A couple of years ago, Don got the idea to add a patio space next to the house. Let me explain: when you drive up our driveway you reach the top, turn the car to the left and park. The car ended up being parked right next to the house, which was too close, thank you very much. So Don thought some separation might be called for. I was home for a week’s break in the middle of my 6 month stint in San Diego. So we went to the store, bought some pavers and some barrels and a birdbath and threw it together. We didn’t really level the area or put sand down or any of the recommended steps – we just did it. Three years later, it’s still here. The pavers are a bit crooked here and there, but it’s hanging in there.

I hope you are enjoying my high-tech visual aids. Since I harp on the peonies all the time, I thought you might like to see where they are on the property. See them at the top of the picture? They are all the way down by the road. The big garden bed starts just beyond the patio and slopes downward to the lawn. We park the car to the left.

I love, love the white chairs. We bought them at a local antique store several years ago. They’re extremely comfortable and you can rock in them. We used to have them way up in the back forty but we didn’t sit there very much (although it’s cool up there – you can see the mountains.)

So…yesterday I decided to add that galvanized tub on the right. And I planted lots of bright colored annuals in it.

Then I moved one of the benches from the porch to the funky patio. I always like to have a place to set down a cool drink or a book.

You know I love our porch, but sometimes I like to sit here. It’s a little further from the road and a wee bit more quiet. Some day, we’d love to add a fence between the big garden bed and the patio. It would nicely separate the areas and make the patio more private.

And look! Last year some of the impatiens that are planted in the barrels seeded between the pavers. Impatiens are annuals. They’re not supposed to come back. But there they are! A wee little miracle.

The patio is nothing to write home about. It’s not slick or professionally done. But it suits our little cottage and our lifestyle. I guess if the patio is funky, we must be, too.

Happy Saturday. It’s a rainy one here.

Oh, Northeastern gardeners: do you have more slugs than ever this year? We sure do. Every leaf on every plant has holes. I see those little buggers everywhere.