by Betty 

August 3, 2020

Our home when we bought it three years ago on February 14, 2017

Wide porches seem to issue an invitation to step away from the busy treadmill of life every so often. To me, comfortable white wicker chairs, with puffy pillows speak a friendly welcome.

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An appeal to sit a spell. Relax. Watch the light and shadow of green leaves as they sway and shift in the soft breeze. Listen to the chorus practice of the birds. Admire bright butterflies as they dip and flutter among the blooms and the humming bird’s feathers that glow like jewels as they sip nectar.

This is food for the soul. Serenity is profoundly connected to the beauty of nature.

This area is close to Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake, both major resort attractions. The house had never been lived in full time, but was used as a vacation spot for a couple from another state who came to the area to fish on the lakes. No outside landscaping had been done, the dirt work wasn’t even completed. The inside wasn’t completely done yet either.

To be sure, my initial reaction to the appearance of this house was pity for such a sad and homely looking cottage!  But once I got over the initial shock of a brown house with a green roof, of all the ghastly color choices, I began to see a lot of potential. One thing that did appeal was the wide front porch!


Hop forward another year, and some of the potential was starting to become reality. Son, Eric, came from Texas to help get ready to pour the concrete for side walks along the front and side of the house, and a patio and fire pit in back of it. Daughter, Kristina, arrived from Montana and she and daughter Brenda hauled stones from the creek to lay up borders, and spaded, planted, watered and fertilized!

My dreams for the porch included white wicker seating. Definitely wicker. And most definitely white. To soften some of the effects of that brown siding.

As usual I bided my time. Searched at flea markets, yard sales, thrift stores. Then found exactly what I was looking for,  and the price was right. It now offers a place to relax to enjoy the sweet sights and sounds of summer.

As usual I bided my time. Searched at flea markets, yard sales, thrift stores. Then found exactly what I was looking for, and the price was right. It now offers a place to relax to enjoy the sweet sights and sounds of summer.

What I discovered is missing, is a stand on which to rest my coffee cup between sips. So this summer, my goal was to find a remedy for that. I didn’t have to look far. We had an old sewing machine cabinet that needed to be refinished...

We removed the hardware and the one little drawer to paint it.

Creating relaxing and restorative spaces in and around our homes...making dreams come true...joy for a homemakers heart.

Early in the morning, it is here that I gravitate to. To watch a new day be born. To sip coffee. To meditate and marvel anew at the wonders of God’s beautiful creation.

It’s home - our place - to live and love and celebrate good times with special people.

About the author 

Betty

Thanks for enjoying my blog! Hi, I'm Betty, and I live in central Ky, with my husband, daughter, one dog and one cat. I am passionate about relationships, home-making and wordsmithing. In this blog I write about the things I am passionate about, as well as sharing stories of my life, past and present. My hope is you enjoy reading these stories as much as I enjoyed writing them!

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  • I had about forgotten how homely it all was before the landscaping and all the painting was done! It is definitely homey now…and much much improved in every aspect! Just shows what stewardship does! And btw, I was honored to be mentioned in the story of your beautiful home. 😍😁

  • Wow! What a transformation! I love, love the landscape, white posts and shutters. Looks very inviting! Who knows, maybe someday I will be privileged to sit a spell on them thar’ front porch myself!

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