . .

 

a bit of green around the edges!!

Finally, a few squeezes of black frosting to create the "illusion" of seeds and . . . 

we're ready for a PORCH PAR-TAY!!!!  

Look who's joined us for the fun. . . THE STONE RABBIT!!!!    He's been looking forward to seeing you, too!!

 

OK. . . so just help yourself while I go inside and fix us an extra special liquid refreshment!!!

 

 

I know this will be  a big hit at the Porch Party. . . WATERMELON MARGARITAS!!!

 

 

Here you go!!!  

 

Now, if you like, we can leave the tequila out, but I have to say "WHY"?   :)

 

 

It was so nice of you to visit today!

While you're here . . .

let's concentrate on relaxing and enjoying our time together. . .

taking in the scent of the fresh basil and . . .

 

mint . . . and . . .

 

while watching another batch of storm clouds roll in. 

 

 

Of course, we'll have to toast to another GREAT PORCH PARTY!!!

 


 

Thank you, Rhondi, for hosting this great event!!!

 

Please visit her blog, ROSE COLORED GLASSES, for a grand tour of terrific summer porches and patios!

 

Have fun!!

 

Dana

 

A SUMMER PROJECT

In May of 2008, Bonnie and I visited Liberty, Missouri, for a wonderful sale that was being held around the town square.   To read the post about that adventure, please click HERE!!!

Pictured in the photo below is one of the items I bought that day.  A talented couple combined vintage finds to make the most wonderful bird feeders and planters.

I kept this find on a back patio. . . with a potted plant in it. . . for the last two summers.  However, this year, I decided I would like to have it in another location, with flowers actually planted in the old enamel pan.

Since there were no drain holes in the bottom of the pan, I scrounged around in my husband's stash of tools and came up with an object that looked like it was capable of withstanding the blows of a small sledge hammer. . . and hopefully, it would be able to punch through the metal!! 

It worked!!

After successfully beating five nice sized holes in the pan. . .
 

I added some pea gravel for drainage  and some dirt (didn't get a photo of that step for some reason) and then . . .

some yellow Rose Moss I found on sale!! 

A friend gave me this old tea kettle some time ago.  I believe Lynne ,of LYNNE'S GIFTS FROM THE HEART, shared how she had filled such an object with Rose Moss.  It reminded me of how my mother always had that plant growing in various containers.    I stuck one little left over red begonia in it, too!!!

This is how the two projects looked this morning, exactly three weeks after I planted them!!  The moss has really filled in and it puts out gorgeous blooms each and every day!

THE STONE RABBIT has really enjoyed our new planting addition.  He loves to hop out there in the mornings, when it's shady, and take in the beauty and peace of a new summer day!

 

Before long, however, the sun comes over the roof of the house and spills on to the Rose Moss. . . making the shady spot disappear and causing those yellow blooms to spring forth even more!   Rose Moss loves the sun!!!

THE STONE RABBIT, on the other hand, goes in search of more shade.  He's not a real sun lover in his old age!

DANA

IT'S HOT!!!!!

As I typed this post, the  news was reporting it to be 91 in Kansas City!  It's Summer all right! 

Our front porch faces East, so in the morning, it's not the place to be.  However, our "L" shaped patio in the back of the house faces West and early in the day, it's very shady. . . even on the long portion of the patio that is not covered by a roof.

Here is the uncovered stretch of our patio at about 7:30 this morning. . . still pretty pleasant out there, even though the temps were rapidly rising!

By 9:30, the sun was now hitting the corner area.  We were getting a nice breeze then, so it was still very nice to be out there.

Around 11:00. . . it was definitely starting to heat up.  I had even placed a jar of water and Chamomile tea bags in that sunny spot to let Mother Nature brew up some sun tea to enjoy later in the day!
 

By 12:15 p.m., the sun was stretching over more and more of the area that was once shady!  When it reaches this point, sitting at that table isn't too much fun- - -unless you have your feet in a pan of ice water, then it's bearable. . . for a while!

HOWEVER, yesterday I FINALLY broke down and purchased an . . .
 

UMBRELLA!!! 

We've lived here five years. . . and I just now got an umbrella! 

All I can say is. . .
 

WHY did I wait so long?  Look at that great shade the umbrella creates!

It's so nice to increase the amount of time shade is on our patio ! In fact, THE STONE RABBIT and I had our first lunch beneath the umbrella today.  While enjoying the newly shaded area of our outdoor space, we dined on watermelon  and tuna salad and sipped icy tea from the MIZZOU Tervis Tumbler! 

What a Summertime treat!
 

Hmmmm. . . right now, that "sun tea" looks more like "sun pee",  but I'm certain it will taste great  later on today. . .after THE STONE RABBIT and I take our nap.  

The heat makes us SOOOOOO sleepy!!  :)
 

DANA

PORCH PARTY 2010

Well, HELLOOOOO!  THE STONE RABBIT and I have been waiting for you!

We've been busy decorating the front porch.   There's not a whole lot that's new out here this year, but it still feels great when it's decked out for Summer!!

We did add the the white picket fence section . . . just for a little fun.  It's also a good spot to hang stuff on . . . like the wreath and the Liberty sign I stenciled on an old door panel!

 

I put together this arrangement last summer.  It's difficult to tell in the photos I took, but that black object nestled in the daisies is a crow I made.  He likes welcoming our guests!

 
 

THE STONE RABBIT is showing you our collection of  48 star flags arranged in an old flower basket.  We also have several vintage iron stars scattered about!

Even though bringing  a geranium to my house is usually the kiss of death for that plant. . . I decided to try again this summer.  So far, it's still blooming. . . and that's progress for me!

 

Probably our favorite summer time decoration is this concrete Uncle Sam!  I bought him  right after we moved into this home five years ago!  His flag has had a major work out over the last couple of weeks. . . we've had lots of storms roll through.  You can tell it was waving hard in this photo. . . another windy day!
 
 

Last summer, I found two of these great old candle holders at an antique sale.  They are on long metal poles that are pushed into the ground!  I placed them on each side of the little planted area in front of our porch!

 

We enjoy being out on our front porch on summer evenings.  These great candle holders add just a little more fun to doing just that. . . even when it's raining!

In fact, it was just one of those rainy evenings recently, that we were enjoying the beauty of our season.  When the rain ended . . .

 

we were blessed with this view from our front porch.   It started as a single rainbow that arched across the sky, then. . .

we saw the presence of a second one!   Our pictures did not come close to capturing the true beauty of this event. . . just let me say it was magnificent.   AND. . . if we'd been on our back porch. . . we would've missed the whole thing!

I know you have lots of porches to visit today, but any time you feel like coming back, please do and I hope you will stay long enough that we . . .
 

can hang out on the front porch and enjoy a summer evening together.  We'll be sure to light our candles for you, too!!!

 

NOW,  it's time to head over to  ROSE COLORED GLASSES where our terrific hostess has put together another wonderful tour of porches. . . I can hardly wait!!!

Thank you RHONDI!!!

  DANA

PORCH PARTY 2009!!

Hi!!! 

Isn't it fun checking out all of the porches today?

Thank you, Rhondi, for organizing this second annual event!!

You can tell by my sign, that the porch I want to share this year is located in the back of our home---so please follow me!! 

THE STONE RABBIT has been looking forward to our party for days!!  He pulled out his patriotic boa  just for this grand event!

I know you'll be eating lots of goodies during your porch visits today.  I have a little table all ready, too!!  I hope you'll have enough time to join me in a glass of iced tea and a patriotic cupcake!!  I actually MADE the frosting from scratch---it's butter cream.  The cake is Duncan Hines White!! :)

I folded the red bandannas in a place mat shape and used the blue ones for napkins.  I think they are great for a patriotic color touch, don't you? They're actually left from a BIG NUMBER surprise birthday party we gave for my husband a few years ago---the theme was "cowboy" for the Birthday Buckaroo!  I also have LOTS of leftover cowboy hats.  They'll probably show up on a post some day!

The little centerpiece was made by placing a garage sale silver tray atop a thrift store silver chafing dish base.  My friend Sharleen of LUTICIA CLEMENTINE'S in Independence, Missouri, taught me that great trick.  I have a variety of bases and trays in assorted sizes--all found for very little money.  They make wonderful elevated serving pieces!

On top of the tray is a great old Uncle Sam bank my friend Bonnie gave to me---and a few more yummy cupcakes!

When my friend Patty showed me the great daisy arrangement Susan of BETWEEN NAPS ON THE FRONT  PORCH created, I knew I had to give it a try.  Afterall--I had purchased a very similar basket a long time ago from a friend at her shop.   THEN when I saw how great Pat's (BACK PORCH MUSINGS--see link below)  lovely daisy arrangement looked on her patio, I was convinced I needed to attempt to make one. 

Pat, of BACK PORCH MUSINGS, also shared how she uses old shutters on her porch, so I decided to drag out three that I had in the basement storage room.  I used to use them for display pieces in a couple of shops I was in.   I wish the hinges didn't jump out so much, but I really hadn't noticed them UNTIL I saw these photos!! OOOOh, the camera doesn't lie! :)   Perhaps I can "tone" them down with a bit of paint.  However, I do love how the shutters look with the basket hanging on them.  Isn't it wonderful how other bloggers inspire us to try new things?

The shutters are leaning on the outside fireplace wall---it juts out a bit onto the patio and makes the perfect spot for them!!

This little area is to the right side of the shutters.

Bonnie gave me the old mop bucket when we moved to this house.  She purchased it at The Bingham Waggoner Antique Sale, held here in Independence,  as a "house warming" gift.  It was filled with wonderful plants.

Each spring, I've put a variety of flowering plants in it- - - until last year when I filled it with herbs.  Some did well, some didn't.  I really wasn't impressed with the overall outcome.  This year, I put only two plants in it......a decorative grass and a Lantana.  I have fallen in love with Lantanas. . . . .they're very hard to kill and they are great bloomers.

The black pots (that look like they're on stilts!) are filled with red begonias.....another type of plant that I can keep alive.  The stands were found at a couple of flea markets.  I really need to add some vining plants to the pots---they do look strange like that!

I have six pots planted like this----they go along the railing of the patio.  I spray painted the tera cotta colored plastic pots (Dollar General) black four summers ago.  They could have used a little coat this year, but I didn't have the time, so that job will be on the list for next spring.

Since I have six of these pots, and they're fairly large, I try to come up with hardy and cheap plantings.  I have found that vinca and asparagus fern do very well in the blistering heat that occurs on this porch that faces West.   The vinca is always cheap---$1.49 for a four pack.  I put three of these plants in each pot.  The asparagus fern seems to go up each year.  Around here, it was $2.49 for a little pot.  Sooooo, when I saw hanging baskets of asparagus fern on sale at Ace Hardware for $9.00, I snatched one up!!  I was able to divide the fern so I enough to place two sprigs in each of my six pots for the back porch and still have enough to make a nice pot of fern and hanging vinca vines for the front porch.  The little plants will soon be huge and beautiful, giving us many summer days of enjoyment.

I even pulled out my patriotic buntings for you guys!!!  I hope the birds don't use them as target practice!

This little hammered aluminum chafing dish was filled with other items on my previous post!!   Now, it's holding some little summer plants----still in their little plastic containers, because I haven't finished planting stuff!!

I love this flag holder---I can see it from the dining room.

I purchased this little bird feeder at a craft sale and garden show in Liberty, Missouri, last spring.  The artist made the most unusual feeders from vintage finds.

It's holding the rest of the plants I haven't had time to plant!

The twig tree stays on this porch year round.  It has tiny white lights on it and I change the decorations seasonally.

This part of the porch is like a breeze way. The door you see goes into our bedroom and the window belongs to a small spare bedroom.  To the right are French doors that come out of the dining room onto the porch.

Along the wall, I have a rusty planter.  Right now, it's holding an old minnow bucket filled with a fern and a little tin planter that contains mint, basil and my shamrock plant from St. Patrick's Day!!

To the left of the planter is an old rusty lamp base.  I purchased it last year at The Strawberry Festival in Independence, Missouri, for $3.00.  It makes a great flag holder.

This group of plants is to the left of the shutters and to the right of the dining room door.  The small stands were purchased at a sale many years ago and were hand made.

No, the fern does not have a furry bottom.  I just stuffed coconut fibers around the pot to wedge it in the stand so it would sit straight.  It's a conversation piece. :)

It's time for THE STONE RABBIT to get out of the sun and enjoy a little treat, too!! 

He's so glad you stopped by!

I am also so happy to see you today during Rhondi's Porch Party!!!  Be certain you visit her blog,  ROSE COLORED GLASSES, for a long list of other bloggers who are waiting for you to visit them!!!

Have fun!!

DANA