Lately, we’ve had to grab time on the porch in the morning or not at all. It is too darn hot the rest of the day. Yesterday, like an idiot, I decide to clear out an overgrown area of the back forty in the peak heat hours. What was I thinking? To be honest, I was a mite irritated that this area I had so painstakingly cleared out before I left for California had not been attended to. The guilty party shall remain nameless. It wasn’t Scout or Riley, although they look like they’ve been put in the slammer in these photos.
More of the porch:
Vintage Sue sent me these rocks from the Eastern Shore and I’ve used them in my indoor potted plants and here on the picnic table.
This table, as well as several benches that live on the porch were a lucky find by my husband. We walk the dogs just down the way on a quiet little road. One day he was walking along and saw all the furniture by the side of the road. He asked about the price. $25.00 for all of it, if we transported it ourselves. Deal.
The bittersweet part of this story and what makes the furniture doubly dear to us is that the former owner of the furniture was this man’s mother-in-law, who had recently moved in with them. I’d seen her walking around their property. A few months after we bought the furniture, there was a terrible car accident just across the road from us. An elderly woman lost control of her car and it plunged down an embankment. She didn’t survive the crash. It wasn’t until later that we realized that she was the same woman who sold us this furniture. You can see why it means so much to us. We spoke to her daughter one day and expressed our sympathy, offering to return the furniture if she wanted it back. She graciously told us to keep it and that she was happy to know it was a part of our little cottage just down the road.
Everything has a story. It has been loved by someone. Usually, we buy something vintage or weathered and wonder about its story. Who owned it? Where did it live before we found it? What stories can it tell? Thankfully, we know a bit of this story. And we are grateful.
I miss the porch, I want to come and visit and knit. Scoutie and Riley your Aunt Mere loves you.
XO, Mere
Your fur babies are so sweet and what a wonderful porch you have . . . we don’t see many of those here in the burbs . . .
The Discovery Shop is a local shop. It’s not a chain. But I’m sure that the Cancer Society probably has something similar in your area as it’s a way of them raising money.
The vintage and antique event is only once a year. They generally don’t carry these vintage items everyday. Next year I’ll be better prepared! I missed out on a fab hat and a typewriter and a suitcase!
xxoo
What a wonderful post today, Claudia.
Thank you for sharing the touching (albeit sad) story, and all the lovely photos. Have a beautiful Sunday. Like you, I spend these hot days indoors.
Oh! Oh! I don’t want to forget to tell you – of all people – I was on the telephone talking with my sister this morning and said, “Wait a second…” I went outside and said, “Can you hear this?” The most beautiful trio of birds, singing LOUDLY to each other. Enough to draw me outside. As if knowing that I needed to know more, one of the birds came to within 12 feet of me, sat on the gutter outside my studio and sang her heart out. (My sister could hear, too, although she was 1500 miles away.) I went inside, looked up the bird in my guide to find out it was a MOCKINGBIRD!!! My heart is full because of their songs.
I hope you enjoy your Sunday at Mockingbird Cottage. Mine will be, thanks to my visiting mockingbirds.
Hugs,
Donna
xoxo
What a lovely porch~ a wonderful place to relax with the dogs! I often wonder about the history of a find, as well~ who used it in the past…
Nice porch Claudia! Pic of my kitchen table is posted on my blog. Ck. it out. I think it has the same lines. Stay cool! LizlovesVintage
Good Morning Claudia Sweetie…
What a beautiful share you have today. I love you table and benches, and especially the story behind it.
Your critters are especially precious and yes they do look like they are in lock-down. (I can sympathize with them there.)
Your porch is TDF, I LOVE it. Thank you so much for sharing. I won’t mention any names on the North 40 either, but I have a strong feeling it is your other half. Shame, shame.
Have a gorgeous day sweetie. I am finishing up things around here and getting stuff ready to return to work tomorrow after 2 1/2 months. I can’t wait.
Sending much love and happiness to you sweetie. Love, Sherry
beautiful flowers and furniture Claudia, and such a sad story…. you are so right that everything has a story… sometimes they just bring a tear to our eyes.
Hope you are having a lovely weekend, even with the heat ;)
Jen xo
Claudia your porch is lovely. There is almost nothing better than time spent on a porch. That was a sad story. I like to know the story behind by finds if I can find one. hugs♥olive
I always wonder about the history of the vintage things I bring home — what they may have meant to someone else…loved your story today. -amy
Claudia, the story was sad, but it somehow makes the furniture more meaningful. I love the ring of rocks around the planter. I would have never thought of doing that, but it makes the plant special and draws your attention to it.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Claudia,
It is always nice to know the history of a certain piece of furniture or a treasure.
Your porch is so pretty and inviting. The doggies do look as though they are up to something!
We cannot even sit on our porch in the early morning hours. It never cools down and the humidity stays around 80%! eek!
hugs
Sissie
…dear Claudia ~
I’m seeing a pattern here, sweet sheep, tattered dolls & sea shore stones, picnic table ~ (and the list goes on)
things loved, and yes, things with a story, find their way to you so that you may breathe new life into them and continue their story by sharing them with us!
xo, Rosemary
Your porch is wonderful! We have a deck, but it’s not covered so it’s pretty miserable a lot of the time. Our front porch isn’t comfy. I would love to make it so!
Oh Claudia! What a story about that sweet woman who sold you the furniture!!
I adore your dogs!!! And your fieldstone terrace! And your property looks sooo lovely and serene!!!
Bet you are GLAD to be home!! :)
Ruth
Love your puppies! Mine is acting crazy right now because it’s thundering!
Your porch is just lovely! We’ve only been going out on ours in the early AM too. Much too hot the rest of the day even at night!
Manuela
I think every home should have a porch. I’ve always loved them and only one house of ours did not have a porch… it never felt like home.
I especially love them during a summertime rainstorm
It’s all lovely, honey, and I know it has a good home. I’ve always loved your porch!
xoxo
Connie
Claudia, I just absolutely adore that porch. The fact that you can’t see traffic or stores from it. I guess the grass is always greener, huh? Don’t push yourself. The weeds will simply grow back. I’m sure the “guilty party who shall remain nameless” has been properly taken to task!
Brenda
Hi Claudia,
Very touching post. It’s wonderful that the dear ladies outdoor furniture is now being loved by you.
Everything has a story, it is so true.
Your porch is charming.
Wishing you a beautiful Sunday,
Mary
Your porch is lovely. I know about starting a project in this dreadful heat can really rob you of energy. I felt like that today.
I hope that you enjoy your trip to California. I love your dogs.
Karen
Scout and Riley are adorable!
Your porch looks lovely. The story of your furniture is so sad! I am so sorry for the woman and her family.
I know you will cherish her furniture.
I hope you are doing well, now that you are back at home and all settled in.
Hugs,
Terri
Pretty porch…so homey. Seems the whole country is having a bout of terrible heat. We live on the North East Coast and it has been extremely hot…
Your story of the picnic set is so touching. It’s true…everything in life has a story to tell.
Warm Wishes,
Susie
hi claudia,
your dogs are so darn cute!
and your porch ain’t bad either. ours is too hot right now also.
~janet
Hey Girlfriend,
Wow, what a wonderful sentiment, and I’m so glad you were the recipient, as I know you’ll treasure it more than most people would. Have a great week.
Love,
Meri
Oh Claidia, that is such a sad story about the woman who you bought the furniture from. How sweet of you to offer it back to her daughter. Yes, it is very special furniture to say the least. Glad you got your little area back to where you left it! :)
Hugs,
Maryjane
xox
Sending cool greetings from the hottest state in the nation. It’s been so awfully hot and oppressive here in NJ as well. We’ve been sitting on the porch in the early morning and later in the evening, always grateful for that little breeze that stirs the air a bit. I know what you mean about owning items previously owned by someone – they have a special quality that new furniture just doesn’t have. It’s almost like it has absorbed some of the people and settings that it experienced. Keep cool and stay away from the weeding for awhile. Cute puppies!!! Ciao,bella!
Ooh, it is too hot here, too. We have to carefully choose time to spend on our porch.
Such a sad story about the owner of the furniture. The family must smile knowing it is treasured by you.
SCOUT AND RILEY ARE THE CUTEST. THIS WEATHER IS SO HARD ON THE ANIMALS. WE HAVE 2 SHEPERDS, THEY ROMP IN THE YARD AND PLAY AND THEY ARE JUST EXHAUSTED FROM THE HEAT. THEY LAY IN THE SHADE ON THE COOL GRASS. WE ALSO HAVE TWO GOATS, I WILL DO A POST ON THEM, THEY ARE SO SWEET, THEY LOVE ANIMAL CRACKERS.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF LET THE WEEDS WAIT, I REMEMBER PICKING UP AN OLD ROCKER AT A GARAGE SALE MANY YEARS AGO, IT BELONGED TO MY NEIGHBORS GREAT GRANDMOTHER, STORIES BEHIND FURNITURE IS GREAT. CLAUDIA, TAKE CARE STAY COOL. RIZZI
yes, everthing has a story! i love you doggies. your porch is wonderful. hot here in grass valley/nevada city. ouch. it is going to be an inside day of sewing and crafting. have a fun and silly day. dogwood
I agree….I love knowing the story behind some of my finds. I was so sorry to read about this dear lady’s death. Love your cottage….everything about it…inside and out!
Huggies,
Spencer
LOVE your porch, Claudia, that last picture is so pretty. Hope to have a porch one fine day too…
Sending lots of Dutch JOY your way for a happy Monday. xx
What a sweet post, Claudia. Your porch has so much character and charm. I love porches so much more than decks. Your flowers look GORGEOUS! Mine are suffering from heat stroke I think! And just look at those sweet babies… Donna