When we first got the stay-at-home policy, I was so thankful. I was glad for the opportunity to be able to stay at home. The chance to be able to just stay here and not HAVE to go out every single day has truly been a blessing to me in lots of ways.
One of the things staying home has provided me is the blessing of simply enjoying the front porch. Last year I gave Mike new porch rockers and a new porch swing. The ones we had were older than vintage. They had been on his grandparents' porch before they graced this front porch and time had done what time does to wooden porch furniture. Slats in the seat of the chairs and bench were broken, the back of the swing had pulled away from the seat, countless coats of paint had begun to chip and wear away and they just didn't seem safe anymore.
So, last fall after Mike said not to give him a gift for his birthday and I said not to give me a gift for my birthday, I took it upon myself to bend the rules a little bit and give him rockers and a swing for his birthday and say that it was his gift to me as well. I shopped by surfing the net and finally landed on something that I liked and thought would take on a similar profile to what had always graced the front porch.
The rockers are not those tall, 'Cracker Barrel' rockers and have a lower profile like the old ones did. They have a wide seat that provides plenty of room and comfortable support. When they arrived in their flat boxes, I could hardly wait to pull the pieces out and put them together. I love the woven seat and back. I love the color of the wood. I just couldn't have been more pleased with the new rockers.
Shortly after, I also ordered a new porch swing using the concept of a Christmas gift exchange as the excuse for this purchase. I knew that I wanted something a little longer than the previous swing so that two adults can comfortably sit on it. So, again, I surfed the net and found one that was simple and had a similar curve to the arm as the rockers. It came unstained and I had to think for a while to decide if I wanted to paint it or attempt to stain it to coordinate with the rockers.
Stain won out and I set to work. Then, after giving it a week or so, I oiled down the rockers as well as the swing with some of the oil finish I use on the butcher block counter top we have on the island as a protective coating. It weathered the winter well and I gave it a new coat of oil this spring.
The front porch has sort of turned into an oasis for Toby and me this summer. We both have enjoyed hours out there. He stretches out for a nap on the rug and I sit in one of the rockers or the swing and read a book or nap.
The addition of some ferns and flowers have truly made it seem like a summer oasis. I've so enjoyed the beauty of the green, the dark walnut-wood color of the furniture, and the shade.
It is friendly and welcoming as well as relaxing and comfortable whether we are napping or just sitting and watching the world go by.
A tall ice-cold drink in the afternoon or a delicious cup of coffee in the morning will usually be enjoyed right on the front porch. I've enjoyed the space so much, that other instances of metamorphosis have taken place and even more will be coming. That's another story for another day, though. Right now, I hear the front porch calling to me and maybe I'll let Toby tag along!
