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
Gosh Dana, your patio was super nice before the umbrella and wow, how cool (literally) is it to be out there now!!!! I am intrigued by your sun tea .... I am bad and use the store bought mix. I know, you can yell at me. :0) I'd love to make a great tasting tea by hand but none seem to taste good to me. Need a good recipe. The umbrella is a life saver...we have to have one or else the deck would be unusable until 4 pm.
Posted by: Jillian (Jill) | June 23, 2010 at 05:35 PM
Love the umbrella...sure makes life perfect.... now if it would just cool down a little now...Pay H
Posted by: Pat H | June 23, 2010 at 08:05 PM
Oh girl why DID you wait so long to get that umbrella? Isn't it WONDERFUL to have that shade?!?! It is time for us to get another one. I actually found a really, REALLY cheap one at a store kind of like a Big Lot* several years ago. We have a long, covered back patio so we keep ours up on the pool deck and usually have it shading parts of the pool, so we can stay out of the sun even while lounging around in the pool.
You will certainly enjoy that space much longer now. I haven't made "sun" tea in so long. I need to do that!
Posted by: Darlene | June 23, 2010 at 08:20 PM
I will be right over Dana!!
xoxo
Kay Ellen
Posted by: kayellen | June 23, 2010 at 09:12 PM
Hi Dana!
You don't have a link back to your email and couldn't find you to add to the blog list. It finally dawned on me to maybe check typepad and here you are. YAY!
When you are giving out your blog address, you need to say "The stone rabbit in typepad." :) Otherwise, we might not find you!
BUT I DID! SO YAY! And you are in the sorority - can you get the rush project done by tomorrow? I'll put you on the list, but if you can't get it done let me know. It'll be fine.
WELCOME! See you tomorrow!
Karen ~ Some days are diamonds
I wish I could help you with the button, but I don't know how typepad works. Who helped you with the first one? We'll find someone who can help you!!!
Posted by: Karen DeCapite | June 23, 2010 at 09:58 PM
Oh gosh, I'm cracking up over your sun "pee"! What a lovely patio, and I'm so glad you got the umbrella so you can have more shade. Your lunch looks delicious! I have a deck, but can't use it. The joys of apartment living!! (not!) There are new neighbors and since the apartments are smoke free, inside, they sit outside right below my deck and smoke! Ugh! If I beat them up, very, very early, then I can sit out, but otherwise it's a bust.
I replied to your last comment on my blog, don't miss it. ♥
Posted by: Betty Jo | June 24, 2010 at 07:31 AM
Dana, we have lived in our place 10 years now and I have yet to get an umbrella for the patio table. It's a priority for me this summer but I am so cheap (I mean frugal) I am waiting to find one at the yard sales. :) xo
Posted by: Lynn @theVintageNest | June 24, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Your patio is wonderful...even an umbrella, out here in West Texas, isn't enuf to allow us to even WANT to sit outside. My front porch is covered and I spend a lot of early morning time out there.
I came over to see if you did RUSH today for our sorority...mine is pretty pitiful and I am praying Karen doesn't kick my butt out of the sorority..bwaaaa..I am not creative but just HAD to belong!! :)
Happy Sistah...
xo bj
Posted by: bj | June 24, 2010 at 05:16 PM
Hi Dana, love your umbrella but I am not sure about the sun 'pee.' HA! Your porch looks very nice with the potted flowers and the umbrella is a great idea. Shade makes a huge difference here in the mountains. How was the pee, I mean tea???
Now I am off to comment on your next post.
love, Jeanne
Posted by: jeanne | June 25, 2010 at 10:23 AM