Thursday, March 29, 2012

A Springy Front Porch

Happy Spring!

 I have been feeling under the weather lately so I haven't been blogging for a week or so....I hope you all are having a wonderful spring. Everything seems to be in bloom in Illinois. The weather is extremely sunny and bright. I guess it spurred me on to decorate the porch! I put two of my chairs on the porch a few weeks ago and that's how I left it.



I guess I really wasn't sure what to do with it. I never had a big front porch. I had planned on taking my metal unbrella and put flowers in it for the front door but that was it. So off to Hobby Lobby I went and bought some flowers and made a bow.  Being extremely happy I set out to adorn my front door. Command hook in hand, I attached it according to directions and put my lovely bouquet on the door. So I thought!
I could not close the door! The glass door and front door were too close! DRATS!

So I took off the hook( thank God I used a Command hook) and attached it to the glass door.....


Looks pretty nice, huh????

I bought some hydrangas. Then decided to add my angel I bought years ago at "The Christmas Tree Shop" in Schenectady, NY. The flowers are sitting on a rooster stool my Aunt Elaine gave me for Christmas when I was 17 or 18. Our first visit to Arizonia for Christmas. I forgot to take a picture some before pics of it.
I'm not sure if I like the way it looks, but I will leave it for a week and see what I think. Do you do that?? Put something in place and leave it until you decide if you like it or not. I do that way too much! lol


This is a view of the whole door.


 Next, I brought out birdhouses, angels, candles and lanterns for the new tables on the porch. I bought the tables this past weekend on sale at Hobby Lobby.


In the middle of all this I had to sit down and have a cup of tea. I got really tired.... I am hooked on Vanilla Chai tea!


A closer look at my cup and the delicate flowers. The cup is from Gustavsberg, Sweden.


The bottom of the cup says Linnea.
 It has a sweet story...
"Deep in the Swedish forests in the shadows of dark firs, where no other flowers grow, you can find this bashful plant. Many poets have sung the simple beauty of this little flower with its sweet almond scent that you can sense far and wide during the white Swedish summer nights. To honor "The King of Flowers",  Carl Von Linne (1707-1778), the herb was given its name Linnea".

Nothing fancy when I am in the creative mood!

Let's move on to the other side of the porch......

I took a close up so you could see more of the table.
The birdhouses and lantern  I bought at the Christmas Tree Store a long time ago. The Birdbath is a Goodwill purchase and sprayed white.


The color on this tree is breathtaking! I just had to take a few pictures....

The picture above does not show the true color of this Japanese Maple. It is brillant! 


I am so happy you stopped by so I could share my porch with you. I hope you have a peaceful, happy and lovely week.

I am joining:
 Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

Share Your Creations Thursdays at Kristin's Creations
Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/03/how-to-make-hanging-starfish.html#more



Blessings My Friend,















12 comments:

  1. Hi Elaine,I hope you are feeling better. I had a bad bug a couple of weeks ago, too. Lasted 4 or 5 days! Not fun. I think everything looks great. xo

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  2. Wow! What an upgrade!!! You did a wonderful job on making your porch look welcoming and relaxing! I'm sorry to hear you haven't been feeling your best and hope you come back around soon. I'm not sure if the change in climate or pollen factor from Texas to Illinois is all that great, so I'd probably rule that out. At any rate, I hope you are back in the pink in no time. Your door wreath looks fantastic!!! Good thing you have a covered porch to protect it! Feel better, and have a good weekend!!!

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  3. Sweet Spring blessings to you.
    Your porch looks great! Spring has sprung here in Kansas and I'm thrilled.
    You even have some tulips. They're great.
    God bless and hope you get to feeling much better.
    d

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  4. What a nice porch, I would love to sit and have tea with you and look at that beautiful tree! Feel better soon.

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  5. Japanese Maples are so gorgeous...yours must really like where it is planted! Your front porch looks lovely. I hope that you begin to feel better soon! Cherry Kay

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  6. Hi Elaine! I don't know what I did in the days before Command Hooks! I use them everywhere, in plastic and in the "fancier" finishes too! Your front door basket is very pretty. I have an angel just like your (next to the hydrangeas) but she is a grey finish like cement. I have had her for years and she has traveled with me from house to house. I love her as she reminds me of my own daughter with a book on her lap. Your tree is gorgeous. We have one outside in our front yard too but it was really damaged in our snow storm in October. It hasn't even started blooming yet so we are really behind you in terms of Spring. Have a wonderful day. You seem to be happy in your new place. Linda

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    1. Hi Linda,
      Thanks for your visit! My angel was white when I bought her. Last year I gave her a new coat of spray paint...that's why she looks so good! lol
      I do love my new house much better than my house in Texas! I will admit I miss our pool.....
      Blessings My Friend,

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  7. Beautiful front porch! Gorgeous colours.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)
    Have a nice day.

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  8. It just so happens that my "to do" list for today is to work on my front porch. This is just the push of inspiration I need to make mine more springy!

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    1. Debbie,
      I will check back to see your porch! I really didn't know what to do with mine. I just went with what I have unpacked and called it a day! Good Luck and have fun!
      Blessings My Friend,

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  9. Hi Elaine,
    Your Maple tree is gorgeous! I love those and have wanted one for so long.
    Your porch decor, looks so comfy and welcoming! I'm a new follower and am inviting you to share at our linky party as well, we'd love to have you!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  10. Hi lovely lady.
    Your porch looks so sweet, I would love to sit down with you and have tea. your tree look so beautiful for Spring.I also hope you Feel better soon. I hope you have a wonderful Easter with your family.
    XXOO Diane

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